Physical Activity Assessment of Physicians in Primary Healthcare Centers in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity is a significant global health concern and a major contributor to numerous non-communicable diseases. A focus on physical activity in healthcare services, particularly among healthcare professionals, is crucial. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore physical activity levels and influencing factors among physicians in Primary Healthcare Centers in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving physicians from Primary Healthcare Centers in Makkah. An online questionnaire was used to collect data, which included demographic factors and the General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ). Data were analyzed using the SPSS, version 29.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: Of the 194 physicians included in the study, 25.3% were found to be inactive, 24.1% moderately inactive, 25.3% moderately active, and 25.3% active. There was no significant association between the Physical Activity Index and age, gender, nationality, income, having children, or job classification. However, marital status, Body Mass Index (BMI), smoking status, and the presence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and depression were significantly associated with the Physical Activity Index (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The study provides valuable insights into the physical activity levels among physicians in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The findings suggest the need for strategies to increase physical activity among physicians, particularly those who are single, overweight or obese, smokers, and those with certain health conditions.

Factors Influencing Malnutrition Among Older Adult Residents in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia: Sex Differential Study.

BACKGROUND: The global population of older adults is on the rise. As people age, their physical functions gradually decline, leading to a decrease in the overall functioning of different organ systems. Due to these changes, older individuals are at a higher risk of encountering various adverse health outcomes and complications, such as malnutrition. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition and its associated factors among older adults dwelling in the western region of Saudi Arabia. We have analyzed these factors separately for both men and women to understand any potential sex differences. METHODS: A nonrandomized cross-sectional study was conducted for older adults aged ≥60 years in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Personal information was obtained through a closed questionnaire. The Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form was used to determine the malnutrition status of older adults. Consequently, the individuals were divided into 2 groups: normal and malnourished. To assess the risk factors related to malnutrition, the odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI were determined using a binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of malnutrition in men and women was around 7% and 5%, respectively. Potential risk factors related to malnutrition in men were higher age (OR 1.263, 95% CI 1.086-1.468; P=.002), being widowed (OR 8.392, 95% CI 1.002-70.258; P=.049), and having dental problems (OR 9.408, 95% CI 1.863-47.514; P=.007). On the other hand, risk factors associated with malnutrition in women were lower BMI (OR 0.843, 95% CI 0.747-0.952; P=.006) and being disabled (OR 18.089, 95% CI 0.747-0.952; P=.006). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study provide important insights into the risk factors for malnutrition among older adults in the western region of Saudi Arabia. While the overall prevalence of malnutrition was relatively low, the analysis revealed distinct risk factors for older men and women. Interventions developed based on the identified risk factors may prove effective in addressing the issue of malnutrition within this population.

Patient safety culture in a tertiary care hospital in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Patient safety remains an area of global concern, and patient safety culture among healthcare staff is one of its most important determinants. Saudi Arabia is investing much effort in enhancing patient safety. Assessment of patient safety culture is enlightening about the impact of such efforts and invaluable in informing policy makers about future directions. This study aimed to assess patient safety culture in King Abdullah Medical City (KAMC), a tertiary referral center in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) version 2.0 was distributed electronically to all staff of KAMC. The HSOPSC version 2.0 Data Entry and Analysis Tool was used to compare results obtained from KAMC to those obtained from global data. Additional analyses were performed on SPSS to explore the presence of associations between responses and participant characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 350 participants completed the questionnaire, 58.6% of whom were nurses. A comparison of the composite measure of all 10 domains of the HSOPSC showed 62% positive responses at KAMC versus 70% in the global database. This difference was statistically significant, with a chi-square of 10.64 and a p value of 0.001. The percentages of positive responses from the KAMC data exceeded those from the global data in the "Organizational learning and continuous improvement" and the "Communication about error" domains (p = 0.002 and 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although safety culture seems to score lower at KAMC than globally, accelerated improvement in the future is expected based on improvement trends in the literature and the national efforts focused on patient safety.

Parental Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Towards Pediatric Ear Infections in the Makkah Region of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND:  Pediatric ear infections constitute a significant public health concern worldwide, adversely impacting children's health and well-being. Parents play a crucial role in prevention, ensuring timely healthcare access, and therefore minimizing potential complications. This study aims to assess parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards pediatric ear infections in Makkah region. METHODOLOGY:  A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among Saudi parents who were ≥18 years old and lived in Makkah region. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 319 participants through social media platforms; data were collected from June to September 2023 via an online self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed sociodemographic characteristics, along with knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to pediatric ear infections. RESULTS:  A total of 319 parents were included in the study. The majority of the participants were female 228 (71.5%), and 208 (65.2%) had a university education level. The most common age groups were 18-30 years and 31-40 years. More than half of the participants (167, 52.4%) demonstrated adequate knowledge regarding pediatric ear infections. Positive attitudes and practices were reported by 183 (57.4%) and 285 (89.3%) of participants, respectively. Adequate knowledge was significantly higher among participants with younger ages (p<0.05). It was found that having a younger age (18-30 years) was an independent predictor of good knowledge (OR: 1.26 (1.96-3.65), p=0.009) and positive practice (OR: 1.53 (1.01-2.33), p=0.045). CONCLUSION:  We found that the majority of parents in Makkah region had a good level of knowledge regarding childhood ear infections, with an overall positive attitude and practice. The study revealed that younger parents had superior knowledge and younger age was an independent predictor for good knowledge and positive attitude.

Assessment of Knowledge and Awareness Levels of Lipoma and Simple Surgical Excision Among Adults in Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia.

Background Lipoma is a soft tissue tumor primarily composed of fat cells. These slow-growing, painless, subcutaneous nodules can occur in any place in the body where fat is present. Our study aims to assess the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes of Makkah region inhabitants regarding lipomas and the surgical excision method. Methodology This study used a cross-sectional methodology to evaluate the general public's knowledge regarding lipomas and the surgical excision method using a self-administered questionnaire in the Makkah region from January to April 2024. Results A total of 367 participants were included, with the majority (56.10%) aged between 18 and 29 years. The survey revealed that 48.50% had heard about lipomas, 42.80% lacked any knowledge about them, and 26.70% acquired their information via social media. Furthermore, 31.60% believed it to affect both genders equally, 46.60% admitted uncertainty, 20.40% correctly identified that lipomas can occur at any age, and 39.80% were uncertain. Overall, 57.20% correctly identified lipomas as benign tumors composed of fat cells. Opinions diverged on whether lipomas cause pain, with 46.90% being uncertain. Moreover, 25.90% of respondents thought that surgery was the sole option for removing a lipoma, while 38.10% recognized the risk of lipoma recurrence after surgical removal. Overall, 85.60% reported never being diagnosed with a lipoma, while 4.10% had been diagnosed, predominantly with single lipomas 6.00%. There were significant differences in the participants' marital status, with widowed people exhibiting the greatest awareness level, followed by single people. Conclusions Our study findings indicate a moderate level of awareness about lipomas among residents of the Makkah region. However, there are significant gaps in understanding various aspects of lipomas, including their characteristics, treatment options, and demographic distribution.

Language and Communication Barriers in Emergency Departments in Makkah: Physicians' Perspective.

Background Communication is essential in the medical sector, particularly in the emergency departments (ED), to provide appropriate patient care. Lack of patient history and large patient numbers, cultural variations, inadequate health literacy, and language difficulties can impact effective communication. Aim This study aims to examine language and communication barriers experienced by ED physicians in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, as well as to determine the effect of language barriers on patient care and explore possible methods to deal with language and communication barriers. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from April 8 to June 6, 2023. A total of 136 responses were collected from ED physicians at the six Ministry of Health Hospitals (MOH) in Makkah through a validated online survey. The data analysis was implemented using RStudio (R version 4.1.1). Result In this study, 136 participants' data were examined. Of note, one-quarter of ED physicians (25%; n=34) under study stated that they always experienced language barriers, whereas 64.7% (n=88) of them sometimes experienced these difficulties. More than half of the ED physicians (54.4%; n=74) stated that their patients had poor outcomes because of poor communication. Among those who responded positively to poor outcomes, ED physicians' suggestions to improve communication with patients included providing labels of the common scientific terminologies in different languages (59.6%; n=81) and providing courses to communicate in foreign languages (48.5%; n=66). Conclusion Exposure to language barriers among ED physicians in Makkah was slightly high. This may impact the patient's outcomes. Therefore, strategies to improve patient-physician communication are needed.

Makkah healthcare cluster response, challenges, and interventions during COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The global COVID-19 crisis has underscored the critical role of effective decision-making in healthcare systems. Saudi Arabia has shown resilience by implementing comprehensive testing, tracing, and vaccination measures. Given the unique cultural and religious characteristics of Makkah, specific challenges have prompted efforts to uncover local pandemic responses. This qualitative assessment aims to delineate the challenges faced by decision-makers during COVID-19 in Makkah and identify key interventions implemented by the Makkah healthcare cluster to manage and coordinate care. METHOD: Utilizing a purposive sampling approach, executive leaders within the Makkah Healthcare Cluster were invited for semi-structured interviews during the COVID-19 period. Thematic analysis was carried out in five steps, ensuring rigor and trustworthiness through multiple checks, and employing a critical and collaborative approach. RESULT: Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak in Makkah, participants revealed Several factors that have hindered healthcare organizations' ability to effectively manage the pandemic, including testing difficulties, resource shortages, vaccination misconceptions, continuity of care issues, infections among healthcare workers, and the need for consistent protocols. The participant leaders in Makkah's healthcare cluster specified implemented strategies that helped in overcoming the encountered challenges, such as adopting new technologies, enhancing communication, managing supply and demand, and improving workforce adaptability and development. Their experience in managing Hajj and Umrah provided valuable insights for handling the pandemic effectively. CONCLUSION: The study emphasizes the significance of technology adoption, effective communication, supply management, workforce development, and lessons from managing religious events. Its findings have implications for healthcare systems globally, emphasizing the importance of preparedness, response, and resilience in diverse cultural contexts.

Attitudes and Stigma Toward Seeking Psychological Help Among the General Population of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Background and objective Depression and anxiety are among the most common mental health conditions globally, and, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), roughly 25% of people worldwide suffer from them. Serious mental diseases can cause a great deal of suffering and incapacity, lowering people's quality of life. Stigma and unfavorable attitudes toward mental illness often discourage people from seeking psychological assistance and achieving recovery from mental problems. This observational cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the attitudes of the general population of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, toward seeking psychological help, and to determine the degree to which stigma prevents individuals from seeking help. Methods An online, self-administered survey was distributed via social media platforms among the general population of Makkah between September and December 2023. Males and females over the age of 18 years living in Makkah were included. The exclusion criteria were participants who declined to participate in the study or those who were below 18 years of age. Results A total of 495 eligible participants completed the study survey. Of them, 378 (76.4%) were female, and most (390, 78.8%) were Saudi Arabian nationals. A total of 341 (68.9%) participants had symptoms of anxiety, and 319 (64.4%) had symptoms of depression. Regarding unfavorable attitudes, the scores were significantly higher among participants over 40 years of age (1.81 ± 0.46; p<0.05) and those with relatively low levels of education (1.93 ± 0.65; p<0.05). As for stigma, the scores were significantly higher among male participants (2.38 ± 0.83; p<0.05) and those with low levels of education (2.54 ± 0.8; p<0.05). Conclusion A significant negative correlation between participants' attitudes toward seeking psychological help and stigma was observed. However, in contrast, the psychological symptom scores did not significantly correlate with the participants' attitudes. Stigma scores showed significant positive correlations with depression and overall symptom scores. This research showed that stigma has a significant impact on attitudes toward help-seeking.

Hand Hygiene Knowledge and Practices Among Visitors to the Holy Masjid (Masjid Al-Haram) During the Month of Ramadan in 2023.

Introduction Visits to the Holy Masjid are considered mass gatherings (MGs), defined as concentrations of people at a specific location for a certain objective over a predetermined amount of time. Such gatherings might strain the host nation's preparation and reaction capabilities, increasing the chances of spreading infectious diseases. Aim To evaluate the comprehension of hand hygiene (HH) and proper HH habits among visitors to the Holy Masjid during the month of Ramadan in 2023. Methods A total of 690 visitors to the Holy Masjid were interviewed for this cross-sectional study. The questionnaire was developed using model questions from another published survey. Results Of the participants, 541 (78.4%), predominantly female, had generally good knowledge about HH. A total of 282 (40.9%) participants used nothing to clean their hands after shaking hands with someone. Four hundred and eighty (69.6%) participants were aware that poor HH does not spread HIV/AIDS, and 504 (73%) stated that consistent HH does not reduce the body's natural immunity. A total of 530 (76.8%) participants with good knowledge about HH cleaned their hands before meals, compared to 131 (19%) participants with poor knowledge of HH. Conclusion Based on the results of our study, the participants' awareness of HH was generally high, with most recognizing the role of good HH in preventing common infectious diseases, such as gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. However, certain aspects of HH, such as the necessity and proper use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, were not well understood. Regular, focused awareness-raising initiatives are recommended to enhance HH knowledge and practices among visitors to the Holy Masjid.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Rubella and Cytomegalovirus Infections Among Pregnant Women in Makkah: Implications for Screening and Vaccination Programs.

Introduction Contracting rubella virus or cytomegalovirus (CMV) while pregnant can lead to severe health issues for both the mother and the unborn child. This study aims to determine the prevalence of these infections in pregnant women and identify associated risk factors. Methods A total of 146 pregnant women consented to participate in this research. Data were collected through a detailed questionnaire and blood samples were obtained from each participant. Blood was drawn into vacutainer tubes, and plasma was separated and stored at -20°C for analysis. We utilized specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin M (IgM) to detect antibodies against rubella and CMV in the plasma samples. Results The study revealed that the prevalence rates of IgG antibodies for rubella and CMV were 68.5% and 97.3%, respectively. No samples tested positive for IgM antibodies for either disease. A significant relationship was found between chronic rubella infection and women aged 26 to 35 years (p < 0.05). A significant association was also observed between chronic CMV infection and women with lower income (p < 0.05). Conclusion This study confirms the widespread presence of chronic rubella and CMV infections among pregnant women in Makkah. The findings highlight the impact of socioeconomic factors on infection rates and underscore the importance of implementing vaccination programs to mitigate the severity of these infections in pregnant women and protect fetal health.

Screening of Geriatric Depression in Makkah, Saudi Arabia: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: There is currently limited evidence about the prevalence of depression among elderly people residing in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. This study aims to report the magnitude of depression among the older population in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and the related risk factors. METHODS: An online cross-sectional pilot survey was carried out in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using an online self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The study questionnaire was completed by 191 older people. The participants' ages varied from 60 to 88 years. 55.5% were women, 47.9% were married, and 21.5% were divorced/widowed. 46.6% had hypertension, 42.4% had diabetes, 17.3% had hypothyroidism, 7.9% had cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and 6.3% reported psychiatric problems. 44.5% of the subjects had no depression, 23.5% had mild, 15.2% had moderate, and 16.8% had severe depression. The sample included 32% who had been classified as having major depression. Elderly participants with insomnia, cognitive diseases, and chronic diseases showed a high risk for experiencing severe depression (OR=2.74; 95% CI: 1.42-5.28),(OR=2.63; 95% CI: 1.29-5.40), and (OR=2.62; 95% CI: 1.11-6.14) respectively. CONCLUSION: Depression was common among the elderly population in Makkah, particularly among those with a documented history of insomnia, cognitive diseases, and chronic diseases. Depression screening and treatment for old people in medical settings is recommended.

The Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Tertiary Saudi Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a major public health problem all over the world. After the 2019 coronavirus illness (COVID-19), the pandemic may have influenced research priorities and resource allocation, potentially affecting the ability to monitor MRSA trends. AIMS: The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of S. aureus, including MRSA infections, and their antimicrobial susceptibilities over the years 2019 and 2020 in a tertiary hospital in Makkah City, KSA. METHODOLOGY: A total of 2128 and 1515 laboratory (lab) samples were collected during the years 2019 and 2020, respectively. From these samples, the prevalence of S. aureus, including MRSA, and their antibiotic susceptibility were identified using standard, automated, and molecular microbiological methods. RESULTS: The present study shows that the lab prevalence of all S. aureus during 2019 was found to be 35.5%, of which MRSA was 44.8%. During 2020, the frequency of S. aureus strains was 16%, of which MRSA was 41.2%. The most common MRSA isolated during both years were colonizing pus swabs and urine samples. The results showed that MRSA susceptibility against antimicrobial agents in 2019 was as follows: vancomycin (100%), linezolid (100%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (88%), and doxycycline (34.2%). The MRSA strains isolated during 2020 were as follows: vancomycin (100%), linezolid (96%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (100%), and doxycycline (24.3%). There was no significant difference in the incidence and antimicrobial resistance rates of MRSA over the two years. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the prevalence rates of MRSA have not increased in 2020 when compared to 2019. Vancomycin, linezolid, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and doxycycline remain susceptible to the positive collected MRSA strains. There was no significant difference between the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance rates of MRSA between 2019 and 2020. Continued research efforts are needed to address this persistent public health threat. Strategies to control the spread of MRSA should include early detection of MRSA and surveillance, even during pandemics.

Cone-Beam Computed Tomography-Based Investigation of the Prevalence and Distribution of Pulp Stones and Their Relation to Local and Systemic Factors in the Makkah Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives This study aimed to assess the prevalence and distribution of dental pulp stones and evaluated their possible associations with local and systemic factors in the Makkah population in Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods Archived cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images for 390 patients, from the electronic health records (EHR) in the Dental Teaching Hospital, Umm Al-Qura University, were used. Images were examined in all planes (coronal, sagittal, and axial) for a discrete radiopaque mass in the pulp of all teeth, in both arches. The teeth conditions (the presence of caries, restoration, the periodontal condition, and the presence of pulp stones) were recorded. Additional patient information, including age, gender, and medical condition, was obtained from the patients' archived files. The collected data were statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY) software; a p-value of ≤ 0.05 is considered statistically significant. Results Pulp stone prevalence was 78.97% of the subjects (308 out of 390) and 15.92% of the examined teeth (1644 out of 10326). There were statistically significant differences regarding nationality (p=0.043) and age (p=0.023) but no significant difference between males and females (p=0.876), maxillary and mandibular teeth (p=0.392), and right and left sides (p=0.222) in pulp stone prevalence. Significant differences were found between pulp stone prevalence of sound versus and carious and restored teeth and between periodontally affected teeth and periodontally healthy teeth (p=0.031). Conclusion The prevalence of pulp stones in the Makkah population is high. A positive association was found between nationality, age, tooth restorations, caries, periodontal diseases, and pulp stone prevalence, but no correlation was found with patients' health or gender. The molars were the most affected teeth, while the incisors were the least.

Prevalence of Hemorrhoids and the Associated Risk Factors Among the General Adult Population in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: Hemorrhoidal disease is one of the most common benign anorectal conditions. It is described as the symptomatic enlargement and abnormally downward displacement of anal cushions. Its effect on the quality of life of patients is significantly negative and is considered one of the leading causes of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. However, studies that determine the prevalence of and risk factors associated with hemorrhoidal disease are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors for hemorrhoids among the general adult population in the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with a structured, prevalidated questionnaire and was used with some modifications. It was created using Google Forms (Google, Mountain View, CA) and distributed via social media platforms in Arabic along with the English version of each question. All data from the returned survey were encrypted. IBM SPSS Statistics, version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: A total of 400 participants completed the study questionnaire. Regarding the prevalence of hemorrhoids among the general population in Makkah, 64 participants (16%) reported that they were diagnosed with hemorrhoid disorder. The most reported symptoms among participants with hemorrhoids were pain with defecation (76.2%), discomfort (63.5%), and swelling (55.6%). CONCLUSION: Hemorrhoids are one of the most common complaints among surgical patients and are more prevalent in men. The risk of hemorrhoids is significantly higher in married women with a history of pregnancy, who are overweight, and who consume low-fiber diets. It is better to practice close follow-up of patients with hemorrhoids to avoid complications, particularly, patients with chronic diseases who are at a high risk.

Predictive Factors for Critical Weight Loss in Saudi Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing (Chemo)Radiotherapy.

Weight loss is a significant health problem among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) that is attributable primarily to the tumor or tumor therapy. Critical weight loss (CWL) is defined as the unintentional loss of ≥5% of weight. Therefore, this study's goal was to investigate and determine the possible factors influencing CWL among patients with HNC who have received radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). We conducted a retrospective analysis of 175 patients who received radiotherapy or CCRT as either their primary, adjuvant, or combined treatment at the Oncology Center in King Abdullah Medical City. All patients were ≥18 years of age and diagnosed with HNC with no metastasis. The study results showed that 107 patients (61%) had CWL, while 68 (39%) did not. The following factors were significantly predictive of CWL with a multivariate regression analysis: pretreatment BMI (AOR = 1.1, 95% CI = 1.02-1.17), oral cavity cancer (AOR = 10.36, 95% CI = 1.13-94.55), and male sex (AOR = 3.15, 95% CI = 1.39-7.11). In conclusion, weight loss is highly prevalent among HNC patients during treatment. Accordingly, pretreatment BMI, cancer in the oral cavity, and being male can be considered predictive factors for CWL.

Public Awareness, Knowledge, and Attitude Toward Alzheimer's Disease in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that slowly deteriorates cognitive function over time. This condition disables the geriatric population worldwide. Knowing its symptoms and presentation could help the general population seek medical attention early. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the level of awareness, knowledge, and attitude towards Alzheimer's disease among the general population in Makkah City. METHODS: This cross-sectional study employed an online questionnaire distributed randomly in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. A sociodemographic and attitude panel is included under each section of the questionnaire, as well as a knowledge panel based on the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS). The knowledge and awareness level regarding Alzheimer's disease was determined by adding up discrete scores for each correct knowledge item. A participant's awareness level was categorized as poor if their score was less than 60%. Participants whose scores were 60% or higher were considered to have a high level of awareness Results: A total of 545 participants were investigated; 316 (58%) were females. A range of ages was represented among the participants, from 18 to over 60. Of the study respondents, 68 (12.5%) had an overall good awareness and knowledge of Alzheimer's disease and its management while 477 (87.5%) had a poor knowledge level. Among divorced/widowed participants, 16.2% had an overall good knowledge level of the disease compared to 8.3% of married respondents with recorded statistical significance (P=.049). Also, 20.4% of those with relatives diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease had good knowledge of the disease versus 10.7% of others without (P=.009). CONCLUSION: According to the results, there is a lack of awareness and knowledge of Alzheimer's disease. This study suggests increasing public awareness and knowledge of Alzheimer's disease through campaigns and public education so that the disease is detected earlier.

Assessing the Level of Awareness About Breath-Holding Spells Among the General Population in the Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia.

Background and objective Breath-holding spell (BHS) is a serious condition that affects healthy and normal children. It is a paroxysmal non-epileptic disorder and usually occurs after the child gets angry, annoyed, or aroused. In such a scenario, an episode of crying and silent expiration associated with color changes, either cyanosis or pallor, leads to loss of consciousness in the child. In Saudi Arabia, studies assessing the awareness among parents about BHS have been scarce. In light of this, this study aimed to evaluate the awareness of BHS among parents in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, in 2023. Methodology This was a cross-sectional study conducted between June and October 2023 by using Google Forms to collect data about awareness of risk factors of BHS among the general population in Makkah. We employed a validated and self-generated survey that was distributed through social media platforms. Results The study included 602 participants; 138 (22.9%) of them had witnessed BHS episodes. Of note, 407 (67.6%) thought that there was a connection between BHS and iron deficiency anemia. A significant majority (n=565, 93.9%) mentioned that spells can lead to passing out and seizures, and 542 (90%) thought that spells are dangerous. The majority (n=479, 79.6%) reported that the actions required during spells involve laying the child on the floor, keeping the child away from anything sharp, staying with the child, and calling 911 if the child remains blue or is not breathing for longer than a minute. The most common source of information for the participants was the Ministry of Health (n=182, 30.2%). Conclusions This study found a generally low level of awareness among parents regarding several aspects of BHS. Hence, we recommend conducting educational campaigns to ensure parents have accurate information about BHS so that they can respond appropriately to its occurrence in children.

The Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Among Makkah Physicians Towards Herpes Zoster Vaccination, Saudi Arabia, 2023.

Background Herpes zoster (HZ) is a viral disease, which is more common among the elderly and immunodeficient individuals, among which approximately 22% of cases might progress to post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). Hence, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards HZ and its vaccination among primary health care physicians in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, 2023. Methodology This analytical cross-sectional study used an online pre-validated questionnaire and was conducted from July to August 2023. The target population included physicians working in primary healthcare (PHC) daily clinics in Makkah. Results A total of 153 participants were included in the current study. Of which 90 (58.8%) were females and 120 (78.4%) participants had chicken pox history. Around 123 (80.4%) had previously heard about shingles. The most reported source of information was physicians (63%) followed by the Internet (12.2%). Risk factors for shingles were found to be immunodeficiency (95.1%) and age (78%). Most (88.2%) participants had previously heard about the shingles vaccine and 99 (64.7%) reported that the shingles vaccine is needed even if the patient had chicken pox in the past. Most participants (82.4%) knew that the vaccine should be given to adults aged more than 50 years. About 69 (45.1%) thought that they were extremely likely to get the shingles vaccine if the doctor recommended it. Barriers to shingles vaccination among study participants included participant's perception that they were not at risk of getting shingles (33%) and concerns about vaccines' side effects (27.5%). The average knowledge score about shingles was found to be 9.51 ± 3.14 and the average knowledge score about shingles vaccine was found to be 5.43 ± 1.46. Gender was significantly associated with knowledge score about the vaccine (p-value= 0.028) where females had higher knowledge scores about shingles vaccine as compared to males. Qualification level and current Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) classification were found to be significantly associated with knowledge scores about shingles (p-value = 0.002 and 0.003, respectively). Conclusion A good level of KAP about shingles and its vaccine was found among the study participants. However, few knowledge gaps in methods of protection were assessed. Female gender, married participants and higher SCFHS qualification level were positively associated with higher levels of knowledge and awareness as compared to other groups.

Patterns and Sociodemographic Characteristics of Substance Abuse Among the Adult Population in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Substance abuse is a term that refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. One of the key impacts of illicit drug use on society is the negative health consequences experienced by its members. OBJECTIVE: This study recorded the pattern of substance abuse and the sociodemographic characteristics of adult substance abusers in Makkah City. METHODS: An online self-administered survey was provided to the general population through social media platforms between March 2023 and August 2023. Males and females living in Makkah over the age of 18 were included in it. The participants who refused to take part or those who were younger than 18 were not included in the study. RESULTS: The number of participants in this study was 720; 73.5% were under the age of 30 and 424 were females (58.9%). The significant variables between substance abuse and sociodemographic data were gender (P=0.001), depression (P≤0.000), anxiety (P≤0.000), stress (P=0.025), and bad/shocking experience during childhood (P=0.004). CONCLUSION: Substance abuse positively correlates with sociodemographic data, with males having a higher risk, and psychiatric neurosis is associated with childhood trauma and anxiety.

Assessment of Public Knowledge and Awareness on First-Aid Management of Epistaxis in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Epistaxis is a common medical problem requiring first aid. However, public awareness of proper first-aid techniques for epistaxis is limited. This study assessed the knowledge and attitudes toward first-aid epistaxis management among the general population in the Makkah region. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 1,259 participants from various regions in Makkah. The survey assessed participants' epidemiological information, experience with epistaxis, and knowledge of proper first-aid techniques. The knowledge scores were calculated and categorized as either good or poor. Associations between the variables and predictors of good knowledge were analyzed. RESULT: Overall knowledge of proper epistaxis first aid was poor, with only 467 (37.1%) demonstrating good knowledge. Women, healthcare workers, and those with prior epistaxis showed higher odds of having good knowledge than their counterparts. Relatives/friends and social media were cited as the main knowledge sources, rather than healthcare providers. CONCLUSION: Public awareness of appropriate first-aid epistaxis techniques in Makkah is inadequate. Targeted educational interventions involving healthcare providers are needed to improve the first-aid management of this common medical issue.