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Background Ocular trauma is defined as an eye injury of diverse types and subtypes, all of which can threaten vision. Hence, a precise first-aid approach is crucial to salvage the eyes and prevent blindness. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the level of knowledge among medical students at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) and identify factors that affect knowledge regarding ocular first aid in cases of trauma. Methodology A cross-sectional approach was used, targeting KAU medical students. First, students were asked to voluntarily respond to a previously used questionnaire that contained demographic data, including gender, marital status, socioeconomic status, academic year, and city of residence, followed by a history of ocular trauma. Then, questions were asked to assess their knowledge regarding different types of ocular trauma and proper first aid. Results A total of 310 participants responded to the questionnaire. Participants included both sexes, with 169 (50.8%) being males. Only 89 (26.7%) participants had a history of managing ocular injury. Knowledge levels were divided into good 76 (27%) and poor 201 (73%). Third-year students had the highest percentage of poor knowledge, whereas sixth-year students had the highest level of knowledge. The source of knowledge was mainly from studies. Conclusions The ocular first-aid knowledge level was predominantly poor, accounting for 201 (73%) of all responses. Thus, steps to enhance knowledge should be taken.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is one of the complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), primarily type 1 DM. To our knowledge, only one study explored DKA readmission rates in Saudi Arabia. OBJECTIVES: Identify and analyze precipitating factors for DKA admission and readmission. DESIGN: Medical record review. SETTING: Tertiary care center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified all patients aged 15 years and older admitted with DKA from 2018 to 2020. Descriptive factors and uni-and multivariate analyses are presented for associations with initial admission and readmission. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relationships between precipitating factors and initial admission and readmission. SAMPLE SIZE: 176 patients. RESULTS: Most of the patients had type 1 DM (n=157). The median (interquartile percentiles) for duration of DM was 6.0 (1.0-12.0) years. The mean (SD) HbA1C (%) was 11.8 (2.6). The factors that precipitated DKA were most commonly treatment nonadherence (55.1%), followed by infections (31.8%) and nonadherence to diet (25.6%). The most common symptoms were nausea and vomiting (87.5%), followed by abdominal pain (72.7%). During the study period, 32.4% of the sample were read-mitted with DKA. The median (interquartile range) duration between the first and second admission was 12 (4-25) weeks. In the multivariate analysis, increased odds of readmission for DKA were associated with type 1 DM and medication nonadherence (P=.038, P=.013, respectively). The severity of the initial DKA and the control of DM were not associated with the readmission rate. CONCLUSION: Treatment nonadherence is the leading precipitating factor of DKA in our region. Patient education and counseling play a major role in addressing this preventable complication and its medical and financial burden. We advocate more efforts dedicated toward patient education and logistic support. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective-single center. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.