Knowledge, attitude, and practices toward dengue fever among the public: a cross-sectional study in the Western region of Saudi Arabia

Background

Dengue fever (DF) is a primary viral disease transmitted to humans by mosquitoes, imposing a significant economic and health burden in numerous regions globally. There is a lack of studies addressing the importance of health education regarding DF in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess predictors influencing knowledge, attitude, and practices of the Western region public in Saudi Arabia related to DF.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted as an online self-administered questionnaire collected from July 2023 until August 2023, included 695 participants from the Western region residents aged ≥18 years. Data collected involved sociodemographics, participants' knowledge, attitude, and practices toward DF. We presented the descriptive data as mean ± standard deviations (SD) and medians [interquartile range (IQR)] for continuous variables, while categorical variables were presented as frequencies [percent (%)].

Results

Good participants' knowledge and attitude toward DF were observed among participants [median score 21.0 (interquartile range 16.0-24.0)] out of 35 and [median score 4.00 (interquartile range 3.00-5.00)] out of 5, respectively. Limited practices toward DF were observed among participants [median score 3.0 (interquartile range 0.00-5.00)] out of 8. Participants' knowledge and attitude were not correlated. Participants' education level and employment status predicted participant's knowledge of DF. Participants' age, monthly income, employment status and marital status predicted participants' attitude toward DF. Participants' age, marital status, education levels and income predicted participants' practices toward DF.

Conclusion

Knowledge, attitude, and practices toward DF among adults in Saudi Arabia can be predicted by specific sociodemographic characteristics. Implementing interferences that focus on improving public practices toward DF is imperative.

Effect evaluation of kangaroo mother care in Liping area, Guizhou province,China

BACKGROUD

Kangaroo mother care (KMC) refers to the mother and baby after the birth of the early start of continuous skin contact way of a newborn care, which is a simple operation, easy controlled and with low cost, no large or high consumption of equipment.So it is very suitable for developing in areas where medical resources are relatively scarce, such as GuiZhou province where is a relatively poor province in China with many ethnic minorities.

METHODS

This study selected the pregnant women who gave birth in Liping County, Guizhou Province, China, as the research object, to explore the impact of kangaroo mother care on the physiologic status of newborns in liping county, Guizhou Province.

RESULTS

A total of 347 hospitalized parturient women were divided into the KMC group and the control group. The results showed that the KMC group showed obvious advantages in stabilizing newborn vital signs, health indicators, promoting the success rate of breastfeeding and reducing newborn pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Research shows that kangaroo mother care is beneficial to postpartum maternal and infant health, and has advantages suitable for local characteristics, which is worth further promotion in minority areas of Guizhou Province.

[Prevalence of age-related macular degeneration of retina among rural and urban population of the western region of Azerbaijan]

PURPOSE

To compare the prevalence rates of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) of retina among the rural and urban populations.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted at the National Centre of Ophthalmology named after the Academician Zarifa Aliyeva, which in 2016 provided specialized ophthalmic care to the population of the western region of the Azerbaijan Republic - the Ganja-Gazakh economic region. Three types of settlements were determined among administrative units of the region: big city; small towns; rural settlements within the administrative regions. All patients were examined by specialists of the mobile ophthalmologic team using complex diagnostic methods.

RESULTS

According to patient data, the prevalence rate of AMD among people aged 60 years and older was not high and varied within the interval of 0.2‰ in the Gadabay district to 1.0‰ in the Goranboy district with statistically significant inter-regional differences. General prevalence rate changed within the interval of 1.0‰ in the Gadabay district to 3.1‰ in the Goranboy district, also with statistically significant inter-regional differences. Comparison of the prevalence rate of this pathology among the population of a big city, small towns and rural settlements aged 40-49 years confirms the validity of the null hypothesis. According to our survey, gender differences in the prevalence rates of AMD among the population were not statistically significant (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Comparative assessment of the prevalence rates of age-related macular degeneration of retina among rural and urban populations confirms its high risk in rural settlements. According to patient statistics, the prevalence rate of AMD in the available data is many times lower than its actual prevalence (≥60‰). Significant increase in AMD risk is observed in individuals aged 50 years and older in rural settlements, and 60 years and older in cities.

Prevalence of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy and its impact on quality of life among diabetic patients in Western region, Saudi Arabia

Background

Diabetic neuropathy is the most common long-term complications of diabetes, frequently presenting as painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN), which can significantly impair patients' quality of life (QOL). This study set to estimate the prevalence of PNPD and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the setting of primary health care in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This study was conducted in primary health-care centers affiliated with the National Guard Health Affairs in Western Saudi Arabia. Arabic version of the Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaire was administered on diabetic patients to screen for neuropathic pain and short-form 12 questionnaire to assess HRQoL.

Results

The study screened (n = 349) Type 2 diabetic patients. The prevalence of PDPN was 33.2%. PDRN was more likely to affect females (adjusted odds ratio ["AOR"] =1.96, P = 0.024), and those living with diabetes for over 15 years (AOR = 2.26, P = 0.039), and those on insulin treatment (AOR: 2.33, P = 0.010) alone or in combination (AOR = 1.78, P = 0.034). Both physical and mental components (MCs) of QOL scores were significantly higher in diabetic patients without PDPN compared to those with it; 49.57 ± 9.31 versus 40.77 ± 8.14 for physical component QOL and 51.72 ± 9.36 versus 44.35 ± 8.12 for MC QOL, P < 0.001.

Discussion and Conclusion

Painful peripheral neuropathy is relatively common among type 2 diabetic patients in Western Saudi Arabia and impacts both physical and MCs of the QOL of affected patients.

Accumulation of heavy metals in muscle, liver, and gonads of little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus) from the western region of Algeria

Cadmium, lead, zinc, and copper levels were measured in muscle, liver, and gonads of little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus) from the western region of Algeria. Relationships between heavy metals concentrations and age, sex, sexual maturity stages, and fish size were investigated. The highest average levels of cadmium (0.2010 ± 0.026 mg kg^-1), lead (0.8069 ± 0.09 mg kg^-1), and copper (18.1135 ± 1.34 mg kg^-1) were recorded in the liver, while the highest mean zinc value of 203.1454 ± 21.48 mg kg^-1 was observed in the gonads. Significant differences (t > 1.96, p < 0.05) were found between metals levels in different tissues. The results indicated that heavy metals concentrations in muscle, liver, and gonads increase with age and fish size. However, metals analysis in gonadal tissues provides clear evidence of the transfer of heavy metals from spawners to progeny. The concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu measured in edible muscle flesh were lower than the maximum acceptable limit set by FAO/WHO for human consumption.