Exploring the Rise of E-cigarette Use Among Male Adolescents in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia: Prevalence, Patterns, and Influencing Factors.

BACKGROUND: The rising prevalence of electronic cigarette (E-cigarette) use among adolescents is a major public health concern. This study investigates the prevalence of E-cigarette use among male adolescents in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, and explores associated factors. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2022 to April 2023, involving 476 male students aged 12 to 19. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, covering sociodemographic information, E-cigarette usage patterns, reasons for use, sources of acquisition, awareness of nicotine content, and perceptions of harm. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), with significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The study revealed a prevalence of 17.4% E-cigarette use among participants, with 12.6% using E-cigarettes exclusively and 4.8% concurrently with traditional tobacco cigarettes. Key findings included initiation as early as age eight, sustained and frequent use, and motivations including peer influence (61.4%), curiosity (31.3%), and flavored options (26.5%). Online platforms (34.9%) and shopping malls (28.9%) were the primary sources of E-cigarette acquisition. Most participants were aware of the nicotine content (84.3%) and believed E-cigarettes were harmful (86.7%). Importantly, 69.9% expressed intentions to quit, with 44.6% planning to do so within 30 days. Significant associations were found between E-cigarette use, education level, and having friends who smoke. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the prevalence of E-cigarette use among male adolescents in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, and identifies peer influence, curiosity, and appealing flavors as driving factors. Targeted prevention and intervention programs, along with regulatory efforts to restrict access, are urgently needed to address this growing public health issue. Increasing awareness of E-cigarette risks and providing cessation support are vital steps towards mitigating E-cigarette use among Saudi male adolescents.

Management of pediatric blunt abdominal trauma with split liver or spleen injuries: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Blunt abdominal trauma is a prevailing cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality. It constitutes the most frequent type of pediatric injuries. Contrast-enhanced sonography (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) are considered pivotal diagnostic modalities in hemodynamically stable patients. AIM: To report the experience in management of pediatric split liver and spleen injuries using CEUS and CECT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 246 children who sustained blunt abdominal trauma, and admitted and treated at three tertiary hospitals in the period of 5 years. Primary resuscitation was offered to all children based on the advanced trauma and life support (ATLS) protocol. A special algorithm for decision-making was followed. It incorporated the FAST, baseline ultrasound (US), CEUS, and CECT. Patients were treated according to the imaging findings and hemodynamic stability. RESULTS: All 246 children who sustained a blunt abdominal were studied. Patients' age was 10.5 ± 2.1. Road traffic accidents were the most common cause of trauma; 155 patients (63%). CECT showed the extent of injury in 153 patients' spleen (62%) and 78 patients' liver (32%), while the remaining 15 (6%) patients had both injuries. CEUS detected 142 (57.7%) spleen injury, and 67 (27.2%) liver injury. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS may be a useful diagnostic tool among hemodynamically stable children who sustained low-to-moderate energy isolated blunt abdominal trauma. It may be also helpful for further evaluation of uncertain CECT findings and follow-up of conservatively managed traumatic injuries.

Physician Satisfaction With Virtual Ophthalmology Clinics During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Tertiary Eye Care Center Experience.

Background In this study, we aimed to assess ophthalmologists' experience with teleophthalmology during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the central region of Saudi Arabia. In addition, we evaluated their satisfaction level and explored their satisfaction determinants. Methodology We conducted an online survey for ophthalmologists who participated in the virtual ophthalmology clinic during COVID-19 between November 2020 and September 2021. The survey was used to evaluate ophthalmologists' experience with teleophthalmology during the pandemic. Ophthalmologists were asked to measure their satisfaction with equipment and technical issues, communication, and clinical assessment, and to provide an overall program evaluation. Data were analyzed via frequency measures (e.g., numbers, percentages, mean, and standard deviation). Results Out of the 113 ophthalmologists who were invited to participate in our study, 71 completed the survey. In total, 23 (32.4%) participants were general ophthalmologists, 15 (21.1%) were subspecialists in the cornea, 16 (22.5%) were subspecialists in glaucoma, one (1.4%) was a subspecialist in neuro-ophthalmology, seven (9.9%) were subspecialists in pediatric ophthalmology, eight (11.3%) were subspecialists in the retina, and one (1.4%) participant was a subspecialist in oculoplastic. Overall, 56.3% of the respondents were satisfied with teleophthalmology. Ophthalmologists who subspecialized in the retina demonstrated higher levels of satisfaction than other subspecialties. The most common challenge reported by ophthalmologists in the virtual consultation was the lack of adequate equipment to evaluate the patients (53.5%), followed by technical issues (43.7%) and the patients' lack of experience in using virtual consultation services (38%). Overall satisfaction score was the highest among ophthalmologists who reported providing at least five video consultations before the survey. Conclusions The findings from our study suggest that the subspeciality of ophthalmologists and the number of video consultations conducted by ophthalmologists are important determinants in their level of satisfaction with teleophthalmology. The majority of the respondents were satisfied with the virtual clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current pandemic could pave the way for the future use of telemedicine in ophthalmology if virtual eye examinations become standardized.

First Aid for Burns and Burn-Related Nutrition among 2437 Inhabitants: A Nationwide Survey in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Although burn-related injuries are serious and can cause significant morbidity and mortality, this can be alleviated through the appropriate practice of first aid for burns. We aimed to explore the practice of first aid and measure the level of knowledge of burns and burn-related nutrition in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Data were collected using an online questionnaire, distributed among the general Saudi population between Jul and Sep 2020. It included socioeconomic and biographical data, and knowledge and practice of first aid for burns and burn-related nutrition. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Overall, 2437 people were enrolled in this study, of which 59.5% were female. More than half (51.9%) the subjects were between 19 and 25 yr of age. Younger age group (≤25 yr) showed a significantly better practices score (t=4.844; P<0.001). Females exhibited a significantly better knowledge score than males (t=-3.131; P=0.021). Unemployed respondents were significantly more associated with a lower knowledge score (t=4.796; P=0.007) and a lower practices score (t=18.375; P<0.001) while those with a history of exposure to burn injury had a lower knowledge score (t=-4.816; P<0.001) and a lower practices score (t=-3.237; P=0.001). Conclusion: There is a lack of knowledge and practice of burn's first aid and burn-related nutrition. Thus, courses and training in first aid for burns and awareness campaigns are essential in order to improve the knowledge of the general Saudi population.

Coexisting Thyroglossal Duct Cyst with Papillary Thyroid Cancer: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) are common developmental anomalies in which the thyroglossal duct is not obliterated. Coexisting papillary thyroid cancer and TGDC are uncommon and should be investigated thoroughly to rule out TGDC carcinoma. We report a rare case of coexisting papillary thyroid cancer and TGDC in a 48-year-old man, who presented with a history of recurrent mild painful midline neck swelling, and ultrasound (US) revealed a TGDC that was subsequently managed conservatively. On follow-up after 1.6 years, a thyroid US and a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy were performed, which showed malignant papillary thyroid carcinoma. Total thyroidectomy, the Sistrunk procedure, and central neck dissection were implemented. After three days, the patient was discharged on 150 mg of levothyroxine. Follow-up was unremarkable with no complications. The authors would like to stress the importance of regular TGDC and thyroid gland follow-ups for early detection and diagnosis of thyroid malignancy via clinical examination and US.