Prevalence of Paternal Prenatal Depression and Its Associated Factors in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Paternal prenatal depression affects not only the fathers but also their spouses and children's future lives. Many socioeconomic and cultural factors affect the probability of paternal depression. Little is known about the prevalence of and factors associated with paternal prenatal depression in the Middle East. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of paternal prenatal depression among fathers visiting a tertiary university hospital, as well as to determine the factors associated with paternal prenatal depression within study participants. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study included 442 fathers whose wives were pregnant and were undergoing regular assessments at antenatal clinics in a tertiary university hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to assess paternal depression. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: The prevalence of paternal prenatal depression was 26.9%. It was correlated with smoking (odds ratio (OR)=1.8, p=0.006), maternal depression (OR=4.59, p<0.001), and experiencing isolation (OR=5.34, p<0.001). The odds of paternal prenatal depression decreased with social support from friends and family (OR=0.227 and 0.133, respectively) and p<0.001. Discussion and Conclusion: Paternal prenatal depression was prevalent within the study participants. Notably, experiences of isolation and maternal depression emerged as prominent factors that were significantly associated with the manifestation of paternal depression. Consequently, it becomes imperative to implement systematic depression screenings for expectant fathers and to meticulously consider the array of the factors associated with paternal depression.

Adherence to optical safety guidelines for laser-assisted hair removal.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there was a rise in ocular injuries secondary to cosmetic laser-assisted hair removal. PURPOSE: To assess the level of adherence to optical safety guidelines during laser-assisted hair removal performed by nurses or physicians in private practice. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at thirty-one private laser-assisted hair removal clinics. An electronic random number generator using a cluster random sampling technique was used to select the clinics. The Alexlazr™ (Candela Corp.) device operator's manual checklist was modified to collect data from laser device operators and patients by surveying the laser rooms, interviewing the patients, and observing the treatments. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients treated by different service providers were included from 31 private centers. All treatment sessions were delivered by trained nurses. Only 9.5% had acceptable adherence to optical safety guidelines during hair removal treatment, while the majority (90.5%) of service providers were poorly adherent. None of the providers achieved excellent adherence to optical safety guidelines. The item with the least adherence was the lack of non-reflective floors inside laser rooms in 72.3% of centers. All service providers were familiar with the laser system controls and emergency shutdown (100% adherence). CONCLUSION: There is a significant deficiency in the safety precautions at laser-assisted hair removal centers that can result in devastating ophthalmic injuries. Companies providing laser-assisted hair removal machines should be involved in aiding these centers to implement safety procedures.

SURGICAL OUTCOMES AND COMPLICATIONS OF RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT IN EYES WITH CHORIORETINAL COLOBOMA: The Results of the KKESH International Collaborative Retina Study Group.

PURPOSE: To study the outcomes of management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in eyes with chorioretinal colobomas. METHODS: A retrospective review of 119 patients (119 eyes) with chorioretinal colobomas who underwent surgical repair for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment was performed. Data were collected on the site of the retinal break, type of surgery, anatomical success, and complications. RESULTS: The most common location of the primary retinal break was the intercalary membrane in 58.8% of eyes. The most common surgical intervention was vitrectomy with endolaser and silicone oil tamponade (77.3% of eyes). Final anatomical success was achieved in 87.4% of eyes. Anatomical success was significantly higher in eyes that received long-acting tamponade (P = 0.006). Cryotherapy was significantly associated with failure of primary vitrectomy (P = 0.028). Placement of an encircling band did not affect anatomical outcomes (P = 0.75). Most of the eyes (60%) with recurrent retinal detachment after primary vitrectomy had a primary break within the normal retina. CONCLUSION: The optimal option for managing retinal detachment in eyes with chorioretinal colobomas is pars plana vitrectomy with long-acting tamponade (silicone oil or octafluoropropane) and retinopexy to the edge of the coloboma and the primary breaks. Cryotherapy is associated with poor anatomical outcomes. An encircling band does not seem to affect the final anatomical outcome.

Patterns of tobacco consumption in food facilities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

AIM: This study aimed at assessing prevailing patterns and risk factors of tobacco consumption among clients, food handlers and employers of food facilities, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional approach to a representative sample of food facilities in Riyadh was used. A sample of 3000 participants included clients (75%); food handlers/hospitality workers (20 %) and employers (5 %). Participants were reached at restaurants, food courts or cafes. A modified version of the WHO-CDC-Global Youth Tobacco Survey questionnaire was used for data collection. RESULTS: The prevalence of tobacco use at food facilities was found to be 40.3 %, of which 74% were customers, 18.8% were food handlers and 7.2% were managers. The consumption of tobacco was higher at restaurants (39.9%), but lowest at food courts of shopping malls. Water pipe (55.3%) was the main consumption type, followed by cigarettes (42.6%) and chewing tobacco (2.1%). Multivariate analysis showed that gender (male), marital status (single), and type of food facility (Estaraha and café/coffee shop) were independent risk factors associated with tobacco use at food facilities. CONCLUSION: Tobacco use is very common in food facilities in Riyadh as reflected by results of our study, especially among single males Saudis. We should build on success encountered in banning smoking in airports, airplanes, shopping malls, market places, educational institutions and healthcare facilities, extending the ban to include food facilities as well. This is important for the health of non-smokers as well as smokers themselves.