ABSTRACT
Background: Down syndrome [DS] is a chromosomal disorder that results in intellectual disability and growth problems. The worldwide incidence of this syndrome is 1 in 1000 births and increases exponentially with the maternal age. People with DS usually have reduced life expectancy and suffer from mental retardation, heart problems, Alzheimer's disease among other complications. However, the severity of the disease differs from patient to patient. Perceptions of the disease and the public attitudes towards people with Down syndrome are very important in the inclusion of these people in the community and the supporting families
Objectives: to assess the level of awareness, attitude and practice toward Down syndrome in Jeddah city to identify barriers
Methods: a cross-sectional analytical questionnaire-based study among the general population of Jeddah city
Results: a total of 360 subjects answered the questionnaires. The mean age was 36 years, it ranged from 16 to 70, with 45.2% females and 43.7% male respondents. Of these, 67% had attended college, 5% had a postgraduate degree, 23.5% had completed high school, and 3.1% had basic school. The majority of participants had a high level of monthly income [38%]. The majority of subjects included in the research were [59.6%] married and [51.3%] were unemployed. Most subjects [338] had poor knowledge about Down syndrome and there was no association between the knowledge and demographics of participants except for education at the higher levels of education, the more significant association with good knowledge
Conclusion: The results of the present study reveal that the knowledge about the Down syndrome was poor among the studied population. Also, education significantly impacts the knowledge of Down syndrome, thus there is a need for providing the population and patients with the necessary information to improve their Down syndrome awareness
ABSTRACT
Background: Over the last two decades, only few dermatology research papers have been published in Saudi Arabia provided the small number of experts -in this field -enlisted in higher education institutions. Hence a compelling need to review the recent publications and define the current prevalence, status and interventions needed
Objective: To present an overview of the common dermatological diseases, particularly eczema and dermatitis, in Saudi community as well as their effects and ways to mitigate them
Methods: Review of Randomized Controlled Trials [RCTs] researches conducted and published in Saudi Arabia
Results: Empirical findings revealed that Acne, Eczema and Psoriasis are the most common dermatological disorders among the Saudi community while Atopic Dermatitis was the most common mostly affecting children. In the meantime, Vitiligo emerged to be the most rampant pigmentary ailment, also viral warts appeared predominant covering up to 12% of the patients in the subject. On the other hand, dermatophytoses occurred commonly among the fungal conditions, while psoriasis arose as the most recurrent papulosquamous condition
Conclusion: The prevalence of dermatological disorders in Saudi Arabia is rather high with the issue being overlooked and deprioritized in favor of graver pathological conditions despite the significant social, psychological and quality of life impact on the patients. Thus, we recommended that proper education and awareness campaigns on skin diseases should be provided at all academic and social levels as one way of prevention and alleviation of skin diseased in Saudi Arabia