Barriers to Using Breast Cancer Screening Methods Among Adult Females in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and it considerably increases morbidity and mortality globally. Screening methods, such as self-examination, clinical examination, and mammography, can help in early detection and treatment, which will help in improving survival rates and reducing mortality. While regular screening of the breast is essential to detect the earliest stages of breast cancer, not all women adhere to regular breast screening. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between December 2021 to July 2022. using an online self-administered questionnaire. The total number of responses (n = 328), Data was analyzed using SPSS 25. Results In this study, out of the 328 respondents, 18.9% reported undergoing regular mammography, 14.3% reported having regular clinical breast examinations, and 38.1% reported practicing regular breast self-examinations.. In addition, the participants' most known warning signs of BC were a lump under their armpit (69.1%). the most perceived barrier to breast self-examination (BSE) was Doing a breast examination will make her worry about what is wrong with her breast (47%). whereas the most barrier to clinical breast examination (CBE) was embarrassment (45.9%). On the other hand, the main barriers that prevented women from having mammograms were embarrassment (36%) and pain (32.6%). Conclusion The most perceived barrier to BSE was women's concern, while embarrassment and painful procedures were significant barriers to performing mammography and CBE. Therefore, adult females in Jeddah need educational programs to improve their knowledge and increase public awareness of breast cancer screening for early detection.

Knowledge and awareness about colorectal cancer and barriers to its screening among a sample of general public in Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: The present study investigated knowledge, awareness, and barriers to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening from a sample of the general population in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2022 and January 2023 among a sample of the general population in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire consisted of demographics, knowledge and awareness, and questions about CRC screening barriers. RESULTS: A total of 1105 adults belonged to the general public [505 females (45.7%) and 600 males (54.3%)] recruited in this survey. The mean age of the respondents was 39.79±12.49. The internet was the primary source of CC information for most participants, 661(59.8%). Gender-wise comparison of general public responses regarding CRC knowledge and awareness and barriers to screening showed a mixed response. Analysis of participants' knowledge regarding CRC and its risk factors and warning signs showed that 356(32.2%) people believed that the best age for the CRC test is 41-50 years, and 285(25.8%) responded they don't know. Almost half of the participants, 539(48.8%), were not interested in attending awareness seminars about CRC, while 371(33.6%) were interested in attending awareness seminars about CRC. Only one-third of the respondents, 368(33.3%), knew of any tests or examinations used to detect CRC. Participants' perceptions about colonoscopy-related and FOBT-related barriers to CRC screening disclosed that these are time-consuming, expensive, painful, embarrassing, etc. CONCLUSION: Insufficient information, poor awareness, and several assumed barriers to CRC screening were found among study participants. There is a need to close knowledge gaps and offer them comprehensive information regarding CRC, as well as the availability and benefits of screening. In this aspect, social media can be extremely beneficial.

Diabetes Mellitus Knowledge, Attitudes, Preventive Practices and Associated Factors Among a Sample of Adult Non-Diabetic Saudi Residents.

Purpose: To assess the diabetes mellitus (DM) knowledge, attitudes, preventive practices, and associated factors among a sample of adult non-diabetic Saudi residents. Methods: The present survey was conducted in April-June 2022. People from the general population were invited to participate in the study, and the data were collected using a validated questionnaire. Results: A total of 1207 non-diabetic subjects participated in the study [females 798(66.1%) and males 409(33.9%)], and the response rate was 80% (1207/1500). Two-thirds (66.86%) of non-diabetic adult community members had good knowledge of DM, 47.8% had positive attitudes, and 62.14% maintained a healthy lifestyle to avoid DM. There was a family history of DM in more than half of the subjects 723(59.9%). Participants who had a direct relative with diabetes scored higher on the knowledge question than those who did not (p<0.001). Practice questions responses for preventing DM showed that about 459(38%) were using fatty food less frequently, and only 338(28%) and 153(12.7%) were doing physical activities 30-60 minutes per day frequently and very frequently, respectively. Most participants were smoking tobacco, 890(73.7%), and getting checked their BP, 704(58.3%), very frequently. The participants with a master's and Ph.D. degree were likelier to have positive attitudes and good practices than students. Individuals with a history of DM in their families were 2.10 times (OR=2.10, p<0.001), 1.95 times (OR=1.95, p<0.001), and 2.03 times (OR=2.03, p<0.001) more likely to be knowledgeable, had positive attitudes and good practices than those with no DM in their family, respectively. Conclusion:  Over half of the individuals possessed a positive mindset, adequate knowledge, and good practicing behavior for preventing DM. Having Master's and Ph.D. degrees and a family history of DM were associated with a positive attitude and good practices. There is a need to expand community awareness campaigns utilizing social media channels.

Obesity and Its Associations with Gender, Smoking, Consumption of Sugary Drinks, and Hour of Sleep Among King Abdulaziz University Students in Saudi Arabia.

Background: This study investigated the prevalence of obesity among university students in Saudi Arabia's western region, as well as its association with gender, smoking, consumption of sugary drinks, and hours of sleep. Methods: A cross-sectional study recruited a simple random sample of students from King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Saudi Arabia's western region. In this study, the Arab Teens Lifestyle (ATLS) questionnaire was used. The survey was conducted between April and June 2022. Results: In total, 659 students participated (313 males [37.3%] and 437 females [66.2%]). One-fourth of the students, 158 (24%), were overweight, and 83 (12.7%) were obese. Male participants were overweight or obese by a rate of 32.6% and 19.4%, respectively. Female overweight and obese rates were 16.2% and 6.6%, respectively. Moreover, obesity/overweight rates were 43.6% in the urban area and 36.9% in the rural area (P=0.03). A total of 370 participants (56.14%) slept less than 8 hours per day, 185 (28.1%) spent more than five hours per day watching television or using the internet, and 303 (46%) ate breakfast on a regular basis. Obesity/overweight was more common in smokers than in nonsmokers (59.7% vs 32.8%, P=0.01). The prevalence of obesity was lower among those who walked three days or more per week (28.1% vs 44.1%; P=0.01) and ran/jogged outside or on a treadmill three days or more per week (29.5% vs 39.8%; P=0.03) than among those who ran/jogged less than three days per week. Student obesity was independently predicted by being male (P=0.01), drinking more sugary drinks (P=0.01), smoking (P=0.03), and sleeping for fewer hours (P=0.03). Conclusion: Obesity was more prevalent in male students, with a prevalence of 24%. Male gender, consumption of more sugary beverages, smoking, and sleeping for fewer hours were all independent predictors of obesity among university students.

Obesity prevalence, physical activity, and dietary practices among adults in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: The current study evaluated obesity prevalence, physical activity, and dietary practices among Saudi adults in the Makkah region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The current survey was accomplished between November 2021 and March 2022. Method: A validated questionnaire, Arab Teens Lifestyle Study (ATLS), was used to evaluate all participants' physical activities, sedentary behaviors, and nutritional habits in addition to demographic data. Result: A total of 2,115 people [1,238 (58.5%) women and 877 (41.5%) men] participated in this survey. Being overweight was prevalent in 32.8% of the population (41% of men and 28.9% of women), obesity was prevalent in 23% of the population (males 23.1% and females 24.2%). Obese people consumed more soft drinks, and overweight people did not consume enough vegetables (fresh/cooked). Obese people consumed fast food (e.g., burgers, sausage, pizza, or Arabic shawarma) over three times each week. The mean (SD) number of days of practice walking was 2.51 (2.05) vs. 1.3 (1.87) (p < 0.001) for lean and obese individuals, respectively. In addition, individuals with normal BMI had more days of jogging, moderate and high-intensity exercise, dancing, and strength training than those with obesity. The odds of being obese increased with age (OR: 1.07; p < 0.001), in males (OR: 2.16; p < 0.001), in participants earning <5,000 SR/month (1.3 thousand $) and 10-15 thousand SR/month (1.34-2.66 thousand $) (OR: 2.36; P = 0.01). Obesity was inversely associated with moderate-intensity exercise (OR: 0.802; p = 0.009), and regular walking (OR: 0.685; CI: 0.624-0.752; p < 0.001). Discussion: Overweight and obesity were prevalent in 32.8% and 23% of the population, respectively. Sociodemographic factors associated with obesity. Focused intervention strategies are needed to overcome the obesity issue.