SACM - Germany
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/9655
Browse
2 results
Search Results
Item Restricted CULTURAL TOURISM AS AN ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION TOOL IN SAUDI ARABIA: STAKEHOLDER PRESPECTIVE ON VISION 2030’S FEASIBILITY AND CHALLENGE(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Alaflah, Sumayyah Mahmoud; Anastasiadou, DinaThis dissertation evaluates stakeholder perceptions of cultural tourism as an economic diversification tool under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. The study assesses the sector's perceived economic potential and identifies the most critical barriers to its successful implementation. A quantitative-dominant mixed-methods approach was employed, using a structured online survey of 100 key stakeholders. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings reveal a strong consensus that cultural heritage is an underutilized asset (Mean = 3.73). A critical nuance emerged on barriers: 'Accessibility and Infrastructure' was ranked the most urgent challenge (30%), while 'Human Capital and Training' was the dominant long-term strategic theme. The data also exposes a significant "implementation gap" in community engagement: while stakeholders strongly support involvement (Mean = 4.06), 67% perceive communities are not currently involved. The study concludes that while stakeholders support Vision 2030, its success is contingent on resolving these tensions. A two-stage policy approach is recommended: an immediate focus on the urgent infrastructure deficit, followed by sustained investment in the significant human capital gap. Success ultimately depends on aligning the national Vision with local stakeholder insights and participation.5 0Item Restricted Association between Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviors, and Sleep and Cardiometabolic Health among Adults in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Establishment of the Saudi ProPASS Prospective Cohort Study(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alaqil, Abdulrahman Ibrahim; Caserotti, PaoloBackground: Physical behaviors such as physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), andsleep are crucial indicators of health, with insufficient PA, excessive SB, and poor sleep being linked to higher incidences of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Globally, many adults do not meet recommended PA levels, and most countries are unlikely to meet global PA targets by 2030. This issue is particularly severe in Saudi Arabia, where urbanization has led to lifestyle changes characterized by low PA, increased SB, and a rising prevalence of NCDs. Despite the significance of these behaviors, there is a lack of comprehensive data on PA, SB, and sleep among Saudi adults. The World Health Organization has flagged in particular the expansion of device-based data to under-represented counties as an urgent research need to enhance understanding of the health impacts of these behaviors. In response, the Prospective Physical Activity, Sitting, and Sleep Consortium (ProPASS) was established as an international research platform to spearhead the expansion of the evidence base and transition to wearables data based global guidelines. Initially, ProPASS focused on thigh-worn and recently ProPASS has expanded to wrist-worn accelerometry devices to collect detailed data on PA, SB,sleep, and their connections to health outcomes. Based on ProPASS methodologies, this Ph.D.study seeks to address this gap by establishing a cohort in Saudi Arabia, thereby providing crucialdata to guide public health strategies in line with Saudi Vision 2030. Objectives: This thesis aimed to establish a prospective cohort that will investigative theassociations between device measured lifestyle behavior (physical activity, sedentary behavior,and sleep time) and cardiometabolic health in a sample of Saudi adults. This thesis seeks to provide preliminary evidence of feasibility and validity of ProPASS methods within Saudi Arabia context as well as initial evidence of associations between 24-hour physical behaviors and cardiometabolichealth in this population. Method: The aims were investigated in three cross-sectional studies with adults in Saudi Arabia.The study I aimed to translated and culture adaptation for three questionnaires which were Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ), Dietary Habits Questionnaire adapted from the Surveyof Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), and Preclinical Mobility Limitation questionnaire. The study II aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of ProPASS method in Saudi Arabia, where recruitment, acceptability, suitability, of study procedures, and Resources and ability to manage and implement the study were assessed. Lastly, study III investigated the association between physical behaviors and cardiometabolic health markers. Result: The Sedentary Behavior, Dietary Habits SHARE, and Preclinical Mobility Limitation questionnaires are ready to be used in Arabic-speaking countries (Paper I). The ProPASS protocols have a requirement rate of approximately 65% and a high completion rate of about 88%, indicating they are feasible to administer in Saudi Arabia (Paper II). Preliminary results from Study III(n=845) showed that Saudi adults spend 13.07 hours sitting, 2.01 hours standing, 1.08 hour in LIPA, 0.98 hours in MVPA, and 6.85 hours sleeping (Paper III). Conclusion:This thesis successfully established a foundational understanding of physical behaviors, includingPA, SB, and sleep, within a Saudi Arabian context. The translation and cultural adaptation of key questionnaires (SBQ, SHARE Dietary Habits, and Preclinical Mobility Limitation) have made them suitable for use in Arabic-speaking populations, filling a critical gap in tools available forthis region. The feasibility study demonstrated that the ProPASS protocols, which incorporate advanced device-based measurements, are both viable and well-received among Saudi adults, withhigh completion rates. Preliminary findings from the cohort reveal significant patterns of physical behavior, such as prolonged sitting times and limited engagement in MVPA, which are concerning given their associations with cardiometabolic health risks. These results underscore the urgent need for targeted public health strategies to address the sedentary lifestyles prevalent in Saudi Arabia, in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. The data gathered from this research not only enriches the global understanding of physical behaviors in underrepresented regions but also provides a robust foundation for future studies aimed at mitigating the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in the Kingdom.15 0