Prevalence and Characteristics of People with Disabilities Among Abused Victims in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Abuse is an ongoing public health issue that results in increased morbidity and mortality rates. Abuse against individuals with disabilities is a pervasive and deeply concerning issue, often compounded by factors of vulnerability and dependence. The majority of disabled individuals experience abuse, with the majority enduring it repeatedly. Identifying the problem is the first step towards preventing abuse. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of people with disabilities among abused victims and the victim's associated risk factors in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study obtained data from the National Family Safety Registry. All registered children and adults between April 2017 and December 2022 from 93 centers across 13 regions of Saudi Arabia were included. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association between independent variables and victim-related risk factors such as the onset of abuse complications, the victim being an adult or child, the victim's gender, and whether they had been previously abused. RESULTS: Individuals with disabilities comprise 1.4% (n = 199) of all reported cases of abuse (n = 14,004), and the trend of violence against people with disabilities has decreased during the 6-year study period. Of the abused people with disabilities, 72.4% were children, 57.8% were males, 45.2% were previously abused, and 65.3% had complications from the abuse. Caregiver type, perpetrator gender, perpetrator age, and previous abuse status were significant factors. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the disability prevalence among reported abuse cases and evaluates victim's risk factors in Saudi Arabia, which demonstrates an urgency for targeted intervention and support. People with disabilities constitute a vulnerable demographic who require increased support and resources. Comprehensive data collection can be utilized for effective violence prevention strategies. Further research should explore qualitative methods and survey the rates of abuse among people with disabilities in the community to gain deeper insights.

Determining patterns and types of violence against the elderly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Reports indicate an increase in the incidence of violence against the elderly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This study aimed to determine the types and risk factors of elder abuse in KSA. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted of abuse among the elderly (65 years and older; n = 128) reported in the National Family Safety Registry (NFSR) between April 2017 and December 2021. Most cases involved women (65.6%) and married individuals (54.7%). Physical abuse was the most common type (44.5%), followed by neglect (34.4%). Men, married individuals, people without family support, and people with physical disabilities were more likely to experience physical abuse. Elderly people, single individuals, women, and those lacking family support showed an increased likelihood of neglect. Preventive strategies should be implemented through awareness raising, capacity building, resource allocation, and the exchange of multidisciplinary good practices across sectors.

Factors associated with mortality and morbidity among pediatrics with burn injuries in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To describe characteristics, mechanism, and factors associated with morbidity and mortality of pediatrics with burn injuries. METHODS: This cross-sectional retrospective study examined all pediatrics with burn injuries carried out at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2015-2020. Collected data included demographics, mechanism of burn, total body surface area (TBSA) burned, body region burned, incidence of infection, renal failure, scars, and respiratory events. RESULTS: The study included 370 patients. Approximately 47.0% were aged ≤2 years, and 61.0% were males. The most common burn mechanism was scald burn (54%), 59.2% had a TBSA of 0-10%, and 60.3% had regional burns on the upper limbs. During follow-up, 5 patients died (incidence rate [IR]=1.60/100 patient/years [PYs]). Morbidity events included blood/sepsis infection (IR=2.87/100 PYs), urine infection (IR=8.30/100 PYs), wound infection (IR=21.72/100 PYs), renal failure (IR=0.96/100 PYs), and respiratory infections (IR=1.60/100 PYs). In a multivariate Cox regression analysis, factors independently associated with combined hazard of morbidity and mortality were female gender (hazard ratio [HR]=1.64, 95% confidence intervel [CI]: [1.01-2.67], p=0.047), TBSA (HR=3.20, 95% CI: [1.828-5.585], p<0.0001), and length of hospital stay (HR=3.14, 95% CI: [1.91-5.17], p=0.000). CONCLUSION: This study identifies certain characteristics suggestive of poor outcomes of pediatric burn injuries that are relevant to clinical management and prevention programs. Larger multicenter studies are required to fully characterize pediatric patients with burn injuries and to identify factors that adversely affect their prognosis.