Psychometric properties of a Saudi Arabian version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R).

Background: Maternal outcomes are closely associated with birth satisfaction, and the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R), a concise, multidimensional self-report measure, has undergone translation and validation internationally. However, research on birth satisfaction in Saudi Arabia is scarce. The absence of valid Arabic-language tools for the Saudi population may impede critical research on this topic, necessitating the translation and use of psychometrically sound instruments for measuring birth satisfaction in Saudi women. Objective: This study aimed to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Saudi Arabian version of the BSS-R (SA-BSS-R). Methods: A total of 218 Saudi women participated in the study, and psychometric analysis of the translated SA-BSS-R involved confirmatory factor analysis, divergent validity analysis, and known-group discriminant validity assessment within a cross-sectional study design. Results: The three-factor BSS-R measurement model displayed poor fit, and internal consistency fell below the threshold value. Additionally, it was observed that women undergoing an episiotomy had significantly lower overall SA-BSS-R scores. Conclusion: The SA-BSS-R manifested atypical measurement properties in this population. Despite insightful observations related to episiotomy, the identified measurement shortcomings highlight the need for a more robust and culturally sensitive translation to enhance measurement characteristics.

The Effectiveness of an Educational Intervention on Helicobacter pylori for University Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori infection is widespread and harmful, rendering its eradication a serious public health problem. Undergraduate students' general understanding of H. pylori infection is relatively poor. This was a second-phase research study to evaluate the efficacy of an educational intervention in raising awareness among university students. Methods: A quasi-experimental approach was employed, with 108 undergraduate students at King Saud University as participants. First, during the October 2021 academic year, data were gathered using a validated survey. The survey was divided into sociodemographic characteristics and H. pylori knowledge. Second, we assessed the effectiveness of an educational intervention to increase university students' awareness of the topic. Results: Before the intervention, the percentage of students that had good (9.3%), fair (28.7%) and poor (62%) knowledge of H. pylori infection changed to 55.6%, 41.7%, and 2.8% respectively. There was a significant increase in overall and domain-wise mean knowledge score after the educational intervention (p = 0.001). The pretest knowledge was independent of all socio-demographic variables except "whether or not they had heard about H. pylori infection" (χ2= 8.666, p = 0.013). Conclusion: Educational intervention may help increase students' awareness of H. pylori infections.

Perceived risks of over-the-counter medication use among pregnant Saudi mothers: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Many women use over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, particularly during pregnancy. Therefore, this study investigated the perceived risks of using OTC medicines among pregnant Saudi mothers. Methods: With a cross-sectional design and purposive sampling, the 28-item Drug Use Health Belief Scale was used to collect data from pregnant Saudi mothers (n = 366) in a general tertiary hospital. The data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. After normality testing, the percentages, mean scores, and standard deviations were used to examine the demographic data. One-way ANOVA was used to identify the relationships between perceived risks on the Health Belief Scale and the participants' sociodemographic profile variables. Post-hoc tests were used to identify differences in the independent variables among groups. The statistical significance threshold was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Across the five domains of the Health Belief Scale, the perceived susceptibility domain had the highest rank (0.36). Significant differences were observed between the mean scores of pregnant Saudi mothers' perceptions of susceptibility and the benefits of using OTC medications (p = 0.05), perceptions of susceptibility (p < 0.001), and benefits while using OTC medications (p = 0.018) than those who did not use OTC medications. However, no significant differences were observed in the degree of perceived severity, barriers, and self-efficacy in mothers using OTC medications (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Notable differences were found in pregnant women's perceptions of the risks of using OTC medications. Greater awareness of the risks of OTC medication use during pregnancy is required. To ensure mothers' safety, a collaboration between prenatal multidisciplinary team of professionals (e.g., doctors, nurses, midwives) in community and hospital settings should be prioritized.

Helicobacter pylori Infection: Comparison of Knowledge between Health Science and Non-Health Science University Students.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), an important human pathogen, is classified as a human carcinogen. It is known to cause dyspepsia, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. Awareness regarding H. pylori infections in Saudi Arabia awaits investigation to reduce or even eliminate the infection that would ease the substantial burden of managing H. pylori among both malignant and non-malignant diseases. Aims: The study aims were to (1) assess the knowledge of H. pylori infection, testing, and management among undergraduate students in Saudi Arabia and (2) compare the H. pylori knowledge among health science and non-health science students. Methods: This study involved a cross-sectional online survey among 334 undergraduate students in health science and non-health science colleges at King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, using a valid and reliable author-developed survey. The survey had two sections: the socio-demographic factors and knowledge items regarding H. pylori. Data were collected during the 2019-2020 academic year. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and Mann-Whitney U test. The knowledge scores were categorized as poor, fair, and good. Results: Less than 10% of the students in both groups had a good knowledge level about H. pylori. The comparison of the overall mean between both groups was non-significant. Moreover, the level of knowledge of the respondents was significantly associated with their university level (p < 0.001), family monthly income (p < 0.007), having heard about H. pylori infection (p < 000.1), and a previous history of H. pylori infection (p < 000.1). Conclusion: The overall knowledge level of Saudi undergraduate students about H. pylori infection was low. Thus, health awareness interventions through educational programs are recommended for improving their knowledge about H. pylori infection and its prevention.