Evaluation of depression symptoms and depression literacy among medical students: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Mental health plays an important role in educational performance. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between depression symptoms, depression literacy, and quality of life in undergraduate and postgraduate medical students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2023 in Riyadh with 263 medical students. Data were obtained using three different sets of questionnaires (a demographic section, the Depression Literacy Scale, and a quality-of-life questionnaire).

RESULTS

In total, 134 men (51%) and 129 women (49%) participated in the study; out of these, 142 participants reported depression, while 109 individuals reported family-related depression. Only 25% of the participants attended depression seminars and workshops in the last year, while 83% felt that depression was an illness. Students with a family history of depression also reported higher levels of depression. Depression was lowest among students who attended depression management seminars or workshops. Marital status did not affect depression among medical students.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings reveal that depression is widespread among medical students and that counseling and frequent depression assessments are required. There is a need for greater awareness of different aspects of depression among medical students, parents, and medical educators. Health education programs and interventions targeting mental health care can be implemented at the individual, family, and community levels.

Translation and adaptation of the Arabic version of the injustice experience questionnaire in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this study were to (1) translate the short version of the Injustice Experience Questionnaire (IEQ-SF) from English to Arabic and (2) test the validity and reliability of the translated Arabic version of the IEQ-SF.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study in which the original English version of the IEQ-SF was translated into Arabic was conducted in accordance with Beaton's translation process. Internal consistency, reproducibility (retest within 5 days), and validity of the translated Arabic version of the IEQ-SF were tested in Arabic-speaking participants (n = 20). Individuals with chronic pain (n = 99) completed the Arabic versions of the IEQ-SF and the Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ) from June to August 2021. The main analyses included Cronbach's alpha (α), Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC), and Spearman's rank correlations (ρ).

RESULTS

The internal consistency (α = 0.74) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.88, 0.83-0.92 95% CI) for the translated Arabic version of IEQ-SF were high. There was also a high correlation between the translated Arabic version of the IEQ-SF and different health-related questionnaires such as the MSK-HQ (ρ = -0.738; p < 0.001), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (ρ = 0.701-0.791; all, p < 0.001), and Pain Catastrophizing Scale (ρ = 0.762; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The Arabic version of the IEQ-SF demonstrated high reliability and validity and would be useful for clinicians and researchers studying Arabic-speaking individuals with chronic pain.

Patients' Expectations in Emergency Department at King Abdulaziz University Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Survey-Based Study

BACKGROUND

Emergency departments (EDs) are vital to the timely and necessary care that a significant percentage of patients get. Emergency medicine places a high priority on quality, and to deliver patient-centered care, it is crucial to first investigate patient expectations from ER visits.

METHODOLOGY

This is a cross-sectional study of all visits to the King Abdulaziz University Hospital Emergency Department in Jeddah. The study included adult patients who visited the emergency department and were willing to complete a survey and participate in an interview. Data was collected through face-to-face questionnaires. Patient's expectations during their visit to the emergency department were correlated to different parameters using univariate and bivariate analysis.

RESULTS

The study included 291 patients. The majority of patients believed that their medical condition required admission to the hospital and agreed that it would be easier to receive treatment if admitted to the hospital. Results showed that 65.6% (n=191) of patients reported that the most serious patients should be seen first, and 65.3% (n=190) reported that a doctor should determine the seriousness of their health problem upon arrival. There was no significant difference found between age groups in relation to other items of expectations.

CONCLUSION

It is clear that a sizable percentage of patients place a high value on seeing the most urgent cases first and having a doctor assess each patient's condition when they arrive. Our results show that, in order to guarantee the best patient happiness and care, healthcare practitioners must meet patients' expectations and modify their strategies accordingly.

Exploring Integrative Approaches: Insights Into Complementary Medicine Practices Among Breast Cancer Survivors in Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES

Complementary and integrative medicine (CAM) is a prevalent approach often used with conventional medical practices The study aims to understand the factors influencing breast cancer (BC) survivors' decisions regarding CAM therapy and the drivers behind their use.

SETTING

This research was conducted at an academic hospital in Saudi Arabia. The study used cross-sectional research with a questionnaire. Participants were enrolled in the study through BC survivors' groups on WhatsApp. Individuals who were actively following up at the clinic were also interviewed. Informed consent was obtained.

RESULTS

The study surveyed 211 BC survivors, aged 34-49 (50.2%), who had undergone surgery (93.4%), hormonal therapy (66.4%), and chemotherapy (87.7%). Less than half (44.5%) had chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. CAM users were 43.6%. The most used CAM modalities were Zamzam water, honey, and water read-upon Quran. A significant motivator for CAM use was to boost the immune system. More than half of patients used less than 100 SAR per month on CAM modalities. Exactly 80.4% of CAM users perceived benefits from CAM use. Predictors of CAM use included higher family monthly income, radiation therapy, and being diagnosed from 1 to 5 years. BC survivors without medical conditions after diagnosis were less likely to use CAM.

CONCLUSION

The study highlights the prevalence, predictive factors, motivations, and perceived benefits of CAM use among BC survivors in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for understanding and integration into cancer care plans and the need for further research on CAM safety and efficacy.