Search

This comparative descriptive study sought to determine the impact of glocalization on international social work education. Using quantitative methods, this study reports objective findings for a randomly selected, non-probability, purposive sample of 178 faculty members who were geographically distributed among faculties and departments of social work at 22 universities in eight Arab countries. The primary research instrument used was a standardized paper and pencil questionnaire. Data analysis of the responses of the faculty members found that participants’ attitudes were equally weak on the track of glocalization and international social work education. This could be attributed to the variables of faculty members, social work students, university textbooks, quality of library services, methods of teaching, field practicum, and quality of student evaluation. In contrast, the attitudes of the faculty members averaged on the track of glocalization and international social work education, which could be attributed to the variable of social work curricula. The analysis also revealed a marked absence of sustained contact with social work professionals and scholars from other regions and societies of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Social determinants of health (SDH) influence and modify the risk for mental health disorders. To our knowledge, no study has explored SDH in the context of mental health in Saudi Arabia (SA) using population-based data. This study investigated the association between several SDH and anxiety and mood disorders in SA. Methods: We utilized data from the nationally-representative Saudi National Mental Health Survey (SNMHS) conducted in 2014 to 2016. This study examined associations between personal-level, socioeconomic, physical health, and family environment characteristics and anxiety and mood disorders. Participants were classified as having anxiety-only disorders, mood-only disorders, or comorbidity of both disorders. Multinomial logistic regression models were employed to examine the associations between SDH and anxiety and/or mood disorders, comparing them to participants who had not experienced these disorders. Results: A total of 4,004 participants were included in this analysis; the lifetime prevalence of disorders was: anxiety only (18%), mood only (3.8%), and comorbidity of both (5.3%). Regression models indicated that females, young adults (26–35 years), individuals with a higher level of education, and those who were separated or widowed had higher odds of experiencing anxiety and/or mood disorders. Furthermore, there was a significant and direct association between having physical chronic conditions and all three categories of anxiety and mood disorders. Experiencing Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs) was also associated with a significant risk of developing anxiety and/or mood disorders, with the highest risk associated with physical or sexual abuse, followed by violence and neglect. Conclusion: This study underscores the correlation between several personal-level, socioeconomic, and environmental SDH and anxiety and mood disorders in SA. These findings provide a foundation for future analyses examining the intricate interplay between upstream and downstream SDH in SA. Such research can enhance local scientific knowledge, aid in planning for social services, and inform policy decisions and treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While global studies demonstrated that features of urban living are associated with the risk of developing mental disorders, there remains a significant knowledge gap surrounding this topic in the Middle East and North Africa region. Aims: This study aims to assess the prevalence, severity, correlates, and treatment of mental disorders in Riyadh City by examining certain aspects of urban living such as exposure to traumatic events, early exposure to urbanization, and seeking treatment. Methods: The Saudi National Mental Health Survey is a community epidemiological survey in a nationally representative sample of citizens aged 15 to 65 in KSA. The World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3·0) was used to estimate the 12-month prevalence of common mental disorders. Results: The prevalence of any mental disorder in Riyadh City was 29.2%. The most common disorders were anxiety disorders and mood disorders. Female, young, and previously married respondents were at higher risk for developing mental disorders. Exposure to traumatic events was associated with all types of mental disorders. Only 2.9% of those with any mental disorder sought mental health treatments. Conclusions: We found a high prevalence of mental disorders in Riyadh City that could be attributed to certain features of urban living. These results may point to potential interventions in urban areas that can mitigate the adverse consequences of urban living and promote the salutogenic aspects of cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High prevalence of smartphone addiction among medical students may contribute to adverse physical and mental health outcomes. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of smartphone addiction, and explore the influencing factors and related mental health symptoms of smartphone addiction among Asian medical students. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed (MEDLINE), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and EMBASE were searched for relevant literature from the inception to September 10, 2021. Using Stata software 11.0, the meta-analysis of prevalence and the influencing factors of smartphone addiction were determined with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Nineteen articles, published between 2014 and 2019, were included, producing medical student studies from seven different Asian countries. The included studies were conducted in India (n = 11) and Malaysia (n = 3), with China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Nepal, and Iran each contributing one study. Among a total of 5,497 medical students, the participants included 3,214 females, of whom 2,181 were medical students with smartphone addiction. The prevalence of smartphone addiction among Asian medical students was 41.93% (95% CI [36.24%, 47.72%]). The influencing factors of smartphone addiction among medical students included gender, duration of smartphone use, smartphone function, and marital status. Ten studies (52.63%) explored related mental health symptoms of smartphone addiction among Asian medical students. Smartphone addiction was positively correlated with poor sleep quality (r = .17-.31), stress (r = .30-.40), anxiety, depression, neuroticism, and general health among Asian medical students. Conclusion: Smartphone addiction is highly prevalent among Asian medical students. Smartphone addiction may adversely affect mental health, resulting in sleep disturbance, stress, anxiety, depression, and neuroticism. It is necessary to take appropriate precautionary actions and interventions to prevent smartphone overuse among medical students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Depression literacy in general population constitutes an ability to understand depression, with knowledge of disease, its risk factors and symptoms. High levels of depression literacy promote early intervention, potentially reducing related disability. Aim: This study investigated the depression literacy in women visitors to clinics of a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: Women of 18 and more years were surveyed during their visit to primary and other healthcare clinics of a public hospital in Riyadh. Knowledge on depression symptoms, causes and management approaches identified depression literate women scoring more than 30 points on a 42-item tool. Results: Of the 409 participants, 65.5% were depression literate, 50% educated as college and above, 64.3% married, 50.7% housewives, 62.4% reported use of multiple information sources (range, 0–8) and had a mean age of 34.9 (standard deviation (SD), 12.4) years. In a logistic regression model, participants scoring less than 30 for depression literacy were significantly associated with women having less than college-level education, divorced marital status and use of decreasing number of learning resources. Conclusion: Women with low education divorced; using fewer information sources need specific considerations by healthcare providers for assessment of depressive disorders in this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]