ABSTRACT
Background Self-esteem is a self-valuation; it is how people perceive their own worth and how valuable they believe they are to others. In this study, our primary objective was to explore the association between social media use and self-esteem among individuals who actively engage with social media platforms in Saudi Arabia. Method This study involved individuals aged 15 and above who are active social media users residing in Saudi Arabia. The data were collected through an anonymous online cross-sectional survey. Participants were recruited using snowball and convenience sampling method. A questionnaire was administered through Google Forms to collect data from participants. The questionnaire was structured into three sections, which included gathering social and demographic information, assessing personal usage patterns, and evaluating individual self-esteem levels using an Arabic valid version of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Results The survey included a total of 2,551 participants. Among them, 51.3% (n = 1,309) were female, 29% (n = 741) fell within the 21-25 age group, 95.7% (n = 2,441) were of Saudi nationality, and 51.6% (n = 1,316) were single. The social media platform most frequently used by participants was TikTok 98.5% (n = 2,512), followed by Facebook 95.7% (n = 2,441), Telegram 89.8% (n = 2,291), YouTube 72.2% (n = 1,942), WhatsApp 66.0% (n = 1,683), and finally, Snapchat 30.7% (n = 1,769). In total, 14.3% (n= 366) have low self-esteem, participants scored around 16.10 ± 1.80, ranging from 5 to 25. The following variables were significantly associated with self-esteem: female sex (83.88% vs 87.52%, X2 = 6.87, p = 0.009), nationality (X2 = 13.507, p < 0.001), marital status (X2 = 12.313, p = 0.006), region (X2 = 18.36, p = 0.001), using Tik Tok (X2 = 4.11, p = 0.043), the frequency of posting comments (X2 = 12.01, p = 0.017), comparing oneself to others (X2 = 27.94, p < 0.001), using social media because of weak personal communication (X2 = 6.56, p = 0.010), using social media to follow news (X2 = 6.89, p = 0.009), and the perceived effect of social media (X2 = 16.28, p < 0.001). Conclusions Our findings revealed that a minority of participants exhibited low self-esteem, and individuals from the Northern region were more likely to report such issues. Sociodemographic factors, including gender, nationality, and marital status, demonstrated associations with self-esteem. Additionally, the frequency of comments, TikTok usage, and peer comparison significantly influenced self-esteem levels.
ABSTRACT
Background Diabetic foot syndrome is a complex and multifactorial disease process involving neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, osteomyelitis, diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), and amputation. DFUs are a common and burdensome manifestation of the syndrome, responsible for diabetes-related morbidity and mortality. Successful management of DFU requires collaboration between patients and caregivers. This study assesses the knowledge, experience, and practices of the caregivers of diabetic foot patients in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve knowledge and practices in certain subgroups of caregivers. Method The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the proficiency and practicality of caregivers who provide care to patients with diabetic foot in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To accomplish this, a cross-sectional study was conducted among caregivers of diabetic foot patients who were aged 18 years or older and living in Saudi Arabia. The participants were randomly chosen to ensure that the sample was representative. The data collection process involved the distribution of a structured online questionnaire via various social media platforms. Prior to the distribution of the questionnaire, the participants were informed about the study's objectives, and their informed consent was obtained. Additionally, adequate measures were taken to ensure the confidentiality of the participants and their caregiving status. Results Among the initial pool of 2990 participants, 1023 individuals were excluded from the study due to their status as non-caregivers of diabetic patients or being under the age of 18 years. Consequently, the final sample size consisted of 1921 caregivers. The majority of the participants were female (61.6%), married (58.6%), and had a bachelor's degree (52.4%). The findings revealed that 34.6% of caregivers were attending to patients with diabetic foot, of which 8.5% reported poor foot status and 9.1% reported amputation. Caregivers reported examining the patient's feet in 75.2% of cases, and the feet were cleaned and moisturized by either the patient or caregiver. Nails were trimmed by 77.8% of caregivers, and 49.8% of them did not permit patients to walk barefoot. Moreover, knowledge of diabetic foot care was positively correlated with being female, having a post-graduate degree, having personal experience with diabetes, caring for a patient with diabetic foot, and having prior experience in treating diabetic foot. Conversely, lower knowledge levels were associated with divorced or unemployed caregivers and those residing in the northern region. Conclusion The present study highlights that caregivers of diabetic foot patients in Saudi Arabia possess a satisfactory level of knowledge and follow appropriate practices regarding foot care. Nonetheless, it is imperative to identify specific subgroups of caregivers who may require additional education and training to improve their knowledge and practices concerning diabetic foot care. The results of this study could potentially inform the design of tailored interventions aimed at reducing the significant burden of morbidity and mortality attributed to diabetic foot syndrome in the Saudi Arabian context.
