Publications by authors named "Malak A Al Shammari"
Background: In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), little is known about the adoption of virtual consultations (VCs), with most studies being survey-based leading to varying results. This study aims to utilise secondary collected data on the use of both kinds of VCs currently available, and to epidemiologically describe the adoption of these consultations.
Methods: This retrospective study analysed data provided by the Ministry of Health between January 1st 2021 and June 30th 2022.
Article Synopsis
- Herpes Zoster, commonly known as Shingles, is a viral infection that frequently affects older adults when the dormant virus reactivates.
- The study aimed to evaluate public knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers regarding the Shingrix vaccine to improve vaccination strategies for at-risk groups.
- Over 8,000 participants indicated a general awareness of the vaccine, but many lacked detailed knowledge; despite some safety concerns, there was a willingness to receive the vaccine, highlighting the need for increased education and outreach in Saudi Arabia.
Background: Epidemiological evidence has shown that human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most frequent cause of sexually transmitted infection, and vaccination is an essential measure to prevent associated diseases and complications. This study aimed to assess the HPV vaccine uptake and its associated factors as well as HPV vaccine hesitancy by female healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia.
Methods: This online, questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study involved female HCWs in Saudi Arabia between July and October 2022.
Article Synopsis
- The study focused on public motivators for receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting a launch of a vaccination campaign by the Saudi Ministry of Health in 2021.
- Most participants had high education levels and were predominantly male and under 35, with their primary motivator being the convenience of having a vaccination site near their workplace.
- The findings suggest that improving access to vaccination campaigns and leveraging physician advice could significantly enhance influenza vaccine uptake.
Background: Decreasing the number of Emergency Department patient visits for treatment, especially in non-urgent cases, is an international healthcare goal. The same applies for pediatric emergency rooms where the utilization of ED is much more than adults.
Objective: We aim to measure the length of stay for all pediatric patients and examine the factors influencing it.
Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among the youth and university students differs internationally. This study aims to assess the prevalence of ADHD positivity from a validated screening test among medical students across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and its associated sociodemographic and family-related factors and the impact of ADHD on students' academic performance. Also, to highlight the implications of the current findings on epidemiologists and family physicians in the region.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Epidemiologically, cervical cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer among females globally and the third most commonly diagnosed gynecological cancer in Saudi Arabia. Screening is an important measure to prevent it. The current study aimed to assess, epidemiologically, female healthcare workers' (HCWs) utilization of cervical cancer screening services and its association with their beliefs about cervical cancer and the screening test, as well as their personal characteristics.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Social Anxiety disorder (SAD) is common worldwide. However, data from Saudi Arabia is deficient. This study aims to determine the prevalence of SAD across Saudi medical students and its associations with sociodemographic factors and their academic performance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFResults: The majority of the item's responses showed high level of satisfaction. The coronach alpha of our study that examines the Arabic version of the CARE measurement tool 10 items was 0.96 showing an excellent internal consistency.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction/objectives: The prevalence of thyroid disorders is high in Saudi Arabia. Among the disorders, goiter and thyroiditis are the most common and have unique ultrasound (US) features, underscoring the need for US screening for thyroid pathologies. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of thyroiditis and thyroid nodules in patients attending the Family and Community Medicine Center of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJournal of Family and Community Medicine: A scientometric analysis 1994-2020.
J Family Community Med
September 2021
Article Synopsis
- The Journal of Family and Community Medicine (JFCM) is a peer-reviewed open access journal that has published research on family medicine in Saudi Arabia for 27 years, from 1994 to 2020.
- A total of 648 manuscripts were analyzed, showing an average of 2.22 authors per paper and a citation count indicating a growing impact in the field, with Saudi authors dominating the contributions.
- The review utilized various software to analyze bibliographic data and highlighted trends in publication, authorship patterns, and contributions from institutions and countries, emphasizing JFCM's role in advancing family medicine scholarship.
Article Synopsis
- The study focused on health students in Saudi Arabia, examining the distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups, their knowledge of their own blood groups, and their willingness to donate blood.
- Findings revealed that blood group O was the most common (51.1%), with a majority (93.3%) being Rh-positive; 75.5% correctly identified their blood groups, while about 47.3% expressed a willingness to donate blood.
- Positive factors for willingness to donate included being male and having a history of blood donation, whereas those with family in healthcare were less likely to donate.
Article Synopsis
- The study examines pediatric ER visits at King Fahd Hospital, noting a high rate of non-urgent visits and a low hospital admission rate of only 2.5%.
- Males made up 55.4% of the visits, with the majority being toddlers and the primary complaint being fever (26.9%).
- Factors such as being a newborn or presenting with specific medical conditions significantly increased the odds of admission, while less urgent cases had much lower admission chances.
Article Synopsis
- Primary care is essential in healthcare systems, particularly in Saudi Arabia amid health reforms, but patients face barriers preventing them from accessing Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs).
- A study conducted with 403 patients in an emergency department used a questionnaire to assess satisfaction with PHC services and identify barriers, revealing that only 28.3% were always satisfied, with organizational and socioeconomic issues being the most significant obstacles.
- The research identified that factors like being female and high educational attainment correlated with lower satisfaction levels, indicating a need for targeted solutions by healthcare policymakers to improve access and satisfaction with PHCs.
Article Synopsis
- Family Medicine became a major clinical rotation in 2016 at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University to enhance students' medical education.
- A study of fifth-year medical students showed a significant improvement in exam grades from a pretest (25.52) to a post-test (34.16) after completing the Family Medicine rotation, with a notable increase in scores for female students.
- The results indicate that the Family Medicine course is beneficial, underscoring its importance in the medical curriculum for undergraduate students.
Article Synopsis
- Breast masses are frequently encountered in primary health care, particularly among women aged 40 and older, with a 24% detection rate in this study.
- The characteristics of the breast masses and their associations with female patients' demographics indicate that factors like being overweight, the presence of a breast lump, and early menarche correlate with higher odds of having a breast mass.
- Family physicians play a vital role in managing these cases and should refer patients for further investigation when a breast lump is reported.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to assess the prevalence of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV among new health track students at a Saudi Arabian university, while also evaluating their immunity against Hepatitis B and identifying risk factors for bloodborne infections.
- All students tested negative for active infections, with 25.8% showing previous exposure to Hepatitis B. However, a significant portion (70.8%) had identifiable risk factors, predominantly related to dental work, and female students were notably more at risk than males.
- The findings indicate a need for improved awareness and access to Hepatitis B vaccinations among students, particularly those in older age brackets, to reduce the susceptibility and further spread of bloodborne diseases.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to assess sleep quality and daytime sleepiness among medical students in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the challenges faced due to their demanding learning schedules.
- A cross-sectional study using validated questionnaires revealed that 80.6% of participants had poor sleep quality and 37.8% experienced excessive daytime sleepiness, both of which negatively impacted academic performance.
- Analysis indicated that poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness were significantly linked to lower academic achievement, emphasizing the need for better sleep management strategies among medical students.
Article Synopsis
- Anxiety disorders are a major health issue, especially among medical students, with a study in Saudi Arabia finding a 31.7% prevalence of anxiety symptoms in clinical-year students, 14.3% of whom experienced severe symptoms.
- Only 4.4% of students sought professional help for mental health issues, highlighting a gap in accessing care.
- The study suggests that female students and those with perceived psychological issues are more likely to experience anxiety, emphasizing the need for regular mental health screenings and support services in medical schools.
Article Synopsis
- The study evaluates assessment methods in family medicine at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, focusing on fifth-year medical students from 2018 and 2019.
- Significant differences in performance were observed, with the 2018 batch and female students achieving higher marks across various assessments like OSCE and MCQ.
- The results suggest that different assessment methods are positively correlated, highlighting the need for improved assessment standards in medical education.