Prevalence and risk factors of postpartum dyspareunia at three months post- delivery in Sudanese women

Background: Postpartum dyspareunia affects many women following childbirth: however, the extent of the problem is difficult to estimate. The objectives of the current study were to determine the prevalence of postpartum dyspareunia and to estimate its risk factors.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted at the National Ribat University Hospital, Sudan. The study was carried out on women attended the refer clinics of obstetrics and gynecology and pediatrics departments in the hospital. The sample size was calculated as 380. The data were collected by a pre-tested questionnaire along with a clinical examination of the vulva and vagina after obtaining the ethical approval. The SPSS was used to analyze the data.Results: The prevalence of postpartum dyspareunia in women attended the National Ribat University hospital was 42.6 %. Regarding age, 8 (61.5%) of women less than 20 years of age experienced dyspareunia, 102 (46.4%) and 52 (35.4%) of women whose age was 20-29 years; and more than 29 years experienced the condition. One hundred forty (51.7%) of women who delivered by normal vaginal delivery developed postpartum dyspareunia. Eight (72.7%), 8 (12.5%) and 6 (17.6%) of women delivered by Operative vaginal, Elective C/S and Emergency C/S developed postpartum dyspareunia respectively. One hundred forty-eight (62.4%), 153 (51.3%) women who had decircumcision and episiotomy in last delivery had postpartum dyspareunia respectively. Forty-six (93.3%), fifty-three (86.9%) and 60 (87%) women who had infected episiotomy, scar tissue at episiotomy and tight interoitus developed the condition respectively.Conclusions: The prevalence of postpartum dyspareunia in women attended the National Ribat University hospital was 42.6 %. Regarding age, 8 (61.5%) of women less than 20 years of age experienced dyspareunia, 102 (46.4%) and 52 (35.4%) of women whose age was 20-29 years; and more than 29 years experienced the condition. One hundred forty (51.7%) of women who delivered by normal vaginal delivery developed postpartum dyspareunia. Eight (72.7%), 8 (12.5%) and 6 (17.6%) of women delivered by Operative vaginal, Elective C/S and Emergency C/S developed postpartum dyspareunia respectively. One hundred forty-eight (62.4%), 153 (51.3%) women who had decircumcision and episiotomy in last delivery had postpartum dyspareunia respectively. Forty-six (93.3%), fifty-three (86.9%) and 60 (87%) women who had infected episiotomy, scar tissue at episiotomy and tight interoitus developed the condition respectively

Prevalence of Smoking among Male Medical Students at Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia

Smoking is defined as burning dry tobacco leaves and inhaling smoke from the burn. This process may be done using different forms of tobbaco products, including cigarettes (Cigars, Little Cigars, Cigarillos), electronic cigarettes, and hookah (shisha). Smoking can give rise to lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and has been proven to be the underlying cause in  84% of deaths in lung cancer and 83% mortalities in COPD. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of tobacco smoking among male students of the Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study was performed from January to February 2020 on among medical students of Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect data while the SPSS was used for data analysis. From 256 male medical students, only 113 responded to the questionnaire. The prevalence of smoking was found to be 19.5% (n=22) with most smoked cigarettes (50%). Most smokers (50 %) were in the lowest age group, 19-21 years. There was an increase in smoking with an increase in income. Of the 22 respondents who smoked, 10 started smoking when they were 14 to 17 years old. In conclusion, the study shows a low prevalence of smoking among male medical students in the College of Medicine of Majmaah University. Most smokers consume cigarettes, and the majority are not considering quitting

Breast cancer awareness and breast self-examination among future female university graduates: comparison between medical and non-medical students

Background: Breast cancer is a common health problem among females in Saudi Arabia. The disease account for 27% of all female malignancies representing 25.1% of all newly diagnosed female cancers. The objectives of the current study were to assess the level of carcinoma breast awareness of female university students, Majmaah University in Saudi Arabia and to compare the level of awareness, breast self-examination and breast cancer screening between medical and non-medical students.Methods: The current study was a cross-sectional, conducted among female students in Majmaah University in Saudi Arabia. The stratified and the systematic sampling were employed to select the colleges and the students respectively. The sample size was calculated as 325. Data was collected by a pre tested questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS.Results: The university students who acquired good knowledge were 111 (34.2%). Students who acquired average and poor knowledge were 42.2% and 23.6% respectively. Medical students who had good knowledge were 37.6% compared to 26.9% of non-medical students.  The results showed that 94 (28.9%) of the participants practice breast self-examination and 25 (7.6%) performed a screening test.Conclusions: The study concluded that Majmaah University students’ awareness of carcinoma breast is low. There is no significant difference in the level of awareness between students of medical colleges and those of non-medical colleges. The level of practicing breast self-examination and performing screening test for carcinoma breast among female university students is low. There is a significant difference in performing carcinoma breast screening test between medical and non-medical students.

Medical students' perceptions of complementary and alternative medicine therapies: A pre- and post-exposure survey in Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia

Background: Evidently, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is increasingly a recognized medical practice that efficiently uses multiple treatment therapies and techniques in promoting the health  and wellbeing of people as well as preventing and managing a variety of human disorders. Research in CAM, which courses exposure to diverse healthcare professionals, is important from many perspectives including improvement in teaching skills of faculty, enhancing capacity building, and  innovative curriculum development. This pre- and post-design crosssectional study aimed to assess perceptions, training needs, personal usage, use in office practice, and knowledge of two batches of medical students toward CAM therapies in Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia.Materials and Methods: The second year medical students of the first (year 2012-13) and second (year 2013-2014) batch [n=26 & 39, respectively] were selected for this study. A reliable 16-item  self-administered questionnaire was distributed among all students for answering before and after the 48-hour specific 19 CAM therapies course, in terms of CAM therapies are clearly conventional or  alternative, training needs, effectiveness, personal use, use in practice, management of two clinical cases by CAM or conventional therapies, and views about which evidence based approach strongly support individual CAM modalities.Results: Medical students' knowledge and perceptions of CAM therapies significantly improved across some sub-items of CAM questionnaire with a positive trend in the rest of its items including their views about CAM therapies, need for further training, personal use of therapies and advising patients regarding CAM practices strongly supported by randomized clinical controlled trials and published case studies.Conclusion: CAM course tends to have positive impact on the knowledge and perceptions of medical students, in addition to need for further training, and personal use and use of CAM therapies in practice in line with strong evidence-based data regarding therapeutic efficacy. The preliminary results of this study call for further research in specific CAM modalities with a larger sample in academic settings across the nation. Key words: Medical students; Complementary and Alternative Medicine; CAM course; CAM therapies; pre-post design study; Saudi Arabia

MEDICAL STUDENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE THERAPIES: A PRE- AND POST-EXPOSURE SURVEY IN MAJMAAH UNIVERSITY, SAUDI ARABIA

Background: Evidently, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is increasingly a recognized medical practice that efficiently uses multiple treatment therapies and techniques in promoting the health and wellbeing of people as well as preventing and managing a variety of human disorders. Research in CAM, which courses exposure to diverse healthcare professionals, is important from many perspectives including improvement in teaching skills of faculty, enhancing capacity building, and innovative curriculum development. This pre- and post-design crosssectional study aimed to assess perceptions, training needs, personal usage, use in office practice, and knowledge of two batches of medical students toward CAM therapies in Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: The second year medical students of the first (year 2012-13) and second (year 2013-2014) batch [n=26 & 39, respectively] were selected for this study. A reliable 16-item self-administered questionnaire was distributed among all students for answering before and after the 48-hour specific 19 CAM therapies course, in terms of CAM therapies are clearly conventional or alternative, training needs, effectiveness, personal use, use in practice, management of two clinical cases by CAM or conventional therapies, and views about which evidence based approach strongly support individual CAM modalities. Results: Medical students' knowledge and perceptions of CAM therapies significantly improved across some sub-items of CAM questionnaire with a positive trend in the rest of its items including their views about CAM therapies, need for further training, personal use of therapies and advising patients regarding CAM practices strongly supported by randomized clinical controlled trials and published case studies. Conclusion: CAM course tends to have positive impact on the knowledge and perceptions of medical students, in addition to need for further training, and personal use and use of CAM therapies in practice in line with strong evidence-based data regarding therapeutic efficacy. The preliminary results of this study call for further research in specific CAM modalities with a larger sample in academic settings across the nation

The association between body mass index and lifestyle with academic performance of college of medicine students, Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Obesity rates have risen rapidly in both industrialised and developing countries, across all age groups and genders. The researchers wanted to see if there was a link between body mass index (BMI) and lifestyle and academic performance among College of Medicine students at Majmaah University in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Male and female students studying at college of medicine who were registered for the academic year 2020–2021 studying in levels 2–6 were included in this cross-sectional study. A total of 269 participants were chosen as part of the sample. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect the information. Results: Males made up more than half of the participants (153, or 56.6%), with the majority (245, or 91.1%) being between the ages of 17 and 24 years. Participants' BMIs ranged from 15.2 to 43.2, with an average SD of 24.5 5.3. One hundred and fifty (55.8%) of the kids were of average weight. The statistical research indicated a link between cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and BMI. In comparison to the rest, normal-weight participants had a higher CGPA. Conclusion: Being a male, younger age, high family income, second-year level and parents' education are all linked to strong academic achievement, according to the study. Normal weight, nutritional and sleeping habits are also linked to good academic performance

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among the General Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Hesitancy about receiving vaccines has been deemed a global danger to public health by WHO. The sociocultural backgrounds of the people have an impact on vaccine acceptance. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of sociodemographic factors on COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy as well as to identify the factors that contributed to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the primary variables causing COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among residents of Pune. The general population was sampled through simple random sampling. The minimum sample size was determined to be 1246. The questionnaire inquired about the individuals’ sociodemographic information, vaccination status, and reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Results: In total, there were 5381 subjects, 1669 of whom were unvaccinated and 3712 of whom were partially vaccinated. Fear of adverse effects (51.71%), fear of losing a few days of work (43.02%), and inability to secure a vaccine slot online (33.01%) were the most frequently cited reasons. An older population (>60 years, p = 0.004), males (p = 0.032), those who were literate (p = 0.011), those of lower middle socioeconomic status (p = 0.001), and smokers were significantly associated with fear and mistrust of the COVID-19 vaccine, while mistrust of the vaccine was greatest among individuals from the upper and lower middle classes (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Vaccine hesitancy due to concerns about the side effects and long-term complications was prevalent among the elderly, males, those from the lower middle class, and smokers. This study emphasizes the importance of communicating effectively about the vaccine’s efficacy, its distribution, and vaccination sites

Prevalence of Smoking among Male Medical Students at Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia

Smoking is defined as burning dry tobacco leaves and inhaling smoke from the burn. This process may be done using different forms of tobbaco products, including cigarettes (Cigars, Little Cigars, Cigarillos), electronic cigarettes, and hookah (shisha). Smoking can give rise to lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and has been proven to be the underlying cause in 84% of deaths in lung cancer and 83% mortalities in COPD. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of tobacco smoking among male students of the Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study was performed from January to February 2020 on among medical students of Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect data while the SPSS was used for data analysis. From 256 male medical students, only 113 responded to the questionnaire. The prevalence of smoking was found to be 19.5% (n=22) with most smoked cigarettes (50%). Most smokers (50 %) were in the lowest age group, 19-21 years. There was an increase in smoking with an increase in income. Of the 22 respondents who smoked, 10 started smoking when they were 14 to 17 years old. In conclusion, the study shows a low prevalence of smoking among male medical students in the College of Medicine of Majmaah University. Most smokers consume cigarettes, and the majority are not considering quitting