King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University Research Articles

Cross-Sectional Survey to Assess Dental Students’ Perception of the Utilization of a Case Difficulty Assessment Form during Various Stages of Root Canal Therapy

Background. Several endodontic difficulty assessment forms are available to help dental students and general dentists estimate the difficulty of the case before initiating the endodontic treatment. Objectives. This study aimed to assess if the American Association of Endodontics (AAE) case difficulty assessment form affects the dental student’s perception of the difficulty encountered while performing root canal treatment (RCT). Materials and Methods. This was a cross-sectional online survey. After obtaining IRB approval, an electronic questionnaire was sent to dental students enrolled in the 4th and 5th years at King Saud University (KSU) and King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was divided into informed consent, demographic data, the use of the AAE case assessment form, RCT steps, diagnosis, local anesthesia administration, tooth isolation, and endodontic procedure. Results. A total of 195 dental students participated in the study. There were 101 (52%) females, and 139 (71%) were from KSAU-HS. A positive association was found between students who used the AAE assessment form and who did not with their ability to reach the correct diagnosis (p=0.005), tooth isolation (p=0.03), and endodontic procedure difficulty score (p=0.018). Conclusion. The use of the AAE form by dental students enabled them to differentiate between complicated and uncomplicated cases, thus lowering the difficulty encountered during RCT.

The Development and Utilization of an Electronic Assessment Software in Dental Education: A Comprehensive Evaluation

Purpose/ObjectivesThis article introduces the Key Electronic Assessment Platform (KEAP), an electronic-based assessment platform created in-house at the College of Dentistry (COD), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It highlights the platform’s integral value and demand within the educational system. MethodsThe article introduces the KEAP system design and architecture, describes its features, tests, and implementation in addition to its maintenance and security. It also presents the outcomes of KEAP utilization and the level of users’ satisfaction. ResultsThe KEAP item bank has been expanded by more than 26,500 questions over the last four academic years and 1,255 exams have been administered. KEAP provides a highly secure structured framework for assessment planning, conduction, and evaluation. More than 90% of students and faculty are satisfied or very satisfied with their experience using the KEAP system indicating that it is well accepted by the end users. ConclusionsThe development of KEAP is based on contextual factors in COD, KSAU-HS with the aim of creating a process for assessment that is valid, efficient, standardized, and highly secure. KEAP’s design and successful implementation can provide a successful example of implementing electronic-based assessment in higher education.

Knowledge of Undergraduate Students About Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Aims Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. This study assesses the level of knowledge about COPD among undergraduate students that makes it different from other respiratory illnesses. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS). The Bristol Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Knowledge Questionnaire (BCKQ) was used to evaluate the knowledge about COPD, epidemiology, symptoms, exercise, smoking, and breathlessness domains. The questionnaire was distributed among the different male colleges. Results There were 304 respondents from five colleges. The overall BCKQ mean score was 15.16±4.52 (maximum 30). The mean score was highest for the Colleges of Pharmacy (18.89±2.17) and Medicine (18.00±3.84), and the College of Science and Health Professions had the lowest score (11.56±5.58). The highest overall means for the different domains (max=5) were for smoking (2.19±1.2), and epidemiology (2.83±1.27), while symptoms of COPD (2.23±1.06) and breathlessness (1.96±1.13) were the lowest among the domains. Conclusions There was a low level of understanding among undergraduate students in general, but the Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy had better knowledge. On the other hand, the College of Science and Health Professions had a lower score. This indicates some areas for improvement in the education program. Appropriate development in the education program is recommended, such as increasing the awareness of symptoms of COPD and other aspects of the disease.

The Relation Between Theoretical and Practical Exams for Health Sciences Students at King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences- Jeddah.

A comprehensive approach to assessment is essential to ensure that all students' learning competencies are measured accurately. Therefore, multiple methods of assessment have been developed to address this matter. This Study aims to assess the correlation between health sciences students' performance on theoretical and practical exams. A correlational study design was conducted. The academic performance of 352 students across theoretical/practical courses was tested. SPSS version 29.0 was used for analysis. Spearman's rho correlation (Rs), Wilcoxon, and Mann Whitney were computed at p<0.05. The theoretical performance was strongly correlated with the practical performance of all programs pooled together (Rs (352) = 0.67, p<0.001). Also, there was a strong correlation between theoretical and practical performance for male students (Rs (181) = 0.72, p<0.001), while a moderate correlation for female students (Rs (171) = 0.53, p<0.001). Mann-Whitney test revealed significant mean performance difference by gender both at theoretical (U = 9284, p<0.0001) and practical (U = 11,373, p < 0.0001) levels. There were significant correlations between theoretical knowledge and practical skills across the selected four programs.; The mean student's performance was better in the practical skills than in the theoretical knowledge assessment, and female students surpassed male students in both practical and theoretical assessments in the four programs offered to both genders.

Investigating composition instructors’ written feedback practices at KSAU-HS of the academic year 2022–23

This study explores teachers' written corrective feedback (WCF) strategies and investigates factors determining teachers' WCF practices in English composition classes taught at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences. Through a thematic analysis of online surveys, instructor written feedback practices on student writing, and semi-structured interviews, the results show that most English composition instructors provided written feedback on all forms of issues and practiced more direct than indirect feedback on correcting those issues. They gave feedback in the margin and end-note feedback on student writing. Their written feedback practices were due to contextual factors, namely their beliefs about errors, their types and students’ proficiency levels. This study discusses the limitations, and implications of the study findings and ends by making some recommendations for English writing instructors and curriculum designers.

Analyzing the application of mixed method methodology in medical education: a qualitative study

BackgroundInterest in mixed methods methodology within medical education research has seen a notable increase in the past two decades, yet its utilization remains less prominent compared to quantitative methods. This study aimed to investigate the application and integration of mixed methods methodology in medical education research, with a specific focus on researchers’ perceptions, strategies, and readiness, including the necessary skills and expertise. This study adheres to the COREQ guidelines for reporting qualitative research.MethodsFaculty members from King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Saudi Arabia, across its three campuses in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Ahsa, participated in this study during the 2021–2022 academic year. We conducted 15 in-depth, one-on-one interviews with researchers who had previously used mixed methods in their medical education research. Theoretical saturation was reached with no refusals or dropouts. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide developed from literature review and mixed methods guidelines. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the participants’ perspectives.ResultsThe thematic analysis of the interviews yielded three key themes. The first theme, ‘Understanding and Perceptions of Mixed Methods in Medical Education Research,’ delved into researchers’ depth of knowledge and conceptualization of mixed methods. The second theme, ‘Strategies and Integration in Mixed Methods Implementation,’ explored how these methodologies are applied and the challenges involved in their integration. The final theme, ‘Mastery in Mixed Methods: Prerequisites and Expert Consultation in Research,’ highlighted the gaps in readiness and expertise among researchers, emphasizing the importance of expert guidance in this field.ConclusionFindings indicate a varied understanding of mixed methods among participants. Some lacked a comprehensive grasp of its application, while others perceived mixed methods primarily as a means to enhance the publication prospects of their studies. There was a general lack of recognition of mixed methods as a guiding methodology for all study aspects, pointing to the need for more in-depth training and resources in this area.

Acceptance of Students with Physical Disabilities in Medical Schools in Saudi Arabia: Perception, Experience, and Recommendation.

Physical disability is seen as a burden in many countries, and it has been a challenge to create a healthy environment and a fair living experience for all people with physical disability. For a long time, the number of students accepted to medical school has been limited, and the number of successful experiences for doctors with disabilities is inadequate worldwide. This study aims to investigate the perception of the public, medical educators, and medical students about the acceptance of students with physical disabilities in medical schools in Saudi Arabia. The study uses two methodological strategies: a quantitative cross-sectional survey and a qualitative interview with a young female doctor with a physical disability to discuss her educational experience and work journey in Saudi Arabia and abroad. The study was conducted at the College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The perception survey results showed a broad acceptance of the public, medical educators, and medical students regarding the enrollment of students with physical disabilities in medical schools and regarding being treated by doctors with physical disabilities. The participants also believed that students with physical disabilities are compatible with most doctors' jobs. Students with physical disabilities should be able to study and practice medicine. Educational and health institutions should apply more effort and commitment to provide the necessary accommodations to accept students and doctors with physical disabilities based on their cognitive ability but not their physical disability.

Factors Influencing Medical Interns' Choice of Hospital for Training, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background High-quality, adequately resourced, and strategically oriented medical internship training plays a pivotal role in the continual growth of junior doctors. Evaluating the perspectives of final-year medical students regarding their internship year and their preferred placement is of paramount importance. This study aims to furnish internship programs with valuable insights into interns' perceptions and attitudes toward an optimal internship experience. By doing so, we aim to empower internship programs with the necessary knowledge to enhance their offerings, ensuring they are better tailored to the needs and preparation of future doctors. Objective The objective of this study was to elucidate the primary factors that influence the preferences of medical interns in selecting a hospital for their internship training. Methods In the academic year spanning September 2023 to 2024, a comprehensive cross-sectional study was conducted at three esteemed medical universities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A meticulously crafted questionnaire, consisting of twenty questions was disseminated via various social media platforms, targeting all final-year medical students of the selected medical schools. Overall 241 students actively participated in the survey, their valuable contributions enriching the overall quality and depth of the research findings. Results Among the 241 respondents, 67.22% were male, 83.40% identified as Saudi, and 43.57% hailed from King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS). A predominant 94.61% of participants fell within the age group of 22-25 years. Notably, the top four influential factors influencing participants' choice of internship training programs were encouraging consultants (93.80%), the hospital working environment (91.29%), an internship program with effective teamwork (88.38%), and a subspecialty residency program (85.48%). Furthermore, our findings underscored that access to electronic health record (EHR) systems, orientation prior to clinical rotations, and seniors' experiences significantly impact students' decisions when selecting a hospital for rotations. It was also observed that considerations such as the number of on-calls and working hours, salary, location, and extracurricular activities wield a substantial influence over their choices, as indicated by the majority of the surveyed students. Conclusion Given that internship training is one of the most critical stages of medical education, it is recommended to take into account the elements that students believe can influence their hospital choice for conducting their internship. We hope that by acknowledging these aspects, potential approaches to improve and advance hospital training can be formulated in order to provide interns with effective training, a reasonable workload, and a conducive and supportive environment to work in.

DIFFICULTIES IN RESEARCH PROPOSAL WRITING

Background: Medical students face difficulties during research proposal development. This study aimed to identify proposal writing difficulties among medical students to provide better targeted research education. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Science using a self-administered questionnaire, which included 21 items assessing the difficulty of proposal segments. A content validity was done and piloted. Cronbachs alpha and exploratory factor analysis were used to assess the reliability and construct validity of the questionnaire. Results: Two-hundred seventy-six participants responded with a response rate of 55%, 196 of which were males. The most common difficulty was in the statistical analysis section (70%) followed by finding full text articles (49%) then determining sample size (46%). The least common were writing ethical consideration (14%), objectives (17%) and describing study subjects (19%). Difficulty mean was significantly lower among students who have completed their research projects compared to those who have not (mean + SD) 2.91+0.45 vs 3.2 +0.43 with a p-value of &lt; 0.001, respectively. GPA nor gender had an effect on the level of difficulty. Conclusion: Students face difficulties in proposal writing particularly sections related to analysis plan and finding related articles. Further research is needed to support and improve studentsability to write good research proposals.

Students’ perception of the educational environment at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for health sciences using DREEM tool

BackgroundStudents’ learning results are influenced by the educational environment. The best learning environment is created when students are involved in the evaluation process of their education. The purpose of this study was to evaluate students’ perceptions of their learning environment at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) in Riyadh using the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) instrument.MethodsThis observational cross-sectional study was conducted through an online questionnaire using the Arabic version of the DREEM tool. Students from six colleges at KSAU-HS Riyadh campus were asked to complete the questionnaire through emails. The study was carried out between November 2021 and April 2022. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were performed for DREEM as both a continuous (two-way ANOVA test) and categorical variable (Chi-squared and Monte-Carlo test).ResultsA total of 370 students completed the questionnaire. The overall DREEM score for the study was 125.88/200, with a standard deviation of 58.79. SSP items received the highest scores, while SAP items earned the lowest scores. The college and the academic level showed statistically significant differences in the DREEM overall score and the five subscales, whereas gender showed no significant difference. The college of pharmacy scored the highest total DREEM score (140.35 ± 27.75), and scored higher among the five subscales than both colleges of dentistry (114.13 ± 29.74) and medicine (113.87 ± 33.03). Students in their third year had the greatest overall DREEM score (132.23 ± 29.76), and scored higher in SPL, SPA and SSP compared to students in their sixth year, in which the total DREEM score was (111.65 ± 27.58).ConclusionsStudents of KSAU-HS generally perceived the educational environment as having more positive than negative. The educational level and college differed significantly in the overall DREEM score and the five subscales. Junior students had better perception of the educational environment and they differed significantly in the SPL and SPA subscales. The faculty of pharmacy had higher scores in the overall DREEM and the five subsequent scales than colleges of dentistry and medicine. Further research is needed in order to optimize the educational environment by investigating different solutions.

The Use of Vaping Among Male Health Sciences Students Compared to Other Male Students in Riyadh.

Background Vaping has become widely used by teenagers due to its accessibility, variety of flavors, peer influence, and the thought that it is a less harmful alternative to tobacco smoking. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of vaping among health sciences students compared to other college students in Riyadh and identify reasons for its usage. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in three major universities of Riyadh: King Saud bin Abdulaziz University, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, and Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University. A self-administered online questionnaire related to the use of e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes was utilized. It included questions about the use of conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes and the reasons for using them. Responses were compared between health sciences and non-health sciences students in Riyadh. Results An electronic survey was distributed online, and 442 students responded, but two of them did not agree to participate, so they were removed from the sample. Out of 440 students, 312 (71%) were health sciences students, and 128 (29%) were non-health sciences students. Smoking conventional cigarettes was found among 38 (12%) health sciences students, and 22 (17%) non-health college students smoked conventional cigarettes (p=0.16). Regarding vaping, 117 (38%) health sciences students smoked e-cigarettes. On the other hand, 47 (39%) non-health college students smoked e-cigarettes (p=0.99). Anxiety/stress relief (54%) and peer influence (46%) were the most common reasons for those who smoked conventional cigarettes. Regarding the most common reasons behind using e-cigarettes, the majority (55%) considered e-cigarettes less harmful than conventional cigarettes. The second most common reason was having no distinctive odor (36%). Conclusion The study found that there was a high prevalence of the self-reported use of e-cigarettes. It appears that the use of conventional cigarette smoking is not as common as e-cigarettes among university students. This study found that university students tend to use e-cigarettes more than conventional cigarettes due to the belief thate-cigarettes are less harmful than conventional cigarettes.

Impact of Leadership Style on Employees’ Motivation: The Contribution of Psychological Capital and Employees’ Engagement

Purpose: Developing employee motivation has excellent significance in attaining organizational success with massive performance. The present study explores the impact of transformational leadership style (TLS) on employees’ motivation (EM) directly and through psychological capital (PC) and employee’ engagement (EE). Design/Methodology/ Approach: Through the questionnaire, the researchers targeted the employees of King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) in Al-Ahsa. Consequently, the researchers used 242 samples to infer the results. Findings: Through path analysis using analysis of moment structures (AMOS) version 26.0, the outcomes suggested a positive effect of TLS on PC and EM. On the other hand, the impact of TLS on EE is negative. Moreover, the PC and EE factors appeared as positive predictors of EM. With regard to mediation, the study found a positive contribution of PC and EE in developing the association between TLS and EM. Research, practical and social implications: The study's findings offer practical guidance for organizational leaders by highlighting the importance of adopting effective leadership styles that nurture PC and enhance EE by providing actionable strategies to improve workplace dynamics. Moreover, the findings would enhance organizational performance by emphasizing the pivotal role of leadership in shaping employee motivation and engagement. Originality/ value: This study empirically addresses the gaps in the integrated framework, meaningfully confirmed among King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) employees in Al-Ahsa.

Assessment of mental health and various strategies among Health Professions' (HP) students: A cross sectional study in King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences.

The education environment of medical colleges is known to have a burdensome effect on the overall mental health of the students. This study aimed to investigate the immediate impact of the medical education environment on mental health and quality of life among Health Profession students and to identify various coping strategies used by students to mitigate the stress. An online survey was conducted between April 1 and May 10, 2021, using a validated questionnaire based on DASS-42, employing a snowball sampling technique. A total of 338 students filled the questionnaire. The respondents had a high level of depression and anxiety scores, categorized as very severe which were significantly different among level of education (P < .05), for example, 88.9% of sixth year students had very severe depression compared to just 37% of first year ones. Gender-wise very severe scores varied from lowest 45.8% to 70.3% with comparable results for both males and females. Additionally, more than 30% of the students listed that the amount of material to be covered, lack of time to study the material to be tested, heavy demand to study, concern about trying to learn all the content, and competitiveness among students to be the top reason which affect their mental state of mental health. This study identifies the need to provide the free professional and psychological services to help cope with stress to the health profession students.

An Assessment of Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Ozone Dentistry Among Dental Students at King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

An Assessment of Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Ozone Dentistry Among Dental Students at King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Comparing the prevalence of impacted teeth through radiographic evidence among orthodontic and general populations: A secondary data analysis

IntroductionThere is noticeable variability in reporting the prevalence of impacted teeth, which can be attributed to the variability in the age, gender, and type of populations investigated. Materials and MethodsPanoramic radiographs were examined retrospectively for patients who attended dental clinics at King Abdulaziz Medical City and the College of Dentistry at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The sampling frame for the orthodontic population included digital records of 2998 patientsrandomly selected from an original 8000 patients treated from 2016 to 2022 in the orthodontic clinic. For the general population, 3002 patients were randomly selected from an original15000 patients treated at the dental college from 2016 to 2022. A tooth was considered impacted if it failed to erupt after two years of the expected complete root formation. ResultsThe prevalence of at least a single impacted tooth was higher in the orthodontic population (13.2 %) than in the general population (11.2 %). However, this difference was not statistically significant, p = 0.103. The orthodontic population had a significantly higher prevalence of impacted #13, #11,#23,#25. In contrast, the general population had a significantly higher prevalence of all third molars impaction (p < 0.005). ConclusionAlthough the prevalence of at least a single tooth impaction between the orthodontic and general populations was not significantly different, the type of teeth differs. Hence, understanding the type of population investigated while reporting the prevalence of impacted teeth is critical in understanding the variability between different reports.

Enhancing Medical Students' Confidence and Knowledge in Antibiotic Prescription and Administration through Virtual Education: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Antibiotic resistance is a worldwide health concern that necessitates antibiotic stewardship. Medical students significantly impact future healthcare practices; thus, their trust in antibiotic prescription and administration is crucial. This research aims to assess medical students' levels of confidence and knowledge in these areas before and after exposure to virtual antibiotic stewardship education. A one-group pretest-posttest design was conducted with medical students from King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Participants were enrolled in the WHO-online antibiotic stewardship course. The group's baseline confidence and background knowledge were reported to be lower than what was offered after introducing the virtual course. The McNemar-Bowker test showed a significant difference in students' confidence in pre-course and post-course scores (Z = 20, p < 0.002); the matched paired t-test revealed a significant difference in students' knowledge scores (M = 7.66 verses M = 5.36, Z = 3.54, p = 0.001). In the sample, 70% of the students were unfamiliar with antibiotic stewardship; thus, the analysis revealed a significant difference in their familiarity before and after enrolling in the online course (30 vs. 100, p < 0.001). Medical students experience low confidence in the safe practice of the antibiotic stewardship program. The WHO-online antibiotic stewardship course is considered a valuable resource that can be used in a formative medical curriculum. Thus, educators and the academic curriculum must promote practical strategies to minimize antibiotic stewardship literacy and increase antibiotic prescribing and administration quality. Introducing antibiotic stewardship across the medical curriculum and establishing educational courses are some strategies that can be undertaken to ensure that future doctors are well-educated in the principles and practices of the appropriate use of antibiotic stewardship.

Bibliometric Analysis of the Publications on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Published Between 2012-2022.

This study aimed to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the global scientific output related to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) between 2012 and 2022. The Web of Science database was searched for articles on MERS-CoV published between 2012 and 2022 for bibliometric analysis. The parameters such as publication year, publication type, funding agencies, research institutions, journals, impact factors, language, and citation numbers of articles were analyzed. We included 1475 articles on MERS-CoV from 86 countries. The United States was the most published country on MERS-CoV, with 487 articles. The Saudi Ministry of Health (7.53%), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (6.92%), and The Egyptian Knowledge Bank (6.64%) were the most published institutions. The researchers who published the most on MERS-CoV were from Saudi Arabia. One thousand two hundred six funding agencies funded publications on MERS-CoV, most of which were funded by agencies from the United States. MERS-CoV remains important because no treatment and no vaccine have been found since it was first detected, and accordingly, it continues to affect the world with new outbreaks and high mortality rates. In addition, experiences with MERS-CoV during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have guided new research on COVID-19, so scientific interest in MERS-CoV is still ongoing.

Challenges in Incorporating English as the Medium of Instruction at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences

In contexts where English is not a mother tongue, several institutions implement English as the medium of instruction. This paper argues that Saudi students pursuing tertiary education in scientific disciplines like health sciences must study in English-medium settings where they encounter several academic challenges related to the English language. Pre-university education for Saudi students is conducted in Arabic, which may have resulted in a jarring transition when they were expected to be instructed in English at the university. This abrupt change in the instruction medium challenges students’ English language proficiency. This paper aims to answer this question “What do perspectives students and instructors at KSAU-HS have regarding the challenges of implementing EMI in CAMS-A? ” It may also question the institution’s language policy and the quality of its educational outcomes. By using data from semi-structured interviews and classroom observations, the findings of this paper attempt to comprehend challenges such as 1) pre-university English language preparations, 2) misaligned expectations between content instructors and English instructors regarding improving students’ English language, 3) time and effort in preparing and delivering lectures using EMI, and 4) impeding students’ comprehension of content knowledge and driving them to rote memorization. This paper discusses these obstacles to provide potential explanations and solutions by calling into question the monolingual bias of EMI programs in Saudi Arabia.

The Barriers to Seeking Mental Health Services at King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences.

The mental health of college students, especially medical students, is a major issue worldwide. Depression and anxiety are among the top causes of death among people aged 15-29 years old. Mental health disorders, especially mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, are common among university students. Psychological problems can negatively impact academic performance and life satisfaction. The earlier mental illness is detected, the better the treatment and outcome. The aim of this study is to determine the barriers among students to seeking mental health services. This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was carried out at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia The cross-sectional questionnaire-based study involved 434 students: 72.1% men and 27.9% women. This study had a response rate of 28.5% and responses were gathered in May 2023. The top three barriers identified in this study were "Feeling that my problems are not important," "Concern that no one will understand my problems," and "Difficulty with access to care." The majority of students reported feeling "I feel reluctance a little" to use mental health services; 31.4% chose "I need it a little" when asked whether they needed to use mental health services. Furthermore, 34.8% of students reported having mild anxiety, and 34.1% reported having mild depression. Mental illness is a serious issue, which is why medical students should be aware of it to improve their quality of life and reduce the stress and obstacles they face. Medical schools should address awareness of mental illness and how to approach a clinic. This is important for students to succeed and overcome the psychological difficulties that might affect academic performance. In addition, recognizing the barriers will help achieve better outcomes in seeking help and utilizing existing services.

PREVALENCE, PREDICTORS TRIGGERS AND COPING STRATEGIES OF TENSION HEADACHE AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS AND IN KSAU-HS RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of primary headaches, specifically tension-type headaches (TTH), among medical students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and to identify the factors that contribute to the occurrence and relief of headaches. A cross-sectional study was conducted among second to sixth-year medical students at KSAU-HS from October 2022 to February 2023. Participants with chronic headaches who volunteered to participate were included. The International Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition (ICHD-3), was used to classify and differentiate between different types of headaches. Additional questions were included to assess factors that exacerbate or alleviate headaches, headache management strategies, and the impact of headaches on academic performance. Data were collected using electronic self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 21. A total of 303 participants were included in the study, with a mean age of 22 ± 1.7 years. The majority of participants were male (59.4%), and most were in clinical years (61.1%) with a GPA of 4.5 to 5 (57.1%). Nearly all participants reported experiencing at least one episode of headache in the past year, and 60.7% met the criteria for TTH. The most commonly reported headache characteristics were bilateral location (71.3%), frequent occurrence (53.8%), duration of more than one hour (84.5%), and frontal site (61.7%). Lack of sleep (62.4%) was identified as the most common trigger, while taking simple analgesics like Paracetamol (72.3%) and sleep (50.5%) were the most commonly used therapies to manage headaches. The majority of participants (75.9%) reported that their headaches did not significantly affect their academic performance. A significant association was found between gender and tension-type headaches, with male students being at a higher risk (p-value &lt; 0.001). In conclusion, primary headaches, particularly tension-type headaches, are prevalent among medical students at KSAU-HS, potentially impacting their academic performance. Further research is warranted to raise awareness among students regarding effective headache management strategies.