Search

Geetha Kandasamy,1 Dalia Almaghaslah,1 Mona Almanasef,1 Tahani Musleh Almeleebia,1 Khalid Orayj,1 Ayesha Siddiqua,1 Eman Shorog,1 Asma M Alshahrani,1 Kousalya Prabahar,2 Vinoth Prabhu Veeramani,2 Palanisamy Amirthalingam,2 Saleh Alqifari,2 Naif Alshahrani,3 Aram Hamad AlSaedi,4 Alhanouf A Alsaab,5 Fatimah Aljohani,6 M Yasmin Begum,7 Akhtar Atiya8 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Pharmacy, Ad Diriyah Hospital, Ministry of Health (MOH), Riyadh, 13717, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 4College of Medicine, Taibah University, Al Madinah, Al Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia; 5Pharmacist at Abha International Private Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 6Pharmacist at Prince Sultan Armed Forces Hospital, Almadenah, Almonwarah, Saudi Arabia; 7Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 8Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Geetha Kandasamy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Email glakshmi@kku.edu.saBackground: Migraine is a disabling disease that poses a significant societal burden. Migraine is a major cause of disability. Migraine is the eighth leading disease-causing disability in the population.Objective: To study the clinical profile and measure the pain and migraine-related disability of patients with all types of migraine using the McGill pain assessment scale and Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) before and after 3 months of effect on the medication.Methods: A Prospective-Cross sectional study was carried out in a multispecialty hospital with male and female patients between 18 and 65 years. The data were collected from the patients directly through the questionnaire of McGill pain assessment scale-short form (SF) and MIDAS, which was provided before and after the medication.&#x00A0Results: There were 165 subjects of which 52 were men and 113 were women. The mean age of all the subjects was 43 years. About 26.06% of the subjects had a family history of headaches. The scores of McGill pain and MIDAS assessment before and after medication were as follows: 0– 15 were 30.90% and 73.33%, Score 16– 30 were 54.54% and 18.18%, the score of 31– 45 were 14.54% and 7.87% of the subjects. MIDAS grade I was 17.57% and 50.90%, Grade II 33.93% and 21.81%, Grade III 30.30% and 15.75% Grade IV 18.18% and 11.51% of the subjects.Discussion: The calculated “t” value between the before and after medication values of McGill and MIDAS by paired ‘t-test was 13.85 and 17.49 respectively. As the calculated “t” value is more than the table value, the alternate hypothesis is accepted.Conclusion: This study confirms that there is a significant difference in disability levels before and after acute and preventative treatments when measured over 3 months. In addition, the preponderance of females was high, and the functional disability that affects work and social activity associated with migraine is moderate to severe.Keywords: migraine, pain, disability, loss of productivity, MIDAS

Sultan M Alshahrani,1 Khalid Orayj,1 Ali M Alqahtani,2 Adel Alfatease,3 Atheer Alshahrani,4 Ahmed RN Ibrahim1,5 1Clinical Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 2Pharmacology Department, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 3Pharmaceutics Department, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 4Alnahdi Pharmacies, Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia, EgyptCorrespondence: Ahmed RN Ibrahim, Clinical Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966 554088979, Email aribrahim@kku.edu.saIntroduction: Community pharmacists play a key role as vaccinators for COVID-19. They can reduce the burden of the disease worldwide.Objective: This study used a cross-sectional questionnaire to determine whether the Saudi Arabian public was willing to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine via community pharmacists.Results: The questionnaire focused on the satisfaction, concerns, and opinions towards providing vaccination by community pharmacists. The study featured 415 individuals aged 18 and older (eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine). Of the participants in this study, 58.1% were aged 18– 25, with 55.4% female. Most participants (72.8%) have not been exposed to COVID-19 and are not aware of the approval of COVID-19 vaccination by community pharmacists. Of the 415 complete questionnaires, 45% believed that community pharmacists are not experienced in administering vaccines. However, 63% of participants are satisfied with getting the COVID-19 vaccination by a community pharmacist if no other option is available. More than 68% of the respondents agree that community pharmacies should expand their health care services to include vaccinations, prescriptions, checkups, and other forms of preventative medicine.Discussion: The availability of community pharmacist-administered vaccination in Saudi Arabia could be a significant factor in the success of the country’s vaccination program. This study may serve as a model to expand the role of pharmacists in other countries’ vaccination programs.Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, community pharmacy, immunization, perspective, adherence, patient satisfaction

Khalid Orayj,1 Khalid Alahmari,2 Moath Alasiri2 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 2College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Khalid Orayj, Email korayg@kku.edu.saIntroduction: Pharmacists’ involvement in patient care is expanding. The inclusion of this function within a complex healthcare system populated by demanding patients may create ethical challenges. In Saudi Arabia, few studies have been conducted on pharmacy ethics, and the available data are quantitative in nature. Thus, there remains a need for a qualitative assessment of the ethical dilemmas facing pharmacists.Methods: This exploratory study utilized a qualitative methodology that included open-ended, in-depth, semi-structured interviews, followed by content analysis. The study recruited credentialed pharmacists from community and hospital pharmacies. Themes and codes were created and classified.Results: Eighteen pharmacists were interviewed, and their responses were categorized into eight areas of ethical dilemma: beneficence and non-maleficence, autonomy, justice, confidentiality, veracity, communication skills, sincerity and religion, and law. Taken together, it appears that most of the ethical challenges to the practice of pharmacy center on the theme of beneficence and non-maleficence. Additionally, it was found that some social and religious practices and beliefs contribute to the formation of participants’ ethical backgrounds.Conclusion: These findings may aid in the development of national pharmacy ethics guidelines in Saudi Arabia. Additional quantitative research is necessary to confirm the study’s findings.Keywords: pharmacy ethics, community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, bioethics

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between organizational characteristics and diabetes care from the perspective of healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, self-reported survey of healthcare professionals was done. The study comprised a total of 106 HCPs from various departments involved with diabetes patient clinics or service providers. The electronic data collecting form was used to gather the data. RESULTS: The study revealed a stronger association between the availability of bed facilities and better glycemic control. Moreover, the majority of HCPs believes that urbanization and sedentary lifestyles are the main contributors to the rise of diabetes mellitus in Saudi Arabia. Depending on organizational features, the regulations that are available for monitoring defaulter patients and running continuous medical education (CME) programs are vastly different. The main cause of the reported lack of medications for managing diabetic care was described as being a problem with the central medical supply store's drug supply, which was influenced by the type of health sector. CONCLUSIONS: Facilitating change at all levels, including patient education, HCPs education, and organizational development, can improve the quality of treatment. The current study can provide insight into the focus of interventional strategies to deliver diabetes patients with high-quality patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are widespread worldwide, and their intervention is critical to patient safety and healthcare quality. Pharmacists are essential in monitoring and reporting ADRs, directly influencing patient care. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of ADRs among pharmacists and their knowledge regarding ADRs, including the factors affecting ADR reporting. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From September 2021 to November 2021, a cross-sectional survey among pharmacists in the Asir area of Saudi Arabia was planned. This study involved contacting 97 pharmacists using a cluster sampling method. The study's goals were met using a 25-item self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: Ninety-seven pharmacists (male 53.6% and female 46.4%) completed the survey. More than three-fourths of the participants (78.4%) know the ADR reporting system. The survey was completed by 97 pharmacists (male 53.6% and female 46.4%). More than three-quarters of the participants (78.4%) were aware of the ADR reporting system, and the majority (70.8%) were aware that it is done using an online system. Still, only 56.7% knew that the Saudi FDA is the regulatory agency collecting ADR data in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, 73.2% cited stress in the workplace as a critical deterrent to reporting. Most respondents (76.3%) had an unfavorable attitude about reporting ADRs. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacists understand ADR reporting, but most lack the mentality to report the incidents. As a result, comprehensive and ongoing training for pharmacists is required to raise awareness on the need for ADR reporting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unparalleled increase in psychological distress among everyone and everywhere. Perinatal depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) are more prominent among HIV-positive pregnant women and are associated with poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and explore the factors associated with DAS among HIV-positive pregnant women in India., Methods: A multicentric, cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted among all HIV-positive pregnant women, aged more than 18 years, taking antiretroviral therapy, and attending antenatal care visits at two hospitals that are offering HIV care services in Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Women who were unable to communicate were mentally ill, and refused to give consent were excluded. The study was conducted for a period of eighteen months from April 2020 to September 2021. A validated and interview-based data collection form was used to capture sociodemographic, obstetric profiles, clinical and support-related profiles, and COVID-19 stressors among study participants. The DASS-21 scale was used to assess depression, anxiety, and stress among study participants. Univariable and multivariable Poisson regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with DAS among study participants., Results: The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among HIV-positive pregnant women was found to be 50.3% (95% CI 23.6-76.4), 56.2% (95% CI 28.3-80.3), and 42.2% (95% CI 18.5-69.9), respectively. A multivariate Poisson regression analysis showed that participants living in a rural area (adj. PR 1.43,1.08-1.91), primigravidae (adj. PR 1.37, 1.09-1.72), less number of ANC visits (adj. PR 1.41, 1.12-1.76), identified HIV during pregnancy (adj. PR 1.42, 1.13-1.77), non-disclosure of HIV status with one's partner (adj. PR 1.43, 1.11-1.83), no partner support (adj. PR 1.84, 1.31-2.59), and having a negative HIV status sexual partner (adj. PR 1.35, 1.02-1.79) were all significantly associated with depression. Factors such as lack of partner support (adj. PR 1.48, 1.09-1.99) and known HIV status during pregnancy (adj. PR 1.24, 1.01-1.52) were significantly associated with anxiety. Participants who had less ANC visits (adj. PR 1.50, 1.12-2.02), non-disclosure of HIV status with partner (adj. PR 1.47, 1.08-2.02), known HIV status during pregnancy (adj. PR 1.62, 1.23-2.15), negative HIV status of sexual partner (adj. PR 1.44, 1.02-2.02), and no partner's support (adj. PR 1.85, 1.25-2.74) were significantly associated with stress., Conclusion: The study concludes that about one-third of the HIV-positive pregnant women reported anxiety, and more than half of the women were feeling stressed and depressed during COVID-19. Factors such as residence and primigravidae were linked with antenatal depression. Whereas variables like ANC visits, knowing HIV status during pregnancy, non-disclosure of HIV status, no partner's support, and sexual partner HIV negative status were associated with depression and stress. The anxiety symptoms are very high among women who are HIV positive during pregnancy, and not having a partner's support. Demographic, clinical, and support-related determinants and COVID-19 stressors of DAS provide insights for interventions to reduce the burden of mental health problems among HIV-positive pregnant women., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study protocol, data collection tools, and informed consent procedure were approved by the Raghavendra Institute of Pharmaceutical Education Research (RIPER)—Institutional Review Board (RIPER/IRB/PP/2020/053). The study was conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration of Helsinki regarding research with human subjects. All of the eligible participants were approached by a female researcher who could speak the Telugu and English. The researcher explained the study protocol and objectives to the eligible participants and received oral and written consent on a voluntary basis. For illiterate participants, informed consent was obtained from a legally authorized representative or local guardian. The participants were encouraged to share their thoughts and inquiries about the study openly and received clarifications from the principal investigator. All the participants had the complete right to withdraw from the study at any stage of the research process (consent, initiation, process, and completion). The study participants were not subjected to any harm, as the survey was conducted through interviews and did not involve any invasive procedures. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a prevalent global health issue affecting millions of patients worldwide, impacting quality of life, impeding physical and psychological well-being, causing financial stress, and increasing mortality rates. This study aimed to highlight the prevalence of CKD and its associated risk factors across Saudi Arabia., Method: This is a cross-sectional study conducted from 2015 to 2022, using data from 42 branches of a major network of diagnostic laboratories in Saudi Arabia, covering the country's 13 administrative areas., Results: The mean age was 40.35 ± 14.5 years. The highest proportion of participants resided in the Makkah region at 35.77%, followed by the Riyadh region at 25.75%. The overall prevalence of CKD was 4.76%, with most having CKD in stage 3 (3.5%). The prevalence of CKD was higher among males compared to females (5.83% vs. 3.88%) and increased significantly with age, being 0.45% among participants aged 18-29 years and reaching 50.94% among participants aged 90 years or older. Predictors of CKD included increasing age, male sex, administrative area (Makkah 1.40 [95% CI:1.26-1.55], Jazan 1.34 [95% CI:1.18-1.52], Najran 0.47 [95% CI, 0.39-0.57], Alqasim 0.73 [95% CI, 0.64-0.82]), and a high hemoglobin A1C. CKD in Saudi Arabia is influenced by various demographic and geographic determinants contributing to its prevalence and associated burden on the population., Conclusion: These findings emphasize the need for targeted screening and prevention strategies, especially for at-risk populations. Continued surveillance, early detection, and effective management are crucial to reducing CKD's burden and improving kidney health outcomes in Saudi Arabia. Further research is essential to better understand the disease's regional and demographic drivers., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The King Khalid University committee of research ethics granted ethical approval for this study on 19–02-2023 with the approval number ECM#2023–708. The study further received ethical approval from the Unit of Biomedical Ethics in Alborg Laboratory, under IRB Approval Number No08/23. Consent to participate was waived from our study due to the nature of the study and approved from The King Khalid University committee of research ethics with the approval number ECM#2023-708. The use of human tissue samples must confirm that all experiments were performed in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Background: Sleep is an active process that affects human health and quality of life. Sleep is essential for learning and memory consolidation. Good sleep is required for good academic performance. Sleep disorders are common among medical students, due to the high academic load, stressful life, and hectic schedule. Therefore, this study aims to assess sleep quality among medical students., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students at King Khalid University by using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) to assess sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep latency, and global PSQI score. Participants were enrolled from second to sixth year. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to predict factors related to poor sleep quality., Results: Out of 514 medical students, 453 (88.1%) of students exhibited poor sleep quality. Fourth year students were less likely to have poor sleep quality (AOR, 0.381; CI, 0.158-0.934) p = 0.035 and students with regular sleep schedule were more likely to be good sleepers (AOR,0.349; CI, 0.129-0.940) p = 0.037. Additionally, students who had more than five courses per semester more frequently had daytime sleepiness p = 0.03. However, Insufficient sleep was not significantly affected by factors like gender, different age groups, number of courses per semester, daytime sleeping, and students with varying Grade Point Averages (GPA)., Conclusion: Poor sleep quality is common among medical students, which may affect academic performance and general health. It is essential to educate them about good sleep hygiene and time management skills., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Prior to data collection, all participants provided written informed consent, ensuring they were fully aware of the study’s purpose, procedures, and potential risks. The methods employed in this investigation comply with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration on human subjects research. This study received approval from the Research Ethics Committee at King Khalid University (HAPO-06-B-001), approval no. ECM#2020 − 1203, ensuring rigorous ethical standards were met throughout the research process. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Conflict of interests: The authors declare that there are no potential conflicts of interest regarding the research, authorship and/or publication of this article. Clinical trial number: Not applicable., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Background: The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a widely used haematological test that indirectly measures inflammation in the body. It is influenced by various factors, including age, sex, and physiological condition. Altitude is another critical factor due to its impact on red blood cell physiology and plasma protein composition. This study aims to evaluate how altitude influences ESR values in the Saudi Arabian population, considering demographic and clinical variables., Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 158,539 participants collected from 42 commercial laboratory branches across 13 administrative regions in Saudi Arabia from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2022. Participants were categorized based on city altitude and demographic characteristics including body mass index (BMI), alanine transaminase (ALT), chronic kidney disease (CKD), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the factors influencing elevated ESR., Results: The study analyzed 158,539 participants, with an equal sex distribution (49.9%) and a mean age of 40 years. The adjusted model results showed a CKD prevalence of 3%, with a higher prevalence at lower altitudes (3.8% at 0-500 meters). ESR levels were significantly influenced by sex, age, altitude, and clinical measurements. Males were less likely to have elevated ESR than females (odds ratio (OR) = 0.470, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.440-0.510, p < 0.001). Older age was a strong predictor of elevated ESR, with those aged 90+ at a fourfold higher risk (OR = 4.540, 95% CI: 1.410-14.548, p = 0.011). Higher altitude was associated with reduced ESR, with an odds ratio of 0.660 (95% CI: 0.560-0.769, p < 0.001) above 2000 meters., Conclusion: Altitude significantly impacts ESR values, highlighting the need for altitude-specific reference ranges to improve diagnostic accuracy in high-altitude regions. The results also emphasize the importance of considering demographic and clinical factors when interpreting ESR. These findings can guide clinicians in refining diagnostic algorithms and optimizing patient management strategies in diverse geographical settings.

The increasing cost of prescription drugs has high concern and associated with medication nonadherence and adverse health outcomes. The use of generic prescription drugs by the patients depends on if recommended by competent healthcare providers. Generic medicines, which are cheaper and bioequivalent to brand-name drugs, offer an opportunity to reduce healthcare expenditures of Saudi Arabia's healthcare system as per the Vision 2030 plan. Therefore, the current study was conducted to assess the population awareness, attitude and perception towards the generic medications particularly those locally manufactured in Saudi Arabia. We managed a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study and included indices like demographic sections, knowledge of generic medications, perception of generic medication use, and previous experience. Data was collected over 12 weeks from February 2022 to April 2022 using an online survey tool. A study of 462 participants found that the majority were male (54.97%), young (55.4%), with a graduate or post-graduate degree (73.5%) and employed (43.29%). The majority reported good health, with 75.5% reporting good health. The study found significant differences in knowledge about generic drugs, their country of origin, and their benefits and utility. Most participants had positive attitudes towards generic medications, with 45% believing they are as effective as those from other countries. The study also revealed a significant difference in participants' experience and usage of medications particularly satisfaction to health outcome. Enhancing healthcare professionals' perceptions of generics can positively influence patient/consumer opinions and trust in generic medicines. Patients' high trust in prescribing physicians also influences these opinions, as their opinions can influence patient/consumer opinions., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Akhtar, Orayj. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Objective: This research aimed to study the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward physical activity (PA) of healthcare students at King Khalid University in Abha, Saudi Arabia., Methods: A prospective web-based cross-sectional study was carried out among healthcare students of King Khalid University from March to May 2024. The questionnaire contained questions on sociodemographic details, five questions about knowledge, eight questions about attitudes, and seven practice-related questions. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used., Results: Out of the 383 participants, 175 (45.7%) were men and 208 (54.3%) were women. Most of the students, 292 (76.2%), had a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5-24.9. Among the 383, 264 (68.9%) showed good knowledge, 288 (75.2%) had positive attitudes, and 242 (63.2%) had satisfactory PA practice. Most of them, 310 (80.9%), were aware that "regular exercise helps promote strong bones and muscles." Three hundred and fifty-two (91.9%) students believed that individuals who frequently engaged in PA had longer lifespans. More than half of the students ( n  = 239, 62.4%) engaged in the recommended level of PA. Of the students, 179 (46.8%) agreed that they planned to begin increasing their physical activity during the next 6 months. One hundred and fifty-six (40.7%) stated that they did sports with a high level of intensity for 20 min, three to five times a week, and 175 (45.7%) stated that they did moderate-intensity sports for 30 min, more than five times a week. None of the independent variables had a significant effect on good knowledge levels ( p  > 0.05). The regression results show being male OR = 0.473 (CI 0.285-0.783 p  = 0.004), and being a first-or third-year student OR = 0.329 (CI 0.130-0.832 p  = 0.013), OR = 0.276 (CI 0.100-0.762 p  = 0.019) has a significant effect on positive attitude levels, while being male OR = 1.945 (CI 1.207-3.135 p  = 0.006) and having a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 OR = 10.101 (CI 2.104-48.49 p  = 0.004) has a significant effect on satisfactory practice levels., Conclusion: The majority of participants in our study showed good knowledge and positive attitudes toward PA. A lower number of participants, though still the majority, had satisfactory levels of PA. Health education and health promotion initiatives should maintain and enhance knowledge of the positive effects of PA on health., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Kandasamy, Almanasef, Almeleebia, Orayj, Viswanath Reddy, Shorog, Alshahrani, Prabahar, Veeramani, Amirthalingam, Alqifari, Vasudevan, AlSaedi, Begum and Ahmed.)

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are rapidly rising in Saudi Arabia, reaching levels similar to those in the Western world. Hence, we aimed to assess the prevalence of neck, shoulder, and lower back pains (musculoskeletal pain, MSP) among students at King Khalid University in Abha, Saudi Arabia., Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at King Khalid University in Abha, Saudi Arabia, from March 2023 to August 2023. Inclusion criteria were: university students aged 18 years and older of both sexes who agreed to participate in the study. The modified Nordic questionnaire was used, which comprised three parts., Results: Out of 536 respondents, 337 were women and 199 were men. The average body mass index (BMI) of the study population was 25.3 ± 4.01. In total, 223 (41.60%) had a history of MSDs. Only 232 (43.28%) of the population did regular exercise. According to multiple logistic regression analysis, factors associated with MSDs are mobile device use (with both hands) with a large neck tilt below the horizon line position (OR = 2.276, CI 1.178-4.397, p  = 0.014), family history of trauma (OR = 5.450, 95% CI 3.371-8.811, p  = 0.000), family history of MSDs (OR = 4.241, 95% CI 2.296-7.835, p  = 0.000), coffee consumption (OR = 1.967, CI 1.281-3.020, p  = 0.002), and time spent on electronic devices: 1-3 h (OR = 0.252, 95% CI 0.124-0.511, p  = 0.0001), 4-6 h (OR = 0.455, 95% CI 0.237-0.873, p  = 0.018), and 6-9 h (OR = 0.348, 95% CI 0.184-0.660, p  = 0.001)., Conclusion: The present study concludes that MSP among university students is high. A history of trauma, a family history of MSDs, the hand and neck position when using electronic devices, the amount of time spent using them, and regular exercise are risk factors that are strongly associated with MSP. There is strong evidence to suggest that increasing physical activity plays a significant role in enhancing the functionality of the musculoskeletal (MSK) system and alleviating pain. It is recommended that universities implement educational programs to raise awareness and health screenings about the impact of device usage on MSK health and the benefits of regular exercise., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Kandasamy, Almanasef, Almeleebia, Orayj, Shorog, Alshahrani, Prabahar, Veeramani, Amirthalingam, Alqifari, Alrashidi, Aldurum, Almutiri, Alzaidi and Almutairi.)

Measuring patient safety culture in the community pharmacy can help with identifying areas for development. The current study is a descriptive, cross-sectional, electronic survey conducted among pharmacists working in community pharmacies located in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. The community pharmacy version of the "Pharmacy Survey on Patient Safety Culture" (PSOPSC) was used to collect data. The positive response rate (PRR) was calculated as per the guidance provided by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Based on the PRR, two least-achieved items (<25%) were taken for further analysis to identify the possible predictors. A sum of 195 pharmacists were included in this study and most of them were working in chain pharmacies. The highest PRRs were observed with teamwork (94.99), and patient counseling (94.13), followed by physical space and environment (93.07). The lowest PRRs were observed with staffing, work pressure, and pace (47.70), followed by communication openness (72.60). Specific characteristics, such as experience and the number of working hours, are significantly related to a poor PRR. The current study results indicate that the scope for improving patient safety exists in various areas of community pharmacies. However, it is necessary to prioritize the need based on a positive response rate.

This study aimed to evaluate Saudi Arabian public perceptions toward influenza and COVID-19 immunization during the flu season. A cross-sectional self-administered, structured, and closed-questionnaire online survey was conducted on the general public. A total of 422 people willingly participated in the survey using several social media platforms from 15 May to 15 July 2021. Residents of Saudi Arabia aged 18 or older (eligible for COVID-19 vaccination) were included in the study and willing to answer questionnaires. The 422 participants who agreed to participate in the study completed the questionnaire. Thirty-seven percent of the participants were youth (18-25 years). More than 80% of the participants in the study agreed or strongly agreed that flu and COVID-19 vaccines must be mandatory for all populations. At the same time, 42.4% considered that the COVID-19 vaccine might positively impact the public and the economy in the future. Participants confirmed to have had COVID-19 or the flu since the beginning of the outbreak totaled 21.3%. Of the participants, 54% had sufficient knowledge about vaccine types and safety. Most of our participants (54.9%) agreed that preventive measures were still required, even with the existence of vaccines. Our study provides an overview of COVID-19's influence on Saudi Arabia during the flu season. The Saudi Arabian government should consider preventive efforts to strengthen confidence in the health advantages offered by prospective immunization to prevent a twindemic of influenza and COVID-19.

Being in a rapidly changing and dynamic environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals' perceptions change on a daily basis, and this starts to inform the status of knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) during the second wave of the pandemic., Aim: To assess the KAP on COVID-19 among students, teaching staff, and administrative staff in the Asir region for the first time., Methods: A questionnaire-based survey cross-sectional study was conducted from 10 February to 10 March 2021 using an online questionnaire., Results: In the survey of students and staff in educational institutes in the Asir region, the target population were well informed about COVID-19; in 10 out of 13 questions, more than 80% of the respondents answered correctly. The attitude of the target populations was quite positive. They were worried about the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. The target populations were concerned (94.8%) for their kith and kin not to get infected. The target populations agree with the precautionary measures that were taken by Saudi authorities. A positive association was found between knowledge and practices as well as knowledge and attitudes of the target population. A significantly positive association was observed between attitudes and practices of the educational institutes' respondents in Asir, Saudi Arabia., Conclusion: The students and staff in educational institutes in the Asir region have a high level of knowledge about COVID-19, have a positive attitude toward it, take proper precautions against it, and are enthusiastic about the COVID-19 vaccine.