To assess the connection between the prevalence of asthenopia and the use of electronic devices in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients and Methods: Asthenopia prevalence and its connection to electronic screens during the COVID-19 pandemic were evaluated in an analytical, cross-sectional investigation among the Jazan population. The sample population included 784 participants. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a pre-tested, organized, and self-administered questionnaire was used as the study method. Social media invitations were used to contact the sample group. Results: Of the 784 participants, 587 (74.96%) had asthenopia symptoms after using digital devices at the end of the day. A total of 56.30% used digital gadgets for > 6 hours each day, whereas 55.36% spent <2 hours per day reading papers or books or writing. Daily usage of digital gadgets did not significantly differ from asthenopia (p=0.46), as well as reading papers, books, or writing and asthenopia (p=0.098). A total of 45.92% of the study population maintained digital devices/books at a distance <25 cm, which was significantly associated with symptoms of asthenopia (p=0.048). Furthermore, 90.10% of the sample population used laptops, cellphones, and iPads before going to bed or after turning off lights. A total of 63.52% preferred using devices while lying in bed. There was no positive link between asthenopia symptoms and cellphone usage at bedtime or after turning off lights (p=0.028). Conclusion: Digital technology is used by people of all ages for a wide range of daily activities, including education, employment, business, and recreation. We concluded that this group had a high prevalence of asthenopia, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The high frequency of asthenopia emphasizes the significance of conducting public awareness campaigns concerning asthenopia symptoms and prevention methods.

Introduction Weaknesses of the pelvic floor muscles in females can lead to pelvic floor dysfunction thus increasing the risk of urinary and fecal incontinence. Furthermore, its weakness can lead to reproductive organ prolapse and sexual dysfunction, and influence sexual arousal and orgasm. There is limited evidence concerning the awareness of Saudi women regarding the importance of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction. The current investigation aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pelvic floor muscle exercises in the women of Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods This investigation was a cross-sectional study targeting pregnant women in the Jazan region. Data was collected via an Arabic self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was composed of four main components measuring demographic data, presence of pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms, knowledge, attitude, and practice of the participants concerning pelvic floor muscle training. Chi-squared test was used to test the association between measured demographic factors and level of knowledge. Results A total of 183 pregnant women were recruited. The mean age of the participants was 27.4 years (standard deviation (SD): 5.3). The median number of pregnancies was 2 (interquartile range (IQR): 1-3), and the mean duration of current pregnancy was 20.9 (SD:11.1). The majority of pregnant women complained of lower abdomen pain with variable degrees. Nearly half of the sample complained of having either urinary or fecal incontinence with variable degrees of severity. The mean score of knowledge was 5 out of 12 and the scores varied between 1 and 11. Only 71 women (38.8%) were confident that pregnant women can exercise pelvic floor muscles. Furthermore, knowledge of the recruited mothers concerning the nature of the pelvic floor muscle exercise was relatively low in comparison to other items. Nearly one-third of the sample either believed that the exercise had no effect or had a worsening effect. Half the sample reported not performing any pelvic floor exercises. Only the practice of the exercise was statistically associated with the level of knowledge, indicating a higher proportion of women with a higher level of knowledge among those who regularly or occasionally perform the exercise. This may suggest that women with a higher level of knowledge are more motivated to exercise (<0.001). Conclusion Several deficiencies in knowledge about pelvic floor muscle exercise were detected among the recruited sample. Though the majority of the sample had an attitude favoring pelvic floor muscle exercise, nearly one-third did not believe pelvic floor muscle exercise can be beneficial. Finally, less than 10% of the sample indicated regular practice of pelvic floor muscle exercise. These findings indicate a need to increase the awareness and adherence of women in Jazan.

Objective Patients with chronic diseases such as hypertension (HTN) are considered a vulnerable group, and they are prone to anxiety and other psychological conditions during pandemics. Very few reports discussed factors related to anxiety and how it is associated with HTN during COVID-19 pandemic. In this project, we aimed to identify the prevalence of anxiety among hypertensive patients in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted, and data were collected using an electronic self-administered pretested questionnaire distributed via trained data collectors. Data were analyzed using t -test and chi-test. Results A total of 2135 participants were enrolled in this study. Anxiety was reported in 5% of all participants and 8% of the hypertensive participants. Older age, marital status, higher body mass index (BMI), smoking, and Khat chewing were strongly associated with anxiety among the general population. In addition, less adherence to medication made participants with HTN significantly more anxious. Conclusion The prevalence of anxiety among hypertensive individuals is higher compared to the general population. Moreover, anxiety is significantly associated with some sociodemographic in the general population, and with less adherence to medications in hypertensive patients. Further studies with data from medical record including more variables are needed to highlight this association.

Purpose This study aims to measure quality of life and the presence of depression among adults suffering from perceived hair loss. Methods This study used a cross-sectional design that targeted adult subjects with perceived hair loss in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected during interviews in selected primary healthcare centers. Data pertaining to the demography, quality of life, and presence of depression in participants were collected. Quality of life was assessed via a modified Arabic version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). The presence of depression was assessed via Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). A chi-squared test was used to detect statistically significant differences between the levels of quality of life and depression and the measured demographic characteristics. Results A total of 483 subjects reported having hair loss. The median age of the sample was 30 years. The majority of the respondents were female (74.5%) and had university-level education (71.4%). Only 169 (35%) reported seeking medical advice concerning their hair loss. The effect of hair loss on quality of life score varied between 2 and 29, with a median score of 6. The median depression level was 6, and the level varied between 0 and 27. Gender, education level, seeking medical care due to hair loss, and worsening of hair loss seem to have an impact on quality of life and depression levels ( p values < 0.05). Conclusion Nearly half of the sample experienced a more than moderate impact on their quality of life induced by their perceived hair loss. Additionally, more than half of the sample exhibited moderate or stronger levels of depression. Encouraging subjects with perceived hair loss to seek medical advice concerning their hair loss may result in early identification, appropriate diagnosis, and the use of curative measures, may consequently improving patients’ quality of life and preventing depression.