ABSTRACT
Background Monkeypox is a globally spreading disease, representing a significant threat to human life in all countries of the world, and Saudi Arabia is no exception. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of the general adult population in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia about monkeypox. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia among a sample of adults (aged over 18 years) who attended the outpatient clinics of the First Cluster primary healthcare centers, King Saud Medical City, and Ministry of Health in November 2022. A self-administered Arabic questionnaire, including sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, beliefs regarding monkeypox, and knowledge assessment about monkeypox through 23 multiple-choice questions, was utilized. Results The study included 375 participants, of whom 270 (72%) were aged between 26 and 45 years, and 195 (52%) were males. Overall, 258 (68.8%) participants had insufficient knowledge about monkeypox. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that participants aged over 45 years were almost at a three-fold risk of having an insufficient level of knowledge about the disease compared to those aged between 18 and 25 years (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07-8.69, p = 0.037). University/higher educated participants were at 61% lower risk of having an insufficient level of knowledge about the disease compared to those with an education level of below secondary school (AOR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.09-0.65, p = 0.013). Compared to housewives/non-working participants, governmental employees were at a significantly lower risk of having insufficient knowledge about monkeypox (AOR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.26-0.89, p = 0.020). Conclusions Knowledge of the general population in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia regarding monkeypox is insufficient, particularly regarding the fact that a monkeypox vaccine is available in Saudi Arabia and monkeypox is not a new infection that appeared in 2022. Therefore, there is a need to implement educational sessions at primary care centers and outpatient clinics of hospitals about the disease.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Recurring migraine disorders are a common medical problem, standing among the top causes of disability and sufferings. This study aimed to evaluate epidemiological evidence to report updated estimates on prevalence, risk factors, and associated comorbidities of migraine headache in the Arab countries. Design and Setting. A systematic review was conducted at the College of Public Health and Health Informatics, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A systematic search in electronic databases, such as PubMed and Embase, as well as manual searches with cross-referencing was performed from 1990 up to 2019. Overall, 23 included papers were rated independently by two reviewers. Studies were eligible for inclusion only if they investigated migraine headache epidemiology in any Arab country and were published in English. RESULTS: Migraine prevalence among the general population ranged between 2.6% and 32%. The estimated prevalence of migraine headache among medical university students ranged between 12.2% and 27.9% and between 7.1% and 13.7% in schoolchildren (6 to 18 years). Females were found more likely to have migraine than males. The duration of migraine attacks became shorter with increasing age, while chronic (daily) migraine showed increasing prevalence with age. The most commonly reported comorbidities with migraine included anxiety, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, and depression. Most common headache-triggering factors included stress, fatigue, sleep disturbances, prolonged exposure to excessive sunlight or heat, and hunger. CONCLUSION: The prevalence and risk factors of migraine headache in Arab countries are comparable to reports from western countries. Longitudinal studies are still needed to investigate the prognosis and predictors of chronicity in the arab countries.
