RESUMEN
Background One of the main goals of Vision 2030 in Saudi Arabia is to increase the participation rate of Saudi females in the workforce. This adjustment may have a big impact on how they use contraception and increase the tendency to space out their children's births appropriately to help them balance their home and work lives. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge on, attitude toward, and practice of contraceptive methods among females of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Al-Qunfudah governorate, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out among a convenient sample of 400 females of reproductive age in Al-Qunfudah governorate, Saudi Arabia. The necessary data were obtained over a period of two months (from November to December 2022) by using a self-administered online survey that was applied on different electronic platforms. Both knowledge and attitude scores were divided into two categories using the median as a cutoff point (e.g., good knowledge and poor knowledge, as well as positive and negative attitude). Many sociodemographic variables, such as age, residence, and education, were independent variables. Logistic regression analysis was done to determine the magnitude of associations between independent and dependent variables, and the odds ratios (OR) were presented with 95% confidence intervals (CI) at a significance level of P = 0.05. Results Good knowledge of the different contraceptive methods was observed among 69.8% of the females, where contraceptive pills and the intrauterine device (IUD) were the most well-known contraceptive methods to them (85.25% and 57.75%, respectively). Family and friends were their main sources of information (38.75%). Almost 85% of the participants showed a positive attitude toward contraceptive use. Contraceptive pills (32.39%) and IUDs (29.95%) were the most commonly used contraceptive methods. The determinants of good knowledge of contraception were being younger in age (P = 0.01, OR = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.03-0.65) and living in an urban area (P = 0.01, OR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.09-0.68). Females holding middle or high school educational degrees (P = 0.02, OR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.04-0.75 and P = 0.03, OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.06-0.88, respectively) and having a low monthly income (P = 0.04, OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.20-0.96) were likely to have positive attitudes toward contraceptive methods. Conclusion This study concludes that females of reproductive age had satisfactory knowledge and a positive attitude toward various contraceptives; however, there is a big gap in their knowledge regarding two important contraceptive procedures (emergency and permanent contraceptives). Oral contraceptive (OC) pills and IUDs were the most utilized methods of contraception among them. Sustained efforts are needed to raise females' awareness about contraception methods, especially emergency contraceptives and permanent ones. This study was done on a convenient sample of females in reproductive age that may limit the generalization of data; using an online survey has its constraints, such as the ignorance of the illiterate females and those who did not possess internet connections in addition to recall bias; therefore, we recommend further research on this topic through an interactive interview among a random sample of females to overcome such pitfalls.
RESUMEN
Background Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem worldwide. Diabetic patients may suffer many complications including diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness if left undiagnosed and untreated. Methodology A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among a sample of 251 adult diabetic patients in the Al Qunfudah district. A self-administrated questionnaire was used for data collection and consisted of the following three sections: sociodemographic data, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy-related data. Results Out of the 251 participants, 68.5% recognized that diabetes mellitus can cause eye disorders, and 72.5% of the participants knew that regular eye examinations are recommended for diabetic patients. Adequate knowledge score was observed among diabetic patients aged 25-49 years (52.6%), with a university education (53.5%), with a history of diabetes for 10 years and more (60.5%), those on insulin therapy (55.3%), those adherent to their regular treatment (92.1%), and those getting their information from doctors (73.7%). Conclusions Diabetic patients had average knowledge about diabetic retinopathy but little awareness regarding the frequency of regular eye examinations and the physicians who should conduct them. Intensive health education concerning diabetic retinopathy should be conducted for diabetic patients and their caregivers to improve their perception and compliance with eye care and prevent visual damage in the Al Qunfudhah district.
