Background Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (POSA) is a common sleep disorder that can cause major health problems if untreated. Parental knowledge and awareness are critical for early detection and management of POSA in children. This study sought to measure parents\' and caregivers\' knowledge and awareness of pediatric POSA in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, as well as to uncover sociodemographic correlates of knowledge levels. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. A structured survey was used to collect data on sociodemographic factors and knowledge of pediatric OSA. Data were examined using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results The study included 393 parents and caregivers, 36.4% of whom were in the 18-30 year age group. Most were Saudis (n=385; 98%), and 212 (53.9%) were men. Most parents (n=378; 96.2%) had limited knowledge of pediatric OSA. Significant knowledge gaps were observed in recognizing POSA symptoms, understanding its impact on children\'s academic performance, and their association with mental health issues. Internet and social networking sites were the most common sources of knowledge about POSA (n=131; 33.33%), followed by knowing someone with OSA (n=103; 26.21%). Parents with more than eight children had a significant association with more knowledge than those without children (adjusted OR = 10.661, 95% CI: 1.367-83.139, p = 0.024). Conclusion The study identified significant gaps in the recognition of POSA symptoms and understanding its impact on their children\'s academic performance and mental health. Despite their limited knowledge, parents were receptive to early intervention for POSA. The study suggests that parents with more children had better knowledge of POSA, indicating that experiential learning may contribute to their understanding. The study recommends developing and assessing targeted education and awareness programs for parents, healthcare providers, and the public to improve POSA diagnosis, care, and outcomes.

Background: Osteoporosis, characterized by reduced bone mass and increased fracture risk, presents a significant public health challenge. Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scans offer a reliable means of assessing bone mineral density (BMD) and detecting osteoporosis. The aim of this study is to assess awareness, attitude, and practice of women in the Jazan region toward DEXA scan. Methods: Data were collected through a self-administered online questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 29.0. The total knowledge scores of participants were calculated to assess potential associations with sociodemographic data. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among 400 women, 230 (57.5%) had low knowledge scores primarily due to poor knowledge of the DEXA scan procedure. Merely 39 women had undergone a DEXA scan mainly due to medical prescription (n = 22, 56.4%). Total knowledge scores were significantly higher among women with high monthly incomes (p = 0.019) and those working in medical-related jobs (p = 0.017). Conclusions: This study underscores the need for targeted interventions to improve awareness of DEXA scans among women in Jazan City. Additionally, the findings suggest that socioeconomic factors may influence awareness levels, emphasizing the importance of tailored educational strategies to reach diverse demographics.

UNASSIGNED: Our study investigated women\'s access to governmental healthcare in the Jazan region of the KSA. Our purpose is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the determinates of women\'s perceptions of their own access to healthcare, considering various demographic factors, family life, and gender role beliefs.
UNASSIGNED: We conducted a hierarchical regression analysis using data from a sample of 494 women. The first model included nationality, education, age, rurality, and other sociodemographic factors. The second model included the variables from the first model as well as self-ratings of physical and mental health and regular exercise. The third model included the variables from the first two models in addition to satisfaction with family life and gender role beliefs.
UNASSIGNED: Our analysis revealed that age, nationality, employment, and having good physical and mental health, and satisfaction with family life positively predicted women\'s perceptions of their access to healthcare. Adherence to traditional gender roles, however, predicted less accessibility.
UNASSIGNED: Policymakers could use the outcomes of our study to enhance women\'s healthcare accessibility in Jazan region. The results could enhance the development and transformation of healthcare and women\'s health issues, particularly in understudied rural Saudi regions.
UNASSIGNED: يعتبر تسهيل الوصول للخدمات الصحية ركيزة أساسية لأهداف المملكة الاستراتيجية 2030 الخاصة بالبعد الصحي والتي ترتبط ببرنامج تحول القطاع الصحي. هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى التعرف على سهولة الوصول لخدمات الرعاية الصحية الحكومية على عينة من النساء في منطقة جازان، في المملكة العربية السعودية. هدفنا هو تقديم تحليل شامل للعوامل المؤثرة في سهولة وصول المرأة لخدمات الرعاية الصحية على عينة قوامها 494 سيدة يقمن في منطقة جازان. بالإضافة إلى ذلك، سعت هذه الدراسة إلى التعرف على العوامل الاجتماعية والديموغرافية التي تؤثر في سهولة الوصول للخدمات الصحية ودور الرضا عن الحياة الأسرية والتصورات الخاصة بالأدوار الاجتماعية للجنسين وأثرها في سهولة الوصول للخدمات.
UNASSIGNED: تم إجراء تحليل الانحدار الهرمي حيث شمل النموذج الأول الجنسية، التعليم، العمر، مكان الإقامة (المدينة أو منطقة نائية)، العمل، والعوامل الاجتماعية والديموغرافية الأخرى. وتضمن النموذج الثاني العوامل الديموغرافية بالإضافة إلى التقييمات الذاتية للصحة البدنية والعقلية وممارسة التمارين الرياضية بانتظام. أما النموذج الثالث فقد تضمن جميع المتغيرات السابقة بالإضافة إلى مقدار الرضا عن الحياة الأسرية والتصورات الخاصة بالأدوار الاجتماعية للجنسين.
UNASSIGNED: كشف التحليل الانحدار الهرمي أن مكان الإقامة، والعمر، والجنسية، والعمل، والصحة البدنية، والعقلية الجيدة، وممارسة الرياضة تتنبأ بسهولة حصول المرأة على خدمات الرعاية الصحية. وكانت المتغيرات المهمة الأخرى هي الرضا عن الحياة الأسرية، والذي تنبأ بقدر أكبر من سهولة الوصول لخدمات الرعاية الصحية، بينما أوضحت نتائج الدراسة أن الميل إلى التمسك بالأدوار التقليدية للجنسين يتنبأ بصعوبة الوصول لخدمات الرعاية الصحية.
UNASSIGNED: تتمتع النساء اللواتي يقمن في المدينة بسهولة أكبر في الوصول لخدمات الرعاية الصحية مقارنة بالنساء المقيمات بالقرى والمناطق النائية. رضى المرأة عن علاقاتها العائلية يساهم بشكل ما في تسهيل وصولها لخدمات الرعاية الصحية. كما إن النساء اللواتي يؤمن بالأدوار الاجتماعية التقليدية للجنسين قد يجدن صعوبة في الوصول للخدمات الصحية. يمكن لواضعي السياسات في وزارة الصحة استخدام نتائج هذا البحث لتعزيز سهولة الوصول إلى خدمات الرعاية الصحية للنساء في منطقة جازان. كما يمكن أن تعزز نتائج هذا البحث في تطوير برنامج تحول القطاع الصحي، وتحديداً فيما يخص صحة المرأة خاصة في منطقة جازان وقراها وضواحيها والتي تستقطب اهتماماً ملحوظا من الباحثين وصانعي القرار.

UNASSIGNED: Khat has a stimulating and addictive effect and can induce consequences on the health and socioeconomic status of khat chewers.
UNASSIGNED: This study aims to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice of khat chewing among parents in Jazan and its consequential effect on their children.
UNASSIGNED: This cross-sectional investigation was conducted in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Data was collected via a web-based, self-administered questionnaire measuring demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning khat chewing. The Chi-square test or Fisher\'s exact test was used to assess factors associated with khat chewing among parents and its consequential effect on their children.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 724 parents were included. The sample had an overall good knowledge about the health hazards of khat chewing and an attitude against khat chewing. Nonetheless, the number of parents who reported that they had ever tried khat chewing was 200 (27.6%) and 106 parents (14.6%) confirmed that their children were khat chewers. Additionally, 98 (13.5%) parents declared that they practiced khat chewing in front of their children. Higher frequencies of parents who reported providing khat to their children were identified among parents with higher attitude levels that favor khat chewing (P value = 0.04).
UNASSIGNED: Efforts should be made to develop targeted preventive and educational strategies to reduce khat chewing among parents who have favorable attitudes toward khat chewing.

UNASSIGNED: This study aims to measure the perceived healthcare priorities, barriers, and preferences when selecting private or governmental healthcare services among a sample of university affiliates from Saudi Arabia.
UNASSIGNED: This study utilized a cross-sectional design to reach targeted adults on the Jazan University campus. Data were collected during personal interviews. The questionnaires measured participant demographics, perceived healthcare priorities, barriers, and preferences when selecting private or governmental healthcare services. A chi-squared test was used to detect statistically significant differences between demographic and clinical characteristics according to preferences in their healthcare-seeking behavior.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 3083 university affiliates participated in this investigation. The mean age of the participants was 28 years, 49.6% of whom were males. Among the sample, 63% were students, and the remaining were university staff. The health condition perceived as most important was diabetes, and most of the sample viewed primary healthcare as the most vital service. The healthcare-seeking behavior of the sample indicated a higher preference for using governmental healthcare services. However, notable barriers related to the availability of appointments, long waiting times when visiting a healthcare facility, and healthcare costs were identified. Preference for private healthcare services was higher among females, expatriates, non-Arabic speaking affiliates, those with higher socioeconomic status, and health insurance owners (p-values < 0.05). Additionally, higher utilization of private healthcare services was noted among participants who frequently visit dentists and physicians and those performing consistent, routine medical checkups (p-values < 0.05).
UNASSIGNED: The findings indicate the importance of strengthening the role of primary healthcare to address the health needs required for preventing and managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes. Additionally, enhancing access to and effectiveness of primary healthcare may reduce the impact of healthcare barriers associated with limited appointments and prolonged waiting times.

Childhood malnutrition is a public health issue in developing countries, leading to a double burden of malnutrition, which is associated with both overweight and underweight.
To assess body weight satisfaction and perception as well as body weight modification experiences, among adolescents from Saudi Arabia.
This study utilized a cross-sectional design targeting adolescents who attempted to modify their body weight. A questionnaire was constructed to measure their demographics, body weight satisfaction and perception, and experience concerning their weight modification attempts. The chi-square test was used to assess the association between the ability to modify weight and maintain the modification according to the ability to set an appropriate weight target based on the age and height of the adolescents, method of weight modification, and receipt of support to modify weight.
A total of 285 adolescents were recruited. More than half of the sample were female (58%); most respondents were secondary school students (73%). Nearly 45% had abnormal body weight where 12.6% were underweight, and 32.3% were overweight or obese. Most of the recruited sample were unsatisfied with their body weight (63%). Although 52% of the adolescents had a normal BMI, only 35% perceived their body weight as normal. Nearly 75% of the sample were able to modify their body weight. However, a smaller proportion were able to maintain the modification they achieved. The most frequently selected body weight modification method was dieting (83%), followed by exercise (69%). Only 40 adolescents (14%) reported consulting a physician regarding their body weight modification attempts. The most frequently reported source of support for weight modification was the family (51%), while the lowest frequency of support was reported concerning schools\' contribution (29%). Upon assessing factors associated with the ability to modify weight or maintain the modification, a higher frequency of adolescents who indicated they employed dieting behavior were able to maintain the modification compared to other weight modification practices (p < 0.05).
The findings highlight the importance of collaboration between families, schools, and healthcare services to improve adolescent body image and ensure the adoption of healthy body weight modification practices among adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a serious public health concern. It is associated with many psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. These co-morbidities are associated with improper adherence to treatment, self-care, poor glycemic control, more complications, and worse outcomes.
METHODS: This study aimed to measure the level of medication adherence among type 2 diabetics in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, and to find its association with their psychological status (specifically, depression and anxiety). A cross-sectional descriptive design was used among adults with type 2 diabetes at the Diabetes and Endocrinology Center in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. The estimated sample size was 480 patients. The General Medication Adherence Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) were used as tools to achieve the study objectives.
RESULTS: A total of 449 diabetic patients completed the survey (93.5% response rate). Patients with poor, low, and partial adherence account for 337 (75%) of patients and only 112 (25%) have good and high medication adherence. Employment and duration of illness were highly significant with a positive relationship to treatment adherence (p = 0.010 and 0.000, respectively). On the other hand, age and disease duration had a significant relationship with psychological disorders (p = 0.029 and 0.002, respectively). Of the patients, 64 (14.3%) had high scores on the PHQ-4, with depressive symptoms in 46 (10.24%) and anxiety symptoms in 75 (16.7%). Correlation analysis reveals that there is a highly significant negative correlation between psychological disorders and adherence to medications (r = -0.288, p = 0.000).
CONCLUSIONS: A negative correlation between psychological disorders and adherence to medications was found. The findings indicate the importance of psychological support for diabetic patients for better treatment adherence.

Introduction Skin photoaging is caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight, particularly ultraviolet rays (UV). High cumulative levels of UV radiation may cause burning, photoallergic or phototoxic reactions, pigmentary changes, photoaging, and even immunosuppression and skin cancers. Therefore, this study aims to assess knowledge, attitude, reception, and preventive practices towards skin photoaging among the Jazan general population in Saudi Arabia and its determinants. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population of Jazan, Saudi Arabia, who were aged 18 years and above and agreed to participate in the study. The calculated minimum sample size was 385. An online, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was distributed conveniently in Google Forms through social media platforms. It included four sections: The first section was about sociodemographic characteristics. The second section assessed the smoking, exercise, and healthy diet behavior of participants and the use of sunscreen. The third section assessed the knowledge regarding the photoaging process and its preventive measures utilization using three-point Likert scale questions. The fourth section assessed attitudes towards the photoaging process and its preventive measures through three-point Likert scales. Results The study included 452, of which 243 (53.76%) were aged 18-30 years, 258 (57.08%) were females, and 272 (60.18%) had white skin color. Approximately 417 (92.26%) were nonsmokers. Sixty-eight percent (372) spent 1-3 hours in the sun. Social media was the primary source of information on photoaging 81 (17.92%). Around 234 (51.77%) defined photoaging correctly. Regarding sunscreen usage, 58 (12.83%) always use sunscreen, and 177 (39.16%) never use it. However, 191 (42.26%) recognized the correct sunscreen application. Approximately 233 (51.5%) and 240 (53.1%) of respondents had fair knowledge and a positive attitude regarding photoaging and sunscreen use. Being female, pursuing university and postgraduate education, and taking information on photoaging from a physician were linked to a higher knowledge of photoaging (p<0.05). Participants who never use sunscreen had lower knowledge than those who always use it (p<0.001). None of the demographic factors was associated with the attitude towards sunscreen use (p>0.05). Conclusion There is a substantial gap in knowledge and preventive practices related to skin photoaging among the Jazan general population in Saudi Arabia. Gender, education level, and information sources influence knowledge levels. Targeted educational interventions are needed to enhance awareness and promote healthier practices, particularly sun exposure and photoaging prevention.

UNASSIGNED: Healthcare workers increasingly use Electronic Health Information Resources (EHIRs) to make evidence-based decisions. Our study was intended to assess the perception, attitude, and practice of healthcare professionals in medicine, pharmacy, and nursing regarding their perceived value and use of EHIRs.
UNASSIGNED: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study using a pre-validated questionnaire among healthcare professionals in Jazan province from September 2022 to February 2023. We included healthcare professionals and interns with medical, pharmacy, or nursing degrees and excluded those who refused informed consent.
UNASSIGNED: We included fully completed data from 294 participants, with an actual response rate of just 80.1 %. Almost 87.41 % utilized the health information resources at their workplace, with UpToDate [39.45 %] and Medscape [67.01 %] being the most frequently used medical databases. The health facilities\' access to electronic health resources significantly impacted healthcare professionals\' [p = 0.04] and medical interns\' [p = 0.02] roles. Faculty members felt the need to access electronic health information at their workplace [p = 0.00]. Lack of time to access electronic health information due to a busy schedule was a significant reason that impacted the attitude of medical professionals [p = 0.008] and nursing staff [p = 0.025]. An excessive amount of clinically unrelated data was the primary obstacle (181/294, p < 0.0001) in using electronic health information resources.
UNASSIGNED: Our study showed the pattern of healthcare professionals using EHIRs in the Jazan province, Saudi Arabia. We believe the study\'s outcome can help increase the calibre of electronic health information services available to healthcare professionals and raise awareness of different EHIRs in improving clinical care.

UNASSIGNED: Pregnancy-related coronavirus disease 2019 infection ranges from asymptomatic to very serious illness. This study aimed to determine the impact of the COVID-19 infection on pregnant women in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia.
UNASSIGNED: Retrospective observational study of women who had COVID-19 positive test in pregnancy admitted in King Fahd Hospital, Abu Arish General Hospital, and Sabya General Hospital, Jazan, Saudi Arabia during the period between March 2020 and March 2022. Data were extracted from the patient\'s records. Frequency and percentage distributions were calculated for categorical variables. Descriptive studies and regression analysis were conducted to evaluate the association between selected variables and pregnancy outcomes.
UNASSIGNED: Of the 33 pregnant women with confirmed infection, the majority were in their second and third trimester, with approximately 42.4% requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission and oxygen therapy. The most prevalent symptoms were high respiratory rate and low blood pressure, often accompanied by fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Live births resulted in 54.5% of the cases, while two maternal deaths were reported. Significant associations were found between the need for non-invasive ventilation and timing of infection (p = 0.026), the mode of delivery and timing of infection (p = 0.036), and the mode of delivery and body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.007).
UNASSIGNED: COVID-19 poses significant risks to pregnant women, particularly in the third trimester, and emphasized the importance of early identification of high-risk pregnancies, strategic planning, and enhanced monitoring during antenatal care.