Mental illness is a significant public health concern and a leading cause of disability worldwide. Research shows a lack of mental health knowledge and inappropriate practices in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Our study aimed to evaluate individuals' perspectives on mental health by analyzing their responses to a digital campaign directed at GCC adolescents.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Awareness of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is limited in Muslim countries, even among high-risk populations. Several factors contribute to the misunderstandings and stigma surrounding HIV, including socio-cultural and religious aspects. This study explored people's experiences and perceptions of HIV awareness campaigns in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhysical activity (PA) is crucial for preventing chronic diseases, but in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates), PA levels are lower than in developed countries. The Gulf Health Council's social media PA awareness campaign responded to the public's need for discussion and motivation on this topic. A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured Zoom interviews with 19 participants from GCC countries between 21 September and 21 October 2021.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity to understand the experiences of different cultures and the application of preventive measures during a pandemic. That understanding can lead to the development of important evidence to grasp the global situation and prepare for future health crises. This qualitative study explores the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on individuals in Saudi Arabia, focusing on personal and socio-political effects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPediatric obesity has become a global pandemic in the last century, contributing to short and long-term medical conditions that heighten the risk of morbidity and mortality in children. The 12-month school-based obesity management educational program aims to assess the effect of adherence to the lifestyle educational program and target outcomes, obesity, and hypertension. A total of 363 (nonadherent, = 179; adherent, = 184) Saudi school adolescents aged 12-18 were recruited from 60 schools in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Patient safety is an essential element for delivering quality of healthcare. Many studies focus on measuring patient safety from the healthcare provider's perspective to improve patient safety in healthcare facilities. However, patient participation may reduce medical errors and improve patient safety by providing information regarding the safety of their care.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a major health issue in Saudi Arabia. Prevention of DM and its complications requires an understanding of the disease and modifiable behaviors (e.g.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAim: The purpose of this study was to investigate into mental health outcomes such as stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as sleep quality in suspected COVID-19 quarantined cases.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that used an online survey to target suspected COVID-19 cases in quarantine facilities. Data were collected on several aspects of participants' sociodemographic characteristics, sleep disturbance, and mental health status.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
September 2022
Objective: We aimed to evaluate and compare the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on lifestyle changes and other common related effects of the lockdown in Saudi adults with diabetes mellitus (DM), both type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D).
Methods: 265 T1D and 285 T2D individuals were included in this cross-sectional survey during lockdown using an online questionnaire and compared with 297 participants without DM. Variables included demographics, treatment changes, use of supplements, change in sleeping habits and physical activity, dietary changes, social and mental health, and education and awareness during COVID-19 lockdown.
This 12-month school-based intervention study investigated the effects of hybrid educational lifestyle modifications on glycemic control among Saudi youth with different glycemic statuses. A total of 2600 Arab adolescents aged 12−18 years were recruited from 60 randomly selected schools. Anthropometrics, blood glucose, and HbA1c were measured pre- and post-intervention.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The importance of physical activity in improving physical and mental health has been emphasized in many studies. Researchers in Saudi Arabia have reported an increase in physical inactivity among Saudis, especially among University female population. Current efforts in the field in Saudi Arabia have yet to explore barriers and facilitators that influence female University student's participation in physical activity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Environ Res Public Health
December 2021
Studies investigating the association of vitamin D on intelligence is limited. The present study therefore aims to determine the association of vitamin D status with the different domains of intelligence among Saudi Arabian adolescents. This study used relational survey method among 1864 Saudi adolescent, including 549 boys and 1315 girls (mean age 14.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The negative psychological impact of COVID-19 in the general population has been well documented. Similar studies among those who were infected and who underwent quarantine remain scarce, particularly in the Arab region. The present study aims to fill this gap.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Effective management of the spread of a novel infectious disease, such as the COVID-19 virus can be achieved through influencing people's behavior to adopt preventive measures. The public's perceptions and attitudes towards the virus, governmental guidance and preventive measures were unknown in Saudi Arabia.
Objectives: 1) investigate the public perception of COVID-19, anxiety level, the COVID-19 information sources sought, adoption of preventive measures, and ability and willingness to self-isolate during and post-lockdown periods of the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia; 2) investigate socio-demographic factors associated with adoption of preventive measures against COVID-19 and self-isolation practices.
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the most common long-term conditions, and costs health services approximately 10% of their total budget. Active self-management by patients improves outcomes and reduces health service costs. While the existing evidence suggested that uptake of self-management education was low, the development of internet-based technology might improve the situation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Within the new digital health landscape, the rise of health apps creates novel prospects for health promotion. The market is saturated with apps that aim to increase physical activity (PA). Despite the wide distribution and popularity of PA apps, there are limited data on their effectiveness, user experience, and safety of personal data.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To determine the effectiveness of a web-based self-management programme for people with type 2 diabetes in improving glycaemic control and reducing diabetes-related distress.
Methods And Design: Individually randomised two-arm controlled trial.
Setting: 21 general practices in England.
Background: Engagement with digital health interventions (DHIs) may be regarded as a prerequisite for the intervention to achieve positive health or behavior change outcomes. One method employed to promote engagement is the use of prompts such as emails and text messages. However, little is known about the characteristics of prompts that promote engagement.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Digital interventions have been effective in improving numerous health outcomes and health behaviors; furthermore, they are increasingly being used in different health care areas, including self-management of long-term conditions, mental health, and health promotion. The full potential of digital interventions is hindered by a lack of user engagement. There is an urgent need to develop effective strategies that can promote users' engagement with digital interventions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Digital interventions provide effective and potentially cost-effective models for improving health outcomes as they deliver health information and services that are widely disseminated, confidential, and can be tailored to needs of the individual user. Digital interventions have been used successfully for health promotion, mental health, and for enabling self-management of long-term conditions. However, their effectiveness is limited by low usage rates, with non-engagement a major challenge.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF