ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to achieve and maintain an erection powerful enough to permit pleasurable sexual activity. There are four categories for ED grades. The illness may be influenced by vascular, neurological, psychological, and hormonal factors. Anxiety about performance and relationship issues are common psychological triggers. AIM: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and awareness of ED and its management in the population of Saudi Arabia. METHOD: This community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among adult Saudi males in all five regions of Saudi Arabia (Central, Eastern, Western, Southern, and Northern). A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among participants using an online survey. The questionnaire includes sociodemographic data (i.e., age, region, marital status, education), medical history, and erectile function (International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5)) as a diagnostic tool for ED. RESULTS: In total, 924 men took part. About 512 (55.4%) were aged between 18 and 25 years old, and nearly two-thirds (595, 64.4%) were single. The Internet was the most common source of ED information 495 (53.6%). Based on respondents' knowledge, the most common risk factor of ED was depression (561, 60.8%), while the most common treatment option was lifestyle modification (654, 70.8%). The prevalence of ED among adult Saudi men was 198 (21.4%). Independent risk factors for ED include having been married, being an employee, and previous operation of the perineum. CONCLUSION: ED was common among the Saudi male population. ED was more prevalent among older men with associated chronic diseases and had elevated body mass index (BMI). Having been married, being an employee, and having a previous perineum operation were identified as the significant independent risk factors for ED. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the cause and effect of the recognized risk factors for ED among men.
ABSTRACT
Background and objectives Many research studies show that self-stigma related to weight can exacerbate mental health issues. There is also evidence suggesting that depression, anxiety, and stress could be predictors of weight stigma. However, these connections have not been thoroughly investigated among young people in Saudi Arabia, where there is a high prevalence of obesity. This study aimed to explore the relationships between depression, anxiety, stress, and weight self-stigma in Saudi Arabian adolescents and young adults. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2022 and utilized online surveys, including the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ) and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21). We conducted descriptive analysis, independent samples t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and linear regression for the statistical analysis using SPSS version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results A total of 1624 participants were enrolled in this survey. Most participants (889, 54.7%) were females. The mean age was 20.73 years (SD: 2.63). Males were more likely to report self-stigma compared to females (p = 0.018). Weight self-stigma demonstrated significant positive associations with body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.0001) and depression, anxiety, and stress (p = 0.0001) scores. Further analysis revealed weight self-stigma was positively correlated with psychological distress levels in the study population (p = 0.0001). The results demonstrated a statistically significant difference between different regions of Saudi Arabia with weight self-stigma being more prevalent in the Al-Baha region and least prevalent in the Al-Madinah region. Conclusions The results of this study indicate robust positive correlations between weight self-stigma scores and depression, anxiety, and stress scale scores among adolescents and young adults in Saudi Arabia. Further epidemiological and clinical studies on the national level are warranted.
ABSTRACT
Background Epistaxis, or nosebleeds, is a widespread medical condition that can be effectively managed with appropriate first aid. Understanding the general public's knowledge and practices about this is crucial. Objectives This study sought to evaluate the awareness and practice regarding first aid for epistaxis within the general population of the Jazan region in Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional survey was administered from April through June 2023, using a questionnaire that covered sociodemographic factors, knowledge of epistaxis, first aid practices for epistaxis, and any previous training received. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), with chi-square tests to evaluate the variables' associations. Results The questionnaire was completed by 622 participants, predominantly females, Saudis, and individuals from the age group of 18 to 25 years. It was found that 60% of the participants had experienced epistaxis, but only 52% had received prior first aid training. Although the majority (91.8%) accurately defined epistaxis, a mere 40.8% correctly identified all the steps for first aid management of epistaxis. There was a notable insufficiency in understanding the causes, risk factors, and appropriate first aid steps. Participants' knowledge was evenly split, with approximately half exhibiting low knowledge (49.70%) and the remainder showing high knowledge (50.30%). Certain sociodemographic factors such as older age (p=0.028), Saudi nationality (p=0.045), and higher education (p=0.001) were linked with more experiences of epistaxis. Conversely, younger age (p=0.002), female gender (p=0.036), single status (p=0.001), prior experience with epistaxis (p=0.001), and higher overall knowledge (p=0.001) were associated with a higher likelihood of having received first aid training. Conclusions The study reveals significant gaps in the knowledge and practices of first aid for epistaxis among the general population in the Jazan region. Public awareness campaigns and educational programs are urgently needed, particularly for specific groups. Enhancing first aid knowledge could help alleviate the impacts of epistaxis. Further research is required to develop effective educational interventions.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Brucellosis is an endemic zoonotic infection in Saudi Arabia, including Jazan Province, and epidemiological reports about this disease are limited. In this study, we aimed to investigate knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding brucellosis among the general population of Jazan Province, southwestern Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted using a pretested questionnaire that assessed the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward Brucellosis. The calculated sample size was 384, and 1,055 participants were included representing various genders, ages, and levels of education. Data were collected between March and April 2022 and analyzed using descriptive, chi-square, and t-test analyses. Results: Only 50% of the included participants have heard about Brucellosis. Among those who had heard about Brucellosis, 70% had a good knowledge about Brucellosis and that was significantly associated with male gender, being healthcare workers (HCWs), and having a higher level of education. Participants who directly involved in animal care represented 9%, and attitudes and practices regarding brucellosis were varied from average to unsatisfactory. This variation was significantly affected by the level of knowledge. Conclusion: About 50% of the general population of Jazan Province had never heard about Brucellosis, in a region found prevalent for this disease. Good knowledge was recorded in 70% of those who were aware of Brucellosis, which was significantly associated with the male sex, job as being HCW, and having a higher level of education. These results necessitate public awareness campaign activities to improve knowledge and practices, especially among women, the younger generation, and individuals with limited educational backgrounds. This action could reduce the burden of the disease.
