Perceptions about sickle cell disease among adults in Albaha region: a cross-sectional study

Background: Sickle-cell disease [SCD] is a group of genetic disorders characterized by abnormally shaped red blood cells [RBCs], which are destroyed at increased rates, leading to anemia. Recently, Saudi Arabia has been reported to have an increased prevalence of SCD

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess perceptions about SCD among the general population in Albaha region, Saudi Arabia, and the possible relationship between their levels of knowledge and sociodemographic characteristics

Methods: The study was carried out on 218 Saudi subjects who completed the selfadministered questionnaires during the study period

Results: This study demonstrated that more than two-thirds of the respondents [68.80%] had good knowledge about basics of sickle cell disease. Those with poor knowledge [31.20%] were mainly younger males and works as businessmen and housewives, and all of them had no previous experience with SCD child. Despite the recorded favorable level of knowledge, certain gaps in knowledge were identified; most of them falsely believed that some foods like fava beans, lentils, falafel made with fava beans, vigna and /or nuts could precipitate sickle-cell crisis.Moreover, in depth information of our study population about pattern of inheritance of SCD and its complications were not sufficient

Conclusion: In our study, a good level of awareness regarding SCD was found. Some of the respondents were confused about the nature of inheritance, complications and dietary factors related to the disease. So, community health education meetings and/or media programs to increase the public awareness are recommended

role of tonsillectomy in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea

Background: Obstructive Sleep Apnea [OS A] is caused by a partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway. OSA is a very inconvenient and relatively common disorder with daytime and nocturnal symptoms. The intervention and management of OSR is dependent on the patients' case severity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role and the optimal choice of Tonsillectomy for treatment of OSR. Methods: a systematic search in the scientific database [Medline, EMBASE, Google Scholer and Ovid] from 1980 to 2016 was conducted for all relevant retrospective studies including; randomized controlled trials, cohort studies and case-control studies were analyzed and included based on the preset inclusion and exclusion criteria

Results: the search has yielded twelve studies to be included in the present SR [n = 206 patients, 34.4+/- 10.0 years and body mass index: 29.3 +/- 9.6 kg/m2] met criteria. Tonsils sizes were hypertrophied, large, enlarged, extremely enlarged, or grades 2 to 4. Apnea-Hypopnea Index decreased by 65.2% [from 43.73 +/- 21.7 /hour to 13.7 3 +/- 12.7 /hour] [n - 198]. The AHI mean difference [MD] was -30.2 per hour [95% confidence interval [CI] -39.3, -21.1] [P value < 0.00001]

The AHI SMD was -1.37 [-1.65, -1.09] [large effect]. Lowest oxygen saturation improved from 77.7 3 +/- 11.9% to 85.5 3 +/- 8.2% [n = 186]. Lowest oxygen saturation MD was 8.5% [95% CI 5.2, 11.8] [P value < 0.00001]

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale decreased from 11.6 3 +/- 3.7 to 6.1 3 +/- 3.9 [n = 125]. Individual patient outcomes [n = 52] demonstrated an 85.2% success rate [AHI < 20/hour and > 50% reduction] and a 57.4% cure rate. Conclusion: tonsillectomy is an effective and safe surgical intervention for treatment of OSA in adults, particularly among carefully selected patients with large tonsils and mild to moderate OSA severity

prophylactic role of probiotics for preterm infants/neonates

Necrotizing enterocolitis [NEC] is a major morbidity and cause of mortality in preterm neonates. Probiotics seem to have a beneficial role in preventing NEC, which is confirmed in meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials [RCTs]

We therefore aimed to review and confirm the efficacy of probiotics in preterm neonates obtained in observational studies. To assess the effects of prophylactic probiotics in preterm infants. Keywords: Prophylactic, Probiotics, Preterm Infants

Awareness about the role of bariatric surgery in mortality and morbidity among general population of Albaha city

Background: obesity is an emerging health concern worldwide and in Saudi Arabia. Until now bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for morbid obesity

Objective: the aim of this study was to measure awareness about the role of bariatric surgery in mortality and morbidity among general population in Albaha city in Saudi Arabia

Methods: a questionnaire was distributed among the general public in Albaha city, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire consisted of two parts, the first one included personal data and the second one was concerned with awareness and knowledge of people regarding effectiveness and complications of bariatric surgery. Only completed questionnaires without missing data were subjected to statistical analysis

Results: the majority of respondents opposed surgery and didn't believe in its effectiveness compared with other treatment lines. There were false beliefs about the regaining of weight after surgery and exaggeration of its complications. The most common causes for refusal of surgery were lack of need and fear of complications while the most common motives for acceptance were desire of more weight loss and health benefits

Conclusion: health education is necessary to increase patients' awareness and knowledge about bariatric surgery. The topics to be focused upon are the expected benefits after surgery, the maintenance of weight and the nature and incidence of surgical complications

Awareness about cruciate ligament injury among general population of Albaha city

Background: anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] injury is very common in young and active individuals who have continued active participation in sports. This injury might cause functional disability with many economic and social consequences. So, there is a need to raise awareness of the general population about this type of injury in order to decrease its incidence and complications

Objective: this cross sectional study was undertaken to investigate the awareness of the general population in Albaha city, Saudi Arabia towards ACL injury

Methods: a self-administered questionnaire was randomly distributed to individuals aged 18-60 years of both sexes, 464 subjects agreed to participate, answered the questionnaire and were involved in the study

Results: findings showed that 77.8% of the study participants were aware of ACL injury and ranked it as a serious disease. Great percent [36.0%] of the studied persons realized the role of sports as a risk factor of ACL injury. The majority [60.8%] proposed an interaction between two or more of; incorrect technical movements, lack of self- protection awareness, insufficient preparation and overload of exercise. Low percentages of all participants considered prolonged walking, prolonged standing, going up and down stairs, prolonged sitting, getting up from a sitting position, kneeling or squatting or running actions that might increase the incidence of ACL injury

Conclusion: findings showed reasonable awareness of the general population in Albaha city about the seriousness of ACL injury, but there was lacking in their information about risk factors other than sports, dangerous actions that increase incidence of ACL injuries and their characteristic symptoms. There is a need for increasing health education and raising awareness and more implementation of prevention programs for ACL injuries

Awareness about causes and risk factors of cataract among general population of Albaha City

Background: cataract is the most common age-related eye disease and the most treatable cause of visual impairment and blindness in adults

Aim of the work: this study aimed to assess the knowledge of Saudi population in Albaha city about cataract and its risk factors

Methods: this was a cross-sectional study that included a representative sample of 756 adults of the Saudi population in this region. Participants answered self-administered questionnaires consisting of items assessing the knowledge about cataract

Results: nearly half of the studed sample [50.5%] misunderstood cataract as a white membrane growing over the eye, while only 222 [29.4%] realized it as an increase in eye lens opacity. Moreover, this study revealed clearly deficient knowledge in the studied population about risk factors of cataract. High percent of participants [84%] did not know that incidence of cataract increases with positive family history. Likewise, there was a shortage of knowledge about the relationship of malnutrition, dehydration, hypertension and ultraviolet rays and the development of cataract. Fortunately, considerable numbers considered cataract as an age related disease and recognized that diabetes mellitus is a major precipitating factor to cataract

Conclusion: Saudi population in Albaha city had poor knowledge towards cataract and its risk factors. Hence, great efforts should be made to increase the knowledge and awareness of the general public about this disease

Assessment of Hospital Physicians' Knowledge, Awareness, Attitude and Practice of Reporting Adverse Drug Reactions in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. Spontaneous reporting of ADRs is considered an essential component of successful pharmacovigilance (PV). Physicians’ unfamiliarity with ADRs and reporting procedures are major factors that lead to sub-optimal reporting of ADRs. Objective: This study explored knowledge, awareness, attitude and practice (KAAP) of physicians towards ADRs and their reporting. Methods: This study was conducted at three general hospitals in Jeddah City. A 7-item, self-administered questionnaire was developed to explore physicians’ KAAP. Results: Majority of physicians had post-graduate qualification (n=243, 72%), were from medical departments (n=146, 43.3%), had long clinical experience (n=258, 77%) and consulted more than 10 patients daily (n=258, 77%). About 72% of physicians were never exposed to ADR training program. More than 60% of physicians were not fully aware of ADR reporting perspectives. Majority of them (75%) knew the correct definition of ADR and adequate knowledge of reportable ADRs (>90%). Majority of physicians depended on textbooks on drugs and therapies (31.2%) and drug package inserts (22.3%) as sources of ADR information. The majority of respondents (>90%) showed positive attitude towards ADRs and ADRs reporting and monitoring system. About 57.6% of physicians had come across ADRs in practice but only 21.7% reported these reactions. Most of physicians agreed to improve KAP towards ADRs reporting. Conclusion: The preliminary findings of this study suggest that though majority of physicians had good awareness and positive attitude towards ADR and ADR reporting, but needed correct knowledge in some areas of ADRs and their reporting system. Majority of physicians were not exposed to ADR training courses. Physicians certainly need ADR training programs in order to further enhance their KAAP towards ADRs and ADR reporting.