ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although there is an emergent increase in the epidemiology of skin cancer in Saudi Arabia, yet knowledge, attitude, and awareness towards skin cancer prevention measures is still poor. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes and practice towards skin cancer among the Saudi population, as well as, to evaluate the level of awareness relating to exposure to sunlight. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey involved 438 participants who were randomly selected from Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. A standard questionnaire was used to collect data regarding skin cancer. The questionnaire focused on three main aspects knowledge, attitude, and practice. The skin cancer quality of life impact tool (SCQOLIT) was employed. RESULTS: The present study included 438 participants, aged 18 to 55 years old. The response in the present study was 81.9%. Regarding the causes and effects of skin cancer, 61.2% of the respondents have prior knowledge about it. The positive attitude about skin cancer was exhibited by 68.9%, and only 31.1% showed a negative attitude towards it. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards skin cancer still under the desired level to prevent skin cancer and its related conditions in Saudi Arabia. Greater emphasis should be made through awareness campaigns and available media to raise the knowledge about implications related to prolonged exposure to sunlight.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cancer is emerging as a major global health-care system challenge with a growing burden worldwide. Due to the inconsistent cancer registry system in Saudi Arabia, the epidemiology of cancer is still dispersed in the country. Consequently, this review aimed to assemble the epidemiological metrics of cancer in Saudi Arabia in light of the available published data during the period from (2010-2019). METHODS: Published literature from Saudi Arabia relating to cancer incidence, prevalence, risk factors, and other epidemiological metrics were accessed through electronic search in Medline/PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, and public database that meet the inclusion criteria. Relevant keywords were used during the electronic search about different types of cancers in Saudi Arabia. No filters were used during the electronic searches. Data were pooled and odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were calculated. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to assess the well-determined risk factors associated with different types of cancers. RESULTS: The most common cancers in Saudi Arabia are breast, colorectal, prostate, brain, lymphoma, kidney and thyroid outnumbering respectively. Their prevalence rates and OR (95%CI) as follow: breast cancer 53% and 0.93 (0.84-1.00); colon-rectal cancer (CRC) 50.9% and 1.2 (0.81-1.77); prostate cancer 42.6% and 3.2 (0.88-31.11); brain/Central Nervous System cancer 9.6% and 2.3 (0.01-4.2); Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 9.2% and 3.02 (1.48-6.17); kidney cancer 4.6% and 2.05 (1.61-2.61), and thyroid cancer 12.9% and 6.77 (2.34-19.53). CONCLUSION: Within the diverse cancers reported from Saudi Arabia, the epidemiology of some cancers magnitude 3-fold in the latest years. This increase might be attributed to the changing in the Saudi population lifestyle (adopting western model), lack of cancer awareness, lack of screening & early detection programs, social barriers toward cancer investigations. Obesity, genetics, sedentary lifestyle, tobacco use, viral infection, and iodine & Vit-D deficiency represent the apparent cancer risk factors in Saudi Arabia.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Burn is one of the major global health problem causing trauma and stress. A burn injury can cause functional impairment and psychosocial burdens affecting the quality of life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the life quality after skin burn and patients' satisfaction on skin grafting outcomes in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: In this cross-sectional community-based survey included 166 participants. Each participant was interviewed using a purposeful questionnaire. RESULTS: The highest incidence of skin burn cases were recorded among female participants (n=133) compared to males (n=33). The highest cause of burn injury was scald (46.4%) and the highest injured parts were hands across all age groups (n=89). Multiple logistic regression models for different parts of skin burn patients showed highly significant values for hands (p < 0.001), CI, 0.181 (0.103-0.259). The maximum injury took place at home (88%). The majority of burns were scald and flame injuries (46.4% and 36.1%). Majority of patients had burns of 0-10% TBSA which is about 62.0% (p < 0.002, R 2=0.289). The mean DLQI scores ranged from < 1 to 27. CONCLUSION: Skin burns are common in Saudi Arabia and more prevalent among females. Most skin burns occur at home and the most causative agent is hot water predominantly affecting hands. The majority of burns are treated using topical creams, and only some of them undergo skin grafting. There is a relatively higher degree of acceptance of skin burns treatment outcomes among the Saudi population.
