High Rate of Depression among Saudi Children with Type 1 Diabetes.

Saudi Arabia ranks among the top ten in type 1 diabetes (T1D) prevalence. The psychological burden, including depression, among T1D children, affects short-term and long-term outcomes. In Saudi Arabia, studies on depression among T1D children are limited. We determined the prevalence of depression among T1D children and adolescents in the Saudi Arabia-Qassim region and investigated risk factors for depressive symptoms. This quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among T1D children and adolescents in the outpatient clinic of Maternity and Children Hospital, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia, between October 2020 and April 2021. Using a validated questionnaire translated into Arabic, we interviewed patients during clinic appointment. Questionnaires on sociodemographic characteristics, clinical data, and Clinical Depression Inventory scale were used to measure depression. There were 148 T1D respondents (children: 58.1%; adolescents: 41.9%). More than half were females (53.4%), with most Saudis (94.6%). Depression prevalence among children and adolescents was 27%. Mild, moderate, and severe depression occurred in 80%, 12.5%, and 7.5% of depressed patients, respectively. Factors significant for depression were female sex (p = 0.014), uncontrolled HbA1c level (p = 0.037), and longer diabetes duration (p = 0.013). Depression among children and adolescents was more prevalent in this study than in previous reports. Early detection of depression will improve diabetes control and quality of life.

Are Physicians in Saudi Arabia Ready for Patients with an Insulin Pump? An Examination of Physician Knowledge and Attitude.

AIMS: The use of insulin pump therapy in patients with diabetes continues to expand worldwide. Although insulin pumps have been demonstrated to be successful and safe, physicians' insufficient knowledge may carry a risk to the patients using insulin pumps. This study aimed to assess the attitude and knowledge among physicians in Saudi Arabia regarding insulin pump therapy. METHODS: Three hundred and seven physicians, including 82 family physicians, 76 pediatricians, 48 internists, 27 pediatric endocrinologists, 17 adult endocrinologists, and 57 physicians from other specialties, completed a questionnaire that evaluated their knowledge and attitude toward insulin pump therapy. RESULTS: Among the evaluated physicians, 56.7% had poor knowledge level, while 53.4% had positive attitude. Statistical tests revealed that older age, years of practice, consultancy, and endocrinology specialty were the influential factors of knowledge (p < 0.001). Non-endocrinologists demonstrated poor knowledge despite seeing patients with insulin pumps; however, those who had previously cared for such patients scored significantly higher knowledge scores. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant lack of knowledge among physicians regarding insulin pump therapy; however, the perceived attitude of physicians toward this therapy was deemed positive. These findings support the implementation of insulin pump education programs.

Awareness and attitudes of Saudi parents toward otitis media in children.

BACKGROUND: An ear infection is a common health problem in children. Parents' awareness about otitis media (OM) among children, varies across the world. We aimed to explore parents' knowledge, attitude, and practices toward OM among their children. METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional study was done from May 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020, in Qassim, Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: This study comprised 703 participants; Mothers comprised the majority (77.1%), 43.2% of the participants were aged between 31 and 40 years of age, and 73% of them had Bachelor's degrees or diplomas. More than half of the participants had suboptimal knowledge of OM. Although the result showed that 56% of them had positive attitudes, 86.6% did not view vaccination as a prevention measure of acute OM (AOM). Besides, 81.8% of parents were willing to follow the watchful waiting approach, in case their child had OM. CONCLUSION: Most of the parents in the Qassim region have inadequate knowledge regarding OM among children. Based on our result findings, we recommend further education programs to enhance the knowledge regarding OM and AOM, among the Qassim population, Saudi Arabia including family members of patients and the healthcare workers.