Search Results (21)

Accurate air quality forecasting is important in pollution prevention and risk reduction. Effective short-term and long-term forecasting models are needed. This study investigated the need for a new model to forecast air pollution concentrations in three cities with distinct characteristics: a city with high industrial activity, a city with a high population density and urbanization, and an agricultural city. The air pollution data were collected using the Sentinel-5P satellite and Google Earth Engine to apply descriptive analysis and comparison of two years, 2022 and 2023. The studied cities were Al Riyadh (high population), Al Jubail (industrial), and Najran (agricultural) in Saudi Arabia. The selected pollutants were SO₂, NO₂, CO, O₃, and HCHO. In addition, this study investigated the variations observed in all the pollutants during the months of the year, the correlations between the contaminants, and the correlation between NO₂ and the meteorological data. Based on our findings, Al Jubail had the highest level of all the pollutants during the two years, except for NO₂, for which the highest level was observed in Al Riyadh, which has witnessed notable urbanization and development recently. Moreover, this study developed a forecasting model for the concentration of NO₂ based on weather data and the previous values of NO₂ using Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Time2Vec. The modeling proved that any model that is trained on data collected from a specific city is not suitable for predicting the pollution level in another city and the level of another pollutant, as the three cities have different correlations with the pollutants and the weather data. The proposed model demonstrated a superior accuracy in predicting NO₂ concentrations compared to traditional LSTM models, effectively capturing temporal patterns and achieving minimal prediction errors, which contributes to ongoing efforts to understand the dynamics of air pollution based on cities’ characteristics and the period of the year. Full article

Machine Learning Techniques (MLTs) and accurate geographic mapping are crucial for managing natural hazards, especially when monitoring the movement of sand dunes. This study presents the integration of MLTs with geographic information systems (GIS) and “R” software to monitor sand dune movement in Najran City, Saudi Arabia (KSA). Utilizing Linear Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) with nine dune-related variables, this study introduces a new Drifting Sand Index (DSI) for effectively identifying and mapping dune accumulations. The DSI incorporates multispectral sensors data and demonstrates a robust capability for monitoring sand dune dynamics. Field surveys and spatial data analysis were used to identify about 100 dune locations, which were then divided into training (70%) and validation (30%) sets at random. These models produced a thorough dune encroachment risk map that divided areas into five hazard zones: very low, low, medium, high, and very high risk. The results show an average sand dune movement of 0.8 m/year towards the southeast. Performance evaluation utilizing the Area Under Curve-Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUC-ROC) approach revealed AUC values of 96.2% for SVM, 94.2% for RF, and 93% for ANN, indicating RF (AUC = 96.2%) as the most effective MLTs. This crucial information provides valuable insights for sustainable development and environmental protection, enabling decision-makers to prioritize regions for mitigation techniques against sand dune encroachment. Full article

In relation to its rapid infrastructure expansion, exemplified by projects like the Najran Valley Dam or the rehabilitation of agricultural terraces, Saudi Arabia stands out among the Arabian Gulf nations. To mitigate the earthquake-related risks effectively, it is imperative to conduct an exhaustive analysis of its natural hazards. The southwesternmost region of Saudi Arabia is the main subject area of this study for the probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA), which aims to identify the peak ground acceleration (PGA) and spectral acceleration (SA) values. The investigation encompasses a 10% and 5% probability of occurrence over a 50-year exposure time for both B/C and C NEHRP soils. In order to take into account the earthquake activity that takes place in the vicinity of the Red Sea Rift, which in fact may have an impact on the seismic hazard in this active tectonic region, different seismic source zones were especially designed for this evaluation. Various characteristics such as the uncertainties related to the b-value, the expected maximum magnitude, and different ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) were integrated using a logic tree scheme. Additionally, regression relationships between the computed ground motion values were established, and a novel design response spectrum was developed and recommended for several cities. Regarding the key findings, it is significant to highlight that the seismic hazard decreases towards the northeast, when moving away from the Red Sea Rift, confirming anticipated trends where proximity to the rift corresponds to increased seismic hazard. Notably, cities such as Farasan Island, Jazan, Al Qunfundhah, Al Lith and Al Birk present the highest observed hazard values among all the cities analyzed. For these cities, the obtained maximum SA values for both 475 and 975 years under B/C site conditions are as follows: 0.268 g and 0.412 g, 0.121 g and 0.167 g, 0.099 g and 0.150 g, 0.083 g and 0.135 g, and 0.066 g and 0.118 g, respectively. These results emphasize the crucial necessity of adequately evaluating and thoroughly updating the seismic hazard inherent to these particular areas to enhance the risk reduction and disaster readiness initiatives. Full article

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant mental health concern affecting mothers globally. However, research on PPD prevalence and risk factors in Najran City, Saudi Arabia, is limited. Study Aim: this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with PPD among mothers in Najran City. Methodology: A questionnaire-based study was conducted from September 2023 to January 2024, involving 420 mothers aged 16–50 years with newborns (2–10 weeks after delivery). The questionnaire included demographic information and the Arabic version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Statistical analysis utilized SPSS software v. 26, including descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis H test, and logistic regression. Results: The majority of participants were aged 20–35 years (61.4%), Saudi nationals (87.6%), and had university education (51.4%). EPDS scores indicated that 66.7% of mothers screened positive for possible depression. Significant associations were found between higher EPDS scores and factors such as unemployment (p = 0.004), younger age (p = 0.003), caesarean delivery (p = 0.043), mental illness (p = 0.0001), lack of adequate family support (p = 0.0001), and higher stress levels (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of PPD among mothers in Najran City, with sociodemographic, obstetric, and psychosocial factors significantly influencing PPD risk. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions and support systems to address maternal mental health needs effectively. Full article

Introduction: One of the main causes of illness, mortality, and rising medical costs is antimicrobial resistance, which is a global healthcare concern. Objectives: This study explores the practice of physicians toward the effective implementation of Antibiotic Stewardship Programs (ASPs) in Najran city, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted among physicians working at primary care setting in Najran city, Saudi Arabia, between May and August 2023. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among the physicians composed of three parts: socio-demographic data, a questionnaire about physicians’ practice in the efficacy of ASP, and a questionnaire about physicians’ practice regarding prescribing antibiotics. Results: Of the 128 physicians who participated in the study, 60.2% were males, and 43.8% were aged between 36 and 45 years. Among the practices in implementing the ASP effectively, controlling the source of infection domain received the highest score (mean score: 4.83). Every practice domain mean score was greater than 3, indicating that study participants possessed a moderate level of ASP practice and implementation skills. The overall mean practice score in the effective implementation of ASP was 154.9 ± 25.5 out of 185 points, with good, moderate, and poor practices constituting 67.2%, 28.1%, and 4.7%, respectively. Conclusions: The physicians showed a moderate level of practice for the effective implementation of ASPs in Najran city. The factors significantly associated with increased practice score include older age, male gender, Saudi nationality, handling five or fewer infection cases daily, and infection-initiated antibiotic prescribing treatment managed per day. These findings suggest the need for targeted interventions and educational programs to enhance physicians’ adherence to ASP guidelines and promote appropriate antibiotic prescribing practices, ultimately contributing to global efforts in combating antimicrobial resistance and improving patient outcomes. Full article

Background: Fear of Childbirth (FOC) can significantly impact women’s physical and psychological health; therefore, healthcare providers must provide proactive care, which means they have to intervene before FOC becomes tokophobia. This study’s purpose is to evaluate the determinants of prenatal childbirth fear during the third trimester among low-risk expectant mothers. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at the Maternal and Children Hospital’s outpatient clinics in Najran City, Saudi Arabia, from April to July 2023. The study involved 377 nulliparous and multiparous women, using a systemic random sampling technique. The data were collected using an interview schedule composed of questions related to demographic and obstetrics characteristics, the FOC questionnaire, and a multidimensional scale of perceived social support. Significant FOC predictors were examined using a binary logistic regression model. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between nulliparous and multiparous participants concerning FOC; 80.0% of nulliparous participants had significant FOC compared to 67.8% of multiparous participants (p = 0.011). A binary logistic regression clarified that regular antenatal care and family and spousal support were significantly negatively correlated with significant FOC among multiparous and nulliparous women (p < 0.05). For multiparas, FOC was associated with pregnancy planning and previous labor-related complications. In addition, friends’ support was an important predictor of significantly lower FOC among nulliparous women (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Significant FOC was higher in nulliparous women when compared to multiparous women. Numerous obstetric variables and different types of social support play important roles in significant FOC. Special attention and support should be provided to high-risk women for proper FOC management during prenatal classes to improve their childbirth experiences. Full article

People are forced to use all types of soil, especially bad soils, as infrastructure demands grow. Different procedures must be used to ameliorate these poor soils, which are fragile during building. Natural resource depletion and the rising costs of available materials force us to consider alternative supplies. For several years, researchers have investigated the use of by-products from industry and associated approaches to improve the qualities of various soils. Coarse Aggregate Crushing Waste (CACW) is a waste product that results from the primary crushing of aggregates. Massive amounts of CACW are produced in the business, posing serious issues from handling to disposal. As a result, the widespread use of CACW for diverse purposes has been recommended in the civil engineering profession to address these concerns. Because some natural resources, such as gravel, are nonrenewable, it is vital to decrease their consumption and replace them with recycled, cost-effective, and ecologically acceptable alternatives. This research aimed to investigate the possibility of reusing CACW to improve the geotechnical properties of silty sand (SM) soil available in the Najran region. In this research, soil samples were collected from Najran city and subjected to a variety of lab experiments to determine their characterization. Mixes were designed for a parent soil with a range of percentages of CACW with/without 2% cement. The designed mixes were examined through a set of lab tests to obtain the optimum design for use in road construction. The findings of the tests showed that the optimum dosage is 10% CACW with 2% cement, raising the undrained shear strength of silty sand soil by 323%, CBR by 286%, and P-wave by 180%. The durability tests show that soil mixed with 10% CACW and 2% cement fulfills the requirements and stays within the 14% weight loss limit imposed by the Portland Cement Association (PCA). The microscopic investigation results confirmed the outcomes obtained by macro tests. As a result, the carbon footprint values decrease when CAWA is added, making this treatment approach almost carbon neutral. This study clarifies the long-term effects of CACW on improving the geotechnical characteristics of silty sand soil in the Najran Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other comparable soils globally. Full article

Osteoporosis is a chronic bone disease affecting both men and women, but it is more prevalent in women. Promoting a healthy lifestyle among adults, particularly women, is crucial in preventing and reducing the osteoporosis impact. This study aimed to compare the osteoporosis knowledge, health beliefs and preventive behaviors among adult male and female in Najran city Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study was performed on 516 males and 581 females in Najran City, Saudi Arabia, from January to April 2023. The data collection instrument is a self-reported online questionnaire consisting of basic data, the Osteoporosis Preventive Behavior (OPB) scale, the osteoporosis knowledge assessment tool, and the osteoporosis health belief scale. The results revealed that male participants had a higher OPB (26.70) than females (20.32). However, females have a higher knowledge (10.71), perceive themselves as more susceptible to osteoporosis (20.34) and had higher exercise barriers (20.11) compared to males (9.97, 18.79 and 19.20, respectively). Statistically significant correlations (p < 0.001) were observed between OPB, osteoporosis knowledge (r = 0.26), perceived susceptibility (r = 0.33), severity (r = 0.53), exercise (r = 0.54) and calcium (r = 0.33) benefits, exercise (r = 0.40) and calcium (r = 0.81) barriers and health motivation (r = 0.37). The study concluded significant disparities between males and females regarding osteoporosis-related knowledge, preventive behaviors, perceived susceptibility, severity, and exercise perceived barriers. The results suggest gender-based educational interventions to enhance OPB by addressing osteoporosis-related knowledge, perceived susceptibility, seriousness, benefits, and health motivation. Full article

Many practical issues arise when dealing with solid waste management, and there are also environmental effects to be considered. Selecting landfill sites requires extra care with respect to many factors such as the environment, health hazards for people, and the cost of transportation. Furthermore, cities have their own rules, methods, and practices for managing and selecting the best locations for collecting solid waste. In this research, multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) was presented and used to evaluate the appropriateness of and suggest the best locations for landfill sites in Najran, KSA. Some remote sensing data and the ArcGIS software were used to prepare nine thematic layers, including drainage density, groundwater depth, land use, soil type, road network, surface elevation, surface slope, distance from residential areas, and distance from protected areas. To evaluate the layer weightings, a questionnaire with pairwise comparisons was distributed among experts and analyzed using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy set technique. The one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) sensitivity test was conducted to test the sensitivity of the evaluated weightings. A landfill suitability index (LSI) map was created using raster calculator tools and divided into five classes: limited suitability (LSI value 1.39–2.49), least suitable (2.50–3.03), relatively suitable (3.04–3.48), suitable (3.49–3.91), and most suitable (3.92–4.66). According to the statistical analysis, 18.0% and 18.2% of the total area were within the most suitable and suitable landfill regions, while 21.2%, 14.9%, and 9.5% accounted for relatively suitable, least suitable, and limited suitability areas, respectively. The employed technique and its findings can provide an appropriate guideline to assist the municipality of Najran city, regional planners, and decision-makers in selecting an optimal landfill site in the future. This study also presented some recommendations to enhance the suitability map of landfill sites in Najran city. Full article

Osteoporosis is a silent chronic disease, and many people did not discover it until they were diagnosed with a fracture. Therefore, regular scanning and appropriate Osteoporosis Preventive Behaviors (OPB) are the management cornerstone. OPB is strongly affected by personal knowledge and health beliefs. This study explores the role of knowledge and health beliefs as determinants of OPB among perimenopausal women. This cross-sectional study was performed on 1075 perimenopausal women in Najran City, Saudi Arabia, from January 2023 to March 2023. The data collection instrument is a self-reported questionnaire consisting of basic data, the OPB scale, an osteoporosis knowledge assessment tool, and the osteoporosis health belief scale. The current study results showed that approximately one-quarter (27.8%) of the study participants had high OPB with an overall mean of 20.83 ± 5.08 grade. The group practicing high OPB demonstrated a higher knowledge mean (11.37 ± 2.99) than the low OPB group (9.93 ± 3.51). In addition, all health beliefs constructs significantly differed among the low and high OPB groups (p ˂ 0.05). The participant’s age, occupational status, educational level, attendance of training courses, and history of bone fractures were significantly associated with high OPB. Osteoporosis knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, exercises’ perceived benefits, and health motivations are positive predictors of high OPB (p ˂ 0.05). The study concluded that osteoporosis-related knowledge and health beliefs—especially perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, exercises’ perceived benefits, and health motivations—are positive predictors of high OPB. The health belief model can be an effective tool used to determine high-risk groups who practice low OPB and build need-based educational interventions. Full article

An increased dependency on motorized modes of transportation has been noticed recently for school children commuting to school, while a major decline in walking to school has occurred. Dependency on motorized modes for commuting to school has many adverse consequences. This paper examines determinants that can influence how children commute to schools for both boys and girls in all school stages in Najran City. Data of morning school commutes were analyzed using a multinomial logit model (MLM). Analytical results indicate that about 37% of students live at a distance of more than 2 km from school, and only 16% live within 500 m of their schools. Almost half of the respondents own more than one car. Regarding walking to school, only 19% of students walk to school, while the rest use motorized modes when commuting to school. The results of MLM show that boys are more likely to walk to school than girls. In addition, age and unemployed family members have a positive relationship with students’ odds of walking while owning cars, income, employed parents, parent education, and distance to school have a negative association with the likelihood of walking to schools. A shortage and uneven distribution of schools, lack of pedestrian infrastructure, and the higher dependency on private drivers can be considered the most important barriers to walking to schools. Thus, responsible agencies must add more schools to reduce the distance between homes and schools, implement safe, paved, and shaded pedestrian sidewalks, and educate students about walking benefits and safety principles. Full article

Many factors have been found to correlate with satisfactory Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) practices. The relationships between EBF practices and associated factors are complex and multidimensional; Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy (BSE) is the most important psychological factor that may help the mother to overcome any expected barriers. This study investigates the determinants of high breastfeeding self-efficacy among Saudi nursing mothers. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study investigating the determinant of BSE among 1577 nursing mothers in primary health centers in Najran City, Saudi Arabia. The study uses a cluster random sampling technique. Data collection was performed from June 2022 to January 2023 using a self-reported questionnaire that encompasses the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale—Short Form (BSES-SF), Gender Friendly Breastfeeding Knowledge Scale (GFBKS), Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS), and a basic data questionnaire to assess women’s demographic factors and obstetric history. Results: The mean score for all BSES-SF items was between 3.23–3.41, the highest mean score was in mothers who felt comfortable breastfeeding with family members present (3.41 ± 1.06), and the lowest mean was in mothers who could breastfeed their baby without using formula as a supplement (3.23 ± 0.94). The overall BSE score was high among 67% of the study participants. Binary logistic regression showed that being a housewife, being highly educated, having breastfeeding experience, and being multiparous are positive predictors for high BSE (p ≤ 0.001). In addition, having adequate breastfeeding knowledge and positive breastfeeding attitudes were positively associated with higher BSE (p = 0.000). Conclusion: BSE can be predicted by modifiable predictors such as mothers’ education, working status, parity, breastfeeding experience, adequate breastfeeding knowledge, and positive attitudes toward breastfeeding. If such predictors are considered during breastfeeding-related educational interventions, it could lead to more effective and sustainable effects in community awareness regarding breastfeeding. Full article

Being a fast-growing city with a high rate of urbanization and agricultural development, the city of Najran, situated in the southwest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has witnessed a series of earth fissuring events and some other geo-environmental hazards in recent times. These fissures have posed a significant threat to inhabitants and infrastructure in the area. A few studies suggest that excessive groundwater withdrawal is responsible for fissuring activities. Because of the intensity of this geo-hazard, this article presupposes that groundwater extraction alone cannot be responsible for the magnitude of fissuring activity in the area and discusses other severe factors that could be responsible for the earth fissures. The study proposes that the cause of the problem is multifaceted and synergistic, and outlines threatening factors that can inherently trigger more fissures in the region, based on the geologic history of the area and a critical review of investigative studies conducted in the area and beyond. Predicated on the region’s structural history, some undiscovered elements that can potentially cause fissuring in the region were identified and discussed. Some of these include the pre-existence of a fault system, a crack from the bedrock ridge, the existence of paleochannels, the collapsibility of loess, the tectonic (earthquake) history of the area, and differential compaction due to heterogeneity. The use of a metaheuristic and a combined application integrating other optimization algorithms can be utilized to determine optimum hyperparameters and present their statistical importance, thereby improving accuracy and dependability in fissure prediction in Najran. Reliable models would primarily be used to monitor active fissures and identify key factors utilizing spatial information, subsidence, groundwater-related data sets, etc. Full article

The Saudi government targets building eight solar plants across the country by 2030, which are expected to produce more than 3600 MW, enough to power more than 500,000 homes. However, the vast desert environment in Saudi Arabia increases dust and aerosol loading in the atmosphere, which affect the performance of photovoltaic systems due to scattering and absorption of the solar radiation by dust particles. In this work, ground-based data from weather stations located in six Saudi cities, Dammam, Hafar Al Batin, Riyadh, Jeddah, Najran, and Arar, along with data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) are used to examine the effects of dust loading on aerosol optical parameters, air temperature, and solar irradiance. The effects of three major dust storms that blew over different regions in Saudi Arabia on 20 March 2017, 23 April 2018, and 15 April 2021 have been investigated. It is found that there is a strong correlation between dust loading and aerosol optical parameters. The maximum Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) was recorded over Jeddah on 19 March 2017 (about 2), over Riyadh on 20 March 2017 (about 2.3), over Riyadh on 24 April 2018 (about 1.5), and over Najran on 15 April 2021 (about 0.9). Strong dust events are found to reduce air temperature by a few degrees in high dust loading regions. The study found that such large dust loading decreases the direct and global solar irradiance components, while it increases the diffuse component over the cities of Jeddah, Riyadh, and Najran. This could be an indication that scattering from dust particles can play a significant role in the solar irradiance intensity. Full article

Cities around the world increasingly recognize the need to build on their resilience to deal with converging forces such as disasters, environmental degradation, urban sprawl, and climate change. Given the significance of critical infrastructure networks (CINs) for maintaining the quality of life in buildings and communities, improving their resilience is of high importance to governors, planners, and policymakers. Therefore, this study is proposed to spatially analyze the resilience of CINs in Saudi Arabia and to develop a holistic resilience framework for buildings and communities. The research method of this study involves a case study of Najran, including a collection of CIN data, history of natural disasters, and future potential hazards. The data were compiled to list the basic parameters required for the development of resilience criteria. Overall results show that CINs in the city of Najran were performing below average compared with the measurement criteria. The study highlights the need to make improvements in terms of the robustness, redundancy, and flexibility of the CINs in the city. Moreover, this paper proposes a holistic framework of key aspects of resilient criteria that need to be taken into account by the city governor, policymakers, and developer bodies for better management of available infrastructure and its development in future years. Full article