Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/10
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Item Restricted The Effect of Changing Medicaid Dental Benefits Type on Dental Services Utilization Among the Adult Population(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Mogaddam, Meaad; Choi, Sung EunIntroduction: In 2021, Medicaid invested approximately $18 billion in dental care, yet studies show that access remains limited for many low-income adults. One key strategy that states can use to enhance dental care and reduce disparities among low-income adults is increasing the number of covered dental services. However, few studies have explored the impact of changing the Medicaid dental benefit type on dental services utilization among the low-income adult population at the state-level. Additionally, including the perspectives of Medicaid dental offices in each state would deepen our understanding of Medicaid dental benefits for adults. Objectives: 1) to understand the attitudes of state Medicaid dental offices toward the importance of different types of dental benefits on dental care use among Medicaid beneficiaries, and 2) to explore the impact of changing the Medicaid dental benefit type on adult dental service utilization within each state, considering the year of these changes. Hypothesis: upgrading Medicaid dental benefit type would improve dental services utilization. Approach: This cross-sectional study distributed a survey to all 50 states and the District of Colombia (DC) Medicaid dental offices. Also, we used nationally representative Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from 2010 to 2020. Our study population included low-income (household income below 138% FPL) adults aged 18 to 64 years. Statistical analysis: Univariate and bivariate analysis using Fisher's exact test were conducted to analyze the survey data. While difference-in-differences (DID) and regression discontinuity (RD) designs were employed to evaluate the association between Medicaid dental benefit changes and dental care utilization, accounting for individual-level and state-level covariates. Results: The survey, with a 65% response rate, revealed strong agreement on the importance of offering more dental services for Medicaid adult beneficiaries, particularly preventive care, and on the importance of expanding Medicaid eligibility criteria. Moreover, all states expressed a positive attitude toward the importance of including various types of dental services, except for teledentistry, which was less prioritized. Regarding Medicaid dental office satisfaction with the provided dental services, a direct relationship was observed: where an increase in the level of dental benefits offered was associated with higher satisfaction levels reported by Medicaid dental offices. For the BRFSS data analysis, eight states were included based on the year and type of dental benefit change (Emergency to Limited: 1 state; Emergency to Extensive: 4 states; and Limited to Extensive: 3 states). The results of DID and RD analyses suggest that, in general, expanding dental benefit type for Medicaid adult beneficiaries would increase the probability of dental service utilization among low-income adults. However, the magnitude of this increase varied by state. Conclusion and future direction: expanding dental benefits for low-income adults seems to be effective. However, other strategies and state-specific factors should be carefully considered when designing interventions aimed at increasing and sustaining dental service utilization. We recommend gaining a deeper understanding of these state-specific factors, by integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches, to develop a tailored plan for creating targeted and effective interventions.18 0Item Restricted Perceptions of Adults who stutter after attending stuttering support groups in Saudi Arabia(University of Sheffield, 2024-08) Alrasheed, Rahaf; Cunningham, StuartBackground: Stuttering, marked by disruptions in speech flow, often leads to significant psychological and social challenges (Boyle, 2013a). Support groups have been identified as a beneficial approach to enhancing both speech fluency and psychosocial well-being among people who stutter (Gerlach et al., 2019). Aim: To investigate the impact of participation in stuttering support groups on perceptions of speech fluency and psychosocial well-being of adults who stutter in Saudi Arabia. Method: A total of 18 adults who stutter were recruited to this study via SSGs leaders. The study used a survey to collect data and employed a mixed methods approach by integrating both quantitative analyses using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and qualitative thematic analysis to explore participants' experiences and perceptions. Results: The findings revealed that support groups largely enhance self-acceptance and confidence while showing variable improvement in speech fluency among participants. Conclusion: This research contributes valuable insights into the role of support groups in the lives of adults who stutter, advocating for their continued development and accessibility in Saudi Arabia.14 0Item Restricted Peer-to-Peer Marketplace for Older Adults(Dundee University, 2024-10-02) Alqahtani, Rehab Faisal; Rough, DanielThis thesis explores the development of a web-based accessibility tool designed for older adults, focusing on increasing their independence and social participation Using a user-centred design study implementation, the study addresses the implementation and accessibility challenges that often prevent the use of technologies in older adults that simulated technologies can offer users satisfaction and engagement have improved significantly. Despite the positive results, challenges related to digital literacy and physical disabilities remain. This indicates the need for continuous improvement. Recommendations for future work include personal characteristics. Expanded data analysis and improved communication support services. This project demonstrates the power of technology to transform care for the elderly. And emphasizes the need for continuous adaptation to meet the changing needs of the elderly.13 0Item Restricted Evaluating C-reactive protein (CRP) and Interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) as Biomarkers for Tuberculosis Treatment Monitoring: A Systematic Review on Adult Pulmonary Tuberculosis Treatment(Keele University, 2023-09-05) Alkhelaiwi, Weaam; Harrison, RebeccaBackground: Tuberculosis (TB) is an enduring global health menace that predominantly affects low- and middle-income nations. Despite medical advancements, TB continues to claim numerous lives every year, necessitating innovative solutions to enhance treatment and monitoring. Conventional strategies for monitoring the progress and outcomes of TB treatment often face challenges, especially in resource-limited settings. These limitations include delayed results, invasive procedures, and the need for sophisticated equipment. Consequently, the medical community is in dire need of efficient and reliable biomarkers that can serve as indicators of treatment response and disease progression. Objectives: The primary aim of this review was to meticulously investigate the potential effectiveness of C-reactive protein (CRP) and Interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) as biomarkers for TB treatment monitoring. Specifically, this review sought to answer: "How effective are CRP and IP-10 in tracking treatment response in adults undergoing therapy for active pulmonary tuberculosis?" Methods: Guided by the stringent PRISMA 2020 statement guidelines, an exhaustive search of the literature was conducted, focusing on studies that shed light on CRP and IP-10 as prospective biomarkers for TB treatment tracking. Multiple databases were scoured, and a rigorous selection protocol was established, filtering out studies based on relevance, language, and other criteria. This meticulous approach ensured the inclusion of only the most pertinent studies that contribute significantly to the research question. Results: Out of an initial pool of 39 articles, six pivotal studies were selected for in depth review. These studies spanned a diverse range of geographical territories, from South Korea and Uganda to India and Gambia, offering a broad spectrum of insights. The collated results indicated that biomarker concentrations, notably IP-10 and CRP, exhibited significant fluctuations in sync with TB treatment stages and overall disease diagnosis. The consistency of IP-10 levels in monitoring therapeutic response was particularly pronounced in patients diagnosed with active TB. On the other hand, CRP levels displayed a discernible downward trend as the treatment progressed, underscoring its potential as a reliable indicator of therapeutic effectiveness. However, certain studies also illuminated the circumscribed role of IP-10 as a biomarker in regions heavily burdened with TB. This highlighted the imperative for context-specific evaluation before the widespread adoption of these biomarkers. Conclusions: The findings of this review underscore the promising potential of both CRP and IP-10 as innovative biomarkers for TB treatment monitoring. While IP-10 exhibits a pronounced capability in differentiating between active and latent TB infections, CRP's consistent decline during treatment suggests its pivotal role in evaluating therapeutic efficacy. Nevertheless, the practical adoption of these biomarkers in real-world scenarios mandates further extensive research, comprehensive validation trials, and tailored evaluations to account for regional and demographic variations. The incorporation of such biomarkers could revolutionize TB treatment monitoring, offering rapid, reliable, and non-invasive methods that could be particularly beneficial in resource-constrained settings.10 0Item Restricted An investigation into the rationale and treatment impact of removable and fixed appliances in adults: A qualitative studyAn investigation into the rationale and treatment impact of removable and fixed appliances in adults: A qualitative study(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-10-31) Damanhuri, Shahad; Johal, AmaIntroduction: There is limited evidence available that focuses on the experiences of adult patients during orthodontic treatment. A better understanding of the adult patient's rationale and preferences will allow orthodontists to provide more relevant information to patients and likely to facilitate the development of a patient-centred approach to providing better care. The aim of the current study was to understand why adult patients, undergo orthodontic treatment, in particular their reasoning and overall experience with their choice of appliance. Materials: A qualitative study was conducted on adult participants recruited from four different London-based orthodontic private practises. Participants wearing fixed ceramic labial appliances (FC), removable aligner appliances (RA), and fixed lingual appliances (FL) were invited to take part in one-to-one, semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data were collected using a topic guide, until saturation was reached. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim and analysed using framework methodology. Results: In total, 22 participants (13 females; FC = 8, RA = 8 and FL=6), were interviewed. The data was presented under three objectives, with 2 themes for each objective and 15 overall sub-themes developed. Objective one, the reasons that lead adults to seek orthodontic treatment: theme A: psychosocial influence; theme B: health related issues. Objective two, the rationale for selecting specific treatment options: theme C: social influence and theme D: appliance 5 features and finally, objective three, the impact of different orthodontic appliances on the quality of life of participants: theme E: functional impairment and F: psychosocial impact. Conclusions: The present research identified a number of factors influence adults in their decision-making process and treatment experiences. It is important for both orthodontists and patients to understand these findings. It is particularly important to facilitate the development of a patient-centred approach to providing better care.9 0Item Restricted Investigating the role of maths intelligence and failure mindsets and the responses of teachers and mothers to pupils’ maths intelligence mindsets and/or achievement in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.(2023) Alassaf, Alaa; Kovshoff, Hanna; Hall, James; Hadwin, JulieIntelligence mindset refers to beliefs regarding the fixedness or malleability of intelligence and includes two types: growth and fixed (Haimovitz & Dweck, 2017). Previous research has confirmed the associations between students’ intelligence mindsets and achievement. Additionally, recent studies have demonstrated the importance of adults’ mindsets and practices on shaping children’s intelligence mindsets and influencing their achievement. Accordingly, Haimovitz and Dweck (2017) developed a model suggesting that adults’ intelligence and/or failure mindsets might impact their response toward their children’s success and/or failure, thus influencing their children’s intelligence mindsets. This thesis aimed to test this model in the subject of mathematics, to understand and to explain the role of adults’ mindsets and responses in forming their children’s intelligence mindsets. Additionally, this thesis sought to expand the literature by investigating the impact of mindsets in a Saudi Arabian context, as most studies into mindsets have been conducted in Western countries. Firstly, a systematic review aiming to investigate the relationship between teacher intelligence mindset and pupils’ maths achievement was conducted. The review included seven studies that reported mixed evidence. Secondly, a qualitative study exploring the role of 30 primary maths teachers’ intelligence mindsets and practices in their pupils’ maths success and failure was carried out. As a result of thematic analysis, five overarching themes emerged. Lastly, a quantitative study was also conducted. It explored the impact of maths teachers’ and mothers’ intelligence and failure mindsets on their response orientations to a pupil’s/child’s maths failure scenario and how these influenced their intelligence mindsets. The findings showed that across 56 pupils (aged 10 to 12 years old) and their mothers and maths teachers (one triad per school) only the mothers’ mindset/practice was found to shape their child’s intelligence mindset concerning their maths’ ability. The implications, strengths, limitations and recommendations for future research were also provided.95 0