Prince Sultan Military Medical City Research Articles

Social Anxiety and Internet Addiction among Primary Health Care Workers at PSMMC, Riyadh

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and Internet Addiction (IA) significantly impact the quality of life and professional efficacy among Primary Health Care Workers (PCWs). Given their prevalence and the potential for negative comorbidities, including depression, this study aims to explore the occurrence and correlation of SAD and IA among PCWs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study assessed SAD and IA among 154 PCWs using the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) and Internet Addiction Test (IAT). The study was conducted over 12 months from April 2023 to March 2024 at Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC), Riyadh; it employed random sampling to ensure diverse participation. The Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) and Internet Addiction Test (IAT) questionnaires were used to assess the prevalence of SAD and IA, respectively. Pearson’s correlation was used to determine the association between both variables. Results: The study found that 27.3% of participants exhibited some level of social anxiety, while 45% showed signs of IA. Specifically, mild to moderate internet addiction was present in 44.8% of respondents. Only 8.4% of participants fell into the severe category of social anxiety, while severe internet addiction was absent. A significant positive correlation was observed between SAD and IA (r = 0.36, P < 0.001). Additionally, higher income and certain professional roles were associated with lower instances of both conditions. Conclusion: The study highlights the prevalent but primarily mild to moderate levels of SAD and IA among PHCWs, underscoring the need for targeted interventions. While present, these issues may not severely impact PHCWs at PSMMC. The correlation between SAD and IA suggests the internet's dual role as a coping mechanism and potential risk factor, indicating areas for future research and intervention strategies.

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Primary Health Care, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background: Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is identified as a cluster of risk factors that significantly increase the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. It is characterized by obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Multiple definitions and criteria of MS exist. The most widely used set of criteria are the US National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) ATP III and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), both of which are used in this study. Due to different defining criteria and population demographics, the prevalence of MS varies widely across countries, regions, and continents.Objective: This study investigates the prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome among primary healthcare attendees in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over 12 months at the Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC) Wazzarat Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, involving 262 participants. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of MS among primary healthcare attendees using ATP III and IDF criteria. Participants were assessed for sociodemographic features, comorbidities, vital signs, and laboratory data related to MS. Statistical analysis utilized R v 4.3 for descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, Chi-square tests for categorical variables, and the Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables.Results: Among the study participants, 20.2% met the criteria for MS according to ATP III, and 19.9% according to IDF criteria, with a strong concordance between the two (Kappa statistic = 0.92, P < 0.001). The median age of individuals with MS was significantly higher (45 years) than those without (35 years, P < 0.001). Significant predictors included age, with BMI and fasting blood glucose showing a strong positive correlation (r > 0.5, P < 0.001). Notably, 60.7% of the cohort were medically free from conditions contributing to MS.Conclusion: The prevalence of MS among primary healthcare attendees in Riyadh, as defined by ATP III and IDF criteria, underscores the importance of age and lifestyle factors as predictors. The findings advocate for targeted preventive strategies focusing on lifestyle modifications to mitigate the risk of MS. Further research is suggested to explore the long-term impact of these interventions.

Frequency and Demographic Analysis of Odontogenic Tumors in Three Tertiary Institutions: An 11-Year Retrospective Study.

The study aims to evaluate the frequency, demographic features, treatment, and outcomes of OTs across three tertiary medical centers. OT cases were identified in King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), King Fahad Medical City (KFMC), and Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC) from January 2010 to December 2021. Ninety-two OT cases were identified from the anatomical pathology laboratories of three tertiary hospitals. KFMC contributed the highest number of cases (43.5%), followed by KAMC (30.4%) and PSMMC (26.1%). The median age of OT patients was 29 years (range: 5-83), with males representing more than half of the patients (56.5%). The mandible was the most frequent site of OT occurrence (72.5%), with ameloblastoma being the predominant OT (63.0%), followed by odontoma (19.5%). Among the treatment modalities, bone resection was employed the most (51.0%), followed by enucleation (25.6%). Notably, 11.5% of OT cases with available follow-up data exhibited recurrence, with ameloblastoma accounting for eight recurrent cases. Although OTs are relatively common in the jaws, they are rare in anatomical pathology laboratories and the general population. This study contributes valuable insights into the epidemiology characteristics, treatment trends, and recurrence rates of OTs in Saudi Arabia.

Assessment of Knowledge and Practice toward Oral Cavity Cancer among Primary Health Care Physicians in Prince Sultan Military Medical City in Riyadh

Assessment of Knowledge and Practice toward Oral Cavity Cancer among Primary Health Care Physicians in Prince Sultan Military Medical City in Riyadh

Comparison of Ictal SPECT with 99mTc-HMPAO versus MRI for the Epileptic Seizure Onset Zone Detection in Saudi Patients

Background: In the presurgical evaluation of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ictal brain perfusion SPECT with the chemical microspheres 99mTc-HMPAO are widely used for diagnosing the seizure onset zone (SOZ). For both modalities, there is theoretical controversy over favoring one over the other. This study aimed to compare the performance of 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT with MRI for SOZ identification in EEG-proved epileptic Saudi patients. Methods and Results: For this observational retrospective study, the database of the nuclear medicine departments at the Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC) and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAAUH) were searched for male and female patients with suspected unifocal epilepsy in whom ictal brain perfusion SPECT and MRI had been performed for presurgical evaluation. A total of 14 adult epileptic patients above 18 years were included who have undergone SPECT scans using 99mTc-HMPAO and MRI between Jan 2014 and Dec 2021. 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT and MRI scans were performed simultaneously for each patient, and there was almost general agreement that 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT accurately localized and detected the SOZ in 12/14 patients (sensitivity 85.71%). It was superior to MRI, which detected and localized the SOZ in only 7/14 patients (sensitivity 50.0%). Unfortunately, the specificity of ictal brain perfusion SPECT, by using 99mTc-HMPAO in seizure localization in epileptic patients, was not detected due to the shortage of data that led to all the EEG findings being 100% positive. Conclusion: This study reported that ictal SPECT using 99mTc-HMPAO provides more valuable information about SOZ localization than MRI. However, future studies with a larger sample size are needed to assess the specificity of 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT in detecting the SOZ.

Prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among Nurses Working in Critical Areas at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Tuberculosis is a critical health issue worldwide.Most infected persons are asymptomatic and categorized as having a latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Healthcare workers (HCWs) are more prone to being infected with tuberculosis and should be enrolled in a screening program for early detection. Objectives The study aims to estimate the prevalence of LTBI among nurses working in critical areas which include adult intensive care units, pediatric intensive care units, emergency departments, oncology departments, dialysis departments, tuberculosis labs, isolation rooms, and cardiac center intensive care units. Methods A record-based cross-sectional survey measured the prevalence of LTBI among nurses working in critical areas at Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We reviewed the occupational health records of all nurses working in critical areas from June 1, 2021, to June 1, 2022. We recorded the data reviewed throughout the year in the Occupational Health Department at PSMMC. We excluded all participants with previously documented positive tuberculin skin test (TST) from the study. We analyzed the sociodemographic data, working years, working location, job title, and TST results. Results We included a total of 771 out of 2025 nurses in this study. Participants were mostly women (88%) and in the 26-35-year age group (67.7%). Most of the participants were originally from the Philippines (66.3%). The overall LTBI prevalence among nurses was 34.5%. The highest prevalence of LTBI was among nurses working in the cardiac intensive care unit (53.5%), and the lowest prevalence was among nurses working in the isolation department (8.9%; p-value <0.0001). Those who worked more in the hospital were significantly more infected with LTBI (p-value <0.04). Conclusion LTBI remains a significant health risk worldwide andin the Middle East as well as among HCWs. This underscores the necessity of comprehensive pre-hiring screening, annual screening, infection control protocols, and active management of HCWs with LTBI.

A Hybrid Model of In-Person and Telemedicine Diabetes Education and Care for Management of Patients with Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Findings and Implications from a Multicenter Prospective Study.

Patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) require close follow-up, support, and education to achieve glycemic control, especially during the initiation or intensification of insulin therapy and self-care management. This study aimed to describe and evaluate the impact of implementing a hybrid model of in-person and telemedicine care and education on glycemic control for patients with uncontrolled T2DM (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] ≥9%) during the coronavirus disease pandemic. This prospective multicenter-cohort pre-/post-intervention study was conducted on patients with uncontrolled T2DM. This study included three chronic illness centers affiliated with the Family and Community Medicine Department at Prince Sultan Military Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A hybrid model of in-person (onsite) and telemedicine care and education was developed. This involved implementing initial in-person care at the physicians' clinic and initial in-person education at the diabetes education clinic, followed by telemedicine services of tele-follow-ups, support, and education for an average 4-month follow-up period. Of the enrolled 181 patients, more than half of the participants were women (n = 103, 56.9%). The mean age of participants (standard deviation) was 58.64 ± 11.23 years and the mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 13.80 ± 8.55 years. The majority of the patients (n = 144; 79.6%) were on insulin therapy. Overall, in all three centers, the hybrid model had significantly reduced HbA1c from 10.47 ± 1.23% to 7.87 ± 1.59% (mean difference of reduction 2.59% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.34-2.85%], p < 0.001). At the level of each center, HbA1c was reduced significantly with mean differences of 3.17% (95% CI = 2.81-3.53%), 2.49% (95% CI = 1.92-3.06%), and 2.16% (95% CI = 1.76-2.57%) at centers A, B, and C, respectively (all p < 0.001). The findings showed that the hybrid model of in-person and telemedicine care and education effectively managed uncontrolled T2DM. Consequently, the role of telemedicine in diabetes management could be further expanded as part of routine diabetes care in primary settings to achieve better glycemic control and minimize nonessential in-person visits when appropriate.

Efficacy and safety of glecaprevir and pibrentasvir in Saudi patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection at a major tertiary hospital.

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB) in chronic hepatitis C (HCV) patients, and to assess the prescribers' adherence to Food and Drug Administration recommendations on treatment duration. A retrospective cohort study was carried out on chronic HCV patients of ≥18 years, with or without cirrhosis, naive or experienced, and with normal kidney function or chronic kidney disease (including dialysis patients) at Prince Sultan Military Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between February 2020 and March 2021. The primary effectiveness end-point was the number and percentage of patients who achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR12), virologic failure, and non-response. Safety was determined considering both serious and non-serious adverse events. A total of 92 patients were enrolled in this study. Among patients, 52 (56.5%) were female, 84 (91.3%) were naive, and 45 (48.9 %) had HCV genotype 4. The SVR12 was achieved in 91 (98.9%, 95% CI: [94-99.8]) patients. Only one patient (1.1%, 95% CI: [0.2-5.9]) developed virologic non-response and there were missing data on virologic failure. Overall, non-serious adverse events were observed in 26 (28.5%) patients, and none of them had serious adverse events that led to treatment discontinuation. Approximately 75% of the patients received an inappropriate treatment duration (12 weeks vs. the recommended 8 weeks) and most (n=40, 58%; p<0.022) of the exceedingly long treatments were prescribed by registrars. The GLE/PIB was highly effective and safe in chronic HCV Saudi patients.

EE101 Assessing the Cost-Effectiveness of Introducing Benralizumab in the Treatment of Severe Uncontrolled Eosinophilic Asthma Patients in Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC) - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

EE101 Assessing the Cost-Effectiveness of Introducing Benralizumab in the Treatment of Severe Uncontrolled Eosinophilic Asthma Patients in Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC) - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

Vitamin D Deficiency and Avascular Necrosis in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited hemoglobinopathy with complex systemic involvement. Avascular necrosis (AVN) is a devastating complication among patients with SCD. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is commonly found in SCD patients, but there is limited research on the potential role of VDD as a risk factor for AVN in SCD patients. This study aimed to assess the association between VDD and AVN and determine the patterns, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of AVN in SCD patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive SCD patients diagnosed with VDD from January 2020 to December 2022 at Prince Sultan Medical Military City (PSMMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Patients meeting the following criteria were included: (1) adults and children with confirmed SCD through hemoglobin electrophoresis and (2) tested for VDD. Patients who underwent bone marrow transplant were excluded. The main outcome measured was the occurrence of AVN. VDD was diagnosed in patients with 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels below 30 nmol/L. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to stage and confirm AVN diagnosis. Associations were assessed using the chi-square test, and logistic regression was performed to control for confounding. Results The study included 711 eligible SCD patients, with 271 (38%) being children. VDD affected 301 out of 711 patients (42.3%). Among these, 212 (70.4%) were adults (&amp;gt;18 years old). VDD was observed in 32.2% of children and 48.1% of adults. Of the total cohort, 127 (17.9%) patients experienced AVN, including 18 children. Among patients with VDD, 89 developed AVN, while VDD affected 212 patients without AVN. The time between VDD diagnosis and AVN presentation ranged from 3 to 12 months. Male patients accounted for 52% of AVN cases. The average age at AVN diagnosis was 30.9 ± 11 years. The most common clinical presentation of AVN was chronic joint pain in over 95% of patients. Other presentations included limping in 3.9% of patients and limited joint movement in one patient. Affected joints included the hip (86%), shoulder (16.5%), knee (4.7%), and sacroiliac joint (0.7%). Bilateral joint involvement was present in 50.4% of AVN patients. The majority of patients (76.4%) were diagnosed with advanced stage AVN (III/IV). Treatment of patients with AVN included joint replacement in 44 (34.6%) patients, while the remaining 83 patients managed with conservative therapy such as pain control and physiotherapy. Patients with a history of VDD were significantly associated with a higher risk of AVN (p &amp;lt; 0.001), as seen in Table 1. Multivariate logistic regression showed SCD patients with VDD had 9.79 times the odds of AVN compared to SCD patients without VDD (OR 9.79; 95% CI: 5.25-18.26). Other statistically significant risk factors for AVN included frequent vaso-occlusive crises (three or more episodes per year), older age, history of acute chest syndrome, and low hemoglobin F levels. Conclusion AVN is a significant cause of morbidity in our SCD cohort, with most patients having advanced AVN disease. VDD is an independent risk factor for AVN in patients with SCD. Well-designed randomized trials are needed to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation in reducing AVN in children and adults with SCD.

Presence of circulatory autoantibodies against glycated histones in diabetic patient in Saudi Arabia

Background: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in diabetic patients can trigger several autoimmune responses. This article aims to assess the presence of circulating autoantibodies against glycated histones and their role in complications in diabetic patients in the Saudi population. Methods: A total of one hundred twenty samples were collected from diabetic patients with different age groups and healthy individuals as control. All serum samples were collected from Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC) in Riyadh City in Saudi Arabia. Glycated H2A was prepared and characterized using different physiochemical techniques. Then, ELISA was performed to assess the presence of circulating autoantibodies against glycated histones in diabetic patients’ samples compared with control healthy individuals in the Saudi population. Results: The glycation of H2A under our experimental conditions appears to be completed in 14 days. also, our data showed high circulating autoantibodies were detected against glycated H2A in all diabetic patients’ plasma with different dilutions. Remarkably, diabetic patients’ group 1 (under 20 years old group) showed highly significant binding activity values in each dilution. However, diabetic patients in groups 2 and 3 showed less binding but still significant values when compared to control healthy individuals. Conclusions: This finding provides novel perspectives into existing of circulating autoantibodies against glycated histones in diabetes patients in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, these circulating autoantibodies might be used as valuable tools for understanding the glycation mechanisms in diabetic patients in addition to providing diagnostic and prognostic knowledge. However, their roles in diabetic complications need further investigation.

Identifying Factors Prevent Patients' Accessibility to Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy in Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders are common and linked to an increased risk of developing a disability. Although physical therapy is recommended for several musculoskeletal conditions, research shows the rate of patients’ access to physical therapy clinics appears unchanged. Objective: We aimed to identify predictive factors to improve overall health status, better compliance, and better management of patients' conditions within physiotherapy services. We used electronic data for a retrospective cohort in Prince Sultan Military Medical City from 30 March 2022 to 22 May 2022. Considering gender, age, and the co-existence of other medical conditions, we compared users and non-users of physical therapy services after referral. Patients were grouped using their diagnosis from their index visit to the Spine, Lower extremity, and Upper extremity. We compared differences in patient factors between users and non-users of physical therapy using chi-square and t-tests. We estimated the minimum sample size to be 385, using 50% of the population portion. Results: We found a significant number of non-users were males and were from the orthopedic department. The association analysis revealed significant relationships between users and gender, user and clinic, and user and diagnosis. Conclusion: The high prevalence of non-users in OPD clinics, could be driven by: the lack of time and an understanding of the importance of the physical therapy course. The study guides healthcare professionals to highlight individuals at particular risk of not accessing physical therapy and indicates the benefit of accessing physical treatment in their case. Further, it encourages to design and implement a policy for people with OPD/Spinal disorder to ensure the continuity of care and to prevent any longterm impact on their health

The efficacy of combining low-level laser therapy with oral motor exercises in patients with temporomandibular disorders (pilot study)

Background: The term temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) is used for clinical signs and symptoms affecting the masticatory muscles, temporomandibular joints (TMJs) and associated structures or both. TMDs may present clinically with facial pain in the region of the TMJs and/or muscles of mastication, limitation in mouth opening, and TMJ clicking during mastication. Treatment of TMDs includes occlusal splints, drug therapy, physiotherapy, auriculotherapy and low-level laser therapy (LLLT). Methods: Ten patients with TMD were recruited from the Oral Medicine clinics at Prince Sultan Military Medical City. The participants were randomly allocated into two equal groups. All participants attended a total of eight laser treatment sessions using a 940 nm diode laser. The deep-tissue laser hand-piece was applied perpendicular to the Temporalis muscle, Masseter muscle and TMJ region bilaterally. Patients in the second group attended physiotherapy sessions in addition to the laser sessions. Participants were evaluated for range of mandibular movement, pain, and tenderness to palpation before treatment, one-week post-treatment, and thirty days after treatment completion. Results: This study, being a pilot study, was conducted in a comparatively small number of patients. It allowed for the assessment of research feasibility, methodology, limitations, and preliminary outcomes. Moreover, variations in the response to treatment were observed between the two groups, with results of this study supporting previous findings that LLLT is an effective treatment for TMD symptoms, tenderness to palpation, as well as improving jaw functional behavior. Conclusions: Therefore, LLLT therapy may be a promising tool for the management of TMD, especially when combined with physiotherapy.

A Study on Renal Failure Management in Patients Diagnosed With Multiple Myeloma.

Renal impairment, often occurring as a result of multiple myeloma, poses a significant risk to patient health and quality of life. Therefore, the study was conducted with the objective of investigating the management of renal failure in patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma in Saudi Arabia. A retrospective observational study was conducted duringthe period from January to August 2023 for the duration of eight months. The data were collected from the patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma, available from the medical records of Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Saudi Arabia. The data were collected from a cohort of 85 patients with multiple myeloma. Amongpatients, males were 62 (72.94%), and females were 23 (27.06%). The mean (SD) age was 68.43 (7.24) years.Among the cohort, 42 (49.1%) were International Staging System (ISS) stage III, and 32 (37.6%) were light chain myeloma. Most patients underwent novel agent-based treatment regimens (a combination of immunomodulator, proteasome inhibitor, and monoclonal antibody; 59, 69.41%), followed by conventional therapy; 16, 18.82%). Multivariate analysis of patient survival showed significant associations with three variables: increased calcium level (P=0.007), eGFR <30 mL/min (P=0.004), and novel agent induction (P=0.001). This study sheds light on the intricate management of renal failure in multiple myeloma patients, specifically within the Saudi population. The observed associations between survival and various variables emphasize the critical role of renal function in overall patient outcomes.

Is Bleeding Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Associated With Higher MortalityandMorbidity?

Introduction Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common primary mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. The clinical presentation of GIST varies widely and ranges from being asymptomatic to being a life-threatening emergency in the form of gastrointestinal bleeding or bowel obstruction. Multiple prognostic factors have been identified for GIST, including, most importantly, larger tumor size (>5 cm), higher mitotic activity (>5 per 50 high-power fields), rupture of the mass, site of the mass, and personal history of GIST. Objective In this paper, we aim to study bleeding in gastrointestinal tumors as a predictor for morbidity and mortality and investigate possible factors influencing bleeding in GIST. Method A retrospective study design was used. Electronic medical records of 39 patients diagnosed with GIST in Prince Sultan Military Medical City in Riyadh between January 2015 and December 2020 were retrieved. Normal variables were presented as mean and standard deviation, while non-normal variables were presented as median and interquartile range. Student t-test or Mann-Whitney test was used to compare quantitative data when appropriate. The distribution of recurrence and survival was plotted with the Kaplan-Meier curveand compared between the two groups (bleeding and non-bleeding groups) with the log-rank test. Factors affecting recurrence and mortality were assessed using univariable Cox regression. Result A total of 39 cases of GIST tumors were included in this study. Patients were categorized according to the presentation into two groups: patients with no bleeding (n= 28) and those presented with bleeding (n= 11). The gender distribution was equal. The mean age was 58.14± 12.46 in patients with non-bleeding GIST and 58.18± 16.01 in patients with bleeding GIST. The most common location of GIST was the stomach (22 cases, 56%). Neither group had any significant differences regarding age (P-value = 0.993), gender (P-value = 0.648), tumor location (P-value = 0.057), size (P-value = 0.250), cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, histological types (P-value = 0.692), and shape (P-value = 0.079). There was no significant difference in recurrence between both groups (log-rank P = 0.972). There was no significant difference in survival between both groups (Log-rank P = 0.506). Conclusion We concluded that bleeding GIST was not a significant predictor for recurrence rate or higher mortality. This can help in the debate of whether bleeding GIST should be added as an independent factor in risk stratification. Despite that, further studies are needed to identify more variables that can add more accuracy to the pre-existing risk stratification systems.

Prevalence and determinants of community members utilizing preventive services offered by family physicians in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Early detection and prevention of diseases can reduce morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. There is need to assess the utilization of preventive services for common chronic diseases, cancers, and vaccinations. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and sequence of utilization of preventive services for common chronic diseases, cancers, and vaccinations in addition to exploring community perspectives on these services. This study was a cross-sectional survey, which was conducted at primary healthcare centers in Prince Sultan Military Medical City covering Riyadh region from October 2022 to January 2023. The study used a self-administered questionnaire to collect data from attendees aged 18 years and older, focusing on the utilization of eight preventive services (blood glucose testing, blood pressure measurement, cholesterol testing, screening for breast cancer, screening for cervical cancer, screening for colorectal cancer, screening for prostate cancer, and flu and pneumococcal vaccines). Descriptive statistics of the study were reported in frequencies and percentages. Chi-square test was used to assess association between outcome variables. Participants were mostly married and had a higher educational degree. However, a considerable number is not accessing primary healthcare services regularly. The results showed that the rate of utilizing preventive services was as follows: blood pressure screening (91%), blood glucose testing (72%), cholesterol testing (65.8%), vaccination utilization (39.5%), breast cancer screening (8%), prostate cancer screening (4.6%), colon cancer screening (4.2%), and least utilized was cervical cancer screening with frequency of (3%). The results underscore the importance of increasing awareness and accessibility of primary healthcare services to promote better health outcomes in the region.

Risk Factors of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Among Women Attending an Antenatal Care Clinic in Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC), Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Case-Control Study.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a serious health issue for both mother and child. As GDM is common worldwide, healthcare providers pay attention while screening and managing pregnant women to ensure good outcomes for both mother and child. This study aims to identify the risk factors associated with developing GDM in pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This is a case-control study that utilized patients' medical records for data collection. The study included 317 pregnant Saudi women who attended antenatal care clinics and antenatal diabetic clinics in PSMMC from May 2022 to May 2023. Cases were defined as women who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and had a positive oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) result, while controls were defined as women in the same age group and gravidity who had negative OGTT. Analysis was conducted using SPSS Statistics version 29.0 (IBM Corp. Released 2021. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 29.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.) Results: The total number of cases was 132 out of 313 total samples, representing 42.2% of the total sample. Three factors were associated with an increased risk of developing GDM, including a family history of diabetes (p-value <0.001), a history of GDM (p-value <0.001), and macrosomia (p-value = 0.020). The study also found higher BMI and advanced maternal age were risk factors for GDM (p-value = 0.004, 0.007), respectively. However, the study did not find a significant association between GDM and other factors, such as chronic disease prevalence, history of miscarriage, or history of fetal death. The study identified several risk factors associated with an increased risk of GDM including family history of diabetes, history of GDM, macrosomia, overweight/obesity, and advanced maternal age. It is recommended that antenatal care providers screen for GDM risk factors and closely monitor overweight, obese, or older women. Education and counseling on healthy lifestyle habits, such as maintaining a healthy weight and engaging in physical activity, may also be beneficial for preventing GDM. Further research is needed to confirm and identify additional risk factors for GDM.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Parents toward (Infant &amp; Child) Oral Health in Family Medicine Center at PSMMC, Riyadh

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the infant/child oral health (IOH) related knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of parents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 327 parents. Visiting the family medicine center at prince sultan military medical city, Riyadh Saudi Arabia. A 39-item questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics and questions pertaining to KAP regarding OH care will used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics, Student's t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Scheffe’s test will use for the statistical analysis (P ≤ 0.05). Results: The result showed that majority of the parents had good knowledge regarding OH, knowledge of cleaning (92.4%) and knowledge of amount of sugar (88.1%). The parents of age group (30 to 39) years (n=147) reported the highest mean (knowledge, attitudes, and practice) scores among all other age groups with a knowledge mean score of (6.80± 1.73), an attitude mean score of (8.86±1.37), and a practice mean score of (5.14± 1.86). Female parents showed a significantly higher mean knowledge, attitude and practices scores than the male parents. In addition, middle income level parents’ group (n=295) reported higher knowledge mean score compared to low-income parents’ group (n=15) with mean difference d=1.15, p=.041. Conclusion: Parents knowledge about maintaining oral and dental health care for infant/child was inadequate. Essentially, medical professionals are the initial ones to interact with expecting and new moms. Therefore, need to raise parents’ awareness about oral and dental health for infants/ child, through develop and implementation long-term education and promotions programs.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Parents toward (Infant &amp; Child) Oral Health in Family Medicine Center at PSMMC, Riyadh

Background: Early childhood caries may develop as soon as teeth erupt. Promoting oral health care programs is very important and helps to reduce dental caries in young children. The aim of this study was to assess the infant/child oral health (IOH) related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of parents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 327 parents. Visiting the family medicine center at prince sultan military medical city, Riyadh Saudi Arabia. A 39-item questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics and questions pertaining to KAP regarding OH care will be used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics, Student’s t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Scheffe’s test will use for the statistical analysis (p ≤ 0.05). Results: The result showed that the majority of the parents had good knowledge regarding OH, knowledge of cleaning (92.4.%), and knowledge of the amount of sugar (88.1.%). the parent’s age group (30 to 39) years (n =147) reported the highest mean (knowledge, attitudes, and practice) scores among all other age groups with a knowledge mean score of (6.80 ± 1.73), an attitude mean score of (8.86 ± 1.37), and a practice mean score of (5.14 ± 1.86). Female parents showed significantly higher mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores than male parents. In addition, the middle-income level parents’ group (n = 295) reported higher knowledge mean score compared to the low-income parents’ group (n = 15) with a mean difference of d = 1.15, p = .041. Conclusion: Parents’ knowledge about maintaining oral and dental health care for infants/children was inadequate. Essentially, medical professionals are the initial ones to interact with expecting and new moms. Therefore, need to raise parents’ awareness about oral and dental health for infants/children, through the development and implementation of long-term education and promotions programs.

Awareness of sudden infant death syndrome and its associated risk factors among Saudi mothers attending well-baby clinics at PHC, PSMMC, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a leading cause of infant mortality all over the world. Mortality due to SIDS can be averted by educating families and caretakers about safe practices for putting infants to sleep. However, the knowledge, attitude, and practices of mothers while putting the infant to sleep is a gray areas in literature. The objectives of the study were to measure the knowledge and awareness about SIDS and its associated risk factors practiced among Saudi mothers attending well-baby clinics in Saudi Arabia to develop appropriate educational program-based interventions for safe practices of infant care. This cross-sectional study was carried out among 385 mothers attending well-baby clinics of primary health care (PHC) and prince sultan military medical city (PSMMC) in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. Information was captured on sociodemographic characteristics, the health status of mothers and infants, knowledge, attitude, and practice followed by mothers while putting infants to sleep. From a total number of 385 responses, 350 participants were eventually included in the final sample due to the incompletion of the questionnaire of 350 mothers; only 26% (n = 93) mothers had heard of SIDS. However, 259 mothers were willing to attend the awareness session. Only 94 mothers had knowledge as well as practicing the correct behavior of putting the infant to sleep on the back referred to as "good behavior concordant pairs." Similarly, other good practices include not co-sharing a bed with the infant, removing pillows, blankets, and other wedged objects, using a pacifier, breastfeeding the infant during sleep, not using multiple quilts, not covering the infant's head with a quilt, not using a head cap. The number of good behavior concordant pairs (in green) were 124, 38, 56, 98, 18, 117, and 68 respectively. The rate of knowledge and practice for good behavior regarding SIDS was low among Saudi mothers in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. SIDS-related deaths can be averted by improving the understanding of SIDS risk reduction practices among mothers by using health promotion strategies.