Awareness of stroke signs, symptoms, and risk factors among Jazan University students: An analytic cross-sectional study from Jazan, Saudi Arabia.

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the lifetime risk of stroke is estimated to be between 23% and 28.9%, whereas in Jazan region of the Kingdom there is a high prevalence of sickle cell anemia, which is known to increase the risk of stroke. This study aimed to assess awareness of stroke signs, symptoms, and risk factors among university students in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. In this analytical cross-sectional study, data obtained through an online questionnaire were collected from 897 university students. Data were entered, cleaned, and analyzed using SPSS (IBM, Chicago IL) software version 28. Knowledge was assessed using both open- and closed-ended questions (CEQ). The participants were predominantly female (72%), single (86.8%), a fifth had relatives with cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and a third knew a person with CVA. The open-ended questions showed that 11.8% did not know any symptoms or signs and 25% knew only 1, while in the CEQs, hypertension was selected by 83.0%. Regarding knowledge about symptoms and signs, 33.7% and 21.9% recognized weakness and speech disturbance, respectively, whereas in the CEQs, around 60% selected others. Regarding actions that should be taken if CVA is suspected, >80% preferred going directly to the hospital. The best time to seek professional care was considered to be within 4 hours by 47.5%, 10.3% suggested a later timing, and 42.3% had no knowledge of what to do. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that pursuing a health-related specialty and previous stroke experience in close relatives were significantly associated with good stroke knowledge. The level of knowledge and correct timing and action among participants were better than those reported nationally and internationally. However, there is still room for improvement in awareness, which is recommended to improve the outcomes.

Utilization of Health Applications Among Patients Diagnosed with Chronic Diseases in Jazan, Saudi Arabia During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

PURPOSE: Health applications are employed to aid patients with chronic diseases in effective long-term disease management. This investigation aims to measure the utilization of health applications among patients diagnosed with chronic conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This cross-sectional investigation was conducted in the Jazan region in Saudi Arabia between October 2020 and March 2021. Data were collected during interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire collected items about the patients' demographics, morbidity, and use of electronic devices and health applications developed by the Saudi MoH. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with odds of reporting use of applications. RESULTS: A total of 658 patients were recruited. The mean age of the patients was 51 years, and 59% of them were females. The most frequently reported diagnosed condition was diabetes (53.5%), followed by hypertension (42.7%). Majority of the patients reported not using any health applications developed by the Saudi MoH (68.2%). Patients with higher educational levels and younger patients were more likely to report use of the applications (ORs: 4.2, 2.6 respectively). Comorbidity history and disease duration did not seem to influence the probability of reporting use of health applications (P-values >0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients diagnosed with chronic diseases in Jazan had low utilization of health applications developed by the Saudi MoH. This indicates a need to encourage the use of these health applications, particularly among patients with chronic diseases and to consider use restriction among older patients with lower educational levels.