The COVID-19 pandemic has brought vaccination to the forefront of global attention. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, an mRNA vaccine that encodes the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) glycoprotein spike, has emerged as a significant player in global vaccination efforts. It is generated from lipid nanoparticles and has been subject to various regulatory approvals and authorizations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOnline case-based learning (CBL) is a method used by King Abdulaziz University to teach medical students in their preclinical years. The use of CBL in basic sciences is important for enabling medical students to correlate basic sciences with future clinical practice. This study implemented online CBL for biochemistry teaching as part of the medical genetic module for 3rd-year preclinical students.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlasma level of chemokine CXCL12 can predict adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease, but data on its relationship with severity of coronary stenosis in cases of severe myocardial infarction (MI) are scarce and conflicting. The objective of this study was to investigate link between plasma CXCL12 levels and different grades of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in statin-treated and -untreated patients with severe MI. A total of 198 consecutive patients with first-time severe MI (ST-elevated myocardial infarction [STEMI], = 121 and non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction [NSTEMI], = 77) were recruited from Coronary Care Unit, King Abdulaziz University Hospital.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and it considerably increases morbidity and mortality globally. Screening methods, such as self-examination, clinical examination, and mammography, can help in early detection and treatment, which will help in improving survival rates and reducing mortality. While regular screening of the breast is essential to detect the earliest stages of breast cancer, not all women adhere to regular breast screening.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground The impact of COVID-19 on the world is rapidly spreading among countries. According to WHO, wearing face masks was recommended to prevent its spread. After regular use of face masks, some people have experienced common skin disorders such as facial acne, rash, and eczema.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The recent COVID-19 crisis has placed a huge strain on the global health and economy. The toll of the damage on the human society exceeds the morbidity and mortality of the pandemic and the associated burden, considering the multidimensional impact on all aspects of life.
Objectives: The present study assessed the specific impact of COVID-19 on individuals with chronic diseases including the Years Lost for Disability (YLD) burden of COVID-19 infection, and multidimensional impact on the disease management, adaptive lifestyle, and socioeconomic dimensions.
The Drug Abuse Screening Test-10 (DAST-10) is a valid and reliable screening tool for drug use-related problems, however there is no Arabic version. To our knowledge, this is the first study to develop and validate an Arabic DAST-10 version. Saudi young adults participated in the study as two groups; drug users (n=360) recruited from Alamal Complex for Mental Health, Jeddah, and drug non-users (n=100).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To investigate adipocytokines' (vaspin, omentin-1, and adiponectin) correlation with metabolic phenotypes in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.
Methods: This case-control research was done at the Diabetic Clinic in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), from November 2018 to March 2019. Seventy-five T2DM patients and 75 gender, age, and BMI-matched healthy subjects were recruited for this research.
Aim: To explore levels and determinants of awareness and knowledge about glaucoma among patients.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that included adult patients from October to the end of December 2018. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed by the researchers to measure the levels of awareness and knowledge about 18 basic information about glaucoma.
AIMS Public Health
March 2021
Over the past two decades, the rapid rise of social media has revolutionized the way we communicate and share information online. Social media platforms are not now only used extensively by individuals but also by businesses, governmental agencies, educational institutions, and many other organizations to deliver information to the public and, in return, collect information from that same audience. The preliminary study presented here offers valuable insights into how social media may be used to improve food safety standards.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Intense congestion during the Hajj pilgrimage amplifies the risk of meningococcal carriage and disease, and there have been many meningococcal outbreaks reported amongst pilgrims. Thus, a strict vaccination policy is enforced by the host country and either polysaccharide or conjugate quadrivalent meningococcal vaccines are mandatory. However, unlike conjugate vaccines, the polysaccharide vaccine is not thought to reduce pharyngeal carriage of meningococci.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study was performed to determine the risk factors and predictors of severe dengue fever (SDF) in Saudi population in Jeddah, Western Saudi Arabia. This 7-year retrospective study included children and adults with confirmed dengue from 2010 to 2016. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, serological, and virologic data were collected.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Primary care physicians have an opportunity to support healthy dietary behaviours of patients by providing nutrition care. However, it is unclear whether primary care physicians in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are sufficiently competent in nutrition. This study aimed to assess the nutrition competence of primary care physicians in KSA and identify whether nutrition competence is associated with the provision of nutrition care to patients living with diet-related chronic disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To determine the survival outcomes and to describe the epidemiological characteristics of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) in western Saudi Arabia.
Methods: Our study is a retrospective analysis of patients with CRC diagnosed between 2002 and 2014. We recruited 279 patients who were selected randomly and followed until the end of July 2017.
Background: Major intercontinental outbreaks of invasive meningococcal disease associated with the Hajj occurred in 1987, 2000, and 2001. Mandatory meningococcal vaccination for all pilgrims against serogroups A and C and, subsequently, A, C, W, and Y controlled the epidemics. Overseas pilgrims show excellent adherence to the policy; however, vaccine uptake among domestic pilgrims is suboptimal.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Depression in medical students and interns appear higher than the general population, with evidence of mental health deterioration over a period of medical training.
Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and evaluate the predictors of depression among male medical students and interns, Albaha University, Saudi Arabia.
Subjects And Methods: A cross-sectional analytic study was conducted which includes a representative stratified random sample with the proportional allocation of male medical students and interns, College of Medicine, Albaha University (2017-2018).
: Influenza is a common respiratory infection at Hajj. Thus, influenza vaccine is recommended for Hajj pilgrims but data on its effectiveness from a large sample are unavailable. This analysis aims to assess the effectiveness of the trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine (TIV) among Hajj pilgrims.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The practice of hand hygiene (HH) has prime importance among Health Care Professionals (HCPs) and non-compliance could cause adverse consequences. By keeping the importance of HH in mind, this study aims at investigating the knowledge and attitudes towards HH among medical students and interns at King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (SA).
Methods: The study includes 453 medical students and interns (189 males & 264 females).
Intestinal Parasitic Infections (IPIs) are a major public health problem worldwide, especially among children with a need for periodical evaluation of prevalence and risk factors to adopt an appropriate prevention strategy. This cross-sectional prospective study was conducted to identify prevalence, risk factors, characteristics, and impact of IPIs on school children in different regions of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Children were recruited from randomly selected schools.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To assess health-related quality of life (QOL) among hemodialysis (HD) patients attending HD units in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and to evaluate the effect of an educational program on health-related QOL.
Method: One hundred HD patients were recruited and followed from 4 different dialysis units in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between January 2018 and May 2018. The patients were divided into an intervention group (n=50) receiving educational program and control group (n=50).
Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-II) is highly prevalent in Saudi Arabia and only few studies have assessed it as a risk factor for hypothyroidism. This study aimed to examine the association between DM-II and hypothyroidism.
Subjects And Methods: We conducted a hospital-based case-control study.
Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) and the foremost cause of blindness. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness of DR and its related risk factors among patients with DM in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with DM attending primary health care centers at the Ministry of Health in Jeddah.
Background: Hajj is the world's largest annual mass gathering that attracts two to three million Muslims from around the globe to a religious assemblage in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The risk of acquisition and transmission of influenza among Hajj pilgrims is high. Therefore, influenza vaccination is recommended, and was monitored frequently among pilgrims from different countries.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To investigate dietary habits, lifestyle pattern and obesity in young university students.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed at the Rabigh campus of King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from March to May 2016, and comprised healthy male students. A close-ended questionnaire was filled by all students about their dietary habits and lifestyle pattern and the lipid profile, blood glucose levels and body mass index was determined.
Host genetics, environment, lifestyle and proximity between hosts strongly influence the composition of the gut microbiome. To investigate the association of dietary variables with the gut microbiota, we used 16S rDNA sequencing to test the fecal microbiome of Bedouins and urban Saudis and we compared it to the gut microbiome of baboons living in close contact with Bedouins and eating their leftovers. We also analyzed fermented dairy products commonly consumed by Bedouins in order to investigate their impact on the gut microbiome of this population.
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