Evaluation of Self-Management Behaviors and Its Correlation with the Metabolic Syndrome among the Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients of Northern Saudi Arabia.

Self-management behavior among diabetes patients is essential to monitor blood sugar levels, make necessary lifestyle changes, and help patients reduce their risk of complications from diabetes. We assessed the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its association with self-management behavior and sociodemographic characteristics among 310 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) attending different diabetes care centers in northern Saudi Arabia. We evaluated the self-management behaviors of patients with T2DM using a validated Arabic version of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Scale. Regarding MS, we applied the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Plan-3 (ATP-3) guidelines. A logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of MS. We found that more than one-third (36.5%) of patients had MS according to the NCEP ATP-3 criteria. The prevalence of MS was significantly associated with unsatisfactory self-management behaviors. Regarding sociodemographic predictors for MS, we found a significant association between gender (ref: female: Adjusted OR (AOR) = 1.89, 95%CI = 1.17-2.95, p = 0.007) and body mass index (ref.: normal range: AOR = 2.98, 95%CI = 1.31-5.07, p = 0.003). Our findings suggest a tailor-made multifaceted intervention to improve the self-management behaviors of T2DM patients, which, in turn, can reduce MS.

A descriptive online survey about the knowledge of palliative care residents of Saudi Arabia has compared to the general worldwide population.

OBJECTIVES: To assess communities' basic knowledge of palliative care by developing a questionnaire. METHODS: This prevalence study, an anonymous online questionnaire, was answered by 326 individuals living throughout Saudi Arabia over one month. The questions concerned the basic principles and knowledge of palliative care. We collected the data between February and May 2019. RESULTS: The results showed that 72% of the respondents had neither heard nor knew about palliative care. Those who know about palliative care assess their knowledge as the following: 17.8% of the respondents reported that they knew the meaning and could explain it to others. As well, 10.5% knew the meaning but could not explain it to others; 9.3% had heard of it but did not know the meaning, and 62.4% had never heard of it. CONCLUSION: The research showed that there is a lack of knowledge about palliative-care among the population of Saudi Arabia. Data shows that there should be more efforts toward providing the community with better knowledge about palliative care.