Awareness and Attitude Regarding Contact Lens Use Among Female Students at the University of Bisha: A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

Given the growing popularity of contact lenses among female students in Saudi Arabia for various reasons including vision correction as well as aesthetic and therapeutic purposes, it is essential to understand the knowledge about them, their uses, and how to handle them, given their significance in healthcare.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design was utilized in this research, employing data from a sample of 413 female students at the University of Bisha. The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire and were ensured anonymity.

RESULTS

The study results showed that 52.9% (n=218) had a good knowledge level while 47.1% (n=195) had poor knowledge about contact lenses use. The results established a statistically significant association between region, faculty, and study year (p<0.005) with p-values of 0.002, 0.001, and 0.005, respectively, and level of knowledge about contact lens use. There was no statistically significant association between the age of the participants and the level of knowledge about contact lens use.

CONCLUSION

Although there was a generally good level of awareness about contact lens use among female students, there is still insufficiency in knowledge with regard to particular aspects such as cleaning the contact lenses and contact lens cover. The study finds the need for more ocular educational sessions with ophthalmologists to increase awareness about contact lenses.

Parents' Awareness, Knowledge, and Perception of Amblyopia in Children: A Study in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia

Background Amblyopia is a vision disorder that results from a development problem in the brain rather than a neurological disease in the eye. The condition causes reduced visual acuity in one or both eyes due to the brain's inability to process inputs, rather than a structural abnormality. This study aims to assess parents' awareness, knowledge, and perception of amblyopia in their children in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. Methods This is a cross-sectional study that used an electronic questionnaire consisting of five main sections to assess the level of awareness of amblyopia among parents in the Jazan region. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v.25, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was utilized to input the data. The degree to which participants' level of awareness was related to variables such as age, gender, and educational level was assessed through the chi-square test (χ2), and any values that scored p-values under 0.05 were deemed statistically significant. Results The analysis included 572 participants, 395 mothers (69.0%) and 177 fathers (31.0%). The age groups of the participants were divided into 36-45 years (38.0%), 26-35 years (36.0%), and above 46 years (17.0%). Out of the total, 36 participants (6.0%) had a history of amblyopia, and 73 (13.0%) had a child who suffered from amblyopia. The findings showed that only 18 participants (3.1%) had a good awareness of amblyopia, while 242 (42.3%) had a fair level of awareness. Most participants, 312 (54.5%), were classified as having a poor awareness level of amblyopia. Parents with postgraduate degrees, those with prior awareness, and parents whose children had eye diseases demonstrated higher levels of good awareness. However, gender, age, and residency did not have significant associations with awareness levels. Conclusion While parents must be involved in managing amblyopia, our research found that more than half of the parents surveyed had a limited understanding of various aspects of the disease, which can cause permanent damage to their child's vision. Therefore, we recommend implementing health education programs to increase awareness and knowledge about amblyopia in Jazan.

Knowledge and Attitudes of Parents Regarding Neonatal Jaundice in Bisha City, Saudi Arabia

Background Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) is one of the most common neonatal illnesses around the world. It continues to be a leading cause of avoidable brain damage, physical and mental impairment, and death in neonates. Neonatal morbidity due to NNJ has a significant impact and cost on families and healthcare resources. The majority of instances are addressed without intervention, but others require assessment and assistance in the form of follow-up or treatment. Inadequate family awareness and understanding of this frequent newborn condition can contribute to delays and difficulties. Aim This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of parents regarding NNJ in Bisha City, Saudi Arabia. Methodology A cross-sectional study involving 242 participants was carried out. Data were collected using an online questionnaire. The knowledge score differences between groups were analyzed using a Wilcoxon rank sum test and the Kruskal-Wallis rank test. Results In this study of 242 participants from Bisha, we found that the majority were female (155, 64.0%), employed (129, 53.3%), and held a postgraduate degree (150, 62.0%). Regarding knowledge of NNJ, 109 (45.0%) have correctly defined it as yellow pigmentation in the sclera and 64 (26.4%) as yellow pigmentation of the skin. Of most participants, 132 (54.5%) recognized that NNJ could cause complications, but 53 (40.2%) of these were unaware of what these complications might be. Notably, only 89 (36.8%) of respondents believed they had sufficient knowledge about NNJ. The median knowledge score was 3.0 (IQR, 1.0-4.0), and higher scores were significantly associated with being female and reporting sufficient knowledge about the disease. Strategies suggested for improving awareness included campaigns (98, 40.5%) and social networking programs (81, 33.5%). The data suggest a need for enhanced public education regarding NNJ. Conclusion The study highlights the need for increased awareness and education among parents in Bisha, Saudi Arabia, about NNJ. The findings suggest that campaigns and social networking programs could effectively educate people about the condition. Additionally, the study provides insights into the factors associated with higher knowledge scores, such as gender and having a child with NNJ. The results of this study may help healthcare professionals develop effective educational programs and interventions to improve parents' knowledge and attitudes toward NNJ.

Parents' Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Traditional Medicine on Their Children: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Bisha City, Saudi Arabia

Background The use of traditional medicine (TM) in children is widespread, particularly in developing countries. Parents often rely on TM to treat their children's illnesses or maintain their health. However, the safety and efficacy of TM are often unclear, and there is a need to assess parents' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward its use. Methods This is a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in Bisha, Saudi Arabia, with a sample size of 555. The study used a modified questionnaire to collect data. The data were collected from March to June 2023. This study involved both descriptive and inferential statistics.  Results The study included 555 participants, most of whom were female, Saudi nationals, and married and had a bachelor's degree. More than half of the participants reported using TM, and most believed that it had fewer side effects and could be taken with allopathic medicines. However, many participants did not believe that TM could prevent or cure all diseases or that it was always safe. The median knowledge score was 4.0, with higher scores associated with older age and higher educational level. Most participants had a positive attitude toward TM, with higher attitude scores associated with younger age, male gender, lower educational level, and healthcare-related occupation. The median practice score was 31.0, with higher scores associated with younger age, male gender, illiteracy, and healthcare-related occupation. Overall, the study highlights the importance of understanding the patterns of use, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of TM in the population, particularly among different demographic groups. Conclusions This study highlights the need for better regulation and supervision of TM outlets to ensure the safety and efficacy of the products. It also emphasizes the importance of consulting healthcare professionals before using TM on children. The findings suggest that healthcare providers should be knowledgeable about TM and provide guidance to parents on its appropriate use.

Return to Sport After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Among Physically Active Adults

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of athletes' most severe and frequent knee ligament injuries. The primary function of the ACL is preventing excessive anterior tibial translation, and it limits varus/valgus stress when the knee is in full extension and rotatory movements. Returning to sport after an ACL injury is a crucial aim of ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Multiple factors, modifiable and nonmodifiable, can influence the time to return to sport. This study aimed to discuss factors that affect optimal return-to-play (RTP) timing, symptom recurrence, and long-term consequences of an ACL injury. This is a cross-sectional study involving patients who are following in orthopedic surgery outpatient clinics with a history of ACLR at least six months before surgery and not beyond six years after surgery. Participants received a survey about their sociodemographic data, details of the type and site of injury, and ACL return to sport before and after reconstruction scale. Full data description and testing of dependent variables against participant variables using two-sided tests were performed with a significance level of P ≤ 0.05. The study involved 129 participants, of which the majority were male Bisha residents aged 20 to 29 years. The study found that the right leg was the most commonly injured, with the dominant leg being the most frequently reconstructed due to problems with knee function. Before the injury, most participants ran, cut (quick changes of direction during running), decelerated, and pivoted activities four or more times per month. However, physical activities notably reduced after ACLR. Age and body mass index (BMI) showed statistical significance related to the likelihood of returning to physical activities.  The study found a significant reduction in the frequency of activities such as cutting, deceleration, and running after ACLR. Age was identified as a predictor affecting the likelihood of returning to the sport, with older patients being less likely to return than younger ones.