Cancer Stigma Among 800 Saudi Citizens: A Cross-Sectional Study and Literature Review.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer-related stigmatization is a noteworthy phenomenon, yet it has not received sufficient attention in public health studies. Despite recent advancements in treatment and improvements in survival, the burden of stigma remains a challenging concern for individuals diagnosed with cancer. AIM: This study aims to assess the presence of cancer stigma in the Saudi Arabian population by using the Cancer Stigma Scale (CASS). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population of Saudi Arabia. Data collection was facilitated through a self-administered online questionnaire, incorporating socio-demographic variables such as age, gender, and regional residence and employing the CASS instrument to gauge the prevalent attitudes and stigmas related to cancer. RESULTS: Out of the 874 participants, a majority of 87.1% were female, with 60.2% aged between 20 and 39 years. Notably, 59% reported having a close friend or family member diagnosed with cancer. The average CASS score stood at 1.59 (SD 0.39) on a 5-point scale, with an overwhelming 97.1% registering scores under 2.5, suggesting a generally low stigma perception. In dissecting the CASS components, 'severity' recorded the highest mean score (mean: 2.23), followed by 'awkwardness' (mean: 1.86) and 'financial discrimination' (mean: 1.71). 'avoidance' registered the lowest mean score at 1.11. Notably, a trend of increasing stigma was observed with advancing age, and male respondents indicated a marginally higher propensity towards stigmatizing attitudes. CONCLUSION: In Saudi Arabia, cancer-related stigma is generally low. However, 'severity' is the most prominent stigma aspect, with 'avoidance' being the least. Older individuals and males exhibit slightly higher stigmatizing attitudes. These insights highlight the need for targeted public health efforts to address remaining stigmatization, especially based on age and gender.

Knowledge and Awareness of Leukemia Among the Population of Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer is characterized by the rapid proliferation of abnormal cells that exceed their normal boundaries, infiltrating other body parts and leading to metastasis, a distinctive feature setting it apart from other diseases. Metastasis is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths, with nearly 10 million global fatalities, making it the leading cause of mortality. Leukemia, a type of cancer originating in the bone marrow or blood cells, presents significant complications and is associated with various risk factors, including a positive family history, smoking, and obesity. This study aims to evaluate the general knowledge of leukemia and its associated risks among the inhabitants of the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted targeting all residents of the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, who were Saudi nationals, spanning both genders and aged 15 to 59 years. The questionnaire was distributed electronically through social networking applications, and responses were collected via Google Forms (Google, Mountain View, CA). RESULTS: The study findings indicated that the most frequently identified risk factors for leukemia included blood disorders, genetic disorders, and extensive exposure to radiation and chemicals. The most prevalent leukemia symptoms were bruising and bleeding, followed by vomiting, nausea, and headache. The most commonly reported side effects of leukemia treatment were dizziness, followed by anorexia and exhaustion. CONCLUSION: The study revealed a lack of awareness about leukemia and its associated risks among participants. This underscores the need for continued educational initiatives and awareness campaigns to improve leukemia knowledge and early detection rates, potentially leading to better outcomes for affected individuals. Future research should aim to overcome study limitations and provide a broader perspective on leukemia awareness throughout Saudi Arabia.

Medical Students' Competency and Confidence in Interpreting Electrocardiograms at King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa.

Introduction Electrocardiography is a crucial emergency tool in the pre-hospital situation. It is a useful non-invasive diagnostic technique for quickly identifying various heart disorders. The clinical value of the electrocardiogram (ECG) depends on the clinician's ability to interpret the result of the ECG accurately. Aims This study aims to assess the competency as well as the confidence in the interpretation of ECG among medical students at King Faisal University, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students enrolled at King Faisal University. Four hundred and ten (410) medical students from all five years completed an electronic self-administered pre-validated questionnaire. The questionnaire includes basic demographic data and ECG strips to assess medical students' competency and confidence levels in interpreting each case. Results More than half of the medical students were considered to have low competency (56.1%) and confidence (59%) levels. Increased competency and confidence scores were associated with fifth-year medical students and those who learned more about ECG interpretation through teaching during clinical rotations. The majority of medical students correctly interpreted anterior MI (69.3%), ventricular tachycardia (65.6%), and supraventricular tachycardia (61.2%). On the other hand, most students were unable to correctly identify pacemaker ECG (19.8%), long QT (21.2%) and left bundle branch block (33.4%). Conclusion Medical students' competency and confidence in ECG interpretation seems to be lacking. Fifth-year medical students who learned more ECG skills through teaching during clinical rotations tended to be more competent and confident with their ECG interpretation skills.

Awareness of the Link Between the Consumption of Ultra-Processed Food and Colorectal Cancer Risk in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Cancer is a group of diseases with uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers. Increased intake of animal-source foods, sedentary lifestyle, decreased physical activity, and increased prevalence of excess body weight are independently associated with CRC risk. Additional risk factors include heavy alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and consumption of red or processed meat. Ultra-processed food (UPF) is made utilizing multiple components and a number of procedures. Soft drinks and salty or sugary snacks typically contain a lot of added sugar, fats, and processed carbohydrates, which negatively affect the balance of the gut bacteria, nutrients, and bioactive substances that are necessary for the prevention of CRC. The aim of this study is to assess the awareness of the general population in Saudi Arabia toward the relationship between UPF and CRC. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted in Saudi Arabia between June and December, 2022. Result The study involved 802 participants, of which 84% consumed UPF and 71% were aware of the link between UPF and CRC. Only 18.3% were familiar with the particular type of UPF and only 29.4% knew how to prepare them. The prevalence of participants who were aware of the link between UPF and CRC was significantly more among the older age groups, people living in the Eastern Region, and those who knew how to manufacture UPF, while the prevalence of awareness was significantly less among those who regularly consumed UPF. Conclusion The study showed that a significant portion of subjects regularly ate UPF, and only a few were aware of its link to CRC. This highlights the need for greater awareness of the fundamentals of UPF and its impact on health. Governmental organizations should develop a strategy to raise public awareness of excessive UPF use.

Awareness of Blindness Related to Smoking Among Young Age Population: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia.

Globally, it is known that smoking can cause a variety of diseases. Studies have shown that smoking not only causes heart and lung diseases but is also strongly related to ocular diseases which could lead to blindness. This study aims to assess the level of awareness of blindness related to smoking in young people in Saudi Arabia. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among the young population in Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed using an online platform that includes socio-demographic data, education level, smoking status, and knowledge of the harmful effect of smoking like lung and cardiac diseases, including blindness. The data were analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). A total of 655 young individuals responded to the survey. Among our subjects, the prevalence of smoking participants was (18.7%) more common among the age group 21-25 years, males, bachelor, or higher degrees and those living in the Central region (p<0.001). Participants were definitely or probably more aware that the most common condition associated with excessive smoking was lung cancer (99.5%), followed by heart disease (98.1%) and stroke (93%) while the least of them was melanoma (91.3%) and blindness (81%). This is the first study in Saudi Arabia to assess the level of awareness of the risks of blindness related to smoking in young people and disclosed limited knowledge of the effect of smoking on their vision. The effects of smoking on lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and even melanoma received higher ratings than blindness. Smokers may be able to quit smoking and enhance their quality of life by better understanding the link between smoking and blindness, which suggests that appropriate action is required to enhance their awareness.

The Effect of Online Teaching on Vocal Health Among Saudi Teachers During COVID-19 Pandemic.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study is to determine how online education affects the vocal health of schoolteachers in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province. Teachers' phono trauma is well-known as a serious occupational hazard, and online education was the primary mode of delivering instruction to students during COVID-19. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among teachers in the Eastern Province area of Saudi Arabia. Teachers completed a self-administered questionnaire via an online platform, which included socio-demographic data, academic status, and the Voice Handicap Index-10 questionnaire, which assessed their vocal difficulties. RESULTS: A total of 335 teachers responded to the survey (78.2% females vs. 21.8% males). Nearly half (48.7%) were primary school teachers. 45.7% were currently teaching distance learning. Earphones and microphones (49.3%) were the most commonly used distance learning accessories. Noise in the classroom was a very much disturbing factor in teaching implied by 44.8% of the teachers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the vocal handicap index-10 was significantly higher among females (P = 0.007), primary school teachers (P < 0.001), moreover those currently teaching distance learning (P = 0.001) and those who perceived that there is more work in distance teaching (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared to in-person teaching, online teaching may have a positive impact on vocal health among Saudi teachers. Of all the teachers, phono trauma tends to be more among females who were primary school teachers, currently teaching distance learning, and those who perceived distance learning to be laborious.

Predictors of Opioid Prescription Among a Sample of Patients with Acute Musculoskeletal Pain at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal pain is one of the most complex and debilitating types of pain. Although different pharmacologic treatments are available, very few studies have explored the predictors for opioid analgesics prescription to manage this type of pain. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the predictors for opioid prescription in patients with acute musculoskeletal pain in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective chart review of adult patients (≥18 yrs.) with an acute nociceptive musculoskeletal pain at a university-affiliated medical center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Cancer patients and those with chronic neuropathic pain were excluded. Patients' age, gender, number of comorbidities, duration of pain management, number of clinic visits for pain, and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) scores at rest and with normal activities were collected. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to examine the relationship between the type of musculoskeletal pain and the prescription of opioid analgesics controlling for NPRS score on activity, age, gender, number of comorbidities, duration of pain treatment, and number of clinic visits for pain. RESULTS: The mean age of the 227 patients, who met the inclusion criteria, was 39 years and 68% of them were male. Sixty-three percent of the patients were prescribed opioid analgesics, and 61% of them had shoulder pain, 29% had back pain, and 10% had lower extremity pain (eg, hip, thigh, lower leg, knee, ankle, and foot pain). Tramadol was the most commonly prescribed opioid analgesic (82%), followed by codeine (13%). Ninety-seven percent of patients who were prescribed non-opioid analgesics had shoulder pain. Patients with shoulder pain had lower odds of receiving opioid analgesics (OR=0.019, P<0.0001, 95% CI=0.004-0.081) in comparison to their counterparts who had lower extremity or back pains. Moreover, the higher the pain score on activity was, the higher odds of receiving opioid analgesics (OR=1.317, P<0.0001, 95% CI=1.029-1.685). CONCLUSION: Future studies should explore the impact of different opioid prescribing policies to improve the quality of patient care and reduce the unnecessary prescribing of opioids for patients with non-cancer musculoskeletal pain.

Predictors of Survival Among Colorectal Cancer Patients in a Low Incidence Area.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy in Saudi Arabia. The best therapeutic regimen for colorectal cancer is a matter of ongoing debate and data on its treatment in Saudi Arabia are limited. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to explore the predictors of survival and to compare the risk of mortality among colorectal cancer patients treated with different therapeutic modalities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study utilized data from the electronic colorectal cancer registry of a university-affiliated tertiary care hospital. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate the survival rates over 36 months of follow-up across rectal and colon cancer patients as well as different sociodemographic and medical characteristics. Bivariate and multiple Cox proportional-hazards regressions were conducted to estimate the risk of mortality among rectal and colon cancer patients undergoing different treatments. RESULTS: The number of patients in the registry who were followed up for 36 months was 143 patients. The majority of patients had colon cancer (74.13%). Rectal cancer patients had generally better survival estimates compared to their colon cancer counterparts. Colon cancer patients treated with chemotherapy had a significantly lower risk of mortality controlling for the use of surgery, radiotherapy, and other variables including age, gender, stage of cancer, and family history of colorectal cancer (HR=0.33; P=0.03). Additionally, colon cancer patients with a family history of colorectal cancer had significantly higher risk of mortality (HR=3.40; P=0.02). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study highlight the value of chemotherapy in managing colon cancer patients.

Translation and cultural adaptation of Glasgow Antipsychotic Side-effects Scale (GASS) in Arabic.

BACKGROUND: In view of a constant increase in the number of patients treated with antipsychotic medications, the problem of nonadherence to the prescribed treatment becomes particularly relevant. Since one of the major contributors to the nonadherence is the presence of side effects of the drugs being used, the availability of tools for assessment of adverse reactions is of great importance. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present work was to develop an Arabic language version of the Glasgow Antipsychotic Side-effect Scale (GASS). METHODS: After confirming the accuracy of translation, the questionnaire was given to 100 patients in two psychiatric centers in Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: The Cronbach's alpha (0.793) indicated a good reliability of the survey. The mean GASS score was 19.09, indicating absent or mild side effects of antipsychotics, but 46% of patients experienced moderate, and 25% experienced severe side effects. An analysis of the correlation between patients' characteristics and side effects revealed the presence of a positive relationship between the side effects and health literacy. CONCLUSIONS: It is expected that the Arabic-GASS will benefit Arabic-speaking psychiatric patients by helping them to express their concerns about side effects of antipsychotics. The collected results also document the importance of patients' health literacy in achieving high-quality healthcare.