Background: Globally, it is estimated that approximately 537 million adults are living with diabetes. Of them, more than 90% have type 2 diabetes (T2DM). In 2023, a previous meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of T2DM among the general adult population in Saudi Arabia was 28%. This study was conducted to assess the risk of developing T2DM among the students at Hail University, Saudi Arabia.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022/2023 among a census sample of 740 students (both genders, aged 17–26 years) studying at nine colleges of Hail University, Saudi Arabia. The diabetes risk score was assessed using the Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool (AUSDRISK). Anthropometric measurements were measured and recorded using standard methods. Socio-demographic variables were also obtained with an interview-based questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.Results: A total of 740 students were included in the final analysis. Of them, 274 (37.0%) were male students and 466 (63.0%) were female students. The mean age of the study participants is 19.9 ± 1.6 years. The findings showed that 61.9% of the study participants were at intermediate and high risk of diabetes (59.7 and 2.2%, respectively). The majority 85.7% of male students were at intermediate risk of diabetes, and 5.8% were at high risk of diabetes. In total, 44.4% of female students were at intermediate risk of diabetes, and none of them were at high risk of diabetes. For the following variables (age, gender, college name, area of the university, academic years, weight, height, and BMI), the differences were statistically significant between different categories of diabetes risk scores (P-values < 0.005).Conclusion: More than half of the students at the Hail University of Saudi Arabia have an intermediate and high risk of T2DM. Male students are at a higher risk compared to female students. The high risk of T2DM among university students should be seriously considered.

Background: This study assessed the self-care practices among hypertensive patients at the primary health centers in Unaizah city, Saudi Arabia.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023, at all primary healthcare centers in Unaizah city. A total of 372 hypertensive patients, aged 18 and older, who had been on follow-up care for at least 6 months were randomly selected using a cluster sampling method. Data regarding socio-demographics, health history, and hypertensive self-care practices (H-SCALE) were collected using a validated questionnaire.Results: The mean age of the participants was 41.4 ± 9.6 years. Of them, 34.1% were males and 65.9% were females. Only 14.0% were smokers, 55.9% had hypertension for less than 1 year, and 53.8% did not monitor their blood pressure. None of them was addicted to any substance or using alcohol. The most commonly associated chronic disease among the participants was hyperlipidemia (61.3%), followed by diabetes mellitus. The participants were most likely reported engaging in weight management-related self-care activities, followed by healthy diet activities, and medication adherence. The H-SCALE scores increased as the frequency of engagement in self-care activities increased. There were significant differences in H-SCALE scores based on age, gender, education level, and employment status.Conclusion: Engaging in self-care activities is associated with better self-care behavior. Age, gender, education level, and employment status are significant predictors of hypertension self-care behaviors. Healthcare providers should educate hypertensive patients on blood pressure monitoring and integrated management of hypertension and other chronic diseases.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) poses a significant challenge in critical care settings, impacting patient outcomes and healthcare costs. In Saudi Arabia, several studies have reported concerns regarding VAP, including variable VAP rates, inconsistent compliance with and knowledge of VAP prevention practices, and inadequate national data. To investigate the intensive and critical care nurses' (ICCNs) self-reported perceived compliance with VAP prevention guidelines, barriers and challenges in caring for mechanically ventilated patients, the demographic variables that associate compliance and factors affecting VAP prevention, and the association between perceived compliance and the barriers affecting the care of mechanically ventilated patients. A descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional design was used. ICCNs (n = 152) were conveniently recruited from two tertiary government-owned hospitals. Data were collected using self-report scales from April to June 2024. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analyses. Findings showed that 43% of ICCNs had high compliance with VAP prevention guidelines. The use of protective gloves at every approach to a patient (96.70%) was the VAP guideline that received the highest perceived compliance among ICCNs. Meanwhile, those with 11 to 15 years of experience were more compliant (p = 0.023) than other groups and demographics. Major barriers to compliance included nursing staffing shortages (94.10%) and limited resources (75.00%). Only ICCNs with 11 to 15 years of experience showed greater awareness of VAP prevention guidelines (p = 0.023). Nurses' nationality, i.e., non-Saudi nurses (p = 0.024) and higher educational levels (p = 0.005), demonstrated greater awareness of barriers to managing and caring for mechanically ventilated patients. ICCNs perceived barriers negatively influenced their perceived compliance with VAP prevention (p = 0.002), indicating that increased barriers are associated with lower compliance. Finally, the considerable challenges in VAP prevention were time constraints and the need for more communication among the health team. Staffing shortages and resource limitations impacted ICCNs' compliance with VAP prevention guidelines. Furthermore, they became less compliant with higher VAP barrier perceptions. Time constraints and team communication were considerable challenges in VAP prevention. As a result, nurse managers could create comprehensive programs like long-term VAP prevention training and interdisciplinary collaboration in the ICU. Healthcare organization administrators should enhance resource allocation and policy formulation to foster compliance. Not applicable.

Background/Objectives: Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is a critical intervention for managing acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients. Critical care nurses (CCNs) play a pivotal role in its implementation, requiring adequate knowledge, a positive attitude, and practice proficiency. This study aimed to assess the levels and factors affecting CCNs’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) regarding the care of patients receiving CRRT in Hail Hospitals, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 190 registered CCNs from the critical care units of Hail Hospitals, Saudi Arabia, from March to May 2025. Data were collected using a sociodemographic characteristics sheet and the knowledge, attitudes, and practices questionnaire on CRRT. Non-parametric statistical tests (Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis, and Spearman’s correlation tests) were used to determine the relationships between variables. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the factors affecting the study variables. Results: The majority of CCNs had a high level of knowledge regarding CRRT management (66.3%), followed by moderate (21.1%) and low (16.6%) levels. Additionally, the majority had a high level of attitude regarding CRRT management (74.7%), followed by moderate (18.4%) and low (6.9%) levels. The majority of CCNs had a high level of practice regarding CRRT management (66.8%), followed by low (23.7%) and moderate (9.5%) levels. There was a significant positive correlation between CCNs’ knowledge, attitudes (rs = 0.230, p < 0.001), and practices (rs = 0.192, p < 0.001). Additionally, there was a significant positive correlation between CCNs’ attitudes and practices (r = 0.419, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression revealed a significant model (p < 0.001) when sociodemographic and work-related factors were analyzed as predictors of CCNs’ levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding CRRT: Having more experience, working with a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:2, and frequently using CVVHDF as a CRRT modality were significant factors for higher knowledge levels when compared to the reference categories. In addition, having a bachelor’s degree and frequently using CVVHD, CVVHDF, or SCUF as a CRRT modality were significant factors for higher attitude levels regarding CRRT when compared to the reference categories. Having a bachelor’s degree and frequently using CVVHD or CVVHDF as a CRRT modality were significant factors for higher practice levels regarding CRRT when compared to the reference categories. Conclusions: CCNs in Hail Hospitals self-reported high levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding CRRT management, followed by moderate levels. Targeted educational programs, standardized protocols, and organizational support are recommended to improve CCN care for CRRT and to optimize patient outcomes.

Background/Objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in healthcare to support clinical decision-making, patient monitoring, and administrative tasks. Nurses are expected to work with these technologies. However, the evidence suggests that their knowledge and preparedness remain limited. As future healthcare providers, nursing students must be prepared to integrate AI into their practice. This study aimed to assess nursing students’ knowledge, attitudes, perceived benefits and risks, barriers, professional impact, and preparedness toward AI in healthcare. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between April and July 2024 at the College of Nursing, University of Hail, Saudi Arabia. A convenience sample of 320 undergraduate nursing students completed an online structured questionnaire that assessed their demographics, knowledge, attitudes, perceived barriers, benefits, risks, professional impact, and preparedness. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27 with descriptive statistics. Inferential analyses, including independent t-tests and one-way ANOVA, were performed to examine differences between groups. Pearson’s correlation was used to identify correlations between the study variables. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Most students (79.7%) had poor AI knowledge, whereas 52.5% reported positive attitudes. Older students (≥24 years) and internship students showed significantly more positive attitudes (p < 0.001). Knowledge was weakly correlated with attitudes (r = 0.147), benefits (r = 0.222), and risks (r = 0.152). Attitudes were weakly positively correlated with benefits (r = 0.243) and negatively correlated with barriers (r = −0.219). Conclusions: Despite their positive attitudes, nursing students showed limited knowledge and preparedness. Integrating AI education and practical training into nursing curricula is therefore essential. These findings should be interpreted cautiously given the cross-sectional design, single-institution sampling, and reliance on self-reported measures, which may limit generalizability.

Background: Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is a leading healthcare-associated infection worldwide, associated with increased morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, higher costs, and antimicrobial resistance. Nurses play a critical role in prevention through evidence-based catheter insertion, maintenance, and timely removal. Aim: To assess factors associated with knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices regarding CAUTI among nurses in Aljouf City, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 184 registered nurses in governmental hospitals in Aljouf City using a structured questionnaire on demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward CAUTI prevention. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, ANOVA, and Spearman’s correlations. Results: Overall, 77.7% of nurses had good knowledge, 84.8% showed positive attitudes, and 84.8% had adequate preventive practices. Knowledge scores differed significantly by years of experience ( p = 0.001), urinary catheter (UC) insertion frequency ( p < 0.001), and CAUTI guideline awareness ( p = 0.002). Attitudes varied by hospital ( p = 0.014), ward ( p = 0.007), and UC insertion frequency ( p = 0.032). Practices differed by hospital ( p = 0.006), UC insertion frequency ( p = 0.009), and guideline awareness ( p = 0.049). Spearman’s correlations showed weak knowledge-attitude ( r = 0.231, p = 0.002), moderate knowledge-practice ( r = 0.446, p < 0.001), and strong attitude-practice ( r = 0.525, p < 0.001) associations. Multivariable logistic regression showed that attitude was the strongest independent factor associated with adequate practice (AOR = 0.251, p = 0.005). Conclusion: This study demonstrates generally favorable knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward CAUTI prevention among Al-Jouf nurses, with moderate correlations, attitudes showed the strongest association with preventive practices.