Prevalence of low back pain and disability among secondary school teacher in the eastern province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional analytical study.

Introduction: Lower back pain is common worldwide and affects over 600,000 people annually, including teachers. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of low back pain and disability among secondary school teachers in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included secondary school teachers in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. 34 schools were selected using a multistage stratified sampling approach. Teachers were allotted randomly and proportionally to each school. Data was collected by anonymous questionnaire having three elements: sociodemographic and health-related questions, the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire, and the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire. The anthropometric data was also included. Both unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: A total of 601 teachers participated in the study with 62.56% reported low back pain. The overall mean age was 40.31 ± 8.13 years. The male-to-female ratio was similar. Back pain was significantly higher among females than males (73.36 and 51.52%, respectively). Additionally, back pain will significantly increase when stress levels and the number of classes increases. A positive correlation was found between age with low back pain (p = 0.001).There was minimal disability in 64.63% of the 376 teachers who reported low back pain, moderate disability in 29.79%, and severe disability in 4.79%, and only three (0.8%) were considered crippled. Females were more frequently seen in moderate and crippled categories, and perceived stress levels generally increased mean disability scores. Age and female gender were revealed to be significant predictors of low back pain by logistic regression (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-1.07) and (adjusted OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.45-3.05), respectively. The number of classes per week was also a significant predictor. Conclusion: This study adds to the epidemiological evidence that reveals a high prevalence of low back pain and disability among teachers. Identified risk factors in this study may also reinforce the importance of setting different interventions and preventive measures to reduce lower back pain risk.

Social anxiety disorder and its associated factors: a cross-sectional study among medical students, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Social Anxiety disorder (SAD) is common worldwide. However, data from Saudi Arabia is deficient. This study aims to determine the prevalence of SAD across Saudi medical students and its associations with sociodemographic factors and their academic performance. METHODS: The main outcome was presence/absence of SAD and the secondary outcome was its level of severity. These were assessed from the Social Phobia Inventory. Associated factors included sociodemographic variables, as well as educational characteristics of students. Descriptive statistics were reported as counts and percentages, and unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed through bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 5896 Saudi medical students who participated in the study, the prevalence of SAD was almost 51%. While 8.21% and 4.21% had reported severe and very severe SAD, respectively. Older age students were at lower risk of developing SAD (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.89 - 0.96). In contrast, females (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.01 - 1.26), students enrolled in private colleges and colleges implementing non-problem-based learning (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.09 - 1.52 and OR = 1.29. 95% CI = 1.15 - 1.46 respectively) were at higher risk. A significant elevated risk of SAD was found among students who had previously failed, and had a low GPA. CONCLUSION: SAD is prevalent among the sampled population, and different associated factors were identified. Current results could raise the awareness of faculty members and healthcare providers towards early detection and management of these cases.

Internet gaming disorder: Its prevalence and associated gaming behavior, anxiety, and depression among high school male students, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Video games have become popular in the last few decades, resulting in an increase in reported negative consequences. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of internet gaming disorder (IGD), its association with gaming behavior, depression, and anxiety in male high school students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved male high school students in Dammam. Schools were selected using stratified random sampling, and data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Data analyzed using SPSS v23.0; the initial analysis included descriptive statistics. Continuous and ordinal variables were compared using t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, and ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test, as appropriate; Chi-square test was used for categorical variables. Spearman correlation coefficient was calculated to determine the correlation between IGD score and depression and anxiety scores. RESULTS: A total of 726 high school gamers were involved, 87% of whom were Saudi, with a mean age of 16.92 years and 45% were from public schools. The mean IGD score was 18.12, and the prevalence of IGD was 21.85%. Students who spent ≥4 h/day on weekdays or ≥6 h/day at weekends on videogames and gamers who spent ≥200 Saudi Riyals per month on gaming had significantly higher mean IGD scores (P < 0.001). Gamers who used PC/laptop for gaming had significantly higher IGD scores compared to those who used other devices (P = 0.002). Action, fight, open-world games, and games with violence were associated with significantly higher IGD scores. Among students with IGD, 21.7% had moderately severe/severe depression and 11.4% had severe anxiety. CONCLUSION: IGD is a concerning psychiatric disorder in male high school students. It is associated with certain gaming behavior and other mental problems. We recommend future larger-scale research that includes females as well.

Factors associated with needlestick injuries among healthcare workers: implications for prevention.

BACKGROUND: Our study sought to determine the frequency of Needlestick injuries (NSIs) among Healthcare Workers (HCWs) working at governmental hospital and to study the factors that associated with occurrence of NSIs, and to develop recommendations for a comprehensive program for prevention. METHODS: Retrospective study of all reported cases of NSIs in the period from April 2016 to May 2018 among healthcare workers at a governmental hospital. RESULTS: Incidence of NSIs over 26 months was 8.4% among all participants. Nurses were the most affected staff (52.5%) resulted commonly from disposing syringes (58.9%). In contrast, the incidence of NSIs among physicians was 24.9% where surgical devices were the primary source of NSIs among them (40%). Failure to complete all required hepatitis B vaccination was common among expatriates of the participants of this study. CONCLUSIONS: NSIs was common among HCWs participated in this study. Preventive measures should be implemented including adequate hepatitis B immunization.

Gender dysphoria in Saudi Arabia.

Gender dysphoria is defined as a multisystemic medical condition where a person has marked discordance between their biological sex and the gender they identify with. Here we report a case of 44-year-old male who presented to the family medicine clinic as a known case of gender dysphoria. Patient was severely distressed about his life and was actively seeking a solution to his problem. The patient requested that the treating physician addresses him as a female and uses feminine proverbs while speaking with him. On examination of genitalia, testicles were smaller than normal for his age and sex. Several abnormalities were found including low levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone, and elevated prolactin levels. Abdominal and pelvic ultrasound showed that the internal organs were all normal size and consistency. No uterus, ovaries or rudimentary female reproductive organs were found. Testicular ultrasound revealed atrophy of both testicles and weak peripheral testicular vascularity were noted. CT scan with contrast revealed severe hepatic steatosis as well as bilateral gynecomastia. Primary care physicians need to be aware of gender-related disorders as well as the importance of early recognition of these emerging disorders. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to manage these disorders.

Perceived Barriers to Primary Care Services Utilization and its Associations with Overall Satisfaction of Patients in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire-Based Study.

INTRODUCTION: Primary care plays an integral role in modern healthcare systems. More so in a country that is currently undergoing a reform of its health system. Their remains barriers that hinder patients from seeking medical assistance from primary physicians. This study aims to examine the overall satisfaction of patients toward Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) in Saudi Arabia, as well as its association with potential barriers from a sample of patients who presented at the emergency department (ED) for non-urgent cases. METHODS: This cross-sectional study sampled 403 patients from King Fahd Hospital of the University. A piloted questionnaire was utilized that included questions on sociodemographics, satisfaction of PHCs, as well as organizational, socioeconomic, access, and patient-doctor relationship barriers using a Likert-scale item response. Chi-squared and Fisher's Exact tests were used to compare categorical variables, and multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between overall satisfaction and all factors and barriers. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 48.1% males and 51.9% females. Only 5.2% of the patients were hospitalized. Of the total sample, 28.3% reported being always satisfied with PHC services. The most reported barriers were organizational barriers and socioeconomic barriers. The regression analysis found that being a female, highly educated, have high organizational, and patient-doctor relationship were independent predictors for low overall satisfaction with PHCs. CONCLUSION: Findings from this study should allow healthcare planners and policy makers to reduce the impact of these barriers by finding solutions that would target them. This may include strictly implementing policies such as proper implementing of triaging in EDs as well as promoting services that are being provided free of charge at these centers.

"Is there a doctor on board?": willingness and confidence of physicians in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in assisting with in-flight medical emergencies.

BACKGROUND: In-flight medical emergencies (IMEs) are common, and for a traveling physician, it is very likely to encounter such a condition. Data discussing this issue are limited. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the willingness and confidence of physicians in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in responding to IMEs. As well as, to assess the associated sociodemographic, occupational, and travel-related factors, and their previous experience with such events. METHODS: This cross-sectional, online-based, study was conducted among all physicians in KSA during January 2021. The self-administered questionnaire included questions on sociodemographic, occupational, travel profiles, willingness and confidence towards IMEs. Chi-Squared or Fisher's Exact test were used for bivariate analysis followed by the multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 4558 physicians participated in the study. About one-third of participants reported one or more IME incidents, and the vast majority of them provided assistance. Cardiovascular diseases were the most common IMEs. About half of the participating physicians are concerned about the medico-legal consequences of providing assistance with such a condition. Among all specialties, emergency physicians reported the highest willingness and confidence toward IMEs. Predictors for a physician's willingness to assist in IMEs were being male, having been involved in a previous IME situation, attended life support and IME courses, frequent traveling, and practicing medicine in the Central region of Saudi Arabia. CONCLUSION: Findings from the current study stressed the need for establishing standardized guidelines about the roles of healthcare workers and the legal consequences of providing medical assessment in IMEs. Moreover, training programs on IMEs to all physicians, especially those who deal with a variety of cases during their practice such as internal medicine and family medicine are also suggested.

Occupational Violence and Staff Safety in Health-Care: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Large Public Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Physical and psychological workplace violence in health-care settings has serious implications for the health of workers, as well as a negative effect on productivity and health-care quality. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to July 2018 among physicians and nurses using a convenience sample (n = 213) for the previous 12 months at a tertiary hospital in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire that assessed their personal and professional characteristics, whether they had experienced physical violence (assault) or psychological violence as health-care practitioners, and whether they had reported the incidents. RESULTS: Among the respondents, 57% had experienced psychological violence, 6% had experienced physical violence, and 37% had experienced both psychological and physical violence in the previous 12 months. Shiftwork and working in the inpatient department were associated with a significant increase in the risk of physical violence. However, these factors showed no difference with regard to psychological violence. Both physical and psychological violence had diverse causes, without any single predominant cause. Similarly, both forms of violence occurred in multiple departments. Many of the incidents were unreported (75% of incidents involving psychological violence and 39% involving physical violence). CONCLUSION: Physical and psychological violence against health-care workers (HCWs) in the hospital under study was found to be very common. The results of this study suggest the need to develop and evaluate a violence prevention program to achieve quality health-care services.

Factors associated with Achilles tendon pain in cyclists in eastern province of Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Cyclists are predisposed to different types of injuries whose patterns and distribution change over time. During bicycling, the high demand on lower extremities to produce speed places high load on the legs resulting in overuse injuries of which pain in the Achilles tendon is one. This study assessed Achilles tendon pain in cyclists in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of active cyclists in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using validated and pretested web-based self-administered questionnaire. Of the 511 cyclists invited, 311 completed the questionnaire yielding 60.62% response rate. SPSS was used for data entry and analysis. Descriptive statistics included calculation of frequencies and percentages for categorical variables, and median, mean and standard deviation for continuous variables. Chi-square test measured the associations between Achilles pain and various risk factors. Student's t-test, or Mann-Whitney test as appropriate, was used to compare continuous variables. RESULTS: Ten percent of mature and 9.1% professional cyclists reported that they had Achilles tendon pain. The pain was reported by significantly higher proportion of cyclists who raced (25%) and cyclists who rode mountain bicycles off-road (60.0%); average duration of the Achilles tendon pain was 7 days. Of the cyclists who had Achilles tendon pain, 32.1% reported that the pain increased when they were in running load and 28.6% reported increased pain in cycling load. Most cyclists described the pain as mild (67.9%) and moderate (32.1%). Overweight and underweight cyclists reported significantly higher rates of Achilles tendon pain (60% and 12.5%) compared to other body mass index classes. CONCLUSION: Achilles tendon pain commonly affects both amateur and professional cyclists. The study underpins the importance of a gradual increase in the training load, proper conditioning, bike fitting, and the maintenance of ideal body weight of cyclists to prevent Achilles tendon pain.