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INTRODUCTION: Episiotomy, despite being one of the most common interventions during childbirth, carries significant risks and uncertain benefits. Previous global studies highlight varying awareness levels and practices, with decreasing episiotomy rates attributed to increased knowledge. This study aims to assess women's knowledge to enhance intrapartum decision-making and communication between patients and obstetricians, ultimately improving maternal outcomes in the region. METHODOLOGY: The study was a cross-section design. It was conducted through an online survey that was distributed by different social media platforms (Twitter, WhatsApp, and Telegram) from February 2023 to January 2024. It included women living in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia, who were 15 years old or older. Data was analyzed using the SPSS program (IBM, Chicago, Illinois, USA). RESULTS: Among the 402 participants, 62.7% demonstrated awareness of episiotomy, with 94.0% accurately identifying it as a surgical cutting with scissors. About 82.5% acknowledged that not all women require episiotomies, while 48.8% recognized the necessity of anesthesia before the procedure. Understanding the indications for episiotomy varied, with facilitating and accelerating childbirth (64.3%) and dealing with a large baby (62.3%) being the most recognized reasons. Impressively, 90.5% believed that there are methods to avoid perineal cutting, with knowing the correct mechanism for pushing during childbirth (69.4%) and exercise (54.4%) being the most acknowledged preventive measures. Regarding post-cutting care, antibiotics (61.5%) were identified as essential, followed by analgesia (52.8%) and laxatives (48.8%). CONCLUSION: The study reveals a notable awareness among participants, with a majority demonstrating a solid understanding of the procedure, its indications, and post-procedure care. It identified specific knowledge gaps, such as the need for anesthesia awareness and divergent beliefs about post-episiotomy care practices.
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Introduction Amblyopia is an abnormal development of usually one eye, leading to permanent decreased vision in the affected eye if not treated early. The condition is primarily caused by strabismus, cataract, anisometropic refractive error, or genetic factors and can manifest from birth to seven years of age, with a worldwide prevalence of 1.75%. This study examines parental knowledge of amblyopia in an effort to improve its early detection and intervention. Improving awareness can have a direct impact by lowering the incidence of untreated amblyopia and its related visual impairment. This study can also help healthcare professionals understand how to communicate with parents about amblyopia more effectively. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study included 417 parent participants from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, selected through random sampling while ensuring representation from various governorates. The data was collected using an online questionnaire distributed by different social media platforms (Twitter, WhatsApp, and Telegram) to the parents of all governorates, and the sample was selected randomly. It was meticulously cleaned using Excel and analyzed with IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results Our results showed a predominant understanding of amblyopia as "poor vision in one or both eyes" (19.1%) as well as the role of eye movement or brain-eye coordination in the condition. Only 51.3% of parents were aware of lazy eye. Notably, the internet and doctors were the primary sources of information about amblyopia. Only 8.9% of the participants were aware that amblyopia cannot be treated after 10 years of age. Understanding the causes of amblyopia mainly included genetic factors and refractive errors. Sociodemographic factors such as gender, educational level, family history of eye disease, and having a child with a lazy eye significantly influenced the parents' awareness levels of amblyopia. Conclusion Our study underscores the need for targeted educational initiatives to improve the knowledge and awareness of amblyopia among parents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. By addressing misconceptions, enhancing access to accurate information, and fostering a deeper understanding of amblyopia and its management, we can work toward ensuring timely diagnosis and appropriate interventions, ultimately reducing the prevalence and impact of amblyopia in the community.
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Introduction This research, set in 2023 in Saudi Arabia, addresses the rising prevalence of knee osteoarthritis (OA) among obese individuals. It explores associations with age, BMI, and gender, aiming to enhance our understanding of this pressing health issue within the Saudi context and contribute to global research on OA and obesity. Methodology A retrospective cohort study was conducted at King Saud Hospital and Buraydah Central Hospital in the Al-Qassim region from November 2022 to February 2023. It included the patients' records that fit the inclusion criteria during the study period. A data collection sheet was used to collect data, and data was analyzed using SPSS Statistics version 27.0.1 (IBM Corp. Released 2020. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 27.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). Results In 2023, a study on knee OA among 267 obese individuals in Saudi Arabia yielded significant findings. The median age of participants was 60 years, with an average weight of 77.00 kg (IQR:15) and a median BMI of 29.14, categorizing participants as overweight. Ninety percent (n=240) of knee OA cases occurred in individuals classified as "obese" (n=118) or "overweight (n=122)". Furthermore, OA primarily affected both knees in 79.4% (n=212) of cases. Conclusion Study participants, predominantly older and female, reflect OA's age-related and gender-specific prevalence trends. Notably, excess weight and a higher BMI highlight the role of obesity as a significant OA risk factor. Bilateral knee involvement is common, with a strong link between OA and obesity.
