Publications by authors named "Malak A Alshammari"
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.
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.
Article Synopsis
- The article with DOI: 10.7759/cureus.18074 has been formally retracted.
- A retraction usually indicates that the findings or conclusions of the original article are no longer considered valid.
- Reasons for retraction can vary, including issues like errors in research methodology, ethical concerns, or duplicate publication.
Article Synopsis
- The article with DOI: 10.7759/cureus.18053 has been officially retracted.* ! -
- The retraction indicates that the information or findings presented in the original article are no longer considered valid or reliable.* ! -
- Readers should disregard the contents of the retracted article for any academic or research purposes.* !
Article Synopsis
- The article with DOI: 10.7759/cureus.18193 has been retracted.
- The retraction indicates that the findings or conclusions in the original article may no longer be valid.
- Readers should not rely on the information presented in the retracted article.
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 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 PDFArticle Synopsis
- Abdominal pain is a frequent reason for visits to the emergency department, often making diagnosis tricky for doctors due to its wide range of possible causes.
- A 32-year-old man experienced lower abdominal pain for a week, with examinations revealing a suprapubic mass, elevated white blood cell count, and imaging showing a urachal abscess.
- The patient successfully underwent surgical excision of the abscess, emphasizing the need for clinicians to recognize congenital urachal anomalies for effective treatment.
Journal 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
- COVID-19 can lead to serious complications, including coagulopathy, which affects blood clotting and circulation.
- A 42-year-old man developed severe low back pain after recovering from COVID-19 pneumonia, revealing signs of major blood flow issues in his lower body.
- The patient was diagnosed with a saddle aortic embolism, a rare condition that required emergency surgery to remove the clot, resulting in a successful recovery.
Article Synopsis
- Acute abdominal pain is a frequent reason for emergency department visits, especially in kids, with acute appendicitis being the most common cause for surgery in this age group.
- A 7-year-old girl experienced right lower quadrant pain, vomiting, and tenderness, initially suggesting acute appendicitis.
- After imaging, she was diagnosed with acute omental infarction and treated successfully with pain relief and anti-inflammatory medications, highlighting the importance of thorough investigations and imaging in such cases.
Cardiac arrest and stroke due to unsupervised use of herbal preparation.
J Family Community Med
January 2020
Article Synopsis
- There are no established safety standards for the use of herbal preparations, despite their popularity and ongoing therapeutic research.
- A 36-year-old male experienced severe muscle weakness and fatigue, leading to cardiac arrest after revealing critical electrolyte imbalances.
- The patient's condition was linked to a mixture of herbal remedies he took for kidney stones, which caused severe electrolyte deficiencies and resulted in a right middle cerebral artery stroke.