Background: There are various factors that play a major role in influencing the overall health conditions of women diagnosed with breast cancer. The population of women in Makkah region are diverse, therefore it is significant to highlight the possible determinants of breast cancer in this population. This is a case-control study that assessed determinants of breast cancer including socioeconomic factors, health-related characteristics, menstrual histories and breastfeeding among postmenopausal women in Makkah region in Saudi Arabia.Methods: A total of 432 female participants (214 cases and 218 controls) were recruited for this study. A validated questionnaire was completed by trained dietitians at King Abdullah Medical City Hospital in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia.Results: Results displayed that determinants of breast cancer were associated significantly (P < 0.05) with unemployment, large family size, lack of knowledge and awareness about breast cancer, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, starting menarche at an early age, as well as hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptive use. There was no effect of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and duration of breastfeeding on the incidence of breast cancer.Conclusion: In summary, the results of this study accentuate the possible effect of socioeconomic factors, health-related characteristics and menstrual history on the incidence of breast cancer in postmenopausal women in the Makkah region. Education programs should be applied to increase breast cancer awareness and possibly decrease its incidence.

Little is known about predictors of antihypertensive medications adherence in Saudi Arabia. This study examined the level of antihypertensive medication adherence and its predictors in Saudi Arabia. Cross-sectional study of 308 participants from a general hospital in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. 27.9% were classified as perfect adherents and 72.1% were classified as non-perfect adherents. Predictors were having non-formal education (p = 0.031, OR = 2.3, 95%CI = [1.82–5]), reporting a poor relationship with physicians (p = 0.004, OR = 2.25, 95%CI = [1.29–3.9]), and having no co-morbidities (p = 0.048, OR = 1.86, 95%CI [1.00–3.46]). The outcome of this study highlights the need for policies and interventions that enhance the level of formal education at a population level and improve physician-patient relationships in health care settings.

Aim: To explore the clinical working experiences of Saudi nurses during the novel Coronavirus outbreak, identify the challenges and determine how these challenges affect their nursing practice.Background: From the current experience of working during the novel Coronavirus outbreak, it is statistically significant to identify the challenges that nurses in Saudi Arabia face in their clinical practice and determine how these challenges affected their practice.Designs: A qualitative descriptive study.Methods: An in‐depth interview with eight Registered Nurses in Saudi Arabia who worked in areas where the novel Coronavirus patients are treated were conducted between 10 and 23 April.Results: The following eight major themes were identified from this study: physical exhaustion, fear of infection, providing care with uncertainty, uncomfortable use of personal protective equipment, missed nursing care, prolonged procedures, lack of guidance during the outbreak and lack of managerial support.Conclusion: The results suggest that nurses’ leaders should take active roles in empowering nursing staff. The absence of direct monitoring for nursing performance during their practice compromises patient safety and jeopardises the quality of care through missed nursing care. This study also revealed that nurses who worked during the outbreak need psychological support that can enhance their emotional resilience.

Background: Preoperative education is important in enhancing patients’ preparation and improving outcomes during recovery after surgery. However, there are limited studies in Saudi Arabia concerning levels of satisfaction and the recall of preoperative education among patients undergoing elective surgeries. Aim: The aim of this project was to examine patient satisfaction and recall of preoperative education for elective surgeries. Methodology: An explanatory sequential mixed-method study was carried out at one of the large governmental tertiary hospitals in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from a total sample of 167 patients. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire, while interviews were carried out to collect qualitative data. Descriptive, inferential and thematic analyses were utilised for data analysis. Results: The quantitative results revealed high patient satisfaction with preoperative education (60%) and good levels of recall for preoperative education (45%). A moderate positive correlation between patient satisfaction and recall (r = 0.56; p < 0.01) was reported. A regression analysis revealed that age, level of education and surgery specialty predicted both satisfaction and recall. Four major themes (satisfaction with preoperative education, recall of preoperative education, effect of preoperative education on anxiety and preparedness and improvement suggestions) emerged from the qualitative analysis. Conclusions: This study established that patients under elective surgeries were satisfied with their preoperative education and could recall information provided in such educational programs. However, the findings also reinforced the need for follow-up communication after surgery to help improve recall and adherence to postoperative care instructions.

Coronaviruses 2019 (Covid-19) is a massive family of viruses that causes respiratory illnesses ranging from the common cold to the most severe conditions such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that represents the humanitarian crisis on a global scale. Currently, there are no therapeutic strategies approved by the U.S.Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to cure or prevent COVID-19. Global research efforts from around the world extrapolate the updates focusing specifically on the biphasic nature of Covid-19 that involve both innate and acquired immunity. Even though researchers around the globe are racing to invent a life-saving therapeutics and vaccines to tackle COVID-19, the only available venture is a supportive approach in rendering treatment to patients with severe and non-severe cases of COVID-19. Supplementation of several vitamins and trace elements showed the expected favorable impact on enhancing immunity in viral infection. Numerous studies prompted the value of zinc (Zn) supplementation that prevents the virus from entering cells by binding with protein in potentiating antiviral immunity, which is realized through different mechanisms, including the improvement in markers of immune function. Zinc is also an associated factor for several enzymes (needed for the activity for over 300 enzymes), transcription factors, and replication factors. Interestingly, low-level zinc results in dysfunction of all immune cells, subjects with altered zinc state have a high risk for infectious disorders, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Several assumptions regarding immunomodulators of zinc remain unresolved. This review aimed to explore the hypothetical association of Zinc supplementation (the key immunomodulator) in association with a preventive and therapeutic role of treating patients with COVID-19.