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Objective: This study was undertaken to elaborate the precautionary methods taken by the College of Medicine of Qassim University for conduction of students’ academic examinations (exams) in the university campus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study was conducted on undergraduate medical students (n=674) from the September 2020 to April 2021 in the College of Medicine at Qassim University. The switch into conducting exams within the center was managed by the exam committee. Multiple online workshops were conducted to the staff and students regarding the precautionary measures and the exam procedures in order to prevent the transmission of the disease among students and staff. New guidelines for undertaking the exams were designed and implemented at the exam centers in the university campus during COVID-19 pandemic. Results: All the exams were conducted in a satisfactory manner under one roof under the supervision of the invigilation team within the examination center located in the university campus. The strict implementation of precautionary guidelines and the crucial steps to prevent the spread of Coronavirus facilitated the accomplishment of this vital task in a smooth manner with no case of COVID-19 reported in any of the staff or students who participated in this activity. Conclusions: This study revealed the precautionary methods and steps undertaken by the college of medicine, Qassim University in terms of conducting exams within campus. We concluded that if implementation of precautionary measures should be carried out in a proper manner then it is possible to conduct exams under one roof.

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is an international public health threat. This study aimed to evaluate COVID-19-related knowledge, preventive behaviors, and risk perception among Saudi Arabian medical students and interns. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among fourth- and fifth-year medical students and interns between June and August 2020 at three colleges of medicine in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. A previously validated questionnaire was distributed as an online survey. Results: The total mean knowledge score was 12.5/15 points, 83.9% achieved a high score. The mean score of self-reported preventive behavior was 8.40, 94.1% achieved a high score. The overall mean risk perception score was 5.34/8 points, 31.6% achieved a high score. Conclusion: Medical students assessed in this study displayed sufficient knowledge and preventive behaviors regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and an average level of risk perception. Lower scores by younger medical students suggest that they must improve their COVID-19 knowledge and risk perception, as they are a potential source of health information in their communities.

Introduction Epilepsy is a chronic condition and has significant negative consequences to quality of life. Misconceptions regarding epilepsy among communities with lower rates of education have led to false beliefs and ideas. This study aimed to evaluate the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes about epilepsy in Saudi population at Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using a previously validated 14-item questionnaire. The data were collected online via WhatsApp application. The Saudi adult population (18 years and older) within Qassim region was sampled for the present study. Results A total of 403 respondents completed the survey and the majority (68.8%) were less than 30 years old. Nearly all participants (97.0%) had heard of epilepsy or convulsive seizures; 43.5% knew a person with the disease; and 48.4% had seen a person having a seizure. Participants cited brain disorders (68.1%) as the most common cause of epilepsy, followed by mental disorders (61.9%) then hereditary diseases (48.8%). Only 5.6% would protest against their children associating with a person who occasionally experiences seizures, and a similarly small percentage (7.9%) would do so if their son or daughter decided to marry such a person. Conclusion The public's general attitudes and awareness of epilepsy were quite good; however, knowledge regarding this medical condition is still inadequate. Thus, more campaigns are needed in order to increase societal awareness on epilepsy, obtaining help from governmental agencies, health institutions, mass media, and other health-related organizations.

Background: Brucellosis, a zoonotic infection having an important public health issue in endemic countries; Saudi Arabia is one of these countries. The incidence of brucellosis in AlQassim region is much higher than the national one. Evaluation of the epidemiological situation of brucellosis is the first step in prevention and control. The objective was to describe the epidemiological characteristics of brucellosis in Al-Qassim region during the period between 2010 and 2014. Methods: All epidemiological surveillance forms from 2010 to 2014 were analyzed for epidemiological characteristics. Results: There were 4283 notified cases of human brucellosis in AL-Qassim region between 2010 and 2014, the annual incidence decreased from 84.5 to 48.7 per 100,000 populations. The highest number of cases was reported from Uyoon Al-Jawa followed by Buraidah. The number of cases was highest from March to June. and lowest was in November; the male to female ratio was 3:1. Saudis represents 51.1% of cases. The mean age of the cases was 34±15 years; the most common age group was middle age. Shepherds and farmers represent 46.5% of cases. The most common presenting symptoms were fever (79.7%), joint pain (72.7%), and muscle pain (70.9%). The most common antibiotics used as treatment were doxycycline (80.9%) and streptomycin (63.2%). A history of animal contact was the most common risk factor (80.7%), followed by consumption of raw milk (55.6%). Conclusions: There was a marked decrease in the incidence of brucellosis from 2010 to 2014 in the Al-Qassim region. However, continued efforts are needed to eliminate the disease.

Background and Aim: The international traveling is annually growing and is expected to reach 1.6 billion travelers in 2020. The risk of infectious diseases during traveling are not only related to the destination and duration of the trip, but also the personal health. The risk of these diseases not limited to the traveler, it’s also a risk for the community. The risk can be reduced by taking some pre-traveling, travelling and post-traveling precautions. In general, only about 10% of the travelers usually consult a travel-health specialist. This study aim to determine the level of travel health knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) among Saudi travelers at Prince Nayef international airport and to identify their source of travel health-related information. Methods: A cross sectional study conducted at Prince Nayef International Airport in Qassim Region from 10-17 January 2018. A total of 535 travelers aged 18-60 years old had been voluntarily recruited in this study. We used the questionnaires regarding the knowledge, attitude and practices of travel health among travelers published by Neika Vendetti. Results: Males were dominated the females with 62.8% versus 37.2%. Family and friends were the main source of general travel advice (64.5%). Poor and adequate knowledge constituted 84.3% and 15.7% respectively. Regarding attitude, 50.3% and 49.7% of respondents had positive and negative attitude respectively. For travel practice 86.0% and 14.0% acquired poor and good practice respectively. Conclusion: This study found that most travelers were having poor knowledge and practices toward pre-travel medical advice. Many of the travelers don’t seek pre-travel medical advice.