BackgroundAlthough stress during pregnancy has negative effects on children’s development and pregnant women’s health, no study has assessed stress and its predictors among pregnant Saudi women. The aim of this study was to assess stress and identify its predictors in a sample of pregnant Saudi women.MethodsA correlational study was carried out at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on 438 pregnant women who attended the obstetrics/gynecology clinic. We collected data on their sociodemographic and oral health status. Stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).ResultsThe sample mean age was 30.6±5.4 years, and 33.4% of the sample reported high stress levels (PSS ≥20). The study revealed significantly high stress levels in women with no or low income, chronic disease, sleep deprivation, no teeth brushing, irregular eating patterns, gestational diabetes, and no family support (P<0.05). Self-reported oral health problems were significantly associated with high stress levels (P<0.05). A multiple linear regression model showed that no teeth brushing, chronic disease, sleep deprivation, gestational diabetes, and gingival redness predicted an increase in stress by a score of 3.6, 2.4, 2.1, 1.4, and 1.4, respectively.ConclusionIt was estimated that three in ten pregnant women in King Abdulaziz Medical City reported high stress levels. Our study shed light on the relationship between healthy habits, oral health status, and perceived stress in pregnant women. This research may help health care practitioners who provide care to pregnant women, to educate them in regard to healthy habits, and to develop a program to reduce stress.

PurposeOral health in cancer patients was known to influence the quality of life. However, the knowledge of possible factors associated with oral health in cancer patients is seriously lacking in Saudi Arabia. In this study, we aimed to determine the burden of adverse oral health in cancer patients and identify the associated factors for oral health problems.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional study design was used to recruit a total of 375 cancer patients who attended oncology outpatient clinics at King Abdulaziz Medical City – Riyadh (KAMC-R) by using a consecutive sampling technique. A self-reporting questionnaire was used to collect the sociodemographic information, clinical symptoms, and lifestyle factors of cancer patients. Furthermore, depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed by using Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale. The authors assessed the oral health complaints based on seven common conditions (bleeding gums, toothache, mouth ulcers, bruxism, xerostomia, problems affecting speech, and satisfactory dietary intake). Unadjusted and adjusted risk ratios (aRR) and 95% CIs for the factors associated with the number of oral complaints experienced were computed using Poisson regression model.ResultsThe prevalence of oral health conditions experienced by cancer patients was 86.1% (95% CI: 82.2%–89.5%). Female sex (aRR=1.37, 95% CI: 1.05–1.78), low income (aRR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.23–2.04), smoking (aRR=1.29, 95% CI: 1.02–1.64), anxiety (aRR=1.75, 95% CI: 1.36–2.24), and stress (aRR=1.25, 95% CI: 1.00–1.55) were associated with increased risk of oral health problems in cancer patients (p≤0.05), whereas breast cancer patients experienced reduced risk (aRR=0.72, 95% CI: 0.56–0.93).ConclusionOur study highlighted the significant burden of oral health problems in Saudi cancer patients at KAMC-R and identified several key associated factors for oral health to aid healthcare practitioners in improving cancer management practices.

BackgroundAlthough psychological symptoms and oral health status are associated with health management and outcomes among cancer patients, their association has not been assessed in Saudi Arabia. We aimed to assess the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress and their association with their oral health status, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical factors.MethodsA self-reported study included 375 adult cancer patients who received outpatient healthcare services in the Oncology Department, King Abdulaziz Medical City-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between April 1 and August 31, 2017. We used the Arabic version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale to dichotomize a binary outcome for each. Oral health was evaluated by self-rating from “very good” to “bad”.ResultsA high prevalence of subjective depression, anxiety, and stress was found (44.8%, 52.5%, and 42.7%, respectively). Of the sample, 17.9% self-reported “bad” oral health, which is associated with a high risk of anxiety and stress, and its association remains significant after controlling for other factors (adjusted odds ratio=6.48 and 4.73, respectively). Being <60 years old, high level of formal education, low income, breast cancer, and lung cancer were associated with increased psychological symptoms.ConclusionEvery 6 in 10 cancer patients in this study reported at least one psychosocial symptom. The findings suggest that there exists an association between self-reported “bad” oral health and psychosocial symptoms. Being <60 years old, low income, high level of formal education, breast cancer, and lung cancer were associated with psychological symptoms. Routine psychological counseling and oral health screening in outpatient oncology clinics may improve psychological outcomes and cancer management.

Objective: There are limited data on the prevalence of oral health problems in pregnant Saudi Arabian women; therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of their oral health problems and related factors. Materials and Methods: A self-administered survey was conducted between August 14 and August 31, 2016, on 438 pregnant women at the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs Primary Health Care Centers, Riyadh. A standardized and reliable questionnaire was used to collect data. We collected data on sociodemographic data, lifestyles, and use of dental services during pregnancy. The main outcomes were oral health problems including self-reported dry mouth, gingival bleeding, dental pain, and dental caries. A logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with each of the oral health problems. Results: Of the sample, 56.7% reported dry mouth, 55.8% gingival bleeding, 35.3% dental pain, and 35% dental caries. Women with low-income sleep deprivation, irregular eating patterns, and those who did receive dental services during pregnancy were most likely to have dental pain. Infrequent consumption of fruits and vegetables, vomiting, and having high stress increased the odds of dry mouth. The risk of gingival bleeding was high in women in the second trimester and those with gestational diabetes. Conclusion:We noted a high prevalence of oral health problems among pregnant Saudi women. Income, sleep deprivation, dental care utilization, and irregular eating patterns are factors that could impact perception of oral health conditions of pregnant women. Studies are needed to investigate the best approach to promote and maintain healthy lifestyles in pregnant women. This may help in developing related health policies or programs to promote oral health in this population.

Objective: There is no existing data on the association between self-efficacy and self-rated oral health among pregnant women in Saudi Arabia. Thus, the purpose of this study was -in a sample of pregnant women in Saudi Arabia -to assess oral health and find its association with self-efficacy and female characteristics. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 438 pregnant women who routinely attended the obstetrics/gynecology outpatient clinic at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh. The study was based on a survey that included sociodemographic, clinical and dental data, self-rated oral health, and self-efficacy. Results: Of the sample, 33.8% perceived their oral health as "fair" or "poor," and 43.4% reported low selfefficacy. Subgroup analyses show that low -or no-income women and those with irregular eating patterns were associated with low self-efficacy and "fair" or "poor" oral health. The adjusted odds of "fair" or "poor" oral health were: 1.9 (95% [Confidence Interval] CI: 1.1-3.1), 2.2 (95% CI:1.3-3.8), 3.4 (95% CI: 1.6-7.2), 4.7 (95% CI: 1.6-14.2), and 12.7 (95% CI: 2.5-65.3) times higher in women with low self-efficacy, sleep deprivation, having given birth 3 or more times, diabetes, and those who did not brush their teeth, respectively. The adjusted odds of low self-efficacy were: 1.8 (95% CI: 1.1-3.0), 2.0 (95% CI: 1.1-3.7), and 2.5 (95% CI: 1.5-4.0) times higher in women with "fair" or "poor" oral health, no family support, and sleep deprivation, respectively. Conclusion: It was estimated that three in 10 pregnant Saudi women reported a "fair" or "poor" oral health status. The oral health status in pregnant Saudi Arabian women tends to be negatively associated with low self-efficacy, diabetes, sleep deprivation, having three or more children, while it tends to be positively associated with increasing the frequency of tooth brushing per day.