BackgroundAbdominal wall hernias are a very common surgical condition affecting all ages and both sexes. The main risk factors of hernias include pregnancy, weight lifting, constipation, and weight gain.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of abdominal hernias, their causes, treatment and complications among both sexes of the Arar population (Saudi Arabia).MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,567 adults living in Arar city in 2017. Data was collected by personal interview via questionnaire translated into Arabic, and general and local examination. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16, using descriptive statistics and Chi Square test.ResultsThe overall prevalence of abdominal hernias was 11.7%, hernias were more prevalent in females than in males (63.4% vs. 36.6%), the most common cases were para-umbilical 33.9%, inguinal 27.3%, and umbilical in 20.8% of the cases, 51.9% were obese, 53.6% had previous abdominal surgery, 19.1% had previous abdominal trauma, 28.4% had positive family history of hernia and 39.9% were grand multipara. Hernias were significantly affected by sex, obesity, previous abdominal surgery, previous abdominal trauma, positive family history of hernias and being grand multipara (p<0.05). Treatment of hernias was surgical in 47.5% and conservative in 47.0%, complications occurred in 20.2% and 25.1% were recurrent after treatment.ConclusionAbdominal wall hernias are a common clinical presentation in Arar, KSA. Abdominal hernias are more common in women than men, there is an obvious relationship between obesity and hernias. Early diagnosis, easily accessible health facilities and health education are important to prevent complications. New modality of treatment should be adopted as the standard choice of care to prevent recurrence.

Aim of the work: hypertension is the commonest cardiovascular disorder. Prehypertension in adolescents and young adults is a risk factor for developing hypertension in later years of life. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence rate and risk factor associated with prehypertension and hypertension in the medical students of Northern Border University in Arar city, Saudi Arabia. Methods: this crosssectional study included 232 students. The study subjects were selected by systematic random sampling method. This study included 232 medical students (136 male and 96 female). The study period was from 1 March to 31 May 2017. Students were given a predesigned and pretested questionnaire to collect the relevant data. Results: Fifty (52.1%) of females and 58.8% of males were pre-hypertensive and 1.5% from males were hypertensive. Family history of hypertension was positive in 66.7% of hypertensive or prehypertensive students (P<0.05), 18.2% were obese (P<0.05), 9.1% of hypertensive or pre-hypertensive students were diabetic (P>0.05), 31.8% were smokers (P>0.05), 10.6% were drug addicts (P>0.05), 18.2% only performing muscular exercise (P>0.05), 62.1% consume >5g salt /day (P<0.05)and 40.9% of them spent 2-5 hours in front of TV, Computer or mobile (P>0.05). Conclusion: in medical students of the Northern Border University, 52.1% of females and 58.8% of males were pre-hypertensive and 1.5% of males were hypertensive. Risk factors included obesity, family history, sedentary life and excess salt intake. So health-care providers should recognize the increased risk of prehypertension and hypertension and should seek to identify and manage the modifiable risk factors in those students.

The incidence of new childhood cancer cases is 15.3 per 100,000 per year, or nearly 1 in 6,500 children and adolescents under the age of 20, notwithstanding the rarity of the disease. The largest nation in the Gulf is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.The provision of the best healthcare is hampered by a young population with longer life expectancies, a recognised rising cancer burden both locally and globally.Similar to other developing nations, the incidence of cancer has increased over time in KSA, which may be attributable to advancements in medical technology, diagnostic methods, and an efficient system for referring patients for additional testing and treatment to well-known tertiary hospitals and oncology-specific treatment facilities in the major cities.The study seeks to provide an overview of recent developments on the incidence of paediatric cancer in Saudi Arabia. As the most common form of paediatric cancer in KSA, leukaemia requires an immediate diagnosis in order to develop a treatment plan that will have the greatest therapeutic benefit and the fewest adverse effects. There are further cancers with lesser prevalence rates, such as lymphoma, kidney, bone, and brain tumours.

BackgroundChanges in the anatomical structures and function of the ear can result in ear diseases, and may affect all age groups including the elderly as a result of agingObjectiveTo identify the frequency and types of ear diseases among the elderly attending Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz bin Musa’ed Al Saud hospital, Arar city, in the Northern Province of KSA, and factors associated with ear infections among them.MethodsThis cross-sectional hospital based study conducted from December 2016 through May 2017 included 138 elderly participants. A questionnaire was designed for collecting data about socio-demographic variables, the frequency and types of ear diseases among participants, and factors associated with ear infections among them. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 15, using descriptive statistics and Chi-Square test.ResultsFindings showed that 49.3% of the participants were suffering from ear disease. Hearing impairment was detected in 37% of the elderly people studied. In addition, 9.4% and 2.9 % of the participants suffered from otitis media and otitis interna, respectively. None of the studied factors had a significant effect on the development and pattern of ear infection among the studied population.ConclusionEar diseases were found among the participants with variable rates. More than one third of respondents suffered from hearing impairment. Ear infections were detected in lower rates. Although these problems are not life threating, they negatively impact the quality of life, and measures are needed for prevention and control.