RESUMO
Purpose: Many types of research have been published on the history of biological warfare, the agents used, and the medical implications. However, no studies measure how people are aware of the magnitude of these health problems and international threats. The present study aimed to produce and make background about biological warfare information for health college students to be used as a basis for future studies or research and prepare the hospitals' bases for similar disasters. Methods: This observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted among undergraduate students (N = 626) enrolled in health-related colleges at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia. A preliminary survey of 30 participants was then undertaken to improve the questionnaire's understanding and validity. The questionnaire encompassed three primary sections, including (1) sociodemographic characteristics, (2) knowledge, and (3) awareness. Sociodemographic characteristics consisted of age, gender, college type, academic level, and specialty. All data were gathered using an online self-reported questionnaire using Google Forms and participants were recruited using a random sampling strategy. Results: The total participants were 626 students; 514 were females, whereas 112 were males. Knowledge and attitude indices were 3.8650 ± 0.48 and 4.06 ± 0.51 (maximum is 5). The indices showed variable statistical differences among sociodemographic factors. With adjusted and crude odds ratios of 0.53 and 0.54, attitude score is the sole significant (P = 0.05) predictor of knowledge as analyzed using logistic regression. Conclusion: The results of the present study are the first of their kind in the region and can be used to shape public awareness among specialists and decision-makers, especially in light of the recent pandemic.
RESUMO
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common long-term complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Additionally, various factors, such as socio-demographics, type of DM, fasting blood glucose, regular diabetes monitoring, comorbid chronic diseases, HbA1c, body mass index (BMI), and duration of DM, are also thought to predispose individuals to developing UTIs more frequently when they have DM. This research aims to evaluate the risk factors for UTIs and their prevalence among people with DM in Saudi Arabia (KSA). This cross-sectional study was conducted among 440 adults with type 1, type 2, and gestational DM. The participants had to be at least 18 years old, of both genders, and had been suffering from DM for any period of time. A self-administered questionnaire was utilized to collect data on demographic characteristics, such as sex, age, height, weight, material state, education level, income, and clinical profiles of DM and UTI. The crude (COR) and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were calculated using logistic regression in the IBM SPSS software. The incidence of types 1 and 2 DM and gestational diabetes reached 34.1, 60.9, and 5%, respectively. Most of the participants had first-degree relatives with DM (65.9%). UTI was common in 39.3% of participants. A chi-squared statistical analysis revealed that the frequency of UTI varied depending (χ2 = 5.176, P = 0.023) on the type of DM. Burning urination and abdominal pain were the most common symptoms. The CORs for sex, marital status, hypertension, and BMI were significant (P < 0.05) and had values of 2.68 (95% CI = 1.78-4.02), 0.57 (95% CI = 0.36-0.92), 1.97 (95% CI = 1.14-3.43), and 2.83 (95% CI = 1.19-2.99), respectively. According to the adjusted model, only sex influenced the occurrence of UTIs. The AOR for sex was 3.45 (95% CI = 2.08-5.69). Based on this study, the authorities related to the health of DM patients can use its findings to guide awareness programs and clinical preparedness.