BackgroundThe World Health Organization (WHO) recommends artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) as first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria. Sudan revised its malaria treatment policy accordingly in 2004. However, eight years after ACTs were introduced in Sudan the patterns of ACT prescribing practices among health care providers remain unclear. We systematically analyzed use of ACTs in a large number of primary health facilities and we discuss the public health implications of our findings.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was based on WHO’s guidance for investigating drug use in health facilities. Data were collected from 40 randomly selected primary health centers in five localities in Gezira State, Sudan. The primary outcome of the study was the proportion of patients who were adequately managed according to Sudan’s recommended malaria treatment guidelines. Twelve drug-use indicators were used to assess key ACT prescribing practices.ResultsOne thousand and two hundred patients diagnosed with uncomplicated malaria were recruited into the study. ACT was prescribed for 88.6%patients and artemether injections were (incorrectly) prescribed in 9.5% of cases. Only 40.9% of patients in the study were correctly diagnosed and 26.9% were adequately managed according to the nationally recommended treatment guidelines. Incorrect prescribing activities included failure to use generic medicine names (88.2%), incorrect dosage (27.7%), and unexplained antibiotic co-prescription (24.2%). Dispensing practices were also poor, with labeling practices inadequate (97.1%) and insufficient information given to patients about their prescribed treatment (50.5%).ConclusionIrrational malaria treatment practices are common in Sudan. This has important public health implications since failure to adhere to nationally recommended guidelines could play a role in the future development of drug resistance. As such, identifying ways to improve the anti-malarial prescribing practices of heath workers in Sudan may be a priority.

BACKGROUND:Obesity has become a global health threat. Saudi Arabia ranks among the countries with high obesity and overweight rates. This study aims to explore experiences of Saudi people with overweight or obesity with a particular focus on the perceived barriers and motivators to weight loss.MATERIAL AND METHODS:We used a qualitative approach to recruiting a purposive sample using maximum variation sampling technique. Those who had previously attempted weight loss at least once were included in the study. In-depth interviews were conducted, transcribed and/ or audiotaped. Interviews continued until saturation was reached. The qualitative content analysis was performed.RESULTS:A total of 19 males and 18 females participated in this study with a mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 32.6 kg/m2. Their main triggers to weight loss were concerns about overall health and the desire to improve their looks. Declining motivation, lack of family support and unhealthy eating during social gatherings were perceived as the main barriers. Motivating factors included concerns about health, family support, and availability of exercise facilities.CONCLUSION:Factors responsible for a successful weight- loss is context-specific. This study has shown several barriers as well as motivators, which play an important role in weight reduction and maintenance.

Background: Non-specific Low back pain (LBP) is a complex and multifactorial health problem. Evidence has shown that LBP is an important occupational hazard and nurses are particularly at high risk. While several studies have addressed the prevalence of LBP worldwide, the prevalence of LBP in Saudi Arabia remains unclear. In this study we aimed to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of LBP among nurses in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a multicenter cross-sectional study carried out in four major public hospitals in Qassim region. A total of 323 nurses were recruited through a two-stage sampling method. A previously validated questionnaire was used to gather data. The main outcome measures were; LBP prevalence during working life, demographic factors, life-style factors, work-related factors and psychological factors. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors independently associated with LBP. Results: The study showed that LBP prevalence was 65.6%. Over one third of study participants sought treatment for LBP (38.7%). Age and the type of ward were found significantly associated with LBP (aOR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.77; p value=0.007) & (aOR: 0.36; 95%CI: 0.15, 0.86; p value =0.02), respectively. However, gender, working hours, number of patients, stress and smoking were not identified as LBP risk factors in this study.Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that LBP is a highly prevalent occupational health problem among nurses in Qassim. The highest LBP prevalence in this study was found among nurses aged 20-30 year. Nurses working in the general surgery wards showed a lower risk for LBP. On-the-job training is essential particularly for new and young nurses on proper body mechanics when mobilizing patients or lifting heavy equipment. In addition, there is a need for evidence –based interventions to improve the work-place environment for nurses in hospitals in order to lower LBP prevalence.

Background: Medical students` engagement in research activities continues to be below the expectation. In this study we aimed to investigate students` views about research, and to identify the barriers preventing them from participation in research projects. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Qassim University. A total of 230 students were included. The perceptions of students were assessed using a 16-item questionnaire. The mean scores were compared between students using Mann-Whitney test .Factors associated with students` perception of research barriers were analyzed using four separate logistic regression models. Results: The overall response rate was 89.4%. The results indicate that the students generally possess a moderately positive attitude towards research with a mean score of 14.8±2.7 (range: 5-25). A substantial number of participants reported their willingness to take part in any research-related task (77.0%). However, the participants highly agreed that lack of time (70.4%), lack of supervision and guidance (72.6%), lack of research training and support (73.9%), and lack of research exposure and opportunities (75.2%) were major barriers to their participation in research .We found that students having lower CGPA ranks are almost three times more likely to indicate lack of time as a challenge (AOR: 2.94; 95% CI: 1.09,7.94; p.value=0.033). Overall, female students were more likely to report concerns about research training and availability of research opportunities, while male students were more likely to indicate lack of time and lack of supervision as research barriers. Conclusions: The barriers addressed in the current study —both discretely and cumulatively—are highly demotivating for students, and negatively affect their participation in research. Efforts should be invested to shift the focus from providing superficial research exposure to incorporating more in-depth and effective research training for undergraduate students

Introduction Non-specific low back pain (LBP) is a complex and multifactorial health problem. Evidence has shown that LBP is an important occupational hazard and nurses are particularly at high risk. While several studies have addressed the prevalence of LBP worldwide, the prevalence of LBP in Saudi Arabia remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of LBP among nurses in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. Methods This was a multicenter cross-sectional study carried out in four major public hospitals in the Qassim region. A total of 323 nurses were recruited through a two-stage sampling method. A previously validated questionnaire was used to gather data. The main outcome measures were; LBP prevalence during working life, demographic factors, lifestyle factors, work-related factors, and psychological factors. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors independently associated with LBP. Results The study showed that LBP prevalence was 65.6% (n=212). Over one-third of the study, participants sought treatment for LBP (n=82, 38.7%). Age and the type of ward were found significantly associated with LBP [adjusted odds ratios (aOR): 0.39; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.19, 0.77; p value=0.007] & (aOR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.86; p-value =0.02), respectively. However, gender, working hours, number of patients, stress, and smoking were not identified as LBP risk factors in this study. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that LBP is a highly prevalent occupational health problem among nurses in Qassim. Young nurses 20-30 years are more likely to suffer from LBP, while nurses working in the general surgery wards have a lower risk for LBP in this study. On-the-job training is essential particularly for new and young nurses on proper body mechanics when mobilizing patients or lifting heavy equipment. In addition, there is a need for evidence-based interventions to improve the workplace environment for nurses in hospitals in order to lower LBP prevalence.