ABSTRACT
Background: In developing and developed countries, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has grown. The college phase is a critical period during which healthy behaviors are learned through lifestyle and social environment. College students are prone to increased stress, negatively affecting their daily activities and academic performance. Objective: The general study objective was to investigate the prevalence of obesity among Jazan University students. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study used a pre-tested self-administered anonymous electronic questionnaire to evaluate the prevalence of obesity among 474 Jazan University students and its association with academic performance, physical activity, and social support. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, and associations between variables were assessed using the chi-square test. Results: Approximately 21% and 9.2% of the male and female students were obese, respectively, and the prevalence of obesity significantly differed between them. The use of one or more tobacco products was significantly associated with the prevalence of obesity (P < 0.001); the prevalence of obesity was substantially higher among the tobacco product users than among the non-users (35.3% vs. 14.4%). The presence of a morbidity was also significantly associated with the prevalence of obesity (P = 0.007); the prevalence of obesity was significantly higher among the students with at least one comorbidity than among the medically free students (28.8% vs. 14.9%). Conversely, obesity was not associated with academic performance and depression. Specifically, the grade point average was not affected across the academic years (P = 0.085 and P = 0.308, respectively). Conclusion: Obesity is significantly associated with male sex and the use of one or more tobacco products. This finding warrants the need for strategic and multidisciplinary plans at all levels to encourage healthy behaviors among college students, including an active, healthy lifestyle.
ABSTRACT
Vaccination is a groundbreaking approach in preventing and controlling infectious diseases. However, the effectiveness of vaccines can be greatly enhanced by the inclusion of adjuvants, which are substances that potentiate and modulate the immune response. This review is based on extensive searches in reputable databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The goal of this review is to provide a thorough analysis of the advances in the field of adjuvant research, to trace the evolution, and to understand the effects of the various adjuvants. Historically, alum was the pioneer in the field of adjuvants because it was the first to be approved for use in humans. It served as the foundation for subsequent research and innovation in the field. As science progressed, research shifted to identifying and exploiting the potential of newer adjuvants. One important area of interest is nano formulations. These advanced adjuvants have special properties that can be tailored to enhance the immune response to vaccines. The transition from traditional alum-based adjuvants to nano formulations is indicative of the dynamism and potential of vaccine research. Innovations in adjuvant research, particularly the development of nano formulations, are a promising step toward improving vaccine efficacy and safety. These advances have the potential to redefine the boundaries of vaccination and potentially expand the range of diseases that can be addressed with this approach. There is an optimistic view of the future in which improved vaccine formulations will contribute significantly to improving global health outcomes.
ABSTRACT
Malaria is a major health problem in Southwestern Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to measure the level of community understanding of malaria transmission, protection, and treatment. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study enrolled 1070 participants from 2 districts with different malaria prevalence rates in Jazan Province. The response rate was 97.27%. Of the 1070 total; 754 (70.5%) had heard about malaria. Sixty-seven percentage know that fever was the main symptom. Approximately 59.8% did not know that stagnant water is one of the most important locations for mosquito breeding. Nevertheless, we found that 50% of the participants knew that mosquitoes bite at night and 96.9% confirmed that mosquitoes did not bite during the day. The most effective sources of information were distributed leaflets (41.8%) and video awareness (31.9%). The most significant factors affecting participants knowledge were gender, residence, family members, income, and education (P < .05). Knowledge levels were satisfactory in this study, and the majority of participants exhibited adequate attitudes and practices related to malaria prevention. However, knowledge differences were observed with regard to the place of residence. Greater emphasis should be directed towards education programs in malaria-endemic areas to ensure complete eradication of malaria.
