A nationwide survey to assess COVID-19's impact on health and lifestyle in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: Since COVID-19 outbreak, there is a lack of extensive literature on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health and lifestyle. The aim of the study was (1) to assess the COVID-19 related knowledge and its socio-demographic correlates in individuals from different parts of Saudi Arabia, (2) to evaluate the health-related impact and lifestyle changes in the Saudi population because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and (3) to determine the perceived importance of future preparedness among residents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in different regions of Saudi Arabia from  December 2020 to February 2022. Individuals aged 18 years and above were surveyed from different parts of the county. The questionnaires were made available online, and the participants filled them in. The questionnaires included COVID-19 related knowledge, the assessment of the health impact of COVID-19, perceived importance of future preparation for the pandemic, lifestyles, and demographics. Likert plot, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done. RESULTS: A total of 616 respondents were included in the study. The majority of the repondents were female (58.6%).  36% of the respondents considered their knowledge level on the novel coronavirus as very good. 43.5% said their knowledge level on preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus is excellent. Retired people were 84% (aOR 0.16, 95% CI 0.03-0.78) less likely of higher physical activity as compared to working (≥40 hrs/week) professionals. Separated/divorced/widowed and singles were 3.65 times (aOR 3.65, 95% CI 1.34-9.94) and 2.23 times (aOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.28-3.89) more likely of higher screen time as compared to those who were married/cohabitation/common-law. CONCLUSIONS: Lifestyle in Saudi Arabia has changed significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthy habits such as eating at home and cooking at home have increased, while unhealthy habits such as reduced physical activity, screen time have increased.

Mechanism of injury and in-hospital mortality in penetrating jugular vein injuries: a National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) study.

OBJECTIVE: Timely intervention is the key to the successful management of penetrating injuries to jugular veins; however, the optimal clinical management of these perforations and associated risk factors for mortality are not fully established. This study examined the trauma characteristics, vital signs, and in-hospital mortality in penetrating external and internal jugular vein injuries (PEJVI and PIJVI, respectively). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this National Trauma Data Bank database study on patients with penetrating jugular vein injuries (PJVIs), details pertaining to demographics, comorbidities, type of injury, mechanism and intent of injury, Injury Severity Score (ISS), vital signs, treatment, and outcome, were abstracted. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the risk factors of in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 548 patients with PJVIs were included in the final analysis. Patients with PEJVI were more likely to have a self-inflicted injury (p<.001) than those with PIJVI. In both groups, hemorrhage control surgery was performed in almost 60% of the patients within 24 hrs. of the injury (p=.767). Systolic blood pressure (OR 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98-1.00, p=.043), Glasgow coma scale (OR 0.88, 95% CI: 0.81-0.95, p<.001), ISS (OR 1.10, 95% CI: 1.06-1.14, p<.001), and the firearm as a mechanism of injury (OR 2.85, 95% CI: 1.19-6.79, p=.018) were found to be independently associated with the risk of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The injury severity, hemodynamic stability, comma scale, intent, and mechanism of injury differed significantly in PEJVI and PIJVI; however, the type of PJVI did not have an independent association with in-hospital mortality.