Despite the success of childhood immunization in reducing vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccine hesitancy is now a global health threat to this achievement. The current COVID-19 pandemic may change the picture of vaccine hesitancy toward childhood immunizations, which could influence the mothers’ intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. To measure the prevalence and related factors of vaccine hesitancy towards childhood immunization during the era of COVID-19 along with the prevalence of mothers’ intention to vaccinate their children the future COVID-19 and its association with childhood vaccine hesitancy. Cross sectional study was conducted among 270 Saudi mothers attending outpatient clinics at King Abdullah University Hospital (KAAUH) in Riyadh by purposive sampling technique. Data were collected from January to February 2021 using SAGE Group standardized questionnaire. Although most mothers strongly agree on the importance of the vaccine (79%), almost one-fourth of mothers were hesitant towards childhood immunization (24.31%). Similar percentage of mothers’ intended to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 in the next 6 months was reported (24%). Vaccine hesitancy was found to be a significant predictor of mothers’ intention. Mothers’ education level was significantly associated with being hesitant towards childhood immunization as well as the intention to accept the future COVID-19 vaccine (p < 0.05). Main reason that was highly significantly associated with being hesitant is the concerns about the side effect (50%). The present study reported a considerable percentage of mothers who are hesitant towards childhood immunization which predicts their intension to vaccinate towards COVID19 and is associated with the level of education.

Purpose: Majority of the assessments, appraisals and placements have been disturbed, with some being cancelled, postponed, or modified in design. New approaches for assessment should be well-thought-out. This work attempts at capturing the collective wisdom of educators in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA), providing an understanding of the online assessment conceptual framework in the era of COVID-19 that tells the story rather than determining cause and effect, and identifying the biggest gaps that derail the digital transformation. Methods: A qualitative inductive study using the grounded theory approach was implemented following a synchronous virtual online meeting, a summary of the reflections as well as experiences of medical education experts was prepared. Data for this qualitative study were collected from the meeting. The meeting was video-recorded and transcribed by the researchers. Thematic analysis was performed by three separate researcher coders. The authors then discussed together until they reached a consensus. Results: Three main thematic areas were identified: 1) feasibility, 2) exam fairness/equity and 3) acceptable graduate attributes, society/community acceptance. Conclusion: The COVID-19 era necessitated revisiting of our assessment strategies to cope with new changes within the available context. Rapid adaptation is required.

Background: Viral influenza, one of the global public health problems is specifically important in Saudi Arabia due to high susceptibility of transmission in hajj and umrah seasons (Islamic pilgrimage to the Mecca), as it has the ability to spread widely to a large proportion, in addition the disease has a higher rate of complications that might lead to death. Vaccination is an important strategy in prevention of viral influenza. Design and methods: The study aimed to describe the association between uptake of influenza vaccine with knowledge as well as identify the barriers that prevent vaccination among Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) non-health colleges students. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was undertaken, including 385 students from non-health colleges using a convenience sampling technique. Data was collected using an Arabic self-administered online questionnaire Analysis done by JMP program. IRB approval as well as informed consent were taken. Results: The uptake of the influenza vaccine was 15.3% in the current year and 56.8% in the previous years. No significant association was found between knowledge, and uptake of the vaccine. For the unvaccinated students, the most common encounter barriers stated by study population were concerns regarding the vaccine effectiveness, reduction of immunity the uncertainty of complete protection in a percentage of 12.0% for all. Conclusions: Although the level of vaccine uptake is low for this year, it is not associated with knowledge. There were some barriers that need to be tackled by health education programs.

Background: Sudan is situated in the northeastern part of Africa. The population of the country is approximately 43 million, spread over 1.88 million square kilometers. Although Sudan has great resources, most of the population suffers from poverty and food deficiency because of the conflicts in the different parts of the country .The suffering was augmented by climatic drought and floods which resulted in food insecurity. The population’s internal displacement is disadvantageous regarding access to health services and is consequently more vulnerable to diseases and malnutrition. In Sudan, thirty-three percent of the population suffered from food deprivation according to the national survey of 2010. The prevalence of undernourishment was 31% and 34 % percent for urban and rural populations respectively. Furthermore, based on WHO epidemiologic criteria, the prevalence of stunting and wasting are classified as profound, 38.2%, for stunting which is more than the average of the developing countries( 25%), wasting defined as low weight for height also has a higher prevalence in under-five in Sudan comparing it to the developing countries' average which is 16.8% and 8.9% respectively. Although recent national survey data are lacking, it is evident that micronutrient deficiencies are a major public health concern from the sporadic studies’ findings. Notwithstanding these challenges, the government and the Federal Ministry of Health, move along to make progress towards nutrition and food security, some supplementation campaigns have been conducted but coverage of the population is still low. Sudan is one of the 61 countries that leading a global movement to end up malnutrition in all its forms. Keywords: Sudan, deficiencies, food, micronutrient, mortality, insecurity.

Background: Dietitians play a critical role in preventing food–drug interactions (FDIs) and drug–nutrient interactions (DNIs); however, evidence regarding their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in Saudi Arabia remains limited. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess dietitians’ KAP regarding FDIs and DNIs and examine their associations with socio-demographic and professional characteristics. Methods: A national cross-sectional study was conducted among 353 dietitians using a validated and modified questionnaire. Knowledge was assessed via 15 multiple-choice items (score range 0–15) and categorized as poor (0–5), moderate (6–10), or good (11–15). Attitudes were assessed using 8 Likert-scale statements (score range 8–40) and classified as negative (8–19), neutral (20–29), or positive (30–40). Practices were assessed via 6 frequency-scale items (score range 6–30) and categorized as poor (6–14), moderate (15–23), or good (24–30). Associations were analyzed using chi-square tests. Results: In total, 65.2% of participants demonstrated poor knowledge. Knowledge level was significantly associated with nationality (p = 0.011), educational qualification (p = 0.042), attendance at FDI/DNI training courses (p = 0.003), and inclusion of related topics during university education (p = 0.013). Higher knowledge levels were also associated with managing digestive diseases (p = 0.001), cardiovascular diseases (p = 0.020), and cancer (p = 0.031). Positive attitudes were reported by 77.6% of participants and were significantly associated with managing cardiovascular disease (p < 0.001) and obesity (p = 0.008). Good practices were observed in 36.3% of dietitians and were significantly associated with younger age (p = 0.024), more recent graduation (p = 0.006), fewer years of professional experience (p = 0.002), and managing obesity (p = 0.016). Knowledge was positively associated with practice (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Despite generally positive attitudes, substantial gaps in knowledge and practice regarding FDIs and DNIs exist among dietitians in Saudi Arabia. Strengthening academic curricula and continuing professional education is essential to enhance competency and improve patient safety.

Background: Pregnancy induced hypertension is common complication that may lead to maternal, perinatal morbidity and mortality around world. Increasing women’s education will improve their health have which ultimately affect societies and economic levels. Aim was to measure effectiveness of health education on knowledge and perception regarding pregnancy induced hypertension among Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman university students. Methods: Quasi-experimental study was conducted among 42 students at princess Nourah University. Hypertension related knowledge and perception were assessed pre-intervention and post-intervention using the same instrument. The health education program consisted of three sessions. This study was approved by Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University. The students were divided into 21 intervention group and 21 control group. Results: There was significant improvement in the total knowledge in both intervention and control groups by (p value =0.004 and 0.04 respectively). In addition, there was significant improvement in total perception for intervention group by (p value =0.00), while there was no statistical difference in control group. Results showed that health education improves both knowledge and perception of pregnancy induced hypertension. By increasing knowledge, poor outcomes could also be detected early, or maybe even avoided. Conclusions: Health education intervention was effective in improving knowledge and perception of the intervention group.