The impact of alcohol hand sanitizer use on skin health between healthcare worker: Cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: 2020 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global health crisis, so hand alcohol-based sanitizers have become essential to preventive measures. Previous studies reported that hand sanitizers could kill bacteria and viruses; however, using them excessively can lead to health problems if misused. In light of sanitizer overuse, the availability of various products and qualities in the market, and the absence of data on skin problems, we conducted a survey study about the impact of commonly used sanitizers on skin health, particularly on hands. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and the correlation between hand sanitizer and skin health during the COVID-19 pandemic at the National Guard Institute- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered online questionnaire by sending an invitation link to students and employees of the National Guard Institute- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2021. A chi-squared test was used to obtain differences concerning awareness of hand sanitizer use/type and hand skin health. RESULTS: In the total 216 participants, there were considerably more skin conditions reported by women (62.5%) and respondents ages 31-40 (36.6%). For the types of hand sanitizers, 89.8%, 40.9%, 30.2%, 4.7%, and 6% were recorded: gel, spray, wipes, foam, and others, respectively, and the survey applicants were filled by 60.6% of non-medical workers. According to the survey, 32.9% of participants experienced a hand crack, which was the most common hand side effect. The handwashing frequency was reported between 3 to 7 times per day during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 9.3% of participants used hand sanitizers more than 10 times daily. CONCLUSION: It was found that during the pandemic, skin changes were common among the NGHA population and healthcare workers. Consequently, the adverse health effects of these hand sanitizers on human health may result in multiple infections and toxicity. The present study provides appropriate knowledge on the types and ingredients of hand sanitizers as essential factors for skin health, preventing health risks during this pandemic.

Integration of Telehealth in Routine Perinatal Care: A Model of Care for Primary Healthcare Clinics in Saudi Arabia.

This study aims to introduce a new model of antenatal/postnatal care that integrates virtual clinics with the current model of care, including a discussion on the current model, pre-existing barriers, and prenatal framework, and the need for transition to telehealth beyond the pandemic. In antenatal primary health care centers, such as King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), low-risk antenatal/postnatal care receives clinical care through complete physical attendance in antenatal/postnatal clinics in primary care clinics for pregnancy follow-up and in tertiary hospitals for fetal ultrasound and invasive procedures if needed. Pregnancy is confirmed through a regular family medicine (FM) clinic where risk assessment through history, physical examination, and investigations are carried out. If the pregnant woman is at low risk, she will be started on folic acid, 1 mg or 5 mg based on the risk assessment (if it was not received before). Pregnant women will be given a telehealth appointment for the lab results. Concomitantly, the pregnant women will receive an appointment in the antenatal clinics, which board-certified family physicians run. High-risk patients will be referred to the hospital for further care. Current postnatal care is delivered through regular booking with the FM clinic through physical attendance sometimes, and virtual care is provided upon physican/patient request. Current care meets the past quality care and patient expectations. However, with the current Saudi Vision 2030 and after the experience with virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic, the current services need to move a step forward to meet the rapidly developing medical care/needs in Saudi Arabia. Various challenges must be addressed, and new models must be included in clinical care for pregnant and postnatal women. Introducing virtual antenatal/postnatal care to the current care could be a new era in maternity primary health care; this model will move the clinical care provided to pregnant/postnatal women a step forward that meets the excellence of high-quality, evidence-based medical care.

The Effect of COVID-19 Vaccine on Women's Reproductive Health: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine was developed to stimulate acquired immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Symptoms of reproductive health abnormalities have been reported following the administration of the adenovirus and mRNA-containing vaccine. Such complaints included irregular menstrual cycles, miscarriages, changes in sexual interest, vaginal bleeding, and decreased milk supply in breastfeeding mothers. This study aimed to explore the effect of the COVID-19 vaccine on the reproductive health of women attending five primary healthcare centers in the western region of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 300 women between 15 and 50 years. Five primary healthcare centers were included from May to September 2022. Non-probability convenient sampling technique was used; data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire from women who received any number or type of COVID-19 vaccine. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: Of those who responded to the questionnaire (297 participants), 74% were married, and 52% had 1-3 children. Of the pregnant women, only 4% lost their pregnancy. In addition, of the breastfeeding mothers, 10% noticed a decrease in milk production after the vaccination. The effect of the vaccination status on decreased libido was 11%. A small proportion (18%) of the participants reported worsening dietary habits after the vaccine. Less than half of the participants (44%) reported a change in the length and amount of the menstrual cycle, and 29% worsened premenstrual syndrome (PMS). There was no significant association between the type and the number of doses on the rate of miscarriage (p=0.47), breastmilk production (p=0.47), libido (p=0.11), health diet habits (p=0.15), monthly cycle (p=0.570), heavy menses (p=0.999), and PMS symptoms in the study participants. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 vaccination remains necessary to prevent severe infection and is safe for females of reproductive age, whether trying to get pregnant or lactating, and has no significant effect on the menstrual cycle. This research can be used as a basis when deciding on vaccines in case of future pandemics and remove misinformation and doubts regarding the vaccines that should be adequately addressed.

Primary Care Physician's Perception and Satisfaction With Telehealth in the National Guard Primary Healthcare Centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 2022.

Background Telehealth is a tool to facilitate the connection between patients and their healthcare providers. With the recent emergence of telehealth, implementation of this service in primary healthcare centers (PHCs) has been accompanied by specific challenges despite the high levels of satisfaction reported. This study aimed to assess the factors that affect clinicians' perceptions and satisfaction with telehealth in National Guard PHCs to help explore and overcome any barriers and challenges. Methods A cross-sectional survey was distributed among primary healthcare physicians using virtual clinics in the National Guard PHCs in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2022. A validated questionnaire from previous literature was used to evaluate clinicians' perceptions and satisfaction with telehealth. Results The study included 53 primary healthcare physicians, with an overall response rate of 90%. Most physicians (77%) were satisfied with their overall experience with offering virtual visits. Nevertheless, 72% of physicians perceived patients' limited technical knowledge, and 70% considered limited access to technology a significant barrier against virtual visits. Higher satisfaction levels were significantly associated with those who did not consider the lack of integration of virtual visits with current workflow or electronic medical records (EMRs) a significant barrier to conducting virtual visits (p-value = 0.005). Conclusion Despite the undeniable advantages of telehealth, barriers, and challenges remain extant and can influence clinicians' satisfaction. Continuous monitoring for improvements is needed to enhance the telehealth experience.

Satisfaction With the Use of Subdermal Contraceptive Implant in Women Attending the Specialized Polyclinic Primary Health Care Center in Jeddah City: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Subdermal contraceptive implants are a convenient method of contraception for many women due to the ease of insertion and removal and because they require less follow-up with their health facility. In addition to the contraceptive benefits, women's satisfaction with such devices is essential, as this can affect their quality of life. This study aims to measure women's satisfaction with the subdermal contraceptive implant, Implanon® (Organon & Co., Jersey City, New Jersey, United States), its main side effects, and reasons for removal.  Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on women between the ages of 19 and 65 years who visited the Family Planning Clinic at the Specialized Polyclinic Primary Health Care Center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between January 2018 and December 2021. An online questionnaire was distributed to the women who had Implanon inserted and 84 responded. Demographic and contraceptive data were collected, including the dates of insertion and removal of Implanon and side effects experienced while on Implanon.  Results Of the 84 women, 65.84% were satisfied with Implanon, while only 19.04% were unsatisfied with the implant. The most common side effect reported was weight gain (54.76%), followed by menstrual Irregularity. (39.29%). The most common reason for removal was the end of the implant's contraceptive duration (42.86%).  Conclusion Most of the women treated at this primary healthcare clinic were satisfied with Implanon. In addition, most of the women removed the implant only due to its reaching the end of its contraceptive duration despite experiencing side effects, and most women said that they would recommend it to their family and friends.

Job Satisfaction Among Nurses Working in King Abdul Aziz Medical City Primary Health Care Centers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Job satisfaction in the nursing field directly impacts the quality of patient care. However, increased work demand puts nurses at a higher risk of job dissatisfaction, which can, in turn, affect their work performance. This study aimed to measure job satisfaction among nurses working in National Guard Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) and to determine the different sources of pressure at their workplace. Methods A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among nurses working in the National Guard PHCs in the Makkah region, Saudi Arabia, in 2022. A validated questionnaire from previous literature was used to evaluate nurses' job satisfaction. Results A total of 77 nurses completed the questionnaire, with an overall response rate of 89.5%. While 58% (n=45) of nurses were satisfied, 42% (n=32) were dissatisfied. Approximately half the participants were dissatisfied with the rate of payment (49%, n=38), working hours (47%, n=36), and future chances of promotion (44%, n=34). Moreover, 51% (n=39) of nurses attributed considerable pressure to staff shortage and 44% (n=34) to workload. Furthermore, lower mean satisfaction scores in nurses were significantly associated with their intention to leave their current center (p-value= 0.06). In addition, reduced satisfaction scores were frequently observed among females, singles, those who finished their first nurse training five to 10 years ago, those who had a previous experience outside the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNGHA), those who had only one to five service years, and the ones who belonged to centers that did not have clearly stated standards and policies for nursing practice. However, these associations were statistically not significant. Conclusion Results indicate that nurses' job satisfaction should be improved to decrease nurses' intention to leave their workplace and maintain their optimum performance in patient care. This can be achieved by addressing the sources of dissatisfaction and pressure at work.

Evaluating the level of patient satisfaction with telehealth antenatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic at King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Primary Health Care Center, Specialized Polyclinic.

AIM: To evaluate the client satisfaction with a phone-based antenatal care consultation and identify the associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic at King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Primary Health Care Center Specialized Polyclinic during 2020. METHOD: The study was a cross-sectional, retrospective study conducted with pregnant women attending the maternity clinic at the Specialized Polyclinic, Primary Health Care Center at King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Jeddah. A self-administered questionnaire was sent via a text message (short message service) to collect the data after signed written consent. RESULT: Of 279 pregnant women, 262 (93.9%) attended phone clinic appointments one to five times. The total satisfaction level score was 73.4 ± 6.5, indicating a high level of satisfaction with the phone clinics, and 252 (90.3%) reported a high level of satisfaction. There was a significant difference in the total score regarding education, occupation, husband's occupation, smoking, gravidity, parity, menstruation, gestational age, pregnancy complication, number of phone clinics during pregnancy, number of attending clinics during pregnancy, visiting another health facility, and reason of visiting phone clinic (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, p = 0.015, p = 0.033, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, p = 0.027, p = 0.001, p < 0.0001, and p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The study indicated a high level of satisfaction with the antenatal telephone clinics during the pandemic, which supports the trend of transition in the direction of the digitalization of antenatal care.

Prevalence and risk factors of gestational diabetes mellitus among pregnant patients visiting National Guard primary health care centers in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To measure the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and its risk factors in Saudi Arabia, in comparison with developed and developing countries worldwide.  Methods: We enrolled pregnant women aged 15-45 years who visited 3 National Guard-Health Affairs' primary health care centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between January 2017 and December 2017. We used stratified samples and computer-generated random numbers to collect data. This data includes demographics, obstetric history, blood pressure, non-fasting 1-hour glucose challenge test (GCT), 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), hemoglobin level, rubella immunization status, hepatitis B surface antigen status, urinalysis results, and labor, and delivery notes. We categorized the patients into 2 groups, GDM and non-GDM, based on GCT and OGTT. Results: We enrolled 347 women in the study (mean age, 28.8±6 years; range, 18-45 years). On GCT, 36.6% of women showed abnormal values and 6.9% exhibited diagnostic values. Oral glucose tolerance test indicated impairment in 18.7% of patients and a diagnostic finding in 15% of patients. Women diagnosed with GDM tended to be older and have greater body mass index (BMI) values. Conclusion: The prevalence of GDM in Saudi Arabia is high compared to other countries. Advanced maternal age and higher BMI values were associated with increased prevalence of GDM. Thus, early prevention and management of GDM is vital to minimize the risks to both the mother and fetus.