Determining the nurses' perception regarding the effectiveness of COVID-19 protocols implemented in Eastern Province: Saudi Arabia

Background

The global impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been profound, affecting public health, the global economy, and overall human life. Past experiences with global pandemics underscored the significance of understanding the perception of HCWs and hospital staff in developing and implementing preventive measures. The World Health Organization (WHO) provided protocols to manage the spread of COVID-19 and assist healthcare workers and health systems globally in maintaining high-quality health services.

Objective

This study aims to assess nurses' perception, awareness, and compliance regarding the implementation of COVID-19 protocols and explore factors influencing their perception.

Methodology

A quantitative cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted, distributing a constructed survey among nurses in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Results

Out of 141 participants, most adhered to protocols such as hand sanitization, social distancing, and proper personal protective equipment (PPE) usage. The predominant age group among respondents was 31 to 40 years (n = 71, 50%). A significant portion of participants reported holding a bachelor's degree (n = 86, 61%), with only 14% possessing advanced degrees (n = 19). Nearly a third of the nurses in the study had accumulated 6 to 10 years of professional experience (n = 49, 34.8%). A noteworthy percentage of nurses were engaged in daily shifts exceeding 8 h (n = 98, 70%). Gender differences were observed, with females exhibiting a higher tendency to avoid shaking hands and social gatherings. Saudi nationals were more inclined to shake hands and engage in gatherings. Non-Saudi nurses and those aged between <25 to 40 years demonstrated proper donning/doffing practices. Nurses with over 6 years of experience avoided social gatherings, while those working >8 h adhered better to PPE usage, proper donning/doffing, and disposal of PPE in designated bins.

Conclusion

Understanding COVID-19 protocols is crucial for tailoring interventions and ensuring effective compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures among nurses. More efforts should be made toward preparing the healthcare nursing to deal with the outbreak. Preparing healthcare nursing with the right knowledge, attitude, and precautionary practices during the COVID-19 outbreak is very essential to patient and public safety.

Nano-treatment of HEPA filters in COVID-19 isolation rooms in an academic medical center in Saudi Arabia

INTRODUCTION

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has spread globally. The major reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 transmission remains controversial, with the airborne route remaining a possible transmission vehicle for carrying the virus within indoor environments. This study aimed to detect contamination of SARS-CoV-2 in high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters within hospital isolation rooms of confirmed COVID-19 patients, exploring the role of nano-treatment of these filters with silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (Ag/TiO₂ NPs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated the effectiveness of Ag-NPs/TiO₂-treated HEPA filters in the air of rooms occupied by patients with confirmed COVID-19 in a university teaching hospital in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia during the first wave of the pandemic. Ag/TiO₂ NPs were designed and coated on HEPA filters to examine the filtration efficiency and antiviral ability in the presence of aerosolized virus particles. A total of 20 viral swab samples were collected from five patients' rooms before and after treatment with nanoparticle-prepared solutions into the sterile virus-transporting media. Samples were evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 with a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Two samples taken from the HEPA filter air exhaust outlets prior to nano-treatment tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the intensive care unit, which has stringent aerosolization control procedures, suggesting that small virus-laden droplets may be displaced by airflow. All air samples collected from the HEPA filters from the rooms of patients with confirmed COVID-19 following nano-treatment were negative.

CONCLUSION

We recommend further experimental exploration using a larger number of HEPA filters in areas with aerosol-generating procedures, along with viability studies on the HEPA filters to facilitate decision-making in high-risk facilities regarding the replacement, storage, and disposal of HEPA filters in wards occupied by cases diagnosed with a highly transmissible disease.

Purification of Ambient Air by Novel Green Plant with Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles

Background:

Indoor air pollution is an important environmental health problem. Nanotechnology is one of the most important methods to reduce the indoor air pollution. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is generally accepted as one of the most effective photoinduced catalysts. It is frequently used to oxidize organic and inorganic compounds in the air due to its strong oxidative ability and long-term photostability. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of nanotechnology in the purification of ambient air by using Saudi myrtle plants treated with TiO₂.

Methods:

Experiments were conducted in two academic departments of the laboratories at the Public Sector University. Concentration of formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and other toxic gases was measured in the environment of the laboratories. Myrtus plant was growing in the growth media which contained TiO₂. After 8 hours of exposure of the plant, concentration of NO₂, SO₂ and other toxic pollutant gases in the air was measured. The total duration of the experiment was 4 days.

Results:

It was found that the levels of formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants were significantly reduced the concentration from 10% to 98% in the air. After intervention, air containing the concentration of formaldehyde, TVOCs, NO₂ SO₂ and carbon monoxide (CO) on the fourth day reduced from 0.251, 401, 0.032, 0.009 and 0.99 to 0.014, 54,0.0003, 0.003 and 0.01 after exposure of Myrtus plant to ambient air.

Conclusions:

Significant reduction of air pollutants in the air after application of TiO₂ in the green plant (Myrtus communis). It is a novel approach and economically feasible for purification of indoor air.

Occupational Safety Climate and Hazards in the Industrial Sector: Gender Differences Perspective, Saudi Arabia

Background

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) has become a growing public health concern worldwide. A considerable body of literature has been generated around the theme of safety climate perceptions and occupational hazards, as many researchers have examined perceptions of the occupational safety climate in relation to organizational hierarchy. But there is an urgent need to address safety problems associated with gender differences, especially in Saudi Arabia, where women have only recently begun to work in the industrial field. Therefore, this study aims to assess workers' perceptions of the safety climate and OHS hazards and identify gender differences among workers.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out, using the Nordic Occupational Safety Climate Questionnaire (NOSACQ-50) to assess seven dimensions of safety climate perception and a standardized structured questionnaire adapted from the National Institute of Occupational Health to assess occupational hazards.

Results

The results indicated that respondents perceived only one dimension of their relevant occupational safety climates positively. “Peer safety communication, learning, and trust in co-workers”. Workers experienced a range of different occupational hazards in factories, with noise being the most common. There were significant differences (<0.05) between females and males in the areas of safety priority and risk non-acceptance. Women were more likely to experience ergonomic problems than their male counterparts.

Conclusion

The present study concludes that industries need to comply with national and international OHS standards and rules, especially related to gender perspectives and hazards, as well as provide proper occupational health services in their factories.

Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Dental Staff in Armed Force Hospital in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

Background

Work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) is the most important public health challenge among dental staff. The objective of this study is to ascertain the prevalence and associated risk factors, which related to WMSD among dental staff in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

It is a cross-sectional study and 130 dental staff were selected through simple random sampling from in Armed Forced Hospital with at least 1 year of working experience. The self-administered validated and structured Standardized Nordic questionnaire was used. Logistic regression analysis was done to determine the association of risk factors with WMSD.

Results

The results of the present study revealed that there was a high incidence of MSDs in the neck, shoulder, and lower back pain among dental personnel (72.6%). The common risk factors that contributed to WMSD were more than 5 years of experience (AOR 1.19 (1.03-2.82)), Saudi nationality (AOR 4.88 (1.27-18.72)), working more than 12 h (AOR 3.115 (1.258-7.578)) and resident doctors (AOR 1.14 (1.02-1.94)).

Conclusions

The study concludes that WMSDs were a common and high rate of incidence among dental staff. There is a need to make a policy that will reduce the burden of WMSD among dental staff.

The Environmental Deposition of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Nosocomial Settings: Role of the Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide

Background

Data on the role of aerosolized hydrogen peroxide (AHP) systems in the control of the COVID-19 pandemic are still emerging. This study provides evidence of the environmental shedding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the hospital environment, and the efficacy of AHP to eliminate it.

Methods

A total of 324 environmental sites (224 surfaces and 100 air samples) belonging to 54 patient rooms were contextually collected and tested for genes of SARS-CoV-2 using RT-PCR assays and Xpert^® Xpress SARS-CoV-2.

Results

The SARS-CoV-2 viral genome was detected in seven sites (2.5%) of three patients’ rooms, including six highly touched surfaces and one air sample. Viral shedding was directly related to the distance from the patient, with 1, 1.9, and 3.5% of samples testing positive at 3, 2, and 1 meter, respectively (P-value=0.02). None of the sites showed the viral genome following application of 6% AHP. Of note, the viral genome was detected at 2 meters of a mildly symptomatic case on a face mask in the absence of aerosol generating procedures.

Conclusion

Our data support the possible role of the hospital environment as a source of infection, and the efficacy of AHP to eliminate the virus. Further studies are needed to address the viability of the pathogen in these nosocomial sites and the cost-effectiveness of routine hospital disinfection procedures using AHP for SARS-CoV-2.

Assessment of Attitude of Primary Care Medical Staff Toward Patient Safety Culture in Primary Health-care Centers--Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia

Introduction

An effective leadership is critical to the development of a safety culture within an organization. Patient safety in primary health care is an emerging field of research of increasing importance.

Objective

This study has been conducted to explore the safety culture attitude toward patient safety to improve the quality and patient safety in primary health-care centers.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey involving 288 medical staff in primary health-care centers in Al-Ahsa was conducted using an Arabic translated safety attitude questionnaire to assess the safety attitudes among health care center staff toward patient safety culture.

Results

This study showed that the attitude of medical staff in primary health-care centers is somewhat positive toward patient safety culture where the average of job satisfaction score in the current study was higher at 80% and the overall score for safety climate was 68%. The overall score for safety attitudes was highest in Al-Ayoun Health Center (79%) and lowest in Al Faisaliah Health Center (58%). The score of teamwork and stress recognition was high and statistically significant (p<0.05) among females. However, staff perception toward management was significantly higher (p<0.05) among males. Staff perception toward management was significantly low (p<0.05) among clinicians. The overall score for safety attitudes was remarkably high (p<0.05) among those with less than 10 years' experience, the overall safety culture score was significantly high (p<0.05) among administrative staff and all correlations were significant (p<0.01) except for recognition of stress with teamwork, job satisfaction, management perception, and safety climate. In addition, there were different attitudes toward patient safety culture between gender and physician vs non-physician and management staff vs non-management staff.

Conclusion

The findings suggested that certain improvements are needed, especially in the field of communication and stress recognition with regard to patient safety culture.

Assessment of BTX Concentration around Fuel Station in Eastern Province Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Aim:

The aim of this study is to determine the benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX) concentration levels in and around fuel station and its expected health risks in the City of Dammam and Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia.

Method:

Forty fuel dispensing facilities were randomly selected on the basis of three different areas, residential, traffic intersection, and petrol pump locations (refueling stations). coconut shell charcoal cartridges were used for samples collection and portable Ambient Analyzer was used for measuring BTX (benzene, toluene, and xylenes) concentration.

Results:

Results show that the average concentration of benzene, toluene, and xylenes level around fuel stations was 10.30, 4.09, and 2.47 ppm, respectively. All means of concentration values of BTX around residential, traffic intersection, and fuel stations are exceeding the limits of air quality standards values (P < 0.01). The mean concentration of BTX around residential area, side street, and direct street was benzene 8, 12.2, and 11.5 ppm, toluene 2.5, 5.95, and 3.37 ppm, and xylenes 2, 2.13, and 2.7 ppm. Hazard Quotient (HQ) was more than >1 which showed that carcinogenic probability has increased those exposed to this toxic chemical.

Conclusion:

Ambient concentration of BTX was high compare to neighboring residential area and 100 m from the fuel station which can negatively affect on health of several residences. The Environmental contamination associated with BTX in petrol fuel stations impulses the necessity of preventive programs to reduce further air quality deterioration and reduce the expected health risks.

Assessment Of Ambient-Noise Exposure Among Female Nurses In Surgical Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

PURPOSE

To measure noise levels in the Saud Albabtain Cardiac Center cardiac surgical intensive-care unit (CSICU) at different locations to find out the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss among female nurses.

METHODS

Ambient CSICU noise was measured using a sound-level meter and personal noise dosimeter during morning and night shifts (12 hours each) for 30 days. An audiometry test and questionnaire were used to test nursing responses to noise levels.

RESULTS

Mean 12-hour average noise levels at the station during night shift were 60.3±7.1 dB(A) and inside rooms 62.48±8.02 dB(A). However, during morning shift 64.1±8.4 dB(A) in the rooms was recorded, while 68.8±8.2 dB(A) was recorded at the station, with a significant difference between the shifts (p<0.0001). ICU monitors recorded the highest noise-source levels of 82.7±5.3 dB(A). The lowest significant source was the suction machines, with an average of 67.1±12.5 dB(A). A significant correlation between decibel loss and nurse experience was observed.

CONCLUSION

Noise levels in the CSICU at Saud Albabtain Cardiac Center were higher than World Health Organization standards. CSICU nurses are exposed to noise levels that can affect their hearing capacity. Further research isneeded for effective medical device-alarm management.

Developmental lead (Pb)-induced deficits in hippocampal protein translation at the synapses are ameliorated by ascorbate supplementation

BACKGROUND

Lead (Pb) is a persistent environmental neurotoxin and its exposure even in minute quantities has been known to induce neuronal defects. The immature brain is singularly sensitive to Pb neurotoxicity, and its exposure during development has permanent detrimental effects on the brain developmental trajectory and neuronal signaling and plasticity, culminating into compromises in the cognitive and behavioral attributes which persists even later in adulthood. Several molecular pathways have been implicated in the Pb-mediated disruption of neuronal signaling, including elevated oxidative stress, alterations in neurotransmitter biology, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Nevertheless, the neuronal targets and biochemical pathways underlying these Pb-mediated alterations in synaptic development and function have not been completely deduced. In this respect, recent studies have shown that synaptic signaling and its maintenance and plasticity are critically dependent on localized de novo protein translation at the synaptic terminals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study hence aimed to assess the alterations in the synapse-specific translation induced by developmental Pb exposure. To this end, in vitro protein translation rate was analyzed in the hippocampal synaptoneurosomal fractions of rat pups pre- and postnatally exposed to Pb using a puromycin incorporation assay. Moreover, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of ascorbic acid supplementation against Pb-induced deficits in synapse-localized protein translation.

RESULTS

We observed a significant loss in the rates of de novo protein translation in synaptoneurosomes of Pb-exposed pups compared to age-matched control pups. Interestingly, ascorbate supplementation lead to an appreciable recovery in Pb-induced translational deficits. Moreover, the deficit in activity-dependent synaptic protein translation was found to correlate significantly with the increase in the blood Pb levels.

CONCLUSION

Dysregulation of synapse-localized de novo protein translation is a potentially critical determinant of Pb-induced synaptic dysfunction and the consequent deficits in behavioral, social, and psychological attributes of the organisms. In addition, our study establishes ascorbate supplementation as a key ameliorative agent against Pb-induced neurotoxicity.