Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Intensive Care Nurses' Experiences of Burnout During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study(King's College London, 2024) Alzailai, Nawal; Xyrichis, Andreas; Barriball, LouiseBackground: Burnout amongst healthcare staff, particularly amongst intensive care unit (ICU) nurses, is a critical issue that intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous research, especially within the Saudi context, has identified significant levels of burnout in ICU nurses. However, a notable gap exists in the use of qualitative methodologies to deepen our understanding of ICU nurses’ burnout in the Saudi context. Moreover, comprehending the experiences of nurses who suffered from burnout during the pandemic, focusing on the factors that contributed to their stress, has been essential for identifying developmental needs and for shaping interventions aimed at mitigating burnout amongst nurses. Despite this, the existing literature lacks a reliable theory or model that adequately captures the phenomenon of burnout within highly demanding environments like ICUs, particularly under the unpredictable and greatly challenging circumstances of disasters. Aim: To construct a theory grounded in burnout experiences of ICU nurses in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic, intended to act as a foundation for future research that explores burnout in high-stress environments for nurses or other healthcare staff working in similar contexts. Methods: Building from one scoping review and one systematic review, a constructivist grounded theory design was employed for this study, as proposed by Charmaz (2014a). Conducted in four distinct adult ICU departments of a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia, the research involved 22 ICU nurses experienced in caring for COVID-19 patients and 10 decision-makers, recruited through initial purposive sampling and subsequent theoretical sampling until theoretical saturation was reached. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Field notes and a reflexive methodological journal were maintained throughout the research process. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and translated into English where necessary. The analysis followed “Charmazian” principles, which include initial, focused and theoretical coding; constant comparison; theoretical sampling and sensitivity; memo writing; and diagramming. Ethical approval was secured from King’s College London and from the relevant Institutional Review Board in Saudi Arabia. Results: The theory generated by this investigation suggests burnout is a process, resulting from multiple interrelated factors within and beyond an individual’s working environment. This process occurs in three dynamic stages affected by the coping and supportive resources that the nurse has used/received. The core category that emerged, ‘we fought and now we need to be healed’, encapsulates the essence of the nurses’ experiences with perceived burnout and their vital need for recovery and support. This finding led to the development of the BuRN-ICU19 model, a comprehensive framework representing the ICU nurses’ experiences with burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic and informed by results from two fundamental reviews: a scoping review and a systematic review. Conclusion: This thesis offers novel insights into the experiences of burnout among ICU nurses in Saudi Arabia during a disaster situation. It highlights the critical need for targeted interventions and policy reforms to alleviate burnout in, improve the well-being of and effectively support ICU nurses in demanding situations. The BuRN-ICU19 model presents a valuable framework for future research and practical application in ICU nursing, with potential implications extending beyond the Saudi context.12 0Item Restricted Investigating Supply Chain Resilience in Global Companies(Kingston University, 2024-09-27) Alsaif, Abdullah; Wang, MichaelThis topic aims to analyze the vulnerabilities and risks within global supply chains, specifically in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. It will help to develop a framework for assessing and improving the resilience of supply chains, emphasizing strategies for risk mitigation and contingency planning10 0Item Restricted Exploring influencing factors on the adoption of nonpharmaceutical interventions during pandemics: COVID-19 as an example(University of Louisville, 2024-05) Alobaydullah, Ahmed; LaJoie, AndrewBackground: Pandemics are associated with loss of life, hospitalizations, and disruption to people’s social and economic lives. As the 2019 pandemic illustrates, COVID-19 can be prevented by pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). Recommended measures such as wearing a mask, washing hands, social distancing, and self-quarantine have been proven to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Identifying the factors associated with adherence to NPIs is the first step in understanding which levers of change to pull when designing health promotion interventions such as health communication campaigns. This dissertation explores these factors and proposes a health communication framework during pandemics. Research Questions: This dissertation has three research questions: 1) What demographic, personal-cognitive, and socio-environmental factors influenced the adoption of non-pharmaceutical interventions during pandemics among health care university students? 2) Which psychological, cognitive, or socio-environmental factors are more predictive of adherence to COVID-19 NPIs among the Saudi population? 3) What risk communication framework best suits public health messaging and communication to promote adopting non-pharmaceutical interventions during a pandemic? Methods: In the first manuscript, a systematic review was conducted to identify demographic, personal-cognitive, and socio-environmental factors influencing the adoption of non-pharmaceutical interventions during a pandemic among health care university students. In the second manuscript, a quantitative non-experimental survey research design study was conducted, where a Social Cognitive Theory-guided survey was used to measure adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions and explore the personal cognitive and socio-environmental influencing factors. The third manuscript uses a grounded theory technique to explore the relevant literature on NPIs communication and develops a conceptual framework to assist the health communicator during pandemics. Results: In manuscript 1, the systematic review identified 18 articles for full-text review. The results yielded 18 demographic factors associated with NPIs practice factors, of which being older, female, observing others practice NPIs, and having higher risk perception levels were influencing factors. Additionally, cues to action, source of information, anger, confusion, and positive attitude, perceived stress, susceptibility, benefits, barriers, and severity influenced NPIs adherence. In manuscript 2, NPIs were strongly correlated with normative beliefs and negatively correlated with self-efficacy. The hierarchical multiple regression model revealed that socio-environmental factors explained a significant proportion of variance in NPIs (52%). In manuscript 3, the Pandemic Behavioral Prevention Framework was developed based on components adopted from the CDC’s Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication Model, The Social Amplification of Risk Perception Framework, and The Social Cognitive Theory. Conclusion: The dissertation’s manuscripts found that demographic factors such as age and gender, personal cognitive factors such as risk perception, and socioenvironmental factors like social norms are influential when deciding to practice NPIs. These factors can be the basis of any health promotion intervention to promote NPIs in future pandemics. Also, we developed the Pandemic Behavioral Prevention Framework to utilize the currently used models of communication, risk, and behavior in shaping effective NPIs communication during pandemics.14 0Item Restricted AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON CONSUMER BEHAVIOR AND RETAILERS' BUSINESS MODEL IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA(University of Central Florida, 2023) Alfardan, Bader; O'Neal,ThomasThis study aims to explore the impact of COVID-19 on consumer buying behavior and shifts in retail business models within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in response to the challenges introduced by the pandemic. The study had several objectives, including examining the global impact of the pandemic on retail consumers, analyzing variations in the effect on luxury and essential products, investigating the strategies employed by physical store retailers to address the consequences of COVID-19, and providing recommendations for retailers to operate sustainably in the future. To achieve these objectives, the study utilized a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative research. Data was collected from 180 consumer respondents via a quantitative survey questionnaire and from eight retailers through one-on-one interviews. Reliability analysis was conducted using Cronbach's Alpha. Subsequently, the data was evaluated through frequency and cross-tabulation methods, while interview transcripts served to corroborate and contrast the quantitative findings. The study revealed that the COVID19 pandemic significantly altered consumer shopping patterns. There was a heightened demand for groceries, essentials, health and hygiene products, while non-essentials and luxury items experienced reduced demand. Consumers showed a preference for online retail platforms over traditional brick-and-mortar stores. Based on these findings, Saudi Arabian retailers are advised to exploit a hybrid model, blending online and physical stores in the post-COVID period, and to establish multiple online sales touchpoints. Luxury retailers, in particular, are encouraged to diversify their portfolio range to include value-for-money options, leverage social media marketing to promote their offerings, and improve consumer perceptions around online purchasing, specifically in the areas of delivery and return policies.47 0Item Restricted Diet and Weight-Related Risk Perceptions of COVID-19 in Relation to Diet and Weight Among UK Adults: A Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Analysis of the HEBECO Study(Saudi Digital Library, 2022-10) Abuzinadah, Jude; Shahab, Lion; Kale, DimitraObjectives: Risk perceptions (RPs) play an important role in health behaviours. However, no previous research examines the effect of diet and weight-related RPs of COVID-19 on weight and diet, including high fat sugar and/or salt (HFSS) food consumption and fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption. This study examined these effects cross-sectionally at baseline and longitudinally at 6-months while accounting for sociodemographic, anthropometric, health and COVID-related factors. Design: A secondary data analysis of the longitudinal survey of HEalth BEhaviours during the COVID-19 (HEBECO) pandemic was conducted (N=1910 UK adults). Methods: Participants self-reported data on sociodemographic, anthropometrics, diet, health and COVID-related factors. Pandemic-related data from baseline (April- June,2020) and the 6-month follow-up (November-December,2020) were analysed. Results: Multiple regressions revealed higher diet and weight-related RPs were associated with higher baseline HFSS consumption (β=.11,p<.001) and weight (β=.31, p<.001). Similarly, higher RPs were associated with higher HFSS consumption (β=.07, p=.005) and weight (β=.34, p<.001) at 6-months. Although RP did not predict change in HFSS consumption from baseline to 6-months, RP was associated with an increase in weight from baseline to 6-months. Multivariate logistic regressions revealed no significant association between RPs and meeting FV recommendations at baseline or 6-months. Conclusion: Findings highlight the importance of considering the role of diet and weight-related RPs in developing public health strategies to influence healthy eating and weight during and beyond the pandemic. Future research can consider examining these relationships in other countries and using more objective measures to increase reliability.30 0Item Restricted Evaluating the impact of Twitter as a news source on the Saudi public during the COVID-19(Brunel University, 2023-11-28) Aldahmash, Hind Hamad I; Han, SamIn the contemporary era of digital technology, Twitter has emerged as one of the foremost platforms utilised by individuals as a significant online source of information. This is mostly due to its ability to provide access to a wide range of ideas, news, and original content. Twitter predominantly attracts a user base that is primarily interested in news consumption, as the platform offers features such as headline links and media tools that facilitate users' access to content. The aim of the current research is to evaluate the impact of Twitter on the Saudi public as a source of news during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this research, interview method has been taken into account in which the interviews have been conducted with 10 Saudis people aged between 18 years and 60 years. The individuals included in the sample were selected via the Twitter platform, and their agreement to participate was obtained by sending them private messages via the Twitter site. From the findings, it has been found out that the utilisation of Twitter as a news source had a significant impact on the Saudi population during the Covid-19 pandemic. Twitter has been demonstrated to be a very informative platform and an effective news medium for the population of Saudi Arabia amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. The majority of individuals in Saudi Arabia possessed Twitter accounts and actively engaged with the platform. During the Covid-19 pandemic, individuals residing in Saudi Arabia were provided with a comprehensive array of updates and information via the social media platform Twitter, encompassing both anticipated and unanticipated content.41 0Item Restricted The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Health Practices and Oral Health Outcomes in Children: A Scoping Review(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-09-15) Alsadoon, Mashael; Lodder, Annemarie; Heilmann, AnjaBackground: Oral health is a critical aspect of overall well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected children's oral health through dental clinic closures, disrupted school-based oral health programs, increased sugary snack consumption, and changes in oral hygiene behaviours Aim: The aim of this study was to undertake a scoping review of the literature on the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental health practices and oral Health outcomes in children. Methods: A literature search was carried out using three online databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) to select studies published between 2020 and 2023. The initial search included 516 results, which were subsequently screened based on their titles and abstracts. After screening process, 16 studies were considered for the final review. Results: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted access to dental care for children, especially in lower income countries and among those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Health behaviours, such as brushing frequency and dietary habits, varied during the pandemic, with some children improving their oral care and food choices while others experienced declines. Dental caries prevalence increased, affecting children's quality of life, particularly when parents were distressed. Conclusion: The pandemic had adverse effects on the availability of dental clinics and has exacerbated inequality. It has also impacted children's Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQOL) and behaviour, leading to reduced brushing and increased sugar consumption. Parental involvement and education play a crucial role in addressing these issues.23 0