BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess inadequate glycaemic control and its associated factors among people with type 2 diabetes in Saudi Arabia.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was used. Adults with type 2 diabetes attending diabetes centres in Riyadh, Hofuf and Jeddah cities were interviewed and their anthropometrics were measured. Their medical records were also reviewed to collect information related to recent lab tests, medications, and documented comorbidities. Multivariable logistic regression were used for data analysis.ResultsA total of 1111 participants were recruited in the study. Mean age was 57.6 (±11.1) years, 65.2% of the participants were females, and mean HbA1c was 8.5 ± 1.9%. About three-fourths of participants had inadequate glycaemic control (≥ 7%). Multivariable analysis showed that age ≤ 60 years, longer duration of diabetes, living in a remote location, low household income, low intake of fruits and vegetable, low level of physical activity, lack of knowledge about haemoglobin A1c, high waist-hip ratio, low adherence to medication, and using injectable medications were independent risk factors for inadequate glycaemic control.ConclusionsInadequate glycaemic control is prevalent among people with type 2 diabetes in Saudi Arabia. In order to improve glycaemic control diabetes management plan should aim at controlling the modifiable risk factors which include low intake of fruits and vegetable, low level of physical activity, lack of knowledge about haemoglobin A1c, high waist-hip ratio, and low adherence to medications.

Lack of knowledge among healthcare workers (HCWs) about infectious diseases leads to delayed diagnosis of new cases, spread of infection, and poor infection control practices. Therefore, HCWs based in hospitals must be equipped with good knowledge about the pathogen and disease to put up a robust fight against the virus. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of HCWs about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at multiple public and private hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional, online questionnaire-based study was conducted between July and August of 2020. Logistic regression was used to investigate differences in the level of KAP among different participants. A total of 510 HCWs in hospitals completed the questionnaire. Only two-thirds of the participants (67.8%) had adequate knowledge about COVID-19, 72.2% of the participants had a positive attitude toward COVID-19, and 80.2% of the participants were practicing appropriately most of the time. Poor KAP was associated with a low education level. The females had better knowledge and attitude, whereas the males were more likely to practice appropriately most of the time. Notably, the participants from the nursing profession demonstrated a less favorable attitude compared with medical staff from other professions, but that did not prevent them from being the best when it comes to applying appropriate practices. The inadequate level of KAP among HCWs with the continuation of the pandemic and the possibility of a second wave demonstrates the need for continuous COVID-19-specific infection control training and emotional well-being supporting programs, especially for HCWs with a low education level.

Objectives: To explore the national survey of clinical pharmacy practice in Saudi Arabia from 2017-2018 with an emphasis on performances and activities. Methods: This is a 4-month cross-sectional national survey regarding clinical pharmacy practice in Saudi Arabia. The study consisted of two parts:The first part collected demographic information and the second part comprised a questionnaire with 51 questions divided into four domains. The questions were derived from the standards of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and Saudi Pharmaceutical Society (SPS) survey, the international standards of the Joint Commission of Hospital Accreditation, in addition to the local standards of Saudi Center of Healthcare Accreditation. The four domains were as follows: clinical pharmacy administration and management, performances and activities, education and training and workload documentation. The responses were obtained using a 5-point Likert response scale system with close-and open-ended questions. The survey questionnaire was distributed in an electronic format to the 31 directors of pharmacies at various hospitals in Saudi Arabia. In this study, we analyzed the national survey of clinical pharmacy practice at hospitals in Saudi Arabia with regard to performances and activities. All data were obtained through the Survey Monkey system. Results: The survey questionnaire was distributed to 31 hospitals. Majority of the specifications of clinical pharmacy services provided were for concurrent and routine monitoring of drug therapy of the patients (17 (54.84%)) and written medication history (16 (51.61%)). Majority of the clinical services recorded was for answering drug information inquiries (74.19%), error and adverse drug event reporting (70.97%) and medication administration (70.97%). Most of the pharmacy units had clinical pharmacy services for control and narcotics system (4.13 (82.60%)), unit dose system (4.07 (81.40%)) and adults emergency medication (3.45 (69%)). Most of the hospital programs had clinical services existed for stewardship antimicrobial (64.52%), medication safety (61.29%) and medication reconciliation/history-taking (54.84%). Most of the methods of clinical pharmacist prescribing privileges in relevant hospital programs was prescribing under physician supervision (66), followed by independent prescribing (49) and refill prescribing (20). Conclusion:The performances of clinical pharmacy services monitoring of drug therapy only; that is including medication misadventures monitoring and prevention through antibiotics, medication safetyrelated services. The clinical pharmacist had inadequate prescribing privilege under physician supervision. Targeting of upgrading the clinical pharmacy performances and privilege is higher recommended with New Saudi vision 2030 to improve patient clinical outcome and avoid any economic burden of the healthcare system in Saudi Arabia.