Towards a better understanding of factors affecting smoking uptake among Saudi male adolescents: A qualitative study.

Introduction: An increased smoking uptake by Saudi male adolescents and a lack of data about its determinants emphasize the need for a better understanding of factors leading to the onset of smoking and identifying ways to prevent it. The aim of this qualitative study is to explore adolescents' views on smoking and their opinions about a smoking prevention program.

Methods: A total of 103 school-going adolescents, aged 12-16 years, were purposely selected from grades seven, eight and nine from nine schools in Taif in Saudi Arabia.

Factors associated with smoking initiation among Saudi male adolescents: A longitudinal study.

Introduction: Knowing country-specific predictors of smoking behaviour for adolescents is crucial for successful smoking prevention programs. This study aims to assess demographic and socio-cognitive variables related to smoking initiation among Saudi male adolescents.

Methods: Longitudinal data were collected at T1 (baseline) and at T2 (followup at 6 months) using a self-administered questionnaire.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, Saudi Arabia, 2017-2018.

We characterized exposures and demographics of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus cases reported to the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health during July 1-October 31, 2017, and June 1-September 16, 2018. Molecular characterization of available specimens showed that circulating viruses during these periods continued to cluster within lineage 5.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection Dynamics and Antibody Responses among Clinically Diverse Patients, Saudi Arabia.

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) shedding and antibody responses are not fully understood, particularly in relation to underlying medical conditions, clinical manifestations, and mortality. We enrolled MERS-CoV-positive patients at a hospital in Saudi Arabia and periodically collected specimens from multiple sites for real-time reverse transcription PCR and serologic testing. We conducted interviews and chart abstractions to collect clinical, epidemiologic, and laboratory information.

Scope and extent of healthcare-associated Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus transmission during two contemporaneous outbreaks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2017.

Objective: To investigate a Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak event involving multiple healthcare facilities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; to characterize transmission; and to explore infection control implications.

Design: Outbreak investigation.

Setting: Cases presented in 4 healthcare facilities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a tertiary-care hospital, a specialty pulmonary hospital, an outpatient clinic, and an outpatient dialysis unit.

Infectious MERS-CoV Isolated From a Mildly Ill Patient, Saudi Arabia.

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is associated with a wide range of clinical presentations, from asymptomatic or mildly ill to severe respiratory illness including death. We describe isolation of infectious MERS-CoV from the upper respiratory tract of a mildly ill 27-year-old female in Saudi Arabia 15 days after illness onset.

Surveillance and Testing for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, Saudi Arabia, April 2015-February 2016.

Saudi Arabia has reported >80% of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) cases worldwide. During April 2015-February 2016, Saudi Arabia identified and tested 57,363 persons (18.4/10,000 residents) with suspected MERS-CoV infection; 384 (0.

Outcome of strict implementation of infection prevention control measures during an outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome.

Background: The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the impact of implementation of different levels of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures during an outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in a large tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia. The setting was an emergency room (ER) in a large tertiary hospital and included primary and secondary MERS patients.

Methods: Rapid response teams conducted repeated assessments of IPC and monitored implementation of corrective measures using a detailed structured checklist.

Increase in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus Cases in Saudi Arabia Linked to Hospital Outbreak With Continued Circulation of Recombinant Virus, July 1-August 31, 2015.

During July-August 2015, the number of cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) reported from Saudi Arabia increased dramatically. We reviewed the 143 confirmed cases from this period and classified each based upon likely transmission source. We found that the surge in cases resulted predominantly (90%) from secondary transmission largely attributable to an outbreak at a single healthcare facility in Riyadh.

Effects of a randomized controlled trial to assess the six-months effects of a school based smoking prevention program in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To examine the efficacy of a smoking prevention program which aimed to address smoking related cognitions and smoking behavior among Saudi adolescents age 13 to 15.

Method: A randomized controlled trial was used. Respondents in the experimental group (N=698) received five in-school sessions, while those in the control group (N=683) received no smoking prevention information (usual curriculum).

Epidemiology of a Novel Recombinant Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in Humans in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes severe respiratory illness in humans. Fundamental questions about circulating viruses and transmission routes remain.

Methods: We assessed routinely collected epidemiologic data for MERS-CoV cases reported in Saudi Arabia during 1 January-30 June 2015 and conducted a more detailed investigation of cases reported during February 2015.

Secular trend and epidemiology of measles in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: 2009-2012.

Purpose: To determine incidence of measles and progress towards its elimination in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of routinely collected active and passive surveillance data on measles at the Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia. All laboratory confirmed measles from (2009-2012) were analyzed to determine measles annual incidences and distribution by age, gender, nationality, seasonality, vaccination status and spatial distribution by region.

Smoking uptake among Saudi adolescents: tobacco epidemic indicators and preventive actions needed.

The aim of this cross-sectional school-based study was to assess smoking prevalence, indicators for the smoking epidemic and determinants of smoking among Saudi adolescents. The study included 695 male adolescents from 11 to 16 years of age who filled out self-report questionnaires based on the European Smoking Framework Approach questionnaire, which uses the I-Change model to assess attitude, social influence and the self-efficacy of the participants. Smokers were 275 (39.