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Purpose: Many types of research have been published on the history of biological warfare, the agents used, and the medical implications. However, no studies measure how people are aware of the magnitude of these health problems and international threats. The present study aimed to produce and make background about biological warfare information for health college students to be used as a basis for future studies or research and prepare the hospitals' bases for similar disasters. Methods: This observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted among undergraduate students (N = 626) enrolled in health-related colleges at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia. A preliminary survey of 30 participants was then undertaken to improve the questionnaire's understanding and validity. The questionnaire encompassed three primary sections, including (1) sociodemographic characteristics, (2) knowledge, and (3) awareness. Sociodemographic characteristics consisted of age, gender, college type, academic level, and specialty. All data were gathered using an online self-reported questionnaire using Google Forms and participants were recruited using a random sampling strategy. Results: The total participants were 626 students; 514 were females, whereas 112 were males. Knowledge and attitude indices were 3.8650 ± 0.48 and 4.06 ± 0.51 (maximum is 5). The indices showed variable statistical differences among sociodemographic factors. With adjusted and crude odds ratios of 0.53 and 0.54, attitude score is the sole significant (P = 0.05) predictor of knowledge as analyzed using logistic regression. Conclusion: The results of the present study are the first of their kind in the region and can be used to shape public awareness among specialists and decision-makers, especially in light of the recent pandemic.
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BACKGROUND: Control and prevention of infectious diseases has been a primary health mandate. The reporting system is a vital step in preventing and controlling of these diseases. Most important, healthcare workers who have a responsibility to report must be aware of this responsibility. The present study aimed to improve the compliance of primary healthcare workers against reportable tropical and non-tropical dermatological diseases. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: The objective was to assess the knowledge, skills, and practice of primary healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia regarding the surveillance system of reportable tropical and non-tropical dermatological diseases using an assessment tool featuring closed-ended questions. As a secondary objective, this study assessed the satisfaction of primary healthcare workers with the surveillance system. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Through a cross-sectional design, the study used an electronic self-administered questionnaire targeting the primary healthcare workers who met the inclusion criteria through a non-probability sampling technique. RESULTS: By the end of the study period, data had been collected from 377 primary healthcare workers. Slightly more than half of them worked for the ministry of health facilities. In the last year, the vast majority (88%) of participants did not report any infectious diseases. Poor or low knowledge was reported by almost half of the participants concerning which dermatological diseases should be notified immediately on clinical suspicion or routinely on a weekly basis. Clinically and in response to the skills assessment, 57% of the participants had lower skills scores in detecting and identifying the skin ulcer of leishmania. Half of the participants were less satisfied with the feedback after their notification and considered the notification forms complicated and time-consuming, especially with the usual high workload in primary healthcare centers. Furthermore, the observed significant differences (p < 0.001) in knowledge and skill scores were demonstrated with female healthcare workers, older participants, employees from the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, and workers with more than ten years of experience. CONCLUSION: The present study has shown the limitations of public health surveillance due to underreporting and lack of timeliness. The dissatisfaction of study participants with feedback after the notification step is another finding that demonstrates the need for collaboration among public health authorities and healthcare workers. Fortunately, health departments can implement measures to improve practitioners' awareness through continuous medical education and providing frequent feedback to overcome these hurdles.
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BACKGROUND: A hernia is an aponeurotic defect that allows an organ to protrude from its normal cavity. Despite advancements in hernia care, hernia patients' experiences with care, as well as recurrence and complication rates, are frequently suboptimal. Adequate knowledge of the risk factors of a hernia could lead to a significant reduction in the prevalence of hernia. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess the awareness of the risk factors of abdominal hernias among adults in Saudi Arabia. METHODOLOGY: Our study is a cross-sectional analytic study to measure the level of knowledge, awareness, and practice of ventral and inguinal hernias in Saudi Arabia. The data was collected by using a valid pretested structured questionnaire taken from previous studies after getting writing approval. RESULTS: In this study, we were able to collect data from 2611 individuals in different regions of Saudi Arabia, where 68.5% of the participants were females and 60.1% were aged between 18-29 years old. The prevalence of hernia among individuals in the current study was 9.2%, associated with participants older than 40 years old (19.1%), participants of the northern region (16.6%), illiterate individuals (30.0%), married (13.2%), and overweight or obese individuals (10.9% and 12.6%). In general, 53.7 % of the participants had a moderate level of knowledge, while 23.8% had a high level and 22.5% had a low level of knowledge. CONCLUSION: We found a moderate level of knowledge among adult individuals in Saudi Arabia about hernia. The prevalence of hernia was similar to those reported in previous studies; however, there is a higher incidence of risk factors in the current population.
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Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) include a group of clinical syndromes that can be transmitted mainly through sexual activity. Using STIs' syndromic approach for diagnosis and management is widely recommended to control and reduce the burden of these transmissible diseases. Objective The objective of this article is to assess the knowledge and practice of physicians concerning syndromic management of STIs in National Guard Primary Health Care (PHC) centers in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods This observational study was conducted at the National Guard PHC centers in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia. An interview-administered questionnaire was designed. Fifty physicians have met the inclusion criteria, and all of them were included in the present study. Results Of the study population, 47 PHC physicians (response rate was 94%) were interviewed and the questionnaire was completed. Overall, the physicians' knowledge was different from one syndrome to another; it was highest for urethral discharge (72%) and lowest for vaginal discharge in pregnant women (21%). During the last 10 days, the physicians in the present study reported that two-thirds of their cases of STI were urethral discharge cases. However, during the previous 10 days, the practice assessment revealed that most physicians (76%) were correctly prescribed the medications as indicated by specific patients' syndromes. Conclusion Syndromic management is essential guidance to control and reduce the burden of STIs. Overall knowledge and practice of physicians were different from one syndrome to another. There is a need to design continuing medical education programs targeting PHC physicians to be clinically and culturally competent against socially sensitive diseases like STIs.
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In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the lifetime risk of stroke is estimated to be between 23% and 28.9%, whereas in Jazan region of the Kingdom there is a high prevalence of sickle cell anemia, which is known to increase the risk of stroke. This study aimed to assess awareness of stroke signs, symptoms, and risk factors among university students in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. In this analytical cross-sectional study, data obtained through an online questionnaire were collected from 897 university students. Data were entered, cleaned, and analyzed using SPSS (IBM, Chicago IL) software version 28. Knowledge was assessed using both open- and closed-ended questions (CEQ). The participants were predominantly female (72%), single (86.8%), a fifth had relatives with cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and a third knew a person with CVA. The open-ended questions showed that 11.8% did not know any symptoms or signs and 25% knew only 1, while in the CEQs, hypertension was selected by 83.0%. Regarding knowledge about symptoms and signs, 33.7% and 21.9% recognized weakness and speech disturbance, respectively, whereas in the CEQs, around 60% selected others. Regarding actions that should be taken if CVA is suspected, >80% preferred going directly to the hospital. The best time to seek professional care was considered to be within 4 hours by 47.5%, 10.3% suggested a later timing, and 42.3% had no knowledge of what to do. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that pursuing a health-related specialty and previous stroke experience in close relatives were significantly associated with good stroke knowledge. The level of knowledge and correct timing and action among participants were better than those reported nationally and internationally. However, there is still room for improvement in awareness, which is recommended to improve the outcomes.
