Women's Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding the Risk Factors and Warning Signs of Breast Cancer in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction Breast cancer is the leading type of cancer in women globally, contributing significantly to cancer-related deaths. In Saudi Arabia, it ranks as the second most common cancer among women. Studies have highlighted a lack of awareness about breast cancer, negatively impacting breast self-examination practices. The Eastern Province has particularly high incidence rates. Knowledge of risk and protective factors can aid in prevention and early detection. While some studies show good awareness, this research aims to assess women's knowledge and attitudes about breast cancer risk factors and warning signs in the Eastern Province. Methodology This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province from June to October 2023 to assess breast cancer awareness among adult females. Data were collected via an online survey. Data were cleaned in MS Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington) and analyzed in IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23 (Released 2015; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York). Results Our study assessed breast cancer awareness in 697 participants in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province. Most were aged 20-24 years (30.3%), married (49.2%), and Saudi nationals (97.6%), with higher education (59.4%). Significantly, 69.2% received education on breast cancer risk factors/signs. Some had personal breast cancer diagnoses (5.0%), and 31.7% had affected family members. Participants showed good awareness of various risk factors and warning signs. Significant associations were found between nationality, personal breast cancer diagnosis, and knowledge and attitudes about risk factors. Age, marital status, occupation, education on breast cancer, and personal breast cancer diagnosis influenced knowledge and attitudes about warning signs. Conclusion Our study findings indicate generally good awareness of breast cancer risk factors and warning signs among participants. Age, marital status, occupation, education on breast cancer, and personal breast cancer diagnosis influenced knowledge and attitudes about risk factors and warning signs. Educational efforts should target lesser-known risk factors to enhance prevention and early detection.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding the Use of Isotretinoin in Saudi Arabia.

Background Acne vulgaris is a widespread chronic inflammatory dermatological disease with a worldwide prevalence of 9.4%, affecting a large percentage of the young population in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to measure the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward the use of isotretinoin among the Saudi population. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population in Saudi Arabia between April 2023 and July 2023. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed across five regions of Saudi Arabia (central, eastern, western, southern, and northern) using Google Survey. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data, the pattern of isotretinoin used, and a 24-item questionnaire to assess the knowledge about isotretinoin. Results Of the 3,001 participants, 77.1% were females, and 55.4% were aged between 16 and 25 years. The prevalence of participants who previously used isotretinoin was 30.6%. The total mean knowledge score was 10.4 (SD = 5.99) out of 24 points, with more than half (52.9%) considered to have poor knowledge, 39.1% moderate knowledge, and only 7.9% good knowledge. Younger participants, female gender, Saudi nationality, never been married, and previous use of isotretinoin were associated with increased knowledge. Conclusions The knowledge of the general population regarding isotretinoin use was lacking. However, younger Saudi females who had previous isotretinoin usage tended to be more knowledgeable about isotretinoin compared to the rest of the participants. Increasing the general public's knowledge regarding isotretinoin and its safe use is necessary.

Barriers to Undergoing Body-Contouring Surgery Following Bariatric Surgery in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction The prevalence of obesity has experienced a significant global increase in recent years, emerging as a prominent worry affecting numerous individuals throughout various countries, including Saudi Arabia. Bariatric surgery, a common treatment, often leads to excess skin. Despite its benefits, few patients choose body contouring surgery. A cross-sectional study aims to identify barriers, including socioeconomic and psychological factors. Methodology This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Saudi Arabia. Participants included those who underwent bariatric surgery. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed by Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS, version 29) (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY). Results Our study involved 662 Saudi participants with post-bariatric surgery, primarily females (386, 58.3%), aged 19-29 (44.3%). Most had undergone bariatric surgery (558, 84.3%), mainly gastric sleeve (485, 73.3%). Excess skin was a common issue (311, 47.0%). Difficulties included rashes and emotional distress (e.g., depression). About 8.3% had body-contouring surgery, including body lifts (13, 23.6%) and liposuction (19, 34.5%). Factors influencing surgery decisions included self-confidence (123, 18.6%) and cost (9.9%). Barriers for 32.2% considering surgery included cost (80.2%) and fear of a second surgery (45.6%). Females (67.1%), Saudis (85.4%), and employed individuals (49.3%) were more likely to consider surgery (p < 0.05). Conclusion Our study highlights the complexity of body-contouring decisions after bariatric surgery in Saudi Arabia. Cost and fear were barriers; females, Saudis, and employed individuals were more likely to consider surgery. A patient-centered approach, addressing barriers, and offering support are crucial for informed choices and improved well-being.

The Association Between Smartphone Addiction/Overuse With Hand and Wrist Musculoskeletal Complaints, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Smartphones have integrated seamlessly into our daily lives in various aspects. When a smartphone is used frequently for communication or internet access, it becomes addictive, which increases the risk of musculoskeletal problems in the hand, wrist, and thumb. Aim This research aimed to examine if there is a connection between excessive smartphone use and discomfort in the thumb and wrist. Subject and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population of Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire translated into Arabic was distributed among the targeted population using an online survey. The questionnaire includes three sections, including socio-demographic data (e.g., age, gender, nationality, etc.), assessment of smartphone addiction by using the smartphone addiction scale short-version (SAS-SV), and assessment of wrist/hand pain using the patient-rated wrist and hand evaluation (PRWHE). Results Of the 3057 recruited participants, 1938 (63.4%) were females, and 3025 (99%) were aged between 18 and 65 years old. Perceived pain in the wrist or hand due to excessive usage of a smartphone was reported by 1728 (56.5%) of respondents. The overall mean SAS-SV score was 24.4 (SD 7.47) out of 50 points. The prevalence of smartphone addiction among the general population was 874 (28.6%). Increased SAS-SV and PRWHE scores were associated with respondents living outside Eastern region and using phones for 10 hours or more daily. Conclusion The prevalence of smartphone addiction in this study was 874 (28.6%), directly associated with wrist and hand pains. Musculoskeletal complaints due to smartphone addiction were more prevalent among respondents living outside Eastern Region who spent more time using their phones. A longitudinal study is required to establish the link between smartphone addiction and musculoskeletal complaints among the general population.

People's Knowledge and Attitudes About Factors That Can Impact Wound Healing in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.

Background Wounds, ranging from acute to chronic, demand timely intervention to prevent complications. Infections can impede healing, leading to sepsis. Chronic wounds impact society, causing limitations in mobility and social exclusion. Early identification of infections is crucial for effective treatment, reducing unnecessary antibiotic use, and improving patient outcomes. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted from June to October 2023 in Saudi Arabia using a self-administered online questionnaire to assess wound healing knowledge and attitudes. Convenient random sampling via social media was employed to collect data. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 23 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results Our study predominantly featured female (67.1%), Saudi (94.8%), aged 18-25 years (42.0%), and married (51.1%) participants. Chronic illnesses were prevalent in 24.2%, with heart disease (5.7%) and hypertension (4.5%) being notable. Burn injuries (27.4%) and upper extremity wounds (40.9%) were common, prompting immediate medical care (54.1%). Internet sources (22.6%) and relatives/friends (18.4%) were key for wound care information. Participants displayed solid awareness of wound-related factors, with notable misconceptions regarding Zamzam water (44.4%) and coffee beans (39.3%). Participants prioritized stopping bleeding (41.1%) and using wound patches (42.1%) for home injuries. Age group, education, marital status, and occupation impacted knowledge about wound healing. Conclusions Our study highlights key demographics, prevalent chronic illnesses, common wound types, and crucial sources of wound care information. Participants' awareness, coupled with notable misconceptions, emphasizes the importance of tailored education. Factors such as age, education, marital status, and occupation impact knowledge about wound healing.