BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Headache is a common yet neglected health problem. There is a lack of information about its distribution, disease characteristics and associated co morbidities in Aseer region of KSA. This study aims to estimate the migraine and headache prevalence, its epidemiological and disease characteristics and relation with other co morbid conditions among general population of Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional survey of 1123 adult participants during the period from Apr 2018 to Dec 2018. The questionnaire was sent to total of 1420 participants, but only 1123 agreed to participate and completed the questions (response rate 79.1%). Participants were recruited through an online survey from 4 main cities in Aseer region. Participants who refused were excluded. Adults were invited to answer a 25-question electronic survey to assess the prevalence of headache (migraine and non-migraine) and its relations with other diseases. RESULTS: The participant's ages ranged from 17 to 60 years old, with mean age of 32.4 ± 10 years. No history of frequent headaches was reported by 152 (13.5%) while 833 (74.2%) had non-migraine headache (NMH) and 138 (12.3%) had migraine headache (MH). Female gender (2:1), poor sleep duration, cerebrovascular disease, dyslipidemia, chronic sinusitis and depression showed a significant association with migraine. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The current research revealed a high prevalence of headache either migraine or non-migraine, twice as common in females and in those with insufficient sleeping hours. Most headache attacks were associated mainly with light in form of flashes, sensitivity or aggravated episodes.
INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer (CRC) has different forms of colon cancer or rectal cancer. CRCs are often considered together because they possess many similar features. A severe form of the disease with higher mortality rate increases with increase in age. The most common CRC risk factors include smoking, diabetes, and obesity. This study aims to evaluate the awareness of CRC in a random population of Asir region and to identify the subpopulation that can be recipients of awareness and screening programs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional nonprobable random sampling study using a self-administered questionnaire survey which was employed to include healthy males and females from Asir region. The questionnaire included ten questions in Arabic language and data were categorized according to gender, marital status, age, and level of education to determine whether these demographic groups possess difference in knowledge about CRC. RESULTS: Most of the respondents (51% and 71.6%) knew what is colon and rectum. About 33.8% know the correct function of the colon while 22.5% know the correct incidence and 22.1% know the correct time of screening for CRC. Very few respondents know the symptoms, risks, and screening modalities of CRC. Pearson's Chi-square test was employed to evaluate the differences in responses in four demographic categories of the study population. P <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Single less educated males lack knowledge of CRC. In addition, there is very low awareness of CRC symptoms, risk factors, and screening modalities among the entire surveyed population.
OBJECTIVES: This study is an attempt to establish the knowledge of the medical students on the specialty of plastic surgery, in addition, to know their opinions about its relationship with their cultural factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study; participants invited randomly from the college of medicine at King Khaled University to fill a questionnaire consisted of 20 questions regarding the basic knowledge, attitude, perception, and understanding of plastic surgery and its subspecialties. RESULTS: Medical student participated in our study; their perception towards plastic surgery specialty was positive as they believed that this is a specialty as any other medical specialties; Out of 201 (45.6%), 81 (18.4%) assured plastic surgery is a good specialty. The biggest concerns about joining to cosmetic surgery were a difficulty of accepting in this specialty (34.9%). There is a significant relationship between the plastic surgery and cultural factors (P < 0.05). On other hand, there is no significant relation between choosing plastic surgery specialist among medical students and community overview about plastic surgery specialty (P = 0.15). CONCLUSION: Despite the confession of the importance of plastic surgery between Saudi medical students, a large portion of them refuses plastic surgeons due to cultural factors. Increasing knowledge of plastic surgery subspecialties deserves attention.
