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Public Awareness on Cord Blood Banking in Saudi Arabia.

ABSTRACT: Background:In the last decade, cord blood (CB) has proven to be a valuable source of hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation to treat many hematological disorders. Since then, many CB banks have been established worldwide. Our aim was to estimate the level of public awareness of CB banking in Saudi Arabia. Study Design and Methods:A self-administered questionnaire of 22 multiple choices was conveniently distributed, consisting of demographics, awareness measure, attitude toward banking preference, and donation for research data. Results:A total of 1146 participants have completed the questionnaire. The majority were young female 19-25 years old (26%), who are college graduates (57%) with middle class socioeconomic status (82%). The subjective assessment of the overall knowledge was inadequate (66%). For the objective assessment, 12 questions were asked about CB source, collection, storage, and usage. Only half of the subjects (52%) knew that CB is a source of stem cells. More than half did not know the main use of CB. About half did not know about the method of collection nor the condition of storing. Conclusion:This study shows a high lack of knowledge about CB banking. More than half of the subjects were unaware of CB banking and its uses. However, most subjects are accepting CB storage, which anticipates great impact and efficacy on educational programs. Moreover, the data demonstrated that health professionals were not the source of knowledge. We recommend having comprehensive educational campaigns with clear information about CB banking to facilitate positive perspectives towards donation and scientific research.

SUBMITTER: Jawdat D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5903187 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Public Awareness on Cord Blood Banking in Saudi Arabia.

Jawdat Dunia D AlTwijri Sulaiman S AlSemari Hadeel H Saade Mayssa M Alaskar Ahmed A

Stem cells international 20180403

<h4>Background</h4>In the last decade, cord blood (CB) has proven to be a valuable source of hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation to treat many hematological disorders. Since then, many CB banks have been established worldwide. Our aim was to estimate the level of public awareness of CB banking in Saudi Arabia.<h4>Study design and methods</h4>A self-administered questionnaire of 22 multiple choices was conveniently distributed, consisting of demographics, awareness measure, attitude towa ...[more]

PMID: 29765424

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Project description:BackgroundHuman iPSCs' derivation and use in clinical studies are transforming medicine. Yet, there is a high cost and long waiting time associated with autologous iPS-based cellular therapy, and the genetic engineering of hypo-immunogenic iPS cell lines is hampered with numerous hurdles. Therefore, it is increasingly interesting to create cell stocks based on HLA haplotype distribution in a given population. This study aimed to assess the potential of HLA-based iPS banking for the Saudi population.MethodsIn this study, we interrogated the HLA database of the Saudi Stem Cell Donor Registry (SSCDR), containing high-resolution HLA genotype data from 64,315 registered Saudi donors at the time of analysis. This database was considered to be a representative sample of the Saudi population. The most frequent HLA haplotypes in the Saudi population were determined, and an in-house developed iterative algorithm was used to identify their HLA matching percentages in the SSCDR database and cumulative coverage. Subsequently, to develop a clinically relevant protocol for iPSCs generation, and to illustrate the applicability of the concept of HLA-based banking for cell therapy purposes, the first HLA-based iPS cell line in Saudi Arabia was generated. Clinically relevant methods were employed to generate the two iPS clones from a homozygous donor for the most prevalent HLA haplotype in the Saudi population. The generated lines were then assessed for pluripotency markers, and their ability to differentiate into all three germ layers, beating cardiomyocytes, and neural progenitors was examined. Additionally, the genetic stability of the HLA-iPS cell lines was verified by comparing the mutational burden in the clones and the original blood sample, using whole-genome sequencing. The standards set by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) were used to determine the clinical significance of identified variants.ResultsThe analysis revealed that the establishment of only 13 iPSC lines would match 30% of the Saudi population, 39 lines would attain 50% coverage, and 596 lines would be necessary for over 90% coverage. The proof-of-concept HLA-iPSCs, which cover 6.1% of the Saudi population, successfully demonstrated pluripotency and the ability to differentiate into various cell types including beating cardiomyocytes and neuronal progenitors. The comprehensive genetic analysis corroborated that all identified variants in the derived iPSCs were inherently present in the original donor sample and were classified as benign according to the standards set by the ACMG.ConclusionsOur study sets a road map for introducing iPS-based cell therapy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It underscores the pragmatic approach of HLA-based iPSC banking which circumvents the limitations of autologous iPS-based cellular therapies. The successful generation and validation of iPSC lines based on the most prevalent HLA haplotype in the Saudi population signify a promising step toward broadening the accessibility and applicability of stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine in Saudi Arabia.

Project description:BackgroundFor over 25 years cord blood has been used as an alternative to bone marrow for therapeutic use in conditions of the blood, immune system and metabolic disorders. Parents can decide if they would like to privately store their infant's cord blood for later use if needed or to publicly donate it. Parents need to be aware of the options that exist for their infant's cord blood and have access to the relevant information to inform their choice. The aim of this paper is to identify parent's knowledge and awareness of cord blood donation, private banking options and stem cell use, and parent sources and preferred sources of this information.MethodsAn integrative review was conducted using several electronic databases to identify papers on parents' knowledge, attitudes and attitudes towards umbilical cord blood donation and banking. The CASP tool was used to determine validity and quality of the studies included in the review.ResultsThe search of the international literature identified 25 papers which met review inclusion criteria. This integrative review identified parents' knowledge of cord banking and/or donation as low, with awareness of cord blood banking options greater than knowledge. Parents were found to have positive attitudes towards cord blood donation including awareness of the value of cord blood and its uses, with the option considered to be an ethical and altruistic choice. Knowledge on cord blood use were mixed; many studies' participants did not correctly identify uses. Information sources for parents on cord blood was found to be varied, fragmented and inconsistent. Health professionals were identified as the preferred source of information on cord blood banking for parents.ConclusionsThis integrative review has identified that further research should focus on identifying information that expectant parents require to assist them to make informed choices around cord blood banking; and identifying barriers present for health professionals providing evidence based information on cord blood use and banking options.

Project description:BackgroundCord blood is an important source of stem cells. However, nearly 90% of public cord blood banks have declared that they are struggling to maintain their financial sustainability and avoid bankruptcy. The objective of this study is to evaluate how characteristics of cord blood units influence their utilization, then use this information to model the economic viability and therapeutic value of different banking strategies.MethodsRetrospective analysis of cord blood data registered between January 1st, 2009 and December 31st, 2011 in Bone Marrow Donor Worldwide. Data were collected from four public banks in France, Germany and the USA. Samples were eligible for inclusion in the analysis if data on cord blood and maternal HLA typing and biological characteristics after processing were available (total nucleated and CD34+ cell counts). 9,396 banked cord blood units were analyzed, of which 5,815 were Caucasian in origin. A multivariate logistic regression model assessed the influence of three parameters on the CBU utilization rate: ethnic background, total nucleated and CD34+ cell counts. From this model, we elaborated a Utilization Score reflecting the probability of transplantation for each cord blood unit. We stratified three Utilization Score thresholds representing four different banking strategies, from the least selective (scenario A) to the most selective (scenario D). We measured the cost-effectiveness ratio for each strategy by comparing performance in terms of number of transplanted cord blood units and level of financial deficit.ResultsWhen comparing inputs and outputs over three years, Scenario A represented the most extreme case as it delivered the highest therapeutic value for patients (284 CBUs transplanted) along with the highest financial deficit (USD 5.89 million). We found that scenario C resulted in 219 CBUs transplanted with a limited deficit (USD 0.98 million) that charities and public health could realistically finance over the long term. We also found that using a pre-freezing level of 18 x 10(8) TNC would be the most cost-effective strategy for a public bank.ConclusionOur study shows that a swift transition from strategy A to C can play a vital role in preventing public cord blood banks worldwide from collapsing.

Project description:BackgroundTeledentistry is believed to improve dentalcare provided to patients and time management efficiency. In addition, teledentistry can be a useful tool for peer education, consultations and ensures proper channeling for referrals.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore Saudi Arabian dental professionals' perceptions of teledentistry's benefits in improving dental practice and patient care.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study involving an electronic survey of a sample of Saudi Arabian dental professionals. A validated 26-item, 5-point Likert-scale questionnaire was used to assess perceptions of dental professionals in four domains: usefulness of teledentistry for patients, the usefulness of teledentistry for dental practice; the potential of teledentistry to improve practice; and existing concerns about the use of teledentistry. Statistical analyses involved descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis using SPSS software. Significant differences were considered at a p-value of 0.05.ResultsWith an overall response rate of 28.6%, 286 dental professionals participated in the study. More than 70% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that teledentistry would improve dental practice through enhancing communication with peers, guidance and referral of new patients. A substantial proportion of respondents (60-70%) expressed uncertainty with technical reliability, privacy and diagnostic accuracy. The participants' qualification was statistically significant with usefulness of teledentistry for patients (p = 0.027), while work experience in years was statistically significant with both usefulness of teledentistry for dental practice and patients (p = 0.046 and <0.0001 respectively).ConclusionGenerally, the feedback gained by this study showed readiness of the dental professionals to be engaged in the teledentistry approach. Further investigation of the business model of teledentistry is needed to understand the readiness and challenges. Directed campaign to educate dentists and the public of the technology and it is potential is necessary.

Dataset Information

Public Awareness on Cord Blood Banking in Saudi Arabia.

Publications

Public Awareness on Cord Blood Banking in Saudi Arabia.

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