Cosmetic surgeries and procedures among youth in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study of undergraduate university students in the Eastern Province.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To assess the attitudes and acceptance of cosmetic surgeries and procedures among undergraduate university students in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, as well as the barriers against having cosmetic surgeries and procedures. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of undergraduate university students in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, during October 2020. The research instrument included the Attitudes towards Cosmetic Surgery Scale (ACSS), sociodemographic data and perceived barriers towards cosmetic surgeries and procedures. A bivariate analysis was performed followed by a linear regression to account for confounders. RESULTS: A total of 1240 students participated in the study. The mean ACSS for cosmetic surgeries was 3.14 (±1.37 SD), and 3.25 (±1.49 SD) for cosmetic procedures. Older students, students with a history of previous cosmetic surgeries/procedures, and students with engineering specialties had more acceptance scores in both cosmetic surgeries and procedures. On the other hand, men, students belonging to a middle family income and students who perceived themselves to be aware of the risk associated with cosmetic surgeries/procedures had less acceptance scores. The most reported barrier to have cosmetic surgeries and procedures among students was feeling that they do not need it. CONCLUSION: The findings from the current study could help dermatologists, plastic surgeons and adolescent specialists wishing to recognise the rising interest in cosmetic surgeries and procedures in Arabic youth populations, the possible associated factors, as well as the barriers to have these surgeries and procedures. A further qualitative in-depth study to explore the acceptance is suggested.

Association between sex hormones and migraine in young Saudi females.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the sex hormone levels in young Saudi female migraineurs during a migraine attack and during pain-free periods and compare them with control subjects. METHODS: A case-control study involving 14 Saudi female migraineurs and 21 control subjects was conducted between December 2019 and March 2020. Demographic and disease history data were collected through participant interviews. Blood samples were drawn during the migraine attack and pain-free periods. RESULTS: Follicular (30.00±19.60; p<0.001) and luteal (39.79±11.45; p=0.037) estrogen levels were significantly higher in patients with non-menstrual related migraine (NMM), while luteal testosterone levels (1.10±0.31; p=0.023) were significantly higher in patients with menstrually related migraine (MM). Body mass index (BMI) was higher in patients with NMM (25.77±6.53; p=0.013), and it was found to be associated with follicular estrogen (p=0.016), progesterone (p=0.018), and pain intensity (p=0.042). Luteal estrogen level was significantly lower (13.96±7.88; p=0.036) in patients with luteal onset of attack. CONCLUSION: High estrogen levels were found to mediate NMM, their effect being more pronounced with increase in BMI; whereas low luteal estrogen levels mediated MM. Young females with MM might have high luteal testosterone levels, and a compensatory protective role could be surmised accordingly.

Seroprevalence of rubella virus among pregnant women: A 4-year registered-based study from family medicine and obstetric clinics in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine rubella virus infectivity and immune status in pregnant females who visited the family medicine and obstetrics clinics at a large hospital in Saudi Arabia, and to identify the possible predictors of rubella susceptibility. METHODS: This registered-based, cross-sectional study included pregnant, aged between 18 and 50 years old, who presented for the first antenatal visit between 2017 and 2020. Data on sociodemographic, antenatal characteristics and serological results were collected. Chi-Squared or Fisher's Exact test and t tests were used for bivariate analysis followed by the multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS: A total of 4328 pregnant were included in the study. Seroprevalence of rubella immunity was 76.41%. Positive rubella IgM antibody was identified in 1.21% of those who performed the test (17/1409). Odds of susceptibility were decreased with an increase in age (OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.95-0.97) and in non-Saudis' (OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.36-0.54). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 24% of pregnant were susceptible to rubella virus infections in this study. Screening females of child-bearing age and reimmunisation of susceptible cases before pregnancy are suggested. Further studies to investigate the impact of applying this policy in premarital screening are recommended.

Anxiety and Its Association with Preparation for Future Specialty: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Medical Students, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorders are a significant global health concern with destructive morbidity and mortality. Medical school is a stressful environment worldwide. This study measures the prevalence of anxiety symptoms among clinical-year medical students in Saudi Arabia. As well as to explore its association with students' sociodemographic factors, academic performance, issues experienced by them during the study of medicine, and their perceived readiness for their future specialties. METHODS: The generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7) tool along with a sociodemographic questionnaire was distributed to 523 clinical-year medical students (fourth, fifth and sixth years) from the Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, in this cross-sectional study. Data analysis was performed with SPSS version 23 and it included the Chi-Square or Fisher's exact tests for bivariate analysis, and the multivariable logistic regression to account for confounders. RESULTS: The prevalence of anxiety symptoms as measured by the GAD-7 was found to be 31.7%. Of these, 14.3% had severe symptoms. Only 4.4% students went to a healthcare professional and were diagnosed with psychiatric problems. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds of anxiety was higher among females and students who had perceived psychological problems. However, students' grade point average (GPA) and perceived readiness for their future specialty were not statistically significant with anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSION: Anxiety was highly prevalent among clinical-year medical students included in this study. This urges periodic mental health screening, proper diagnosis of high-risk individuals in medical schools, and early interventions through confidential access to mental health services.

Prevalence of depression and its associated factors among clinical-year medical students in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: To assess the prevalence of depression among medical students in their clinical years (fourth, fifth, and sixth years) in a government university in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, and its association with the students' sociodemographic characteristics, academic factors, perceived health problems and their perceived readiness to their future specialties. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 527 clinical-year medical students. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and questionnaire designed by the researchers to collect data on sociodemographic and academic variables were used as research instruments. Statistical analyses were conducted using Stata Statistical Software V.15. Descriptive statistics, the χ test, and both an ordered logistic regression and a binary logistic regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression was found to be 39.27%, according to the results of the PHQ-9. Both the ordered logistic regression and the binary logistic regression analyses revealed that the odds of severe depression were high among women, and students who perceived that they were not yet ready for their future specialties. The more senior the medical students were, the less likely it is that they have severe depression. A similar association was found for students who perceived that they did not have psychological problems. However, students' grade point average was not statistically significantly associated with depression. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of depression was high among the medical students examined. Policy makers should establish screening programmes, provide counselling for students who need it and deliver early interventions in detected cases.