Mental health status among COVID-19 patients survivors of critical illness in Saudi Arabia:A 6-month follow-up questionnaire study

BACKGROUND Psychological assessment after intensive care unit(ICU)discharge is increasingly used to assess patients'cognitive and psychological well-being.However,few studies have examined those who recovered from coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).There is a paucity of data from the Middle East assessing the post-ICU discharge mental health status of patients who had COVID-19.AIM To evaluate anxiety and depression among patients who had severe COVID-19.METHODS This is a prospective single-center follow-up questionnaire-based study of adults who were admitted to the ICU or under ICU consultation for>24 h for COVID-19.Eligible patients were contacted via telephone.The patient’s anxiety and depression six months after ICU discharge were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS).The primary outcome was the mean HADS score.The secondary outcomes were risk factors of anxiety and/or depression.RESULTS Patients who were admitted to the ICU because of COVID-19 were screened(n=518).Of these,48 completed the questionnaires.The mean age was 56.3±17.2 years.Thirty patients(62.5%)were male.The main comorbidities were endocrine(n=24,50%)and cardiovascular(n=21,43.8%)diseases.The mean overall HADS score for anxiety and depression at 6 months post-ICU discharge was 11.4(SD±8.5).A HADS score of>7 for anxiety and depression was detected in 15 patients(30%)and 18 patients(36%),respectively.Results from the multivariable ordered logistic regression demonstrated that vasopressor use was associated with the development of anxiety and depression[odds ratio(OR)39.06,95% confidence interval:1.309-1165.8;P<0.05].CONCLUSION Six months after ICU discharge,30% of patients who had COVID-19 demonstrated a HADS score that confirmed anxiety and depression.To compare the psychological status of patients following an ICU admission(with vs without COVID-19),further studies are warranted.

Prevalence and associated factors of clubfoot in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia: A hospital-based study

BACKGROUND Clubfoot,or congenital talipes equinovarus,is a widely recognized cause of disability and congenital deformity worldwide,which significantly impacts the quality of life.Effective management of clubfoot requires long-term,multidiscip-linary intervention.It is important to understand how common this condition is in order to assess its impact on the population.Unfortunately,few studies have investigated the prevalence of clubfoot in Saudi Arabia.AIM To determine the prevalence of clubfoot in Saudi Arabia via the patient population at King Fahad University Hospital(KFUH).METHODS This was a retrospective study conducted at one of the largest hospitals in the country and located in one of the most densely populated of the administrative regions.RESULTS Of the 7792 births between 2015 to 2023 that were included in the analysis,42 patients were diagnosed with clubfoot,resulting in a prevalence of 5.3 per 1000 live births at KFUH.CONCLUSION The observed prevalence of clubfoot was significantly higher than both global and local estimates,indicating a substantial burden in the study population.

Facies development and sedimentology of the Middle Miocene carbonates of the Raghama Formation, northeastern Saudi Arabia

Ragahama Formation comprises a siliciclastic continental deposits followed by marine carbonates, representing prograding alluvial fans from adjacent high hinterlands seaward into lagoons and fringing reef environments. The present work aimed to document the facies development and sedimentology of the Raghama carbonates exposed along the eastern coastal plain of the Red Sea, northwestern Saudi Arabia. Four stratigraphic sections were measured and sampled(D1–D4) and thin sections and major and trace element analyses were prepared and applied for petrographic and geochemical approaches. The carbonates were subdivided into three successive fore-reef, reef-core, and back-reef depositional facies. Sandy stromatolitic boundstone, microbial laminites, dolomitic ooidal grainstone, bioclastic coralline algal wackestone, sandy bioclastic wackestone, and coral boundstones were the reported microfacies types. Petrographic analysis reveals that the studied carbonates were affected by dissolution, dolomitization, and aggrading recrystallization, which affects both the original micrite matrix and grains or acts as fracture and veinlet filling leading to widespread vuggy and moldic porosity. No evidence of physical compaction, suggesting rapid lithification and recrystallization during early diagenesis and prior to substantial burial and intensive flushing by meteoric waters. Most of the original microstructure of corals were leached and destructed. This is indicated by the higher depletion in Sr and Ca levels and increase in Mg,Na, Fe, and Mn levels, especially in section D1, in comparison with the worldwide carbonates.

Single nucleotide polymorphism within chromosome 8q24 is associated with prostate cancer development in Saudi Arabia

Objective: Genome-wide association studies have demonstrated that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are important risk factors for the development of prostate cancer (PCa). Preliminary studies have suggested that the incidence of PCa in Saudi males is low but is probably familial or genetically related.Methods: To identify any possible association of SNP with PCa development in Saudi patients, we investigated a group of SNPs in Saudi PCa patients (n=85) and compared the outcomes to healthy normal controls (n=115) and nodular hyperplasia patients (n=120). DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded formalin fixed tissue or whole blood from both patients’ groups and healthy control group. A total of thirteen SNPs were genotyped using TaqMan® minor groove binder polymerase chain reaction assay.Results: The rs16901979A, s629242T and rs1447295A alleles were found at significantly higher frequency in PCa patients than controls (p< 0.05). The rs16901979 CA genotype was found at significantly greater frequency in PCa patients than in healthy controls (43% vs. 14%, odds ratio=4.6, p=0.0001) and benign hyperplasia group (43% vs. 25%, odds ratio=2.2, p=0.009).Conclusion: Our study has highlighted the association of rs16901979 SNP with PCa in Saudi males. Such findings have important implications in the PCa diagnosis and in screening unaffected family members of Saudi patients.

Structural Analysis for Qazzaz Metamorphic Core Complex,Northwestern Arabian Shield,Saudi Arabia

Identifying deformational mechanisms and associated structures at various scales,ranging from regional-scale structures to microscopic fabric,is crucial for the assessment of tectonic development.Thirty-three samples were taken from the Qazzaz metamorphic core complex to estimate the finite strain for felsic and mafic minerals.These samples included gneisses rocks,monzogranite,and metavolcano-sedimentary rocks for both the Thalbah and Bayda groups.Using the Rf/j and Fry methods,the axial ratios(XZ)range about 2.20 to 7.10 and 1.90 to 9.10,respectively.For various rock units,the strain measurements show moderate to highly deformation.Most of the observed samples show shallow WNW dipping along a N to WNW trend of finite strain(X).The short axes(Z)based to be subvertical foliation related with a subhorizontal foliation.The results demonstrate that contacts generated at semi-brittle to ductile deformation and that the strain of magnitude has the same value for different lithologic units.It concluded that nappe generation in orogens results from pure shear deformation.

Universal newborn hearing screening program in Saudi Arabia: Current insight

Newborn hearing screening(NHS) programs are essential to identify hearing loss early in life and to improve outcomes in children. In Saudi Arabia, the national NHS program has been operational since 2016;however, few studies have evaluated its status, and none have covered all provinces across the country. This cross-sectional retrospective study provides an overview of the program's status across all provinces, focusing on screening coverage rates, referral/fail rates, and follow-up procedures. In 2021, 199,034 newborns were screened, with a coverage rate of 92.6% and an overall referral/fail rate of 1.87%. These performance measures provide a foundation for future progress and improvements. This study highlights the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance the program's effectiveness and sustainability.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of lung cancer in Saudi Arabia:a retrospective study in single oncology center

Background:Lung cancer(LC)is one of the most common neoplastic diseases and a leading cause of death in Saudi Arabia.Its incidence in Saudi Arabia has increased by more than 3%within two decades.Our study aimed to describe the epidemiological and genetic landscapes of LC in Al-Madinah city in Saudi Arabia.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of 65 patients diagnosed with lung cancer between 2015 and 2021 at a single medical oncology center in Al-Madinah city of Saudi Arabia.Results:The mean patients’age was 59.2 years,with 50(76.9%)males and 15(23.1%)females;37(57%)smokers,and 28(43%)non-smokers.The number of cases per year has increased gradually over six years from 2015(n=3)to 2020(n=13).The most prevalent histopathological diagnosis was non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)(n=58,89%)followed by small cell lung cancer(SCLC)(n=5,7.8%).NSCLC was frequently more common in smokers while squamous cell carcinoma was more frequent in non-smokers.Around 89%(n=58)of the cases were diagnosed in late stage IV and the most common metastatic sites were to pleura and lymph nodes(n=32,49.2%).Program Death Legend-1(PDL-1)was fairly expressed in 7/10(70%)patients.Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor(EGFR)was mutated in 5/17(29%)patients.Other mutations detected include Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase(ALK)and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PIK3C)mutations in two patients.Conclusions:Our study revealed that lung cancer is a significant burden in AlMadinah city of Saudi Arabia.If the risk factors are not controlled,the number of cases may increase considerably.Health education about the risk factors and cancer prevention helps in early lung cancer detection.

Seawater desalination of arid regions:comparing the policy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Indonesia

Problems with clean water in coastal areas alongside an increase in population and community economic activities have diversified community activities.Coastal settlements bordering the high seas are characterized as arid areas with a lack of clean water.Here,the use of the range groundwater supply against seawater intrusion means that the water consumed by the community tastes salty and brackish.The availability of abundant seawater,processed through desalination technology,can be used to meet the daily clean water needs of coastal communities.Sustainable development goal(SDG)6 Water and Sanitation is concerned with ensuring that everyone has access to clean water and sanitation.In this regard,desalination technology is considered viable to achieve the SDGs in the environmental sector.Some countries have focused on using desalination technology to achieve target 6.4 by 2030.This goal aims to improve the efficiency of water use to reduce the number of people experiencing clean water scarcity by ensuring a sustainable supply of fresh water.The objective of this study is to examine the application of seawater desalination technology for clean water in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia(KSA)and Indonesia,and identify the implications of desalination policies in these countries.Comparative studies were conducted using secondary data and literature studies on transforming seawater into clean water with technology.KSA applies seawater desalination technology to meet water needs.However,in Indonesia,policymaking has not holistically examined the potential of using seawater desalination technology for clean water.Until now,unlike in the KSA,Indonesia has not addressed the importance of the use of desalination technology in state policy.

Investigating clubfoot in Saudi Arabia: Prevalence, factors, and future directions

This editorial discusses the significant findings and implications of the study conducted by Alomran et al.This retrospective study,soon to be published,provides valuable insights into the epidemiology of and risk factors associated with clubfoot in a specific Saudi population.By highlighting the study’s key outcomes and discussing its broader implications for public health and clinical practices,this editorial aims to underscore the importance of continued research and targeted interventions in addressing congenital deformities such as clubfoot.

Native and prosthetic septic arthritis in a university hospital in Saudi Arabia:A retrospective study

BACKGROUND Septic arthritis,whether native or prosthetic,poses a significant challenge in clinical practice due to its potentially devastating consequences.Despite its clinical importance,there remains a dearth of comprehensive studies and standardized diagnostic criteria,particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.AIM To investigate the epidemiology,microbiological profiles,and clinical characteristics of native and prosthetic septic joints in the Saudi Arabian population.METHODS Medical records of patients diagnosed with septic arthritis between January 1,2015,and December 31,2022,were retrospectively reviewed.Data regarding patient demographics,clinical presentation,microbiological cultures,treatment modalities,and outcomes were analyzed.RESULTS In a retrospective review of 52 cases of septic arthritis,a balanced gender distribution was observed(1:1 ratio),with the knee being the most commonly affected joint(80.8%).Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus predominated in native joints(24.2%),while Brucella spp.was more prevalent in prosthetic joints(21.1%).Joint preservation was achieved in most cases(84.6%),with no significant difference in clinical features between native and prosthetic joints.However,certain comorbidities were more common in native joint cases,including renal impairment(P=0.002),hemodialysis(P=0.004),heart disease(P=0.013),and chronic liver disease(P=0.048).At the same time,osteoarthritis was more prevalent in prosthetic joint cases(P=0.013).Vancomycin was the most frequently used antibiotic(26.9%),and most patients received antibiotics before joint aspiration(57.7%).Surgical intervention,predominantly arthrotomy,was required in most cases(32.7%).Notably,a significant association was found between joint type and mortality(odds ratio=0.587,P=0.048),as well as the Charlson comorbidity index and mortality(P=0.001).CONCLUSION This study highlighted distinctive microbiological profiles and etiological factors in septic arthritis cases in the Saudi Arabian population.

Exploring the Prevalence and Contributing Factors of Depression among Sickle Cell Anemia Patients in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan Region

Sickle Cell Anemia(SCA)is a prevalent genetic condition in Saudi Arabia,particularly in the Jazan region.The study’s purpose was to assess the prevalence of de-pression among individuals with SCA in this area and to identify the factors associated with this condition.The study involved 391 adult participants,all patients in the hematology center of Prince Mohammed bin Nasser Hospital(PMNH).Data was collected through an anonymous interview questionnaire–the Arabic version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9(PHQ-9)–between March–May 2022.The questionnaire covered socio-demographic information and variables related to the participant’s SCA history,such as pain levels,frequency of pain,hospitalization duration,and frequency of blood transfusions.These variables underwent Chi-square and One-way ANOVA testing,followed by multivariate regression.The study found a 42%prevalence of depression among the SCA patients.Factors significantly linked with heightened depression levels included being widowed or divorced,experiencing frequent and severe pain,and longer duration of hospital stays.An educational level of at least a bachelor’s degree was also a significant factor.The study reveals a high prevalence of depression among SCA patients in the Jazan region.It underscores the need for policymakers to educate both physicians and patients about the importance of mental health in SCA management.The study also highlights the need for more research into the specific causes and effects of depressive symptoms in SCA patients to inform the creation of effective management plans.

Cytotoxicity, Toxicity and Anticancer Activity of Manuka Honey, Saudi’s Honey and Peganum harmala Plant against Cancer Cells

Cancer occurs when the body’s cells grow beyond the usual control. Normal body cells multiply in a controlled manner and undergo apoptosis when the body no longer needs them. Different types of cancers exist, and the common ones include breast, cervical, prostate, lung, colon, and skin cancers. Several factors have been associated with cancers, and these factors include poor dieting, exposure to harmful chemicals and radiation, weak immune system, and genetics. Cancer presents an enormous health threat in the modern world and thus the need to identify an effective treatment. The conventional treatments used in the management of cancer include chemotherapy and physiotherapy. These forms of cancer treatments usually have enormous side effects on the subjects. In this respect, an alternative form of treatment would be effective in managing cancer patients. A substantial number of natural products have been observed to be effective in the management of cancer. These natural products include plants and other natural substances such as honey. This study focuses on the efficiency of natural products in the treatment of cancer. Also, the anticancer effects of Peganum harmala, Manuka honey, and Saudi honey will be analyzed. Bee honey and Peganum harmala have been traditionally used in the treatment of cancer. The extracts from Peganum harmala plant have also been shown to exhibit divers’ antitumor effects similar to the mode of action of a vast number of anticancer agents. These established hypotheses thus give the rationale for this study. In this experiment, extracts were obtained from Peganum harmala leaves and exposed to cervical, lung, and prostate cancer cells. Similarly, solutions of Manuka honey and Saudi honey were exposed to the cervical, lung, and prostate cancer cells. The experiment duration was 24 hours, which obtained results were recorded and analyzed. Peganum harmala extracts inhibit cancer cell growth at different and achievable concentrations. Manuka honey highly inhibits the growth of HeLa cancer cells while Saudi honey highly inhibits the growth of A549 cells. Peganum harmala can form an effective treatment for managing several types of cancers. Manuka Honey can be applied as an effective treatment for managing cervical cancer while Saudi honey can form an effective treatment for managing lung cancers.

Patterns of Infertility and Abortion in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Infertility and abortion are significant reproductive health concerns globally, impacting individuals' well-being and healthcare systems. In Saudi Arabia, cultural, social, and religious factors influence perceptions and management of these issues, necessitating research to understand the patterns and associated factors. Study Aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the patterns of infertility and abortion among 458 women in Saudi Arabia, focusing on demographic profiles, reproductive histories, medical conditions, and lifestyle factors. Methodology: Participants were recruited from healthcare facilities, and data on age, BMI, reproductive history, medical conditions, assisted reproduction methods, and lifestyle behaviors were collected. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, were conducted to examine associations between variables. Results: The majority of participants were aged 30 - 39 years (47.4%), with 76.9% experiencing secondary infertility. Among those with offspring (76.9%), 31% reported using assisted reproduction methods, primarily ovarian stimulators (54.2%). Abortion history was reported by 39.5% of participants. Significant associations were found between age and infertility type (X2 = 5.8, p = 0.054), having offspring and infertility type (X2 = 458.0, p = 0.001), menstrual irregularity and infertility type (X2 = 11.4, p = 0.001), and abortion history and delayed fertility (X2 = 10.4, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Our study reveals significant associations between demographic, medical, and lifestyle factors with infertility patterns and abortion history among Saudi women. These findings emphasize the need for tailored interventions addressing medical conditions, age-related factors, and access to reproductive healthcare services.

Impact of Migrant Populations on Tuberculosis Rates in Saudi Arabia: Assessing How Migration Patterns Affect TB Incidence and Control Measures: A Narrative Review

This research focuses on the effects of migration on the TB infection rate and its prevention in Saudi Arabia, which has a large number of expatriates from TB-affected countries. Despite, based on the current global statistics of TB occurrence, it is evident that the national incidence of TB has reduced from 10.55 per 100,000 in 2015 to 8.36 per 100,000 in 2019;despite this, there are still some difficulties because migrants bring new strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Hindrances, including language barriers and perceived immigration status, hinder patients from seeking medical attention or doctors from diagnosing diseases. Each patient and each cultural group need special attention to public health, enhancing living circumstances, and health care support. Community participation, inclusion of TB control programs into functional healthcare facilities, and the functioning of TB programs need to be stressed to address TB issues. Considering the focus on social, economic, and cultural approaches, the country can make severe advancements in TB control and population protection. This holistic analysis is critical for a long-term effective strategy to combat TB in the Kingdom.

Use of Topical Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) in Diabetic Septic Foot Disease in Makkah Region, Western of Saudi Arabia, an Exploratory Study

Diabetes is a chronic condition that is significantly impacted daily by environment. At least one in five Saudis, suffer from diabetes. “Diabetes is a pandemic of unprecedented magnitude spiraling out of control” (Boulton). Saudi Arabia ranks the second highest in the Middle East, and is the seventh in the world for the prevalence of diabetes (WHO). Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been found to be related to high mortality, morbidity accompanied by poor general health and lower quality of life. Current Saudi diabetes patients’ behaviors, practices, and beliefs regarding foot health problems such as ulcers, are not well investigated. Diabetic patients frequently utilize natural remedies and Herbs for self-medication as a part of complementary and alternative Medicine. Aim of study: To explore the widespread use of the alternative remedies in the local communities of the Western Saudi Arabia, the drives behind using and to focus on the potential adverse effects following their usage. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional study of 386 diabetic patients with feet problems in Makkah Region, West of Saudi Arabia during the period April - June 2023. Results: Out of the 531 participants, only 386 participants reported diabetic foot disorder (DFD). Most of the participant were above 65 years of age group (24.61 %). Male (52.08%) more than female (47.92%) in the research group. All of the participants had diabetic foot disorders at least once. The prevalence of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) use among them was 67.88%, as solitary or in combination with hospital medicines. Honey headed the list followed by myrrh and black seeds. Acquaintances advice (59.54%) was the most reason for using the alternative medicine. 60.30% of Diabetic foot patient complained of adverse effects during CAM remedies use. Conclusion: Consumption of CAM remedies among diabetic patients for Diabetic Foot Disorder (DFD) is common. Honey headed the list followed by myrrh and black seeds. Additional wide-scale research is required to establish their actual efficacy, safety and potential adverse out-comes and to generalize the outcomes.

Gut microbiota predicts the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis in Saudi children

BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis(UC)is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory condition with a worldwide distribution.Although the etiology of this disease is still unknown,the understanding of the role of the microbiota is becoming increasingly strong.AIM To investigate the predictive power of the gut microbiota for the diagnosis of UC in a cohort of newly diagnosed treatment-naïve Saudi children with UC.METHODS The study population included 20 children with a confirmed diagnosis of UC and 20 healthy controls.Microbial DNA was extracted and sequenced,and shotgun metagenomic analysis was performed for bacteria and bacteriophages.Biostatistics and bioinformatics demonstrated significant dysbiosis in the form of reduced alpha diversity,beta diversity,and significant difference of abundance of taxa between children with UC and control groups.The receiver operating characteristic curve,a probability curve,was used to determine the difference between the UC and control groups.The area under the curve(AUC)represents the degree of separability between the UC group and the control group.The AUC was calculated for all identified bacterial species and for bacterial species identified by the random forest classification algorithm as important potential biomarkers of UC.A similar method of AUC calculation for all bacteriophages and important species was used.RESULTS The median age and range were 14(0.5-21)and 12.9(6.8-16.3)years for children with UC and controls,respectively,and 40%and 35%were male for children with UC and controls,respectively.The AUC for all identified bacterial species was 89.5%.However,when using the bacterial species identified as important by random forest classification algorithm analysis, the accuracy increased to 97.6%. Similarly, the AUC for all theidentified bacteriophages was 87.4%, but this value increased to 94.5% when the important bacteriophagebiomarkers were used.CONCLUSIONThe very high to excellent AUCs of fecal bacterial and viral species suggest the potential use of noninvasivemicrobiota-based tests for the diagnosis of unusual cases of UC in children. In addition, the identification ofimportant bacteria and bacteriophages whose abundance is reduced in children with UC suggests the potential ofpreventive and adjuvant microbial therapy for UC.

Developing Healthcare Infrastructure in Saudi Arabia Using Smart Technologies: Challenges and Opportunities

This study aims to explore the challenges and opportunities associated with developing healthcare infrastructure in Saudi Arabia through the implementation of smart technologies. The healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia is undergoing significant transformation, and the integration of smart technologies has the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes, and enhance the overall healthcare experience. However, several challenges need to be addressed in order to fully leverage the benefits of smart technologies in healthcare infrastructure development. This research identifies and analyzes these challenges while also highlighting the opportunities that arise from the adoption of smart technologies in the Saudi Arabian healthcare system. The findings contribute to the understanding of the current state of healthcare infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and provide insights into the strategies and policies required to overcome challenges and maximize the benefits of smart technologies in healthcare.

Evolution of Handicraft Industries in the Textile Sector in Saudi Arabia: A Comprehensive Analysis of Trends and Innovations

This review explores the evolution of the textile handicraft industry in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing its cultural and economic significance. The study highlights the transition from traditional practices to modern innovations and examines the impact of globalization and technological advancements on the industry. Key innovations are discussed, demonstrating their role in enhancing textile production while preserving cultural heritage. Major challenges, such as competition from industrial textiles and the need for sustainable practices, are identified. Opportunities for growth are explored, including leveraging tourism and international markets to promote Saudi handicrafts. The social and cultural impacts of the sector are underscored, particularly in sustaining community traditions and providing economic opportunities for artisans. Strategic recommendations for supporting and advancing the industry are offered, ensuring its continued relevance and sustainability in a rapidly changing global market. This analysis provides a robust framework for understanding the current state and future potential of Saudi Arabia’s textile handicraft industry.

False Positive HIV “Combo” Screening Test in a Hemodialysis Patient in Saudi Arabia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Introduction: HIV screening tests are routinely conducted on dialysis patients as the constant exposure of their blood during the dialysis process makes them a reasonable risk for blood-borne infections. However, in low prevalence settings, where HIV rates are <0.1% of the population, false positive results are more likely. This results in apprehension in the dialysis unit as breaches in infectious disease protocols could be presumed. This is illustrated in the case report below. Case Summary: A 62-year-old male Saudi end-stage kidney disease patient secondary to DM nephropathy began dialysis a year before presentation in a hemodialysis center in Saudi Arabia. Routine screening tests done at the start of dialysis revealed negative Hepatitis C, HIV 1 and 2 screening but a positive Hepatitis B surface antigen screen. The patient went for holiday dialysis at another facility and had a routine fourth-generation HIV test done which was positive. A confirmatory HIV PCR test was negative. Conclusion: This case highlights the need for caution in interpreting highly sensitive and specific HIV screening tests in a low-prevalence setting. Routine screening beyond the national recommendation may not be necessary in low-prevalence areas.

Occupational health risks among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia: preparing for the future pandemics

Background:This study aimed to assess the occupational risks encountered by Healthcare Workers(HCWs)in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was carried out from May to October 2021.Using a multi-stage stratified random sampling technique,an online questionnaire was sent to the recruited HCWs,across Saudi Arabia.Results:Of the 768 HCWs recruited,702 participated in the survey.A significant majority(over 80%)reported working beyond 8 hours daily.COVID-19 infection,confirmed via PCR,was identified in 25%of the participants.Notably,infection was significantly correlated with direct or close contact(p=0.0007).Psychological distress was reported by 81%,with anxiety being the most prevalent(33%),followed by stress(19%),depression(17%),and insomnia(12%).Around 20%experienced headaches post-PPE use,while 14%reported adverse skin reactions,predominantly allergy and dermatitis.A concerning one-third of respondents reported exposure to violence.Conclusion:High infection rate,physical and psychological risks among HCWs especially those in direct contact with patients,reflect the need for enhancing the entirety of outbreak preparedness and response,specifically training.Active surveillance system,is crucial to adequately monitor and support HCWs during pandemic scenarios.