ABSTRACT
In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the attitudes of the general public in Saudi Arabia regarding both medical and non-medical applications of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). The study was conducted in King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital (KASCH) in Riyadh with a sample size of 377. Demographic information was collected, and attitudes towards applications of PGD were assessed using a pre-validated self-administered questionnaire. Out of the total sample size, 230 (61%) were males, 258 (68%) were married, 235 (63%) had one child or more, and 255 (68%) were older than 30 years of age representing the majority of participants. Only 87 (23%) of participants reported prior experience with PGD. Personally, knowing someone who had a prior experience with PGD was associated with higher attitude scores (more favorable attitudes towards PGD) (p-value = 0.04). The findings of this study indicate that our sample of Saudi individuals generally had a positive attitude towards the use of PGD.
Subject(s)
Preimplantation Diagnosis , Male , Pregnancy , Child , Female , Humans , Saudi Arabia , Cross-Sectional Studies , Attitude , Surveys and Questionnaires , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Obesity in children is a critical public health issue in developed countries and developing countries. The establishment of health-related behaviors in childhood, significantly influenced by parental involvement, underscores the need for effective intervention measures. AIM: This original research is a systematic review and meta-analysis that aimed to investigate the impact of parental involvement on the prevention and management of childhood obesity, focusing on outcomes such as BMI z-score, exercise levels, screen time, dietary self-efficacy, and percentage body fat. METHODS: Adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) identified through comprehensive searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, including RCTs involving children aged 2-18 years with parental or caregiver participation, reporting on the specified outcomes. Data analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3, employing a random effects model. RESULTS: A total of 5573 participants were included. The meta-analysis revealed a significant reduction in BMI z-score (MD = -0.06, 95% CI: -0.09 to -0.02, p = 0.005, I2 = 58%), a non-significant increase in exercise levels (SMD = 0.26, 95% CI: -0.01 to 0.52, p = 0.05, I2 = 52%), and a significant reduction in screen time (MD = -0.36 h per day, 95% CI: -0.61 to -0.11, p = 0.005, I2 = 0%). Dietary self-efficacy also improved significantly (MD = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.12 to 1.05, p = 0.01, I2 = 0%). However, changes in percentage body fat did not reach statistical significance (MD = -1.19%, 95% CI: -2.8% to 0.41%, p = 0.15, I2 = 0%). CONCLUSION: Parental involvement in childhood obesity interventions significantly impacts BMI z-score, exercise levels, screen time, and dietary self-efficacy but not percentage body fat. These findings highlight the importance of engaging parents in obesity prevention and management strategies.
ABSTRACT
Background and objective Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy and can negatively affect both the mother and the fetus. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness of GDM among pregnant women in primary care centers. By enhancing their understanding of the risks and symptoms of GDM, we can potentially mitigate adverse outcomes. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the National Guard's primary healthcare facilities in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The study employed a validated 12-item questionnaire to collect data from 489 participants. The questionnaire items covered the identification of risk factors, diagnostic approach, treatment options, and complications related to GDM, considering maternal and fetal health implications. Results The study participants had a mean age of 30.9 years. Among these participants, 53.6% demonstrated a thorough understanding of GDM, 35.2% had moderate knowledge scores, and 11.2% had low knowledge scores. Higher levels of awareness were strongly associated with higher levels of education, gravidity, and prior knowledge of GDM. Conclusion The study highlights the importance of early detection and management strategies for GDM during pregnancy to minimize its negative impacts. The findings suggest the need for individually tailored antenatal education programs by healthcare professionals that address the needs of different populations. This is particularly relevant for women with lower education levels and those who are pregnant for the first time or have no prior knowledge of GDM.
ABSTRACT
Postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the most common complication of plastic surgery procedures. Diverse risk assessment models (RAMs) exist to stratify patients by VTE risk, but due to a lack of high-quality evidence and heterogeneity in RAM data, there is no recommendation regarding RAM that can be used for plastic surgery patients. This study compares the reliability and outcomes of Caprini and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification RAMs used in plastic surgery to help surgeons stratify the risk of VTE. Methods: MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched between February 2010 and December 2021. All published English articles that report the incidence of VTE stratified by a RAM among patients who underwent plastic surgery were included. The results of the presented meta-analysis were pooled using a random-effects model. Results: The database search revealed 809 articles, out of which eight studies (n = 1,348,606) were eligible. Out of the eight studies, six utilized the Caprini score, and three utilized ASA score. Super-high-risk patients were significantly more likely to present with VTE than their high-risk [odds ratio (OR), 2.92; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.26-6.78], medium-risk (OR, 5.29; 95% CI, 2.38-11.79), or low-risk counterparts (OR, 10.00; 95% CI, 2.32-43.10) at Caprini score. High-risk patients in ASA score showed significant increase in VTE incidents (OR, 2.72; 95% CI, 1.10-6.72). Conclusions: Both Caprini and ASA RAMs showed compelling evidence of efficacy in our study. However, the Caprini RAM is more predictive of postoperative VTE incidents in high-risk plastic surgery patients than the ASA grading system.