Physical activity and health-related quality of life among adults living in Jeddah city Saudi Arabia.

Background: Physical activity can improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults. However, the effect of physical activity on quality of life is unclear among the Saudi adult population. The study aimed to determine the association between physical activity and HRQoL in apparently healthy adults in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among visitors of shopping malls, walking tracks/fitness centres/gyms and governmental hospitals in Jeddah from March to September 2022. Physical activity was measured with the electronic template of the general practice physical activity questionnaire (GPPAQ), while the HRQoL was measured using the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) questionnaire. A multiple linear regression model investigated the relationship between physical activity and HRQoL. Results: A total of 693 individuals participated in this study, with a mean age of 36 (±11). Individuals who fall in the active category of the physical activity level were mostly younger men (37% vs 21%), were non-smokers (30% vs 10%) and had no comorbid condition (29% vs 15%). After adjusting for covariates, men (adjusted ß 4.43, 95% CI [1.44-7.41]) with higher physical activity levels (active-adjusted ß 10.11, 95% CI [5.44-14.77]) had better scores on the physical component summary (PCS). Similarly, mental component summary (MCS) scores for men (adjusted ß 6.51, 95% CI [3.40-9.63]) and physical activity levels (active-adjusted ß 9.77, 95% CI [4.90-14.64]) were high. Conclusion: The article reinforces how physical activity contributes towards each dimension of HRQoL. Physical inactivity is a growing public health challenge in Saudi Arabia, affecting all age groups. Investing in innovative strategies and establishing targeted health education programs for academic institutions and communities are required to enhance healthy habits. Additionally, constructing more local sports facilities and concession packages, especially for the females at the gyms, can motivate individuals and promote physical activity.

Factors contributing to the upsurge of water-pipe tobacco smoking among Saudi females in selected Jeddah cafés and restaurants: A mixed method study.

BACKGROUND: Despite clear evidence indicating the health hazards of water tobacco smoking (WTS), there is a remarkable increase in the frequency of WTS in the Middle East and the Gulf region, particularly among young girls and women. The objective of this survey was to examine the prevalence of and the reasons for addiction to WTS and study in depth the factors contributing to the increased frequency of WTS among Saudi females. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in different cafés and restaurants in Jeddah using a mixed method approach. A quantitative approach was carried out by a cross-sectional design, in which adult WTS Saudi females (n = 332) were selected from ten cafés. In addition, a qualitative approach was pursued involving five focus group discussions and three in-depth interviews of heavy smokers. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for the categorical variables, and Chi-square test and regression analysis were performed to establish association. Key themes were identified and built upon for the qualitative part. RESULTS: The mean age of female water-pipe (WP) smokers was 32.5 ± 11.9 years. Addicted to WTS were 39.6% of the women. Significant predictors of smokers' addiction to WTS according to regression analysis (p < 0.05) were increased frequency of WTS, perception that it improved mood, and insistence on carrying one's own WP to restaurants and cafés. Smoking frequency increased in pleasant weather (p = 0.025) and better mood (p = 0.033). This study showed that students and working women were more addicted to WTS (p < 0.001). Those who smoked daily preferred to smoke at home especially when alone (p < 0.001), while the preferred place for those who smoked weekly was restaurants in the company of their friends (p < 0.001). Most of the participants in this study believed that WTS was less harmful and less addictive than cigarette smoking. The only driving force to quit WTS was the effects on their beauty/skin. CONCLUSION: WTS is a public health problem, especially among young girls. Peer pressure, view that it is a fashion symbol, carrying one's own WP and wrong belief that WP was less harmful, improved mood, and effect of the weather are main factors leading to unintentional dependency on WTS. The only driving force to stop WTS is the effect it has on beauty/skin. It is important to understand the reasons behind the upsurge of WTS in this group for appropriate policy for intervention for its prevention and cessation.

Effect of Health Education on Dengue Fever: A Comparison of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices in Public and Private High School Children of Jeddah.

Objective More than half of the world's population live in areas with a potential risk of acquiring dengue fever (DF). Health education interventions are effective, barring a language communication gap. The objective of this study was to estimate the effect of health education in the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) towards DF control and prevention in public and private schools. Materials and methods We assessed the DF control and prevention strategy KAP of students of eight public and private schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia before the dengue health education intervention sessions (pre-I) and three months following the education intervention sessions (post-I) using the same closed-ended validated questionnaire. Schools and students were selected by a multistage stratified random sample method. Statistical analysis was done using the paired and independent T-test in IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results We found a significant mean difference in the overall knowledge (pre-I, 7.86 ± 2.61; post-I, 10.94 ± 2.35), attitude (pre-I, 5.16 ± 1.50; post-I 6.23 ± 1.30), and practice (pre-I, 2.96 ± 1.33; post-I, 3.94 ± 1.12) scores. Private schools scored better post-intervention scores in knowledge and practice compared to public schools in local and English language medium. Conclusions Health education programs are essential for DF prevention and management. Institutes whose populations consists of students with various language backgrounds should not be ignored. Bilingual educational sessions are important in such private institutes. Our results indicate additional emphasis is required on putting interventional knowledge into practice.

Factors Associated with Consuming Junk Food among Saudi Adults in Jeddah City.

Introduction Junk food (JF) consumption trend is increasing in all parts of the world. The transition in lifestyle and dietary habits is leading to many non-communicable diseases. The objectives of this study are twofold: (1) To examine the prevalence of junk food consumption and factors associated with consuming junk food among Saudi adults in Jeddah; and (2) to compare the trends of junk food consumption among males and females in Jeddah. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted in five different Primary Health Care centers (PHCCs) of Jeddah working under Ministry of Health. The subjects were men (n = 146) and women (n = 254) aged 18-67 years visiting these centers. Structured validated close ended questionnaire was filled by all the participants. Data analysis was done using SPSS. Chi-square was applied to analyze the difference between male and female JF consumption and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to examine the risk factors. Results Overall the JF consumption in subjects with mean age 33.69 ± 12.29 years was highly prevalent in both genders (86.5%); (men = 85.6% and women = 87.4%). Controlling for some demographic and socioeconomic variables, increased junk food consumption was independently associated with education (OR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.088-5.605, p = 0.031), individuals who had limited time (OR = 3.82, 95% CI: 1.690-8.642, p < 0.001), for the change of routine and taste (OR = 7.64, 95% CI: 3.145-18.563, p < 0.001 and OR = 11.031, 95% CI: 4.219-28.843, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion The study findings provide evidence on the high prevalence of junk food consumption among Saudi adults. Junk food has influence in the dietary patterns of Saudi adults and this trend is likely to rise. This growing widespread use of junk food is of concern which may cause obesity-related non-communicable diseases.

Burnout of Physicians Working in Primary Health Care Centers under Ministry of Health Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction The levels of physicians' job satisfaction and burnout directly affect their professionalism, punctuality, absenteeism, and ultimately, patients' care. Despite its crucial importance, little is known about professional burnout of the physicians in Saudi Arabia. The objectives of this research are two-fold: (1) To assess the prevalence of burnout in physicians working in primary health care centers under Ministry of Health; and (2) to find the modifiable factors which can decrease the burnout ratio. Methodology Through a cross-sectional study design, a representative sample of the physicians working in primary health care centers (PHCCs) Jeddah (n=246) was randomly selected. The overall burnout level was assessed using the validated abbreviated Maslach burnout inventory (aMBI) questionnaire. It measures the overall burnout prevalence based on three main domains i.e., emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. Independent sample T-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multivariate regression analysis were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS Version 22, IBM, Armonk, NY). Results Overall, moderate to high burnout was prevalent in 25.2% of the physicians. Emotional exhaustion was noted in 69.5%. Multivariate regression analysis showed that patient pressure/violence (p <0.001), unorganized patients flow to clinics (p=0.021), more paperwork (p<0.001), and less co-operative colleague doctors (p=0.045) were the significant predictors for high emotional exhaustion. A positive correlation was noted between the number of patients per day and burnout. The patient's pressure/violence was the only significant independent predictor of overall burnout. Conclusion Emotional exhaustion is the most prominent feature of overall burnout in the physicians of primary health care centers. The main reasons include patient's pressure/violence, unorganized patient flow, less cooperative colleague doctors, fewer support services at the PHCCs, more paperwork, and less cooperative colleagues. Addressing these issues could lead to a decrease in physician's burnout.