Virtual post-COVID-19 clinics in Saudi Arabia: navigating the effect of the pandemic with a national project.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, digital health transformation in healthcare services has undergone significant changes, especially in Saudi Arabia (SA), which was one of the first countries not only to battle the COVID-19 pandemic but also extended to post-COVID-19 conditions (PCCs) through a national project to provide a virtual assessment to COVID-19 patients at least 4 weeks after infection. Therefore, we conducted this study from 16 February to 16 June 2022 in SA to determine the frequency of PCCs, provide the necessary care, and identify the risk factors that delayed their return to their pre-COVID-19 health status.

Methods: A national project targeted all the registered 12,125 COVID-19 patients in the national register system by family physicians in the PCCs virtual clinics in the Medical Consultation Call Centre (937), using a validated assessment tool.

The Effect of Implementing Advanced Strategies to Improve Immunization Coverage in the Elogbele Health Area.

Background: Vaccination is a key component of primary healthcare, preventing millions of deaths each year. Therefore, this study aims to explore the impact of advanced vaccination strategies on enhancing immunization coverage in the Elogbele health area from January to May 2023.

Methods: We conducted this retrospective study in the Elogbele health area in the Edea health district, Littoral, Cameroon.

Evaluation of the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of selenium and vitamin E on the muscular phase of experimental infection in mice.

Trichinellosis is a foodborne parasitic infection, where the larvae invade, grow and dwell in muscle cells, transforming them into nurse cells for nutrient supply and protective shelter. The present study evaluated the prophylactic and therapeutic impact of the antioxidants selenium (Se) and vitamin E (Vit E), alone and in combinations with albendazole (ALB), on muscular phase of experimental infection in mice. Forty-eight Swiss albino mice were divided into 3 main groups: control, prophylactic, and therapeutic groups, with further subgrouping according to the received treatment.

Occupational methanol toxicity: a case report study.

This case report describes a case of methanol occupational toxicity in a 44 year-old male ship worker in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 27 August 2024. The patient suddenly lost sight in both eyes and had an unusual acid-base disturbance that was marked by respiratory alkalosis (pH 7.607).

The journey of medical field students: uncovering medical student syndrome, personality traits, and their interactions.

Background: Medical students commonly experience Medical Student Syndrome (MSS), a condition where they compare their vague symptoms to the medical problems and life-threatening diseases they are learning about in medical school, even though their health profile is free. Our research aims to investigate the symptoms of MSS (anxiety-related illness) and hypochondriasis, as well as their impact on the lives of students. Additionally, we aim to study various types of personalities and, finally, investigate the demographic determinants of MSS and their interactions with various personality types among medical students in Egypt in the period between September and December 2023.

Calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D supplementations as complementary therapy for hypertensive patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Hypertension, the first global modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality, is a consequential and remediable threat to the health of individuals and society. Therefore, we conducted this study to explore the role of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and vitamin D (Vit-D) supplementation as complementary therapies for hypertension, focusing on their effects on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse rate.

Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined relevant 6509 articles in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane CENTRAL up to October 2024.

Port Site Placement and Outcomes for Surgical Obesity and Metabolic Surgeries (PSPOSO) Checklist: A New Reporting Checklist Based on Evidential Assessment of the Number of Trocars and Positions.

Since the early 1980s, efforts to standardize ergonomic practices in laparoscopic surgeries have aimed to improve procedural efficiency and reduce complications, but clinical validation remains limited. In metabolic and bariatric surgeries (MBS), innovations in trocar site placements, driven by the popularity of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), have advanced surgical techniques. However, practices often vary based on individual surgeon preferences rather than standardized evidence-based criteria.

Unveiling the influences of prenatal and maternal factors on the journey of an autistic child.

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder with a high and increasing global prevalence. Although the precise causes are unknown, both genetic and environmental factors, including maternal ones during pregnancy, significantly influence its development. Therefore, this study endeavors to explore the potential causes of autism, including maternal and paternal prenatal risk factors, as well as antenatal and natal maternal risk factors, and their associations with the severity of ASD in mothers of children with ASD, from February to May 2024.

The impact of weight loss after bariatric surgeries on the patient's body image, quality of life, and self-esteem.

Objectives: The objective of this web-based study is to analyze the attributes of bariatric surgery cases ensuing health implications. Additionally, the study seeks to delve into the factors influencing post-bariatric psychological evaluations and the impact of various bariatric surgeries on weight loss and psycho-social assessment scores for patients who had undergone bariatric surgeries within a specific bariatric surgery center in Egypt between January 2017 and January 2024.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study recruited 411 adults who had undergone different bariatric procedures by the same surgical team.

The prevalence of undiagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among undergraduate medical students: a survey from Pakistan.

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is now acknowledged as a significant public health concern, a persistent neurodevelopmental disorder. It poses challenges across various life domains, persisting into adulthood, and is often undiagnosed. From July 2023 to December 2023, this study investigated the prevalence, types, participants' knowledge and perceptions, and demographic determinants of undiagnosed adult ADHD among undergraduate medical students in Pakistan.

Patients' experience of telehealth clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic: Cross-sectional study.

Globally, the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in 2019 has accelerated the adoption of telehealth technologies. The implementation of the Saudi Telemedicine Network (STN) and other digital health initiatives, such as the telehealth clinic (THC) at King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAAUH), exemplifies this trend in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to explore the patients' experience of THC in KAAUH during the COVID-19 pandemic and their' beliefs about their readiness to replace the traditional onsite clinical visits with THC from March to September 2020.

Occupational Stress and Burnout Among Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of stress for healthcare personnel. They are subjected to arduous and stressful working hours and may contract infection. The objectives of this study were to (i) assess the level of occupational stress and the prevalence of burnout among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic and (ii) to identify some sociodemographic characteristics and work-related factors that may influence the level of stress and burnout among such HCWs.

Exploring predictors and prevalence of postpartum depression among mothers: Multinational study.

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) affects around 10% of women, or 1 in 7 women, after giving birth. Undiagnosed PPD was observed among 50% of mothers. PPD has an unfavorable relationship with women's functioning, marital and personal relationships, the quality of the mother-infant connection, and the social, behavioral, and cognitive development of children.

Unravelling the dilemma of self-medication in Egypt: a cross-sectional survey on knowledge, attitude, and practice of the general Egyptian population.

Background: Self-medication (SM) is a rising public health issue, especially in developing countries. It can be associated with various problems such as the delayed seeking of medical advice, drug interactions, and serious events such as antimicrobial drug resistance. We aimed to evaluate the Egyptian general population's knowledge, attitudes, and practices of SM.

Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Sleeping Paralysis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Sleep paralysis (SP) is a mixed state of consciousness and sleep, combining features of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep with those of wakefulness. The exact cause of SP is unknown, and its prevalence varies among the studies. We aim to identify SP's global prevalence, the affected population's characteristics, and the SP's clinical picture.

Unveiling the Clinical Spectrum of Post-COVID-19 Conditions: Assessment and Recommended Strategies.

SARS-CoV-2 caused the pandemic of the rapidly evolving COVID-19. As of December 6, 2023, there were 765,152,854 COVID-19-recovering cases. Long-term consequences known as "long COVID" and "post-COVID-19 conditions" (PCCs) or "post-acute COVID-19 syndrome" are being reported more frequently in a subset of recovering patients.

The economic burden of viral severe acute respiratory infections in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A nationwide cost-of-illness study.

Objectives: The authors conducted a study to estimate the rising disease and economic burden of viral severe acute respiratory infections and their management, including COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus, and influenza types A and B, in early and delayed diagnosis scenarios in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from a national perspective.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2022 using a de novo Excel-based universal cost-of-illness calculator model. The study used primary data, such as expert interviews, as well as secondary data from a thorough literature search.

Fear of COVID-19, Stress and Coping Strategies among Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic's Second Wave: A Quasi-Intervention Study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and its related consequences caused a higher risk of mental health problems for nurses. Hence, this study aims to reduce the level of fear and stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic and promote active coping among Egyptian nurses.

Methods: This quasi-intervention study was conducted on 125 nurses working at Benha's University hospitals, who were selected by a systematic random sampling technique within the time interval of March 2021 to July 2021.

Unravelling COVID-19 vaccination attributes worldwide: an extensive review regarding uptake, hesitancy, and future implication.

Since the declaration of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, all efforts were directed towards limiting the transfer of the disease and preventing severe disease forms from occurring. In this regard, numerous vaccines were quickly developed to limit the associated morbidity and mortality of the disease and to reduce the burden on healthcare systems worldwide. However, to date, vaccine hesitancy remains a major limitation to vaccine distribution, with varying degrees in different countries.