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Purpose: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important diagnostic method in modern clinical medicine. Patients' ‎‎knowledge about MRI is of utmost importance for optimizing the workflow, ‎safety, and patient comfort and saving valuable time for the MRI department. This study investigates patient knowledge levels regarding MRI safety before an MRI examination. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was completed by 200 patients who required MRI. Recruitment occurred over eight weeks in ‎governmental and private hospitals in Saudi ‎Arabia; both hospitals and participants were selected randomly. The ‎questionnaire was given to the patients prior to ‎their MRI scans. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were performed to identify relationships between knowledge of MRI safety and selected demographic groupings (age, gender, education level, income level). It also evaluates their source of information and assesses the patient's previous experience regarding MRI scans.‎ Results: The study sample consisted of 200 patients from 230 surveys distributed in ‎Saudi Arabia, and the response rate was ∼ 87%. Depending on the P-values of the chi-square statistical test to find the relationship between ‎socio-demographic factors and patient' knowledge level, the results showed a significant association (p-value=0.006) between age and gender and the level of knowledge relating to MRI safety issues. A similar significance (p-value=0.042) is observed between the knowledge level of patients and their educational level and annual income. In addition, a highly significant association (p-value< 0.001) is found between education level or previous experience and whether people seek information about MRI safety. Conclusion: The study findings suggest that a complex combination of factors affects patient knowledge regarding MRI safety before an MRI examination. Hence, the hospital and radiological department must ‎‎provide the ‎patient with accurate information about MRI.‎ [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To examine the various facets of job satisfaction among radiographers in Saudi Arabia and compare the influential contributing factors locally and internationally. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in June and July 2020 with an electronic questionnaire distributed to radiographers in Saudi Arabia. The validated Job Satisfaction Survey was used to measure overall job satisfaction and specific satisfaction regarding pay, promotions, supervision, benefits, contingent rewards, operating conditions, coworkers, nature of work, and communication (total Job Satisfaction Survey score can range from 36 to 216). Additional personal and work-related characteristics were collected as explanatory variables. Data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics, including 1-way analysis of variance, independent sample t test, and Spearman correlation. Results A total of 412 radiographers in Saudi Arabia completed the survey. The total job satisfaction score was 140.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 138.7-141.2), showing that 6 respondents (1.5%) were dissatisfied with their job, while the remaining majority were neutral (63%) or satisfied (36%). The radiographers were satisfied with the nature of work, contingent rewards, and coworkers. However, they were less satisfied with promotions, pay, operating conditions, and benefits. The only significant variable in overall job satisfaction was the working sector (P = .03), with radiographers working at Ministry of Health hospitals who were more satisfied than were their colleagues who worked at other types of facilities. Discussion The radiographers in Saudi Arabia had higher overall job satisfaction than had other allied health science professionals in Saudi Arabia. The differences in job satisfaction subscales between radiographers from different countries suggest that their job satisfaction likely is related to culture and socioeconomics. Job satisfaction improvement programs should be tailored for each radiographer's community. Conclusion Radiographers in Saudi Arabia expressed moderate to high job satisfaction, which is relatively higher than their international peers and national colleagues in physical therapy and nursing. These job satisfaction results call for governmental policymakers to focus their efforts on improving radiographer promotion schemes and career development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an endemic virus in dromedaries. Annually, Saudi Arabia imports thousands of camels from the Horn of Africa, yet the epidemiology of MERS-CoV in these animals is largely unknown. Here, MERS-CoV prevalence was compared in imported African camels and their local counterparts. A total of 1399 paired sera and nasal swabs were collected from camels between 2016 and 2018. Imported animals from Sudan (n = 829) and Djibouti (n = 328) were sampled on incoming ships at Jeddah Islamic seaport before unloading, and local camels were sampled from Jeddah (n = 242). Samples were screened for neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) and MERS-CoV viral RNA. The overall seroprevalence was 92.7% and RNA detection rate was 17.2%. Imported camels had higher seroprevalence compared to resident herds (93.8% vs 87.6%, p <0.01) in contrast to RNA detection (13.3% vs 35.5%, p <0.0001). Seroprevalence significantly increased with age (p<0.0001) and viral RNA detection rate was ~2-folds higher in camels <2-year-old compared to older animals. RNA detection was higher in males verses females (24.3% vs 12.6%, p<0.0001) but seroprevalence was similar. Concurrent positivity for viral RNA and nAbs was found in >87% of the RNA positive animals, increased with age and was sex-dependent. Importantly, reduced viral RNA load was positively correlated with nAb titers. Our data confirm the widespread of MERS-CoV in imported and domestic camels in Saudi Arabia and highlight the need for continuous active surveillance and better prevention measures. Further studies are also warranted to understand camels correlates of protection for proper vaccine development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has a high population of children with hereditary renal infections whose factors are linked to the X chromosomes. This study aims to determine the spectrum of renal pathologies in Saudi pediatrics patients as well as to link the genetic aspect to the development of renal diseases in Saudi children by using ultrasound., Materials and Methods: The study, hence sought to analyze the outcomes of a cross-sectional retrospective study report at the Radiology department of King Fahad Medical City (KFMC) within 12 months retrogressively. Data was collected using ultrasound machines with B-mode and Doppler modes used to generate results that were later filled in forms., Results: Demographic characteristics showed that even though the study incorporated the children between the ages of 1-14 years, renal infection was most prevalent in children between the ages 4-7 years. The study revealed that male children were at a higher risk of getting a hereditary renal infection compared to their female counterparts. Indications for renal ultrasound examination of the study samples indicated that the ectopic renal disease affected 2% of the 50 sample size, while hydronephrosis affected 26% of the sample., Conclusion: The current study was able to successfully highlight the role of ultrasound in the detection of a wide range of renal diseases among Saudi children. Additionally, this study attempted to link the genetic aspect to the development of renal diseases in Saudi children, but the use of ultrasound alone was not very helpful in this.