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INTRODUCTION: Herpes zoster, or shingles, is a significant health concern for older adults caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation. The availability of effective herpes zoster vaccines offers a crucial preventive measure to reduce the incidence and severity of this condition. However, the uptake of the available vaccine remains suboptimal, especially among adults aged 50 and above. Understanding the factors that influence vaccine utilization is not only essential for developing strategies to improve vaccination rates but also has the potential to significantly reduce the disease burden. METHODS: This cross-sectional study aimed to identify factors influencing herpes zoster vaccine utilization among adults aged 50 and above attending primary healthcare center in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire administered to visitors attending Al-Wazarat Primary Healthcare Center in Riyadh. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the data. RESULTS: A total of 403 participants were included in the study, with 73.7% of participants having heard of the disease, yet only 34.2% had received the vaccine. Vaccine uptake was significantly associated with gender, educational level, and healthcare provider recommendations. Common barriers to vaccination included fear of side effects, lack of perceived susceptibility, concerns about vaccine effectiveness, and access to healthcare facilities. CONCLUSION: Herpes zoster vaccine utilization among older adults in Saudi Arabia is relatively low despite moderate awareness. Enhancing public education through targeted campaigns and strengthening healthcare provider recommendations are crucial to improving vaccine uptake. Addressing specific barriers and misconceptions is essential to reduce the burden of herpes zoster in this population. The need for future research to explore strategies to overcome these challenges and promote higher vaccination rates is urgent and important.
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BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a serious health issue for both mother and child. As GDM is common worldwide, healthcare providers pay attention while screening and managing pregnant women to ensure good outcomes for both mother and child. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify the risk factors associated with developing GDM in pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This is a case-control study that utilized patients' medical records for data collection. The study included 317 pregnant Saudi women who attended antenatal care clinics and antenatal diabetic clinics in PSMMC from May 2022 to May 2023. Cases were defined as women who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and had a positive oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) result, while controls were defined as women in the same age group and gravidity who had negative OGTT. Analysis was conducted using SPSS Statistics version 29.0 (IBM Corp. Released 2021. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 29.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.) Results: The total number of cases was 132 out of 313 total samples, representing 42.2% of the total sample. Three factors were associated with an increased risk of developing GDM, including a family history of diabetes (p-value <0.001), a history of GDM (p-value <0.001), and macrosomia (p-value = 0.020). The study also found higher BMI and advanced maternal age were risk factors for GDM (p-value = 0.004, 0.007), respectively. However, the study did not find a significant association between GDM and other factors, such as chronic disease prevalence, history of miscarriage, or history of fetal death. CONCLUSION: The study identified several risk factors associated with an increased risk of GDM including family history of diabetes, history of GDM, macrosomia, overweight/obesity, and advanced maternal age. It is recommended that antenatal care providers screen for GDM risk factors and closely monitor overweight, obese, or older women. Education and counseling on healthy lifestyle habits, such as maintaining a healthy weight and engaging in physical activity, may also be beneficial for preventing GDM. Further research is needed to confirm and identify additional risk factors for GDM.
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Background: The study aimed to estimate the duration of viral shedding (DVS) in patients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), investigated the factors affecting that duration, and identified the redetectable positive (RP) cases in the recovered COVID-19 patients in Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC). Methods: The study was a retrospective record base design in the PSMMC that included 171 confirmed COVID-19 patients from 15 March to 31 May 2020. Their clinical characteristics and laboratory findings were retrieved and reviewed based on the PSMMC COVID-19 database and the Ministry of Health (MOH) Health Electronic Surveillance Network. Data analysis used the SPSS software package to measure the DVS, explore its potential factors, and identify the RP cases. The data presented as frequency distribution tables, medians, and interquartile range (IQR). Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests compared the medians to explore the significant variables that affect DVS. Results: The median DVS was 11 days, IQR was 7 to 15 days, and statistically significant longer the patient presented with fever (P = 0.025), among health care workers (HCWs) (P = 0.020), and the age group above 65 (P = 0.039). Overall, 13 patients (7.6%) were RP, statistically significantly higher among the contacts to confirmed COVID-19 cases. Conclusions: The DVS in PSMMC COVID-19 patients is comparable to the isolation period approved by MOH. Fever was a risk factor for a prolonged DVS, advised an extended follow-up period for these patients. RP cases were significantly higher among the contacts to COVID-19 cases than non-contacts. The study suggests future comprehensive research on the RP characteristics.
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Background: Healthcare Workers (HCWs) constitute a major group exposed to influenza. Researchers herein try to determine the influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE). Influenza VE depends on the vaccinated personal characteristics and the closeness of matching between the vaccine and the prevalent strains of the virus. The aim of our research was to identify the 2018-2019 seasonal influenza VE in HCWs. Methods: a record-based study was carried out using the test-negative design from October 2018 to September 2019 to calculate the influenza VE. HCWs with influenza like illness (ILI) were screened to detect the positive cases, and the vaccination status was determined based on vaccination database. VE was assessed from the ratio of the odds of vaccination among positive cases to the odds of vaccination among negative controls. Statistical analysis Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted VE Results: a total of 556 HCWs presented with ILI, 65.6% were females, and 54.1% were nurses, 152 HCWs (27.3%) had laboratory-confirmed influenza, shows two peaks in January and March 2019. VE for all types was 35.0% and rose to 42.0% after adjustment for HCWs age, gender, nationality, and job position, influenza A (H3N2) VE was 78.0%. H1N1 VE was 55.0% but no significant VE for type B was found. Conclusion: Our VE estimates are in agreement with VE estimates published for that season. The use of quadrivalent vaccine with two stains of influenza B is recommended.
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Subtipo H1N1 del Virus de la Influenza A , Vacunas contra la Influenza , Gripe Humana , Personal Militar , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Femenino , Personal de Salud , Humanos , Subtipo H3N2 del Virus de la Influenza A , Virus de la Influenza B , Gripe Humana/prevención & control , Masculino , Estaciones del Año , VacunaciónRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) represent risk to HCWs. Checking on antibodies against MMRV is an important part of infection control among nursing staff for their own health, their colleagues and for the health of patients. Screening for immunity against MMRV is an initial step before vaccination of nursing staff. This study is to describe immunity status against MMRV by screening nursing staff in a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh. METHODS: A cross sectional survey among nursing staff was conducted from July to August 2019 at Prince Sultan Military Medical City. A convenience sampling was used to screen 1534 nursing staff working at several high-risk departments. Record for their immune status and antibody titer for MMRV were reviewed using a data collection form. RESULTS: Screening for immunity among nursing staff found that; 79.3% were immune against measles; 75.5% to be immune against mumps; 95.8% were immune against rubella; and 67% were immune against varicella. The highest proportion of immune nursing staff against measles (96.3%) and varicella (93.5%) was found in Intensive care department while the highest proportion of immune staff against mumps (89.4%) was found in Long Stay department, and against rubella (97.5%) in Hemodialysis department. On the other hand, It was found that Hemodialysis Department had the Highest proportion of non-immune staff against measles (35.6%), mumps (39%), and varicella (56.3%), while Emergency Department had the lowest proportion of immune staff (6%) against rubella. CONCLUSION: Despite that immunity among nurses screened was good on some departments; however, such results need improvement in these critical areas. These finding emphasize the importance of the currently mandatory screening for MMRV before employment. We suggest conducting comprehensive programs to increase awareness and vaccination coverage in areas with low rates of immunity.
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BACKGROUND: Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is commonly known as any intermittent incontinence while asleep in a child being at least 5-year old. The families of the children having this disorder can be greatly worried because this disorder can lead to considerable emotional distress and some psychological consequences. This study is aimed to estimate the prevalence of NE among children and to identify the characteristics of children who has NE. The third aim is to identify the consultation pattern to solve this problem. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was performed in Primary Health Care Centers of Family and Community Medicine, PSMMC, Riyadh City, KSA, during 2017. RESULTS: Out of 65 families that have children with NE, 38.7% was the frequency of bedwetting every night; 22.6% of the children were stressed as a result of new child birth; 14% of the families did not feel a family load of having children with NE; 29% of the families did not try to treat their children because of their improvement with time; and 12% of the families that tried to treat their children used fluid restriction and waked their children up frequently at night. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of NE was 18.5% among families with a higher prevalence in boys. Prevalence of NE decreased with increasing age with many children found of having stressful events in their life other than parents' divorce. We would like to refer that it is important for families that have children with NE to seek medical consultation immediately, which can lead to behavioral modifications.
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OBJECTIVES: To measure the risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among militaries in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to assess their Framingham CVD risk. METHODS: A nationwide survey included 10,500 active military personnel selected by multistage stratified random sampling representing various ranks in the army forces of 5 regions. The study used the World Health Organization STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS) in the design of data collection tool. Data included demographic and health behavior information; physical assessment; and anthropometric, random blood glucose, serum cholesterol, and triglycerides measurements. RESULTS: The response rate was 97.4%. The results showed that 9.1% of the sample population had 10% or higher Framingham 10-year office-based CVD risk score, with a mean of 4.5. The risk varied by region, armed force, crowding index, waist-hip ratio, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Multivariate analysis identified crowding index, physical inactivity, and military rank as independent predictors, apart from Framingham predictors. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CVD risk factors is high among militaries in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with an associated high 10-year CVD Framingham risk. The military health services must implement intervention programs to reduce these risks, with follow-up of the participants with identified CVD risk.
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Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/epidemiología , Personal Militar , Medición de Riesgo/métodos , Adulto , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/etiología , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Proyectos Piloto , Prevalencia , Estudios Retrospectivos , Factores de Riesgo , Arabia Saudita/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: In Egypt, where bilharziasis is endemic, bladder cancer is the commonest cancer in males and the 2nd in females; squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the commonest type found, with a peculiar mode of presentation. The aim of this study is to identify and rank the risk factors of muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) in Upper Egypt and describe its specific criteria of presentation and histopathology. METHODS: This is an analytical, hospital based, case controlled study conducted in south Egypt cancer institute through comparing MIBC cases (n = 130) with age, sex and residence matched controls (n = 260) for the presence of risk factors of MIBC. Data was collected by personal interview using a well designed questionnaire. Patients' records were reviewed for histopathology and Radiologic findings. RESULTS: The risk factors of MIBC were positive family history [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 7.7], exposure to pesticides [AOR = 6.2], bladder stones [AOR = 5], consanguinity [AOR = 3.9], recurrent cystitis [AOR = 3.1], bilharziasis [odds ratio (OR) = 5.8] and smoking [OR = 5.3]. SCC represented 67.6% of cases with burning micturition being the presenting symptom in 73.8%. CONCLUSION: MIBC in Upper Egypt is usually of the SCC type (although its percentage is decreasing), occurs at a younger age and presents with burning micturition rather than hematuria. Unlike the common belief, positive family history, parents' consanguinity, exposure to pesticides and chronic cystitis seem to play now more important roles than bilharziasis and smoking in the development of this disease in this area.