Shifting spatial, temporal and demographic patterns of dengue incidence and associated meteorological factors in Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia from 2015-2020.

BACKGROUND: Dengue poses a considerable public health threat in Saudi Arabia, with escalating outbreaks in Jazan, where seasonal rains create ideal mosquito breeding conditions. Elucidating local epidemiological dynamics is imperative to strengthen evidence-based prevention policies. This study analyzed the spatiotemporal, demographic, and meteorological patterns of dengue in Jazan from 2015-2020. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study utilized surveillance records for 3427 confirmed dengue cases. Descriptive analyses characterized geographic, seasonal, age, sex, and nationality distributions. Forecasting models project expected epidemics through 2025. Regression analysis identified climate factors associated with monthly case counts. RESULTS: Dengue exhibited shifting seasonal peaks, transitioning into year-round transmission by 2019, indicating endemic establishment. Cases clustered in different high-burden sectors annually, requiring localized vector control. The majority of affected individuals were young male adults, with gender gaps narrowing over time. Saudi nationals had an escalating incidence, but non-citizens showed a higher risk, signaling importation threats. Seasonal outbreaks were associated with temperature, wind speed, and direction. CONCLUSION: Enhanced surveillance, outbreak forecasting, targeted control activities, and integrated prevention policies grounded in continuous evidence assessment can effectively address endemic dengue transmission in Jazan. This study provides key insights to optimize data-driven decision-making for dengue control in Saudi Arabia.

Awareness of dehydration state and fluid intake practice among adults population in the Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia, 2019.

Despite the hot climate and high humidity in the Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia, which increases risk for dehydration, no previous studies have assessed awareness of dehydration and fluid intake practice among adults in this region. Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine awareness of the dehydration state and fluid intake practices among 440 adults in the Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia. Out of the total, 51⋅8 % were male and 48⋅2 % were females. Good knowledge of dehydration definition and prevention and recommended minimum water intake was observed in 98, 95 and 75 % of the participants, respectively. Fifty-nine percent of the participants met the minimum daily requirement of 3 l or more per day. The age (95 % CI 1⋅003, 1⋅017, P value = 0⋅006), diabetes (95 % CI 1⋅028, 1⋅459, P value = 0⋅023) and prior hospitalisation due to dehydration (95 % CI 1⋅010, 1⋅378, P value = 0⋅037) were associated with higher water intake. Additional glasses of coffee (95 % CI 1⋅02, 1⋅115, P value = 0⋅004) and juice (95 % CI 1⋅039, 1⋅098, P value < 0⋅001) were associated with more water intake. The participants exhibited good knowledge of dehydration definition, symptoms and consequences. Intake of fluids such as 'juice and coffee' enhances more water intake. Although two-thirds of the participants met the recommended daily water intake, still one-third of them did not meet this level. Innovative approaches to enhance healthy drinking are warranted and may include partnering with patients to take an active role in hydration monitoring and increasing communication with the different healthcare providers.

Massive Arterial Cerebral Thrombosis in a 59-year old Female Patient With Severe COVID-19.

Hypercoagulable states characterized by micro- and macro-vascular thrombotic angiopathy have been observed in COVID-19 patients. Although venous thrombotic events have been well described, data on arterial thrombosis (AT) is still insubstantial. We present a case of COVID-19 complicated with massive arterial cerebral thrombosis. Our case is a 59-year old female with history of hypertension who presented to the outpatient clinic in East Jeddah Hospital, Saudi Arabia, with sore throat, cough and arthralgia for two days. She was confirmed to be COVID-19 positive and started on azithromycin and supportive home care. Her condition worsened and she presented nine days later with drowsiness and generalized weakness. At the hospital, she was diagnosed with severe COVID-19 and was started on prophylaxis enoxaparin. She showed progressive worsening of mental function. Her CT brain showed diffuse extensive arterial cerebral thrombosis. She remained unresponsive and showed an abnormal breathing pattern on mechanical ventilation. She died on day 4 after admission.

The Impact of Depressive Symptoms on the Quality of Life of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Jazan Region, KSA.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of depressive symptoms on the quality of life of type 2 diabetic patients (T2DM). METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 332 T2DM patients aged ≥18 years living in Jazan region of Saudi Arabia was conducted. Validated questionnaire was used for demographic and disease characteristics. Depressive symptoms of the participants were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF) was utilized to assess the degree of life enjoyment and satisfaction. RESULTS: Depressive symptoms were observed in 34.7% (112) of the total participants. The overall sense of wellbeing (mean 3.23, P. value 0.000), physical (mean 3.37, P. value 0.003), psychosocial (mean 2.99 P. value 0.000) and social domains (mean 3.53, P. value 0.000) of quality of life were significantly reduced in T2DM patients with depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: The impact of depressive symptoms on quality of life of T2DM patients was more significant than the impact of diabetes alone. Symptoms of depression reduce the individual coping and hence reduce functioning. This study emphasizes the vital importance of an integrated holistic approach that addresses both the practical and emotional issues in diabetes care.

Depression, anxiety, and stress and their association with khat use: a cross-sectional study among Jazan University students, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Depression, anxiety, and stress levels are considered important indicators for mental health. Khat chewing habit is prevalent among all segments of Jazan population in Saudi Arabia. Few studies have been conducted to evaluate depression, anxiety, and stress among Jazan University students, and information about the correlation between khat use and these disorders is scarce. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress and their correlation with khat chewing and other risk factors among Jazan University students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 642 students from Jazan University. Multistage sampling was used, with probability proportional to size-sampling technique. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale 21 questionnaire was used to collect the data, which were analyzed using SPSS Version 20.0 software. RESULTS: Moderate depression was prevalent among 53.6% of the sample, anxiety was found among 65.7%, while 34.3% of the students suffered from stress. Female gender was strongly associated with higher mean scores for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, with P-values <0.05 for all. Moreover, anxiety symptoms scores were statistically associated with grade point average and caffeine consumption. Khat use was statistically associated with higher mean scores of anxiety among males and a higher mean score of depression and anxiety among females. CONCLUSION: The results indicate a high rate of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among Jazan University students. Khat use was associated with anxiety, and a higher rate of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress was indicated among female students. Therefore, strategy for the prevention and management of depression, anxiety, and stress is highly recommended to minimize the impact of these serious disorders.

Depression and related risk factors among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, Jazan area, KSA: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of depression and related risk factors among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (T2DM) in Jazan area, Saudi Arabia. METHOD: A cross sectional, self-administered questionnaire study was conducted among T2DM patients in Jazan area, Saudi Arabia. A total of 385 patients were selected at randomly. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was utilized to measure symptoms and signs of depression. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of depression among T2DM patients was 37.6%. Of them, 24.2% were mildly depressed, 9.6% were moderately severely depressed, and 4.2% were severely depression. Significant predictors of depression include the presence of diabetic foot (P=0.000), cardio-vascular diseases (P=0.000), eye complication (P=0.073), and erectile dysfunction (P=0.090). The prevalence of depression was not significantly associated with the age (P=0.375) and gender (P=0.374). Similarly no association was found with duration of diabetes (P=0.475) and HbA1c (P=0.555). CONCLUSION: The study revealed that diabetes complications are strong predictors of the rate of depression among T2DM patients. Therefore, early depression screening is needed to improve the quality of life of diabetic patients.