Prevalence of anemia and associated risk factors among pregnant women in an urban community at the North of Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Anemia in pregnancy is common public health problem with poor outcome for both mother and child. This study, aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among pregnant women in an urban community at the north of Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 390 pregnant attending for antenatal care in one of eight Primary Health Care (PHC) centers in Hail city, Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: Among participants, 133 (34.1%) were anemic (hemoglobin level < 11 g/dl). Out of which, 24.9% were mildly anemic, 9.2% were moderately anemic and none of the participant was found to be severely anemic. The prevalence of anemia increased significantly with low income (p = 0.026), bigger family size (p = 0.020), higher parity (p = 0.023), longer menstrual cycle > 5 days (p = 0.042), bleeding during pregnancy (p = 0.028), infrequent intake of meat (p = 0.020), the habit of drinking tea just after meals (p = 0.019), past history of anemia (p < 0.001), clinical anemia (pallor) (p < 0.001). On the other hand, increased BMI (p = 0.002) and frequent intake of food from restaurants (p = 0.008) were found to be negatively associated with anemia among pregnant women. CONCLUSION: "In urban Hail region, Saudi Arabia, anemia among pregnant women was a moderate public health problem. Low income, bigger family size, higher parity, longer menstrual cycle > 5 days, bleeding during pregnancy, infrequent intake of meat, the habit of drinking tea just after meals, past history of anemia, and the sign of clinical anemia (pallor), were found to be significantly associated with anemia. These findings give insight to healthcare providers about the importance of early detection and management of anemia in early pregnancy. Further research utilizing prospective cohort design to study risk factors of anemia including rural areas, should be considered to support and extend the present study findings".

Teachers' knowledge about type 1 diabetes in public female elementary schools in Northern Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Saudi Arabia ranks the 4th country in the world in incidence rate of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), which is usually diagnosed in children and teens. Managing T1D at school is important for children's short- and long-term health. Little is known about how much teachers are compatible to support students with diabetes in schools in northern Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to assess factual knowledge about T1D among teachers in public female elementary schools. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in 18 elementary schools in Hail region, during October 16, 2019 to January 23, 2020. A structured self- administered questionnaire approached all school teachers and other school staff caring students (n = 600). RESULTS: A total of 504 questionnaires received completed (84.0% response rate). Overall, 220 (43.7%) teachers reported having had or currently having a student/s with T1D. Only a small percentage (10.8%) who stated that they had received training to support students with T1D. Participant attained an overall fair knowledge score (13.20 ± 3.81 on 20-point scale; 66.0%), however, only 27.3% who attained good score (≥ 80%) compatible with being an effective support person for students with diabetes. The multivariate logistic regression model, revealed that: (1) received training [adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR: 3.38; p < 0.001); (2) have/ever had diabetic student/s (aOR: 2.02; p = 0.002); (3) teacher himself is diabetic or have a near contact diabetic person (aOR: 2.35; p = 0.001); (4) family history of diabetes (aOR: 1.84; p = 0.015); and (5) teacher's capacity to inject insulin (aOR: 1; p = 0.003), were factors that predicted teacher's good knowledge. CONCLUSION: Teachers in female elementary schools in our region need to improve their knowledge about diabetes in children, especially recognizing and management of diabetic emergencies. Training programs are crucially needed to empower teachers with knowledge and self-confidence in helping students with diabetes.

Prevalence and Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice among Mothers of Children Aged 6-24 Months in Hail, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: The WHO recommends that infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development, and health. Nonadherence to exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) depends largely on the individual, sociocultural context, and institutional factors. The aim of this study is to estimate coverage and factors associated with adherence to EBF among mothers in the urban Hail region, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out during February-June 2019 among 450 mothers of children aged 6-24 months attending immunization and well-baby clinics in 6 primary healthcare centers in Hail city. A pretested structured questionnaire was used to interview the consented participants. RESULTS: The majority of mothers (72.9%) were aware of EBF; 24% reported initiation of breastfeeding within one hour after delivery; however, 71.1% did during the first 24 hours. The majority (76.8%) fed colostrum to their newborn; nevertheless, 50.1% had given a prelacteal feeding. Mothers who reported EBF practice were 50.7% (CI 45.9-55.4). The adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that mother's awareness about EBF (aOR 3.03; 95% CI 1.78-5.18), antenatal care received at the governmental facility (aOR 2.63; 95% CI 1.28-5.41), breastfeeding a previous child (aOR 2.42; 95% CI 1.46-4.03), counseling received after delivery (aOR 2.47; 95% CI 1.34-4.53), and colostrum feeding given (aOR 4.24; 95% CI 2.31-7.77) were positively associated with EBF practice. On the other hand, mother's education (OR 0.39; 95% CI 0.15-0.99), higher family income (aOR 0.04; 95% CI 0.00-0.31), and practice prelacteal feeding (aOR 0.61; 95% CI 0.38-0.97) were negatively associated with EBF practice. CONCLUSION: EBF rate in urban Hail is still far below WHO recommendations. Efforts to strengthen mothers' counseling/support during antenatal care and immediately after delivery are needed to promote EBF practice, especially in the private sector.

Assessing healthcare workers' knowledge, emotions and perceived institutional preparedness about COVID-19 pandemic at Saudi hospitals in the early phase of the pandemic.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic extended to reach most countries in the globe during few months. Preparedness of healthcare institutions and healthcare workers (HCWs) are crucial for applying effective prevention and control measures. This study aimed to assess HCWs knowledge, emotions and perception of preparedness of their institutions towards COVID-19 pandemic. Design: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted among hospital HCWs in Saudi Arabia during April 27, 2020 to May 03, 2020. Results: Overall, 1004 completed responses were received. The majority were females (78.8), nurses (84.9%) at middle age 25-39 years (71.8%). Among participants, 95.5% reported receiving training on safely use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and 94.9% did fit the test for N95 respirator. The participants possessed a fair knowledge about COVID-19 disease with a mean knowledge score 6. 61±1.35 points on a scale of 10 points. Most participants (88.7%) were committed to continue work as a professional and ethical duty, however, 27.1% of them scored high on a negative emotional impact scale. Participants appreciated most aspects of institutional preparedness for COVID-19 pandemic; however, they were concerned with the continuous PPE supply. Factors that independently associated with good knowledge and negative emotional response were determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusions: Findings revealed fair knowledge about COVID-19 pandemic among HCWs in Saudi hospitals. Concerns and worries were expressed regard working with the highly infectious COVID-19 patients. Participants, appreciated most aspects of institutional preparedness, however they were concerned about the continuous availability and supply of PPE.

Compliance with infection control standard precautions guidelines: a survey among dental healthcare workers in Hail Region, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: The concept of standard precautions (SP) has been a cornerstone of dental infection control (IC) practice. Full adherence with SP guidelines is still a matter of concern in many institutions. The objectives of the present study were to assess and characterise compliance with SP guidelines among dental healthcare workers (DHCWs) and to analyse factors that affect compliance. METHODS: A regional cross-sectional questionnaire survey among DHCWs in all health facilities was carried out from August to November 2014. RESULTS: A total of 307 returned valid self-report questionnaires with a response rate of 73.1%. Most participants (86.3%) were aware of the SP guidelines, 84.4% received IC training and 88.9% received hepatitis B vaccination. Compliance with SP was found to be high; the majority (90.1%) attained 75% on the compliance scale. In the multivariate logistic regression model, perceived higher institutional commitment as regard IC requirements (odds ratio [OR], 4.34; P <0.001), perceived training as adequate (OR, 3.51; P = 0.003), dentist job (OR, 2.99; P = 0.035) and younger age (OR, 0.59; P = 0.041) were independently predicted as good compliant behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: This survey revealed high self-reported compliance with SP guidelines. Institutional factors appear to have an important role. Attention should be paid to dental assistants and private DHCWs.