Asir Region Research Articles

An evaluation of knee osteoarthritis pain in the general community-Asir region, Saudi Arabia.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most common conditions resulting in disability, particularly in the elderly population. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common articular disease and the leading cause of chronic disability in the developed world. This study was carried out to evaluate knee pain in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia. An analytical cross-sectional survey design was adopted in the Asir region from April 2023 to August 2023 to assess the knee pain of the adult population using an anonymous online questionnaire. Of 1234, 332 were men (26.90) and 902 were women (73.09). WOMAC index score category 55.34% (n = 683) of the subjects had a low risk (score <60), 28.68% (n = 354) had a moderate risk (score 60-80), and 15.96% (n = 197) had a high risk (score ≥81) for KOA. According to clinical criteria, 79.33% (n = 979) of the study subjects had OA. Age group, gender 2.17 (1. 67-2.82) [OR 2.17; 95% CI 1.67-2.82), family history of OA [OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.37-0.62], diabetes [OR 2.78; 95% CI 2.17-3.56], hypertension [OR 0.35; 95% CI 0.26-0.45] were significantly associated with the percentage of the WOMAC index score using the Chi-square test analysis (P<0.05). Therefore, the WOMAC index showed higher diagnostic precision with a statistically significant association [OR 9.31 CI 6.90-12.81] with a P< 0.0001. KOA is more common in older, obese people who have reached the age of 50 in the Asir region, and it is more prevalent in women. Alarms the need for appropriate awareness programs for better disease prevention and health outcomes for the benefit of the community through general public health programs.

Assessment of Primary Healthcare Providers' Knowledge and Practices in Addressing Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia and Gout in the Asir Region of Saudi Arabia.

Introduction and aim Gout, the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, arises from hyperuricemia, a condition where elevated levels of uric acid lead to the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the joints. Nevertheless, it's important to note that not all cases of hyperuricemia result in gout. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia, targeting primary healthcare physicians (PHPs) specializing in family medicine and general practice. The study utilized a modified electronic questionnaire, inspired by similar studies and aligned with recent guidelines, to assess PHPs' knowledge and practices concerning asymptomatic hyperuricemia (AH) and gout. The questionnaire encompassed the PHPs' demographic data and their knowledge and practices for AH and gout management. Results Out of 201 participating PHPs, the majority were male (68.2%), predominantly aged 25-34 years (73.1%), and practicing as general practitioners (61.2%). A significant proportion of PHPs had less than five years of experience (63.7%). In terms of education, 36.8% attended continuing medical education (CME) on AH or gout, and 66.7% were aware of the related management guidelines. The study revealed that the total knowledge score among PHPs averaged 5.18 out of seven, indicating a moderate level of knowledge. However, their practice level was moderate, with a mean practice score of 6.75 out of 12. The study also found no significant differences in knowledge scores based on gender, age, or years of experience, but significant variations were noted based on medical specialty. Conclusion There is a moderate level of knowledge and practice among PHPs in managing AH and gout in the Asir region. Despite adequate knowledge levels, there appears to be a gap in implementing this knowledge into practice, particularly in long-term management strategies. The findings emphasize the need for ongoing medical education and specialized training programs to bridge these gaps. The study provides a valuable framework for identifying and addressing similar challenges in other regions and medical practices.

Temporal Occurrence of European Bee-Eater Merops apiaster and its Impact on Foraging Behavior and Queen Survival of Native Honeybee Apis mellifera jemenitica in Asir Region of Saudi Arabia

Temporal Occurrence of European Bee-Eater Merops apiaster and its Impact on Foraging Behavior and Queen Survival of Native Honeybee Apis mellifera jemenitica in Asir Region of Saudi Arabia

Patient anxiety and satisfaction towards magnetic resonance imaging in Asir region, Saudi Arabia

Background/aimMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important imaging modality for diagnosing various diseases. However, the closed MRI scanner is perceived as unpleasant, even though the examination is non-invasive. Providing patients with information about the MRI exam may improve patient anxiety before and after the test. This study aimed to determine patients’ level of anxiety and satisfaction regarding information provided in MRI departments. MethodsThis descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on 215 Saudi patients at three central MRI departments in Asir, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a questionnaire containing a visual analogue scale and Likert scale to assess anxiety and satisfaction before and after the MRI examination. The participants were divided into two groups to receive information explaining the MRI procedures; the intervention group received information about MRI before the examination, whereas the control group did not receive information. Appropriate statistical tests were used to analyse the data. ResultsA total of 215 patients responded to the questionnaire in the MRI departments. Overall, the mean levels of anxiety and satisfaction were 5 and 6.25 on a 10-point scale, respectively. The anxiety reported by patients who received information explaining the MRI procedure was significantly lower than the anxiety reported by patients who did not receive information (4.8 vs. 5.9, p = 0.024). Consequently, satisfaction was significantly higher among patients who received the information than those who did not (6.77 vs. 4.0, p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was an association between patient reassurance with the behaviour of the staff and having received information (p < 0.001). ConclusionMost patients expressed an average level of anxiety and satisfaction regarding MRI. Anxiety among patients is a persistent issue in MRI departments. The provision of information has significant effects on decreasing the level of anxiety and improving patient satisfaction. The findings of this survey can be used as a benchmark to improve satisfaction and anxiety during MRI procedures in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia.

Evaluating the influence of road construction on landslide susceptibility in Saudi Arabia's mountainous terrain: a Bayesian-optimised deep learning approach with attention mechanism and sensitivity analysis.

In the mountainous region of Asir region of Saudi Arabia, road construction activities are closely associated with frequent landslides, posing significant risks to both human life and infrastructural development. This highlights an urgent need for a highly accurate landslide susceptibility map to guide future development and risk mitigation strategies. Therefore, this study aims to (1) develop robust well-optimised deep learning (DL) models for predicting landslide susceptibility and (2) conduct a comprehensive sensitivity analysis to quantify the impact of each parameter influencing landslides. To achieve these aims, three advanced DL models-Deep Neural Networks (DNN), Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), and Bayesian-optimised CNN with an attention mechanism-were rigorously trained and validated. Model validation included eight matrices, calibration curves, and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) and Precision-Recall curves. Multicollinearity was examined using Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) to ensure variable independence. Additionally, sensitivity analysis was used to interpret the models and explore the influence of parameters on landslide. Results showed that road networks significantly influenced the areas identified as high-risk zones. Specifically, in the 1-km buffer around roadways, CNN_AM identified 10.42% of the area as 'Very High' susceptibility-more than double the 4.04% indicated by DNN. In the extended 2-km buffer zone around roadways, Bayesian CNN_AM continued to flag a larger area as Very High risk (7.46%), in contrast to DNN's 3.07%. In performance metrics, CNN_AM outshined DNN and regular CNN models, achieving near-perfect scores in Area Under the Curve (AUC), precision-recall, and overall accuracy. Sensitivity analysis highlighted 'Soil Texture', 'Geology', 'Distance to Road', and 'Slope' as crucial for landslide prediction. This research offers a robust, high-accuracy model that emphasises the role of road networks in landslide susceptibility, thereby providing valuable insights for planners and policymakers to proactively mitigate landslide risks in vulnerable zones near existing and future road infrastructure.

Assessment of Oral Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviours among University Students in the Asir Region—Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours (KAB) of health and non-health-related students at university concerning oral health. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study with a 3-month duration in 2023 was conducted amongst King Khalid University (KKU) students. This study used a self-administered, anonymous web-based survey with a simple random sampling strategy as part of its cross-sectional design. The questionnaire had four sections totalling 26 questions to evaluate KAB. A chi-square test was used to evaluate significant differences between categories. Results: Of the 845 respondents who completed the survey, 43.78% were health-related students, while 56.21% were non-health-related students. The completed responses included bacteria causing gingival problems (60.81% vs. 36%), fizzy soft drinks adversely affecting teeth (67.83% vs. 40%), tobacco chewing or smoking possibly causing oral cancer (68.37% vs. 44%), white patches or dental plaque on teeth (61.89% vs. 41.47%), brushing teeth twice a day to improve oral health (81.62% vs. 42.52%), keeping teeth clean (64.86% vs. 41.68%), improper brushing leading to gum disease (70% vs. 40.63%), brushing with fluoridated toothpaste to prevent tooth decay (63% vs. 40%), bleeding gums denoting gum infection (26.98% vs. 21.30%), the importance of teeth similar to any body part (61.62% vs. 37.89%), prioritising teeth as other parts of the body (61.05% vs. 36.21%), brushing teeth twice daily (55.67% vs. 37.05%), and routine dental check-ups (55.40% vs. 14.10%) for health and non-health-related students, respectively (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: The results of the current study demonstrated less oral health KAB in non-health-related students than in health-related students. Nonetheless, healthcare students provided erroneous information regarding oral health. Therefore, we urge the appropriate authorities to offer health and non-health-related students the best oral health promotion programmes and services, thereby seeking to improve their oral health knowledge while stressing the importance of practising excellent oral hygiene.

Teaching-Related Use of Social Media Among Saudi EFL Teachers: Revisiting the Innovative Technology

The spread of social media such as Facebook, Thaser, and YouTube has demonstrated the need to incorporate them into the educational setting to cope with the abrupt changes in the tech-savvy new generation's interactions with the network. Hence the current study purports to explore the social media tools utilized by Saudi EFL teachers. This study used a random sampling technique, about 88 participants were selected randomly from all schools in the Asir region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia .A descriptive study approach was applied by employing an online survey consisting of 15 items followed by an open-ended questionnaire. The collected data were analysed by using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) to obtain corresponding results. The results showed that Saudi EFL teachers used Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube extensively and had a positive response toward their use for teaching purposes. These results confirm the importance of being concerned with the roles of Saudi EFL teachers and students to reap great benefits from these networks as it helps in extending their learning and teaching opportunities, encourage communication with each other by providing material and moral incentives, and develop skills to use these networks in the best way. The study has concluded that using social media could play a vital role in creating an interactive teaching environment. In light of the findings of the study, it is recommended that Saudi EFL teachers should plan learning classes that use social media such as Facebook, Thaser, and YouTube as learning platforms.

Health status outcome among cannabis addicts after treatment of addiction.

The abuse of Cannabis is a widespread issue in the Asir region. It has a lot of legal and occupational repercussions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the health status of cannabis addicts at admission and after treatment using body mass index, glycemic status, liver function, renal function, and oxidative stress. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 120 participants. The study was conducted at Al Amal Hospital for Mental Health in Asir region of Saudi Arabia, with 100 hospitalized patients receiving addiction treatment and 20 healthy volunteers. The participants were divided into two groups: group I, the control group, and group II, the cannabis addicts. The socio-demographic data were gathered. The level of cannabis in the urine and the CWAS [Cannabis Withdrawal Assessment Scale] were determined. In addition, the Body Mass Index [BMI], vital signs [temperature, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and respiratory rate], serum levels of albumin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, AST, ALT, and ALP, urea, creatinine, Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances [TBARS], superoxide dismutase [SOD], reduced glutathione [GSH], and catalase [CAT] were analyzed on the first day of admission and after treatment. According to the results, there was no significant change in the body mass index. The vital signs in the cannabis user group were significantly lower than the corresponding admission values. Regarding renal function tests such as urea and creatinine, we found that after treatment, the mean urea and creatinine values in the cannabis user group did not differ significantly from the corresponding admission values. However, after treatment, the mean values of fasting blood glucose levels in the cannabis user group were significantly lower than at admission. Also, the mean values of liver function tests such as albumin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, AST, ALT, and ALP in the cannabis user group were significantly lower than the corresponding admission values after treatment. In assessing the antioxidant system, we found that the mean values of TBARS, SOD, GSH, and CAT in the cannabis user group did not differ significantly from the corresponding admission values after treatment. The current findings have revealed that cannabis addiction harms the various body systems and has significant implications for the addict's state of health. The values of oxidative stress biomarkers did not change in this study, but other measured parameters improved after treatment.

Assessing the suitability of pitaya plant varieties for cultivation in the arid climate of Saudi Arabia

Pitaya, sometimes called dragon fruit, is a tropical fruit crop that has become more well-known recently because of its distinct flavor and beneficial properties. However, it has only been cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas, and nothing is known about whether it can thrive in arid climates. This study considers various pitaya plant types' morphological, physiological, and agronomic aspects to assess their viability for cultivation in desert regions. This study investigated the growth and development of two cultivars of pitaya plants, S. undatus and S. costaricensis, in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia. Different fertilisation treatments were applied to determine the most effective approach for promoting growth and productivity. Results showed that the Klebak fertiliser, which contains marine algae rich in auxins and amino acids, was the most effective treatment for S. undatus. For S. costaricensis, the Klebak fertiliser was also effective, but treating tree leaves with volcanic stone was also beneficial. The volcanic stone helped to preserve moisture in the soil and promote good drainage, while the leaves provided important organic nutrients for growth. In addition, S. costaricensis was found to be more resistant and responsive to cultivation, likely due to its original habitat in the temperate climate of Mexico. These findings can help inform the cultivation of pitaya plants in similar climatic conditions. They may have implications for other areas seeking to promote the growth and productivity of this important crop.

Caregiver's Quality of Life Among Children with Cerebral Palsy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Various Influencing Factors: A Single Cohort Study.

Quality of life (QOL) among disabled children and their caregivers is an important concern in healthcare. We aim to evaluate the quality of life among caregivers of children with cerebral palsy and to observe the effects of various demographic factors and affected child-related factors on caregivers' quality of life. After ethical approval and written consent was obtained from the participants. One hundred six caregivers of children with cerebral palsy from the Asir region were recruited for the study. Caregivers provided details, including their demographic characteristics, social factors, and information regarding their affected children regarding age, gender, mobility levels, etc. They also completed the Arabic version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire for assessing their QOL. All the caregivers were women; their mean age was 40.38 years and SD7.09, and the overall QOL mean and standard deviations were 66.38 ± 12.88. There was a moderately significant correlation between total QOL in comparison with caregivers' educational level and mobility capacity, with R values of 0.54 (p<0.001) and 0.62 (p<0.001), respectively. All the subdomains of WHOQOL-BREF were found to be very closely related to the total scores for QOL. The caregivers of children with cerebral palsy had better QOL scores than the cutoff scores proposed in the WHOQOL-BREF scale. Factors such as increased mobility and education of the affected child contributed to better total QOL scores.

The Effect of Job Burnout Stability (Applied Study on the Health Sector in Asir Region in KSA- 1444AH)

هدفت الدراسة إلى التعرف على أثر الاحتراق الوظيفي على الاستقرار الوظيفي: دراسة تطبيقية على القطاع الصحي بمنطقة عسير، واستخدم المنهج الوصفي التحليلي بأنه يهتم بدراسة الظاهرة كما توجد في الواقع، عن طريق جمع المعلومات والبيانات عنها وتصنيفها وتنظيمها والتعبير عنها بهدف الوصول إلى استنتاجات أو تعميمات تساعد في تطوير الواقع الذي تتم دراسته، ويتكون مجتمع الدراسة من جميع العاملين في القطاع الصحي بمنطقة عسير، وتم اختيار عينة عشوائية بسيطة مكونة من (400) موظفاً ممن ينتمون مجتمع الدراسة، وتوصلت الدراسة إلى مجموعة نتائج أن مستوى استجابات أفراد عينة الدراسة على أن هناك شعور بالإنهاك العاطفي بدرجة كبيرة، كما أكد أفراد العينة على أن الإنسانية داخل القطاع الصحي جاءت بدرجة ضعيفة، وتبين أن الإنجاز الشخصي كان بدرجة ضعيفة، وتبين أن الاستقرار الوظيفي في القطاع الصحي بمنطقة عسير كان بدرجة متوسطة، وأخيراً بين أن هناك علاقة بين (الانهاك العاطفي، الإنسانية، الإنجاز الشخصي) والاستقرار الوظيفي. وقد افضت الدراسة إلى مجموعة من التوصيات تحسين رواتب العاملين في القطاع الصحي، وتوظيف المزيد من الموظفين العاملين خاصة الممارسين، وتحفيز الموظفين مادياً ومعنوياً، وعمل لجنة خاصة تهتم بالعلاقات العامة بين العاملين، وتخفيف العبء العمل على العاملين وخاصة الممارسين، مرونة في العمل، بما لا يتعارض مع سير العمل.

Prevalence, attitudes, and practices of dietary supplements among middle-aged and older adults in Asir region, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.

The objectives of this study were to 1) identify the prevalence of dietary supplements (DS) among middle-aged and older adults; 2) determine attitudes toward DS and patterns of DS usage among middle-aged and older adults; and 3) assess the association of sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors with DS attitudes and DS usage. A cross-sectional online survey was undertaken among middle-aged and older adults. Data were collected by an online self-administered pretested questionnaire used as a study tool and distributed to respondents via social media applications. The DS usage prevalence among 501 respondents was 50.7%, and 53.5% of participants reported a positive attitude toward DS. The positive attitudes and higher usage of dietary supplements were statistically significant in higher proportions among older adults compared to middle-aged individuals. Significantly lower proportion of middle aged (54.9%) reported taking DS daily compared to 59.9% of older adults. A significant difference in the type of DS among the two groups was found for Omega-3 (p<0.001), minerals (p = 0.004), proteins (p = 0.002), fibers (p = 0.002), phytonutrients (p = 0.007), and probiotics (p = 0.015), with a higher proportion of middle-aged respondents reporting their use compared to older adults. Dietary supplement usage is a prevalent phenomenon among older adults and the middle-aged population. However, some undesirable practices regarding their use still exist in the community. Thus, there is a need of focussed health education to enhance attitudes and improve practices regarding the use of DS.

Evaluation of Geospatial Interpolation Techniques for Enhancing Spatiotemporal Rainfall Distribution and Filling Data Gaps in Asir Region, Saudi Arabia

Providing an accurate spatiotemporal distribution of rainfall and filling data gaps are pivotal for effective water resource management. This study focuses on the Asir region in the southwest of Saudi Arabia. Given the limited accuracy of satellite data in this arid/mountain-dominated study area, geospatial interpolation has emerged as a viable alternative approach for filling terrestrial records data gaps. Furthermore, the irregularity in rain gauge data and the yearly spatial variation in data gaps hinder the creation of a coherent distribution pattern. To address this, the Centered Root Mean Square Error (CRMSE) is employed as a criterion to select the most appropriate geospatial interpolation technique among 51 evaluated methods for maximum and total yearly precipitation data. This study produced gap-free maps of total and maximum yearly precipitation from 1966 to 2013. Beyond 2013, it is recommended to utilize ordinary Kriging with a J-Bessel semivariogram and simple Kriging with a K-Bessel semivariogram to estimate the spatial distribution of maximum and total yearly rainfall depth, respectively. Additionally, a proposed methodology for allocating additional rain gauges to improve the accuracy of rainfall spatial distribution is introduced based on a cross-validation error (CVE) assessment. Newly proposed gauges in the study area resulted in a significant 21% CVE reduction.

Potential Effects of Digoxin on Renal Functions in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure.

Renal dysfunction is a common complication among patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and can significantly impact their management, especially when medications like digoxin are involved. The clearance of digoxin is closely tied to the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which suggests that the safety and efficacy of digoxin may vary with renal function. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential effects of digoxin on renal function in patients diagnosed with CHF at a tertiary hospital in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia. A retrospective study examined the records of 30 CHF patients treated with digoxin. Renal function markers like estimated GFR (eGFR), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin, and urine levels were compared before and after digoxin treatment. Liver enzymes and other relevant parameters were also examined. A statistical analysis using t-tests was conducted to evaluate the changes in renal function indicators before and after digoxin treatment. The mean eGFR decreased significantly from 65.4 ± 8.9 mL/min/1.73m2 before digoxin to 57.7 ± 7.8 mL/min/1.73m2 after (p = 0.001). Creatinine, BUN, albumin, and urine levels showed no significant changes. Digoxin significantly increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) from 34.5 ± 11.6 U/L to 53.8 ± 14.6 U/L (p = 0.002), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) from 38.5 ± 12.6 U/L to 55.3 ± 17.6 U/L (p = 0.013), and creatine kinase from 117.7 ± 22.5 U/L to 133.9 ± 15.8 U/L (p = 0.012). Hemoglobin decreased significantly from 12.8 ± 1.4 g/dL to 12.1 ± 1.4 g/dL (p = 0.034). No significant changes occurred in myoglobin, troponin, bilirubin, platelets, potassium, calcium, or chloride levels. Effects on kidney function did not differ significantly by gender or age, except blood urea nitrogen was higher in patients over 50 years (8.3 ± 2.3 vs. 5.6 ± 2.7 mg/dL, p = 0.015). This study suggests digoxin may adversely affect renal function in CHF patients, as evidenced by reduced eGFR. However, the small retrospective design limits definitive conclusions. Further prospective research with larger samples is warranted to elucidate digoxin's renal effects in CHF patients.

Hydraulic Design of Sediment-Trapping Basin in Wadis Using Empirical Equations and Deposition Processes

Reservoirs overflow during flood season because of sedimentation cycles, which severely affects their effectiveness. Siltation is a major problem in dams constructed in waterways in arid and semi-arid areas. Therefore, the reservoirs in wadis lose their capacity due to sedimentation. This study determines an optimal design of the trapping basin on steep slope areas for Wadi Bishah in the Asir region of southwestern Saudi Arabia. The empirical design criteria of the sediment-trapping basin is used to mitigate the effects of sedimentation in the King Fahd Dam. The empirical design of the trapping basin constructed upstream of the dam located in the wadi is presented. Moreover, the annual suspended and bed sediment load (Qs and Qb) techniques for estimating the volume of sediments are used, and the relationship between the sediment trapping efficiency and size is determined. The sediment trapping in Wadi Bishah upstream sediment-trapping basins is selected to reduce the amount of sediment. One of the important results of this study tries to create a new concept to trap sediment in wadis, which are located in arid and semi-arid areas. The results obtained were evaluated using theoretical and empirical equations to determine the appropriate size of the basin. The results demonstrate that the optimal dimensions for the sediment confinement basin are Lb × Wb × hs = 3500 × 500 × 1.5 m. Also, for these dimensions, the basin efficiency was assumed to be in the range of 60–70%. The trap basin should be constructed at open check dams upstream (U/S) of the proposed basin to enhance its efficiency. Further investigation is required to understand the transport and deposition of sediments, particularly fine sediments in the basin. Additionally, the effects of sediment traps in Wadi Bishah should be assessed during the construction of these structures to aid water resource management and mitigate flood disasters.

Public awareness of side effects of systemic steroids in Asir region, Saudi Arabia.

Corticosteroids have been used since the 50s and it represent the most important and frequently used class of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs for the treatment of several diseases such as numerous neoplastic, asthma, allergy, rheumatoid arthritis, and dermatological disorders. This study aims to determine the public awareness of side effects of systemic steroids in Asir region, Saudi Arabia. A descriptive cross-sectional web-based study was used. An online questionnaire was developed by the study researchers based on the literature review and consultations of the field experts. The questionnaire included the following components: Participants demographic data, medical history, and steroids use. Also, it covered participants awareness regarding systemic steroids and side effects. A total of 439 participants fulfilling the inclusion criteria completed the study questionnaire. Ages ranged from 18 to 65 years with mean age of 26.1 ± 13.9 years old, of those, 227 (51.7%) respondents were males. Around 346 (78.8%) had poor overall awareness level while only 93 (21.2%) had good awareness regarding systematic steroids. The study also showed that awareness was significantly higher among young aged participants in the health care field and among those who previously used steroids. Two hundred and eighty two (64.2%) of the respondents reported previous use of steroids. In conclusion, the current study showed that nearly one out of each five people know about systemic steroids and related side effects which is below the satisfactory level. Higher awareness was observed with regards drug associated side effects and long-term use consequences.

Parental health-seeking behavior on self-medication, antibiotic use, and antimicrobial resistance in children

Aim and ObjectivesThe study sought to identify parental trends in children's self-medication, health-seeking behavior, knowledge of self-medication, antibiotic use, and antimicrobial resistance in Asir, Saudi Arabia. MethodsA web-based cross-sectional study was carried out by a survey questionnaire. Snow Ball sampling technique was used to select the Eight hundred and sixteen parents with children in the Asir region by WhatsApp and email, and 650 participants who met the inclusion criteria consented to participate in the study. ResultsThere were 1809 episodes of childhood illnesses reported during the study period. The mean scores are on knowledge at 8.11 ± 2.43, favorable attitude at 17.60 ± 1.17, and practice was 7.72 ± 1.72, and a significant correlation was found between knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) at p = 0.01. Out of 624, the majority of parents showed strong knowledge and proficiency in antibiotics. However, the attitude scores of over 50% towards the usage of antibiotics were subpar. Around 54% of parents were self-medicating their children and 43% were unaware that skipping doses contributes to anti-microbial resistance (AMR). The facilitators for self-medication were male gender (aOR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.26–3.98,p < 0.05), having more children (aOR: 2.78; 95% CI: 1.27–4.12p < 0.01), professional qualification (aOR:3.07; 95% CI 1.57– 4.68; p < 0.01), residing in urban area (aOR: 3.17; 95% CI: 2.13–5.61,p < 0.05), working in health care (aOR: 5.99; 95% CI: 1.78–18.2,p < 0.01) and high income (aOR: 3.57; 95% CI: 2.08–6.34,p < 0.05). ConclusionsThe findings indicated that the majority of parents had unfavorable views and improper practices of antibiotic usage. Strategic education programs to the targeted population, especially to the parents about side effects of antibiotics, dangerous consequences of self-medication, and crucial AMR concerns must be addressed immediately.

Telogen effluvium and COVID-19: a cross-sectional study.

COVID-19 is a febrile infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This virus affects several organs, including the skin. Acute telogen effluvium (TE) is a non-scarring hair loss characterized by diffuse hair shedding that begins three months after a stressful event and can last up to six months. COVID-19 infection is one of these potential stressors. Recently, there has been a reported link between increased scalp hair shedding and post-infection patients during the COVID-19 outbreak. The present work aimed to study the possible effects of COVID-19 on hair and the relationship between COVID-19 and TE and to assess the level of awareness about TE in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a pre-validated questionnaire. The study involved 561 participants from the Asir region of Saudi Arabia. Eligible participants were individuals from the Asir region who were 20 years of age or older, had previously contracted COVID-19 and had no history of TE before infection. All statistical methods used were two-tailed with an alpha level of 0.05, considering significance if the p-value was lower than or equal to 0.05. A total of 1,000 eligible participants completed the study questionnaire. The mean age was 32.5 ± 13.9 years, and 494 (88.1%) participants were females. In addition, 558 (99.5%) of the study participants had received the COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 411 (73.3%) participants experienced an increase in hair loss after COVID-19 infection, and 171 (30.5%) began suffering from pain when combing their hair. In addition, 182 participants (32.4%) had a family history of TE. Only 109 (10.9%) participants had a good awareness level about TE, while 452 (80.6%) had an overall poor awareness level. There was a significant relationship between the level of awareness and age, where 23.9% of the participants aged 20-29 years had a good level of awareness vs. 16.1% of others aged 40 years or older (p = 0.041). Moreover, 26.9% of participants with a family history of TE had a good awareness of TE, vs. 15.8% of those with no family history of TE (p = 0.002). In addition, significant correlations were found between increased hair loss post-COVID-19 infection and female gender (77.3% vs. 43.3%; p = 0.001) as well as suffering from pain when combing hair (86.5% vs. 65.5%; p = 0.001). In our study, the incidence of TE was highly related to COVID-19 infections among both sexes. However, the incidence was greater among the female population. The awareness level toward post-COVID-19 TE was poor among most of the participants in our study.

An Evaluation of Continuing Medical Education among Pharmacists in Various Pharmacy Sectors in the Asir Region of Saudi Arabia.

Continuing medical training is an important component of modern medical practice because it maintains the ability of physicians to provide up-to-date patient care. This study explored pharmacists' involvement in CME activities and investigated the barriers to undertaking CME activities in Saudi Arabia. It also aimed to highlight the obstacles that prevent pharmacists from participating in CE activities. This study used a cross-sectional self-administered web-based questionnaire. It was conducted among practising pharmacists in various pharmacy fields in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia. The structured questionnaire consisted of four domains. A convenience sampling strategy was used to select and recruit study participants. The results were described in terms of frequencies and percentages. A Chi-square test was used to assess the differences for categorical data. p value of <0.05 was considered significant. A total of 173 pharmacists participated in the study. Attending the conference was the most popular activity (67%), followed by training courses (61.8%) and approved web-based activities (60.1%). Regarding barriers that prevented pharmacists from participating in CME activities, a lack of a scientific database or books was the top-rated barrier that hindered pharmacists from obtaining the required CME hours (79.8%). Another important barrier was the cost of the activities (74.6%). Regarding the area of practice for which pharmacists would be interested in attending CME activities, public health was the favourite (89.6%), followed by personal skills (82.7%). Gathering the required CME hours for re-registration was the main motive for attending CME activities in most of the pharmacy sectors. Policymakers should consider shifting the current CME system to the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) model, which promotes engagement in professional development activities that are relevant to the scope of practice.

Phenotypic Characterization of Indigenous Sheep Breeds in Saudi Arabia

Saudi&amp;rsquo;s farm animal genetic resources have a particular role to play in managing the rural environment and assisting in maintaining wild biological diversity. Our indigenous livestock breeds are of great economic, social and cultural importance. The presence of livestock is a very positive feature for many who live in, work in or visit the countryside and livestock farming is frequently a core activity on which whole communities depend. The Kingdom has a rich and diverse population of livestock breeds sheep, goats, poultry, horses &amp;amp; Camel most of it are at risk. The conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources for food and agriculture is a widely supported international objective contributing to efforts to eliminate global poverty and achieve world food security.&#x0D; &#x0D; The data of the present study were collected form Noemi, Najdi and Hari breeds raised in Najd (96, 108, and 90 animals, respectively) Qassim region. Eight body measurements were studied, Wither heights (WH), Rum heights (RH), Body length (BL), Head length (HL), Heart girth (HG), Muzzle diameter (MD), Cannon circumference (CC) and Cannon length (CL). Noemi is taking the second size breed of the sheep breeds in Saudi Arabia. Hari is the smallest breed of sheep breeds in Saudi Arabia and it is the main breed in Hejaz and Asir regions which belong to the sheep with coarse hair and thick tail strain. The results of the present study on these breeds showed that Najdi breed has the biggest sizes in all body measurements 10.9% and 11.4% bigger than Noemi and Hari, Approximate respectively. By the other way in comparing Noemi&amp;rsquo;s breed with Hari breed, Noemi having the biggest sizes (10.5% Approximate) in all body measurements than Hari. Three categories of ages were presents in this study, eight, eighteen and forty-eight months. The first category eight months showed the smallest size in all body measurements by 11.2% in compare with eighteen months. No big differences were showed among eighteen and forty-eight months the different around 2% in favor of forty-eight category. &#x0D; &#x0D; In addition, the effect of sex was significant, male always have biggest body measurements in compare with female. The results showed that male have around 10.9% more in all studied measurements more than female. All the fixed effect (effect of: Age, Breed and Sex) are significant on all body measurements traits expect Cannon circumference (CC) trait. The correlations coefficients among all studied traits were moderate to high and highly significant. The highest correlation coefficient was found between RH and WH traits (0.872), and the lowest one was found between CC and HG traits (0.214).