Mobile phone use pattern and addiction in relation to depression and anxiety.

BACKGROUND: University students with heavy smartphone use are vulnerable to smartphone addiction that could be related to depression and trait anxiety. AIMS: To assess gender differences in patterns of smartphone use and addiction in relation to depression and trait anxiety among Saudi university students. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 1513 students of Taif University, Saudi Arabia. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect demographic data and data on pattern of smartphone use. The Problematic Use of Mobile Phones (PUMP) scale was used to determine smartphone addiction. The Arabic validated version of the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale and Beck Depression Inventory were used to assess trait anxiety and depression, respectively. RESULTS: A female predominance was found for: prevalence of depression and trait anxiety, PUMP scores, duration of daily mobile use and number of daily calls. A significant positive correlation was found between PUMP score and depression and trait anxiety scores, duration of owning a smartphone, and average duration of each daily call. The PUMP scores were significantly higher in 6th year students, those from the theoretical college, single students, and students who used a smartphone for > 4 hours/day. CONCLUSIONS: Smartphone addiction is a major problem among Saudi university students, and it is associated with depression and trait anxiety. Future studies should aim to establish the best interventions to protect university students from the negative effects of smartphones.

Eating Disorders Among Female Students of Taif University, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Eating disorders are a common health problem among adolescents, and females are especially vulnerable to them. There is lack of information on the prevalence of eating disorders in Saudi Arabia. The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of eating disorders among female undergraduate university students in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: The study was undertaken in the female section at Taif university from November 1, 2016 to March 30, 2017. Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) was used to determine the prevalence of eating disorders. The questionnaire was distributed among undergraduate students and their anthropometric measurements were assessed after obtaining their consent. The sample included 1200 university students with a median age of 21 years (range 17-33). Nonparametric tests were used to assess relationship between variables. Chi-squared test was used to compare items of the disordered eating attitudes and behaviors between positive and negative EAT respondents. RESULTS: Using the cutoff score of 20 on EAT-26 test, 35.4% of the students were classified at risk for eating disorders. Medical and obese students achieved the highest significant EAT scores. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of eating disorders was found among females at Taif university, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Our findings call for prevention of these disorders and we recommend establishing a national screening program among Saudi university female students for early detection and management of these problems.

Environmental, urinary iodine status and prevalence of goitre among schoolchildren in a high altitude area of Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the iodine deficiency, prevalence of goitre among schoolchildren and measuring environmental iodine in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional multistage cluster-sampling methodology was done on 1887 schoolchildren. Their urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and goitre prevalence was assessed. Blood level of triiodothyronin, thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating-hormone was carried out for students with normal, mild; moderate and sever iodine deficiency. The iodine content of salt, water and soil was also assessed. RESULTS: Goitre prevalence was 7.4% and about 71% of the participants had UIC less than 100µg/L. An inverse relationship between median UIC and the percent prevalence of goitre was found. The mean serum T3, T4 and TSH were 1.05ng/dL, 6.81µg/dL, and 5.69mIU/L, respectively. A significant positive correlation was found between the mean value of urinary iodine and the mean value of both T3 and T4. While a significant negative correlation between the mean value of urinary iodine and the mean value of TSH was also noted. CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed the presence of a potential public health problem of iodine deficiency among school going children in high altitude areas of Saudi Arabia. There is a need to monitor and evaluate the salt iodization process, and distribute adequately iodized salt in the affected areas.