Psychological impact of COVID-19 restrictions among individuals at risk of exercise addiction and their socio-demographic correlates: a Saudi Arabian survey study

Exercise addiction (EA) has been described as a condition of psychological dysfunction characterized by excessive and obsessive exercise patterns, show withdrawal symptoms when unable to exercise, and experience numerous conflicts and other negative consequences in their social and professional lives, due to the extremely high volumes of exercise. The main objective of the present study was to assess the risk of exercise addiction among a Saudi Arabian sample of regular exercisers and to investigate possible associations between their inability to exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown (due to the closure of public gyms, swimming pools, and health clubs) and depression, anxiety, and loneliness. A total of 388 regular-exercising Saudis participated in an online cross-sectional survey over three months (December to February 2021). The study sample comprised 89.9% (males) and 10.1% (females), with a mean age of 28.59 years (SD ± 6.69). A 36-item online self-report survey was used for data collection. The prevalence of being at risk of exercise addiction among participants of the present study was 13.1%. Positive significant associations were noted between risk of exercise addiction and depression (r = .41; p < .01), risk of exercise addiction and anxiety (r = .20; p < .01), and risk of exercise addiction and loneliness (r = .17; p < .01). The findings of the present study suggest that those individuals at risk of exercise addiction might also be at an elevated risk of developing negative psychological impact owing to the disruption of the amount of exercise engaged in due to COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions and therefore these high-risk individuals should receive appropriate psychological support to help them overcome the negative impact of the ongoing pandemic

The association of dietary behaviors and practices with overweight and obesity parameters among Saudi university students

Western dietary habits, coupled with a sedentary lifestyle, are potential contributors to the prevalence and rapid increase in the incidence of obesity in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to investigate the association between students’ weight status and their eating behaviors and practices. Another aim was to assess students’ awareness of the health risks associated with obesity. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a sample of 416 (53% male and 47% female) undergraduate students, aged 18–26 years old, between January 6 and April 6, 2019, from colleges of Health Sciences at Jazan University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (K.S.A). Students completed a self-administered questionnaire and recorded their measured anthropometric parameters. Results The prevalence of overweight (20.4%) and obesity (14.9%) were relatively high among the participants. There were statistically significant associations between Body Mass Index (BMI) and the different settings of food consumption (i.e., dining on a table (or) in the Islamic way: squatting on the ground) (p<0.001)). BMI was also associated with students’ dietary habits regarding consuming food, snacks, and drinking carbonated beverages while watching television (p<0.001), as well as consuming the same pattern of food/drink while watching television, playing video games on mobile phones or computers (p<0.001). Nearly most of the students were oblivious to the fact that metabolic syndrome, reproductive disorders, respiratory disorders along with liver and gallbladder diseases are some of the health risks associated with obesity. Conclusion The prevalence of obesity and overweight were reasonably high in our study sample and were affected by several factors related to students’ eating behaviors and practices. This warrants the need for rigorous and frequent health education interventions on healthy eating behaviors, dietary practices, with an emphasis on the importance of adopting an active, healthy lifestyle

Knowledge and perceptions of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus towards cardiovascular disease prevention: A review

Introduction: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at significantly higher risk of developing Cardiovascular disease (CVD). There is a lack of literature that describes and summarise T2DM patients’ knowledge and perception of CVD prevention. Objectives: To describe the extent of knowledge and perceptions of illness among T2DM patients concerning the current CVD preventive approaches. Methods: We adopted the methodology of systematic scoping review to guide in selecting the included articles, extracting and charting the results. We have retrieved the included studies from three scientific databases; Google Scholar, Science Direct and PubMed. A multistage screening process was followed. It considers relevancy, publication year (2009-2018), English language, and article type (original research involving T2DM patients). We formulated research questions focused on the assessment of levels of knowledge and perceptions of the illness relevant to CVD prevention. Results: A total of 16 studies were included. The findings showed variation in terms of T2DM patients’ knowledge and perceptions of individual CVD risk factors. The patients tended to overemphasize the role of lab tests in assessing CVD risks. It seems that the need for multifactorial risk assessments was overlooked. There were relatively negative perceptions of the benefits of CVD preventive medication therapies. The majority of the studies highlighted knowledge deficits. The patients’ perceptions were linked to their degree of adherence to lifestyle and pharmacotherapy recommendations. Conclusion: This work underpinned the prevalence of low levels of knowledge as well as negative perceptions towards T2DM illness, and its recommended CVD prevention measures. Therefore, customized initiatives and educational interventions for T2DM patients, concerning CVD preventive measures are probably needed and are strongly recommended

Knowledge and perceptions of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus towards cardiovascular disease prevention: A review

Introduction: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at significantly higher risk of developing Cardiovascular disease (CVD). There is a lack of literature that describes and summarise T2DM patients’ knowledge and perception of CVD prevention. Objectives: To describe the extent of knowledge and perceptions of illness among T2DM patients concerning the current CVD preventive approaches. Methods: We adopted the methodology of systematic scoping review to guide in selecting the included articles, extracting and charting the results. We have retrieved the included studies from three scientific databases; Google Scholar, Science Direct and PubMed. A multistage screening process was followed. It considers relevancy, publication year (2009-2018), English language, and article type (original research involving T2DM patients). We formulated research questions focused on the assessment of levels of knowledge and perceptions of the illness relevant to CVD prevention. Results: A total of 16 studies were included. The findings showed variation in terms of T2DM patients’ knowledge and perceptions of individual CVD risk factors. The patients tended to overemphasize the role of lab tests in assessing CVD risks. It seems that the need for multifactorial risk assessments was overlooked. There were relatively negative perceptions of the benefits of CVD preventive medication therapies. The majority of the studies highlighted knowledge deficits. The patients’ perceptions were linked to their degree of adherence to lifestyle and pharmacotherapy recommendations. Conclusion: This work underpinned the prevalence of low levels of knowledge as well as negative perceptions towards T2DM illness, and its recommended CVD prevention measures. Therefore, customized initiatives and educational interventions for T2DM patients, concerning CVD preventive measures are probably needed and are strongly recommended

Associations between Socio-Demographic Factors and Hypertension Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Preliminary Findings from Malaysia

Abstract: The perspectives of hypertensive patients on the state of hypertension control during the ongoing pandemic restrictions have not been extensively studied in Malaysia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of socio-demographic factors, health literacy, and adherence on the overall hypertension management in a group of Malaysian hypertensive patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. An anonymous, online cross-sectional study was conducted over three months that involved a group of Malaysian adults with hypertension. A validated, self-administered 30-item questionnaire was prepared in Malay and English languages on Google Forms. The link was then distributed to participants on social media (Facebook and WhatsApp). Following survey validation, a pilot study with 30 participants who met the inclusion criteria was carried out. The total scores for health literacy, adherence, and pandemic impact on hypertension control were calculated and compared across all independent variables. In a total of 144 study participants, controlled blood pressure was reported in 77% (N = 111). There were good levels of adherence and health literacy scores but moderate levels of pandemic impact scores. The total adherence scores showed a statistically significant difference between age groups (�2 = 6.48, p = 0.039) and those who reported having controlled and uncontrolled blood pressure (U = 1116, p = 0.001). Moreover, the analysis revealed statistically significant differences in total pandemic impact scores based on the age group (�2 = 15.008, p = 0.001), household income (�2 = 6.887, p = 0.032), employment (U = 1712, p = 0.006), and marital status (U = 520.5, p < 0.001). The youngest age group (18–39) years, the lowest income group, unemployed and unmarried individuals, had significantly higher pandemic impact scores. This denotes that those individuals were more prone to be negatively affected by the pandemic regarding their hypertension management. Most participants reported relatively controlled blood pressure and good levels of health literacy as well as adherence amidst the pandemic. To a moderate extent, study participants perceived that the pandemic had a negative effect on hypertension management. The perceived negative impact of the pandemic was attributed to several socio-demographic factors, such as age, household income, employment, and marital status

Public Awareness of Chronic Kidney Disease in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia&mdash;A Cross-Sectional Survey

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a significant public health concern worldwide and many people continue to ignore their early warning symptoms. The present study assessed the level of knowledge about CKD the awareness of the risk factors and the awareness of the complications associated with CKD, among the general population of Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia. 440 residents of Jazan Province participated in an online cross-sectional survey during a seven-month period from November (2020) to July (2021). Data was collected using a validated 73-item self-report survey. More than half of the respondents were males (n = 286; 65%) with an age ranging from 18 to 59 years, and a mean age of 32.66 years (SD &plusmn; 10.83). A very low percentage of the sample (27.3%; 7.5%, 9.3%) demonstrated good knowledge, a high level of awareness of the risk factors, and a high level of awareness of the complications associated with CKD, respectively. Participants&rsquo; knowledge was significantly associated with being a student or being employed (Government/private employee) (&chi;2 = 29.90; p &lt; 0.001), having completed graduate studies (&chi;2 = 63.86; p &lt; 0.001), residing in urban areas (&chi;2 = 138.62; p &lt; 0.001), belonging to the age group (18&ndash;39 years), and having no co-morbidities (&chi;2 = 24.55; p &lt; 0.001). Positive and significant correlations were also noted between the knowledge score and the awareness of risk factor score (r = 0.42; p &lt; 0.01), as well as the awareness of complications score (r = 0.25; p &lt; 0.01). These findings warrant an urgent need for extensive CKD educational initiatives concentrating on improving the general knowledge and awareness of the public towards CKD

Suspected inappropriate use of prescription and non-prescription drugs among requesting customers: A Saudi community pharmacists’ perspective

Background: Inappropriate use of medications is a global health concern, and this is attributed to the increased accessibility to prescription and non-prescription (over-the-counter) drugs at community pharmacies. We investigated the inappropriate use of prescription and non-prescription drugs in community pharmacies based on the perspectives of the community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional survey which employed convenient sampling (snowball technique) to recruit participants. Being a licensed practicing pharmacist in a retail chain or an independent community pharmacy was the inclusion criteria. Participants were asked to report the drugs they suspected of being inappropriately used along with the frequency, age and gender of the suspected customers. Pharmacists were also asked to mention the action taken to limit inappropriate use at their pharmacy. Results: A total of 397 community pharmacists completed the questionnaire (86.9 % response rate). 86.4% of the pharmacists suspected some level of abuse or misuse to have occurred. After receiving the questionnaire, the pharmacists reported suspected inappropriate use as encountered during the past three months. Cumulative inappropriate use was reported 1069 times (prescription drugs – 530; non-prescription drugs – 539). The top three inappropriately used prescription-drug categories were gabapentinoids (22.5%), antipsychotics (17.5%) and topical corticosteroids (12.1%). Among non-prescription drugs, cough products (33.2%) ranked first, followed by cold and flu products (29.5%) and first-generation antihistamines (10.8%). The cross tabulations revealed that being in the age range of 26–50 years and being a male was significantly associated (p < 0.001) with abuse/misuse of antipsychotics, antidepressants, gabapentinoids, cough products and first-generation antihistamines. Eye products (Bimatoprost) and skin products abuse/misuse had significant association with female gender (p < 0.001) Conclusion: The results of our study provide crucial information to the healthcare authorities regarding the medications that can be inappropriately used at the community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia which necessitates implementation of stringent dispensing regulations. Educational programs can be implemented to increase the awareness among public regarding the harmful effects of inappropriate use of drugs

Migrant workers, migrants, internally displaced persons, asylum seekers and refugees - The silent sufferers of the COVID-19 pandemic: A brief review of media reports

Like other vulnerable groups, the pandemic has severely and negatively impacted marginalized groups, including migrant laborers, documented and undocumented migrants, internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and asylum seekers. The present study briefly reviewed cases of attempted and completed suicide while also examining their causality among national and international migrant workers, migrants, IDPs, refugees, and asylum seekers during the ongoing pandemic. This study utilized retrospective extraction of suicide-related information from earlier published press reports. With regards to COVID-19- related suicides, this method has had widespread acceptability and has previously been extensively used in countries of South-East Asia for reporting suicides in academic journals. The authors located 26 relatively complete details of migrant worker suicides and suicide attempts from India and Singapore and 46 cases of migrant suicides from Malaysia with partially complete details. Lockdown-related health, job, and financial uncertainties coupled with pandemic-related emotional as well as mental stressors were some of the reported reasons for the alleged suicides and suicide attempts. Considering the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of mental health services becomes increasingly important. Governments should take the lead in safeguarding the financial, physical, and mental well-being of all its citizens with special emphasis on the most vulnerable populations and high-risk groups for the entire period of the pandemic, to avert any unneeded loss of life related to suicides