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Background Food is handled by many individuals in large food setups, therefore increasing the chance of contamination that leads to foodborne diseases (FBDs). This study was purposed to evaluate adults' understanding of food safety, FBDs, and hygiene practices across various demographic groups in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and to explore the link between their knowledge of food safety and their corresponding attitudes. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 402 adults using a validated, self-administered questionnaire available in both printed and online formats. The study was carried out at Gulf Medical University and Thumbay hospitals and clinics over six months, beginning in December 2022 to June 2023. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (Released 2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). The chi-squared test was employed to examine the association between variables, and significant associations were further analyzed through logistic regression. Results Out of the 402 participants, the population was predominantly female 275 (67.9%), and from Southeast Asia 222 (55.4%), with students comprising the largest occupational group 186 (47%). Only 106 (26.36%) had received food safety training, and a mere 187 (46.51%) demonstrated adequate knowledge. Awareness levels varied, with the highest for raw food safety (64.02%) and the lowest for canned foods (40.79%). Demographic analysis revealed significant associations: males exhibited more inadequate knowledge 79 (62.2%) than females 136 (49.4%), and students showed higher inadequacy 104 (55.9%) compared to healthcare workers 31 (35.6%). Positive attitudes towards food safety were prevalent 226 (56.2%), and positive attitudes were found in women 157 (57.1%), individuals above 30 years of age 110 (50.5%), individuals working in healthcare 140 (62%), and married individuals 117 (60.9%). With a strong correlation (p<0.001), women were 1.68 times more likely to possess adequate knowledge than men (95% CI: 1.09, 2.59), and healthcare workers were 2.33 times more likely than students (95% CI: 1.37, 3.95). Conclusion The study reveals a low level of knowledge about food safety among adults in the UAE. Therefore, emphasis should be placed on increasing awareness of these concepts to reduce the burden of FBDs on the healthcare system.
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Introduction Hepatitis C is a viral disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), a member of the Flaviviridae family. This compact, enveloped RNA virus possesses a positive single-stranded genome and can be transmitted through various means, including blood exposure, sexual contact, and vertical transmission. The disease is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, imposing substantial costs on the healthcare system. In Saudi Arabia, HCV is a notifiable disease; however, there is a scarcity of recent reports on HCV trends in the country. This study aims to provide updated insights into the infection patterns of HCV across demographics, regions, and genders in Saudi Arabia. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted to investigate the epidemiological trends of HCV infection in Saudi Arabia. Data were obtained from the Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH), encompassing the timeframe from 2019 to 2022. A descriptive analysis of HCV infection, organized by year, age group, and gender, was conducted using the data reported to the MOH. Results Between 2019 and 2022, there was a significant decrease of 56.9% in the overall rate of hepatitis C cases in Saudi Arabia. The rate dropped from 9.94 to 4.29 cases per 100,000 people during this period. Males consistently had higher reported cases compared to females, although there was a notable decline in cases for both genders from 2019 to 2022. The highest incidence of HCV was found in individuals aged 45 years and above. However, there was a decline in cases among this age group, with the number dropping from 2,195 cases in 2019 to 946 cases in 2022. In terms of regional variations, Riyadh, Makkah, Jeddah, Alsharqiya, and Taif had the highest incidence of HCV cases. Some regions experienced an increase in cases between 2021 and 2022, particularly Jeddah, Taif, and Al-Ahsaa. Conclusion This study reveals a significant reduction in reported HCV cases in Saudi Arabia from 2019 to 2022. However, gender disparities persist, with males having a higher number of reported cases. There is also a notable decline in HCV cases among children and adolescents, which can be attributed to preventive measures. The findings emphasize the importance of region-specific strategies, as certain areas, such as Riyadh, Makkah, Jeddah, Alsharqiya, and Taif, continue to have a high number of reported cases. Proactive measures, surveillance, and public awareness campaigns remain crucial in addressing HCV as a significant public health challenge in the Kingdom.
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Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been designated a public health crisis by the World Health Organization. AMR can lead to escalated healthcare costs, higher mortality rates, increased morbidity, and more frequent hospitalizations. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the appropriateness of Tazocin prescription for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methodology We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients aged ≥18 years who were admitted with a diagnosis of CAP and administered intravenous Tazocin between November 2021 and October 2022. The primary objective was to assess the appropriateness of Tazocin prescriptions in patients with CAP. Results A total of 39 patients with CAP were included, with a mean age of 61 ± 17.36 years. Overall, 24 (61%) patients were male. The rate of inappropriate prescriptions of Tazocin was 66.6%. The incidence of inappropriate Tazocin prescription varied significantly among different medical specialties, with the highest rate observed in the oncology-palliative specialty (90%; p = 0.033). Conclusions Our study affirms the inclination of physicians to prescribe Tazocin for CAP without justifiable indications and highlights the unwarranted use of Tazocin for CAP across various medical specialties. This is evidenced by the notably high rate of inappropriate empirical prescriptions.
