BackgroundOrgan transplantation is recognized as a life-saving procedure for patients with potentially terminal illnesses. However, the population's awareness of organ donation and related issues is variable throughout the world. ObjectivesThe study purposes to evaluate the knowledge and attitude toward organ donation among the adult population in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study on the general population in Jazan using the convenient sampling method. The questionnaire was composed of 21 items distributed over demographic characteristics, knowledge, and attitude domains. The knowledge and attitude domain levels were categorized into low, moderate, and high based on the scoring of its items. The data had been analyzed using SPSS software version 23 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Frequency and percentages were used to display categorical variables. Mean and standard deviation was used to present numerical variables. The independent t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) test were both used to test for factors associated with knowledge score and attitude score toward organ donation. ResultsA total of 1019 participants were included in the study. The majority were between the ages of 18 and 30 years and 3.4% of them were older than 50 years. Eighty percent of participants had a university level of education or higher and 48% were students. This survey showed that 493 (48.4%) had a moderate knowledge level of organ donation (total score between 50% and 75%) with younger age, being a student, and residence status associated with a higher level of knowledge while gender and the education levels were not. Five hundred one (49.2%) of the participants reported being in agreement with organ donation and 56 (5.5%) of them reported disagreement. Most of the participants exhibited a low positive attitude toward organ donation, with 592 (58.1%) of the participants (a total score less than 50%) (score of 4 and less). Young age and being a student were the factors associated with a positive attitude while gender, education levels, residence status, and monthly status were having no significant associations with the positive attitude toward organ donation. ConclusionThis study concluded that study participants had a moderate level of knowledge and a low positive attitude toward organ donation. The advocacy in promoting organ donation should be increased through the use of appropriate mediums to change the attitudes and enhance the willingness of people.

Background: Various reports described new-onset diabetes during or after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients with no previous history of diabetes or glucocorticoid use. Further, SARS-CoV-2 could increase the risk of diabetes, including diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). However, data on the relationship between new-onset diabetes and COVID-19 are still limited in our region. Thus, we aimed in this study to evaluate the association between new-onset diabetes and DKA in patients with COVID-19. Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at a diabetic center in Jazan province, Saudi Arabia, between 2020 and 2021. Demographic data, COVID-19 status, and DKA incidence were collected and verified manually from diabetic patients’ medical records. Data were analyzed using a t-test and chi-square test. Results: We included 54 diabetic patients diagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a median age of 17 years. The majority of patients were females (57.4%). About 38.8% were diagnosed with COVID-19, and 16.6% reported having DKA. About 33.3% of the patients who experienced DKA reported being COVID-19-positive. However, only 6% of patients who denied contracting SARS-CoV-2 developed DKA (p-value = 0.020). Conclusions: Patients with newly diagnosed diabetes due to COVID-19 seem at a higher risk of developing DKA. Further epidemiological and molecular studies are required for a better understanding of the correlation between DKA in patients with diabetes and COVID-19.

Background: Quality of life has become a more important health outcome with advancements in medical therapies and disease management, leading to better lives for people in general, particularly those living with chronic diseases. Diabetes has a direct impact on the physical, psychological, and social aspects of personal health. This study aimed to determine health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and its predictors in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 420 patients with type 2 diabetes who presented to primary healthcare centers in Samtah Town, Saudi Arabia, from March 2017 to February 2018. The HRQOL of the study participants was determined using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF. Multi-level linear regression was employed to ascertain the factors associated with HRQOL among patients with type 2 diabetes. Results: Female sex was significantly associated with higher HbA1c, anxiety, depression, and stress scores and a lower HRQL in the physical, psychological, and environmental health subscales than males (P<0.001). All subscales of HRQOL were significantly lower in the > 50 years age group. When compared to those with low levels of education (illiterate, primary, or elementary school), patients with secondary and bachelor’s degrees had significantly higher HRQOL in all subscales (P<0.001). In addition, there were significant differences in glycemic control and HRQL with a longer duration of diabetes, the presence of one or more diabetes complications, and the presence of comorbid hypertension (P<0.001). However, no significant differences in the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) index were observed with a longer duration of diabetes and the presence of comorbid hypertension. Patients with diabetes on combined therapy and healthy diet and exercise showed significantly higher HRQOL on physical functioning (P<0.001). Conclusion: Type 2 diabetes was significantly associated with impaired health-related quality of life and mental health among study participants. Females appeared to have worse quality of life and mental health than males. Age, duration of diabetes, comorbid hypertension, diabetes complications, and level of education were significantly associated with lower HRQOL and mental health scores. Healthy diet and exercise, when combined with hypoglycemic and insulin therapy, were found to improve HRQOL and mental health among patients with diabetes. Scales based on a broad definition of health, such as the WHOQOL-BREF, are appropriate for use in primary care settings and can enhance patient management and care.

Background: COVID-19 patients with DM have increased mortality and severity of the disease. Although telemedicine helps to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on the DM standard of care, it is increasingly evident that COVID-19 has a significant impact on DM standards of care, especially in areas where telemedicine is not available. Objective: The study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on patients with diabetes standard of care in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study using an online pretested questionnaire targeted adult diabetic patients living in the Jazan region between December 2021 to March 2022. The participants were selected through a random sampling method. They completed self-administered questionnaires that included demographic variables. Results: A total of 258 study subjects participated in this study. In comparison to DM standards of care before and during COVID-19, there was no clinically significant difference in medication compliance, blood glucose checking, or experiencing blood glucose extrusion. However, with the spread of the corona pandemic and the closure of clinics, the percentage of those who have difficulty controlling blood sugar levels has increased to 22%, despite the availability of telemedicine. Conclusion: DM standards of care have not been affected and were not statistically significant, which could be explained by the rapid adoption of telemedicine during the lockdown. However, as corona spread participants had difficulty controlling blood sugar levels. This indicates that governmental multidisciplinary work limits the COVID-19 impact; however, further work is still needed to ensure that DM care is not compromised.

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