Chronic kidney disease in Saudi Arabia : a nursing perspective

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health problem in Saudi Arabia. The number of people requiring kidney replacement therapy in Saudi Arabia is growing, which poses challenges for health professionals and increases the burden on the health care system. However, there is a paucity of nursing literature about CKD in the Middle Eastern region, including Saudi Arabia. The purpose of this review is to describe the epidemiology, risk factors, treatment modalities and the implications for nursing practice of CKD in Saudi Arabia. Improving nurses’ knowledge and awareness about CKD and the risk factors in Saudi Arabia will help them to determine high risk groups and provide early management to delay progression of the disease.

Understanding cultural competence in a multicultural nursing workforce : registered nurses’ experience in Saudi Arabia

Purpose In Saudi Arabia, the health system is mainly staffed by expatriate nurses from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Given the potential risks this situation poses for patient care, it is important to understand how cultural diversity can be effectively managed in this multicultural environment. The purpose of this study was to explore notions of cultural competence with non-Saudi Arabian nurses working in a major hospital in Saudi Arabia. Design Face-to-face, audio-recorded, semistructured interviews were conducted with 24 non-Saudi Arabian nurses. Deductive data collection and analysis were undertaken drawing on Campinha-Bacote’s cultural competence model. The data that could not be explained by this model were coded and analyzed inductively. Findings Nurses within this culturally diverse environment struggled with the notion of cultural competence in terms of each other’s cultural expectations and those of the dominant Saudi culture. Discussion The study also addressed the limitations of Campinha-Bacote’s model, which did not account for all of the nurses’ experiences. Subsequent inductive analysis yielded important themes that more fully explained the nurses’ experiences in this environment. Implications for Practice The findings can inform policy, professional education, and practice in the multicultural Saudi setting.

The role of nurse educators in student clinical education in Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Clinical education is considered a significant part of the learning process for nursing students. There is, however, no research that has explored this area of learning in Saudi Arabia. Theoretical Framework: Informed by a symbolic interactionist framework, this research explored the role of nurse educators in student clinical education in Saudi Arabia. Method: Using Glaserian grounded theory methods the data were derived from 14 face-to-face interviews with nurse educators from both hospital and faculty settings in King Abdu-Aziz University (KAU) and King Abdu-Aziz University Hospital (KAUH). Findings: The findings of the research are represented in the core category Redefining Identity Work and its two constituent categories Questioning the Situation and Creating Role Identity. The core and sub- categories were generated through a theoretical exploration of the identity work of nurse educators in Saudi Arabia. Conclusion: The social identity of the nurse educators was mediated culturally and socially within the hospital and university contexts and Saudi Arabian culture. In light of an increased understanding of the identity and role of nurse educators in clinical education in Saudi Arabia, the research presents implications and recommendations that may contribute to the development of nursing education as a coherent health care profession that is perceived as a desirable career option for Saudi women and men.

Understanding and measuring information security culture in developing countries : case of Saudi Arabia

The purpose of the current study was to develop a measurement of information security culture in developing countries such as Saudi Arabia. In order to achieve this goal, the study commenced with a comprehensive review of the literature, the outcome being the development of a conceptual model as a reference base. The literature review revealed a lack of academic and professional research into information security culture in developing countries and more specifically in Saudi Arabia. Given the increasing importance and significant investment developing countries are making in information technology, there is a clear need to investigate information security culture from developing countries perspective such as Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, our analysis indicated a lack of clear conceptualization and distinction between factors that constitute information security culture and factors that influence information security culture. Our research aims to fill this gap by developing and validating a measurement model of information security culture, as well as developing initial understanding of factors that influence security culture. A sequential mixed method consisting of a qualitative phase to explore the conceptualisation of information security culture, and a quantitative phase to validate the model is adopted for this research. In the qualitative phase, eight interviews with information security experts in eight different Saudi organisations were conducted, revealing that security culture can be constituted as reflection of security awareness, security compliance and security ownership. Additionally, the qualitative interviews have revealed that factors that influence security culture are top management involvement, policy enforcement, policy maintenance, training and ethical conduct policies. These factors were confirmed by the literature review as being critical and important for the creation of security culture and formed the basis for our initial information security culture model, which was operationalised and tested in different Saudi Arabian organisations. Using data from two hundred and fifty-four valid responses, we demonstrated the validity and reliability of the information security culture model through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), followed by Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA.) In addition, using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) we were further able to demonstrate the validity of the model in a nomological net, as well as provide some preliminary findings on the factors that influence information security culture. The current study contributes to the existing body of knowledge in two major ways: firstly, it develops an information security culture measurement model; secondly, it presents empirical evidence for the nomological validity for the security culture measurement model and discovery of factors that influence information security culture. The current study also indicates possible future related research needs.

The role of nurse educators in student clinical education in Saudi Arabia

Background Clinical education is considered a significant part of the learning process for nursing students. There is, however, no research that has explored this area of learning in Saudi Arabia. Theoretical Framework Informed by a symbolic interactionist framework, this research explored the role of nurse educators in student clinical education in Saudi Arabia. Method Using Glaserian grounded theory methods the data were derived from 14 face-to-face interviews with nurse educators from both hospital and faculty settings in King Abdu-Aziz University (KAU) and King Abdu-Aziz University Hospital (KAUH). Findings The findings of the research are represented in the core category Redefining Identity Work and its two constituent categories Questioning the Situation and Creating Role Identity. The core and sub- categories were generated through a theoretical exploration of the identity work of nurse educators in Saudi Arabia. Conclusion The social identity of the nurse educators was mediated culturally and socially within the hospital and university contexts and Saudi Arabian culture. In light of an increased understanding of the identity and role of nurse educators in clinical education in Saudi Arabia, the research presents implications and recommendations that may contribute to the development of nursing education as a coherent health care profession that is perceived as a desirable career option for Saudi women and men.

Reasons for non-urgent presentations to the emergency department in Saudi Arabia

Background The majority of patients who attend emergency departments (EDs) in Saudi Arabia have non-urgent problems, resulting in overcrowding, excessive waiting times and delayed care for more acutely ill patients. The purpose of this research was to examine the reasons for non-urgent visits to a Saudi ED and factors associated with patient perceptions of urgency. Methods We administered a survey to 350 consecutively presenting Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) IV or V adult patients at a large tertiary ED in Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia, during 25 days of data collection in March 2013. Results Over half of the sample usually visited the ED to access healthcare. The most common reasons for attending the ED were not having a regular healthcare provider (63%), being able to receive care on the same day (62%), and the convenience of and access to medical care 24/7 (62%). Approximately two-thirds of CTAS V patients and one-third of CTAS IV patients believed their condition was more urgent than their triage nurse rating. Conclusion Multiple factors influence non-urgent visits to the ED in the Saudi context including insufficient community awareness of the role of the ED and perceived lack of access to primary healthcare services.

Assessment of antibiotic use in children by their parents in Saudi Arabia

This project assessed the factors influencing the parents' use of antibiotics in children in Saudi Arabia. It was conducted through the development and validation of the Parental Perceptions on Antibiotics (PAPA) Scales, which is the first valid and reliable instrument directed to measure these factors on a population-based level. This is also the first population-based study that measures the patterns of antibiotic use in children in Saudi Arabia, where a very high association was found between the use of antibiotics and the number of cold episodes a year, which suggests a potential of overuse of antibiotics in Saudi Arabia. Also, it was found that antibiotic use decreases significantly with parents having higher scores in knowledge and beleifs, behaviors, and eagerness to seek health-related information.

Cultural impact on e-service use in Saudi Arabia : the need for service oriented culture

This paper reports the results of a mixed method approach to answer: To what extent do cultural values impact on e-service use in Saudi Arabia, and if so how? This paper will firstly, introduce the importance of culture and define the aspects of Saudi culture with focus on our scope: the need for Service Oriented Culture. It will then, briefly, describe the method used and present the qualitative and quantitative findings related to the need for Service Oriented Culture. This research aims to cover a gap in the literature by investigating to what extent the presence of Service Oriented Culture, as one of Saudi Arabia’s cultural values, impacts on e-service use in Saudi Arabia. Surprisingly, the tested hypothesis was rejected: the presence of Service Oriented Culture is not a positive predictor of Intention to Use e-services in Saudi Arabia. It is evidenced that consideration of the impact of the cultural values will mainly contribute to the enhancement of ICTs implementation and use.

Progress and challenges in the implementation of Electronic Medical Records in Saudi Arabia : a systematic review

Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems are being implemented increasingly worldwide. Saudi Arabia is one of the developing countries that commenced implementing such systems in 1988. Whilst EMR uptake has been low in Saudi Arabia until now, a number of hospitals have implemented EMR systems successfully. This paper analyses available studies (n = 28) in the literature regarding EMR implementation in Saudi Arabia to identify the progress of EMR implementation to date and to identify the facilitators and barriers to implementation.

Case study analysis for the development and implementation of sustainable housing in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Rapid urbanization in developing countries is putting stress on current infrastructure, which is resulting in the rapid consumption of natural resources to cope with the increasing demand of the population. Saudi Arabia is one of the developing countries facing rapid urbanization where its infrastructure is facing a huge demand by the increasing urbanization levels of its major cities. Developing sustainable housing in Saudi Arabia is a must for the preservation of resources for future generations of the region and of the world. In the coming years, several resources (such as fossil fuels and natural water) will be facing shortage if not managed properly. Providing electricity for housing in Saudi Arabia is one of the biggest challenges facing the country, where it is estimated that by 2050 energy demand in the Kingdom will be approximately 120 GW, and to meet this growing demand, 8 million barrels of oil per day will be required. However, implementation of Sustainable Housing in Saudi is still problematic to reach the desired goals of various key Saudi stakeholders. This paper analyses three case studies that have adopted sustainable construction methods and compares them to traditional non-sustainable houses. The outcome suggests that there is a viable chance for development of sustainable housing in the region if supported by the government with less red tape to deal with. This paper recommends that the Saudi governments should mandate new laws to reduce the overall consumption of energy and water to reduce the overall consumption of natural resources to secure the future generation’s demand of natural resources.

The role of the Saudi government and the Saudi building code in implementing sustainable housing construction in Saudi Arabia

The housing construction industry in Saudi Arabia has been booming rapidly in the past two decades. This boom has faced multiple downfalls in relation to government regulations and building codes, one of which is the application of sustainable methods to the housing construction. This paper sheds some light on the current role of the Saudi government and the role of the Saudi Building Code (SBC) in the housing construction industry. The methodology utilised in this paper was a Delphi survey that was distributed to twenty-five key stakeholders in the housing construction industry in Saudi Arabia. The results indicate that there is a lack of integration between the Saudi Building Code and the current construction methods used in the current construction industry. Some factors and elements are recommended to be incorporated into the Saudi Building Code and to be adopted as regulations in the Saudi housing construction industry.

Psychological health of medical and dental students in Saudi Arabia : a longitudinal study

Introduction: Many studies have indicated the poor psychological health of medical and dental students. However, few studies have assessed the longitudinal trajectory of that psychological health at different times in an academic year. Aim: To evaluate the positive and negative aspects of psychological health among preclinical medical and dental students in Saudi Arabia prospectively. Methods: A total of 317 preclinical medical and dental students were recruited for a longitudinal study design from second and third-year students at Umm Al-Qura University in the 2012-2013 academic year. The students were assessed at the middle of the first term and followed up after 3-monthes at the beginning of the second term. Questionnaires included assessment of depression, anxiety, stress, self-efficacy, and satisfaction with life. Results: Depression, anxiety, stress, and satisfaction with life were improved significantly at the beginning of the second term, whereas self-efficacy did not change significantly. The medical, female, and third-year student subgroups had the most significant changes. Depression and stress were significantly changed at the beginning of the second term in most demographic subgroups. Conclusion: Preclinical medical and dental students have different psychological health levels at different times of the same academic year. It is recommended to consider time of data collection when analyzing the results of such studies.

Organisational culture, leadership behaviour and job satisfaction among primary health care professionals in Saudi Arabia : a mixed-methods study

The purpose of this study was to improve individual and organisational performance in primary health care (PHC) by identifying the relationship between organisational culture, leadership behaviour and job satisfaction. The study used a sequential explanatory mixed methods design, to investigate the relationships between organisational culture, leadership behaviour, and job satisfaction among 550 PHCC professionals in Saudi Arabia. From surveying the PHC professionals, the results highlighted the importance of human caring qualities, including praise and recognition, consideration, and support, with respect to their perceptions of job satisfaction, leadership behaviour, and organisational culture. As a consequence a management framework was proposed to address these issues.

Challenges facing the application of sustainability to housing in Saudi Arabia

Modern Saudi housing supply is neither sustainable nor efficient in meeting the conservative Islamic culture of the community and the local environmental conditions. This thesis develops a model for successful development of sustainable housing in Saudi Arabia by incorporating multi stakeholder inputs on key barriers, critical success factors and best practice case studies. The model will help create public awareness and education tools for both private and public sectors on sustainable housing. It provides a framework that includes cultural and environmental needs of the conservative Saudi neighbourhood. It may assist the Saudi government to regulate new building codes and regulations.

Factors influencing Saudi Arabian optometry candidates' career choices and institution of learning. Why do Saudi students choose to study optometry?

Optometry is a primary health-care profession (PHCP) and this study aimed to elucidate the factors influencing the choice of optometry as a career for Saudi students, the students' perceptions of optometry and the effect of gender. METHODS Two hundred and forty-seven students whose average age was 21.7 ± 1.5 (SD) years and who are currently enrolled in two colleges of optometry in Saudi Arabia--King Saud University (KSU) and Qassim University (QU)--completed self-administered questionnaires. The survey included questions concerning demography, career first choice, career perception and factors influencing career choices. RESULTS The response rate was 87.6 per cent and there were 161 male (64.9 per cent) students. Seventy-nine per cent of the participants were from KSU (males and females) and 20.6 per cent were from QU (only males). Seventy-three per cent come from Riyadh and 19 per cent are from Qassim province. Regarding the first choice for their careers, the females (92 per cent) were 0.4 times more likely (p = 0.012) to choose optometry than males (78.3 per cent). The males were significantly more likely to be influenced by the following factors: the Doctor of Optometry (OD) programs run at both universities, good salary and prospects (p < 0.05, for all). The women were significantly less likely to be influenced by another individual (p = 0.0004). Generally, more than two-thirds of the respondents viewed the desire to help others, professional prestige and the new OD programs as the three most influential factors in opting for a career in optometry. CONCLUSION Females were more likely to opt for a career in optometry and males were more likely to be influenced by the new OD programs, good salary and job prospects. Service provision to others in the community was a primary motivation to opt for a career in optometry among young Saudis.