Social Distress among Cancer Patients: Differential Effects of Risk Factors and Attenuating Role of Culturally Specific Social Support.

: We investigated the association between social distress or toxicity and patients' clinical conditions, demographic characteristics, and social support and networks, and whether this association differs along the distribution of patients' distress levels. This study included 156 patients treated at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. : We used the previously validated Social Toxicity Assessment Tool in Cancer (STAT-C) to assess cancer patients' distress.

The level of countries' preparedness to health risks during Covid-19 and pre-pandemic: the differential response to health systems building blocks and socioeconomic indicators.

The global health security (GHS) Index assesses countries' level of preparedness to health risks. However, there is no evidence on how and whether the effects of health systems building blocks and socioeconomic indicators on the level of preparedness differ for low and high prepared countries. The aim of this study was to examine the contributions of health systems building blocks and socioeconomic indicators to show differences in the level of preparedness to health risks.

To Admit or Not to Admit to the Emergency Department: The Disposition Question at a Tertiary Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Background: Disposition decision-making in the emergency department (ED) is crucial to patient safety and quality of care. It can inform better care, lower chance of infections, appropriate follow-up care, and reduced healthcare costs. The aim of this study was to examine correlates of ED disposition among adult patients at a teaching and referral hospital based on patients' demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics.

Tuberculosis in a weak health system, conflict and fragile zone: The monetary value of human lives lost associated with deaths of persons older than 14 years in Somalia.

Background: Low tuberculosis (TB) detection and conflict and fragility have overburdened Somalia. This study estimated economic loss associated with TB deaths among persons aged >14 years.

Method: Using epidemiologic and economic data, we calculated the cost based on the framework of the World Health Organization guide of identifying the economic consequences of disease and injury.

Developing, Implementing, and Validating a Social Toxicity Assessment Tool of Cancer.

Purpose: The social impact of cancer on patients and their family is well known. Yet, unlike with physical and financial toxicities, no validated tools are available to measure this impact. This study aimed at developing, validating, and implementing a novel social toxicity assessment tool for patients with cancer diagnosis (STAT-C).

Healthcare costs of road injuries in Saudi Arabia: A quantile regression analysis.

Background: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are the second leading cause of death in Saudi Arabia. Their economic burden is significant but poorly quantified, as limited literature exists locally. We aim to estimate the impact of RTIs on healthcare costs.

The trends of complementary alternative medicine use among cancer patients.

Background: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common among cancer patients and it may reflect the individual and societal beliefs on cancer therapy. Our study aimed to evaluate the trends of CAM use among patients with cancer between 2006 and 2018.

Methods: We included 2 Cohorts of patients with cancer who were recruited for Cohort 1 between 2006 and 2008 and for Cohort 2 between 2016 and 2018.

Assessing comfort level of organ donation competencies among pediatric intensivists in Saudi Arabia: a national survey.

Background: As increasing the number of organ donations presents a global challenge, Saudi Arabia is no different. Intensivists can play a major role in maximizing the organ donation process and minimize the challenges. The purpose of this study was to investigate Saudi pediatric intensivists' comfort and importance levels of organ donation competencies.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Potential implications for weak health systems and conflict zones in the Middle East and North Africa region.

This short communication recognizes the underbelly of weak and conflict-prone health systems in the Middle East and North Africa region in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. The communication highlights how the lack of basic resources, absence of a well-functioning health system and the dearth of well-coordinated communication channels, can bode ill for the successful fight against COVID-19. The article elucidates COVID-19 potential health, social, and economic implications for such countries.

Cancer Incidence Trends From 1999 to 2015 And Contributions Of Various Cancer Types To The Overall Burden: Projections To 2030 And Extrapolation Of Economic Burden In Saudi Arabia.

Background: Cancer incidence in Saudi Arabia has increased for the last two decades, ratcheting up to global levels. The study aimed to analyze cancer trends and the contributions of various cancer types, forecast incidence, and estimate the economic burden in 2030.

Methods: A national-level cohort study utilizing the Data of Cancer Registry of patients who were diagnosed in 1999-2015.

The Burden, Future Trends, And Economic Impact Of Lung Cancer In Saudi Arabia.

Background: Incidence of cancer in Saudi Arabia has increased for the last two decades, ratcheting up to global levels. Yet, there is a dearth of research on the burden of lung cancer. This study examined the association between new cases of lung cancer and factors such as gender, age, and year of diagnosis; and forecast new cases and extrapolated future economic burden to 2030.

Indirect costs associated with deaths of children aged 0-14 years from measles in a weak health system and conflict and fragile zone: the case of Somalia.

This study recognises periodic outbreaks of measles continue to affect conflict and fragile zones in the least developed countries. This study set out to provide evidence for the indirect costs or economic loss associated with measles-related deaths among children aged 0-14 years in Somalia. Using epidemiologic and economic data, the indirect cost was calculated based on the framework of the World Health Organisation guide of identifying the economic consequences of disease and injury.

The prevalence of chronic pain and its associated factors among Saudi Al-Kharj population; a cross sectional study.

Background: Chronic pain (CP) can be a symptom of many underlying health issues. The consequences of CP may vary from slight discomfort to disruption of quality of life and normal functioning. In this study, we aim to investigate the prevalence of CP and its associated factors in Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia.

Sick and solo: a qualitative study on the life experiences of people living with HIV in Somalia.

Background: HIV stigma and the resultant fear of being identified as HIV-positive can compromise the effectiveness of HIV programs by undermining early diagnosis and antiretroviral treatment initiation and adherence of people living with HIV (PLHIV). In the wake of the longstanding conflict in the country, little is known about the life experiences of PLHIV in Somalia.

Methods: A qualitative study using unstructured interviews was conducted in Somalia from September to December 2017.

How do patient demographics, time-related variables, reasons for cancellation, and clinical procedures affect frequency of same-day operating room surgery cancelation? A maximum likelihood method.

Background: Cancelation of same-day surgery is a common global problem, wasting valuable hospitals' operating room (OR) times and imposing significant economic costs. There is limited evidence to support the association between frequency of same-day surgery cancelation and patient demographics, time-related variables, healthcare provider reasons for cancelation, and clinical procedures in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to explore this relationship, providing an understanding of the local context.

Underlying trend, seasonality, prediction, forecasting and the contribution of risk factors: an analysis of globally reported cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus.

This study set out to identify and analyse trends and seasonal variations of monthly global reported cases of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). It also made a prediction based on the reported and extrapolated into the future by forecasting the trend. Finally, the study assessed contributions of various risk factors in the reported cases.

A finite and stable exponential growth-adjusted indirect cost of cancer associated with discounted years of life lost in Saudi Arabia.

Background: The risk of getting cancer before full life expectancy and mortalities per year are on the rise in Saudi Arabia. Yet, evidence of economic burden of cancer in the country remains largely unknown. In order to provide evidence, we attempted to estimate the economic burden in terms of indirect cost associated with premature cancer deaths among the active or potentially economically active population aged 15-60 years in Saudi Arabia.

The Prevalence of Phenylketonuria in Arab Countries, Turkey, and Iran: A Systematic Review.

Background/objectives: This paper seeks to identify the prevalence of Phenylketonuria (PKU) in Arab countries, Turkey, and Iran. The study reviewed the existence of comprehensive national newborn screening programs and reported consanguinity rates.

Methods: A computer based literature search was conducted using relevant keywords to retrieve studies conducted on PKU.

Is it cost-beneficial to society? Measuring the economic worth of dental residency training.

This study estimated whether continued programming of a highly specialized four-year dentistry residency training in Saudi Arabia was cost-beneficial. We utilized a purposive sampling to administer a survey to trainees in major cities. Additionally, we used publically available market information about general practitioners.

Primary health care centers, extent of challenges and demand for oral health care in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background: As primary health care (PHC) centers in Saudi Arabia provide standardized preventive and curative oral health care (OHC) services, challenges remain. In addition, evidence of determinants of OHC seeking behavior is unknown. The aim of this study was to identify common challenges faced by patients seeking OHC in PHC centers and assess determinants of demand for OHC in Riyadh.

Impact of Twitter intensity, time, and location on message lapse of bluebird's pursuit of fleas in Madagascar.

Background: The recent outbreak of bubonic plague in Madagascar reminds us of the continuing public health challenges posed by such deadly diseases in various parts of the world years after their eradication. This study examines the role of Twitter in public health disease surveillance with special focus on how Twitter intensity, time, and location issues explain Twitter plague message delay.

Method: We retrospectively analyzed the Twitter feeds of the 2014 bubonic plague outbreak in Madagascar.

Towards integration of health economics into medical education and clinical practice in Saudi Arabia.

In an era of expanding health sectors and rising costs, doctors are expected to have a working knowledge of health economics to better use resources and improve outcomes and quality of health care. This article recognizes the dearth of knowledge and application of economic analyses in medical education and clinical practice in Saudi Arabia. In particular, it highlights the desirability of knowledge of health economics in ensuring certain competencies in medical education and the rationale for inviting doctors to apply knowledge of economics in Saudi Arabia.

Aligning public health and health informatics research strengths with national level research priorities in saudi arabia.

The objective of this paper is to explore the process of aligning the College of Public Health and Health Informatics research strengths at KSAU-HS with Saudi National Science Technology and Innovation Plan (NSTIP). Nineteen participants responded to a survey and reported on their research strengths, research goals, and research barriers. All 19 participants had academic faculty appointments at the assistant professor level.