ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study determined the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on adherence to medication among children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). METHODS: Data were collected from April 2020 to April 2022 through face-to-face or telephonic interviews at a virtual paediatric endocrine clinic in Jeddah, KSA. RESULTS: A total of 55 children, with a mean age of 12.9 ± 5.8 years, participated in the study. Most children (32/55, 58%) were administered treatment by their mother. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 51 patients (93%) reported adhering to their CAH treatment. After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, this number decreased to 49 (89%, p = 0.516). The most common reasons for non-adherence before and after the pandemic included restricted access to medication (supply and financial problems) and challenges in obtaining new prescriptions and refills. These challenges increased after the onset of the pandemic. Before and after the onset of the pandemic, mothers with a university degree were significantly more likely to administer medication than mothers without a university degree, but fathers' education level did not affect their role in medication administration, before or after the onset of the pandemic. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that the COVID-19 pandemic did not have a significant effect on medication adherence in children with CAH in Jeddah.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The emergence of the coronavirus disease has forced governments worldwide to implement non-pharmaceutical interventions that imposed strict confinement policies on their populations, including children and adolescents. Subsequently, the education system has shifted from traditional to online classroom settings, introducing physical and lifestyle changes in students. This study aimed to determine the impact of virtual education in comparison with that of traditional education on body weight among school-age students in western Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out between March 2020 and May 2021 and assessed pediatric patients at the Pediatric Endocrine Clinic at King Abdulaziz Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A clinical interview was performed to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity levels, and electronic device usage. Body mass index (BMI) was determined using the Center for Disease Control and Prevention standards. RESULTS: In total, 518 participants (262 female and 256 male students) aged six to 18 years were assessed. The BMI significantly increased from a mean of 19.24, before the pandemic, to 20.08, after the commencement of the virtual study modality (p<0.001) that involved the increased use of electronic devices. Moreover, the proportion of physical inactivity significantly increased during weekdays (39%) and weekends (37.5%). CONCLUSION: Due to the many obesogenic factors influenced by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the findings indicate the need for further research and interventions to avoid the incidence of overweight and obesity among students. Many obesogenic factors are influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affect the student's physical activity and lifestyle by increasing the risk of overweight and obesity. Therefore Further research and interventions are needed.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To identify how children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes were coping with their condition during the COVID-19 lockdown, by detecting differences in blood glucose control and in lifestyle, including diet, physical activity, and mood deterioration, before and during the lockdown. METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between April and June 2020 at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from interviews, using various forms of telecommunication. RESULTS: The total sample size was 150 patients, 48 (28%) of whom were males and 102 (72%) females. The mean age of the patients was 12.45 years. The lockdown was associated with a significant increase in patients' weight (p=0.001), body mass index (p=0.001), and blood glucose readings (p=0.007) compared to their values before the lockdown. Conclusion: A negative impact of the COVID-19 lockdown was found on blood glucose values and BMI, which may correlate with a lack of physical activity, increased consumption of carbohydrates and fast food, and mood deterioration.