Public Use of Complementary Medicine for Children in Saudi Arabia: A Questionnaire-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is growing among adults and children. Extensive data is available regarding the pattern and frequency of CAM used in adults in Saudi Arabia, but limited data is available for children. This study aims to examine the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice about the use of CAM in the pediatric population in Saudi Arabia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study on the use of CAM in children was carried out in the general population of Saudi Arabia. Data was collected by non-probability consecutive sampling technique through an online-based questionnaire from 132 participants. In addition, data analysis was done using IBM's Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The data collected consisted of socio-demographic details, knowledge, attitude, and practice of CAM in children. RESULTS: CAM was reported in all 132 participants (100%), with 45% (N=59) using it without informing their physicians. The mean age of the children was 17 months old, 55.3% (N=73) children were males, and 44.7% (N=59) were females. The most common form of CAM used was herbal medicine, 91% (N=120), while alternative medicine was used in 16.7% (N=12) of the children. Honey was the most used herb (68.2%, N=90), followed by anise (65.2%, N=86), Zamzam water (holy water) (59.1%, N=78), and olive oil (56.8%, N=75). CONCLUSIONS: The use of CAM is very common for children in the general population of Saudi Arabia, with herbal medication being the most common. This constitutes a dire need to regulate this field and provide enough information for the public and health care practitioners to provide the best health care. In addition, future awareness campaigns are needed to bridge the communication gap between parents and physicians and provide better information about the benefits and safety of CAM use.

Risk Factors of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in Neonate in A Tertiary Care Referral Center.

BACKGROUND: Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is a condition in which pulmonary vascular resistance fails to decrease after birth. PPHN leads to hypoxemia due to right-to-left shunting of the blood through the fetal circulation. This study aimed to determine the association between PPHN and prematurity in neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a single-center, retrospective, and cross-sectional study. Patients diagnosed with PPHN had been selected by using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique from 2016 to 2020 at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Patients with PPHN who did not admit to NICU were excluded. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients had met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Twenty-six neonates were born prematurely before 37 weeks of gestation, and 30 were born at 37 weeks or more. Among the study population, respiratory complications were seen in 30 patients with a rate of 53.6%. The most common complications were respiratory failure, persistent pulmonary hypertension, and cardiopulmonary arrest. CONCLUSION: Mortality was documented in 26 patients, with the complicated group having a rate of 73.3% compared to the uncomplicated group 15.4%. The most common complications seen in our patients were respiratory failure, persistent pulmonary hypertension, and cardiopulmonary arrest.

A Field-Based Study of the Magnitude of Risk Factors and Health Habits in Young Volunteers in the Community.

Objective A field study is more informative in terms of epidemiological data than a hospital-based study. Undiagnosed risk factors may be discovered in an asymptomatic group. This study aimed to estimate if the community was well informed about the risk factors for coronary artery disease and if that affected the prevalence and the anthropometric among those who participated in the study. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted, using a consecutive sampling technique. Individuals were interviewed in terms of the risk factors and clinical signs and symptoms. The anthropometric measurements were done on-site to identify asymptomatic risk factors. The survey was utilized to increase the awareness among the participants. Results In total, 193 individuals participated in this study. The mean age of the sample was 36.3 ± 12.4 years, with 53% male. Smoking was the most frequent risk factor (31.6%), followed by dyslipidemia (22.5%), hypertension (16.6%), and diabetes mellitus (14.5%). Almost half of the sample participated in sports for one to two hours per week (40%). Almost all consumed fast food at least once a week, and 16.6% consumed fast food more than four times a week. The average systolic blood pressure was 129.41 ± 22.5 mmHg and the average body mass index (BMI) 27.6 ± 7.2 kg/m2. Conclusion Dyslipidemia was the most prevalent risk factor. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are on top of the risk factor pyramid in commonality. An early diagnosis is important to decrease the incidence of cardiovascular disease. The consumption of fast food and obesity are relatively high and require educational interventions and more available healthy food. Screening through social media and primary health care centers may avert a negative outcome.