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BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition characterized by glucose intolerance that develops during pregnancy. It is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes and has long-term health implications for both the mother and the child. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with and without GDM in the Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Al-Baha region from April 2023 to November 2023. The study included mothers residing in the Al-Baha region who were willing to participate and had access to a social media account. A simple random sampling technique was used, and the estimated sample size was 422. A self-administered electronic questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic and lifestyle factors, as well as the pregnancy outcomes of diabetic and non-diabetic mothers. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 28.0 (Released 2012; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). RESULTS: We included 422 women in the study with the majority of participants in the age group of 36-40 years(15.4%, n=74). Most participants (66.6%, n=321) had attained a university degree, and a significant proportion resided in Al-Baha City (52.3%, n=252). Maternal outcomes indicated a significant association between GDM and the development of eclampsia (OR = 8.296, 95%CI: 4.353-15.810, p < 0.001), as well as an increased risk of thyroid diseases (OR = 2.723, 95%CI: 1.428-5.193, p = 0.002). Fetal outcomes revealed a significant association between GDM and respiratory distress/lack of oxygen in newborns (OR = 2.032, 95%CI: 1.085-3.805, p = 0.024), and infants of GDM patients had a higher risk of hypoglycemia (OR = 8.099, 95%CI: 3.350-19.581, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We found that GDM increased the risk of complications such as eclampsia, thyroid problems, and postpartum hemorrhage. GDM was also associated with shorter pregnancy durations, higher cesarean section rates, and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes post pregnancy. The study emphasized the importance of comprehensive GDM therapy and monitoring.
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Background Epilepsy is a prevalent pediatric neurological disorder, with widespread implications globally. Parents' knowledge and attitudes toward their epileptic children play a pivotal role in the well-being and management of the condition. Despite its prevalence in Saudi Arabia, awareness and perceptions vary across communities. Objective This study aimed to assess parents' knowledge, awareness, and attitudes toward children with epilepsy in the Al Baha region of Saudi Arabia. Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in the Al Baha region from November 2022 to January 2023. An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was distributed among 390 parents, targeting those aged 18-60 years. Results While the majority recognized that epilepsy is not contagious, misconceptions persisted. Nearly 67.7% of families lacked clarity on the causes of epilepsy. Most believed in the potential curability of epilepsy, favoring medication as the primary treatment. A significant association was identified between having an epileptic child and knowledge of seizure-first aid. The majority held an optimistic view regarding the academic and extracurricular achievements of epileptic children. Conclusion The study highlights a mix of informed and misinformed beliefs among parents in the Al Baha region. While many perspectives were encouraging, certain misconceptions underlined the need for continued awareness campaigns and educational initiatives. Addressing these gaps is essential for providing comprehensive care and inclusion of children with epilepsy in the community.
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Background Epistaxis (nosebleed) is a frequent emergency presentation in the emergency department (ED). Generally, any harm to the nasal mucosa lining can lead the nose to bleed. The etiologies of epistaxis are widely classified as environmental, local, systemic, and medication-related causes. The initial management for epistaxis is first aid. First aid by applying pressure on the nostrils is essential to stop the bleeding and minimize discomfort. This study intends to evaluate teachers' awareness regarding epistaxis first aid management inside schools in Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted among a target of 439 teachers regarding epistaxis first aid management inside schools in Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and a chi-square test. Results Of the teachers, 50.7% had received training regarding epistaxis, while 49.3% had never been trained. Also, 73.3% considered that applying nasal compression may help stop bleeding, while the rest were completely unaware. On further investigation, tilting the head forward would be done by 56.27% of the teachers, while 40.73% said that the head should be tilted back. Of the teachers, 53.3% would go to the emergency if bleeding continued for more than 10 minutes. No association between age, gender, and working area, and training received regarding the management of epistaxis was found (p>0.05), but teachers from a scientific background, as compared to those from a literature background, were able to answer better regarding the management of epistaxis (p<0.05). Conclusion The study highlights knowledge gaps regarding epistaxis first aid management inside schools in Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia. The research highlights the need for focused training programs and awareness efforts to enhance teachers' knowledge and first aid practices. Addressing misknowledge and mispractices, enhancing the practices and attitudes of healthcare providers toward appropriate feeding practices, and promoting a supportive and safe environment could all contribute to the improvement of quality of life and health among the population of Saudi Arabia.
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BACKGROUND: It was hypothesized that the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and migraine and their co-existence are higher among medical students. In this study, we aim to establish the prevalence of IBS and migraine in the medical and non-medical students at Al-Baha University, Saudi Arabia, and to observe the association and relationship between IBS and migraine using the Rome IV diagnostic criteria for IBS and the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD)-3 criteria for migraine. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was done on the Saudi Arabian campus of Al-Baha University between July 2022 and July 2023. Al-Baha city-dwelling male and female college students aged 18 to 29 comprised the study population. A self-administered electronic questionnaire was sent online to determine the prevalence of IBS and migraine, in addition to associated risk factors. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: demographic and lifestyle data, the Rome IV criteria for diagnosing and subclassifying IBS, and the ICHD-3 criteria for diagnosing migraine. RESULTS: The study was conducted among 452 participants with a mean age of 21.64 years. The majority of participants were not from medical schools. The majority of medical and non-medical participants were male, at 66.6% and 63.1%, respectively. In our study, 36.9% of the individuals reported having a first-degree relative diagnosed with IBS, whereas 2.7% reported having IBS themselves. Regarding migraine, 17.9% of respondents claimed to have a first-degree relative with migraine, while 6.9% of respondents themselves reported experiencing migraine. Regarding IBS prevalence, there was no significant difference between participants from non-MBBS colleges and MBBS colleges. Similarly, there was no significant difference in migraine prevalence between these two groups (92.0% vs. 95.4%, p=0.185). CONCLUSION: The current study contributes significantly to our understanding of the prevalence of IBS and migraines among medical students, as well as these individuals' demographic characteristics, familial histories, and aggravating variables.
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Background/Objective: Systolic blood pressure variability (SBPV) in patients with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) and mortality. SBPV is a strong predictor of poor functional outcomes in patients with ICH. Intravenous (IV) antihypertensive agents are commonly used to achieve sustained target blood pressure goals; however, this is not a feasible long-term option. The transition from IV to enteral antihypertensives is not yet well established in patients with ICH and SAH. This study aimed to assess the effect of the number of antihypertensive agents and overlap time during the transition period from IV to enteral route on SBPV in patients with ICH and SAH. Methods: This retrospective single-center study was conducted at a tertiary teaching hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were extracted from electronic medical records after obtaining Institutional Review Board approval. Patients were included if they were >18 years old, admitted with spontaneous ICH or SAH, and received continuous infusion antihypertensives prior to transitioning to the enteral route. The major outcome was the effect of the number of antihypertensive agents and overlap time on SBPV during the transition process. Minor outcomes included the effect of the number of antihypertensive agents and overlap time on heart rate variability and the incidence of AKI on day 7. Results: After the screening, we included 102 patients. Based on our regression model, the number of enteral antihypertensive agents upon transitioning from IV to enteral antihypertensive therapy had no effect on SBPV in the intensive care unit (ICU) among our patients (p-value = 0.274). However, the prolonged overlap was associated with reduced SBPV in the ICU (p-value = 0.012). No differences were observed between the groups in heart rate variation or AKI rate. Conclusions: In patients with ICH and SAH, prolonged overlap of enteral antihypertensive agents to overlap with intravenous antihypertensive therapy may result in lower SBPV. This finding needs to be confirmed on a larger scale with more robust study designs for patients with ICH and SAH.
