Navigating Virtual Learning Landscapes: Perspectives of Health Sciences Students in Saudi Arabia During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction In December 2019, COVID-19 originated in Wuhan, China, triggering a global pandemic. However, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Education ensured the safe continuation of teaching and learning activities. Amid the pandemic, health sciences students were exposed to diverse learning opportunities. Methods This study seeks to explore their experiences with online teaching. Conducted as a descriptive cross-sectional study, it involved 397 health sciences students from three universities in the Makkah province who had encountered both traditional and virtual teaching methods. Results Most participants were female (71.1%), predominantly from Jeddah city (76.5%). The highest agreement scores were observed for student comprehension during online sessions (61.1%). A significant proportion (74.4%) found paying attention during online lectures easier than traditional ones. Blackboard emerged as the preferred educational platform for online teaching. Notably, there were no significant variations in students' perceptions of online teaching based on location, gender, or specialisation. Approximately 54.7% of students preferred watching their instructors through a webcam during online lectures. Conclusion Medical educators can leverage these findings to develop standardised teaching protocols and enhance the effectiveness of online education systems. The study underscores the importance of instructors using webcams during online teaching sessions, as it allows students to visually connect with their instructors, potentially improving the learning experience.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Patients with Dry Eye Syndrome in Saudi Arabia: A Survey Study.

Introduction: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) includes all healthcare practices that are not part of conventional medicine. One of the most common eye disorders for visiting an ophthalmology clinic is dry eye disease (DED), and due to the increasing number of CAM used for eye conditions, 1 in 5 patients has been reported in previous studies to use CAM for eye treatment. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of CAM use among patients with (DED). Methods: A web-based survey was used to collect the data, the first part of the questionnaire was about demographic data, and the second part included a validated Arabic version of the ocular surface disease index (OSDI). The third part was about practices that alleviate DED other than conventional medicine. Results: The total sample was 282, 61 were males, and 221 were females. Most participants (48.5%) were between 25 and 44 years old, 90% were Saudi, and only 10% were non-Saudi. Of the participant, 70% reported having attained a university or higher education level. The prevalence of the use of CAM among patients with dry eye was around 85%. The most frequently reported type of CAM used among the participants was faith healing (Ruqyah) (41%). This was followed by warm compressors (37%). There was no significant correlation between the severity of OSDI and using CAM, as the p-value was 0.909. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study shows that CAM is a popular choice among patients with dry eye syndrome. Faith healing and warm compressors are the most used types of CAM. However, the lack of correlation between OSDI severity and CAM use indicates that patients may use CAM for reasons other than symptom severity. Further research is needed to explore the reasons behind CAM use and its effectiveness in managing dry eye syndrome.

Awareness of the General Population Toward Constipation and Its Complications in the Western Region, Saudi Arabia.

Background and aim Constipation can be defined as unsatisfying defecation characterized by difficult stool passage, infrequent stools, or both. Complications include hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and prolapse of pelvic organs. Unfortunately, there needs to be more data available regarding awareness on this subject. Thus, in this study, we aim to measure the level of understanding of constipation and its complications in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Methods In this cross-sectional study, a valid and reliable questionnaire was used in data collection. In addition, SPSS (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) was used for the analysis of collected data. Results The present study included a total of 778 participants from the general public, 75.6% of whom were female and 24.4% of whom were male. We found that 70% of participants had an overall good awareness of constipation, with significant variation in levels of awareness among different groups; levels of awareness increased with age (P-value < 0.001), higher education also positively affected the level of understanding (P-value = 0.04), and participants who reported personal experience had higher levels of awareness than participants who did not have personal experience (P-value​​​​​​​ = 0.002). There was no significant association between the level of awareness and gender or city of residence. Conclusion Much of our population was well aware of constipation and its complications, with significant variation in awareness among different age groups, educational levels, and personal experiences.

Awareness About Keratoconus and Its Relation With Eye Rubbing: A Cross-Sectional Study in Medina.

BACKGROUND: Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory, bilateral, asymmetrical progressive disorder characterized by ectasia, thinning, and increased curvature of the cornea, as well as loss of visual acuity. Eye rubbing is considered the most common risk factor for keratoconus. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the awareness of the population in Medina about keratoconus and its relation to eye rubbing. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study involving 767 participants via an online pre-designed questionnaire from November 2021 to January 2022, in Medina, Saudi Arabia.  Results: Among the study participants, 94.1% have a lack of awareness about keratoconus and its relation to eye rubbing. Participants who have a visual disturbance and positive family history of keratoconus were found to have good awareness levels. Those who heard about keratoconus represent 39.8% of the participants, and relatives with keratoconus were the most common source of their information. An allergic reaction was reported by 34.9% of the participants, and 7.7% have a family history of keratoconus. Only 27.8% believe in the relationship between keratoconus and allergy, and 61.9% have no idea about the treatment. For eye rubbing, 28.9% of participants believe it can lead to keratoconus; also, 80.4% reported rubbing their eyes, and itching was the most common cause of their behavior. CONCLUSION: The majority of the participants have a lack of awareness about keratoconus and its relation to eye rubbing. Health education programs for the population should be conducted to enhance public awareness about keratoconus.