Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) has been linked to nonspecific health complaints, known as sick building syndrome (SBS). This cross-sectional study explored the association between common factors affecting IAQ and the prevalence of SBS among adult residents in the Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA), Saudi Arabia. Data on SBS symptoms and related factors, including demographic information, housing characteristics, and environmental conditions were collected from 726 residents using a structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between these factors and SBS. The overall prevalence of SBS in this study was 48.2%, with skin symptoms the most frequently reported, followed by general, respiratory, and eye symptoms. Factors associated with SBS included pet ownership, mold, cockroaches, passive smoking, tile flooring, home renovations, and accumulated dust. Although the cross-sectional design and the reliance on self-reported data may present limitations, these findings highlight a potential health risk in Saudi homes. Preventive measures are needed to improve IAQ in household environments, thereby reducing the risk of SBS and other related health effects.

The ability of particulate matter (PM) to generate reactive oxygen species and induce oxidative stress in human body is known as oxidative potential (OP). OP is considered an important indicator of the toxicity of PM, which is associated with adverse health impacts. Linking the predicted health impacts of aerosols to OP may be more relevant than considering PM mass only. In this study, we determined the OP of PM2.5 (PM with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, in order to understand the relationship of OP to PM mass and composition in the present and absent of dust storm.PM2.5 was collected from two locations in Dammam city in the winter and summer of 2018. The first location was the city centre as an urban area while the second one was in the campus of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University as an urban background area. OP was quantified using dithiothreitol (DTT) assay. The mean PM2.5 mass in the summer (120.5 µg/m3) was nearly  twice that in the winter (62.6 µg/m3). The average OP activity per air volume (DDTv) in the winter was 1.14 nmol min-1 m-3 while in the summer it was 1.77 nmol min-1 m-3. Conversely, the mean OP activity per PM mass (DDTm) in the winter was 24.56 pmol min-1 µg-3 while it was lower in the summer at 17.3 pmol min-1 µg-3. Results showed an inverse correlation between PM mass and DDTm, while there was a positive correlation between PM mass and DDTv. Even though the average mass of PM2.5 in the summer was almost twice that in the winter, the average DDTm was lower in the summer compared to winter. This is due to the much lower oxidative potential in dust storm particles, which contribute significantly to the summertime PM2.5. Our results suggest that OP is driven by PM composition rather than mass.  

Management of sustainable solid waste MSW, it is how to deal with sustainable waste through services provided to the community and how to benefit from it as a product that affects the national income. which refers to the collection and treatment of solid waste before final disposal. The Mu-nicipal solid waste management in Dammam is based on generating and collecting MSW from different sources in Dammam, including individual and community bins. The main aim of this study was accessing the generation rate and composition of MSW in different income levels, evaluating the current MSW practice including knowledge, attitude, and satisfaction of residents toward the MSW management services in Dammam as a representative city of other large and important cities in Saudi Arabi. A multi-stage grouping method was used for dividing the population into three soci-oeconomic groups (high, middle- and low-class), and an equal number of participants was selected by a statistically simple random method. Collection of data was conducted by a pre-designed questionnaire for six months. Wood and garden waste represented the highest amounts (38.39 and 33.76 ton/year respectively), followed by Aluminum, paper and plastic (29.31, 28.53 and 27.29 ton/year respectively). Most of the solid waste collected from homes and community gathering places in Dammam is collected by collecting garbage and transporting it to private landfills, then the final stage is where it is buried by companies that fall under the responsibility of the Eastern Province Municipality, but it produces unpleasant odors whether in transportation or burial, which prompted the Saudi government to develop dealing with waste in a better way. Only 10-15% of the collected MSW is recycled including paper, metals, and plastics. Indeed, sorting and recycling sustainable waste has had a significant psychological impact on the community and the residents of Dammam are trying to understand how recycling can improve their income.

Background: There is escalating concern about patient safety among healthcare workers (HCWs) due to the alarming number of deaths and disabilities. Objective: The main aim of this study is to explore the perceptions of patient safety culture (PSC) among HCWs in two major cities in Saudi Arabia, compare the findings with those of international studies, and highlight the major strengths and challenges that affect the incorporation of PSC in these two cities. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to assess PSC among HCWs in hospitals in Dammam and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This study utilised the Saudi Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSPSC), which is commonly used by HCWs in the Ministry of Health, and the results were compared with those from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Chi-square tests were used to assess the association between patient safety ratings and the reporting of patient safety events. An independent t-test was used to examine differences in mean scores of study variables between the two cities. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of 737 participants, 357 completed the survey. Physicians were the most common (27%), followed by nurses (11.9%), in Dammam. In Jeddah, nurses were first (20%), followed by transporters and security (12.7 and 11.6%, respectively). Overall, error reporting and supervisor support were areas of strength, while management commitment, teamwork, and incident reporting were identified as areas needing improvement. More than 94% of employees rated patient safety positively. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of HCWs’ perceptions of PSC in Dammam and Jeddah. Overall, patient safety ratings among participants were highly positive (94%), reflecting favourable views of teamwork, supervisor support, and hospital management’s commitment. Although event reporting and teamwork were recognised as major strengths, it is still necessary to implement regular patient safety training programmes and formal patient safety policies to address existing gaps. Overall, PSC ratings were more positive and significantly higher in Dammam than in Jeddah. These findings may help policymakers and managers enhance patient safety and develop more robust systems to protect both patients and HCWs.