Folic acid awareness and usage among females at Saudi Electronic University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates awareness of folic acid and neural tube defects, use of folic acid and knowledge of folic acid usage among female university students in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Jeddah branch of Saudi Electronic University. A total of 400 female students in the 19-45 years age group were contacted to participate in the study using a convenience sampling method. Eighty-eight students refused to participate, so 312 students were included in the study. Demographic characteristics of participants and their awareness, usage and knowledge of folic acid are presented as frequencies and percentages. Logistic regression analysis was used to compute crude odds ratios to show the association between demographic factors and knowledge of folic acid supplementation. A further adjusted odds ratio was calculated to control for other cofactors. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Overall, 81.1% (253/312) of respondents had heard of folic acid, 30.4% knew about neural tube defects, and 47.1% of respondents reported using folic acid supplements. Marriage was found to be associated with awareness of folic acid (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 2.64 (1.01-6.91)). Health sciences specialization and experience of pregnancy were associated with the usage of folic acid (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 3.46 (1.73-6.91) and adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 6.70 (3.09-14.53), respectively). A bachelor's and above education level was found to be associated with knowledge of folic acid deficiency leading to neural tube defects (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 2.03 (1.17-3.52)), and health sciences specialization was found to be associated with knowledge of natural sources of folic acid (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 2.33 (1.25-4.36)). Similarly, marriage was found to be associated with knowledge of the correct dosage of folic acid and timing of folic acid to prevent neural tube defects (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 6.34 (3.50-11.48) and adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 3.45 (1.93-6.16), respectively). Experience of pregnancy was found to be an associated with good total knowledge of folic acid (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 3.05 (1.65-5.63); p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The study findings highlight the lack of awareness among female university students about the importance of folic acid usage in the prevention of neural tube defects. There is a need for interventional programs in universities to create awareness.

Review on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic: Its outbreak and current status.

BACKGROUND: In late December 2019 and on 1st January 2020, the coronavirus (COVID-19) infecting humans was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Later cases have also been confirmed worldwide. Coronaviruses are RNA viruses that are phenotypically and genotypically diverse. Globally, as of 6th April 2020, laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) amounted to 1 211 214, including 67 666 deaths. AIM: In the current study, we performed a literature review on coronavirus outbreak to summarise details about the pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis and the management strategies for the disease control. PATHOGENESIS: Coronaviruses are tremendously precise and mature only in differentiated respiratory epithelial cells, as seen in both organ cultures as well as human volunteers. This virus will cause the antiviral T-cell response to be erratic, owing to the T-cell apoptosis activation, triggering the immune system to collapse. TRANSMISSION: The understanding of the transmission of COVID-19 risk is incomplete. The transmission mainly occurs through the respiratory droplets once an infected person sneezes, like the spread of flu and other respiratory infectious agents. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Presentations of COVID-19 includes fever, cough, shortness of breath, malaise and respiratory distress. TREATMENT: There have been no approved vaccines available for COVID-19 until today. The Ministry of Science and Technology in the People's Republic of China declared three potential antiviral medicines suitable for treating COVID-19. Those three medicines are, namely, favilavir, chloroquine phosphate and remdesivir. Hydroxychloroquine combined with azithromycin enhances the reduction of the viral load in COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSION: The corona virus transmits quicker than its two predecessors the MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, but has reduced casualty. The global effects of this latest pandemic are still unclear. Nevertheless, considering that so far no vaccine has been available; preventive approaches are the best way to fight against the virus.

Evaluation of Public Health Education and Workforce Needs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: An efficient public health workforce is necessary for improving and maintaining the health of population and such a workforce can be prepared through proper educational programs and trainings. OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to investigate the needs in the public health education programs, as well as need and availability of competent public health workforce in labour market of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was administered in two phases in the college of Health Sciences at the Saudi Electronic University (SEU). The first phase was carried out between September 2015 and December 2015, which involved interview with administrative heads of four health-related organizations. The second phase was performed in September 2017 and June 2018 after starting an undergraduate course in public health at the university. A total of 41 faculty and 408 students from different branches of SEU participated in the online survey. RESULTS: According to administrative head of public health-related organization, there is a shortage of qualified workforce in public health. All the four organizations need workforce with the master degree in sub-speciality epidemiology. About 97.5% students agreed there is a shortage of public health speciality in these organizations. About 92.7% faculty had an opinion that there is a requirement to set-up educational programs in public health. To overcome the shortage of competent workforce, two organizations showed interest in updating their employees' skill through bridging courses. The students perceiving bachelor course in public health showed interest to accomplish master's degree in epidemiology (38.5%), public health education and promotion (36.5%) and infection control (35.5%). CONCLUSION: There is a shortage of expertise in the public health organizations and there is a need for development of more public health schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The establishment of public health courses especially in the field of epidemiology at undergraduate and graduate level will help in the development of efficient and competent public health workforce.

The Association Between Wait Times and Patient Satisfaction: Findings From Primary Health Centers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: It is no doubt that longer wait times can affect patient care and patients' willingness to seek health-care services. Not only does this disrupt the continuity of treatment and care, but it also negatively impacts patient outcomes. During the past few years, the concept of patient satisfaction has become a vital component in assessing the delivery and efficiency of care. Patient satisfaction is a performance indicator that measures the extent to which patient is content and satisfied with the level of care provided by health-care institutions and providers. Therefore, this research examined association between the wait times and patient satisfaction in selected primary health-care centers in Al Qassim region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODOLOGY: A patient satisfaction questionnaire was administered to 850 patients, which collected patient perceptions on the delivery of care at health-care centers in Al Qassim City. Outcome measures included wait times for: registration and payment, seeing the physician, performing radiation and assays, and dispensing the medications. RESULTS: The response rate was 72.94% (n = 620). The study found that 27.90% of the participants stated that the wait time to see the physician ranged between 21 and 30 minutes. Overall patients were mainly dissatisfied for wait times in relation to medication dispensation, vital signs measurement, dental consultations, and radiological investigation. The study found a positive association between the patient satisfaction and their education, marital status, and job. A significant regression equation was established between the patient satisfaction and age-group and literacy. CONCLUSION: The study advocated the need for recent technology, sufficient staffing, and patient-centered friendly methods to reduce wait times.