Ahmad Alaskar

Prof. Ahmad Alaskar


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

18Years (2009-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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5 December 2018 in BMC Public Health
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AAAhmad Alaskar
Ahmad Alaskar
AAAbdulrahman A. Alqahtani
Abdulrahman A. Alqahtani
HAHussam Assiri
Hussam Assiri
RAReem Alkhodair
Reem Alkhodair
MHMohamed A. Hussein
Mohamed A. Hussein
Dehydration results from a decrease in total body water content either due to less intake or more fluid loss. Common symptoms of dehydration are dry mouth/tongue, thirst, headache, and lethargy. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge of dehydration definition, symptoms, causes, prevention, water intake recommendations and water intake practices among people living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study using self-reported questionnaire was employed. Participants were invited during their visit to shopping malls. The shopping malls were selected based on geographical location covering east, west, north and southern part of the city. Self-filled questionnaires were distributed to 393 participants, using systematic sampling technique. Variables recorded included demographics, past medical history, knowledge of dehydration definition, symptoms, causes, prevention and daily water intake practices. Descriptive statistics were summarised as mean, standard deviation and proportions. Negative binomial model was used to identify the predictors of water intake. Analyses were performed using SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Out of 393 participants, 273(70%) were Saudi, 209(53%) were female, average age was 32.32 ± 8.78 years. Majority 366(93%) had good knowledge of dehydration definition, 332(84%) for dehydration prevention, and 293(74%) of water intake recommendation. Top three recognized dehydration symptoms were: dry lips (87%), thirst (84%), dry tongue (76%) and recognized dehydration causes were: diarrhoea (81%), sweating (68%) and vomiting (62%). The less recognized symptoms were fatigue 176(44.78%), lack of focus 171(43.5%), headache/dizziness 160(40.71%), light headedness 117(29.7%), muscle weakness 98(24.94%), rapid breathing 90(22.9%), and muscle cramps 64(16.28%).The participants had reported an average of 5.39 ± 3.32 water glasses intake per day. The total volume of water intake was significantly different between males n = 184 (3.935 ± 2.10 l) and females n = 209 (3.461 ± 2.59 l) (p = 0.046). The participants’ weight status, intake of juice or tea were the significant predictors of more water intake. The participants displayed good knowledge of dehydration definition, prevention, and water intake recommendation. The participants also displayed good knowledge of the common symptoms, however knowledge was lacking for uncommon symptoms. Moreover, participants had reported adequate water intake, meeting the daily water intake recommendation of ≥3.7 l for men and ≥ 2.7 l for women.

1 April 2016 in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
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Journal Article
Open access
FAFadia AlBuhairan
Fadia AlBuhairan
MNMaliha Nasim
Maliha Nasim
AOAhlam Al Otaibi
Ahlam Al Otaibi
AAAhmad Alaskar
Ahmad Alaskar
SJSaleh Al Jaser
Saleh Al Jaser
IAIbrahim Al Alwan
Ibrahim Al Alwan
To measure the health related quality of life (HRQoL) among Saudi Arabian adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and the impact the disease has on the family. A cross sectional study was conducted involving 315 adolescent patients (12-18 years) and their caregivers. Adolescent HRQoL was assessed by adolescents and their parents completing the Peds QL™ Diabetes Module 3.0. Family impact was assessed by the parent completing the Peds QL™ Family Impact module (FIM). Adolescents reported a cumulative mean HRQoL score of 64.8, while parents reported significantly lower scores of 60.3 (p=0.003). The lowest scores reported by both adolescents and parents were for "Worry". Female gender and late adolescent age were predictors of lower HRQoL for adolescents with T1DM. The FIM showed low scores for "Emotional functioning" (59.8) and high scores for "Family relationships" (80.9). These findings emphasize the importance of an interdisciplinary, biopsychosocial and family centered care approach to adolescents with a chronic disease. Future work could assess the effectiveness of direct care involvement of adolescent and mental health experts in improving the HRQoL for this population.

1 January 2019 in American Journal of Men's Health
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Journal Article
Open access
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AAAhmad Alaskar
Ahmad Alaskar
YAYousra AlAtiq
Yousra AlAtiq
ATAbin Thomas
Abin Thomas
HAHussam Ali Alanazi
Hussam Ali Alanazi
ZAZiad E. AlZahrani
Ziad E. AlZahrani
MHMohamed A. Hussein
Mohamed A. Hussein
Paternal postnatal depression (PPND) is not a commonly recognized phenomenon. The aim of the study was to identify the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) cutoff for Saudi fathers, to estimate PPND prevalence and to determine the risk factors of PPND among fathers of newborn in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study of fathers with babies born up to 6 months prior to the survey was conducted. Fathers were screened using EPDS and demographic questionnaire. The fathers were selected using systematic random sampling from visitors to the birth registration office. A subsample of participants from the postnatal wards in a tertiary care was invited for additional evaluation by a psychologist using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for major depressive disorders. Receiver operating characteristic curve was utilized to identify fathers with depression; a cutoff of 8/9 was optimal to achieve sensitivity 77.8% and specificity 81.3%. Adjusted prevalence of PPND was reported with corresponding Wilson 95% confidence interval. Two hundred and ninety fathers completed the EPDS and demographic questionnaire. Of 72 invited participants, 57 (79.16%) attended the diagnostic interview. The average age of fathers was 34.97 ± 8.56 years, the average maternal age was 29.18 ± 7.41 years, average age of the newborn was 43.13 ± 35.88 days. PPND adjusted prevalence was 16.6% (95% CI [8.5, 25.6]). Paternal mental health needs equal attention during and postdelivery of newborn. Fathers should receive perinatal and postnatal mental health assessment to prevent behavioral problems in their children and disruption of relationship with their spouse.

1 December 2022 in Risk Management and Healthcare Policy
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Journal Article
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KAKhaled Al-Surimi
Khaled Al-Surimi
AAAmirah Almuhayshir
Amirah Almuhayshir
KGKhalid Y Ghailan
Khalid Y Ghailan
AAAhmad Alaskar
Ahmad Alaskar
Background: The association between patient safety culture and staff outcomes remains unclear to date. This study aimed to identify the relationship between patient safety culture/job satisfaction and intention to leave among healthcare workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between the safety culture dimensions and the outcomes in terms of job satisfaction and intention to leave. Results: Majority were females (77.2%); age between (20– 30) years were (66.1%). 1– 5 years work experience was reported by (98.2%); nurses accounted for (75.7%). (62.1%) reported very good patient safety grade. (78.3%) of respondents had no intention to leave; (84.3%) reported they like their job, (70.5%) stated that working in this hospital is like being part of a large family. However, (38%) said the hospital is not a good place to work, and morale in their clinical area is low. The overall composite scores were highest for “teamwork within hospital units (81.4)”, and “organizational learning (79.4)”, while lowest for “communication openness (37)“,staffing (26.5)”, and “non-punitive response to error (22.1)”. Females were two times more likely to leave their jobs compared to males (AOR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.24– 3.46); intention to leave was 3.35 (95% CI = 2.19– 5.09). As for job satisfaction, ages between 31– 40 years tend to like their job two times more than other age groups (AOR: 1.90, 95% CI = 1.02– 3.55). The safety culture domains “staffing” and “hospital management support for patient safety” were linked to a higher odds ratio for job satisfaction. Conclusion: Aside from gender and age, the dimensions of safety culture, including staffing, hospital management support, hospital handover, and transition, may have a signification impact on job satisfaction and intention to leave among healthcare workers.

7 May 2018 in Pharmacy
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Journal Article
Open access
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ASAbdulrahman Abo Al Samh
Abdulrahman Abo Al Samh
AAAbdulmalik Alhussain
Abdulmalik Alhussain
NANawaf Alanazi
Nawaf Alanazi
RARakan Alahmari
Rakan Alahmari
AAAhmad Alaskar
Ahmad Alaskar
AAAbdallah Adlan
Abdallah Adlan
Background: The use of antibiotics prophylactically and therapeutically in dentistry has become common practice. Inappropriate prescription may lead to adverse side effects and bacterial resistance. During clinical training, dental students in Saudi Arabia are authorized to prescribe antibiotics. Aim: To evaluate dental students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding antibiotic prescription in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study based on a validated questionnaire consisting of 34 questions focusing on antibiotic indications in dentistry, antibiotic regimens, and knowledge regarding resistance was distributed amongst dental students in five leading dental colleges in Riyadh. Results: A large proportion of students (71.7%) were familiar with the concept of antibiotic resistance. When comparing junior and senior dental students’ knowledge with regards to indications of antibiotic use in commonly encountered conditions, it was found that there was no significant difference in antibiotic prescription frequency between these groups. Most dental students choose to prescribe amoxicillin as their first-choice of antibiotic (88.4%), and most also chose to use it for a duration of 3–5 days (69.2%). Conclusions: This study concludes that dental students may prescribe antibiotics inappropriately to manage various conditions when not indicated. This may indicate a defect in education of students with regards to current antibiotic guidelines.

1 February 2018 in Pharmacy
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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AAArwa Aldeeri
Arwa Aldeeri
HAHaya Alzaid
Haya Alzaid
RARenad Alshunaiber
Renad Alshunaiber
SMShahad Meaigel
Shahad Meaigel
AAAhmad Alaskar
Ahmad Alaskar
AAAbdallah Adlan
Abdallah Adlan
Self-medication is a widespread behavior worldwide. It is defined as the practice of self-diagnosis and drug prescription without proper professional consultation. Aim: To determine the prevalence and predictors of self-medication for oral health problems among adults living in Riyadh city. Methods: A cross-sectional study based on a structured close-ended questionnaire was distributed among adults visiting shopping malls in all different five regions of Riyadh. A two-stage sampling technique was used: cluster and simple random sampling. The questionnaire was composed of two main sections: demographic characteristics and questions assessing the behavior of self-medication. Results: The prevalence of self-medication was found to be 63.25%, with a higher prevalence among females than males. Gender and nationality were significantly associated with self-medication. Salt in hot water locally (52.57%) and acetaminophen (47.43%), a type of an analgesic, were, systemically, the most frequently used. Pharmacy shops were the main source of these medicaments (66.01%). Similarly, the advice for using them was mainly given by pharmacists (53.36%). Lack of time was claimed to be the main reason for practicing self-medication (54.55%) with abscess, toothache, and gingival bleeding being the main predictors. Conclusions: Self-medication was found to be a common practice among the population of Riyadh city.