Arar City Research Articles

The Effect of Financial Risks on Financing Decisions of Saudi Commercial Banks - A Field Study on Commercial Banks Operating in Arar City

The Effect of Financial Risks on Financing Decisions of Saudi Commercial Banks - A Field Study on Commercial Banks Operating in Arar City

Awareness Level About Lead Poisoning Among the Saudi Population in Arar City, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to evaluate the awarenessregarding lead poisoning among the Saudi population of Arar, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional, online self-administered questionnaire-based method was utilized for data collection through convenience sampling from Arar, Saudi Arabia. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study included 389 participants, with a majority (302 participants (77.6%)) of females with a mean age of 31.7 years (range 18-54 years). The source of information about lead poisoning was reported as the media in 264 participants (67.8%). The participants (197, 50.6%) reported children as the age group most at risk for lead poisoning. All suggested sources of exposure to lead were identified by 190 participants(48.9%). As for the most common effect of lead poisoning,mental impairment was reported by 101 participants (26%), while 107 (27.6%) participants reported nerve problems. Kidney problems were reported by 181 participants (46.4%). Gender significantly (P = 0.001) affects the participants' knowledge about the sources of lead poisoning, whileknowledge about the routes of poisoning was significantly affected by the participants' age (P = 0.010). In Saudi Arabia, there is limited knowledge of risk factors, route of poisoning, and management and prevention of lead poisoning. A comprehensive lead-poisoning prevention strategy must include a high level of public knowledge of lead hazards as a key component.

Awareness and Attitude About Ototoxic Drugs Among Medical Doctors in Arar City, Saudi Arabia.

The purpose of this study was to assess the awareness of ototoxicity among medical doctors in Arar City, Saudi Arabia. This is a cross-sectional study based on a pre-formed validated questionnaire (Appendix) that included three sections covering participants' demographic data (three questions), their attitudes (five questions), and knowledge (13 questions) regarding drug-induced ototoxicity. After obtaining their informed consent, 213 physicians from government and private sector health facilities in Arar were enrolled in the study. Interns and general practitioners represented 57.8% of the participants; consultants represented 17.8%. Only 71.8% of participants were interested in drug-induced ototoxicity, while 26.3% considered ototoxicity a rare complication. Approximately 90% of the participants were knowledgeable about the adverse effects of drugs on the vestibulocochlear system, and 26.7% reported having experienced cases of drug-induced ototoxicity in their practice. Participants showed an overall knowledge score about ototoxicity of 9.3±3.27 (out of 14). The knowledge score was significantly higher (p-value=0.0007) for participants with more years of clinical experience. The most widely known ototoxic drug for participants was frusemide (72.3%), followed by aminoglycoside (68.5%), while acetaminophen (44.1%) ototoxicity was the least known among participants. Awareness of drug-induced ototoxicity is satisfactory among physicians in the Northern Borders region. However, workshops about all types of drugs with ototoxic effects and the main lines for the management of drug-induced ototoxicity are recommended to increase awareness.

Association of Screen Time Exposure With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Four to Six-Year-Old Children in Arar City, Saudi Arabia.

Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a psychopathologic disorder caused by several factors. The early signs include poor interaction and communication, delayed milestones, and repeated behavior patterns. This study aimed to assess the relationship between screen time and ASD severity and investigate the types of electronic devices associated with ASD in children aged four to six years in Arar City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted in primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in Arar City, KSA. The study enrolled all parents with children aged four to six years attending the PHCs in Arar City, KSA. Results The total sample size was 199 participants. Regarding the relationship between screen time exposure and ASD, there were variable screen time exposure durations, with 22.6% of children exposed for less than an hour, 30.7% for one to two hours, and 46.7% for more than two hours. Moreover, the type of electronic devices to which children were exposed varied, with smartphones being the most prevalent (68.3%). In terms of the age of children since exposure to electronic devices, the data indicated that 30.2% were exposed before the age of two, 35.2% between two and three years, and 34.7% after three years of age. Regarding the relationship with sociodemographic characteristics, there was a statistically significant relationship with the mother's age at birth (p = 0.050), mother's education level (p = 0.009), father's education level (p = 0.049), whether the child was suffering from any chronic or neurological disease (p = 0.008), age since the child was exposed to electronic devices (p = 0.049), and screen time exposure duration (p = 0.040). Conclusions The study highlights the significant association between screen time exposure andthe development of ASDin children. Public awareness of this associated risk among caregivers is recommended to follow the protective guidelines. Further research and interventions are needed to better understand and address the impact of screen media use on children's neurodevelopment and overall well-being.

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Among the General Population in Northern Saudi Arabia.

One of the most prevalent types of cancer is colorectal cancer (CRC). Increased consumption of foods derived from animals, smoking, and family history are all regarded as CRC risk factors. A significant obstacle to the use of screening programs for CRC is community unawareness. This study aimed to assess the awareness of symptoms, signs, and screening modalities of CRC among the adult population in Arar City, Northern Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among males and females living in Arar City who were 18 years of age or older. More than half (56.6%; 233) of the participants correctly identified that the colon is the large intestine, 61.7% (254) identified that the rectum is the distal part of it, and nearly a fifth stated that the function of the colon is water reabsorption. The majority stated abdominal pain (78.2%; 322) and change in bowel habits (76%; 313) are symptoms of CRC, but less than 60% (240) reported nausea and vomiting. Concerning participants' risk factor awareness of CRC, smoking is most frequently cited, followed by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fatty food, family history, and colon polyps. Although not perfect, the current analysis demonstrates that there is accepted public awareness about CRC. We recommend the adoption of education initiatives via mass media and at regular religious events like Jumma to increase community awareness and knowledge.

Public Awareness of Common Age-Related Eye Diseases in Northern Saudi Arabia.

This population-based descriptive survey was conducted on 411 Saudi adults aged 18-70 residing in Arar City,Saudi Arabia, over six months from September 2023. Random sampling was employed, and awareness levels were assessed using a pre-designed questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS, version 20.0; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY). Among the 411 participants, 225 (54.7%) were aged 18-29 years, 312 (76%) were females, and 299 (72.6%) held a bachelor's degree or diploma. Regarding awareness, 71.3% knew about cataracts, but nearly half erroneously believed it could be treated solely medically. For diabetic retinopathy (DR), 366 (89%) recognized lifestyle modifications, and 378 (92%) understood screening as preventive measures. Most participants understood prevention methods for all four diseases, but misconceptions about treatment options were observed. Awareness of glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) was lower. No significant age-related differences were found in awareness, except for cataracts (P = 0.001). Education significantly influenced awareness of cataracts, DR, and glaucoma (P = 0.001, 0.013, and 0.008, respectively), but not ARMD (P = 0.606). The study found that the internet is the primary source of information on AREDs for most participants, except for cataracts, where friends and relatives are prominent. The study reveals varying awareness levels of AREDs among Saudi adults. Although most participants understood preventive measures, misconceptions about treatment underscore the need for accurate education channels. Healthcare professionals must ensure information reliability to effectively combat misinformation and enhance awareness of AREDs.

Knowledge and Behavioral Practice of Mothers About Childhood Diarrhea in Arar City, Saudi Arabia.

Diarrhea is the second most significant cause of child morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that mothers and other caregivers be able to recognize the symptoms of dehydration. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and behavioral practices regarding diarrhea among mothers in Arar City, Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional survey used an anonymous online questionnaire distributed among mothers of children aged one to five years in Arar City. The snowball convenient sampling method was used to recruit the participants. Information on knowledge and behavioral practices regarding diarrhea was obtained from the mothers of children through an electronic questionnaire. The Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to evaluate the relationship between studied variables, as appropriate with statistical significance at P<0.05. A total of 479 mothers participated in this survey. Of these, 421 were included in the analysis. Most mothers fall within the age range of 20-40 years (71.1%). A large sector of the studied mothers had high education (72.4%) and was a housewife (40.4%). Most children were above one year old (77.7%). Most participants (69.6%) fell into the moderate knowledge category and 56.3%had moderate behavioral practice scores. Maternal education was significantly associated with knowledge. Furthermore, maternal education and behavioral practice levels were significantly correlated (P < 0.01). The findings highlight the importance of targeted education programs and community-based interventions to improve mothers' knowledge and promote appropriate behavioral practices related to childhood diarrhea that ultimately will lead to improved health outcomes for children globally.

Awareness of multiple sclerosis among Saudi community in Arar City, Northern Border region

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive demyelinating illness. The central and autonomic nervous systems are affected, which may result in permanent impairments. The present study aimed at assessing the knowledge of MS among citizens in northern Saudi Arabia. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults in Arar City, northern Saudi Arabia, from April to September 2022. Adults aged &amp;ge;18 were included, excluding health professionals, students, and individuals with MS. Data were collected via a structured online questionnaire validated by experts, covering demographics and 16 questions on MS knowledge, scored for accuracy. Knowledge was rated as &amp;quot;good&amp;quot; (&amp;ge;10 correct answers) or &amp;quot;poor&amp;quot; (

Maternal awareness of neonatal hearing loss in Arar City, northern Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Maternal awareness of neonatal hearing loss in Arar City, northern Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Awareness of testicular torsion among the residents in Arar City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Awareness of testicular torsion among the residents in Arar City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Effectiveness of a nutrition and physical activity intervention among adolescent

Unhealthy food intake, physical inactivity, and body image (BI) dissatisfaction could potentially lead to obesity and health problems. This cluster-randomized intervention study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a nutrition and physical activity (PA) intervention on related knowledge, attitudes, and practices among Saudi adolescent girls (aged 13–14) living in Arar City. One hundred thirty-eight girls were selected and recruited randomly from two schools. The respondents in the intervention group (IG; n=68) received a three-month intervention program that consisted of six 90- minute sessions. The participants in the control group (CG; n=70) received only their traditional education and did not receive the intervention program. The groups’ total pre-test scores for practices were significantly different; therefore, the pre-test scores were used as covariates. The IG demonstrated significant improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and practices (p&amp;lt;0.001 for all), and improvement in the IG was greater than that in the CG at the post- test and three-month follow-up time points (p&amp;lt;0.001 for both). These findings provide evidence of the significant influence of a nutrition, PA, and positive BI intervention on related knowledge, attitudes, and practices among Saudi adolescent girls.

A Systematic Review of Chronic Diseases and Their Prevalence Among the Population of Northern Borders Province (NBP) in Saudi Arabia.

Estimation of the prevalence of chronic conditions is pivotal to effective healthcare planning and management. Therefore, our objective was to systemically review previous literature about the prevalence of chronic diseases among residents of Northern Borders Province (NBP) in Saudi Arabia. The electronic search has been done using scientific databases (PubMed, Ebsco, SciFinder, and Web of Science) and search engines up to September 2021. The following main key terms: chronic disease OR chronic conditions AND prevalence AND Northern Borders Province OR Northern Borders AND Saudi Arabia were applied. Other related terms with a more specific search were done with names of the main cities in the province and the most common diseases in Saudi Arabia. Duplicates were removed electronically by Endnote and manually. Extracted data were tabulated in the literature matrix. The risk of bias and quality of included studies were assessed using the "Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology" (STROBE) checklist. Out of 63 observational studies that were assessed for eligibility, 21 observational studies were included to synthesize the evidence. These studies were conducted on Arar (n=16), Turaif (n=2), and Rafha (n=1), while the remaining were national studies in which NBP was one of the included regions (n=2). The most frequently studied diseases were diabetes (4 records), psychological diseases (4 records), and obesity (3 records). The most prevalent disease was gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), with an estimated prevalence of 61% among adults in Arar city. In conclusion, although some research is conducted about chronic diseases somewhere in NBP, further studies are needed to study chronic diseases using a representative sample of the whole NBP population.

Awareness of amblyopia among the adult population in Arar city of Saudi Arabia

Awareness of amblyopia among the adult population in Arar city of Saudi Arabia

IMPACTS OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC ON MEDICAL EDUCATION AT THE NORTHERN BORDER UNIVERSITY

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of our lives, including education, social relations, and psychological and financial status. Objectives: The study aims to assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic performance, hygiene, stress, lifestyle, and financial status among medical students at Northern Border University (NBU), Saudi Arabia. Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted on medical students at NBU, Arar City. The study collected data on socio-demographic characteristics, academic, hygiene, psychological, lifestyle, and financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic among medical students. Results:The study surveyed 332 medical students at the NBU (response rate=86.46%). One-third of students reported deteriorating academic performance during the pandemic. Negative effects of COVID-19 on academic performance were more likely among males, older students, in clinical years, with poor IT skills, and those who had not previously participated in online learning. Over 56% of students reported negative effects on their academic grades and GPA due to the pandemic and over 50% agreed that teachers were not technology-friendly, recorded lectures were better than live lectures, and technical issues interfered with online teaching. Most students reported increased awareness of hygiene and sanitization with the MOH and WHO being the most frequent sources of information (34.94% and 28.92%, respectively). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has had impacts on medical education at the NBU as regards the academic and clinical skills and physical and psychological health of medical students. This study drew attention to the needs and resources to address challenges faced by medical students during the pandemic.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices which leads hyperlipidemia among population in Arar city at northern region in Saudi Arabia

Knowledge, attitudes and practices which leads hyperlipidemia among population in Arar city at northern region in Saudi Arabia

Prevalence of Urinary Tract Infection among Children - a cross-sectional study in Arar city, Northern Border Area, KSA

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common infections in children. The prevalence of UTI during childhood varies by gender, age, and multiple other factors. The most commonly causes of UTI in children are E. coli and Klebsiella in different parts of the world. Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of UTI, its etiologic pathogens, presenting symptoms and probable risk factors in our area. Methods; A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on electronic files of 606 pediatric participants of confirmed UTIs from year 2015 -2020 in arar city hospital. These cases were diagnosed after urine culture positive for the respected uropathogens. Urine samples were collected either transurethral in &lt; 1year children and clean voided midstream in elder children under aseptic techniques. The samples were sent to the hospital lab with especial request that we would use these samples for our study. Hospital laboratory followed full protocol that is followed worldwide. Results: Total of 606 confirmed cases of UTI were used. Of this, 370(61.05%) were females and 236 (38.94%) males. Among them, 253 (41.74%) were &lt;1 year old, 229(37.78%) were 1–5-year-old whereas 124(20.46%) were above 5 years old children. We found that E. coli was the most prevalent organism 342(56.23%), followed by Klebsiella which was 175(28.8%). E. coli was more common in outpatients compared to Klebsiella which was the most common aetiologic agent isolated from hospital admitted patients. Citrobacter, Enterococci, Actinobacteria and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were commoner in hospital patients. High grade fever, dysuria and foul smelling was the main symptom of E. coli positive cases whereas foul smelling was common in Klebsiella positive cultures. Constipation was noted to be the most common 198(32.6%) risk factor in our area. Other risk factors were history of instrumentation, history of catheterization, structural abnormalities, and posterior urethral valve abnormalities which were 9.9 %, 9.9 %, 10.2% and 3.30% respectively. Conclusion: We conclude first; Prevalence of UTI was more common in females than males in &lt; 1 year old group. Second; E.coli was the most common bacteria followed by Klebsiella. Third; it showed that along with other risk factors, constipation plays a significant role in causation of UTI in our area. Keywords; UTI, children, risk factors

Self-medication with antibiotics and awareness of antibiotic resistance among population in Arar city, Saudi Arabia.

Self-medication with pharmaceutical products can be defined as the use of these products without a medical prescription, and the production, distribution, and sale of these products are the client's responsibility, while they think it is within rational usage. Among these products, antibiotics remain the most serious problem leading to the spread of antibiotic resistance, with consequences of increased morbidity, mortality, and extended hospital stays. This is a cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics among Arar city population and assessing their awareness of antibiotic resistance. Data had been collected through a self-administered validated online questionnaire. Data entry and analysis were performed using a statistical package for the social science program (SPSS) version 20. The overall number of respondents to our survey was 462, with 56.7% female and 43.3% male participants. The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics was (77.5%). The main reasons for self-medication with antibiotics were ease of use (54.6%) and cost-saving (24.8%). When asked about what they think about self-medication with antibiotics for self-care, 20.1% of our participants thought that it is a good practice and 41.6% thought that it is an acceptable practice. 81.4 % of respondents thought that antibiotic resistance occurs when your body becomes resistant to antibiotics and no longer works well. In the Northern region, despite the open and rapid access to medical care services, it appears that a high proportion of young adult population prefers custom antibiotics without a medical prescription.

Awareness of esophageal cancer among the adult population in Arar city, Saudi Arabia

Awareness of esophageal cancer among the adult population in Arar city, Saudi Arabia

Psoriasis in Northern Saudi Arabia: Clinical features and implications for quality of life.

Introduction:Psoriasis is a chronic non-contagious inflammatory skin disorder, which might impair patient’s social relationships, limit leisure activities, and lower self-esteem. Psoriasis patients might be stigmatized leading to psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression.Objectives:This study aimed to outline the clinical features of psoriasis and its effects on quality of life, and the feeling of stigmatization among psoriasis patients.Methods:This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted on 109 adult psoriasis patients in Arar City, Saudi Arabia. The study collected data on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of psoriasis patients, self-reported psoriasis severity using the self-assessment Simplified Psoriasis Index (sa-SPI-s), patients’ quality of life using the dermatological life quality index (DLQI), and the feeling of stigmatization using the six-items stigmatization scale.Results:The mean age of psoriasis onset in studied patients was 20 (±7.65) years, females represented 58.72%, and 22% were unemployed. Joint and nail affection were reported in 46.79% and 51.38%, respectively. One third of patients had positive family history of psoriasis. Seasonal variation, life stressors, smoking and skin injuries were frequent provocative factors for psoriasis lesions. The average sa-SPI-s was 10.08 (±10.41), which was correlated with patients’ ages, disease duration, obesity, and pruritis. The average DLQI and six-items stigmatization scale for psoriasis patients were 8.95 (±5.77) and 7.61 (±4.5), respectively that were correlated with sa-SPI-s.Conclusion:The clinical manifestations and chronicity of psoriasis impaired patients’ quality of life and accompanied with social stigma due to skin disfigurement. These effects need to be addressed for better care of patients.

The assessment of awareness level among the parents regarding the neonatal jaundice in the Arar city, KSA

The assessment of awareness level among the parents regarding the neonatal jaundice in the Arar city, KSA