This study aims to determine the compliance of critical care nurses with the ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention guidelines and the factors that affect their compliance. We also explored the barriers faced by the nurses in the implementation of these guidelines. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire containing 17 recommended strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia and 15 possible barriers. All critical care nurses of varying qualifications, levels of experience, and nationalities working in adult ICUs were invited. Between January and March 2018, the questionnaire was distributed to 283 nurses at eight ICUs in five public hospitals in Almadinah Almunawwarah, KSA. A total of 229 invitees responded to the questionnaire. The mean compliance score was 85.9%. More than half (54%) of the sample had a high or acceptable compliance level. The lowest compliance rate was reported for the suctioning of subglottic secretions. The main reported barriers were the shortage of nursing staff, forgetfulness, and hospital cost control policies. Working in general ICUs with the capacity of 10–15 beds or prior education related to ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention influenced the nurses’ compliance. In our study, the overall compliance of the critical care nurses with the ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention guidelines is acceptable. Shortage of nursing staff, forgetfulness, and cost control policies were the main reported barriers to compliance.

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Catheter-associated urinary tract infection is a global problem but it can be prevented with the appropriate implementation of evidence-based guidelines. This study was conducted to assess the level of compliance of healthcare workers with the catheter-associated urinary tract infection prevention guidelines during the insertion of a urinary catheter. An observational study using a descriptive cross-sectional design was conducted at Sana’a City hospitals, Yemen. All the nurses and physicians from the governmental, teaching, and private hospitals were eligible to participate in the study. The data collection was performed through convenience sampling from March 2020 to December 2020, using a structured observational checklist prepared specifically for this study. The majority of the urinary catheter insertions were performed by nurses. There were no written policy or procedures for an urinary catheter insertion and no in-service education or training departments in the majority of the hospitals. The overall mean score of compliance was 7.31 of 10. About 71% of the healthcare workers had a high or acceptable level of compliance and 29% had an unsafe level of compliance. Compliance was low for maintaining aseptic technique throughout the insertion procedure, using a single use packet of lubricant jelly, performing hand hygiene immediately before insertion, and securing the urinary catheter once inserted. Factors affecting the healthcare workers compliance were gender, the working ward/unit of the healthcare workers, the availability of a written policy/procedure and a department or unit for in-service education. Yemeni healthcare workers’ overall compliance was acceptable but it was unsafe in several critical measures. There is an urgent need for developing, implementing, and monitoring national guidelines and institutional policy and procedures for catheter-associated urinary tract infection prevention. Periodical in-service education and training programs and adequate access to the necessary materials and supplies are paramount.

Background: Obesity is a critical public health issue, marked by an accumulation of adipose tissue that presents numerous health hazards, with recent focus on the link between obesity and inflammation, especially in the context of inflammatory biomarkers as indicators of metabolic abnormalities related to obesity. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between inflammatory biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and hematological indicators of inflammation with anthropometric obesity measures in obese and non-obese healthy adults. Methods: The study employed a case control design involving both obese and non-obese healthy adults. The research evaluated anthropometric indicators. Blood samples were collected from participants to measure complete blood count (CBC), CRP and ESR. Platelet /Lymphocyte ratio (PLR), Neutrophil/Lymphocyte ratio (NLR), Monocyte/Lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) were calculated. Results: A significant association exists between familial obesity, lack of physical activity, and constipation persistence in obese individuals compared to non-obese individuals. In the obese cohort, mean values of white blood cells (TWBCs), neutrophils, monocytes, platelet count, NLR, PLR, MLR, and SII were elevated compared to the non-obese group. Statistically significant differences in ESR and CRP were noted between the two populations. A positive correlation exists between TWBCs and WHR, whereas lymphocytes correlate positively with WHR and negatively with body fat percentage. Eosinophils exhibited negative associations with obesity metrics, while ESR and CRP had significant positive correlations with obesity indicators like BMI and body fat percentage; PLR showed a negative relationship with WHR and a positive one with body fat percentage, lacking significant correlations with BMI, WC, HC, or abdominal obesity. Conclusion: The research indicates significant elevations in hematological biomarkers among obese individuals, highlighting a probable link between obesity and inflammation, with specific inflammatory markers potentially serving as predictors of obesity-related health risks.

BACKGROUND: Workplace violence (WPV) directed against healthcare workers (HCWs) in healthcare facilities has always been neglected. These occupational hazards have been investigated in recent times and received greater attention from decision-makers. This study aimed to assess the WPV committed against HCWs in the emergency departments (EDs).MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the emergency department (ED) healthcare workers (HCW) in the hospitals of Al-Madinah Province, Saudi Arabia, were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study by completing an online questionnaire during May 15 to August 15, 2020. Information sought included characteristics of the participant and workplace, violence, the participants’ responses and emotions, the consequences of the WPV incident, and the level of satisfaction with the management of the WPV incident. Data was analyzed using SPSS; Chi-square test was used to assess the association between WPV and various participant and workplace characteristics. Binary logistic regression analysis performed to identify independent predictors of work place violence.RESULTS: A total of 250 HCW filled the questionnaire. One-third of the participants were victims of at least one violent event, mostly nonphysical. The perpetrators were primarily the patient’s companions, and a heavy workload/understaffing or an overcrowded environment was the main cause of the violence. The most frequent reaction was to call the hospital security. The emotions the participants experienced were disappointment, low self-esteem, and sadness. Most victims did not report the WPV incident because they believed that reporting was useless, insignificant, or they were fearful of adverse consequences.CONCLUSION: The rate of violence in EDs in Al-Madinah hospitals was lower than expected, and only 33.3% of HCWs had experienced a violent incident in the last year. However, there is a substantial margin for interventions to improve the situation and protect the HCWs in the EDs.