Nursing students are exposed to several stressors during their studies and training. The aim of this study is to assess the degree of stress experienced by nursing students at Albaha University, KSA and the coping strategies they subsequently employ. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted by a simple random sampling technique on 125 nursing students during their clinical practice. The data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire consisting of demographic variables, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Coping Behavior Inventory. Of the 125 participants, 48% were male and 52% were female. The mean age was 21 ± 1.56 years, and they were mostly single 110 (88%). Approximately 65 (52%) were very satisfied and 41 (32.8%) were satisfied with their clinical practice. The main stressors were noise (20; 16%), moving location (nine; 7.2%), social interaction (seven; 5.6%), and personal illness (seven; 5.6%). The perceived stress provoking factors included taking care of patients (1.56 ± 0.45), assignments and workload (1.60 ± 043), lack of professional knowledge and skills (1.24 ± 0.45), field of practice (1.47 ± 0.49), peers and daily life (1.89 ± 0.67), and teachers and nursing staff at hospitals (1.45 ± 079). The strategies used by students to minimise stress included taking a problem-solving approach (1.84 ± 067), staying optimistic (1.56 ± 076), transference (1.34 ± 1.20), and avoidance (1.23 ± 056). The nursing students in the study cohort were exposed to moderate stress due to different stressors. In response, they frequently used a problem-solving approach and avoidance. However, a standard protocol by institutions is required to help reduce stress among nursing students.

Background: The general population's compliance with preventive measures and legislation is mainly influenced by their knowledge level, attitude, and practices. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practices of public residents towards corona virus disease-2019 preventive measures in Saudi Arabia. Design and methods: This is a cross-sectional study; it used a validated cross-sectional online survey that received responses from 13 Saudi administrative regions. Results: There were 1513 participants who completed the study (55% females; 77.7%, university education). Knowledge level, attitude, and practices towards corona virus disease-2019 were 81.3%, 86.6%, and 81.9%, respectively. The knowledge subscales showed that 1496 (98.9%) participants knew the system targeted by the virus, 96.2% and 97.3% knew the causative agent and symptoms, 783 (52.2%) participants knew the transmission modes, and 696 (46.0%) participants knew about the complications. The attitude subscales included 1465 (96.5%) participants who had dealt with an infected person, 1451 (95.9%) participants who isolated in a health facility, 1195 (97.0%) participants who knew about hand washing, and 1387 (91.7%) participants who thought the virus spread through home delivery. The practice subscales included 1505 (99.5%) participants who properly disposed of gloves and tissues and 1347 (89.0%) participants who reported safe practices when coughing or sneezing. Conclusions: This study showed satisfactory knowledge, attitude, and practice towards corona virus disease-2019 in Saudi Arabia. The educational level is a dominant influencing factor for knowledge, attitude, and practice.

The study aims at analyzing the epidemiological, clinical and entomological characteristics of Darfur yellow fever epidemic. It is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. According to operational case definition, suspected yellow fever cases are included in case spread sheet with variables like age, sex, locality, occupation, status of vaccination, onset of symptoms, presenting symptoms, date of blood sampling and confirmation of diagnosis either by laboratory results or epidemiological link. Data about important entomological indices were collected by surveys conducted in 17 localities of 3 Darfur states (Central, West and south Darfur). All Darfur states (especially Central Darfur) have been affected by Yellow Fever outbreak. There is a need to review the non-specific case definition of Yellow Fever which seems to overwhelm the system during outbreaks with cases of other endemic diseases. The significant risk factors of this outbreak included male sex, adult age, outdoor occupation and traditional mining. The fatality rate was significantly associated with vaccination status. The highest fatality rate was recorded by children less than 2 years old (42.9%). Generally, increase in certain entomological indices was followed by increase in number of reported cases 7 days later. Central Darfur state was significantly higher in most studied entomological indices.

Background: In Yemen, dengue fever (DF) is a widespread, locally endemic infectious disease, with high morbidity and mortality which mainly affects impoverished regions. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the Shabwah community in Yemen regarding DF characteristics and prevention. Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional community-based study conducted in Shabwah Governorate, Yemen, between June 2021 and November 2021. Simple random sampling was used to select the sample (n = 370), and a validated closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect data. Results: In total, 370 individuals participated in this study; most respondents were female (N = 247, 66.8%), and more than half (N = 214, 57.8%) were younger than age 30. More than 50% of the population had completed a primary or secondary school, while approximately 33.03% of them were illiterate. Furthermore, more than half (53.5%) of the population had good knowledge of DF, while most of those educated at a university level (64.1%) had good attitude toward DF. Most of the population (68.4%) had good practice toward DF. Moreover, participants with a university level education, followed by those who completed secondary school, had significantly higher knowledge and practice scores than primary school and illiteracy (P = 0.05). Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that the residents of Yemen’s Shabwah Governorate are well-informed about the symptoms and signs of DF, have a positive attitude toward the disease, and employ appropriate preventive measures. Health education via various media should be mandated to increase community awareness and dispel misconceptions about DF.

Background: Many countries are currently affected by leishmaniasis, and cutaneous leishmaniasis is ranked among the ten most neglected diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors related to cutaneous leishmaniasis and preventive measures among people living in Hubuna, Najran, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to October 2022. A convenience sampling technique was used, with 396 individuals invited to participate in the current study and 391 included. A self-administered questionnaire was utilized for collecting data. Descriptive analysis was used for risk factors and preventive measures, while χ² tests were used for determining associations with risk factors. Results: Among participants, 38.1% (n=149) reported having cutaneous leishmaniasis clinically diagnosed and under treatment. Age 0– 10 years was found to be associated significantly with cutaneous leishmaniasis infection (AOR 3.08, 95% CI 1.6– 6.4; P=0.002) compared to other groups. A significant association was noted too for those residing in/around planted areas versus those who were not (AOR 1.18, 95% CI 0.13– 2.24; P< 0.001). In terms of occupation, farming was significantly associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis (AOR 2.54, 95% CI 1.15– 3.76; P=0.010). No significant associations were observed in regard to sex (AOR 1.4, 95% CI 0.7– 1.6; P=0.11), education (P=0.072), or preventive measures used (P> 0.05). Conclusion: The cutaneous leishmaniasis endemicity level in Hubuna was high. Several socioeconomic and environmental factors contribute enormously to the spread of the disease in the area. Further investigation of risk factors of cutaneous leishmaniasis all over the country and setting up appropriate interventions to prevent its spread are recommended.

Effect of tactile kinesthetic stimulation on preterm infants’ weight and length of hospital stay in Khartoum, Sudan