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Background Social media influencers, particularly those in the fashion domain, have become prominent sources of health-related information, influencing the health behaviors of their followers, especially within the unique socio-cultural context of Saudi Arabia. This study aims to examine the relationship between following fashion influencers on social media and the adoption of healthy behaviors among Saudi residents. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study with an analytic component was conducted from August 25, 2023, to December 15, 2023, among Saudi residents aged 18 years and older who actively follow fashion influencers. Data were collected via a structured, validated questionnaire distributed through various social media platforms. Data analysis was performed by employing descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-square test, and logistic regression analyses to identify predictors of negative health behavior outcomes. Results The study included 466 participants, revealing that despite insignificant differences in age and gender, postgraduate education was associated with negative outcomes (p = 0.016). Notably, 8.7% of individuals with negative outcomes held postgraduate degrees, compared to 2.9% in the non-negative group. Participants with negative outcomes more frequently followed influencers offering health tips (p = 0.01) and advocating a healthy lifestyle (p < 0.001). Logistic regression identified individuals who followed influencers with fewer than 10K followers had significantly higher odds of negative outcomes (OR = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.4-8.9, p = 0.006). Conclusion Following fashion influencers on social media can influence health behaviors among Saudis, with both positive and negative outcomes. Critical evaluation of influencer content is crucial to avoid potential adverse effects. Further research is also needed to explore the dynamics of influencer impact on health outcomes and to develop strategies for effective health communication in the digital age.
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Headaches are very common and often a common reason people visit emergency departments. Their prevalence among Saudi medical students was higher than the global average but aligned more closely with rates in certain countries. This regional variation may be attributed to factors such as academic pressures, lifestyle, and genetics. This systematic review and meta-analysis focused on assessing the prevalence of migraines among medical students in Saudi Arabia. Six cross-sectional studies were ultimately included in the meta-analysis, reporting a wide range of prevalence rates among Saudi medical students, from 5% to 26%. The pooled prevalence estimate was 23%, indicating a substantial burden of migraines among this population. The findings underscore the importance of tailored strategies and support systems within medical schools to address the impact of migraines on students' academic journey and overall well-being. Standardized diagnostic criteria and awareness programs are essential to effectively managing this condition among medical students. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the significant prevalence of migraines among medical students in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for comprehensive management approaches and further research to refine prevalence estimates and develop targeted interventions.
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Background: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is one of the most common hip pathologies in pediatric age group and late diagnosis remains a major concern in Saudi Arabia. Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the ability of Saudi Arabian pediatricians and family physicians to conduct clinical screening for (DDH) by estimating their clinical knowledge and skills and analyzing the gaps therein to determine whether there is potential to launch a national screening protocol for DDH in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a multicenter cross-sectional study from three major regions in Saudi Arabia (Central, Eastern and Western provinces). The assessed aspects are risk factors, age of screening, incidence in Saudi Arabia, physical signs and diagnostic markers, and treatment, along with their 'clinical knowledge and skills' score. Results: Half of the participants were pediatricians, while the rest were family physicians. More than a third of the participants were considered to have adequate knowledge, ie, above the mean score. Dimensions with the most significant knowledge gaps included the incidence of DDH in Saudi Arabia, adverse effects of swaddling, and the management of a high-risk infants presenting with a negative physical examination. Additionally, there were relatively low rates of awareness regarding positive risk factors as well as a generally poor ability to identify physical signs. Clinical knowledge and skill levels were significantly lower among family physicians. Conclusion: Pediatricians and family physicians in Saudi Arabia still need further training to improve their clinical skills for DDH screening. The proper administration of training programs could eventually enable the gradual implementation of a national systematic screening program.
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This study aimed at assessing the extent to which the general Saudi population has embraced digital health medical applications to meet their health-related needs so that the Saudi Ministry of Health and government can appropriately be guided on scaling up digital health across the country. As such, this study was guided by the question of to what extent the Saudi people use digital health mobile-based applications. This was a cross-sectional study utilizing snowballing sampling approach. Frequencies, Chi-square, and Spearman rank correlation statistics were used to offer descriptive and inferential analysis of the variables. The majority of the participants were economically able to afford smart devices that have medical apps, had at least an app on such devices, and highly regarded the benefits of the apps. Unfortunately, their understanding of how to use such apps was limited, and this posed a barrier to embracing digital health alongside difficulty downloading apps and medical ethical concerns. Although there is a willingness, extra effort is needed from the Saudi Ministry of Health and the government to promote the uptake of digital health in Saudi Arabia.
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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a burgeoning global health concern, closely associated with the rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to comprehensively evaluate the prevalence of NAFLD in DM patients in Saudi Arabia, a country undergoing rapid socioeconomic changes. Our multifaceted search strategy identified four high-quality studies conducted between 2003 and 2022, covering hospital and community settings. The aggregate prevalence rate of NAFLD in DM patients was notably high, ranging from 47.8% to 72.8%. However, substantial heterogeneity (I² = 90.6%) was observed, indicating variability attributed to diverse study characteristics. The uniform application of ultrasound for diagnosis was noteworthy but raised concerns regarding sensitivity. This analysis underscores the urgency of public health measures for early detection and management of NAFLD in DM-prone populations in Saudi Arabia.
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Objectives: To estimate SARS-CoV-2 RNA clearance time among non-severe COVID-19 patients and explore factors associated with delayed negative conversion. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the COVID-19 unit of a tertiary care center in the Western region of Saudi Arabia. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed COVID-19 patients diagnosed between April 1 and June 30, 2020, were considered. The primary outcome was the time (days) from disease onset to first negative RT-PCR, which was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression survival methods. Demographic data, clinical history, baseline clinical, radiological and laboratory findings and management, and outcome data were collected and analyzed as factors associated with the viral RNA clearance time. Results: One hundred and forty-four patients were included. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) age was 36.93 (14.41) years, 50.7% were females, and 45.1% were healthcare workers. COVID19 was asymptomatic, mild and moderate in 11.1%, 71.5% and 17.4% of the participants, respectively. Fever (59.4%) and cough (58.0%) were the dominant onset symptoms. The mean viral RNA clearance time was 22.9 days (SD = 8.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 21.5-24.3 days). Extended clearance time was associated with older age (mean = 24.0 vs. 22.0 days; log-rank = 0.037), married status (23.2 vs. 22.6 days; log-rank = 0.021), working in health sector (24.2 vs. 21.8 days; log-rank = 0.006), and having a chronic disease (24.8 vs. 21.9 days; log-rank = 0.028), compared to their counterparts, respectively. In the adjusted model, the job sector was the only factor that was independently associated with clearance time. Non-healthcare sector showed hazard ratio 1.8 (95% CI = 1.3-2.7; log-rank = 0.002) with reference to healthcare sector. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 RNA clearance time is likely to be longer in non-severe COVID-19 patients, representing an additional risk for the virus dissemination among the community and calling for higher caution among the population.
