Sarah Alsubaie

Background Poor sleep quality in children can lead to physical and psychosocial problems. The FIFA World Cup has been shown to impact adult behaviors, but its effect on children’s sleep patterns is less understood. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of the FIFA World Cup 2022 (FWC-2022) on children’s sleep patterns. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted between 27 November and 25 December 2022, targeting parents in Saudi Arabia (Arabia standard time) and countries with a +6-hour time difference. Participants completed the validated Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), alongside demographics, time spent watching matches, and parental perceptions on sleep. Results A total of 848 parents participated, with 60.6% being mothers. The study found that children averaged 9.10 hours of sleep; 64.2% of parents observed no change, while 10.4% reported substantial changes. Parents aged ≥45 and those noticing shifts in sleep habits reported higher problematic sleep scores. Larger families reported fewer sleep issues, with a negative correlation between family size and sleep problems. Children’s CSHQ scores indicate mild to moderate sleep difficulties across domains. No significant differences were observed between Saudi Arabia and countries with +6-hour time difference. However, one-third of children experienced delays in sleep onset exceeding one hour on weekdays during the World Cup. Conclusion Sociodemographic factors, family dynamics, and major events like the FWC-2022 influence parental perceptions of child sleep issues. Older parents and smaller families reported more challenges, while higher socioeconomic status was linked to fewer bedtime difficulties. Our findings may be particularly relevant for FIFA 2026, where transcontinental hosting across North America will expose children globally to matches at even more variable times. Subtle impacts of prolonged event schedules highlight the need for interventions supporting healthy routines during such events, potentially through engaging, sleep-friendly technologies.

Introduction: Candidozyma auris (formerly known as Candida auris (C. auris)) can cause invasive infections with high mortality rates and the ability to colonize the skin, persist in healthcare environments, and cause healthcare-associated outbreaks. Certain patients are at a significant risk of C. auris infection. Our hospital is a 1000-bed tertiary teaching hospital that caters to, among other patients, critically ill and immunocompromised patients. Objective: To identify the risk factors for C. auris infection/colonized patients in hospitals located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of the risk factors associated with 53 C. auris cases identified from the beginning of 2020 to the end of 2022. We performed a retrospective review of all patients who tested positive for C. auris within the reporting period of their risk factors. Patients were triaged via a risk assessment tool at the time of admission to inpatient locations. Results: Of the 53 patients identified, 20 were females, and 33 were males, with ages ranging from 15 to 98 years. The identified risk factors included comorbidities (n = 44 (85%)), previous admission to other hospitals (n = 27 (50.9%)), and admission to the high-risk unit (n = 19 (35%)). The other variables included the presence of wounds (n = 18 (34%)), medical devices (n = 17 (32.1%)), and prior antimicrobial use (n = 12 (22%)). Conclusion: These findings are similar to those of other studies in that certain identified risk factors contribute to infection or colonization with C. auris. Plain Language Summary: This study followed an unprecedented reporting of a case of C. auris at our tertiary teaching hospital after a recent reporting of the first few cases in the Kingdom. Therefore, we are worried about the potential prevalence and possible risk factors associated with this disease.

To investigate food poisoning knowledge, risk perception and safe food handling practices among Saudi Arabian public following foodborne botulism outbreak. A cross-sectional survey targeting the Saudi Arabian public between May 6 to 20, 2024, following the first foodborne botulism outbreak. Infectious disease and public health experts developed survey questions according to Saudi Public Health Authority and Ministry of Health (MOH) guidelines, and distributed surveys through social media. Of 3779 participants, 73.1% were female and 50.1% were aged 18 to 24 years. Almost one-third (30.2%) reported a previous food poisoning experience, with an incidence of 71.7 cases per 1000 person years. The most common perceived source of FP was restaurants foods (80.3%). The overall knowledge score of the participants regarding food poisoning was 3.42 ± 1.57 out of 7. The mean food safety practice score was 3.70 ± 1.42 out of 9. Multivariable regression analysis showed individuals aged 35 years or older (β = 0.205, P < .001), those who were married (β = 0.204, P = .003), participants with previous (FP) experience (β = 0.089, P = .009), and those who relied on information from the Ministry of Health or medical publications regarding FP (P < .001) exhibited significantly higher practice scores than other groups. The least adherence to safe practices were noted among the following: routine use of thermometer during cooking (2.7%), avoidance of washing raw chicken (13.7%) and washing hands after using cellphone during cooking (26.1%). The FP knowledge score did not correlate significantly with practice score (P = .065). This study highlights the significant knowledge gaps and inadequate food safety practices among the public in Saudi Arabia. Although certain groups, including adults (>35 years), married individuals, and those with previous food poisoning experience, showed greater adherence to safe food handling practices, adherence to specific preventive measures remained generally low. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational initiatives and interventions to improve food safety awareness and practices across diverse demographic groups in Saudi Arabia. The integration of generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, as a public resource for food poisoning information, presents a new opportunity, but it requires further research and development to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Background: The emergence of Candida auris (C. auris), a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen, poses a significant healthcare challenge, necessitating robust risk-assessment strategies for effective infection control in hospital settings. Objective: This study aimed to assess and quantify the risk of C. auris infection in a tertiary hospital by using an adapted risk assessment tool that considers diverse patient factors and hospital dynamics. Method: The study employed the 'adaptation method,' amalgamating literature review and analysis of individual patient data (IPD), to identify and quantify C. auris infection risk. Using the MRSA risk assessment tool, risk factor information was derived from the literature and adapted based on the IPD, ensuring context-specific relevance. The study was conducted in a 1000-bed tertiary university teaching hospital in Riyadh, triggered by the first C. auris case in 2019, covering the period from January 2020 to December 2022. The variables included admission history, comorbidities, multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) history, wounds/devices, surgeries, and antimicrobial use. The inclusion criteria targeted high-risk individuals and the exclusion criteria were inpatients. The screening tool was deployed through a PowerForm in selected nursing units with rigorous training for nurses and comprehensive data collection, monitoring, and outcome analysis. Robust statistical methods, including multivariable logistic regression and subgroup analyses, were employed to address potential biases and ensure the internal validity of the study. Results:Graphic and clinical findings were analyzed in a cohort of 68,031 patients. Notably, 9% of the patients had identified risk factors such as septicemia, CKD, DM, or chronic lung disease. Additionally, 7% reported a history of admission to non-KSA hospitals and 14% had contact with MDROs or ASCs. The overall prevalence of positive responses across the assessed risk factors was 6%, underscoring the relevance of these factors to Candida auris infection. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of positive responses across the assessed risk factors was 6%, emphasizing the relevance of these factors in the context of Candida auris infections. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of targeted surveillance and preventive measures in healthcare settings.

Background: Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen that represents a current serious threat to healthcare settings. Objective: The objective was to determine the prevalence of C. auris in a Riyadh hospital since its initial detection in late 2019. Methods: Using an adapted risk assessment tool, we reviewed the charts and medical files of all suspected and confirmed cases of C. auris infections reported at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, between November 2019 and December 2022. Anonymized data were retrieved in a pre-established datasheet and analyzed to determine the epidemiological characteristics of C. auris infections in our facility. We analyzed prevalence by age, gender, risk factors, and according to sampling source. Results: Of the 53 confirmed C. auris-positive cases during the study period, 33 (62%) were males. Their ages ranged between 15 and 98, with most positive cases occurring in those aged 50 and above. Only one of the confirmed cases was hospital-acquired. All patients had at least one risk factor, and urine samples yielded the greatest number of positive cases, while admission to healthcare facilities constituted the highest risk in our study. Conclusion: Establishing a local prevalence pattern could serve as a baseline/benchmark to compare with regional and international benchmarks.

Background Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen that represents a serious threat to healthcare settings currently. Objective: Its objective was to determine the prevalence of C. auris in the hospital since its initial detection in late 2019. Methods: Using an adapted risk assessment tool, we reviewed the charts. and medical files of all suspected? and confirmed cases of C. auris cases reported at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh between November 2019 and December 2022. Anonymized data were retrieved in a pre-established datasheet and analyzed to determine the epidemiological characteristics of C. auris infection in our facility. We established our initial prevalence by age, gender, risk factors, and according to sampling source. Results: Of the 53 confirmed cases positive for C. auris during the study period, 33 (62%) were males. Their ages ranged between 15 and 98; most positive cases occurred in 50 and above. Only one of the confirmed cases was hospital-acquired. All patients had at least one risk factor, and Urine samples yielded the greatest number of positive cases while admission to healthcare facilities constituted the highest risk in our study. Conclusion: Establishing a local prevalence could serve as our baseline/benchmark to compare with regional and international benchmarks.

Background: In response to the global Mpox outbreaks, this survey aimed to assess the knowledge, perceptions, and advocacy of Mpox vaccines among solid organ transplant healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among solid organ transplant HCWs in Saudi Arabia from 15 August to 5 September 2022. A total of 199 responses were received from participants primarily working in the kidney (54.8%) and liver (14.6%) transplant units. Results: The survey found that most participants were aware of the 2022 Mpox outbreak, but the majority were more concerned about COVID-19 than Mpox. While the majority of participants thought laboratory personnel and HCWs in direct contact with Mpox patients should receive the vaccine, less than 60% believed that all HCWs should be vaccinated. Additionally, over half of the participants lacked knowledge of animal–human transmission of the virus. Conclusion: The results highlight the need for increased education on Mpox among transplant HCWs in Saudi Arabia, particularly regarding the virus’s transmission dynamics and vaccines. This education is crucial to improve HCWs’ understanding of this emerging disease, especially given their vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic.