ABSTRACT
Background Video gaming is increasingly popular among young adults, potentially affecting health and daily routines, especially sleep patterns. In Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, the impact of video gaming on sleep and health among young adults is not well understood. This study aims to explore this relationship, focusing on how video gaming habits influence sleep patterns and associated health outcomes. Methods This cross-sectional survey utilized an adapted online questionnaire to gather data on demographics, video gaming habits, sleep patterns, and body mass index from young adults in Al-Ahsa. Statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression, was applied to examine the associations between video gaming habits and sleep sufficiency. Results The study included 302 participants, including 165 (54.6%) females. A majority reported playing video games for less than one hour daily (36.1%), with 82.5% preferring online gaming. Notably, 54.3% of participants slept more than six hours nightly, yet challenges with sleep initiation were evident, as 48.0% went to bed past midnight. Multivariable logistic regression highlighted significant factors affecting sleep sufficiency: participants who played games after completing tasks had 80% lower odds of sleep insufficiency compared to those who played before tasks. Overweight participants were found to be 7.7 times more likely to experience sleep insufficiency compared to their underweight peers. Conclusion The study underscores a complex relationship between video gaming habits and sleep patterns among young adults in Al-Ahsa, with significant health implications. It suggests the necessity for interventions promoting balanced gaming habits and improved sleep hygiene to mitigate adverse health outcomes.
ABSTRACT
Background In the digital age, social media is essential to everyone's life, including medical students. The rapid proliferation and updates in social media make this platform more attractive and accessible. However, online behavior and guidelines have always been a topic of ongoing debate. Thus, the study's objectives were to investigate the usage of social networking sites for various intentions among medical students, their opinions about applying these platforms for educational benefits, and their perception and accountability for e-professionalism. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted with the help of an online questionnaire among students of the College of Medicine at King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, from April to September 2023. Using a convenience sampling method, 577 students were invited to participate, with 97.1% (n = 560) agreeing to take part in the study. Both male and female students from all years, aged between 20 and 24 years, were included in this study. Results Nearly all medical students (99.5%, n = 557) were daily social media users. WhatsApp, YouTube, and Twitter (now X) were the most popular social media platforms, while Facebook was the least used. Gender differences were observed in platform preferences, with females favoring Instagram and Telegram and males preferring Reddit and Discord. Both genders utilize social media for various motives, including enjoyment (78.2%, n = 438), communication (68.4%, n = 383), knowledge (59.6%, n = 334), relaxation (43.6%, n = 244), and e-professionalism (12.5%, n = 70). Remarkably, 89% (n = 500) believed that social media could be a reliable medium for educational activities. Concerning e-professionalism, most students had private social media accounts, and a significant number believed their profiles did not portray them as professionals. However, a majority interacted with faculty members via social media. Male students exhibited a higher sense of e-professionalism responsibility, with many believing that online profiles should be considered during hiring decisions. Besides, female students believed online profiles could influence others' opinions about them. Conclusion Medical students are significantly involved with social media for different reasons. They acknowledge social media's potential benefits and enriching learning experiences. Nevertheless, a student's online behavior and attitude must be cognizant of and allied to the concept of e-professionalism, as it may directly lead to their future growth in medicine.
ABSTRACT
Background Communities hold different opinions toward mentally ill people and treat them negatively, irrespective of their behavior. Differences in beliefs can impact not only affected individuals but the entire network and opportunities. This study aimed to examine beliefs about mental illness among different populations of the Saudi community. Methodology This descriptive study was conducted among 840 participants from several groups (different family roles, professions, medical and non-medical students, educated and uneducated, etc.) aged 18-75 years in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Information regarding participants' demographics and beliefs toward mental illness was collected through validated measures. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results Data analysis showed that individuals over the age of 30 years believed that mental illness is socially dysfunctional, incurable, and a subject of embarrassment. Married couples also considered mental illness to be socially dysfunctional and a subject of embarrassment. Similarly, unemployed participants had more negative views of mental illness than working individuals and students. Furthermore, educators and other professionals believed that mental illness is more socially dysfunctional than healthcare providers. In addition, community groups with a history of mental illness stated that mental illness is incurable. In the family context, grandparents' beliefs toward mental illness were more negative than other family members' views. Conclusions This study highlights the diversity in beliefs about mental illness among different groups of Arab society. The influence of poor knowledge, religious beliefs, and subjective attitudes should be explored further, and anti-stigma interventions should be implemented to increase community awareness about mental illness.
