Prevalence and Correlates of Prediabetes and Diabetes Results-I: A Screening Plan in a Selected Military Community in Central Saudi Arabia

Background: Diabetes is a chronic disease of a genetic and environmental background. If it is not diagnosed and controlled early, it can have devastating complications. Aim: Measure and analyze the prevalence and risks of prediabetes and diabetes among recruits enlisted in the Wadi Al-Dawasir (WD) military zone, central Saudi Arabia. The influence of some demographic criteria, weight, and blood pressure upon blood glucose level would be evaluated. Methods: A cross sectional design was utilized, whereas predesigned questionnaire and clinical interview were used to screen the study population. Results: The participants’ median age was 33.7 (IQR 11.9), mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.6 ± 5.4 kg/m2. Out of 531 recruits screened, almost two-thirds were either overweight (34.7%) or obese (29.9%). The mean waist circumference (WC) was 94.7 ± 13.3 cm;and 27.9% had central obesity (WC ≥102 cm). Random plasma glucose (RPG) median accounted 106 mg/dl (IQR 21). The participants’ RPG levels significantly increased by age (U = 19697.0), by BMI [H(df 5) = 59.6], and by WC (U = 25,670.5), (p rho(df 503) = 0.241, p U 3515, p 25 to ≥40 kg/m2) more than normal subjects [46 (87%) vs. 5 (0.9%)], [χ2(df 5) = 18.8, p Conclusions: Prediabetes and uncontrolled diabetes are relatively prevalent among Saudi recruits’ community. An insufficient influence of obesity for developing diabetes symptoms in the study population may well be attributed to time factor separating the two variables. A preventive approach to revert the predisposition of prediabetes in WD recruits population is quite promising.

Involvement of Male Youth into Accidents in Upper Egypt: Pattern and Risk Analysis

Background: Accidents pose a serious threat to health and economy in Egypt. Objectives: To identify and analyze the epidemiological factors associated with different types of accidents among adult males in Upper Egypt. Methods: A sample of 500 Egyptian males 20 - 28 years of age attending for health care at Quena University Hospital (QUH) or affiliated health institutions in South Egyptian governorates of Luxor and Red Sea was studied. The demographic, socioeconomic, and habitual data, as well as health status, medical history, and history of engagement into accidents for the recruits all were evaluated. Results: Accidents occurrences accounted up to 23/500 (4.6%) of the studied group. Road traffic accidents (RTAs) represented the highest percentage (30.4%), followed by street fights (21.7%) and animal bites (13.1%). Occupational accidents, electrical injuries, and near-drowning, all were equally encountered (8.7%), whereas falls and burns were least prevalent (4.3% each). Drug abuse, manual work, obesity, and having epilepsy were significant risk factors for accident injuries (OR = 6.35, 95% CI: 1.64 - 24.58, OR = 3.36, 95% CI: 1.22 - 9.73, OR = 4.81, 95% CI: 1.50 - 15.46, OR = 45.33, 95% CI: 3.94 - 518.01, respectively). Conclusions: Engagement of young Upper Egyptian males into accidents is alarming. Most of the accident mechanisms encountered are preventable. Enforcement of standard occupational, traffic and public safety laws is needed to minimize the burden of accidents upon the public health and economy in Upper Egypt.

A Quasi Experiment to Implement Multimodal Strategy to Improve Hand Hygiene Behavior in a Healthcare Facility in Central Saudi Arabia

Background: Hand hygiene (HH) compliance of healthcare workers (HCWs) remains suboptimal despite standard multimodal promotion, and evidence for the effectiveness of novel interventions is urgently needed. Aim: Improve HCWs’ HH compliance toward minimizing healthcare associated infection (HCAI) risk in Wadi Al Dawasir Hospital (WDH), central Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methodology: A quasi experimental approach was adopted to achieve study aim. The HCWs’ behavior of HH during the duration between 2015 and 2016 was evaluated before and after a HH educational plan based on the World Health Organization (WHO) “Multimodal HH Improvement Strategy” (MMHHIS). The HCWs’ compliance in response to HH indications represented by the WHO’s “My 5-Moments for HH” and the type of HH action taken, whether hand washing (HW) or hand-rubbing (HR) were analyzed. Results: The number of opportunities observed of HH performance accounted 230 in 2015 (pre-education), and 237 in 2016 (post-education). The HCWs’ HH compliance rate in the pre-education phase did not vary by the 5-moment indications [χ2(df 4) = 0.01, p = 0.98]. Conversely, the compliance rate after HH education was higher than non-compliance across all 5-moment indication opportunities (ranged between 57.0% up to 88.9%) [χ2(df 1) = 18.25, p rd and 4th 5-moment indications (“after body fluid exposure” and “after patient contact,” respectively) were met with a significant HH improvement [χ2(df 1) = 8.98, p = 0.003;and χ2(df 1) = 16.3, p −4.38, p = 0.001). Only physicians and nurses showed a significant “within-profession” improvement in HH compliance after education, compared to that before education (Z = −3.51, p = 0.001, Z = −2.48, p = 0.013, respectively). Conclusions: Applying a HH education plan based on standardized multimodal HH strategy proved effective in improving the HH compliance of the hospital’s staff. An ongoing observation policy within a HH-resourceful environment assures a sustainable and sound HCWs’ HH behavior.

Distribution Patterns of Severe Pediatric Trauma: Mandated vs. Non-Mandated Trauma Systems

Objective: To identify how hospital discharge data could discriminate the distribution patterns of high-risk trauma children in mandated and non-mandated trauma systems. Methods: Hospital discharge data of pediatric trauma patients 1 - 15 years of age in Florida (FL), USA—[a mature mandated trauma system with certified trauma centers (TCs)] and in Indiana (IN), USA—(an immature non-mandated trauma system) admitted both to trauma center (TC) and non-TC healthcare facilities were analyzed. The injury severity score (ISS) measurement was used to verify injury severities. Results: Analysis showed that the majority of admissions were mild injuries (ISS = 1 - 8), [FL 70%, IN 66%, odds ratio (OR) 1.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1, 1.3]. Florida trauma children (all severities) generally receive TC care more frequently than Indiana’s (OR = 1.8, CI 1.6 - 1.9). Particularly admission to TCs with severe (ISS ≥ 25) pelvic injury was greater in Florida (OR 3.5, CI 1.6 - 7.4). Florida, encountered some other severe injury mechanisms (motor vehicle accidents, falls) more frequently than Indiana (ORs and CI: 2.2, 1.5 - 3.3 and 3.1, 1.1 - 8.7, respectively). Conclusions: Hospital discharge data can demonstrate the expected patient distribution difference when comparing a mature trauma system with a voluntary evolving system. The level of maturity of the adopted trauma system often influences such difference.

First Aid Knowledge and Attitude of Secondary School Students in Saudi Arabia

Background: Increasing the number of qualified people, including school students who can play a significant role in first-aid (FA) and basic life support (BLS) arena is a public health demand. Aim: To assess the awareness of Saudi secondary school students regarding FA and BLS. Methodology: 360 male secondary school children in Taif, Saudi Arabia were surveyed. Results: The mean students’ age was 17.4 ± 1.21 years. The mean participants’ FA knowledge score was 64.8% ± 11%. Generally, trained students reported both better FA knowledge and skills than untrained counter-parts;for 79.6% trained-compared to 53.7% untrained-students recorded such score > 70% [χ2 (df 1) = 11.60, p 70%) [62.3% 2(df 1) = 5.90, p = 0.02] was. Trained students better deal with critical cases, bleeding and bodily injury compared to untrained peers [89.8% vs. 55.9%, χ2 (df 1) = 20.3, p 2 (df 1) = 11.62, p = 0.04;81.6% vs. 67.2%, χ2 (df 1) = 4.13, p = 0.04, respectively]. Only 37.2% of schools had FA incorporated in the education curriculum. Eventually, FA training and the presence of FA group were significant predictors for improved FA knowledge among students [odds ratio (OR) 3.35, 95% CI 1.60 - 7.06;OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.34 - 3.95, respectively). Conclusions: First-aid training is crucial to enhance school children’s FA skills and to thrust their contribution to health emergency control efforts. Incorporating FA training within the educational curriculum of Saudi schools is a step forward to disseminate FA message in the community.