Exploring the Relationship Between Bakhour Use and Respiratory Health: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Despite deep cultural traditions, incense burning significantly impacts respiratory health. Effects of Arabian bakhour remain unknown in Saudi Arabia's Jazan region with prevalent use. This cross-sectional study addresses this gap by investigating bakhour exposure and respiratory diseases. Methods: This was descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Jazan area, Saudi Arabia, from October 2023 to March 2024. A total of 1612 participants age more than 18 years, both gender and resident of Jazan Area were included. Those aged less than 18 years were excluded. SPSS v 26 was used for data analysis. Results: The sample (n=1612) had a mean age of 29±11 years and was 63% female. Bakhour use was nearly universal (98%), especially using coal (73%). Higher bakhour frequency significantly associated with increased cough (p<0.01) and dyspnea (p<0.01). Certain bakhour types linked to greater allergic rhinitis prevalence (p<0.01). Regression analysis revealed cough during bakhour use worsened respiratory health (increased respiratory score) by 3.89 times (95% CI 1.13-6.64; p=0.006) while dyspnea increased the score by 7.48 times (95% CI 4.70-10.25; p<0.001). Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the association between Bakhour use and respiratory health in the Jazan region. The findings emphasize the need for further research and public health interventions to mitigate potential respiratory risks associated with Bakhour use.

Body weight modification experience among adolescents from Saudi Arabia.

Background: Childhood malnutrition is a public health issue in developing countries, leading to a double burden of malnutrition, which is associated with both overweight and underweight. Objective: To assess body weight satisfaction and perception as well as body weight modification experiences, among adolescents from Saudi Arabia. Method: This study utilized a cross-sectional design targeting adolescents who attempted to modify their body weight. A questionnaire was constructed to measure their demographics, body weight satisfaction and perception, and experience concerning their weight modification attempts. The chi-square test was used to assess the association between the ability to modify weight and maintain the modification according to the ability to set an appropriate weight target based on the age and height of the adolescents, method of weight modification, and receipt of support to modify weight. Results: A total of 285 adolescents were recruited. More than half of the sample were female (58%); most respondents were secondary school students (73%). Nearly 45% had abnormal body weight where 12.6% were underweight, and 32.3% were overweight or obese. Most of the recruited sample were unsatisfied with their body weight (63%). Although 52% of the adolescents had a normal BMI, only 35% perceived their body weight as normal. Nearly 75% of the sample were able to modify their body weight. However, a smaller proportion were able to maintain the modification they achieved. The most frequently selected body weight modification method was dieting (83%), followed by exercise (69%). Only 40 adolescents (14%) reported consulting a physician regarding their body weight modification attempts. The most frequently reported source of support for weight modification was the family (51%), while the lowest frequency of support was reported concerning schools' contribution (29%). Upon assessing factors associated with the ability to modify weight or maintain the modification, a higher frequency of adolescents who indicated they employed dieting behavior were able to maintain the modification compared to other weight modification practices (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of collaboration between families, schools, and healthcare services to improve adolescent body image and ensure the adoption of healthy body weight modification practices among adolescents.

Perceived Healthcare Priorities, Barriers, and Preferences When Selecting Private or Governmental Healthcare Services Among a Sample of University Affiliates from Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: This study aims to measure the perceived healthcare priorities, barriers, and preferences when selecting private or governmental healthcare services among a sample of university affiliates from Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study utilized a cross-sectional design to reach targeted adults on the Jazan University campus. Data were collected during personal interviews. The questionnaires measured participant demographics, perceived healthcare priorities, barriers, and preferences when selecting private or governmental healthcare services. A chi-squared test was used to detect statistically significant differences between demographic and clinical characteristics according to preferences in their healthcare-seeking behavior. Results: A total of 3083 university affiliates participated in this investigation. The mean age of the participants was 28 years, 49.6% of whom were males. Among the sample, 63% were students, and the remaining were university staff. The health condition perceived as most important was diabetes, and most of the sample viewed primary healthcare as the most vital service. The healthcare-seeking behavior of the sample indicated a higher preference for using governmental healthcare services. However, notable barriers related to the availability of appointments, long waiting times when visiting a healthcare facility, and healthcare costs were identified. Preference for private healthcare services was higher among females, expatriates, non-Arabic speaking affiliates, those with higher socioeconomic status, and health insurance owners (p-values < 0.05). Additionally, higher utilization of private healthcare services was noted among participants who frequently visit dentists and physicians and those performing consistent, routine medical checkups (p-values < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings indicate the importance of strengthening the role of primary healthcare to address the health needs required for preventing and managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes. Additionally, enhancing access to and effectiveness of primary healthcare may reduce the impact of healthcare barriers associated with limited appointments and prolonged waiting times.

Khat chewing among parents and their children: A potential transgenerational effect.

Background: Khat has a stimulating and addictive effect and can induce consequences on the health and socioeconomic status of khat chewers. Objectives: This study aims to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice of khat chewing among parents in Jazan and its consequential effect on their children. Methods: This cross-sectional investigation was conducted in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Data was collected via a web-based, self-administered questionnaire measuring demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning khat chewing. The Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used to assess factors associated with khat chewing among parents and its consequential effect on their children. Results: A total of 724 parents were included. The sample had an overall good knowledge about the health hazards of khat chewing and an attitude against khat chewing. Nonetheless, the number of parents who reported that they had ever tried khat chewing was 200 (27.6%) and 106 parents (14.6%) confirmed that their children were khat chewers. Additionally, 98 (13.5%) parents declared that they practiced khat chewing in front of their children. Higher frequencies of parents who reported providing khat to their children were identified among parents with higher attitude levels that favor khat chewing (P value = 0.04). Conclusions: Efforts should be made to develop targeted preventive and educational strategies to reduce khat chewing among parents who have favorable attitudes toward khat chewing.

Lifestyle Satisfaction Among Jazan University Employees: A Cross-Sectional Study Exploring Lifestyle Choices and Influencing Factors.

BACKGROUND: Lifestyle includes habits, behaviors, values, attitudes, and economic levels that define an individual or group's way of living for people living in the same region at a specific time. In the last few decades, with urbanization and modernization, most adults, especially in Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, have adopted a sedentary, less active lifestyle. This study aims to assess lifestyle choices and satisfaction among employees of Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted in the Jazan University campus in the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through personal interviews conducted by trained medical students. A structured questionnaire was filled out during the interviews. Data analysis was conducted using R software (version 4.2.3) (R Development Core Team, Vienna, Austria). RESULTS: This study involved 1126 employees of Jazan University, with a response rate of 75%. The occupational distribution was as follows: 576 (51%) in administrative positions, 516 (46%) as faculty members, and 34 (3%) as healthcare workers. In terms of physical activity, 488 (43%) engaged in less than 150 minutes of weekly physical activity, while 363 (32%) reported no physical activity at all. Regarding body weight satisfaction, 590 (52%) were satisfied, while 536 (48%) were not. Males reported a higher satisfaction in body weight, physical activity, and eating behavior. Dietary choices, such as eating fruits and vegetables, low-fat meats, and avoiding high-sugar foods, positively correlated with satisfaction in eating behavior and body weight. The assessment of satisfaction with body weight, physical activity level, and eating behavior indicates that some university affiliates are satisfied with their lifestyle despite having unhealthy lifestyle choices. CONCLUSION: The current findings indicate that Jazan University affiliates are experiencing a high prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles, especially in terms of low levels of physical activity, selection of unhealthy food items, and overweight and obesity. This study should be followed up by interventional designs to investigated best evidence-based approaches for lifestyle behavior change, especially among aging populations such as university affiliates.

Physicians' Practices in Diabetic Nephropathy in Primary Healthcare Centers in Jazan City, Saudi Arabia, 2023.

Background and Objectives: Diabetes is one of the most common diseases dealt with by physicians in primary healthcare centers (PHCs). The disease is associated with macrovascular and microvascular complications, especially in those with long disease duration and uncontrolled diabetic nephropathy, which is one of the most common microvascular complications among diabetic patients. This investigation assessed the practices of physicians working at PHCs in terms of diabetic nephropathy screening, management, and referral. Materials and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional investigation targeting physicians working at PHCs in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia between March and August of 2023. Data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire, which was distributed via online platforms. The questionnaire included sections measuring physicians' demographic data and associated factors regarding training, the availability of resources, and practices in diabetic nephropathy, including screening, management, and referral. Chi-squared tests were used to assess associations between the practices of physicians and the measured demographics. Result: A total of 234 physicians participated in the investigation. The median age of the participants was 35 years. The adherence level of practice toward diabetic nephropathy according to American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines ranged from 40 points (the highest adherence level of participants) to 19 points (the lowest adherence level of participants), with a median of 33 points. Higher adherence levels were noted among physicians in Saudi Arabia, physicians with higher education levels, physicians specializing as family physicians or diabetologists, physicians who reported attending online and on-site training at diabetic centers, physicians who reported continuous access to urine and serum creatinine tests, and physicians who reported continuous access to the American Diabetes Association guidelines (p < 0.05). Conclusions: There are several factors associated with the level of adherence in diabetic nephropathy practice, such as physicians' education level, specialty, training, and access to guidelines. The findings suggest the need for more training for PHC physicians in the care of patients affected by or at risk of diabetic nephropathy.

Awareness and Hygiene Practices Among Contact Lens Wearers: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background More than 150 million individuals worldwide wear contact lenses (CL) for therapeutic as well as cosmetic purposes. Researchers have linked failure to adhere to CL care instructions with outbreaks of serious eye infections. In the current study, we assess the consequences of inadequate cleanliness as well as awareness of and adherence to appropriate CL hygiene. Methods This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in the Jazan region, southwest Saudi Arabia, during the period between October 2022 and April 2023. Results Out of a total of 718 participants, 391 (54.4%) were wearing CL. Of these, 318 (81.33%) CL wearers were female, while 73 (18.67%) were male. Among the CL wearers, 196 (50%) were aged 24 and younger. The overall knowledge was higher in females, with 320 (74.6%) having a high level of knowledge, compared to 195 (67.5%) males (p-value = 0.044). The level of knowledge was higher in those who had had an eye examination before using CL. Regarding practice, 202 (63.5%) females demonstrated better practices, while only 32 (43.8%) males did (p-value = 0.002). Variations in the adequacy of practice regarding CLs were identified according to the duration of CL use and the risk of suffering from eye dryness (p-values <0.05). Conclusions The participants' overall knowledge and practices were good. This should be encouraged by performing an eye examination before wearing CL and demonstrating good wearing habits in terms of hygiene behavior.

Impact of vaccination on morbidity and mortality in adults hospitalized with COVID-19 during the omicron wave in the Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) vaccination on morbidity and mortality in adults hospitalized with COVID-19 during the omicron wave in the Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A 6-month record-based historical prospective study enrolled COVID-19 adult patients admitted between January and June 2022. Individuals were classified into 3 groups according to their immunity status (immunized, partially immunized, and not immunized). Death, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and mechanical ventilation were identified as the primary outcomes, collectively referred to as "serious outcomes". On the other hand, the length of hospital stays longer than 5 days was categorized as a secondary outcome. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate independent factors and the relationship between the outcomes and vaccination status. RESULTS: Among the 634 COVID-19 patients admitted to Jazan hospitals, 46.4% were fully immunized, 19.7% were partially immunized, and 33.9% were not immunized. Not being immunized was significantly associated with ICU admission (odds ratio [OR]=1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.17-3.11]; p=0.009), mechanical ventilation (OR=2.11, 95% CI: [1.25-3.56]; p=0.005), increased length of hospital stays (OR=1.79, 95% CI: [1.24-2.59]; p=0.002), and death (OR=3.03, 95% CI: [1.85-4.98]; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach for managing COVID-19 patients that includes vaccination against the disease.

Parents' Awareness, Knowledge, and Perception of Amblyopia in Children: A Study in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia.

Background Amblyopia is a vision disorder that results from a development problem in the brain rather than a neurological disease in the eye. The condition causes reduced visual acuity in one or both eyes due to the brain's inability to process inputs, rather than a structural abnormality. This study aims to assess parents' awareness, knowledge, and perception of amblyopia in their children in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. Methods This is a cross-sectional study that used an electronic questionnaire consisting of five main sections to assess the level of awareness of amblyopia among parents in the Jazan region. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v.25, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was utilized to input the data. The degree to which participants' level of awareness was related to variables such as age, gender, and educational level was assessed through the chi-square test (χ2), and any values that scored p-values under 0.05 were deemed statistically significant. Results The analysis included 572 participants, 395 mothers (69.0%) and 177 fathers (31.0%). The age groups of the participants were divided into 36-45 years (38.0%), 26-35 years (36.0%), and above 46 years (17.0%). Out of the total, 36 participants (6.0%) had a history of amblyopia, and 73 (13.0%) had a child who suffered from amblyopia. The findings showed that only 18 participants (3.1%) had a good awareness of amblyopia, while 242 (42.3%) had a fair level of awareness. Most participants, 312 (54.5%), were classified as having a poor awareness level of amblyopia. Parents with postgraduate degrees, those with prior awareness, and parents whose children had eye diseases demonstrated higher levels of good awareness. However, gender, age, and residency did not have significant associations with awareness levels. Conclusion While parents must be involved in managing amblyopia, our research found that more than half of the parents surveyed had a limited understanding of various aspects of the disease, which can cause permanent damage to their child's vision. Therefore, we recommend implementing health education programs to increase awareness and knowledge about amblyopia in Jazan.

Epidemiology of communicable diseases in Jazan region: Situational assessment, risk characterization, and evaluation of prevention and control programs outcomes.

The incidence of communicable diseases has witnessed a reduction in Saudi Arabia during the last 4 decades. Nonetheless, the Jazan region has been indicated as one of the main regions affected by various communicable conditions. The geographical, socioeconomic, and climate characteristics of Jazan have made it vulnerable to communicable and vector-borne diseases. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology of communicable diseases in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. This review also gives a historical description of infectious diseases in the region and the relevant prevention and control measures. Prevention and control efforts in the Jazan region successfully eliminated Rift Valley fever and reduced the number of locally acquired malaria and chickenpox cases. Hepatitis B, dengue fever, and pulmonary tuberculosis have exhibited an increased incidence in recent years, suggesting a need for further epidemiological investigations and the application of relevant prevention and control measures.

Assessment of School Contributions to Healthy Eating, Physical Activity Education, and Support for Weight-Loss Attempts among Adolescents from Jazan, Saudi Arabia.

This study evaluates the contribution of schools in Saudi Arabia towards the provision of education and support concerning weight management among adolescents. It also identifies adolescents who have attempted to lose weight and examines their preferred weight-loss methods and their sources of weight-loss support. This study is a cross-sectional investigation that targets adolescents in intermediate and secondary schools in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Data was collected via a self-administered questionnaire that looked at the involvement of the school in the provision of education pertaining to weight control and the weight-loss experiences of students who had attempted to lose weight. The study involved 501 adolescents, 45% of whom had attempted to lose weight, where the most common methods for weight loss being reducing food consumption (77%), exercising (75%), and fasting (49%). The assessment of the schools' contributions indicated its suboptimal role in the provision of education concerning physical activity compared to education about eating habits. The most commonly reported sources of weight-loss support were the students' families (54%), followed by community facilities (44%). The least common sources were the students' schools (24%). These findings indicate that schools need to enhance their contribution to encouraging adolescents to adopt a healthy lifestyle, while also ensuring multi-sectorial collaboration with families and community members.

Prevalence of Hemorrhoids and Their Risk Factors Among the Adult Population in Jazan, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhoids are defined as the symptomatic enlargement and distal displacement of the normal anal cushions. They can be either internal, external, or internoexternal, according to their position in relation to the dentate line. They can cause significant financial burdens and personal discomfort. However, the typical symptoms of hemorrhoids include bleeding, pain, skin irritation, fecal leakage, prolapse, mucus secretion, and developing a thrombosed hernia. Nonetheless, research has shown that individuals with and without hemorrhoids equally report these symptoms. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of hemorrhoids and their risk factors among adult subjects in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This investigation was a cross-sectional study targeting adults diagnosed with hemorrhoids in the Jazan region. Data collection was performed via a self-administered questionnaire to measure sociodemographic data of the participants, lifestyle factors associated with hemorrhoids, clinical presentations of the disease, and Rome IV criteria for diagnosis of functional constipation. The chi-squared test was used to assess the frequency of hemorrhoid symptoms according to the participants' sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics. RESULTS: In the current study, which recruited 361 participants, 59% (216 individuals) reported experiencing at least one symptom of hemorrhoids. The majority of the sample were females (60%), Saudis (96%), and living in urban areas (59%) and had a university education (77.3%). The most common risk factors identified were lack of regular physical activity (83%), prolonged sitting during office work (51%), and consuming food with saturated fat (50%). A total of 44% (159 participants) had a family history of hemorrhoids, and 40% reported suffering from constipation three times or more per week. Only 34% (123 participants) had been diagnosed with hemorrhoids by a physician. Interestingly, the majority of participants (57%) preferred using home remedies instead of seeking medical care from a healthcare professional. When assessing factors associated with experiencing a minimum of six hemorrhoid symptoms per month, age, lifestyle factors, family history of hemorrhoids, and defecation practices were found to be significantly correlated with a higher occurrence of symptoms (with a p-value of less than 0.05). CONCLUSION: The current study identified a high prevalence of hemorrhoid symptoms and their risk factors among the adult population in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. The findings suggest a need to increase the awareness of the public about hemorrhoids risk factors and the importance of seeking healthcare at an early stage of the disease.

Period Prevalence of COVID-19 and Influenza Symptoms in 2022 Among Adults in Jazan, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Seasonal influenza and the circulating new variants of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were predicted to increase the risk of developing respiratory symptoms in 2022. The objective of this study was to estimate the period prevalence of respiratory symptoms associated with COVID-19 and influenza among adults in 2022. METHODS: This cross-sectional study targeted adults in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Data collection was performed in February 2023 and utilized an online approach. The assessment was performed via a self-administered questionnaire, which measured demographics, vaccination practices against COVID-19 and influenza, and the occurrence of respiratory symptoms in 2022. RESULTS: This study involved 625 participants, 65% of whom were women with a mean age of 23 years. Only 80 participants (13%) reported receiving the influenza vaccine in 2022. The most frequently reported symptoms were headache (55%), sore throat (43.7%), and fever (43%). Nearly 34% were diagnosed with influenza, 17% were diagnosed with COVID-19, and 8% reported coinfection of both diseases. Sixty-one percent reported the occurrence of symptoms more than once in 2022. The presence of a higher frequency of respiratory symptoms was associated with gender, age, social status, employment, asthma, and obesity (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A majority of the participants reported multiple occurrences of respiratory symptoms in 2022. The uptake of the influenza vaccine was low in the same year, suggesting a need for a targeted approach to enhance vaccination rates among vulnerable groups.

Prevalence of Dyslipidemia and Its Determinants Among the Adult Population of the Jazan Region.

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of dyslipidemia and its determinants among adults in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This data was collected during interviews utilizing a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire measured the demographics, diagnosis with dyslipidemia, and distribution of dyslipidemia determinants among the sample, including dietary habits and lifestyle practices. A chi-square test was used to examine the statistical difference between the characteristics of individuals who had reported checking their lipid profile to those who reported never performing a lipid profile check-up among participants not diagnosed with dyslipidemia. Results: The current study included a total of 244 participants. The median age of the participants was 27 years, most participants were female (66.8%), and about 59% had a university education or above. Approximately 40% of the participants had ever had their lipid profile checked, 20.1% of the participants had been diagnosed with dyslipidemia, and 20.9% had family history of dyslipidemia. Most of the undiagnosed participants (79.9%) had more than one risk factor for developing dyslipidemia. All the participants without a dyslipidemia diagnosis had not been meeting the recommended levels of physical activity, and more than half consumed a high-fat diet. The results of the inferential analysis indicate that among those who had not been diagnosed with dyslipidemia, participants who were older than 27 years, male, unemployed, married, had a university education or above, and a minimum monthly income of 5000 Saudi Arabia Riyals were more likely to check their lipid profile compared to other groups (p-values <0.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that most of the participants who had not been diagnosed with dyslipidemia are at high risk of developing dyslipidemia. About 60% of the participants had never checked their lipid profile, suggesting a need to promote routine lipid profile check-ups among individuals at high-risk for dyslipidemia.

Pediatric Gastrointestinal Basidiobolomycosis: A Retrospective Study from Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: Basidiobolomycosis is a rare fungal infection caused by Basidiobolus ranarum, and its incidence is poorly understood due to its rarity. Gastrointestinal Basidiobolomycosis (GIB) is an uncommon presentation with limited reports in Saudi Arabia. This retrospective study aims to describe risk factors, clinical findings, diagnosis, and management of GIB in the pediatric population. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all pediatric patients diagnosed with GIB at a tertiary hospital between 2010 and 2022. Patients were identified based on their diagnosis of GIB. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to assess risk factors associated with GIB. Results: We analyzed 25 cases of pediatric GIB, with approximately half of the cases (56%) occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mean age of affected patients was 6.6 years, with a male predominance (60%, n=15). About 100% of parents acknowledged gecko existence in their residence, and their children were exposed to insect bites. Poor appetite was reported in all patients, and high counts of eosinophils and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were observed. Thrombocytosis was present in approximately 90% of patients, and 87% had anemia. Abdominal computerized tomography scans and ultrasound-guided biopsies were the most used diagnostic tools, with cases being diagnosed based on histopathological findings and confirmed via fungal culture. Conclusion: Our study provides valuable information on the potential risk factors, clinical features, diagnosis, and management of pediatric GIB in the Jazan region. The observed increase in cases during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for continued surveillance and research to understand better the epidemiology and associated risk factors with this rare fungal infection. These findings emphasize the need for heightened awareness, early detection, and effective prevention strategies to mitigate the impact of pediatric GIB.

Real-world effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines: A retrospective cohort study of vaccinated individuals in Jazan, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) vaccinations are a critical control measure for the coronavirus pandemic that began in 2019. Several COVID-19 vaccines have been developed, and their effectiveness will almost certainly vary. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess how effective two doses of the Pfizer and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines were in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection six months after administration. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of adult individuals from the Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia who received their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine [Pfizer and Oxford-AstraZeneca (ASZ)] between April and June 2021. The monitoring and follow-up period continued until the end of January 2022. Data were retrieved from the Health Electronic Surveillance Network and National Vaccination Records. Logistic regression was performed to assess the risk of COVID-19 infection among the vaccinated subjects. RESULTS: This study included randomly enrolled 4458 participants in Jazan who received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine during the research period. The majority of them received the Pfizer vaccine (3136/4458; 70.3%), while the remaining received the ASZ vaccine (1322/4458; 29.7%). The study participants' mean age was 59.7 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.9:1.0 (2920:1538). The results showed that the Pfizer and ASZ vaccines' protection against infection decreased from 93.2% and 90.2%, respectively, during the first three months, to 68.5% and 68.1% after a six-month interval. In the current study population, being Saudi Arabian, younger as well as having longer intervals between vaccines or crossing a 6-month period after the second vaccine dose were factors linked to higher rates of breakthrough infections. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed variations in the efficacy of different COVID-19 vaccine types against COVID-19 breakthrough infections. The Pfizer (mRNA-based) vaccine was found to be relatively more effective than the ASZ (DNA-based) vaccine.

Exploration of the Causal Association Between Behavioral Risk Factors and Gallstone Disease Development in Two European Ancestry Populations.

Introduction Risk factors for developing gallstones are related to disturbances in either cholesterol or bilirubin metabolism in the biliary tract. The risk of forming gallstones can be associated with chronic illnesses, dietary habits, reduced gallbladder motility, and medications. Our study aims to explore the causal relationship between multiple risk factors, including nutritional habits (cheese intake, salad intake, processed meat intake, coffee drinking), smoking behavior, overall obesity measured by body mass index (BMI), lipid biomarkers, total bilirubin and maternal diabetes mellitus (DM) and the development of gallstone disease in two different populations of European ancestry (United Kingdom Biobank (UKB) and FinnGen). Materials and methods Using publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data, we performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to examine the association between risk factors and gallstone development. Exposures used in this study included age of smoking initiation, smoking intensity, coffee intake, cheese intake, salad intake, processed meat intake, BMI, and lipid biomarkers (cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL)). Current analyses were based on 93 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for smoking initiation, four SNPs for smoking intensity, 65 SNPs for cheese intake, three SNPs for coffee intake, 22 SNPs for salad intake, 23 SNPs for processed meat intake, 79 SNPs for BMI, 26 SNPs for maternal DM, 89 SNPs for total bilirubin, 46 SNPs for cholesterol, 41 SNPs for LDL, 55 SNPs for TG, and 89 SNPs for HDL. The outcome in this study is gallstones/cholelithiasis. To evaluate the causal relationships between these risk factors and gallstones, two-sample MR methods were used. TwoSampleMR package in R software version 4.0.5 (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) was used to obtain MR analyses and sensitivity analyses. Results  In the UKB, genetic predispositions to smoking initiation, BMI, and total bilirubin were significantly associated with an increased risk of gallstones. The odds of gallstones would increase per 1-SD increase of genetically estimated smoking initiation (OR: 1.004, P=0.008), BMI (OR: 1.02, P<0.001), and total bilirubin (OR: 1.0001, P=0.025). Conversely, genetic predispositions to cheese intake, coffee intake, cholesterol, LDL, and TG were statistically significantly associated with a decreased risk of gallstones (OR=0.99, P=0.014; OR=0.97, P=0.009; OR=0.99, P=0.006; OR=0.99, P=0.01; and OR=0.99, P<0.001, respectively). In FinnGen, genetic predispositions to BMI and total bilirubin were significantly associated with an increased risk of gallstones. The odds of gallstones would increase per 1-SD increase of genetically estimated BMI (OR: 1.7, P<0.001) and total bilirubin (OR: 1.02, P=0.002). Conversely, genetic predispositions to cheese intake, coffee intake, cholesterol, LDL, and TG were statistically significantly associated with a decreased risk of gallstones (OR=0.23, P=0.006; OR=0.42, P=0.041; OR=0.77, P=0.034; OR=0.88, P=0.008; and OR=0.70, P=0.005, respectively). Conclusion  Genetically estimated BMI and total bilirubin levels were associated with increased risk of gallstones among the two populations while genetically estimated cheese intake, coffee intake, and cholesterol, LDL, and TG levels factors were consistently associated with reduced risk of gallstones among the two populations.

Assessment of Influenza Vaccine Uptake According to the Presence of a Chronic Disease.

Patients diagnosed with a chronic disease are at higher risk of influenza complications. This investigation aimed to estimate influenza vaccine uptake rates among healthy subjects and patients with chronic diseases, and to identify barriers to and facilitators of its uptake. This study was a cross-sectional investigation that targeted the general population in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected via online platforms between October and November 2022. Data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire that assessed the demographics, influenza vaccine uptake, and factors associated with the uptake. A chi-squared test was used to investigate factors associated with the uptake of the influenza vaccine. A total of 825 adult subjects participated in the current investigation. The proportion of male participants was higher (61%) compared to females (38%). The mean age of the participants was 36, with a standard deviation of 10.5. Nearly 30% of the sample reported being diagnosed with a chronic disease. Among the recruited sample, 576 (69.8%) reported having ever received the influenza vaccine, and only 222 participants (27%) indicated that they receive the influenza vaccination annually. Only history of being diagnosed with a chronic disease was statistically associated with the history of ever receiving the influenza vaccine (p < 0.001). Among the 249 participants with a chronic disease, only 103 (41.4%) ever received the influenza vaccine and only 43 (17.3%) of them received the vaccine annually. The main barrier to the uptake was fear of side effects due to the vaccination. A minority of the participants indicated that they were motivated by a healthcare worker to have the vaccine. This suggests an area for further investigation to assess the involvement of healthcare workers in motivating their patients with chronic diseases to have the vaccine.

Assessing Continuity of Adherence to Precautionary Measures for COVID-19 among Vaccinated People in Jazan, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to behavioral respiratory hygiene practices is essential in preventing the transmission of COVID-19, especially given the appearance of new variants of the COVID-19 virus. This study estimated the pre- and post-vaccination levels of adherence to COVID-19 preventive behavioral measures among vaccinated people. METHODS: This cross-sectional study assessed the sociodemographics and preventive behavioral measures, and pre- and post-vaccination data, via a questionnaire. Paired t-tests and Chi-squared tests were used to assess the variation in adherence levels. RESULTS: Of the 480 participants, 57.9% were male, and 30.4% were aged between 30 and 39 years of age. After vaccination, there was a statistically significant decline in adherence to all the assessed behavioral protective measures (p < 0.05). Being 50 years old or older, female, a healthcare worker, and a smoker were associated with higher adherence levels compared with other groups in the same categories. CONCLUSIONS: A change in the behavior of the community members regarding COVID-19 after receiving the vaccination and a reduction in adherence to respiratory hygiene practices was observed. This indicates the importance of raising awareness about the possibility of reinfection with COVID-19 despite the vaccination, and the importance of behavioral respiratory hygiene for the prevention and control of COVID-19.

Assessment of the Association Between Use of WhatsApp for Work-Related Purposes and Levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Among Healthcare Workers from Jazan, Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the potential association between use of WhatsApp in healthcare settings for work-related purposes and depression, stress, and anxiety levels among a sample of healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of healthcare employees working in different hospitals in Jazan. The data was collected via a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire with three components that measured the demographics of the sample; the presence of depression, anxiety, and stress; and their use of WhatsApp in the work environment. A multivariate regression analysis was carried out to estimate the statistical likelihood of depression, anxiety, and stress as a result of using WhatsApp and how these factors affected occupational and social relationships. Results: A total of 294 healthcare workers participated in the current study. The median age of the participants was 32 years, and the gender distribution was almost even. Over 90% of the participants stated that they were members of work-related WhatsApp groups, and nearly 70% agreed that use of WhatsApp in work-related settings could be stressful. Among the recruited sample, 48.6% exhibited abnormal levels of depression, 55.8% had abnormal levels of anxiety, and 63% showed abnormal levels of stress. The findings of the regression analysis (P values <0.05) indicated that the likelihood of these participants suffering with depression, anxiety, and stress was high, with the participants themselves agreeing that using WhatsApp in work settings could be stressful and affect their relationships with colleagues, friends, and family members. Conclusion: The findings suggests the presence of a potential association between use of WhatsApp for work-related purposes and levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, especially among those who perceive its use as a stressor and influencer on occupational and social relationships.