Exploring the Sociodemographic and Behavioral Status of People Living with Hypercholesterolemia in Saudi Arabia: A Nation-Wide Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Hypercholesterolemia (HC) is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading cause of death worldwide. Many factors can contribute to HC, including advanced age, chronic diseases (such as diabetes and nephrotic syndrome), and the use of certain medications. Aim: Our goal was to compare the sociodemographic, behavioral, and other comorbid conditions of adult participants living with HC in Saudi Arabia to the general population. Methods: This is a secondary data analysis from the Sharik Health Indicators Surveillance System (SHISS). SHISS consists of cross-sectional phone interviews conducted in all administrative regions of Saudi Arabia on a quarterly basis. Participant recruitment was limited to Arabic-speaking Saudi residents who were ≥18 years old. Results: Out of 20,492 potential participants contacted in 2021, 14,007 completed the interview. Of the total participants, 50.1% were male. The mean age of participants was 36.7 years, with 1673 (11.94%) having HC. A regression model showed that participants with HC had a higher likelihood of being older, living in Tabouk, Riyadh, or Asir regions, being overweight or obese, having diabetes, hypertension, genetic or heart diseases, or having a higher risk of depression. Gender, all types of smoking, physical activity, and education level were eliminated from the model. Discussion: In this study, participants with HC were identified with some co-existing conditions that may affect the progression of the disease and the participants' quality of life. This information could assist care providers in identifying patients who are at higher risk, improve screening efficiency, and improve disease progression and quality of life.

Socioeconomic and Behavioral Disparities Among Diabetics in Saudi Arabia: A Nation-Wide Descriptive Study.

Purpose: This study aims to explore sociodemographic, behavioral and clinical factors in adult participants with Diabetes in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study of 20492 potential participants conducted in quarters 1 and 2 in 2021 from all 13 administrative regions of Saudi Arabia. A backward maximum likelihood logistic regression model, including all variables, was used to identify variables associated with participants living with Diabetes. Results: A total of 14007 participants, aged ≥18 years, completed the interview, with a response rate of 68.3% and successful quota sampling. Fifty percent were male, the mean age was 36.7 (SD 13.7; range: 18-90). Of the total sample, 1633, 11.7% had Diabetes. Seven percent only of diabetic patients (124 participants) had an acceptable level of fruit and vegetable intake. In addition, only (274, 16.8%) had an acceptable level of physical activity, compared to (2389, 19.3%) in the non-diabetic group. Daily smokers were slightly higher in the diabetic group compared to the non-diabetic group (13.2% vs 11.7%). Hypertension was reported mostly by the diabetic group (45.1% vs 8%). Overweight and Obesity were more prevalent in patients with Diabetes (72.50% vs 51.62%). The results of the logistic regression have shown that several sociodemographic, behavioral and intermediate risk factors were significantly associated with Diabetes. Conclusion: The study found that the prevalence of Diabetes in Saudi Arabia is around 12%, which is lower than the previously reported prevalence of Diabetes in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, Diabetes was found to be associated with lower educational level, smoking, obesity and overweight, hypercholesterolemia and hypertension. These factors are essential to be identified and screened in the community at regular interval; furthermore, controlling these factors may improve their disease management and quality of life. Additionally, knowing these factors will assist policymakers to shape an effective practical approach to combat diabetes widespread.

Barriers to the implementation of public-private partnerships in the healthcare sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Saudi Arabia is considering increasing the role of the private sector's participation in financing and delivering healthcare services through the adoption of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). However, the adoption and successful implementation of PPPs in the Saudi healthcare sector requires careful attention to overcome potential obstacles. OBJECTIVES: This study investigates and identifies potential barriers to the successful implementation of PPPs in the Saudi healthcare sector. METHODS: A pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 72 respondents over a two-month period. Respondents were asked to rate the degree of influence of potential key barriers using a five-point Likert scale. The collected data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: The evidence showed that the top three barriers, as rated by the respondents, were legal barriers, including delays in receiving approval and permits and law and regulation changes, environmental barriers, including lack of transparency and accountability and technological barriers, including a shortage of professionals qualified to handle PPP projects. CONCLUSIONS: The barriers identified suggested that the government should ensure that PPPs are implemented in a timely manner to ensure that private sector involvement yields the intended benefits. Furthermore, a stable legal and regulatory framework must be established that is properly and easily enforced to avoid confusing stakeholders with too many changes. It is also important to ensure that transparency and accountability measures are strengthened.

Socioeconomic Inequalities in Uptake of Breast Cancer Screening among Saudi Women: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of a National Survey.

Timely and adequate screening for breast cancer could improve health outcomes and reduce health costs. However, the utilization of free breast cancer screening services among Saudi women is very low. This study aims to investigate socioeconomic inequalities in breast cancer screening among Saudi women. The data of this study were extracted from the nationally representative Saudi Health Interview Survey, conducted in 2013; the study included 2786 Saudi women. Multivariate logistic regression, the concentration curve, and the concentration index were used to examine, illustrate, and quantify income- and education-related inequalities in three outcomes: Knowledge about self-breast examination (SBE), clinical breast examination (CBE) received in the last year, and mammography, that has ever been previously carried out. Results showed a marked socioeconomic gradient in breast cancer screening services. The concentration index by income was 0.229 (SBE), 0.171 (CBE), and 0.163 (mammography). The concentration index by education was 0.292 (SBE), 0.149 (CBE), and 0.138 (mammography). Therefore, knowledge about breast cancer screening, and the utilization of screening services, were more concentrated among richer and better-educated women. Poorer and less educated women had less knowledge about self-breast examination, and had considerably less adherence to clinical breast examination and mammography. The findings are helpful for policy makers to devise and implement strategies to promote equity in breast cancer screening among Saudi women.