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Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has presented unprecedented stressors and difficulties for healthcare professionals. This study explored the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorders and burnout among radiology practitioners and interns in various hospitals in Saudi Arabia after the end of the COVID-19 global public health emergency. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 230 radiology practitioners and interns was conducted between October and November 2023. This study utilized the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale and Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel (MBI-HSS-MP) 22-item questionnaire, employing a non-probability convenience sampling method. The average scores of the individual components constituting the GAD-7 scale and each burnout scale were calculated, and statistical analyses were conducted using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H nonparametric tests. Results: Of 382 radiology practitioners and interns, 230 (60.2%) responded to the survey. Notably, 42.6% of the participants reported experiencing GAD. Regarding burnout, 82.3% were at moderate-to-high risk for emotional exhaustion, 93.5% for depersonalization, and 52.1% for personal achievement. The 31-40 years age group showed significantly higher burnout rates (p = 0.001) compared with the other age groups. Those with more than three years of experience had notably higher emotional exhaustion scores (p = 0.002) and a nearly significant increase in depersonalization scores (p = 0.051) than those with less experience. Discussion: Our study revealed that 42.6% of radiology practitioners and interns experienced GAD, with the majority facing significant burnout. Furthermore, our research indicates a decline in GAD levels among radiology practitioners and interns compared with the peak COVID-19 pandemic period. It also showed a significant increase in both the incidence and severity of burnout, surpassing prepandemic levels in a comparable cohort. These findings emphasize the pressing challenges of GAD and burnout among healthcare workers, especially radiology professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Occupational hazards among healthcare workers (HCWs) present serious risks, from infectious diseases to physical and chemical dangers, along with psychological stress, all of which threaten their health and safety. This study aims to identify the unique challenges and hazards encountered by radiology technologists in in Saudi Arabia by assessing the key factors contributing to these risks. Methods: A descriptive questionnaire study was conducted in January-February 2023, targeting 75 radiology technologists at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Jeddah, with participants recruited via non-probability convenience sampling and invited to complete a widely recognized questionnaire previously used among radiographers. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and the Kruskal–Wallis H-test was conducted to examine the relationships between demographic factors and different aspects of occupational hazards. Results: Of the 75 technologists contacted, 63 responded, resulting in an 84% participation rate. Workload, work shifts, and patient-related factors are major contributors to occupational hazards, surpassing technologist-specific and organizational elements. Additionally, 68.3% cited rigid leadership and unequal treatment as aggravating factors, while insufficient staffing, inadequate protective devices, and patient interaction were also significant concerns. Over 60% identified bending, lifting heavy patients, prolonged radiation exposure, and frequent walking as major hazard sources. Conclusion: Key occupational hazards factors facing radiology technologists include high workloads, work shifts, and patient-related issues, with 68.3% citing rigid leadership and unequal treatment as exacerbating risks. Insufficient staffing and protective devices, along with demanding work conditions, further heighten these hazards. This study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions in staffing, resources, and culture to improve radiology technologists' safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aim to determine post-pandemic level of secondary traumatic stress and the associated factors among healthcare workers practicing in the Western province of Saudi Arabia. Methods: Healthcare workers practicing at public health sector of the Western province of Saudi Arabia. Received Web-based Self-administered questionnaire, assessing post-pandemic Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS), using Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS). Results: A total of 380 responses received. Logistic regression analysis identified significant predictors of secondary traumatic stress (STS). Females had a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing STS (OR=2.425, p< 0.001). Doctors were significantly more likely to experience STS compared to other specialties (OR=2.863, p=0.016). Participants sleeping 7 hours were associated with a lower likelihood of STS (OR=0.427, p=0.016), while sleeping 6 hours showed a trend towards lower STS but was not statistically significant (p=0.068). Participants aged 50 and above were significantly less likely to experience STS (OR=0.275, p=0.021). Lastly, Saudi nationals were significantly more likely to experience STS compared to non-Saudis (OR=2.717, p=0.014). Conclusion: Female healthcare workers, doctors, and those younger than 50 years old were all found to be at a significantly higher risk of STS. Interestingly, sleep duration emerged as a potential protective factor, with those sleeping 7 hours exhibiting a lower risk of STS. Finally, the analysis revealed a higher prevalence of STS among Saudi nationals compared to non-Saudis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infection prevention and control (IPC) standards have a unique role in controlling infection transmission. In Saudi Arabia, every healthcare facility is required to establish an IPC program to identify and reduce the risk of infection acquisition and transmission. This study aimed to estimate adherence to IPC measures after the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Najran City, Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs in Najran City during the period of May to August 2023. A self-administered questionnaire was given to HCWs consisting of three parts: demographic data, profile of healthcare facility and healthcare professional regarding infection control, and questionnaire to assess the adherence of HCWs regarding infection control measures. The study recruited 580 HCWs, of whom 57.6% were males, and 46.6% were aged between 31 and 40 years. The overall mean adherence score was 103.2±9.71 out of 150 points. Accordingly, 88.4% were classified as having moderate adherence, 10.2% were good, and only 1.4% were classified as having poor adherence. Some of the factors associated with increased adherence to IPC measures, include being female, being a nurse, being a practitioner, working in the hospital emergency department, and having a recognized antimicrobial stewardship program team/unit at a healthcare facility. There was satisfactory adherence among HCWs regarding infection prevention and control measures. Being a female, a nurse, a practitioner, working in a hospital emergency department, being a staff of a nonMOH (Ministry of Health) hospital, and having a recognized antimicrobial stewardship program team/ unit were identified as significant predictors of increased adherence. IPC measures can be optimized by setting up institutional IPC teams, necessary PPE, and periodic provision of IPC training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study sought to determine the perception of healthcare workers (HCWs) about pre-hospital airway management (AM) and their experiences. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among health workers at the emergency department of King Fahad Medical City in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh City. This study targeted physicians, nurses, paramedics, and respiratory therapists. Data were collected using an online questionnaire. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics, training, and experiences in AM and a five-item questionnaire to measure the perception of HCWs about AM. Results: Of the 100 HCWs, 39% were doctors and 37% were nurses. Approximately 23% had a poor experience with intubation (ETI). Traumatic injuries were the major difficulties involving AM (44%). The overall perception of HCWs about prehospital AM was good (68%), 31% were moderate, and only 1% were considered poor perception levels. No significant differences were observed between perception scores in relation to the demographic characteristics and experiences of HCWs in AM (all p > 0.05). Conclusion: Despite HCWs' good perception of prehospital AM, some gaps have been identified mainly through ETI skills and experiences. This study provided evidence that perception toward prehospital AM was not affected by profession, years of experience, regular practice of ETI, and AM. Regular training should be implemented, with equipment and resources should be available to improve AM and patient quality of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ethical dilemmas in healthcare, particularly in emergency medical services (EMS), present significant challenges for healthcare workers (HCWs), necessitating a profound understanding of ethics and decision-making. This study assesses the ethical awareness and practices among HCWs in emergency departments of tertiary hospitals in Saudi Arabia, aiming to identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 256 HCWs, including physicians, nurses, and administrative staff, in emergency departments across tertiary hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire evaluated participants' knowledge of healthcare ethics, their experiences with ethical dilemmas, and the sources from which they derived their ethical understanding. Results: The majority of participants exhibited a commendable level of ethical knowledge and practice, with frequent encounters of ethical or legal issues highlighting the pervasive nature of ethical challenges in emergency healthcare settings. Key sources of ethical knowledge included experiential learning and academic lectures, with a notable emphasis on practical experience. Despite the satisfactory level of ethical awareness, areas requiring further educational focus were identified, emphasizing the need for enhanced ethics training tailored to the emergency medical context. Discussion: The findings underline the critical importance of incorporating ethics into the core of healthcare education and ongoing professional development for HCWs. Establishing a culture of continuous ethical dialogue and learning is essential for fostering patient-centered care and making informed ethical decisions in the fast-paced environment of emergency services. The study advocates for revising current ethics training programs to ensure they are comprehensive, relevant, and accessible, preparing HCWs to effectively address both current and future ethical challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have emerged as a pressing concern among healthcare workers (HCWs), gaining significant attention, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study evaluated the prevalence, pattern, and associated factors for MSDs among HCWs in northern Saudi Arabia.Participants and Methods: Employing a cross-sectional study design, the standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to collect data from participants. Systematic sampling method was employed to select 384 HCWs from diverse healthcare settings. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with MSDs.Results: Among the participants, 72.4% reported one or more NMQ-listed MSDs. The most commonly affected body regions were the neck, shoulder, and lower back. MSDs showed significant associations with physical activity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]= 0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.53– 0.93, p = 0.024), obesity status (AOR = 3.08, 95% CI = 1.56– 4.71, p = 0.003), and ergonomic training (AOR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.23– 0.55, p < 0.001).Conclusion: Implementing preplacement and periodic ergonomic training for HCWs is recommended. This proactive measure holds the potential to alleviate MSD-related discomfort, reduce sickness absenteeism, and enhance overall productivity. Future longitudinal studies across different regions of Saudi Arabia are essential to establish causal links between risk factors and MSDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sexual workplace violence occurs worldwide with increasing prevalence, causing psychological and physical injuries. However, only few reports from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have investigated the most involved health specialty and its association with other factors, such as working and sociodemographic conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of workplace sexual violence over 12 months, from May 2018 to May 2019, circumstances related to the event, and consequences for the perpetrator and survivor and to identify associated factors among all healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study included all HCWs registered with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties who worked for > 1 year in the health sector (government or private) in Saudi Arabia until May 2019. A non-probability convenient sampling technique was used. A modified self-administered questionnaire sent via email was utilized to assess workplace violence. Descriptive statistics were used to report percentages and frequencies, while advanced statistics, such as bivariate analysis, were used to determine associations. Multivariate logistic binary regression analysis was used to assess the combined and individual associations between relevant predictors of exposure of HCWs to recent sexual violence at the workplace. Results: In total, 7,398 (male, 51.3%; female, 48.7%) HCWs were electively enrolled in the study (mean age 40 ± 8.62 years). Most were non-Saudi (60%). Overall, 3.9% were sexual violence survivors. Approximately 60.7%, 51.4%, 48.3%, and 65.9% of female workers, nurses, Saudi natives, and night shift workers (18:00 to 07:00), respectively, were significantly exposed to sexual violence. Furthermore, approximately 54.8% of those with direct physical contact with patients had a higher rate of exposure to sexual harassment (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The prevalence of sexual violence is low but remains a risk to HCWs, especially those working night shifts and having direct physical contact with patients. Thus, more support, specific strategies, and policies are needed to reduce the rate of occurrence, protect HCWs, and prevent such events. The underreporting of cases may be skewing the magnitude of the problem; thus, more education and additional research in Saudi Arabia are needed regarding sexual violence experienced by HCWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Workplace violence (WPV) directed against healthcare workers (HCWs) in healthcare facilities has always been neglected. These occupational hazards have been investigated in recent times and received greater attention from decision-makers. This study aimed to assess the WPV committed against HCWs in the emergency departments (EDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the emergency department (ED) healthcare workers (HCW) in the hospitals of Al-Madinah Province, Saudi Arabia, were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study by completing an online questionnaire during May 15 to August 15, 2020. Information sought included characteristics of the participant and workplace, violence, the participants' responses and emotions, the consequences of the WPV incident, and the level of satisfaction with the management of the WPV incident. Data was analyzed using SPSS; Chi-square test was used to assess the association between WPV and various participant and workplace characteristics. Binary logistic regression analysis performed to identify independent predictors of work place violence. RESULTS: A total of 250 HCW filled the questionnaire. One-third of the participants were victims of at least one violent event, mostly nonphysical. The perpetrators were primarily the patient's companions, and a heavy workload/understaffing or an overcrowded environment was the main cause of the violence. The most frequent reaction was to call the hospital security. The emotions the participants experienced were disappointment, low self-esteem, and sadness. Most victims did not report the WPV incident because they believed that reporting was useless, insignificant, or they were fearful of adverse consequences. CONCLUSION: The rate of violence in EDs in Al-Madinah hospitals was lower than expected, and only 33.3% of HCWs had experienced a violent incident in the last year. However, there is a substantial margin for interventions to improve the situation and protect the HCWs in the EDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breaking bad news is an intrinsic aspect of physicians' clinical practices. This study aims to investigate how Saudi physicians manage the process of communicating bad news and explore potential differences in breaking bad news practices between young physicians (interns) and their older colleagues. From 1 March to 15 April 2023, ok an anonymous online cross-sectional survey was conducted to explore the communication practices of Saudi physicians concerning breaking bad news using the Communicating Bad News Questionnaire. The physicians were recruited through convenience and snowball sampling methods, and the survey questionnaire was distributed on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp. Data were analyzed using R version 4.2.1. A total of 782 physicians were included in this study. Male physicians represented 50.9% of the participants. Three-quarters (74.7%) were aged 25–30 years. The largest proportion of physicians (45.3%) were interns, followed by junior residents (22.9%), senior residents (11.0%), and specialists (6.5%). The median years of experience was 1.0, ranging from 0 to 45 years. Regarding the place of work, most physicians (86.6%) worked in hospitals, while 13.4% worked in primary healthcare centers. A total of 14.8% said they were not comfortable with discussing patients'/relatives' issues (20.60 among interns vs. 10.50% among non-interns, χ2 = 27.50, p = 0.0001), 66.6% reported being trained to break bad news (59.60% among interns vs. 72.40% among non-interns, χ2 = 14.34, p = 0.001), 59.1% reported breaking bad news to the patient, 37.9% reported to the family, and 3.1% reported to both, with no significant difference between interns and non-interns. A substantial proportion of physicians reported feeling uncomfortable discussing sensitive issues with patients and their relatives despite having received training to deliver bad news and being willing to communicate bad news directly to patients. Notably, our analysis identified a significant disparity between intern and non-intern physicians, particularly in terms of their comfort level in addressing patient-related concerns and access to breaking bad news training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) present a formidable challenge for healthcare institutions, resulting in heightened mortality, morbidity, and economic burden. Within healthcare settings, various equipment and materials, including mobile phones, can potentially act as sources of infection. This study sought to examine the occurrence of bacterial contamination on mobile phones utilized by healthcare workers (HCWs) in intensive care units (ICUs), pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), and cardiac care units (CCUs) within a central hospital (CH) and two peripheral hospitals (PHs) situated in the southwestern province of Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods: We collected a total of 157 samples from mobile phones utilized by HCWs across all ICUs in the CH and PHs. These samples underwent bacteriological analysis to evaluate the degree of bacterial contamination. Results: We found that 45 out of 55 samples from physicians (81.81%) and 58 out of 77 samples from nurses (75.32%) showed bacterial contamination. Contamination rates on HCWs' mobile phones in the ICU, PICU, and NICU departments of the CH were observed at 69.56%, 80.95%, and 70.27%, respectively. Furthermore, the overall contamination rates in the ICUs, NICUs, and CCUs of the PHs were 78.26%, 88.88%, and 66.66%, respectively. The overall contamination rates of mobile phones in the CH and PHs were 72.11% and 81.13%, respectively. Conclusion: These findings underscore the necessity of routinely disinfecting the mobile phones of HCWs to mitigate the risk of cross-contamination. Implementing robust disinfection protocols can significantly contribute to curtailing the propagation of bacterial pathogens and reducing the incidence of HAIs in healthcare settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compassion fatigue (CF) poses significant challenges to healthcare workers' (HCWs) well-being. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of CF and identify its predictive factors among HCWs in all regions of Saudi Arabia (SA). As such, all HCWs from different disciplines in different centers were allowed to participate, resulting in 678 participants. The study tool, distributed between October 2022 and January 2023, consisted of a questionnaire created by the authors based on the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL). The ProQOL measures the positive (compassion satisfaction [CS]) and negative (CF) effects of helping those who have suffered, noting that burnout (BO) and secondary traumatic stress (STS) are the two subscales that constitute CF. Our findings revealed that 63.9% of HCWs experienced average STS, while 57.2% reported average BO levels. HCWs in the southern and northern regions exhibited higher STS (p-value = 0.003 and 0.010, respectively). Physicians displayed higher BO levels (p-value = 0.024). Higher levels of CS were found among older HCWs (p-value = 0.001) and lower levels among those with more years of experience (p-value = 0.004). Support at work and job, life, and financial income satisfaction were significantly and positively correlated with CS and negatively correlated with BO and STS. These findings highlight the need for tailored awareness campaigns targeting HCWs, particularly physicians, to promote well-being, enhance coping skills, and foster problem-solving techniques. Keywords: burnout; compassion fatigue; compassion satisfaction; healthcare workers; professional quality of life; Saudi Arabia; secondary traumatic stress; medical trainees' well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Monkeypox has been announced recently as a global public health emergency by the World Health Organization. The recent outbreak of monkeypox has brought back concerns about how this viral infection can spread easily between individuals and cause a major health concern. Objectives. The objective of this study was to assess healthcare workers' (HCWs) knowledge about monkeypox illness, its transmission, prevention, and attitudes toward this re-emerging disease. Materials and Methods. A descriptive correlational cross-sectional survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia from June to August 2022 and targeted HCWs including medical technologists and technicians, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and others. Results. A total of 385 participants were included where 53.5% of respondents were male compared to 46.5% female. The average score for knowledge was 9.90, and the majority of respondents had an inadequate understanding of monkeypox. In addition, the average score of attitude toward monkeypox infection was 50.19, which indicate that HCWs have a positive view of efforts to prevent monkeypox. Conclusions. In Saudi Arabia, HCWs were found to have an inadequate understanding of the virus that causes monkeypox. This study shows how important it is for HCWs to learn more, since managing contagious infections requires a lot of help from trained and knowledgeable medical professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and intended practices of healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia towards ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot, within the first three months after its launch. We also aimed to identify potential barriers to AI Chatbot adoption among healthcare professionals. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1057 HCWs in Saudi Arabia, distributed electronically via social media channels from 21 February to 6 March 2023. The survey evaluated HCWs' familiarity with ChatGPT-3.5, their satisfaction, intended future use, and perceived usefulness in healthcare practice. Of the respondents, 18.4% had used ChatGPT for healthcare purposes, while 84.1% of non-users expressed interest in utilizing AI Chatbots in the future. Most participants (75.1%) were comfortable with incorporating ChatGPT into their healthcare practice. HCWs perceived the Chatbot to be useful in various aspects of healthcare, such as medical decision-making (39.5%), patient and family support (44.7%), medical literature appraisal (48.5%), and medical research assistance (65.9%). A majority (76.7%) believed ChatGPT could positively impact the future of healthcare systems. Nevertheless, concerns about credibility and the source of information provided by AI Chatbots (46.9%) were identified as the main barriers. Although HCWs recognize ChatGPT as a valuable addition to digital health in the early stages of adoption, addressing concerns regarding accuracy, reliability, and medicolegal implications is crucial. Therefore, due to their unreliability, the current forms of ChatGPT and other Chatbots should not be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes without human expert oversight. Ensuring the trustworthiness and dependability of AI Chatbots is essential for successful implementation in healthcare settings. Future research should focus on evaluating the clinical outcomes of ChatGPT and benchmarking its performance against other AI Chatbots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: The outcome of patient care in healthcare settings is influenced predominantly by healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Hand hygiene is the single most essential component in avoiding HAIs. Objectives: The aim of the study is to evaluate the awareness and knowledge about hand hygiene among the healthcare personnel in the Dawadmi Region of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional survey study was carried out between May till September 2021. The tool (Questionnaire) was adopted from World Health Organization's Hand Hygiene Knowledge and awareness Questionnaire (revised in 2009), validated according to CROSS (Checklist for Reporting of Survey Studies) check list. Results: A total of 300 participants were randomly enrolled, 60 were nursing assistants, 140 nurses, and 100 residents, were enrolled in this study. With respect to years of experience in hand washing, 123 participants had 1-5 years (41%), 6-10 years (80%), 11-20 years (77%), and greater than 30 years of participation (6.67%). Concerning the education of hand washing and hygiene, training programs were attended by 230 participants (76.67%), and 70 participants (23.33%) did not attend the latest training program conducted by each institution. Most of them (83.33%) were using alcohol for hand hygiene. Conclusions: This study has clearly shown the requirement of an in-depth appraisal of important issues of compliance and patient safety. Educational interventions to recognize the hand hygiene opportunities, improved availability of hand hygiene facilities and multifaceted approach to tackle various barriers (poor attitude, workload, etc) of adherence are needed to be accorded priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigates risk factors influencing protection behaviors in radiology among emergency care nurses and x-ray technicians in Jizan hospitals, Saudi Arabia. The focus is on understanding knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to radiation protection and inter-professional collaboration. Aim: The primary objective is to assess risk factors affecting protection behaviors in radiology among healthcare workers, contributing insights to enhance patient care and safety. Method: Employing a Cross-Sectional Research Design, the study involves 149 participants from four selected Jizan hospitals. Data collection utilizes a structured questionnaire covering demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Statistical analyses include descriptive statistics, correlation coefficients, and chi-square analysis. Findings and Results: The study reveals high knowledge levels and positive attitudes among healthcare workers, emphasizing the crucial role of transformational leadership (Knowledge: M=49.36, SD=1.53; Attitude: M=29.63, SD=1.06). Challenges in interprofessional collaboration, particularly poor communication, are identified. Correlation analysis underscores the interconnectedness of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Recommendations: Continuous training programs, communication skills enhancement, leadership development, and regular assessments are recommended. Conclusion: The study contributes to understanding protection behaviors in radiology among healthcare workers, highlighting the influence of transformational leadership and recommending targeted interventions for improved collaboration in the Jizan Region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Effective inter-professional collaboration is vital for optimizing healthcare outcomes. This study focuses on healthcare workers in the Jizan Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), to evaluate their knowledge, attitudes, and challenges concerning inter-professional collaboration. Aim: The study aims to assess the current state of interprofessional collaboration among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the Jizan Region, KSA, with a focus on understanding their knowledge levels, attitudes, identifying potential barriers, and examining the relationships between knowledge, attitudes, and demographic factors. Method: A descriptive and quantitative cross-sectional research design was employed, involving multidisciplinary healthcare teams in selected Jizan Region hospitals. Data were collected through a questionnaire measuring knowledge and attitudes, and analyses were conducted using SPSS version 28. Findings and Results: The demographic profile of healthcare workers in Jizan, KSA, reveals a predominantly male workforce (90.6%) with diverse educational backgrounds, notably featuring a high percentage of Ph.D. holders (33.1%). Psychometrically validated scales indicate positive attitudes (M=44.40) and high knowledge levels (M=49.34) among participants, with positively skewed distributions. Healthcare professionals displayed overwhelmingly positive attitudes (207 out of 257) and high knowledge levels toward emphasizing a positive foundation for collaborative practices in the region. Conclusion: The study contributes valuable insights to the KSA healthcare context, indicating a positive foundation for inter-professional collaboration. Recommendations include tailored training programs and interventions addressing communication barriers. Limitations, such as the crosssectional nature of the study, should be considered in interpreting the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Hajj season results in increased workload and longer shift hours for healthcare workers at the intensive care units (ICUs), which may result in burnout. Objective: To determine the point prevalence of professional burnout and its predictors among healthcare workers at the ICUs of two tertiary care hospitals in Makkah during the Hajj season. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study included all healthcare professionals working at the ICU departments of two of the largest tertiary care hospitals in the Makkah region during the 1439/2018 Hajj season. The original Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) questionnaire was used to measure burnout. Logistic regression models were fitted to estimate the effect size of the associated risk factors. Results: A total of 354 participants completed the questionnaire. Moderate to severe burnout was found in each of the three subscales: emotional exhaustion, 56%; depersonalization, 82%, and impaired personal achievement, 72%. Nurses were significantly more likely to experience burnout compared with physicians (P = 0.017). Independent predictors of moderate or severe burnout were being aged ≤40 years (odds ratio [OR]: 2.1, 95% CI: 0.395–4.002; P = 0.045), female gender (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 0.242–4.346; P = 0.037); work having a negative impact on family (OR: 3, 95% CI: 0.164–5.504; P = 0.019); unsatisfaction with salary (OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 0.28–5.056; P = 0.025); and working at the cardiac critical care unit (OR: 2.6, 95% CI: 0.440–4.467; P = 0.035). Conclusion: This study revealed that the point prevalence of burnout is common among ICU healthcare workers during the Hajj season. These findings can be used by policymakers to devise strategies to mitigate the risks of burnout during the Hajj season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since the COVID-19 pandemic peaked, few studies have thereafter assessed the continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of healthcare workers. Objectives: To determine the rate and predictors of self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety among physicians at a public tertiary care teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia about 2 years after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2021 to April 2022 and targeted all physicians working at King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and General Anxiety Disorder-7 were used to elicit self-reported data regarding depression and anxiety, respectively. In addition, sociodemographic and job-related data were collected. Results: A total of 438 physicians responded, of which 200 (45.7%) reported symptoms of depression and 190 (43.4%) of anxiety. Being aged 25–30 years, female, resident, and reporting reduction in work quality were factors significantly associated with both anxiety and depression. Female gender (AOR = 3.570; 95% CI = 2.283–5.582; P < 0.001), working an average 9–11 hours/day (AOR = 2.130; 95% CI = 1.009–4.495; P < 0.047), and self-perceived reduction in work quality (AOR = 3.139; 95% CI = 2.047–4.813; P < 0.001) were significant independent predictors of anxiety. Female gender (AOR = 2.929; 95% CI = 1.845–4.649; P < 0.001) and self-perceived reduction in work quality (AOR = 3.141; 95% CI = 2.053–4.804; P < 0.001) were significant independent predictors of depression. Conclusions: About half of the physicians reported symptoms of anxiety and depression. These findings are suggestive of the need for large-scale studies to determine the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study intended to explain the relationship between personality traits (PT), emotional intelligence (EI), and mental health well-being (MHWB) among the comparative healthcare workers population of the region of Jizan, Saudi Arabia. Moreover, also aimed to explain the mediating role of emotional intelligence in the relationship between personality traits (PT), and mental health wellbeing (MHWB) among the comparative healthcare workers population of the region of Jizan, Saudi Arabia Study design: The current study operationalized a cross-sectional design. Place and Duration of study: Present research was conducted at the Healthcare Organizations and Hospitals Region of Jizan in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Data collected was done from November 10, 2021, to Feb 20, 2022. Methodology: The purposive non-probability sampling technique was operationalized to study research variables in English language versions of the Big Five Inventory, The Schutte Self Report Emotional Intelligence Test, and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS). Data analysis was done through the SPSS version 26. Results: Correlational research indicates that all the variables i.e., PT, EI, and MHWB Positively related to each other. Mediation analysis for finding stated that mediated role of emotional intelligence in the relation between personality traits and mental health wellbeing. Conclusion: The mental health well-being of the healthcare workers during uncertain clinical situations could be managed through the utilization of an appropriate mechanism of emotional intelligence in compliance with the appropriate personality trait. Role of emotional intelligence was to start the relationship between personality traits and mental health well-being to formulate and design protective interventions that effectively manage the scenario of distress. EI paired with the PT elevated the mental health well-being of the healthcare workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic places a high demand on frontline healthcare workers. Healthcare workers are at high-risk of contracting the virus and are subjected to its consequential emotional and psychological effects. This study aimed to measure the level of depression and anxiety among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study; data were collected from healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia using a survey that included the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7. A total of 326 participants took part in the study by completing and submitting the survey. Results. The vast majority of the participating healthcare workers were Saudi nationals (98.8%) working in a public healthcare facility (89.9%). The results indicated that most of the participants had mild levels of anxiety and depression. A total of 72.5% of the respondents had anxiety, ranging from mild (44.1%) to moderate (16.2%) and severe (12.2%). Moreover, 24.4% of the respondents had depression ranging from mild (21.7%) to moderate (2.1%) and severe (0.6%). The generalized linear models showed that the <30 age group (Beta = 0.556, p=0:037) and the 30-39-year age group (Beta = 0.623, p=0:019) were predicted to have anxiety. The analysis revealed that females were more anxious (Beta=0.241, p=0:005) than males. Healthcare providers working in primary healthcare centers (Beta = -0.315, p = 0:008) and labs (Beta = -0.845. p=0:0001 were predicted to be less anxious than those working in other healthcare facilities. The data analysis showed that participants with good economic status had more depression than the participants in the other economic status groups (Beta = 0.067, p=0:003). Conclusion. This study found that the level of anxiety and depression in healthcare workers was mild. The factors that may contribute to anxiety in healthcare workers included being female, being younger than 30 or between the ages of 31 and 39, working in a specialized hospital facility, and the number of COVID-19 cases the workers dealt with. Economic status was associated with depression. A longitudinal study design is needed to understand the pattern of anxiety levels among healthcare workers over time during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthcare transformation is a multifaceted process that hinges on the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders. The success of a significant transformational project is contingent upon the readiness and acceptance among the healthcare workers., Aims: This study aims to assess the level of understanding and awareness of healthcare workers regarding healthcare transformation, with a specific focus on Vision 2030., Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was undertaken involving Saudi healthcare workers. The research employed bivariate correlations and multivariate linear regressions for statistical analysis. Survey data were collected from 456 healthcare workers to gauge their perspectives on healthcare transformation., Results: The findings reveal a robust correlation between awareness of healthcare transformation and the perceived significance of the transformation. Notably, participation in the planning and execution stages significantly enhances awareness levels. Conversely, a negative correlation is observed between awareness levels and concerns related to job security and other challenges faced by healthcare workers., Conclusion: To ensure the success of the national transformation program, decision-makers should actively involve all potential stakeholders, particularly during the planning and execution stages. Reassuring healthcare workers about job security and addressing their concerns are crucial steps in overcoming resistance and fostering the necessary support for healthcare transformation initiatives., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study was carried out according to the Declaration of Helsinki. It was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University IRB committee number 108–2021, dated 23 August 2021. The health workers were informed about the purpose of the study. Instructions on the questionnaires were provided to the volunteers. The confidentiality of the information was also ensured. Once they signed the informed consent, they were asked to complete the study questionnaire. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: The recent unprecedented foodborne botulism outbreak in Saudi Arabia necessitated an assessment of healthcare workers' (HCWs) knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). This study assessed healthcare workers' knowledge regarding the transmission, contagiousness, presentation, and diagnosis of foodborne botulism, as well as their management practices, including contacting public health authorities, administering antitoxin, preparedness to respond to botulism cases and consulting generative Artificial Intelligent (AI)-chatbots, like ChatGPT., Methods: A cross-sectional online survey targeting Saudi HCWs was conducted from May 6-19, 2024, following the first foodborne botulism outbreak. The survey, developed by infectious disease and public health experts according to the Saudi Public Health Authority (SPHA) botulism guidelines, covered several sections: demographics, knowledge about foodborne botulism, attitudes and perceptions, intended practices, and worry level. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, multivariable linear regression to assess factors influencing knowledge, and multivariable logistic binary regression to evaluate factors affecting confidence in handling botulism., Results: Among the 1058 participants, the knowledge score was 9.69/20 (48.4 % correct ± 18 %), with higher scores among HCWs working in tertiary centers, older than 34 years, reading SPHA botulism protocol, and using scientific journals as main information sources. HCWs consulting ChatGPT had significantly lower knowledge scores (p-value < 0.001). HCWs displayed highly intended practices in managing botulism, with a mean score of 4.10/5. The self-rated management confidence was moderate (2.84 ± 1.05 out of 5-points). Multivariable logistic binary regression showed that previous experience with botulism and reading SPHA protocol were the most significant factors associated with a higher management confidence., Conclusions: This study highlights significant HCWs' knowledge gaps during unprecedented foodborne botulism outbreak. Previous experience with botulism cases and reading recent guidelines were associated with higher knowledge and confidence, while reliance on ChatGPT was linked to lower scores. This study emphasizes the importance of timely publishing local guidelines to favorably affect both knowledge and confidence to deal with infectious outbreaks. Future research should evaluate long-term effectiveness of educational interventions., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Saudi Arabia is annually receiving the largest mass gathering in the world, who come to perform Hajj or Umrah within a confined time and place. To assess preparedness for disasters at three health institutes in Holy mosques from the perspectives of the health workers. A cross-sectional study design, 314 health workers were selected randomly from Makkah health center (n=151), Madinah health center (n=68), and Al Ansar hospital (n=95) who responded to questionnaire adopted to assess preparedness for disaster. A significantly greater percentage of workers in Makkah center (79.5%) indicated that there is a disaster plan, comparable to those in Al Ansar hospital (61.1%) or Madinah health center (60.3%) (p<0.05). Also, a significantly higher proportion of the health workers in Makkah center (78.1%) agreed that they are adequately prepared to deal with the sudden influx of a large number of patients if compared to those in Madinah HC (55.9%) or those in Al Ansar hospital (52.6%) (p<0.05). A significantly higher percentage of the workers in the Makkah center (79.5%) compared to those in Al Ansar hospital (57.9%) and Madinah health center (61.8%) indicated that there is regular execution of disaster drills p<0.05. Makkah center is more adequately prepared to deal with disasters than the Madinah health center and Al Ansar hospital. Deliberate efforts are needed to enhance the disaster preparedness of the Madinah center and Al Ansar hospital to cope with the projected progressive increment in the number of pilgrims soon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthcare professionals are particularly more vulnerable to Covid-19 pandemic infection, since they are on the front lines. The relatively high morbidity and mortality among healthcare workers all over the world because of Covid-19 is a major cause of concern. Objectives: To explore the awareness of the healthcare workers in primary care settings regarding COVID-19 as well as the role of personnel protective equipment (PPE) as protective measures and to discover any defects for further intervention. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study design was carried out in the Al-Baha Region, Southwest of Saudi Arabia. It included a representative random sample of healthcare workers working at primary health care (PHC) centers belonging to the Ministry of Health. A self-administered valid questionnaire was utilized in the present study, which included three main parts: demographic data of the healthcare workers; questions to assess their knowledge about the current COVID-19 pandemic (four multiple choice questions); and questions to assess knowledge about personal protective measures and hand hygiene (ten questions). Results: The study included 451 participants. The age of more than half of the participants (51.7%) ranged between 31 and 45 years. Females represented 53.2% of them. Physicians, nurses, and pharmacists represented 36.1%, 24.2%, and 23.3% of the participants, respectively. History of attending infection control training activity in the previous 12 months was reported by 38.1% of the participants. Overall, 74.5% and 19.1% of the participants expressed a poor level of knowledge regarding the current COVID-19 pandemic and PPE/personal hygiene, respectively. Older healthcare workers (HCWs) (> 45 years), non-Saudi nationals, dentists, moderately experienced healthcare workers (6–10 years), and those who attended infection control training courses were more knowledgeable about the current COVID-19 pandemic and its self-protective measures compared to others. Conclusion: Most of the primary healthcare staff in the Al-Baha Region expressed a poor level of knowledge about the current COVID-19 pandemic and a moderate level regarding PPE and personal hygiene. Some indicators for poor knowledge were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the mild and moderate side‐effects experienced by the healthcare workers (HCWs) in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia after receiving the booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech/BNT162b2 COVID‐19 vaccine. Methods: We directed a descriptive cross-sectional study among adults living in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. A survey link was distributed through WhatsApp, SMS, or e-mail to HCWs. Participants' general and demographic information were also collected, as well as information about any local and systemic side‐effects reported following vaccination. Results: The results of this study showed that 81.84% (401/490) of the HCWs who contributed to this study reported the minimum COVID‐19 post‐vaccination side‐effect. Body pain (89%) and pain at the site of injection (88.73%) were the most frequent frequently reported side‐effects, followed by headache (28.68%), joint or bone pain (27.18%), muscle pain (26.43%), nausea or vomiting (21.2%), fever (18.95%), skin rashes (10.22%). History of chronic diseases had a 0.44‐fold increased risk of side-effects compared to no history of chronic diseases HCWs (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.44; 95% CI = 0.224, 0.880), and significant association of occupation with side-effects was also 1.61-fold increased risk compared to nonmedical ((aOR) = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.037, 2.513). Conclusion: According to this study, the Pfizer-BioNTech/BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine was safe when given to Saudi Arabian HCWs. All reported side‐effects were mild to moderate. The outcomes indicated that most participants had body pain and pain at the site of injection and fatigue is among the least reported side-effect post-booster dose. Healthcare was highly connected with more reporting of side‐effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The nature of the healthcare workers' jobs standing at the frontline against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) puts them at a higher risk of unknowingly contracting the disease and potentially contributing to the spread. This study aims to assess the overall positive seroconversion prevalence of SARS-CoV-2. Methods: This is a longitudinal cohort study of healthcare workers at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH). JHAH is a tertiary hospital located in Dhahran serving patients in several districts in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Participants were recruited between June and December 2020. Each participant had a serology blood test and completed the World Health Organization's risk factor assessment questionnaire. Results: This study included 682 participants working in JHAH, representing 15.7% of our population. Out of the 682 participants, 15.2% had a positive SARS-CoV-2 rt-PCR before taking part in the study. However, only 87 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, a prevalence of 12.7% of all participants. Out of the 87 positives for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, 17 participants never tested positive for COVID-19 rt-PCR, a prevalence of 2.9%. Moreover, not properly using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water after the risk of body fluid exposure and wearing personal protective equipment when indicated were found to be statistically significant to having a positive SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay. Conclusion: Positive seroconversion rate was considerably low during the first wave of COVID-19 amongst JHAH's healthcare workers and similar to other healthcare organizations in Saudi Arabia. Seropositivity correlated significantly with following infection prevention and control recommendations. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT04469647. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic is still continuing throughout the world, with newer genetic variants regularly appearing from different parts of the world. Considering the waning of immunity against COVID-19 infection even with two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, regulatory authorities have authorised booster COVID-19 vaccination in many countries, especially for vulnerable populations, including healthcare workers. The current study analysed factors predicting the third (booster) dose of COVID-19 vaccine intention, including the health belief model (HBM), among the healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia. Methods: The current study was a cross-sectional online survey performed from 1st October 2021 to 30th November 2021, using a questionnaire prepared in GoogleTM form among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire asked demographic factors, COVID-19 experience of participants, subjective assessment of health, intention of COVID-19 booster dose vaccination, preferences for local/foreign-made vaccines, and health belief of the study population related to COVID-19 infection and COVID-19 booster dose. Results: This study received 2059 complete responses. The study population reported mixed health belief with respect to the susceptibility of COVID-19 infection, and higher health belief perception regarding the severity. The perceptions of the study participants regarding the benefits of COVID-19 booster dose were positive. There were few barriers to COVID-19 booster dose expressed by study participants. A total of 1464 (71.1%) study participants reported positive intent for receiving a COVID-19 booster dose. The study showed significant association between definite intention to receive a booster dose and nationality (p = 0.001), marital status (p = 0.017), gender (p < 0.001), education level (p = 0.001), monthly income (p < 0.001), and co-morbid medical illness (p = 0.045). The perception of the COVID-19 booster vaccine as a good idea to minimise worries about getting COVID-19 (OR = 2.28, CI 1.89–2.76), and perceptions that receiving the third (booster) dose reduces the risk of COVID-19 infection and associated complications (OR= 2.69, CI = 2.17–3.34), of the perceived benefit construct of HBM, predicted significantly higher definite intention to receive a booster dose. The concern with the safety of the vaccine (OR= 0.40, CI 0.34–0.47) under the perceived barriers construct of HBM predicted as significantly higher no definite intention to receive a booster dose. Conclusions: The results of the present study can guide policy makers in their efforts to promote booster doses of COVID-19 vaccination among the healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Neck pain is the most common type of musculoskeletal problem affecting office workers. Various occupational risk factors have been linked to neck pain. This study aims to assess the prevalence and risk factors of neck pain among office workers at the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, and the participants completed an online questionnaire based on the Standardized Nordic questionnaire and Quality of Life Scale Brief Version to evaluate their neck pain and the physical, psychological, social, and environmental factors that might affect their conditions. A descriptive analysis was conducted for the data and a logistic regression was performed to ascertain the effects of biodemographic and occupational factors on the likelihood of having neck pain. (3) Results: A total of 413 subjects (176 females and 237 males) participated in our study with an average age of 33.6 ± 8 years. The prevalence of neck pain in our participants was 64% during a twelve-month period. Females were less likely to suffer neck pain than males (OR = 0.52, 95%CI [0.30,0.87]), and age, BMI, level of education, and profession were not associated with likelihood of having neck pain. However, reduced working hours were associated with a reduction in the likelihood of having neck pain (OR = 0.42, 95%CI [0.33,0.53]). (4) Conclusion: Neck pain affects a large proportion of the office workers at the Ministry of Health, and this pain is significantly associated with long working hours and males. Thus, there is a need for future research that can investigate how associated factors can be managed to reduce the long-term impact of neck pain on workers' lives. Quality improvement approaches might be used to implement effective interventions for the prevention and management of work-related risk factors that can cause neck pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Decision-making and job security have been linked to increased motivation and productivity in nursing. However, research on these variables in the Saudi context is limited. Aim: To examine the association between decision-making styles and job security among nurses working at public hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, multicentre study was conducted on a convenience sample of 295 nurses working at four public hospitals in Saudi Arabia from March to June of 2021. Data were collected through an online self-administered survey. The Nurse decision-making instrument was used to measure decision-making style. Job security scale was utilised to measure job security among nurses. An independent sample t-test, Pearson's coefficient correlation, one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). results: Nurses reported intuitive decision-making (Mean=87.85, SD=21.08) and a moderate level in job security (Mean=20.93, SD=7.48). A significant difference was found between average income level and job security (p-value<0.05). Decision-making style was also significantly and positively associated with job security (r=0.450, p<0.05). In a multivariate analysis, income level (β=0.182, p<0.05) and decision-making style (β=0.436, p<0.05) were predictors of job security. conclusion: Decision making style was found associated with job security. Improved patient care outcomes require excellent nurse decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: All hospitals must have emergency plans because they play a crucial role in providing critical care. This study assesses the perceived hospital preparedness of healthcare workforces to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic regarding their demographic characteristics. Methods: This study utilized a descriptive, cross-sectional design to investigate the preparedness of hospital and healthcare workers in the city of Hail, Saudi Arabia. A convenience and snowball sampling method was used. A total of 330 healthcare workers participated in the study, which utilized a Google Form survey and was adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis were used to analyze the data. Data collection was conducted in July and August 2020. Results: Overall, hospital employees agreed that they and their hospital were prepared for COVID-19 (2.98). No significant difference (p > 0.362) was found in the perception of male and female employees. However, hospital preparedness significantly differed by profession (p < 0.020) and educational attainment (p < 0.030); the post hoc test showed that COVID-19 preparedness was high for respondents with higher educational attainment, years of experience (p < 0.003), and the number of training sessions attended (p < 0.003). Conclusions: The healthcare workforce is prepared to combat COVID-19. Of the demographic profiles of the healthcare workers, only sex was not a factor in preparedness. Profession, educational attainment, years of experience, and the number of related training sessions were all determinants of the healthcare workers' preparedness. These demographic characteristics can serve as factors in training and retraining the staff in battling COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To calculate the seroprevalence of asymptomatic healthcare workers (HCWs) in our institution. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among asymptomatic HCWs in a large hospital during the peak of the pandemic (from July to August 2020 and followed them up until February 2021) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We collected the data in a Microsoft Word document after collecting a single serum sample for detection of antibodies from each participant then we compared the results statically in Microsoft Excel tables. Results: We enrolled 188 participants and measured their IgG antibodies from venous blood samples using CLIA. Six (3.2%) had positive antibodies despite being asymptomatic. Most of these were from non- COVID-19 working areas (4 out of 6), but all had an exposure with a positive COVID-19 patient at some point in the preceding 2 months. Conclusions: Our results are consistent with similar local studies showing low seroprevalence among HCWs while most positive cases are from non-COVID-19 areas. Despite this low seroprevalence, HCWs are still considered a high-risk group; hence, there is a need to encourage strict implementation and adherence to infection control measures and vaccination among HCWs, especially when these measures are relaxed on the national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) was the fourth country in the world to authorize the BNT162b2 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, which it rolled out on December 17, 2020 and first targeted at healthcare workers (HCWs). This study assesses vaccine uptake among this group during the first month of its availability. A national cross-sectional, pilot-validated, self-administered survey was conducted among HCWs in the KSA between December 27, 2020 and January 3, 2021. The survey included sociodemographic details, previous contact with COVID-19 patients, previous infection with COVID-19, receiving (or registering with the Ministry of Health website to receive) the COVID-19 vaccine, sources of HCWs' information on vaccines, awareness of emerging variants of concern, and anxiety level using the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder assessment. A descriptive bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic binary regression analysis were performed. The primary evaluated outcome was vaccine uptake. Of the 1058 participants who completed the survey, 704 (66.5%) were female, and 626 (59.2%) were nurses. Of all the respondents, 352 (33.27%) were enrolled to receive or had already received the vaccine, while 706 (66.73%) had not enrolled. In a bivariate analysis, not enrolling for vaccination was more likely in females than males (78.5% vs. 21.5%, P < 0.001), HCWs between the ages of 20 and 40 years than those >40 years (70.4% vs. 29.6%, P = 0.005), Saudi HCWs than expatriates (78% vs 22%, P < 0.001), and among HCWs who used social media as a source of information than those who did not (69.8% vs. 38.6%, P < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, independent factors associated with uptake were being a Saudi national (aOR = 1.918, 95 %CI = 1.363–2.698, P < 0.001), working in an intensive care unit (aOR = 1.495, 95 %CI = 1.083–2.063, P = 0.014), and working at a university hospital (aOR = 1.867, 95 %CI = 1.380–2.525, P < 0.001). A low level of vaccine uptake was observed especially in female HCWs, those younger than 40 years old, and those who used social media as their source of vaccine information. This survey provides important information for public health authorities in order to scale up vaccination campaigns targeting these HCWs to increase vaccine enrollment and uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The use of mobile phones by healthcare workers is a risk factor for microorganism transmission in healthcare settings. Pathogenic bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative bacteria like Escherichia coli that are known to cause nosocomial infection have been isolated from mobile phones. In this cross-sectional study, we assess the burden and related risk factors of the bacterial colonization of healthcare workers' mobile phones. Methodology: We collected samples from the mobile phones of 130 healthcare workers' in a Saudi Arabian teaching hospital, using moistened cotton swabs. The isolated organisms were identified using an automated identification and susceptibility system. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to test the data. Results: Of 130 swabs collected, 45 (34.6%) grew one species and 48 (36.9%) grew two or more. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most commonly isolated bacteria (52.3%), followed by Micrococcus and related species (25.4%), Staphylococcus hominis (13.8%), and Bacillus species (6.9%). Clinically significant microorganisms such as S. aureus and Pseudomonas sp. were identified in 2 (1.5%) samples, respectively. The odds of mobile phone colonization were 8.5 times higher (95% CI = 3.2-23.1) in the laboratory, neonatal intensive care unit, and medicine departments. Mobile phones owned for more than one year were more likely to be culture positive (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.1-7.6). Conclusions: In our study, the prevalence of bacterial colonization among healthcare workers' mobile phones was high. Our findings suggest that high-risk groups for mobile phone colonization--such as laboratory, neonatal intensive care unit, and medicine department staff--should be a priority for preventative measures, to improve infection control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is mandatory that healthcare workers wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while caring for COVID-19 patients. Studies have shown that wearing PPE for a prolonged time may lead to symptoms of physical discomfort including headache. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and association between prolonged use of PPE and headaches. This was a cross-sectional study. A convenience sample of healthcare workers who worked with COVID-19 patients in clinical settings was recruited. The data were collected through an electronic survey shared as a link through social media. This study included 1060 participants, 753 (71%) female and 307 (29%) male. Participants were divided into two groups. Group A had 628 (60%) participants who did not have chronic headache before the COVID-19 pandemic, while Group B contained 432 (40%) participants who had a previous chronic headache. Headaches differed significantly between Groups A and B in frequency, type, location, and quality during the COVID-19 period. The analysis found a significant relationship between duration of PPE use and headache occurrence. The significant relationship between the duration of PPE usage and headache occurrence among healthcare workers should be considered when refining policies and procedures regarding prolonged PPE use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The psychological impact that outbreaks and pandemics could inflict on healthcare workers has been widely studied; yet, little is known about the impact of the lockdown measures. Objectives: To assess the magnitude of depression and anxiety among healthcare professionals before and after lifting of the lockdown restrictions in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Surveys targeting healthcare workers were circulated twice: during the lockdown, and 8 weeks after lifting of lockdown. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed using Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scales. Results: A total of 947 healthcare workers, with the mean age of (37 ± 8.9) responded to the surveys. Among these, 23–27% respondents reported clinically significant levels of anxiety and depression. Whereas, easing of the lockdown restrictions was shown to be associated with decreasing mean scores of PHQ-9 and GAD-7. The noted burden fell heavily on female workers, those with a current or a history of psychiatric disorders, suffering from chronic diseases, being in workplaces with high exposure to COVID-19 or in contact with COVID-19 patients, nurses, as well as those who were living with elderly and perceived their physical and mental health as "much worse" compared to the time before the pandemic. Conclusion: Our findings identified several predictors for anxiety and depression at different time-points of the pandemic. Thus, priority to psychological support measures might be needed for these groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

aim,3 Wessam A Ghareeb,4 Badr Al-Haffashi,5 Faisal Alghamdi,6 Sameh Zaytoun71Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tanta, Tanta, 31527, Egypt; 2Community Medicine Department, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, 21442, Saudi Arabia; 3Medicine Program, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, 21442, Saudi Arabia; 4Neuro-Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tanta, Tanta, 31527, Egypt; 5Internal Medicine Department, King Abdulaziz Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; 6Internal Medicine Department, King Fahd Hospital, Albaha, Saudi Arabia; 7Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, EgyptCorrespondence: Ehab A Abo-AliTanta Faculty of Medicine, Tanta, 31527, EgyptTel +201001532068; +966 542538464Fax +20403407734Email [email protected] ; [email protected] Purpose: To assess mental well-being (MW), self-efficacy (SE), and their predictors among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study recruited 1046 HCWs by cluster random sampling technique. Socio-demographic, health, and occupational characteristics were collected for all participants. The WHO five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) and General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) were used to assess MW and SE of the participants, respectively. The binary logistic regression model was fit to the dependent (outcomes), namely mental well-being and self-efficacy, and independent other variables (predictors). Results: Out of all participants (n=1046), 27.2% had negative MW scores, and 36.6% had low SE scores. The mean scores of both MW and SE were in the normal levels (16.7± 5.90 and 31.5± 6.63 out of 25 and 40, respectively). Younger and older ages, irregular exercise, nursing professions, history of anxiety and/or depression, lesser years of experience, and longer daily working hours were found to be the main predictors of negative MW and low SE, among study participants. Conclusion: Mental well-being (MW) and self-efficacy (SE) of the HCWs in Saudi Arabia are satisfactory but attention should be paid towards supporting the vulnerable groups for promoting the resilience of HCWs during the battle against the current pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

aims to assess the knowledge and practice of protective measures by HCWs in Saudi Arabia during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic to identify awareness of the disease, potential trends and associated predictors. Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based study was conducted among HCWs about knowledge related to COVID-19 and practice of protective measures, such as social distancing and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic. A Fisher exact test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to investigate the level of association among variables. Results: A total of 674 HCWs were recruited in the study (51.8% male, 42.7% aged 28– 37 years old and 52% specialists). The Saudi Ministry of Health (MoH) was the main source of knowledge for most of the HCWs (89%) followed by the WHO (44.5%) and social media (42.3%). Washing hands before touching the face was the most selected choice (97.9%) as a precautionary method to limit SARS-CoV2 transmission. Most of the HCWs (74.6%) scored low for staying at home while the majority (71.2%) showed a high practice of personal protective methods, with pharmacists and general physicians scoring the highest. Conclusion: Saudi HCWs showed high knowledge and practice of protective measures for COVID-19. Good knowledge correlates with adoption of appropriate practices to prevent spread of infection. The current findings highlight the importance of interventions such as tailored education and training courses for those with low scores to improve overall knowledge and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some countries were previously struggling with inadequate medical waste management and have been now hit hard by an unexpected boost in the volume of biomedical waste due to the new coronavirus pandemic. In this context, we sought to evaluate the KAP (Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice) of the healthcare workers who dealt with biomedical waste, including COVID-19 waste, and its management in Aseer Region of Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study was conducted among Healthcare Workers in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia (13 governorates), the study conducted during a 3-months period, using an online self-designed questionnaire by convenience sampling. Data was analyzed by using statistical software IBM SPSS version 26. More than half were males (59.1%) and 44.7% were aged 18-29 years. The mean (±standard deviation) score for overall knowledge (0-15) was 11.42 (±4.33), and 5.62 (±3.96) for overall practice. The majority agreed that the prevention of hospital-acquired infection is one of their important tasks. A total of 176 responded that they reused masks. Half of the HCWs (55.1%) stated that the hospital surfaces/equipment was being properly disinfected in their institution. Participants reported the use of gloves (84.2%), gown (71.2%), eye protection (56.9%), and N-95 Mask (51.3%) while handling BMWs. This study draws the attention of the concerned governments and local administrative levels for thorough implementation of the commanded policies with the reach of overall enhancement in the BMW segregation and management in everyday practice, which will be of tremendous assistance yet after the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Practicing hand hygiene is a cost-effective method to decrease the occurrence of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs). However, despite their simplicity, adhering to hand hygiene methods among healthcare workers (HCWs) can be highly challenging. We aim to examine the factors influencing hand hygiene compliance as perceived by HCWs working in the intensive care units (ICUs) at several major hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia., Method: This qualitative study was conducted by adopting a content analysis to examine the interviews of HCWs who are currently working in the ICUs of various major hospitals located in the capital city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia., Results: We interviewed 49 HCWs working in ICUs, with an average age of 38 and 8 years of experience. The HCWs comprised doctors (n = 12), anesthesiologists (n = 6), and nurses (n = 31). There were 34 females and 15 males among the participants. Our analysis revealed several factors that impact hand hygiene compliance, including individual, work/environment, team, task, patient, organizational, and management concerns. Several obstacles and possibilities for enhancement have been identified., Conclusion: The results of this study would enhance our comprehension of hand hygiene practices and serve as a foundation for creating future strategies and assessment methods to enhance compliance with hand hygiene protocols in ICUs., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Healthcare-associated infections present a challenge to healthcare systems, particularly critical care units. Hand hygiene emerges as a crucial element in infection control, acting as a vital link between healthcare workers, patients, and pathogens. Positive attitudes, motivated by a genuine concern for patient safety, are recognized as major predictors of hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers. This study aims to assess the attitudes of ICU staff toward hand hygiene and identify factors that influence these attitudes. A cross-sectional survey of intensive care unit staff in seven large Saudi hospitals was conducted using an anonymous, self-reporting questionnaire to examine the attitudes of ICU personnel about hand hygiene and determine the factors that impact these attitudes. A regression analysis was used to determine the determinants of hand hygiene attitudes. Of the 600 respondents, 93% rated their hand hygiene knowledge as good, and 71% received hand hygiene training from their hospital. Most respondents (78%) had previously experienced healthcare-associated infections. The majority reported a favorable overall attitude toward hand hygiene (M = 4.15, SD = 0.85). Attitudes toward hand hygiene were significantly associated with perceived knowledge (β = 0.32, p < 0.001), prior hand hygiene training (β = 0.13, p < 0.05), and years of experience (β = - 0.10, p < 0.05). Healthcare workers in the ICU have a generally positive attitude toward hand hygiene. Such attitudes were correlated with hand hygiene knowledge, prior training, and job experience. The study's findings can help to inform health promotion initiatives and campaigns aimed at achieving long-term improvements in hand hygiene behaviors., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Work Place Violence WPV is defined as the intentional use of physical or psychological force to injure, intimidate, or attack an individual in a work atmosphere. It is often known as any threat or physical abuse, assault, bullying, or other intimidating disrupting behavior that happens at the workplace. Method: This is a systematic review was carried out, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and EBSCO that examining randomized controlled trials, observational, and experimental studies that study violence against healthcare practitioners in pediatric departments. Results and Conclusion: The review included 6 randomized studies concerned about workplace violence against pediatric staff. Pediatric physicians and nurses are exposed to different types of violence from parents or caregivers of the attending children in their departments due to the psychological stress caused by the condition of their child. Recommendations to teach pediatric staff how to deal with violent events and how to report them must be instructed clearly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: As the Novel Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) was declared by the world health organization a pandemic in March 2020, thousands of healthcare workers (HCWs) worldwide were on the frontlines fighting against the pandemic. Herein, we selected two Middle East countries; Egypt and Saudi Arabia to investigate the psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their HCWs.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a Google survey was used to access HCWs in many hospitals in Egypt and Saudi Arabia between the 14th and 24th of April 2020. The survey assessed HCWs regarding their sociodemographic and occupational features, sleeping hours, and psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21).Results: This study included 426 HCWs (48.4% physicians, 24.2% nurses, and 27.4% other HCWs). Of them, 69% had depression, 58.9% had anxiety, 55.9% had stress, and 37.3% had inadequate sleeping (<6 h/day). Female sex, age ≤30 years, working in Egypt, attending emergency and night shifts, watching/reading COVID-19 news ≥2 h/day, and not getting emotional support from family, society, and hospital were associated with a high likelihood of depression, anxiety, stress, and inadequate sleeping.Limitations: the cross-sectional design restricted our ability to distinguish between preexisting and emerging psychological symptoms.Conclusion: HCWs on the frontlines in Egypt and Saudi Arabia experienced depression, anxiety, stress, and inadequate sleeping during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since the outbreak of Covid-19, several studies have demonstrated that healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of developing mental health disorders. Objective: To survey Saudi healthcare workers exposed to Covid-19 patients for most commonly reported mental health disorders. Study type, settings & duration: A descriptive cross-sectional study carried out at King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) during June 2020. Methodology: The population comprised of healthcare workers (physicians, nurses and paramedical staff). The mental health disorders explored were depression, anxiety, insomnia and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software version 22.0 (IBM Corp). Results: The most frequent mental health disorder reported in the present study was anxiety (68.6%) followed by insomnia (30.3%), PTSD (15.7%) and clinically significant depression (11.1%). Frontline healthcare workers demonstrated significantly higher risk of developing anxiety and PTSD after adjustment for other factors (OR of 1.9, 95% CI: 1.13-3.15, p =0.015), and (OR of 2.7, 95% CI: 1.22-6.01, p =0.014) respectively. Conclusion: Frontline HCWs demonstrated approximately two-fold increased risk of developing anxiety and approximately three-fold risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorders after adjustment for other variables. We suggest launching a large scale health education program and screening for Saudi HCWs engaged in the management of Covid-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic extended to reach most countries in the globe during few months. Preparedness of healthcare institutions and healthcare workers (HCWs) are crucial for applying effective prevention and control measures. This study aimed to assess HCWs knowledge, emotions and perception of preparedness of their institutions towards COVID-19 pandemic. Design: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted among hospital HCWs in Saudi Arabia during April 27, 2020 to May 03, 2020. Results: Overall, 1004 completed responses were received. The majority were females (78.8), nurses (84.9%) at middle age 25-39 years (71.8%). Among participants, 95.5% reported receiving training on safely use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and 94.9% did fit the test for N95 respirator. The participants possessed a fair knowledge about COVID-19 disease with a mean knowledge score 6. 61±1.35 points on a scale of 10 points. Most participants (88.7%) were committed to continue work as a professional and ethical duty, however, 27.1% of them scored high on a negative emotional impact scale. Participants appreciated most aspects of institutional preparedness for COVID-19 pandemic; however, they were concerned with the continuous PPE supply. Factors that independently associated with good knowledge and negative emotional response were determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusions: Findings revealed fair knowledge about COVID-19 pandemic among HCWs in Saudi hospitals. Concerns and worries were expressed regard working with the highly infectious COVID-19 patients. Participants, appreciated most aspects of institutional preparedness, however they were concerned about the continuous availability and supply of PPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The emergence of the new Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a major impact on global health system. This crosssectional study was designed to appraise the knowledge and attitude of healthcare workers towards COVID-19 and find out their understanding about clinical aspects of the infection. Methodology: A total number of 1023 of healthcare workers responded to an online questionnaire and provided their data between February and March, 2020 in Jeddah city, Western province, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was distributed to physicians, nurses, pharmacists, technical staff and administrative staff working in clinical settings. Results: Results revealed that mean scores for knowledge and attitude were 20.793 ± 2.436 and 4.744 ± 0.297 respectively. More than 88% of participants displayed positive knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19. Knowledge data showed that social media and the workplace, were the main sources of information for the majority of respondents. Approximately 99.12% of respondents were aware of the viral pandemic, and the causative agent. Statistically significant association was found when compared the demographic characteristics with the mean knowledge while no statistical significance was observed when compared demographic characteristics with the mean attitude score except with marital status. Conclusion: This study showed that healthcare workers had sufficient knowledge and positive attitude towards COVID-19. However, hospital staff should be periodically given sufficient training to effectively cope with such outbreaks in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Healthcare professionals are one of the most vulnerable groups subjected to verbal and physical violence daily while carrying out their duties; such violence is a worldwide concern. This study aimed to explore the awareness of a violence reporting system among healthcare providers and the impact of the new Ministry of Health (MOH) violence regulations at one of the Eastern Region hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to February 2020. The study included 210 healthcare providers from different specialties working in critical care units. A sample of 137 healthcare providers was selected randomly, and a self-administered questionnaire was distributed accordingly. Results: In this study, 31.4% of participants were not aware of whether they had a specific system for reporting violent incidents, while 68.6% had no training on these systems. Experiences of violence among the staff decreased from 78.6% before the MOH regulations to almost 20% after the MOH regulations. Conclusion: The majority of victims did not report incidents because there is a lack of system privacy, and the workers felt that the incidents of violence were a part of their daily jobs. In addition, this study revealed that the majority of healthcare workers did not receive training on the reporting system, which explains their lack of knowledge about the formal reporting system. Finally, the MOH initiative and penalties for controlling workplace violence have resulted in a significant drop in the prevalence of violence among healthcare workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Workplace violence affected most of the healthcare workers in almost all the specialties, departments and in most categories of health facilities. The objectives: to estimate the prevalence of the workplace violence against health care workers and to determine the different risk factors which can causing this workplace violence against health care workers in one year in Makkah city at the Ministry of Health Hospitals between April and July 2018. Material and Method: It’s a cross-sectional study conducted at Al-Noor specialist hospital, King AbdulAziz Hospital (KAH), Hera’a general hospital at Makkah holy city on 450 of healthcare workers included doctors and nurses who worked in emergency, critical care, inpatient and outpatient departments by using a validated questionnaire in English (Workplace Violence in the Health Sector Country Case Studies, Research Instruments, 2003) constructed by (ILO, ICN, WHO, and PSI). Conclusion: More than half of the participants (52%) exposed to workplace violence. Type of department, work shift and the marital status were the most contributing factors of workplace violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the levels of information regarding the current emerging outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among medical and dental students at universities in Saudi Arabia through an online questionnaire. Methods: A detailed structured questionnaire was prepared, containing demographic profiles and questions related to knowledge and awareness of the COVID-19 pandemic, and was emailed to 240 subjects, out of these, 209 responded to all the questions. Results: The majority of the respondents were aware of the current and past epidemics of the coronavirus diseases, and they heard about SARS or MERS (89.5%) and the COVID-19 pandemic (94.7%). Internet was the main source of information (63.1%) followed by professors and physicians (24.2%), print media (6.1%), television (4%), and family or friends (2.5%). The majority of respondents received information about COVID-19 from the Ministry of Health (85.6%) and 44.5% of respondents participated in the COVID-19 symposium or conference. Respondents of the college of Medicine were more aware (96.1%) about COVID-19 than respondents of the college of Dentistry (86.2%; p=0.02). Conclusion: The study finds a high level of COVID-19 awareness among medical and dental students at KSA universities. However, there is a need to study in a community-level assessment regarding knowledge about COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]