Prevalence and associated factors of neck, shoulder, and low-back pains among medical students at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) in the neck, shoulder, and lower back is common widespread among medical students. The objective of this research is to estimate the prevalence of neck, shoulder, and low-back pains and to explore factors associated with MSP among medical students at Jizan University in southwest of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire-based study was conducted among undergraduate medical students of Jazan University. A total of 440 students were selected by random sampling. Descriptive statistics, a Chi-squared test, and logistic regression were performed to examine the prevalence, associations, and predictors of MSP. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of MSP was (53.5%; 95% CI: 49.2-58.4). Neck pain was reported by 197 (44.8%) in the week prior to the study and by 268 (60.9%) in the year prior to the survey. Regarding shoulder pain, it was reported by 231 (52.5%) in the week prior to the study and 175 (39.8%) in the year prior to the study. Regarding low-back pain, it was reported by 147 (33.4%) in the week prior to the study and 270 (61.4%) in the year prior to the study. Factors associated with the risk of MSP include history of trauma (OR = 2.70; 95% CI: 1.36-5.36 depressive symptoms (OR = 1.94; 95% CI: 1.03-3.66) and report of psychosomatic symptoms (OR = 2.98; 95% CI: 1.71-5.18). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the proportion of medical students with MSP was very high. Factors associated with the increased risk of MSP include history of trauma, depressive, and psychosomatic symptoms. Intervention program may help improving the musculoskeletal health of the medical students and to hence their quality of life.

Refractive Error among Male Primary School Students in Jazan, Saudi Arabia: Prevalence and Associated Factors.

BACKGROUND: Refractive error is a common and serious eye disorder that affects more than 153 million people globally. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and pattern of refractive error among male primary school children in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a randomly selected group of 395 students (aged 6-14 years) in Jazan region, Southwest Saudi Arabia. An optometrist and medical students assessed the refraction error using an autorefractor, a Snellen E chart and retinoscopy. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of uncorrected refractive error in either eye was, 22% higher among rural students. The most prevalent refractive error was hyperopia (32.2%) followed by myopic astigmatism (31%) then myopia (17.2%). Next were hyperopic astigmatism (16.1%) and mixed astigmatism (3.5%). The following variables were associated with a higher risk of refractive errors and myopia: living in rural areas, having parents with refractive errors, spending more time on electronic devices and shorter visual distances. CONCLUSION: Refractive error was highly prevalent among primary school children in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. The rural students were more affected by refractive errors, mainly hyperopia. The preschool vision test should be reconsidered, and a periodic vision examination should be applied to detect vision problems as early as possible.