Assessment of Community Knowledge of and Attitude Toward Organ Donation in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

The demand for organ donation has increased because of the sharp rise in the number of transplant candidates worldwide. The main influences on the organ donation rate in Saudi Arabia were religious considerations and a lack of knowledge. The aim of this study was to explore community knowledge of and attitude toward organ donation in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

An online cross-sectional survey study was conducted to assess community knowledge of and attitude toward organ donation in Saudi Arabia in January 2022. The study population consisted of everyone who is currently residing in Saudi Arabia and is aged ≥18 years. The participants were questioned regarding the types of organs that might be donated, the potential health risks associated with organ donation, and the Saudi Arabian system for organ donation. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of better knowledge of and attitude toward organ donation.

RESULTS

The study involved 1208 participants, of which 63% reported that they would be willing to donate their organs for a family member. The most reported organs for which the participants reported they are willing to donate were the kidneys (48%), liver (25%), and heart (21%). Most reported that they would donate their organs to save someone's life (93%). The study participants showed mild to moderate level of knowledge about organ donation with a mean score of 5.4 (standard deviation [SD] 1.6), which is equal to 68% of the maximum obtainable score (which is 8). The study participants showed a mild positive attitude toward organ donation with a mean score of 3.3 (SD 1.3), which is equal to 47% of the maximum obtainable score (which is 7). Younger participants (aged 19-30 years) and those who work in the health care sector were more likely than others to be knowledgeable about organ donation (P ≤ .01). At the same time, participants aged 31 to 40 years were more likely than others to have positive attitudes toward organ donation (P ≤ .01).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study participants showed mild to moderate level of knowledge of and mild positive attitude toward organs donation. Awareness campaigns should be directed toward the elderly population to enhance their awareness and attitude toward this important lifesaving practice.

Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Related Hospital Admission in England and Wales Between 1999 and 2019: An Ecologic Study

Background There is a lack of data describing inpatient hospitalization trends for musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases in the United Kingdom. Aim We aim to provide a comprehensive analysis of the trends of musculoskeletal and connective tissue disease related hospitalizations between 1999 and 2019 in England and Wales. Method We conducted an ecologic study. The data were obtained from the Hospital Episode Statistics database in England and the Patient Episode Database in Wales between 1999 and 2019. We used ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) codes M00-M99 to identify hospital admissions. Results The total annual hospital admission rate increased from 1,303.63 (95% CI: 1,300.55-1,306.71) in 1999 to 2,479.09 (95% CI: 2,475.14-2,483.04) in 2019 per 100,000 persons (p<0.01). The ICD-10 categories other joint disorders, osteoarthritis, and other dorsopathies accounted for 19.6%, 19.6%, and 18.6% of hospitalizations, respectively. Advanced age groups experienced a larger increase in hospitalization rates (128.6% in the age group of 75 years and above vs. 45.9% in the age group below 15 years). Females contributed to 57.7% of hospitalizations and experienced a larger increase in hospitalization rate compared to males (103.8% vs. 73.8%). Conclusion Between 1999 and 2009, the hospitalization rate for musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases has steadily increased in England and Wales. However, the rate has plateaued or declined in many of musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases between 2010 and 2019. Due to the chronicity of these diseases, their significant morbidity, and significant long-term disability, national interventions are needed to mitigate the effects of the increased cost of treatment.

The attitude and acceptability towards medical promotional tools and their influence on physicians' prescribing practices in Jordan and Iraq: a cross-sectional study

Background

Pharmaceutical companies spend more than one-third of their sales revenue on marketing and promotion directed toward healthcare professionals. There has been a focus on the relationship between healthcare professionals and the pharmaceutical industry in recent years. This study aims to explore the attitude toward and acceptability of medical promotional tools and their influence on physicians’ prescribing practices in Jordan and Iraq.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey study was conducted to explore the influence of visits by medical representatives (MRs) and medical promotions on physicians’ prescribing practices between June and October 2020 in Jordan and Iraq. Previously validated questionnaires were used.

Results

A total of 801 physicians completed the questionnaires. Face-to-face visits, followed by the dispensing of medical samples, were the two most common promotional methods used by MRs. 48% of participating physicians reported that they would accept the promotional marketing tools offered to them. MRs focused on the key selling points of their product during medical promotions, and 39.6% of the physicians reported that MRs had a negative attitude toward their competitors’ products. 69.9% of the physicians reported that they would change their practice after participating in conferences or meetings.

Conclusion

Medical promotional tools have a clear influence on physicians’ prescribing practices in Jordan and Iraq. Therefore, medical promotion should be controlled and guided by clear and country-specific ethical guidelines. This will ensure safe medical promotion to physicians and optimise the healthcare practices provided to patients.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-07525-1.

The Health-Related Quality of Life of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. Diabetes mellitus has a major effect on patients' quality of life, especially when the patient has other comorbidities. Therefore, this study aims to assess the quality of life of type 2 diabetic patients in the Al-Ahsa region of Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study, which was conducted from September 2020 to May 2021 on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Al-Ahsa region of Saudi Arabia. Inclusion criteria were patients diagnosed with T2DM and aged 18 years and older. The EQ-5D-5L tool was used in this study to measure the quality of life.

RESULTS

A total of 321 patients with T2DM participated in the study. Only 8.4% of the study participants reported that their disease did not let them do their daily activities at all. The most commonly reported problems related to diabetes mellitus and its effect on patients' quality of life were pain/discomfort (around 68.0% of the patients reported some sort of problems in this dimension), followed by mobility, and depression and anxiety. There was a significant difference between males and females in terms of their quality of life, specifically self-care, pain and discomfort, and depression and anxiety (p<0.05). Patients from different marital statuses, education levels, employment status, and duration of the disease showed a significant difference in quality of life, except for depression and anxiety (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Pain/discomfort, mobility, and depression/anxiety are the main problems that are affecting diabetic patients' quality of life. Future studies are recommended to explore the effectiveness of patient tailored interventions to decrease the negative impact of these dimensions on patients' quality of life.

Hospital Admission Trends Due to Viral Infections Characterised by Skin and Mucous Membrane Lesions in the Past Two Decades in England and Wales: An Ecological Study

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the trends in hospital admissions due to viral infections characterized by skin and mucous membrane lesions in England and Wales between 1999 and 2019. Methods: This is an ecological study using publicly available databases in England and Wales; the Hospital Episode Statistics database in England and the Patient Episode Database for Wales. Hospital admissions data were collected for the period between April 1999 and March 2019. Hospital admissions due to viral infections characterized by skin and mucous membrane lesions were identified using the tenth version of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases system, diagnostic codes B00–B09. The trend in hospital admissions was assessed using a Poisson model. Results: Hospital admissions for different causes increased by 51.9% (from 25.67 (95% CI 25.23–26.10) in 1999 to 38.98 (95% CI 38.48–39.48) in 2019 per 100,000 persons, trend test, p < 0.01). The most prevalent viral infections characterized by skin and mucous membrane lesions hospital admissions causes were zoster (herpes zoster), varicella (chickenpox), herpesviral (herpes simplex) infections, and viral warts, which accounted for 26.9%, 23.4%, 18.7%, and 17.6%, respectively. The age group below 15 years accounted for 43.2% of the total number of admissions. Females contributed to 50.5% of the total number of admissions. Hospital admission rate in males increased by 61.1% (from 25.21 (95% CI 24.59–25.82) in 1999 to 40.60 (95% CI 39.87–41.32) in 2019 per 100,000 persons). The increase in females was 43.2% (from 26.11 (95% CI 25.49–26.72) in 1999 to 37.40 (95% CI 36.70–38.09) in 2019 per 100,000 persons). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates an evident variation in hospital admission of viral infections characterized by skin and mucous membrane lesions based on age and gender. Efforts should be directed towards vaccinating high-risk groups, particularly the elderly and females. Moreover, efforts should be focused on vaccinating the young population against varicella, particularly females who are more susceptible to acquiring the infection. Further observational and epidemiological studies are needed to identify other factors associated with increased hospital admission rates.

Female awareness about the preconception use of folic acid supplements in childbearing age: A cross-sectional study

AIMS

Folic acid is required for the growth and development of the fetus. There is strong evidence that taking folic acid before pregnancy and during the first trimester reduces the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). This study aimed to assess women's awareness of preconception folic acid supplementation and its importance to the mother and the fetus.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional questionnaire study conducted in Saudi Arabia between January and April 2019. An electronic questionnaire tool was designed and distributed using Google Forms through social media (Facebook and WhatsApp) websites. Binary logistics regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for predictors of poor levels of awareness about folic acid.

RESULTS

A total of 514 women participated in this study. The age range for the study participants was 18-45 years. Only 24.1% of the participants reported that they routinely took folic acid. The most commonly reported source of information about folic acid use was the doctor. The majority of the participants had poor awareness of folic acid use. Older age (30 years and above) and not taking regular folic acid supplements were important predictors of poor awareness of folic acid. Having a university degree or higher education was an important predictor of increased awareness about folic acid.

CONCLUSION

Our study found that the awareness of the Saudi women was poor in identifying the generic name of folic acid, recognising the sources of folic acid, the correct dose of folic acid, and the side effects of high doses of folic acid and that there was good knowledge about the importance of folic acid, the consequences of folic acid deficiency, and the belief that even non-pregnant women and girls of childbearing age should take folic acid.

Attitudes of pharmacy students towards patient safety: a cross-sectional study from six developing countries

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the attitudes of undergraduate pharmacy students towards patient safety in six developing countries.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Participants were enrolled from the participating universities in six countries.

PARTICIPANTS

Undergraduate pharmacy students from the participating universities in six developing countries (Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, India and Indonesia) were invited to participate in the study between October 2018 and September 2019.

PRIMARY OUTCOME

Attitudes towards patient safety was measured using 14-item questionnaire that contained five subscales: being quality-improvement focused, internalising errors regardless of harm, value of contextual learning, acceptability of questioning more senior healthcare professionals' behaviour and attitude towards open disclosure. Multiple-linear regression analysis was used to identify predictors of positive attitudes towards patient safety.

RESULTS

A total of 2595 students participated in this study (1044 from Jordan, 514 from Saudi Arabia, 134 from Kuwait, 61 from Qatar, 416 from India and 429 from Indonesia). Overall, the pharmacy students reported a positive attitude towards patient safety with a mean score of 37.4 (SD=7.0) out of 56 (66.8%). The 'being quality-improvement focused' subscale had the highest score, 75.6%. The subscale with the lowest score was 'internalising errors regardless of harm', 49.2%. Female students had significantly better attitudes towards patient safety scores compared with male students (p=0.001). Being at a higher level of study and involvement in or witnessing harm to patients while practising were important predictors of negative attitudes towards patient safety (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Patient safety content should be covered comprehensively in pharmacy curricula and reinforced in each year of study. This should be more focused on students in their final year of study and who have started their training. This will ensure that the next generation of pharmacists are equipped with the requisite knowledge, core competencies and attitudes to ensure optimal patient safety when they practice.