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Background: Hand hygiene before and after each contact with any patient, is simple, easily implemented and an effective practice to prevent hospital acquired infection.This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of hand washing among health care workers (HCW) in health care units in Arar city, Northern Saudi Arabia, based on WHO’s ‘Five Moments of Hand Hygiene Questionnaire’. Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out at health care unites in Arar city during the period from July to September 2017. The World Health Organization (WHO) "Hand Hygiene Knowledge Questionnaire"- revised 2009 edition was used. Results: In total, 116 respondents including 32 residents, 92 nurses and 37 nursing assistants enrolled in this study,68% of them were females and 32% were males, 41% were resident, 32.8% nurses, 12.9% Nursing assistant and 12.9% Technician. The mean score of HH knowledge in residents technicians, nurses and nurse assistants was 18 (±1.8), 17.7(±1.7), 18.3(±1.2) and 18.1(±1.4) respectively. While the mean score of attitude was the highest in nurses 6.9(±1.17) then the technicians 6.8(±1.6), and the lowest score was found in the nursing assistants 6.2(±0.56). The mean score of practice was found to be 4(±1.6) in technicians, 3.9(±1.0) in nurses, 3.8(±0.9) in residents and 3.5(±0.6) in nurse assistants. The majority of the participants (90.5%) had a high level of knowledge of HH. The attitude level was found moderate in 81.9% and high in only 17.2%. Level of practice of HH was high in 23.3%, moderate in 75.9% and almost none of our participants was found with a low level of practice. Conclusion: This study highlighted the importance of applying the multimodal training program addressing providers' knowledge regarding hand hygiene, as well as strategies for emotional and behavioral methods such as patient engagement in hand-hygiene interventions.

Background: The clinical significance of the ABO blood group system extends beyond transfusion medicine as several reports have suggested an important involvement in the development of neoplastic and cardiovascular disorders, peptic ulcers, coagulation and infection. Objective: to show the prevalence of hypothyroidism in various ABO and Rh blood group subjects, and to examine the strength of association between hypothyroidism and ABO, Rh blood groups subjects in Arar City, Northern Saudi Arabia.Methods: A cross-sectional study, conducted in Arar city, Northern Saudi Arabia. During the period from 1 January to 31 May 2018. The study included 746 participants. Collected data analyzed using the SPSS program (version 22). P-value of less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: the total prevalence of hypothyroidism was 5.9%. As regards the blood group, blood group O was the most common (44.5%), followed by blood group A (26.7 %) and B (20.8 %), and the least common one was AB (8%). Rhesus factor (Rh) was positive in 86.1% and negative in 13.9%. The majority (86.4%) of hypothyroid patients were females (P value=0.0001). The data show a significant difference in hypothyroidism in the different blood groups (P value= 0.048) with group A subjects of the highest association (8% of group A subjects). Rh blood type had no statistically significant association with hypothyroidism. Conclusion: The results of our study showed a significant difference in hypothyroidism in the different blood groups with group A subjects of the highest association. Our findings support the need for further investigation to look for the association between ABO blood groups and hypothyroidism, further investigations in a larger population are warranted.

Background: Irregular menstruation is a factor that increases the rate of emotional and psychological stresses. This study was conducted to determine the patterns of menstrual cycles and the prevalence of menstrual disorders; menstrual irregularity and prolonged menstrual bleeding among adolescent and adult females. Methods: This was a cross sectional community-based study, conducted in the Eastern area of Saudi Arabia on 639 females aged 10-52 years, during the period from 1 Abril to 31 June 2018. Data was analyzed using SPSS program, version 20.0. A 5% level was chosen as a level of significance in all statistical tests used. Results: The mean age of study participants was calculated to be 29.3±8.1 years, the mean length of the menstrual cycle was (18.73± 9.9 days), and the mean Length of period is (6.22 ± 1.63 days). Prevalence of menstrual cycle irregularities among the studied sample was (29.7%). Subjects complained of dysmenorrhea were 77.9%, of them 29.1% had irregular cycles with no statistical difference. No statistical difference between age of menarche and menstrual cycle regularity (P>0.05), higher education is associated with more cycle regularity (P33% of our study subjects, more abnormal texture of menstrual blood found in subjects with regular cycles (P= 0.037). 54.9% were suffering continuous stress with statistically significant association between suffering from continuous stress and menstrual irregularity (P-value =0.007) with people suffering continuous stress more prone to menstrual irregularity. No statistically significant association between drinking tea or coffee repeatedly and menstrual regularity (P>0.05). Conclusion: in this study, the prevalence of menstrual cycle irregularities was 29.7%. Higher education is associated with more cycle regularity (P Key words: Pattern, determinant factors, irregular menstruation, women, Eastern area of Saudi Arabia.

Background: Dysmenorrhea has a negative impact on the quality of life of affected females. For example, dysmenorrhea might negatively affect relationships, academic and professional performance, and social and recreational activities. The study aim to find the prevalence, types, predisposing factors and management options of dysmenorrhea in the western area of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a cross sectional community based study, conducted in Western area of Saudi Arabia on 476 females aged 10-52 years, during the period from 1 March to 31 June 2018. Data was collected using a pre-designed online self-administered questionnaire included the relevant questions to collect data about socio-demographic characteristics and special habits of the participants, menstrual cycle related data and data related to menstrual pain, how to deal with menstrual pain and using drugs for menstrual pain. Results: Our study reported the prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 83.6%; 59.3% was moderate pain, 29.1% severe and only 10.6% mild. The majority were non-smokers 80.6% (p=0.888). ). About half (53.5%) of dysmenorrhea cases was suffering from continuous stress (p=0.325). From dysmenorrhea cases, 70.8% had regular menstruation and 29.1% had irregular menstruations, 41.2% had menarche at 13-14 years old and only 1.7% had menarche at ≥ 17 years olds. Conclusion: A high prevalence of dysmenorrhea was detected among female in the western area of Saudi Arabia. Advanced large-scale researches, health education programs, and health promotion are recommended. Keywords: Dysmenorrhea, Prevalence, Determinants, Outcome

Background: Impaired sleep has significant negative impact on health. Adequate sleep duration not only maintains body function, but also prevents adverse cardiovascular outcomes. For instance, inadequate sleep has been associated with hypertension. Objective: to determine sleep quality among hypertensive patients and the point out the score differences between hypertensive and control groups using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index on patients living in the central area of Saudi Arabia. Methods: case control study conducted among 73 already physician diagnosed hypertensive patients and 73 matched control non-hypertensive group from the central area of Saudi Arabia, during the period from 1 January to 31 May, 2018. Data were collected by personal interview with the hypertensive and control group and filling the questionnaire. We used the Arabic Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (A-PSQI). Results: About two thirds (67.1%) of hypertensive patients were females and almost the proportions (68.5% Vs. 31.5%) in the control group. By using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) we found that, among hypertensive patients 71.2% had poor sleep quality and only 28.8% had good sleep quality. While in the control group 20.5% had good sleep quality and 79.5% poor sleep quality and there was insignificant difference in sleep quality between hypertensive patients and control (P=0.249). The Mean± S.D sleep quality global score was 8± 4.33 in hypertension patients and 7.16 ± 3.6 in the control group but the difference was statistically insignificant (P=0.370). Conclusion: from this study we concluded that By using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) we found that, there was insignificant difference in sleep quality between hypertensive patients and control (P=0.249). Keywords: Hypertension; PSQI; Sleep quality