Students' Perception of Peer- Students Mentoring Program "Big Sibling Mentoring Program" to Complement Faculty Mentoring of First-Year Medical Students in Saudi Arabia.

Background: The Big Sibling Program is an innovative peer student mentoring method that was designed and implemented by the students' council in 2021 to complement the faculty mentoring program of first-year medical students in the College of Medicine, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. The aim of the study was to evaluate the medical students' perception of the peer students "Big Sibling" mentoring program and to assess the effectiveness of the program in terms of changes in the behavior and academic performance of the students. Methods: This is a retrospective study that was conducted in 2021. A registration form that includes demographic data, personal information, and academic performance (GPA and extracurricular achievements) was sent to all second- and third-year medical students to select the Big Siblings. A total of 49 mentors "Big Siblings" were accepted (30 males, 19 females) and matched randomly with the little siblings from first-year medical students. A written consent was obtained from the participants. The survey was structured on a 5-point Likert scale, and composed of four sections of closed-ended questions, that includes: the demographic data, the students' (little sibling) evaluation of the mentorship sessions, the little sibling perception of the Big Sibling Program and its effectiveness of the Big Sibling Program in terms of behavioral or quality effects. Results: Out of 297 first-year medical students, 284 (95.62%) responded. The majority significantly agreed that the Big Sibling was readily available and they personally benefitted from the relationship (94.36%, p<0.001; 90.14%, p<0.001). They significantly disagreed that the relationship requires too much time (72.54%, p<0.001) or that they do not need a mentor (78.87%, p<0.001). Most significantly agreed that mentoring is a good idea (94.37%, p<0.001), the program helped reduce their stress (84.51%, p<0.001), helped them adjust to college (89.44%, p<0.001), and advance academically (78.52%, p<0.001). The program also encouraged their involvement in extracurricular activities (58.10%, p<0.0001), research (43.31%, p<0.001), and social engagement with peers (71.48%, p<0.001). Moreover, the majority thought the program significantly improved their self-confidence (73.94%, p<0.001), self-awareness (84.51%), accountability (54.51%), leadership (54.93%), resilience (71.13%), punctuality (69.01%, p<0.001), time management (75.70%), stress coping (77.82%), problem-solving (76.76%), and teamwork (75.35%). Conclusion: Peer students' big Siblings program has succeeded in reducing first-year medical students stress levels, improving their self-confidence, self-awareness, accountability and responsibility, leadership, resilience, punctuality and engaging them in research and extracurricular activities.

Gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis: a rare manifestation of Basidiobolus ranarum in a non-endemic region.

Gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis (GIB) is a rare fungal infection caused by the Basidiobolus ranarum, and it possesses a significant challenge to diagnose it as it presents with non-specific symptoms that often mimic cancer. Herein, we report a case of GIB in a 51-year-old male from the central region of Saudi Arabia, a non-endemic region of GIB, which was initially misdiagnosed as colon cancer. A 51-year-old man presented with abdominal pain for two-months, non-bloody diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Abdominal examination revealed a large mass measuring ~10x15cm. Radiological findings prompted the diagnosis of a colon mass, and the patient was surgically treated under that impression. Hemicolectomy and end colostomy with mucous fistula from distal sigmoid stump were done. Histopathology was consistent with GIB. The diagnosis of GIB presents a serious challenge and requires a high index of clinical suspicion.

Fast-Food Consumption, Dietary Quality, and Dietary Intake of Adolescents in Saudi Arabia.

High fast-food consumption is a common public-health concern among adolescents, due to its link to a number of non-communicable diseases. Frequent consumption of fast food may also affect diets of individuals; however, research addressing this issue is lacking in Saudi Arabia. We aimed to investigate the association between fast-food consumption, dietary quality, and dietary intake of adolescents in Saudi Arabia. This is a cross-sectional study of 617 healthy adolescents aged 11-18 years, who were recruited randomly from 16 middle- and high-schools located in Jeddah and Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Sociodemographic data were collected from parents. Dietary data, including the frequency of fast-food consumption, dietary quality (assessed using the short-form food frequency questionnaire), and dietary intake (assessed using multiple 24 h diet recalls from a subsample), were collected from the adolescents. Approximately one-third of adolescents (28.5%) reported frequent fast-food consumption (>two times a week). Results showed that a higher proportion of male adolescents frequently consumed fast-food, compared with female adolescents (32.8% vs. 24.8%, p = 0.039). Adolescents with the highest monthly family-income (≥SAR 21,000 ) reported a significantly higher frequency of fast-food consumption compared with families with a lower monthly income (p = 0.009). Frequency of fast-food consumption predicted lower dietary-quality in adolescents (Beta (B) = -0.27 [95% confidence interval (CI): -0.35 to -0.18]) and higher carbohydrate and free-sugar intake (B = 6.93 [95% CI: 0.78 to 13.1], and B = 3.93 [95% CI: 1.48 to 6.38], respectively). In conclusion, nutrition-intervention programs aiming to limit fast-food consumption and enhance the dietary quality of adolescents in Saudi Arabia, are warranted.