ABSTRACT
Background and objective Video games have become a popular source of entertainment among children and adolescents, not only targeting the young generation but also increasingly popular among older demographics as well. This study aimed to assess the association between video game addiction and depression, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among children and adolescents in Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods This was a cross-sectional study involving Saudi adolescents aged 12-16 years. A self-administered online survey was distributed on social media (Twitter, WhatsApp, and Snapchat). The survey addressed sociodemographic characteristics (i.e., age, gender, area of residence city, etc.). Arabic versions of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (PHQ-GAD7), the ADHD Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS), and the seven-item Game Addiction Scale (GAS-7) questionnaires were distributed as well, including Arabic terms for depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Results A total of 393 surveys were completed (males: 58.3% vs. females: 41.7%). Of note, 63.1% of the respondents reported playing video games every day with an average of more than five hours of gaming time per day (25.2%). The prevalence of video game addiction was 62.1%. Independent risk factors of video game addiction included being young in age, playing video games every day, playing more than three hours per day, and playing multiplayer games. Furthermore, our findings suggest that a higher video game addiction score is correlated with higher scores in inattention, anxiety, and depression. Conclusion This study found a high prevalence of video game addiction among Saudi children and adolescents. Excessive video game playing negatively influences mental health and leads to issues including anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Also, younger males with an increased rate of regular playtime were more likely to exhibit video game addiction in comparison to the rest of the population. Further research is required to more comprehensively assess the prevalence rate of video game addiction and its effect on the mental health of the younger generation within the region.
ABSTRACT
Background Striae distensae (SD) or stretch marks are a common dermatological condition where the dermis becomes scarred. This phenomenon is associated with many risk factors. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical variables and risk factors in patients with SD in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the clinical variables and risk factors for stretch marks among adults in Riyadh, KSA. An electronic questionnaire with an informed consent section was distributed randomly to a sample of adult patients in Riyadh city, KSA, from April to June 2021. A sample size of 512 participants was calculated using the Cochran formula (n = Z2pq/e2), considering 95% confidence and precision of at least ±5%. A 95% confidence level yielded Z values of 1.96, per the normal tables. Results A total of 512 participants were included in this study. This study found that 41.4% of the participants were aged 15 to 25 years of which, 70.4% of the participants were females, and 38.2% had a body mass index (BMI) of 24 or more. More than half of the participants (54.0%) indicated white skin color. The most prevalent area of striae, as reported by the participants, was the abdomen (57%). Around 19.1% of the participants with stretch marks stated that they were smokers, and 23.9% stated that they were obese o, had a chronic condition such as hypertension or diabetes mellitus. The majority of the participants (70.5%) had a family history of stretch marks. Conclusions This study showed that the prevalence of stretch marks was higher in females, younger participants, smokers, participants with a family history of stretch marks, and participants with a higher BMI and multiparity. More studies should be conducted to assess the correlations between these factors and the presence of stretch marks, and their influence on the quality of life of individuals.
