Schools In Jeddah Research Articles

The Impact of Sports Injuries on the Academic Performance and Mental Health of High School Students in Jeddah.

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the effects of sports injuries on the academic performance and mental health of high school students in Jeddah. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study utilized a closed-ended electronic questionnaire (e-questionnaire) sent to students from four international high schools in Jeddah. The e-questionnaire included questions assessing the level of academic courses, the frequency and types of sports injuries encountered, and the impact of these injuries on both academic performance and mental health. The chi-square test was used to establish relationships between categorical variables, with a p-value threshold of <0.05 determining statistical significance. Results Of the 117 high school students who participated in the study, 56.4% (n=66) were male and 43.6% (n=51) were female. Approximately 83.8% (n=98) of students engaged in sports. Interestingly, 65.0% (n=76) reported experiencing a sports injury during their high school years, with 73.7% (n=56) of these injuries occurring during school-related activities. These sports injuries significantly affected students' academic performance and mental health, impacting 65.8% (n=50)and 76.1% (n=51) of respondents, respectively. Major consequences included delayed assignments (96%, n=48 ), missed exams (88%, n=44), suicidal thoughts (56.9%, n=29), and self-harm thoughts (23.5%, n=12). Surprisingly, only 25.4% (n=17) of students received support from their schools. Furthermore, when support was provided, it was primarily in the form of medical assistance, with a notable lack of mental health support. Conclusion Our study revealed a significant gap in the school support system for students, which requires urgent attention. High school students are highly active and often experience sports-related injuries, particularly during school activities. These injuries can profoundly affect students' academic performance and mental health. Therefore, the findings of our study are essential for raising awareness among students, parents, and teachers about sports injury management. Additionally, although our study focused solely on private international schools, it is crucial for stakeholders in both government and private education sectors to address this issue at a broader level, ensuring adequate support for students facing such injuries. This will help protect the well-being and safety of future students.

The Role of Gamification in Enhancing Students’ Motivation Toward Learning English in Jeddah Public Schools

Entertaining strategies in education, such as the use of gamification, can turn learning English into an interesting and motivating experience. A number of studies in Saudi Arabia have explored gamification and the way it develops the different language abilities of students. However, limited research has been conducted concentration on the role of gamification in enhancing students&amp;rsquo; motivation toward learning English in the context of public schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Hence, this quantitative study investigated from teachers&amp;rsquo; and students&amp;rsquo; points of view the role of gamification in enhancing students&amp;rsquo; motivation. The participants in the study comprised a total of 409 teachers and students (155 teachers and 254 students). The study used two Google Form questionnaires and then analyzed the data using SPSS version 27. The findings of the study revealed that both teachers and students have positive feelings about the implementation of gamification considering it a beneficial instrument to increase students&amp;rsquo; motivation in English language classrooms.

Validation of the Arabic version of the Adolescent Distress-Eustress Scale (ADES)

BackgroundThe current study examined the psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the Adolescent Distress-Eustress Scale (ADES) in Saudi Arabia. It assessed the factorial structure through a confirmatory factor analysis, composite reliability through Cronbach alpha and McDonald’s omega scores, gender invariance, and convergent validity through its correlation to resilience.MethodsA total of 505 high school students from 21 randomly selected schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (mean age of 16.66 ± 1.10 years, 52.7% females) participated in the study. The questionnaires were translated using the forward and backward technique.ResultsFindings revealed good internal consistency of the Arabic ADES (McDonald’s ω being 0.82 for distress and 0.79 for eustress). Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the two-factor structure of the scale and demonstrated measurement invariance across gender at the configural, metric, and scalar levels. Girls had higher Distress scores, while boys reported higher eustress scores, which was consistent with previous studies. Finally, the ADES distress and eustress scales were significantly correlated to resilience supporting convergent validity.ConclusionThe present study supports the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the ADES as a self-report method to assess Eustress and Distress in adolescents. Pending further validations to support the present findings, this measure can be utilized by schools, mental health providers, and researchers to support Arabic speaking adolescents globally.

Do changes in eating behaviors signal rising mental health concerns among Saudi high schoolers?

BackgroundDeteriorated eating attitudes have emerged as a prominent psychiatric illness with increasing prevalence in industrialized societies. This research endeavors to investigate the relationships between deteriorated eating patterns and mental health among Saudi high school students after the COVID-19 outbreak.MethodsA sample of 2817 students from two high schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, completed a questionnaire about their demographic characteristics and symptoms of anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), and deteriorated eating patterns (Eating Attitudes Test 26) via convenience sampling technique. Multiple regression analysis was carried out to predict the potential associations between deteriorated eating patterns and levels of anxiety and depression among the study participants.ResultsThe findings demonstrated a moderate and statistically significant correlation between deteriorated eating patterns and levels of anxiety and depression among the participants in the study. In evaluating the three dimensions of deteriorated eating patterns through regression analysis, it is observed that dieting (anxiety: β = 0.275, depression: β = 0.287) exhibits the highest potential in predicting the levels of anxiety and depression, followed by oral control (anxiety: β = 0.240, depression: β = 0.232) and bulimia & food preoccupation (anxiety: β = 0.218, depression: β = 0.186).ConclusionsThe findings highlight the necessity to place additional emphasis on students displaying deteriorated eating patterns and symptoms, as these individuals may potentially be experiencing accompanying mental health concerns warranting further assessment.

Male Youth Tobacco Usage Pattern in Banned Smoking Area in Comparison With Non-banned Smoking Area: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to assess the impact of smoking bans in schools on smoking prevalence and behavior among Saudi male youth aged 13-15 years. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted involving students from two intermediate schools in Jeddah - one with a smoking ban and the other without. Data collection utilized the Global Youth Tobacco Survey questionnaire, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21.0. The study had a 93.9% response rate, with 659 students participating. Notably, a lower percentage of ever-smoking was observed in the banned area compared to the non-banned area (39.6% vs. 50.9%; p=0.002). Current smoking rates were also lower in the banned area (14.2% vs. 23.8%; p=0.014). Family and peer influences on smoking were reduced in the banned area, and more students discussed the harmful effects of smoking with family (72.8% vs. 59.8%; p=0.003). Students in the non-banned area found it easier to access cigarettes. A significantly higher percentage of students in the banned area were resolute in not smoking if offered a cigarette by their best friend (65.0% vs. 59.2%; p=0.006). Students in the non-banned area reported higher exposure to cigarette smoke at homeand in other places compared to those in the banned area (15.8% vs. 10.8%; p=0.008), respectively. A higher percentage of smokers in the banned area expressed a desire to quit smoking, though the difference was not statistically significant. More anti-smoking media messages were reported in the banned area (35.6% vs. 33.6%; p=0.004). Fewer respondents in the banned area had items with cigarette brand logos (13.6% vs. 19.9%; p=0.03). The findings underscore the effectiveness of smoking bans in schools in reducing smoking prevalence among students. This suggests a broader societal shift in attitudes towardsmoking, highlighting the need for comprehensive bans as part of public health strategies. However, there remains a need for targeted interventions to address the complexities of smoking behavior in both banned and non-bannedareas.

Differences in eating habits, physical activity, and sleep patterns among high school students and their parents before and during COVID-19 pandemic.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly disrupted the eating and lifestyle habits among populations, especially among younger populations who are more prone to unhealthy dietary behaviours. However, current knowledge related to eating and lifestyle patterns, especially physical activity and sleep among different generations is limited. Our study sought to understand the eating habits, physical activity, and sleep behaviours among high school students compared to their parents in Saudi Arabia, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted in public high schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (n = 8 schools), spanning from September 2021 to April 2022. Data were collected using an online questionnaire, distributed to all students and their parents (n = 516) in these schools. During the pandemic, parents (46.4%) showed a heightened interest in health and nutrition compared to students (32.7%, p = 0.001). Food preferences changed for 58.1% of participants; 70.0% of parents and 36.7% of students opted for homemade food (p < 0.001). Unhealthy behaviours like eating out were more common in students. Weight varied by 74.0% during COVID-19, with more parents (41.4%) gaining weight than students (31.6%, p = 0.018). Physical activity dropped more for parents (42.1%) than students (23.9%), though 30.7 and 31.6% reported increases, respectively (p < 0.001). Regardless of the pandemic, students were more likely to sleep later compared to parents (58.0% vs. 41.4%; p < 0.001), while parents were more prone to waking up earlier compared to students (81.4% vs. 67.3%, p = 0.002). The findings underscore the varied pandemic impact on eating habits and physical activity between students and parents. Tailored interventions are vital for promoting healthier choices during health crises.

Oral health related knowledge, attitude and behavior among group of mothers in relation to their primary school children's oral health: a cross-sectional study.

The etiology of oral diseases in children is complex and multifactorial. The oral health of children can be influenced by various factors, including parental knowledge, attitudes and behaviors, as well as socioeconomic status. The objective of this study was to assess, among mothers of children aged 6-12 years, (1) mothers' knowledge about their children's oral health, (2) mothers' attitude toward their children's oral health, and (3) mothers' dental behavior concerning their oral health and to evaluate their influence on their children's dental caries. This cross-sectional study involved three questionnaires to be filled in by mothers of primary school children in addition to an oral examination of their children to measure decayed, missing, filled teeth for primary (dmft) and permanenet (DMFT) dentitions. The mother-child pairs were recruited through multistage stratified random sampling of primary schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was comprised of four sections: 1-demographic characteristics and socioeconomic status 2-Hiroshima University Dental Behavioral Inventory (mothers' attitudes and behavior pertaining to their oral health) 3-mothers' knowledge regarding the oral health of their children 4-mothers' attitude toward their children oral health. A total of 1496 mother-child pairs completed the study. The mean values of dmft were 4.08 ± 3.47; DMFT was 1.82 ± 2.07; total dmft and DMFT were 5.65 ± 4.05. According to the questionnaire results, mothers in private schools had a more favorable attitude and behavior toward their oral health, as well as a more favorable knowledge and attitude toward their children's oral health. The multiple linear regression model revealed that children's dmft/DMFT scores were significantly related to mother education, mother questionnaire scores, and the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index. Children's oral health is significantly impacted by oral health-related knowledge, attitude and behaviors of their mothers in addition to income status and education level.

Teachers’ Perceptions of Madrasati Learning Management System (LMS) at Public Schools in Jeddah

Teachers’ Perceptions of Madrasati Learning Management System (LMS) at Public Schools in Jeddah

القيادة الاستراتيجية وعلاقتها بالإبداع الإداري لدى مديري المدارس من وجهة نظر الهيئة الإدارية بمدارس التعليم العام بمدينة جدة

The study aimed to shed light on the reality of the practice of strategic leadership and administrative creativity among school principals from the point of view of the administrative body in general education schools, the descriptive approached applied. A questionnaire consisting of (37) items distributed to the study sample of (365) employees. The results showed that the practice of strategic leadership and administrative creativity in general education schools came with a high degree of approval. The study indicated that there are statistically significant differences between the responses of the study individuals on the axis of the practice of school principals in general education schools in Jeddah for the levels of administrative creativity in different years of experience, and it was shown through the mean ranks These differences are in favor of the study individuals who have more than 10 years of experience (expert), and the study recommended the necessity of involving school principals of the administrative body in formulating its strategic vision and allocating financial resources for the development of human capital and spreading the culture of ethical practices among members of the administrative body.

Teachers' Perceptions of Bullying in Saudi Arabian Primary Public Schools: A Small-Sample, Qualitative Case Study.

Bullying among primary school students is a serious problem that often has multiple negative effects including poor academic performance and mental health problems. The current study used qualitative methodology to determine the role of communication in creating awareness and preventing bullying in a school setting through stakeholder intervention and bullying-prevention programs. If teachers are aware of bullying, then they are likely to take adequate measures to reduce or prevent future bullying. The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 teachers working in public primary schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The results provide an initial step in the Saudi Arabian context toward identifying the forms and types of school bullying, helping administrators, teachers, parents, and students reduce bullying and develop long-term plans for addressing bullying. Consideration of teachers' perceptions may enable the development and implementation of new programs for addressing bullying in primary school students. The discussion highlights future research directions and the limitations of the current research.

The Impact of Pictorial Cues on Understanding Idioms Among Arab EFL Learners

Idioms vary extensively in their difficulty, especially for foreign language learners. English Foreign Language (EFL) learners often find transparent idioms, such as break someone&amp;rsquo;s heart, which means to make someone feel deep sadness, more straightforward. Whereas, they may find kicking the bucket &amp;lsquo;to die&amp;rsquo; somehow opaque and challenging. The study investigates the extent to which Arabic speakers of English find contextual and pictorial cues embedded in social media platforms beneficial for understanding idioms and the methods they often use to comprehend idioms. Thirty female Arabic-speaking learners of English at a high school in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia participated in this study. The study used a three-version design to assess the participants&amp;rsquo; understanding of idioms through a multiple-choice interpretation task. The participants were divided into three groups and received the same amount (n = 24) and type of idioms in three different methods: contextualization (i.e., participants were exposed to idioms in context), decontextualization (i.e., participants were exposed to idioms out of context) and the third group was exposed to pictorial-cued idioms. The findings revealed that visualisation was the most effective method for mastering idioms rather than contextualisation. On the other hand, decontextualisation was the least effective method. The study concludes with specific reference to some&amp;nbsp;pedagogical implications.

Assessing Knowledge, Perception, and Management Toward Traumatic Tooth Avulsion Among Dentists in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The long-term prognosis of teeth that have experienced traumatic avulsion is highly dependent on appropriate and prompt emergency management taken immediately after the avulsion. The main goal in the treatment of traumatic permanent tooth avulsion is to replant as soon as possible in its correct anatomical position to maintain the viability of the periodontal ligament and neurovascular supply while restoring aesthetic and preserving the functional integrity of the tooth. General dentists can deal properly with emergency cases, such as tooth avulsion, and also should be aware of appropriate management to take care of avulsions and to determine the prognosis especially since such incidents often occur at times when dental professionals are least prepared to address them. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of dentists who are working in various hospitals, clinics, and dental schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with respect to traumatic permanent tooth avulsion and the appropriate methods for its management. The study design is a cross-sectional study with dentists working in various clinical settings in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.The questionnaire used in the study consists of a total of 19 items: nine items about demographic data, including training background, and 10 multiple-choice questions regarding dental trauma and its management. Higher dental education and post-graduate training gave the dentists better judgment in dealing with dental emergencies compared to general dentists. Thus, the recommendation of this study is to include the comprehensive treatment of avulsion emergencies in the dental school curriculums and increase the exposure of dental students to such cases.

The Effect of Using Flipped Classrooms Based on Gamification in Developing Self-regulated Learning Skills and Educational Resilience among Third-intermediate Students in English Language

This research examined the effect of flipped classrooms based on gamification on developing self-regulated learning skills and educational resilience among students of intermediate schools in English language. The research sample included (90) students in the third intermediate grade who were selected from three schools in Jeddah, and they were distributed into three groups, with (30) students in each group. A quasi-experimental design was used to study the effect of using flipped classrooms based on gamification on self-regulated learning skills and educational resilience. The researcher developed a measure for self-regulated learning skills that included (28) phrases distributed over (4) axes, namely: goal setting, planning, monitoring, recitation and memorization, and requesting social assistance. An educational resilience scale was also developed consisting of (30) phrases distributed on (6) axes, namely: flexibility, facing challenges, personal competence, social support, and values. The research experiment was applied for two consecutive weeks in the second semester of the academic year 2021/2022. The research resulted in the development of a motivational design for the flipped classrooms based on (4) motivational elements, namely points, badges, levels, and leaderboards. The research recommended the need to expand the use of flipped classrooms based on gamification and to train teachers to use this strategy. Keywords: Flipped Classroom, Gamification, Self-regulated Learning Skills, Educational Resilience.

Eating Disorders among Adolescent Female Students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Eating disorders (EDs) are characterised by an abnormal attitude towards food that causes someone to change their eating habits and behaviour. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of EDs and their associated factors among female going-school adolescents in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in five schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, among a representative random sample of female adolescent students aged 13 years old-18 years old. A simple random sampling method was used to select the participants. An online self-administered questionnaire, the Arabic version of eating attitude test (EAT-26) and socio-cultural attitudes toward appearance questionnaire (SATAQ-4), was used. More than half (53.6%) of adolescent girls scored at or above the cut-off point of EAT-26. Around 45% of the participants had experienced family influence on their appearance and body shape, 36.7% had experienced peer influence on these factors, and 49.4% had experienced media influence. Family influence was significantly associated with EDs (P = 0.013). The high prevalence of EDs among female going-school adolescents in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is of great concern. To mitigate this problem, effective programmes must be designed to change their dietary habits while considering the effects of family, peer and media influence, as well as focusing on the importance of eating breakfast and practising physical activity.

Developing a Sustainable Environment Based on Augmented Reality to Educate Adolescents about the Dangers of Electronic Gaming Addiction

The expansion of the use of electronic games has led to a surge in the rates of gaming addiction among adolescents. Electronic games addiction (EGA) presents, of course, psychological, hygienic, social, educational, and moral dangers. Therefore, it is very important to educate adolescents and enhance their awareness of the dangers of electronic games addiction (DEGA). Given the unique characteristics of augmented reality technology, the present study aims to develop a sustainable environment based on augmented reality (SEBAR) within educational institutions to educate adolescents about the DEGA. The SEBAR in the present study is based on the possibility of using the applications of augmented reality (AR) technology to generate digital objects of some images and barcodes projected on the school walls, classroom doors, school yards, and computer labs, in addition to specially developed missions to educate adolescents on the DEGA. In the present study, the embedded design as one of the mixed research methods was used to examine the effect of AR on adolescents’ awareness of the DEGA. Research treatments were applied to seventy-five high school students in two different schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The experimental processing was carried out in a school where it was possible to develop a sustainable environment while the other schools were assigned to the control group. For comparing the experimental group that used the SEBAR and the control group that used the normal environment based on a set of articles and tasks without any link to AR, the quasi-experimental approach was used. In addition, to gain a deep understanding of the effects of AR on the awareness of the DEGA, the phenomenological approach was used. Furthermore, an electronic gaming addiction scale (EGAS) and an awareness test for the DEGA were developed as study instruments. The findings showed an increase in the adolescents’ knowledge and awareness regarding the DEGA in the experimental group that used the SEBAR in comparison with the awareness of their peers in the control group.

Associations between dietary intake, physical activity, and obesity among public school teachers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

We aimed to assess the dietary intake of certain food groups in a representative sample of public-school teachers living in Jeddah city. We also, examined the association of dietary intake with physical activity and obesity among schoolteachers. The study was a cross-sectional online survey, conducted among 640 (177 male, 463 female) schoolteachers aged between 20 and 62 years old and working in public primary, intermediate, and high schools in Jeddah. Measurements included gender, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), health problems, and lifestyle behaviours, including physical activity levels, smoking status, and dietary intake. Based on gender, number of non-smoking women (94%) was higher than number of non-smoking men (57.1%) (P < 0.001). However, men were more active than women (P = 0.03). Regarding BMI, there were more overweight men than women, while obese women numbered more than men (P = 0.003). There was no significant difference in dietary intake between men and women except that men consumed more soft drinks than women (P = 0.002). Lower physically active schoolteachers were less likely to consume salad (OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.9; P = 0.02), vegetables (OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.3-0.9; P = 0.01), beans and legumes (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.7; P = 0.005), wholegrain bread (OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.9; P = 0.03), dairy products (OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.9; P = 0.01), snacks (OR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.2-0.8; P = 0.01), and fish (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.9; P = 0.04) compared to those with high levels of physical activity. Only fruit intake was considered statistically significant (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.3-0.7; P = 0.003). The study found a relationship between the BMI of schoolteachers and food intake. Obese schoolteachers had lower consumption of fruits (OR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.2-0.7; P = 0.007) and white meat (OR = 0.5, 95%CI 0.3-0.9; P = 0.03) than schoolteachers in the normal weight group. The high prevalence of physical activity, dietary intake and body weight among Saudi teachers is a major public health concern. The present study identified several lifestyle factors associated with body weight that may represent valid targets for the prevention and management of obesity among Saudi school teachers. Promoting active lifestyles and healthy diets would be primary targets for obesity prevention.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding personal hygiene among primary school children in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding personal hygiene among primary school children in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted by in-person interview of primary school children from grades II to VI at the selected school in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Each child was interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was drawn up in English, translated into Arabic (the local language), and back-translated into English to check the translation. The study was conducted between 2019 and 2022. Results: The study included 492 children from 39 schools and most of the participants were females (54.7%). The most common grade among participants was grade 4 (34.1%), and the majority of participants were 11 years old (29.9%). Further, most participants had excellent academic achievement (39.2%). Most of the participants could identify the correct definition of personal hygiene (56.1%). About 63.4% could recognize the correct components of personal hygiene. Most students (51.2%) received their knowledge about personal hygiene from their parents. Around 52.6% of students totally agreed that personal hygiene and clean surroundings are important for a healthy life. Conclusion: The current study concluded that primary school students in Jeddah have an excellent level of knowledge, practice, and attitude toward personal hygiene. Some of the assessed points were poor among some participants. Thus, intervention programs to increase schoolchildren&amp;apos;s awareness about these points are needed to improve pediatric well-being among school children in Jeddah.

Psychometric properties of the Arabic version of Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A)

AimTo evaluate the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). BackgroundPhysical inactivity is a major risk factor for becoming overweight or obese and developing chronic conditions that lead to an increase in mortality globally. Inadequate physical activity (PA) has been a problem among Arabic-speaking populations, including female adolescents in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, psychometrically sound measures to assess PA among female adolescents in Saudi Arabia are lacking, indicating that a reliable, valid and feasible self-report measure is urgently needed for use with this young Arabic-speaking population. MethodsA cross-sectional study approved by a university institutional review board was conducted with 383 Saudi female adolescents, 13–18 years of age, who were recruited from 10 all-female public schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Physical activity was measured via the PAQ-A, which assesses the level of PA engagement during the school year for 7 days. Internal consistency was estimated. Both exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to assess the measure's construct validity and the Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess convergent validity. ResultsCronbach's alpha was 0.81, indicating acceptable internal consistency. Item-total correlation coefficients ranged from 0.11 to 0.61. Both EFA and CFA indicated a single-factor. The scale was significantly correlated with other cognitive and affective variables that reflected the physical activity perceptions among the female adolescents, such as enjoyment of PA, PA self-efficacy and social support for PA. ConclusionsThe Arabic version of the PAQ-A is reliable and valid measure for assessing PA among Arabic-speaking female adolescents.

Prevalence of Total Edentulism and Panoramic Radiographic Findings of Totally Edentulous Patients in a Dental School in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Background The prevalence of total edentulism differs significantly between countries and between cities/regions within the same country. It can be affected by various factors, such as age, sex, and socioeconomic factors along with lifestyle and health behavior. Positive findings on panoramic radiographs are frequently observed in totally edentulous patients (TEP) during routine screening. Objectives This study aimed to retrospectively determine the prevalence of total edentulism and to evaluate the distribution and location of positive findings on panoramic radiographs of TEP at a dental school in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods A total of 12,428 digital panoramic radiographs of patients aged ≥35 years seeking treatment at a dental school from January 2018 to December 2021 were evaluated to determine the prevalence of total edentulism. Retained root stumps, impacted teeth, radiolucent, and radiopaque lesions were detected on the panoramic radiographs of the TEP. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Among the 12,428 patients, 521 (4.2%) showed total edentulism on their panoramic radiographs. The prevalence of edentulism was the highest among patients aged >65 years (n=305, 4.5%), men (n=246, 4.2%), and non-Saudi citizens (n=300, 4.4%). A total of 198 radiographic findings were identified in 150 patients. The frequency rates of retained root stumps and impacted teeth were 19.2% (n=100) and 4.6% (n=24), respectively. Radiolucent and radiopaque lesions each accounted for 2.5% (n=13) of the lesions. Conclusions The prevalence of edentulism was higher in patients aged >65 years, male patients, and non-Saudi citizens. Retained root stumps were most often encountered among the four positive findings on panoramic radiographs. Considering the high frequency of positive radiographic findings in TEP, panoramic radiographs must be routinely obtained for TEP, but caution must be exercised to reduce the effects of radiation.

Knowledge and Attitudes towards Vitamin D among Health Educators in Public Schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Health educators in schools are a very important part of the education system. Considering the significant prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it is important to investigate the knowledge of and attitude towards vitamin D among health educators. This study aims to examine the knowledge of and attitude towards vitamin D among health educators in public schools in Jeddah as well as to identify the associated sociodemographic factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted between May and December 2021 among 231 health educators. Data were collected via a self-administered online questionnaire. The results revealed that only 45% of health educators had good knowledge of vitamin D, and approximately 43% had a positive attitude towards vitamin D. Additionally, those who had good knowledge of vitamin D were males (58.7%) (p = 0.005) and had a bachelor's degree (74%) (p = 0.01). Moreover, male health educators aged 45-54 years had a positive attitude towards vitamin D (3.8 ± 0.7) (p = 0.007). In addition, female health educators who were divorced (3.8 ± 0.7) and widowed (3.6 ± 0.5) (p = 0.04) and those who were administrators (3.3 ± 0.7) (p = 0.01) had a positive attitude towards vitamin D. The Ministry of Education (MOE) in the Kingdom must educate health educators through educational programmes that aim to increase the knowledge of and develop a positive attitude towards vitamin D intake.