Introduction: Coping strategies for stress tend to vary in different cultural. The Brief COPE (BC) is the most commonly used self-report instrument to identify the types of coping strategies used which has a total of 14 strategies with 28 items. The aim of this study was to translate into Arabic and validate the Brief COPE scale in the Saudi Arabian population. Methods: A cross-sectional method was used to assess the reliability, validity, and cultural appropriateness of the Arabic version of the Brief COPE (A-BC) among 302 males and females (33.8% females). Results: The test-retest reliability was strong at 0.8, and the principal component factor analysis yielded a 3-factor structure, namely ‘active coping’, ‘passive coping’, and ‘support-seeking’, with Composite Reliability scores of 0.84, 0.75, and 0.81 respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated an acceptable factors structure. Conclusion: The 3-factor structure of the A-BC was found to be a valid and reliable instrument among the Saudi population. This makes the scale useful in both clinical practice and clinical research.

Background: The cultural norms of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia do not encourage men to choose nursing as a career. Understanding male nursing students' experiences of their clinical exposure to the nursing profession throughout their internship might increase their retention. This study explored the experiences of final-year male nursing students as they transitioned to the role of registered nurse. Methods: A qualitative descriptive research design with an inductive content-analysis approach was used. The experiences of 22 final-year male nursing students from three public hospitals in a major city of Saudi Arabia were explored. The data were collected using focus-group interviews and documentary analysis in March 2015 and May 2015. Results: Content analysis revealed three major themes: the societal and cultural image of male nurses, male students' engagement in nursing practice, and restructuring the internship programmes' policies to suit male students' needs. Conclusion: The findings reveal issues that mainly stem from negative social views of nursing as a male profession. Considering the students' social and cultural needs during their internship programme will facilitate their transition into the role of registered nurse and their retention in the nursing profession.

Aims: Campylobacter is the most widely reported zoonotic bacterial agent that causes enteric disease in humans worldwide with millions of cases recorded far exceeding salmonellosis in Europe and United States. The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of Campylobacter in dogs and cats and their associated risk factors. Methodology and results: A total of 101 rectal swabs were collected from both pets (n=40) and stray dogs (n=61) for the study. Similarly, a total of 86 rectal swabs were taken from stray cats (n=46) and pet cats (n=40) from client pets at a university veterinary hospital and from stray dogs and cats from animal shelters. Campylobacter were isolated by culture, identified by biochemical tests and confirmed and speciated, using mPCR assay. The result showed occurrence of Campylobacter in stray dogs and stray cats were 16.3% and 32.6% respectively, while in pet dogs and cats were 12.5 % each. Based on the mPCR assay, three species of Campylobacter were identified in dogs namely Campylobacter upsaliensis (66.6%), C. jejuni (6.7%) and C. heliviticus (20%), while C. upsaliensis (55%), C. helviticus (20%) and C. jejuni (6.7%) were identified in cats. The risk factors for the presence of Campylobacter in the animals were analysed but none was significantly associated, however the occurrence in cats was found higher in adults, females, those kept outdoors and residing in town areas, multipets household, cats with no history of being given antibiotics in past infections and being fed on raw meat and fish while the occurrence of Campylobacter was high in dogs of local breeds, females, of young age, being kept outdoors and fed raw meat and fish. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: These findings showed that Campylobacter were quite prevalent in both stray and pet dogs and cats which may contaminate other animals and spread in the environment as Campylobacters. It is of public health concern as humans can contract the disease if they do not practice proper hygiene after coming into contact with an infected animal or contaminated environment.

Background: Infections caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) are global public health problems. The safety of donated blood can be estimated by monitoring the prevalence of viral markers in the donor population. The present study was carried out in the Jazan region to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV among Saudi blood donors. Methods: Over a period of six years (January 2004 to December 2009), a total of 29 949 blood units were collected from healthy voluntary and replacement native Saudi blood donors. The donated units were serologically screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), and antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV). These data were then analysed. Results: HBsAg was positive in 3.8% of the blood units that were collected, the blood units with anti–HCV seropositivity had the lowest prevalence (0.41%), and the prevalence of HBsAg was highest in the group that was > 46 years of age. A significant decline in the prevalence of HBV infection has been observed, from 5.6% in 2004 to 2.3% in 2009 (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The present study showed that the prevalence of HBV and HCV was in a significant decline from 2004 to 2009, and the prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV significantly increased with age.

Objectives: To evaluates carbon dioxide (CO2) production from yeast/sugar mixtures and its efficiency as an attractant in BG-Sentinel traps. Methods: The rate of CO2production was optimized for different yeast/sugar mixtures. The optimized mixture was then used as bait in BG-Sentinel traps.The efficiency of this bait was then compared to octenol baited traps. Results: The yeast/sugar(5 g:280 g)in 300 mL water generated the highest volume of CO2. The CO2baited traps caught significantly more mosquitoes than octenol baited traps. Conclusions: Yeast-produced CO2can effectively replace octenol baits in BG traps. This will significantly reduce costs and allow sustainable mass-application of the CO2 baited traps in large scale surveillance programs.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been associated with an acute stress response mediated by the sympathoadrenomedullary axis, which can be assessed by measuring blood glucose level. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted for a year in 2007 among 294 patients who had been treated for TBI in Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Patients fulfilling the set criteria were recruited into the study and data, including blood glucose level and Glasgow Outcome Score at 3-month follow-up, were collected. Results: 294 patients were included in the study: 50 females (17.0%) and 244 males (83.0%). The majority of cases were young adult patients (mean age of 34.2 years, SD 13.0). The mean blood glucose level during admission and post-surgery were 6.26 mmol/L (SD 1.30, n = 294) and 6.66 mmol/L (SD 1.44, n = 261), respectively. Specifically, the mean admission glucose level associated with mild TBI was 5.04 mmol/L (SD 0.71); moderate TBI, 5.78 mmol/L (SD 1.02); and severe TBI, 7.04 mmol/L (SD 1.18). The mean admission glucose level associated with a poor outcome in patients with isolated TBI was 6.98 mmol/L (SD 1.21). Patients with admission glucose of 5.56 mmol/L (SD 1.21) were more likely to have a favourable outcome. Conclusion: Mild, moderate, and severe TBI were associated with an increase in blood glucose levels during admission, and the mean increase in glucose levels is based on the severity of the isolated TBI. Surgical intervention did not cause further significant changes in blood glucose levels. Patients with isolated TBI and minimal increases in blood glucose levels were more likely to have a favourable outcome.

Introduction: HCV infection is frequent in patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis, with prevalence between 8 and 10%. Hepatitis C has an adverse effect on both patient and graft survival in those who get renal transplants. There are relatively scarce reports on the natural fluctuation in viral load level in patients on chronic haemodialysis. Materials and Methods: This is a longitudinal short-term three months study, where 27 chronic haemodialysis patients infected with known HCV genotypes were recruited from seven haemodialysis centres in Pahang. Serum samples were collected monthly, both pre- and post-haemodialysis sessions, over a period of three months. Viral RNA was extracted from serum using QIAamp Viral RNA Extraction kit (Qiagen). The HCV viral load was measured using one-step reverse transcriptase qPCR (Applied Biosystems) targeting the 5`HCV non-coding region (5’UTR). The serum α-IFN level was measured using commercial ELISA kit (Amersham, UK). Six biochemical liver function tests (AST, ALP, TP, albumin, ALT and TB) were also done for all pre-haemodialysis samples. Results: All patients showed persistent low level viral load that varied significantly over the study period (p = 0.001). HCV genotype 1 viral load was significantly higher than that of genotype 3. Conclusion: No apparent correlation could be recognized between the viral loads and the corresponding interferon-alpha levels which were detectable in only a few patients during the period of study.

There is a strong and increased worldwide interest on the aspects of prevention of oral disease and oral health promotion in dental education. However, some studies imply that dental students are not knowledgeable enough in this issue. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of, attitude towards and practice on preventive dentistry among senior dental students in Yemen. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed among senior dental students in six dental schools in Yemen. The questionnaire obtained personal information, and questions about knowledge on preventive dental care, attitudes towards and practice on preventive dentistry. Among 346 students who filled the questionnaire, a total of 91.6% has good knowledge about fissure sealant effectiveness, only 34.7% knows about the importance of fluoride toothpaste compared to brushing technique in preventing caries, with significant gender difference (p=0.005). Odds of good knowledge among non-Qat chewers was 1.9 (95%CI: 1.26-4.42). Multivariable regression analysis indicated that female gender was associated with higher positive attitudes (OR: 2.03, 95%CI:1.21-3.36,p=0.007). Attitudes were significantly associated with Qat chewing (OR = 1.95, 95%CI: 1.04-3.66, p=0.03), type of university (OR = 0.59, 95%CI: 0.36-0.94, p=0.02), and mothers' level of education (OR = 1.91, 95%CI: 1.05-3.47, p=0.03). There was a high percentage of competency in practicing preventive measures among students (80.9%). Dental education should emphasize the overall aspects of preventive dentistry with early exposure of preventive dental training in order to improve students' knowledge and attitudes and consequently practice on preventive care.​

Due to globalizing trend of homogenisation of culture, changes in the health care delivery system and market economics infringing on the practice of medicine, there has been a gradual shift in the attitude of the medical community as well as the lay public towards greater acceptance of euthanasia as an option for terminally ill and dying patients. Physicians in developing countries come across situations where such issues are raised with increasing frequency. As the subject has gained worldwide prominence, we want to review this topic from Islamic perspective due to its significance in medical ethics and clinical practice.

We report a case of delayed diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the scapula extending to glenoid, with secondary septic arthritis of glenohumeral joint in a 6-month-old female infant. We performed urgent arthrotomy of the shoulder joint through an anterior approach with drainage of pus from the scapula through a posterior approach and prescribed intravenous antibiotics. Diagnosis was delayed as the patient initially presented with pneumonia, for which she was treated in the neonatal intensive care unit; at that time, all medical efforts were directed toward saving her life. Had the diagnosis been made earlier, septic arthritis of the shoulder might have been prevented. Diagnosis of septic shoulder arthritis is rare and difficult, requiring a high index of suspicion.