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Objective. This study was aimed at evaluating the knowledge and behavior toward venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis among medical interns. Methods. This is a questionnaire-based cross-sectional observational cohort study of medical interns that used a validated questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised of items that assessed behavior, knowledge, and self-assessment of VTE risk factors, diagnosis, and prophylaxis. The study was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from October 2020 till September 2021. Results. The respondents were 246 medical interns. The overall rate of correct responses to behavior items was 41.82%. The overall rate of correct responses to knowledge items was 47.35%. A total of 61.8% responded negatively to the use of VTE risk assessment guidelines ( p < 0.0001 ). For the self-assessment of knowledge of VTE, more than 70% believed they did not have appropriate knowledge, were not prepared to establish the risk of VTE, and were not prepared to provide adequate prophylaxis for VTE ( p < 0.0001 ). A high proportion of medical interns (83.3%, p < 0.0001 ) believed they needed further training on this topic. Conclusion. Participants in this study showed poor knowledge and negative behavior regarding the assessment of risk factors, diagnosis, and prophylaxis of VTE. The majority of participants reported they needed training on this topic. These findings underscore the need for educational programs during undergraduate training and orientation of medical interns for VTE risk assessment, diagnosis, and prophylaxis at the beginning of their internship.

Objectives: To assess the readiness of hospitals in Riyadh to establish acute stroke centers by following the Australian Clinical Guidelines for Stroke Management. Methods: This study was a quantitative cross-sectional observational study conducted among hospitals in the central region of Saudi Arabia (Jan 2018 – April 2018). A self-administered questionnaire/survey tool was adapted from an Australian survey developed by the Stroke Foundation in Melbourne, Australia. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Appropriate statistical tests (chi-square and Fisher’s exact test) were used for bivariate analyses. Results: A total of 3932 stroke patient visits were recorded in 37 hospitals in the central region of Saudi Arabia. The most common limitations of acute stroke services were that 25 (67.57%) of the hospitals had no stroke unit and 21 (56.76%) had inadequate clinical staff. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography were available in 32 (86.49%) and 36 (97.30%) hospitals, respectively. Only two-thirds of hospitals 25 (67.57%) followed protocols for rapid Emergency Department (ED) triage. Conclusion: We found that most of our hospitals were not fully prepared to address acute stroke management in a manner that was reasonably consistent with international guidelines. We recommend raising the hospital’s requirements a higher level to be in line with the stroke guidelines.

Background Few studies have addressed the prevalence and prognostic impacts of

PRECIS In this study, huge time delay was observed between first primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) symptom recognition by parents to ophthalmological diagnosis and this delay was unchanged over time. Bilateral affliction and mean presenting intraocular pressure (IOP) remained unaltered. PURPOSE To compare the trends in presentation of patients with PCG over 3 different time periods at 10-year intervals (1998, 2008, and 2018) managed by a single surgeon at one of the largest tertiary eye care centers in South India. METHODS Retrospective analysis of 313 eyes of 172 patients diagnosed to have PCG and treated at the L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) between January and December of the 3 specified years. Data collected included age at symptom recognition and at presentation, sex, affected eye, signs and symptoms, time between onset of symptoms and diagnosis (diagnostic delay), corneal clarity, and IOP. RESULTS Of the 172 patients, 48 (27.9%), 76 (44.2%), and 48 (27.9%) belonged to 1998, 2008, and 2018, respectively. Bilateral affliction (79% to 84%) was common and there was no sex predilection. The median age at recognition of first symptoms by caregivers/parents was 1 day (interquartile range, 1 to 30), and at diagnosis was 120 days (interquartile range, 30 to 378). Overall, presentation to LVPEI was delayed by >3 months in 80 (46.5%) children, and there was no statistically significant difference in the duration of delay over time (P=0.13). There was no significant difference in the mean presenting IOP over time (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS We provide unique single center-based information of trends in the presentation of patients with PCG over 3 decades. Diagnostic delay was common, and a large number of characteristics of patients with PCG in South India have remained unchanged, particularly, age at onset and at diagnosis and laterality.