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BACKGROUND: The pervasive use of mobile phones has raised concerns about their impact on musculoskeletal health, particularly neck pain. This issue is notably relevant in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, where high mobile phone usage intersects with demographic diversity. While extensive phone use has been linked to neck pain and other musculoskeletal disorders globally, specific data on this issue in the Eastern Province are limited. This study addresses this gap by examining phone use patterns, neck positions, and associated symptoms in the region. METHODS: Using an online, self-administered survey, this cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between phone use and neck pain in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Participants aged 18 years and older were recruited via social media, community groups, and university networks. The survey collected data on demographics, phone use patterns, neck positions, awareness of health risks, and pain symptoms. It was pre-tested, administered through Google Forms (Google, Mountain View, CA), and available for four weeks. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations with SPSS 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). RESULTS: The study included 400 participants, with 273 females (68.3%) and 127 males (31.8%). Most participants were single (245, 61.3%) and held a university degree (301, 75.3%). Daily phone use varied: 228 participants (57.0%) used their phones for less than five hours daily, while 43 (10.8%) used them for 10-15 hours or more. Neck positions ranged from 0° to 60°, with 168 participants (42.0%) maintaining a 30° angle. Awareness of health risks associated with phone use was high, with 364 participants (91.0%) aware of these risks. Neck pain was reported by 244 participants (61.0%), with additional symptoms including headache (22 participants, 5.5%) and upper back pain (five participants, 1.3%). CONCLUSION: This study found a significant link between prolonged phone use and neck pain in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Despite high awareness of the risks, many individuals report discomfort. These findings underscore the need for public health interventions and ergonomic education to improve phone use practices and musculoskeletal health.
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Background The use of topical steroids for skin whitening is prevalent in many regions, including Saudi Arabia. This study aims to analyze the patterns, motivations, and demographic factors associated with the use of topical steroids for cosmetic purposes in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional survey was conducted online over three weeks. A structured questionnaire was distributed to adults residing in Jazan, collecting data on demographics, topical steroid use, motivations, and product sources. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results Among the 340 participants, 173 (50.9%) reported using topical steroids for skin whitening. The majority of users were female (149, 43.8%) and aged between 20 and 30 years (78, 22.9%). Most participants had used topical steroids for less than a year (127, 73.4%), with usage predominantly in the evening (86, 49.7%). Topical steroids were primarily purchased from pharmacies (70, 40.5%), with significant monthly expenditure variability: 55 participants (31.8%) spent between 50 and 110 SAR, and 62 (35.7%) spent more than 150 SAR. Motivations for use included a preference for lighter skin (49, 28.4%) and treatment of melasma (42, 24.3%). Recommendations from friends (71, 41.0%) and TV advertisements (34, 19.8%) influenced product choice. Conclusion Topical steroid use for skin whitening is widespread among adults in Jazan, with a notable emphasis on cosmetic outcomes and substantial financial investment. There is a critical need for increased public education on the risks associated with topical steroids and enhanced professional guidance to promote safer usage practices.
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INTRODUCTION: Acne vulgaris is one of the most prevalent inflammatory conditions in the world that primarily affects teenagers. Its prevalence and the contributing factors vary across different regions and populations. Genetic predisposition, hormonal influences, dietary habits, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors are believed to be significant contributors. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 419 participants from the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. The study employed non-probability convenience sampling techniques. Data were collected through online questionnaires and analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS, version 27; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY). RESULTS: The study found that acne prevalence was high, affecting more than half (66.8%) of the participants, with mild severity reported by 51.8%. Pimples were most commonly found on the face (65.2%), followed by the back (45.3%) and chest (29.6%). Participants with oily skin had twice the likelihood of acne compared to those with dry skin (OR=2.14). Increasing age was associated with a 5% decrease in acne risk per year. Significant associations were found for age (p=0.010), female gender (p=0.017), and oily skin (p<0.001) with acne development. CONCLUSION: The study found a high prevalence rate of acne vulgaris among the young population in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. Age, female gender, and having oily skin were predictors for developing acne vulgaris. Complications such as acne scarring and psychological impacts such as shyness underscore the significant burden of acne on social and psychological well-being. Enhanced treatment and improved quality of life necessitate heightened awareness campaigns concerning acne vulgaris, its treatments, and associated complications, as revealed by the study.
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Rosacea is a common cutaneous condition caused by persistent, recurring lesions in facial skin vessels. It is a chronic skin condition with a variety of clinical symptoms and an unknown cause. Rosacea begins with the widening of capillaries and a flushed appearance. Following that, telangiectasia appears, and reddened patches persist, particularly on the cheeks and nose. Erythema persists due to repeated vasodilation and telangiectasia. In addition, skin inflammation manifests as papules, pustules, lymphedema, and fibrosis. Despite recent advances in treatment, rosacea, a chronic inflammatory relapsing central facial dermatosis, can be extremely difficult to manage. The purpose of this meta-analysis and systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of low-dose isotretinoin in the treatment of rosacea. Following the guidelines set forth by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA), the researcher employed the following search terms in the EMBASE, Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases to provide a therapeutic update relevant to clinical practice: "low dose isotretinoin," "isotretinoin and rosacea," "isotretinoin treatment of rosacea," and "effectiveness of isotretinoin in treating rosacea". The search was carried out by the researcher for articles published from February 2019 to February 2024. The articles included were all published in the English language. The overall frequency of patients with adverse events differed significantly between the groups treated with low-dose isotretinoin and the comparators (minocycline, pulsed dye laser, evening primrose oil, Lactobacillus plantarum, doxycycline, combined dose or placebo) (0.80, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.88, p = 0.0001). Sub-group analysis indicated that there was a difference between the interventions used in the treatments all in favor of low-dose isotretinoin treatment. The results showed that the moderate group had RR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.44-1.30, I2 = 0%; the mild group had RR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.56-1.57, I2 = 0%; and the group with severe rosacea had RR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.47-1.13, I2 = 0%. According to this study, rosacea can be treated effectively with low-dose isotretinoin even in patients at severe stages of the disease by using the recommended dose once a week. Further, the intervention has also been shown to have fewer side effects on the patients. Therefore, this study recommends randomized controlled trials to be done to fully investigate the best combination options for isotretinoin on mild to severe rosacea based on the fact that some of the treatments combined have shown to be effective on treatment.
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BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a worldwide disease. It is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease with cutaneous and systemic symptoms that is characterized by erythematous squamous plaques. OBJECTIVES: To study the perception and assessment of psoriasis among the general population of Jazan, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that used a self-administrated electronically distributed questionnaire that enrolled 410 people. RESULTS: Most participants (79%) were familiar with the term "psoriasis," with family, friends, or acquaintances being the primary source of knowledge. Personal experience with psoriasis was reported by 28.3% of participants, with women being more likely to know someone with the condition. If affected by psoriasis, the majority of respondents would consult a dermatologist (89.3%). Although 48% of participants considered psoriasis to be a significant burden for affected individuals, negative attitudes and discrimination towards those with the condition were prevalent, with a significant proportion stating that they would not want to eat at the same table, shake hands, or be in a personal relationship with someone with psoriasis. Additionally, most participants reported feeling sorry for psoriasis patients but also expressed disgust towards them. Awareness of public actions related to psoriasis was generally low, with only a small percentage of participants familiar with the WHO resolution on psoriasis or World Psoriasis Day. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the need for increased education and awareness about psoriasis to address misunderstandings and reduce the burden of the condition on patients. Additionally, efforts are needed to reduce stigma and discrimination towards those with psoriasis, which can significantly impact their quality of life.
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Hypertension (HTN) is a primary global health concern. Moreover, according to the 2010 Global Burden of Disease, hypertension accounted for roughly a quarter of cardiovascular disease fatalities and 1.9 percent of all deaths in Saudi Arabia in 2010. Also, hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, morbidity, and mortality. However, assessing blood pressure (BP) and preventing hypertension among children and adolescents has become a global priority. This study aims to determine the prevalence of hypertension among children in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Also, to determine the common risk factors associated with pediatric hypertension. We conducted this cross-sectional study among boys and girls aged 6-14 years visiting Al-Rashid Mall, one of the two main malls in Jazan city, the capital of Jazan region, Saudi Arabia, between November 2021 and January 2022. We included children willing to participate in the study after obtaining their parents' consent and children's assent. We used a standardized questionnaire to interview the parents to collect the children's data. We also measured the children's resting BP. Then we classified the measurements according to the updated International Pediatric Hypertension Association (IPHA) chart. We also measured the height and weight of the children and calculated their BMI. We used SPSS version 25 for the data entry and analysis. Our results showed that the prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension was insignificantly higher in females (11.84% and 12.65%) compared to males (11.52% and 11.52%), respectively. Our participants' main associated factors with prehypertension and hypertension were overweight, obesity, and family income. Pediatric hypertension and prehypertension were highly prevalent in Jazan region. Therefore, being overweight and obese should be considered risk factors for pediatric hypertension. Our study emphasizes the need for early intervention to prevent pediatric HTN, particularly among overweight and obese children.