Association of iron deficiency anaemia with the hospitalization and mortality rate of patients with COVID­19.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) illness led to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has caused enormous health and financial losses, as well as challenges to global health. Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) has been linked to adverse outcomes in patients infected with SARS-COV-2. The present study aimed to assess the association between IDA and the severity of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. For this purpose, a retrospective data analysis of 100 patients with COVID-19 was conducted. Data of patients hospitalized with SARS-COV-2 infection confirmed by RT-PCR were collected between June, 2021 and March, 2022. The collected data included patient demographics, comorbidities, clinical signs, symptoms and IDA medical laboratory findings, including complete blood count and iron profiles. The results revealed that patients with COVID-19 admitted to the isolation unit represented 61.0% of the study sample, whereas 39.0% were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). No patients had stage I IDA, whereas 4 patients (4%) had stage II IDA. Furthermore, 19 patients (19.0%) had stage III IDA. A significantly higher proportion of patients with IDA (69.6%) were admitted to the ICU compared with those without IDA (29.9%, P<0.001). Additionally, patients with IDA had a higher proportion of a history of stroke compared with those without IDA (17.4 vs. 2.6%, respectively, P=0.024). The most common comorbidities identified were hypertension (29%), diabetes (23%) and heart problems (17%). On the whole, the present study demonstrates significant associations between IDA and a longer hospitalization period. A greater incidence of complications was observed in the hospitalized patients who were SARS-COV-2-positive. Although further studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm these findings, the results presented herein may provide insight for physicians as regards the prevention and treatment of patients with IDA who are infected with coronavirus.

Characteristics of Children with Cerebral Palsy and Their Utilization of Services in Saudi Arabia.

The recent emergence of research on cerebral palsy (CP) in developing countries aims to improve knowledge on affected children and the utilization of the available services. This study seeks to describe children with CP in Saudi Arabia and service utilization as per Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels and geographic regions. A cross-sectional survey of 227 children with CP (Mean age 6.3, SD 3.9 years) was conducted. Parents reported on children's demographics, impairments, and service utilization. Half of the children (n = 113, 49.8%) had ≥3 impairments with speech, visual and learning impairments being the most frequent. The total number of impairments differed significantly by GMFCS, F (4, 218) = 8.87, p < 0.001. Most of the children (n = 86, 83.4%) used 2-5 services. Moreover, 139 (62.3%) did not attend school, 147 (65.9%) did not receive occupational therapy, and only 32 (14.3%) received speech therapy. More children in GMFCS level I did not receive neurologist services. Profiles of children and services were described by GMFCS and by regions. This was the first study to describe children with CP and service utilization in Saudi Arabia. Although many impairments affected the children, there was low utilization of related services. Data on service utilization and on unmet needs support a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation and the proper service allocation.

Prevalence of oncology nurses' compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: To systematically review and comprehensively analyse findings of studies reporting oncology nurses' compassion satisfaction (CS), burnout (BO) and secondary traumatic stress (STS), measured by the professional quality of life (ProQOL) scale, and explore CS and CF related factors. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional and interventional studies. METHOD: Electronic databases were searched using keywords, and the review followed PRISMA guidelines. The prevalence of CS, BO and STS and their instrumental ratings were pooled using random effects meta-analyses. Meta-regression studies explored the effects of variables. RESULTS: Fifteen studies (sample size 2,509) were reviewed, and nine were in the meta-analysis. The prevalence of CS, BO, and STS were 22.89%, 62.79% and 66.84%, respectively. No substantial correlation was found for independent variables, possibly due to sample size. There was a weak negative correlation between CS and BO [-0.06(0.90)] and a weak positive correlation between CS and STS [0.20(0.70)].

Conhecimento e prática de enfermeiros sobre protocolos de segurança na tomografia computadorizada / Nurses' knowledge and practice toward computed tomography safety protocols

RESUMO Objetivo avaliar o conhecimento e as práticas de enfermeiros quanto às recomendações de segurança para realização de tomografias computadorizadas. Métodos estudo transversal utilizando amostra de conveniência de dois hospitais públicos. Foi elaborado um questionário para avaliar as características sociodemográficas, conhecimento e práticas dos enfermeiros. Realizou-se análise descritiva para avaliar as características, e as correlações foram avaliadas através da correlação de Spearman. Os testes U de Mann-Whitney e H de Kruskal-Wallis foram usados para comparar as médias das pontuações de conhecimento e práticas. Resultados a maioria dos participantes era do sexo feminino (91,6%), de 20 a 29 anos (57,3%), e tinha a graduação como seu nível de formação (74%). Níveis de conhecimento e prática foram de 58% e 78,9%, respectivamente. Houve correlação positiva entre o conhecimento e a prática nos enfermeiros (r=0,684, p<0,001), mas, sem diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre características sociodemográficas e a pontuação de conhecimento ou práticas. Conclusão enfermeiros mostraram um nível adequado em sua prática do preparo seguro para tomografias computadorizadas, embora seu nível de conhecimento tenha se mostrado deficiente. Contribuições para a prática esse estudo demonstra a importância do conhecimento enquanto guia da prática de enfermagem rumo a um uso melhor das medidas de segurança para tomografias computadorizadas.

ABSTRACT Objective to assess nurses' knowledge and practice toward computed tomography scan safety guidelines. Methods a cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenience sample of 131 nurses from two government hospitals. Self-designed questionnaire was used to assess nurses' sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, and practice. Descriptive analysis was performed to evaluate characteristics, correlations were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, and the Mann-Whitney U and the Kruskal-Wallis H tests were used to compare the mean ranks of knowledge and practice scores. Results most respondents were female (91.6%), were aged 20-29 years (57.3%), and had bachelor's degrees (74%). Knowledge and practice levels were 58% and 78.9% respectively. A positive correlation between knowledge and practice was observed among nurses (r=0.684, p<0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed between sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge and practice scores. Conclusion nurses showed adequate level of practice toward computed tomography scan safety preparations while their knowledge level was deficient. Contributions to practice this study informs the importance of knowledge in guiding nursing practice toward appropriate computed tomography scan safety measures.

Assessment of Post-COVID-19 Quality of Life Using the Quality of Life Index.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has impacted many aspects of peoples' quality of life (QOL). AIM: To assess the QOL of post-COVID-19 cases and determine their associated sociodemographic attributes. METHODS: A cross-sectional community-based study targeted recovered COVID-19 cases using an online questionnaire. An Arabic version of the Quality of Life Index (QLI) was evaluated for reliability and validity using Cronbach's alpha and Spearman's product moment tests, respectively. Descriptive analysis, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis H, and Spearman correlation tests were used to investigate the relationships between QOL and study independent variables, including sociodemographic characteristics, time since infection, intention for vaccination, perception of the influence of COVID-19 on general health, history of hospitalization, and history of chronic illness. Subgroups were compared using a Student's t-test for normally distributed data and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test or the Kruskal-Wallis test for non-normally distributed data. RESULTS: In a sample of 449 respondents, the total QLI score was 22.64 ± 4.36; for subscales, it ranged from 20.86 ± 5.04 to 24.99 ± 4.74. Males had significantly higher health and functioning subscale (HFSUB) scores compared to females (p = 0.033). Employed cases had significantly higher social and economic subscale (SOCSUB) scores than unemployed cases (p = 0.000). Married people reported significantly higher family subscale (FAMSUB) scores (p = 0.000) than unmarried people. People who believe that their general health was affected by COVID-19 had significantly lower HFSUB and psychological and spiritual subscale (PSPSUB) scores (p = 0.000 and p = 0.021, respectively). Individuals with a history of hospital admissions scored lower on PSPSUB (p = 0.000). Age was significantly associated with both SOCSUB (p = 0.006) and FAMSUB (p = 0.040). CONCLUSION: Sociodemographic attributes of people with a history of COVID-19 revealed significant differences in some QOL domains, as measured by the Arabic version of the generic QLI. History of hospitalization and beliefs about COVID-19's impact on general health negatively influenced individual's HFSUB and PSPSUB.

Awareness of Common Cancer Risk Factors and Symptoms in Saudi Arabia: A Community-Based Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of cancer awareness and the relationship between the awareness of common cancer symptoms and risk factors and the sample's sociodemographic profile. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study conducted in Tabuk city, a convenient sample of 675 participants completed a questionnaire about common factors causing cancer and symptoms related to cancer. Descriptive statistics and chi-squared analysis were used to measure sample characteristics and their association with knowledge of cancer risk factors and symptoms. RESULTS: Level of education and family history were significantly related to awareness of cancer risk factors (P= 0.017) and (P= 0.048), respectively. Factors were significantly associated with awareness of cancer symptoms include Gender (P=0.000), nationality (P=0.013), and undergoing regular cancer screening tests (0.008). Internet was the primary source of information about cancer and related significantly to knowledge about cancer symptoms(P=0.000) and risk factors(P=0.00). More than half of the sample scored poorly for knowledge of both cancer risk factors (58.7%) and symptoms (66.2%) in terms of the overall level of cancer awareness. Smoking and heredity were the most identifiable cancer risk factors, and unexplained pain and weight loss were identified by the majority of study participants. CONCLUSION: The level of community knowledge requires further investigation, and more cancer awareness programs need to be conducted. People could be encouraged to use reliable sources of information to obtain accurate cancer information.
.

Psychometric Performance of the Arabic Versions of the Cancer Behavior Inventory-Brief and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast.

BACKGROUND: Valid and reliable instruments in Arabic are needed to measure self-efficacy and quality of life for Arabic patients with cancer. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the psychometric performance of the Cancer Behavior Inventory-Brief Arabic (CBI-BA), including participant understanding of items, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Arabic (FACT-BA). METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, 438 cancer patients completed the CBI-BA, 30 of whom completed cognitive interviews. A subsample 167 women with breast cancer also completed the FACT-BA. Internal consistency evidence was assessed with Cronbach's α and construct validity with principal axis factoring. RESULTS: Internal consistency estimates were acceptable for the total CBI-BA (α = .81) and FACT-BA (α = .88) scales. Exploratory factor analyses showed evidence of construct validity for the CBI-BA; 1 factor was derived, compared with four in the original English version. Cognitive interviews indicated satisfactory patient understanding of CBI-BA items. The Arabic version of the general FACT-General scale had 4 factors according to expectation. CONCLUSION: The CBI-BA has adequate psychometric performance for the measurement of self-efficacy for coping with cancer in Arabic patients. The FACT-General Arabic has adequate evidence of reliability and validity for the measurement of quality of life in Arabic women with breast cancer. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The availability of culturally sensitive and psychometrically sound instruments for Arabic patients diagnosed with cancer should be valuable for healthcare clinicians and researchers to assess self-efficacy for coping with cancer and quality of life.

Development of an Arabic Translation of the Cancer Behavior Inventory-Brief.

PURPOSE: The objective was to develop an Arabic version of the Cancer Behavior Inventory-Brief (CBI-B). METHODS: The CBI-B was translated into Arabic using two forward and back translations. A translation validity index (TVI) was computed from review by an expert panel. RESULTS: Both back translations had issues with word choice, grammar, and meaning, which were resolved by selecting items from each forward translation. Item TVI was 0.83-1.0, with an overall mean of 0.95. CONCLUSION: The Arabic version of the CBI-B (CBI-BA) has acceptable evidence of translation validity. Two rounds of forward and back translation of the CBI-BA were needed to ensure semantic equivalence of the CBI-BA with the original instrument. Further psychometric testing with cognitive interviewing is recommended.

Reliability Estimates for the Arabic Versions of the Cancer Behavior Inventory-Brief and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast.

PURPOSE: The study aims were to (a) test reliability of the Arabic versions of the Cancer Behavior Inventory-Brief Arabic (CBI-BA) among patients diagnosed with any type of cancer and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-BA) in women with breast cancer and (b) assess participant understanding of CBI-BA items. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used to assess preliminary evidence for internal consistency reliability of the CBI-BA and the FACT-BA in a community-dwelling sample of Arabicspeaking persons diagnosed with cancer. Participants were randomly selected for cognitive interview. RESULTS: Cronbach's alphas were ≥.76 for the CBI-BA, .91 for the FACT-BA, and .43-.89 for the FACT-BA subscales. Cognitive interviews revealed several CBI-BA items required revision. CONCLUSION: The total CBI-BA and the FACT-BA scales have adequate internal consistency reliability estimates.