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Background Physical activity can improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults. However, the effect of physical activity on quality of life is unclear among the Saudi adult population. The study aimed to determine the association between physical activity and HRQoL in apparently healthy adults in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among visitors of shopping malls, walking tracks/fitness centres/gyms and governmental hospitals in Jeddah from March to September 2022. Physical activity was measured with the electronic template of the general practice physical activity questionnaire (GPPAQ), while the HRQoL was measured using the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) questionnaire. A multiple linear regression model investigated the relationship between physical activity and HRQoL. Results A total of 693 individuals participated in this study, with a mean age of 36 (±11). Individuals who fall in the active category of the physical activity level were mostly younger men (37% vs 21%), were non-smokers (30% vs 10%) and had no comorbid condition (29% vs 15%). After adjusting for covariates, men (adjusted β 4.43, 95% CI [1.44–7.41]) with higher physical activity levels (active-adjusted β 10.11, 95% CI [5.44–14.77]) had better scores on the physical component summary (PCS). Similarly, mental component summary (MCS) scores for men (adjusted β 6.51, 95% CI [3.40–9.63]) and physical activity levels (active-adjusted β 9.77, 95% CI [4.90–14.64]) were high. Conclusion The article reinforces how physical activity contributes towards each dimension of HRQoL. Physical inactivity is a growing public health challenge in Saudi Arabia, affecting all age groups. Investing in innovative strategies and establishing targeted health education programs for academic institutions and communities are required to enhance healthy habits. Additionally, constructing more local sports facilities and concession packages, especially for the females at the gyms, can motivate individuals and promote physical activity.

Pharmaceutical technology is drastically developing to enhance the efficacy and safety of drug therapy. Pulsatile delivery systems, in turn, gained attraction for their ability to deliver the right drug amount to the right body site, at the right time which is advantageous over conventional dosage forms. Their use is associated with increased patient compliance and allows on-demand drug delivery as well as customizable therapy. Recent technologies have been implemented to further develop pulsatile delivery systems for more precise determination of the dosage timing and duration as well as the location of drug release. Great interests are directed towards externally regulated pulsatile release systems which will be the focus of this review. The recent advances will be highlighted in remotely controlled delivery systems. This includes electro responsive, light-responsive, ultrasound responsive, and magnetically induced pulsatile systems as well as wirelessly controlled implantable systems. The current status of these technologies will be discussed as well as the recent investigations and future applications.

Objectives: More than half of the world's population live in areas potentially at risk of acquiring dengue fever (DF). Evaluation of awareness and health beliefs regarding DF among the general population is important for devising disease control strategies. This study assessed knowledge, health beliefs, and preventive practices against DF in different dengue endemic districts of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods A Cross-sectional study was conducted in three dengue-endemic districts of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The community members residing in these areas were randomly selected by multistage stratified random sample method and interviewed individually using a structured validated questionnaire. Overall mean scores were calculated for knowledge, practices, and Health Belief Model (HBM) construct. Bivariate analysis using a chi-square test and multivariate regression analysis were performed to test the association between DF knowledge, practices, and predictors. Results: Around 61% (mean = 11.18) and 52% (mean = 5.17) individuals had adequate DF knowledge and practices, respectively. Multivariate regression showed perceived mosquito control benefits (OR=1.857, 95% CI=1.078-3.199, p=0.026) and perceived barriers (OR=0.532, 95% CI=0.305-0.926, p=0.026) as significant predictors for adequate dengue knowledge. For dengue preventive practices the only predictor was their perception of mosquito control benefit (OR=1.864, 95% CI=1.109-3.134, p=0.019). Conclusion: Overall, DF knowledge and practices were rather limited in selected dengue endemic districts of Jeddah. Adequate knowledge leads to satisfactory dengue preventive practices. Health beliefs remain significant predictors of both knowledge and dengue prevention practices. Findings suggest that HBM constructs can be integrated as ways of motivating for the adoption of preventive practices against DF.

In today’s competitive and media-influenced health care environment, resource utilization is driven by patient outcome. A key criterion to evaluate the quality of health care services is to assess patients’ satisfaction. The objectives of this study were to compare patients’ satisfaction in the first and last quarters after Primary Health Care Centers’ (PHCCs) integration with Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals in Jeddah, and to identify the factors contributing toward patient’s satisfaction in first and last quarters. This cross-sectional study was conducted among patients visiting PHCCs in the first and last quarters. Randomly selected participants were interviewed using a validated closed-ended questionnaire, part of which also included modified Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ18) with its subscales and standard cutoffs. Chi-squared test and multinomial logistic regression analysis were run to find the factors associated with satisfaction. The overall satisfaction in our study participants was 66.3% in the first quarter as compared with 83% in the last quarter. The mean scores of most PSQ18 subscales in the first and last quarters after the integration showed significant difference. Multinomial logistic regression analysis of the first quarter after integration showed three to fourfold increase in satisfaction of individuals who perceive an improvement in registration counters’ load, cleanliness of centers, satisfaction with the staff’s behavior, and ease in referral as compared with non-satisfaction [OR 3.60 (p = 0.018); OR 4.33 (p = 0.001); OR 2.47 (p = 0.055); and OR 4.45 (p = 0.005), respectively]. However, in the last quarter those satisfied with the staff’s behavior (OR 2.48, p = 0.038), and dental facilities (OR 2.74, p = 0.043) had an odds ratio of ≥2. PHCCs integration with the hospitals is an effective strategy, which not only has improved functionality but has a significant effect on patient’s satisfaction. Treating patients served by PHCCs integrated with hospitals is thus recommended.