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Mona A Al-Zahrani, Mahmoud M Berekaa, Mohammed Al-Warthan, Abdulaziz A AlMulla Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU), Dammam, Eastern Province, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Mahmoud M Berekaa, Email mberekaa@iau.edu.saObjective: This study identify the prevalence of sharp object injuries (SOIs) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Dammam and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Methods: Quantitative methodology using a cross-sectional design was applied. Chi-square testing was employed for comparative analyses, and logistic regression encompassing univariate and multivariate models was implemented to ascertain the predictors of SOIs.Results: Prevalence rate of SOIs among hospital HCWs in Dammam and Jeddah cities was 8.40%. Non-Saudi nationals had a rate of 11.9%, while participants who had more than 15 years of experience had a lower rate (9.9%). Gender was identified as a significant predictor of SOIs, with males being two times more likely to experience SOIs than females. The highest rates of injuries were observed among laboratory personnel (29.2%; odds ratios of 8.6 and 7.2 in univariate and multivariate models, respectively).Conclusion: These findings show that HCWs in Dammam have a marginally higher risk of SOIs (prevalence rate 9%) than their counterparts in Jeddah (prevalence rate 7.8%). Further investigations are needed to tailor specific training programs to increase HCWs’ awareness, safety knowledge, and practices to reduce SOIs.Keywords: sharp object injuries, bloodborne pathogens, laboratory personnel, hospitals

Background: Primary care physicians play an essential role in the health of older adults as they are frequently the first point of contact. Their positive attitude and knowledge influence the quality of care provided to patients with dementia and their caregivers. This study examined the attitudes of primary care physicians towards dementia care and their confidence in their own dementia-care skills., Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 316 primary care physicians working in Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included questions related to demographic characteristics, Dementia Care Attitude Scale (DCAS) to assess attitudes towards dementia, and Confidence in Dementia Care Skills (CDCS) Scale to measure confidence. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 29; mean and standard deviation (SD) were computed for continuous and categorical variables were described using frequencies and percentages. Mann Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis test were used to compare attitude and confidence scores by categorical variables., Results: The mean DCAS score was 36.4 ± 5.41 out of 50. On a scale ranging from 15 to 75, the mean CDCS was 51.89 ± 10.20. A statistically significant ( P < 0.05) relation was found between confidence and professional rank, knowing close relatives with dementia, and number of dementia and elderly patients treated. Overall, 78.9% of physicians lacked confidence to prescribe memory medications; 32% felt that dementia management was generally more frustrating than rewarding., Conclusion: Primary care physicians had a positive attitude toward caring for patients with dementia. However, they lacked confidence in their dementia care skills in several areas. The confidence in their diagnostic skills was higher than their management skills. Most challenging skills were recognizing and managing behavioral symptoms of dementia. Need to develop educational and training interventions that target healthcare providers to help improving dementia care in primary care settings., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Journal of Family and Community Medicine.)