The prevalence and associated factors of lower back pain among surgeons in Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Lower back pain (LBP) is the most common form of musculoskeletal disorder and a crucial occupational issue among healthcare professionals that peaks among surgeons. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence and the characteristics and identify associated risk factors among surgeons in the Makkah region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional method among surgeons in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia. Data were randomly collected using a self-administered questionnaire divided into demographic, individual, and occupational characteristics and prevalence data from different hospitals and cities. The subjects of the study were 208 surgeons working in different specialties. Results: Thirty-eight percent of surgeons were found to have back pain. The highest prevalence was found among general surgeons, followed by gynecologists. Surgeons with a longer mean duration of work experience had a significantly higher percentage of back pain sufferers. The presence of back pain, on the other hand, did not appear to be related to the surgeon's gender, dominant hand, specialty, or other work conditions. LBP was widespread in surgeons with higher work experience, a stable job position, older age, a higher body mass index (BMI), chronic conditions, who did not exercise, and who were not athletes. Conclusions: General surgeons have the highest prevalence, according to the results of this study. Appropriate measures should be adopted to avoid this occupational health issue. We emphasize the importance of performing a periodic examination and follow-up on the health status of surgeons' spines and providing educational information about LBP and the best ways to avoid it. We advocate an ergonomic examination of workplace conditions and regular counseling sessions to encourage people to use their backs more properly with correct posture.

The Hearing Aid Effect in the 2020s: Where Do We Stand?

Introduction The 'hearing aid effect' is a negative perception toward individuals using hearing assistive devices (HADs), which is a primary reason for parents and children refusing to use them. We aimed to determine the current perception toward individuals using HADs and the associated factors. Methods A 30-item photo-based survey was conducted to analyze the participants' perception toward individuals using HADs as compared to healthy (H) individuals and individuals with disabilities (D). The survey was validated with an intrarater reliability of 86%. A cross-sectional study was conducted by approaching individuals who visited one of the largest shopping centers in a metropolitan city to participate in the survey. Demographic information, including age, gender, and educational background, was collected. Results A total of 517 participants completed the survey. Nearly two-thirds of the participants (59.7%) did not consider individuals using HADs as those who needed assistance as compared to H individuals. Interestingly, Generation X and Z participants had a significantly better perception toward individuals using HADs (63.1% and 59%, respectively) as compared to participants of the Baby Boomers generation (54.3%). The majority of participants who considered HD use a handicap compared to healthy individuals (79.9%) did not have a family member that used a HAD. Conclusion The stigma of wearing a HAD is significantly reducing with time, and the younger generations are not considering it as a disability. This is an important point that can be highlighted while counseling parents and young adults who are candidates for HAD use.

Hypertension in pediatric patients admitted to inpatient ward at King Abdulaziz Universty Hospital in Saudi Arabia: Prevalence, causes, and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The secondary hypertension (HTN) is the predominant form of HTN in pediatrics. Renal diseases and renovascular anomalies are the most commonly reported causes. In this study, we aimed to identify the prevalence, causes, and outcomes of secondary HTN in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted among 3,640 pediatric patients aged between 0 and 18 years, admitted to the pediatric nephrology ward at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The study has been approved by the ethics review committee of King Abdulaziz University. RESULTS: Prevalence of secondary HTN due to renal disease was (77.0%). Most of the cases were diagnosed with stage 5 renal disease (78.3%). Small kidney size was frequently diagnosed (n = 29, 11.9%), followed by large kidney size (n = 26, 10.7%). One third of the cases (n = 79, 32.4%) were under control, 49 (20.1%) lost follow-up, and 24 (10.1%) deceased. A total of 61 (33.1%) patients progressed to end-stage renal disease and patientswere managed by different types of treatments. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of secondary HTN due to renal disease is considered to be high in pediatric patients admitted to King Abdulaziz University. Several renal diseases in the renal system are associated with secondary HTN mostly attriubuted to renal malformation. In addition, renal affection, cerebral infarction, bleeding, left ventricular hypertrophy, and valvular lesion are the highest reported complications in our population. Follow-up with ECHO and brain CT is highly recommended in pediatric HTN. Future studies on a larger sample and vigorous follow-up are recommended.

Saudi Children's Perception of Strabismus: A Hospital-Based Study.

PURPOSE: Children with strabismus may face difficulties interacting with their peers in elementary school. This study investigates the psychosocial effect of different types of strabismus on Saudi children's selection of a playmate. METHODS: Photographs of orthotropic children were digitally modified to simulate various magnitudes of strabismus. Orthotropic children with normal visual acuity viewed 18 sets of paired photographs and were asked to choose a playmate from each pair. Parents were asked to fill out a questionnaire on their socioeconomic background and to determine whether surgery should be indicated in strabismic patients for psychosocial reasons. Parents were also asked to rate their perception of seven personal characteristics of two images of the same child (one orthotropic and one strabismic). RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-three children, aged 3-15 years (mean age: 9.94 [3.6] years), were studied. Children aged ≤6 years were significantly more likely not to distinguish between orthotropic children and those with strabismus (P < 0.001). Out of 233 participants, 69.6% were significantly in favor of orthotropic faces as opposed to 30.4% (P < 0.0001). Children perceived esotropia as less disturbing than exotropia and hypertropia (P < 0.001). Smaller magnitudes of strabismus were significantly preferred over larger angles (P < 0.001). Parents judged strabismic faces more negatively than orthotropic faces on all seven characteristics. Almost 88.4% of the adults thought that strabismic patients should undergo surgery for correction. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that children with apparent strabismus are perceived negatively and might be subjected to social alienation at a young age. Therefore, there is a need for strategies to address negative social bias toward children with strabismus and to enhance their peer acceptance in our society.