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INTRODUCTION Shisha tobacco use is gaining popularity around the world, especially among young people and college students. Shisha users are exposed to many of the same harmful substances as cigarette smokers but at much higher levels, which could have more serious adverse health impacts. The aims of this study were to: 1) determine the patterns of shisha smoking among university students in the Northern Province of Saudi Arabia; 2) identify the reasons for using shisha tobacco; and 3) ascertain whether usage of shisha smoking differs by their sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted among students of seven different colleges at a public university between October and December 2022. A modified version of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey questionnaire was used to collect information specifically on shisha smoking. After adjusting for confounding variables, a logistic regression analysis was used to determine the related factors. RESULTS A total of 418 participants were included in the study. Of the studied population, shisha smoking was seen in 73.7% (n=308). Out of 308 shisha smokers, 208 (67.5%) had their first session of shisha smoking within the past two years; 34.4% of participants had used it in the past 30 days (current users), of which 27.4% had smoked shisha from 1 to 7 days during the past 30 days. The majority of respondents (63.6%) reported having friends that smoke. The most popular flavor among respondents (24.6%) was apple. For quitting attempts, 46.4% reported a 24-hour quit attempt in the previous year. Stress (23.0%) was reported as the main reason for beginning shisha use. Shisha smoking was significantly associated with age (Ref. 18-20 years; 24-26 years, AOR=0.08; 95% CI: 0.02-0.33, p<0.001; ≥27 years, AOR=0.12; 95% CI: 0.02-0.62, p=0.01), living status (Ref. alone; with family, AOR=0.23; 95% CI: 0.11-0.47, p<0.001; with friends, AOR=0.36; 95% CI: 0.18-0.76, p<0.001), with parents having higher education level (Ref. primary school and lower; Bachelor's, AOR=0.33; 95% CI: 0.14-0.76, p<0.001; diploma, AOR=0.33; 95% CI: 0.15-0.73, p<0.001; PhD, AOR=5.15; 95% CI: 1.00-9.65, p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS Shisha use was more frequent among Saudi Arabian college students, especially those who were aged 18-20 years, living alone, and having highly educated parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess and compare the linear dimensions and shape of sella turcica on digital lateral cephalograms in Saudi subpopulation with different skeletal patterns, age groups and genders. Methodology: A total of 300 digital lateral cephalograms were retrieved from the hospital archive. The selected cephalograms were grouped based on the age, gender, and skeletal types. The linear dimensions and shape of sella turcica were measured on each radiograph. Data were analyzed using an independent t-test and a one-way ANOVA. To test the inter-relationship of age, gender, and skeletal type with the dimensions of sella turcica, regression analyses were used. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.01. Results: Significant differences in linear dimensions between the age groups (P < 0.001) and genders (P < 0.001) were noted. On comparing sella size with different skeletal types, a significant difference was found for all sella dimensions (P < 0.001). The mean length, depth and diameter among skeletal class III were significantly higher than that among classes I and II. On comparing age, gender, and skeletal type with size of sella, age and skeletal type were significantly related to the change of length, depth and diameter (P < 0.001), whereas gender was found to be significantly related only to a change in length of the sella (P < 0.01). For the sella shape, normal morphology was noted in 44.3% of patients. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, the measurements of sella can be used as reference standards for future studies in Saudi subpopulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases, and ignoring dental health care before and after treatment can have severe long-term consequences. Additionally, this may have a negative impact on the patient's general quality of life. Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among breast cancer patients and identify possible factors associated with the outcome. Methodology: In this observational cross-sectional study, 200 women who had received breast cancer therapy and were being followed up at a hospital made up the sample. The study was conducted between January 2021 and July 2022. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, general health, and breast cancer was recorded. The decayed, missing, and filled teeth index was used in clinical examinations to identify caries experience. OHRQoL was evaluated using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire. After adjusting for confounding variables, a logistic regression analysis was used to determine the related factors. Results: The mean OHIP-14 score was 11.48 (SD 1.35). There was a 63.0% prevalence of negative impacts. Age and the time frame from cancer diagnosis were found to be significantly linked with the outcome by binary logistic regression analysis. Conclusions: Breast cancer survivors who were ≤55 years old and the time elapsed since diagnosis was less than 36 months had a poor OHRQoL. To lessen the negative impacts of cancer treatment and enhance quality of life, patients with breast cancer need special oral care and should be monitored before, during, and after cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Epidemiological studies from Europe and North America have provided evidence that exposure to air pollution can aggravate symptoms in asthmatic patients. Methods Daily number of AEDv, air pollution levels (PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2 and CO) and meteorological variables was obtained from Jubail Industrial City, Saudi Arabia, for the period of 2007–11. Data were analyzed using a time-series approach. Relative risks (RRs) were estimated using Poisson regression. Results The associations between AEDv and PM10, PM2.5, SO2 and NO2 remained positive and statistically significant after mutual adjustment in the multi-pollutant model. The RR of AEDv increased by 5.4, 4.4, 3.4 and 2.2% per an inter-quartile range increase in SO2 (2.0 ppb), PM2.5 (36 μg/m3), NO2 (7.6 ppb) and PM10 (140 μg/m3), respectively. No significant associations between AEDv and CO were found. Conclusions Current levels of ambient air pollution are associated with AEDv in this industrial setting in the Middle East. Greater awareness of environmental health protection and the implementation of effective measures to improve the quality of air in such settings would be beneficial to public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection a global pandemic due to the fast transmission of this disease worldwide. To prevent and slow the transmission of this contagious illness, the public health officials of many affected countries scrambled to introduce measures aimed at controlling its spread. As a result, unprecedented interventions/measures, including strict contact tracing, quarantine of entire towns/cities, closing of borders and travel restrictions, have been implemented by most of the affected countries including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper is to share health care professionals' perspectives who are experiencing COVID19 firsthand in a foreign land. In addition, the role of the Saudi governance to combat the current situation is also discussed. DISCUSSION: Personal and previous experiences as related to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) by the authors has been compared to the current situation and how it affected our thoughts and management. A review of the evidence-based literature was conducted to investigate the demographics of the region; and to understand the awareness of the various tools that are available and how they were utilized in the present situation of pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Saudi Arabia has been challenged during the pandemic as are other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Academic advising is a central and essential element in the process of education that can help students unravel their academic problems and succeed in their academic and professional careers OBJECTIVES: To seek students' perception about academic advising and solicit suggestions to improve academic advising in our institute. The specific objectives of the study were to assess the students' satisfaction regarding academic advising guidance and to ascertain whether students' perceptions of academic advising differ by their demographic characteristics and academic years. METHODS: A forty-item questionnaire was hand delivered to all the undergraduate (UG) students of College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Sakaka, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The research questions focused on demographic information, advising assistance and guidance, satisfaction, and suggestions to improve the effectiveness of the present academic advising system. Data analysis is presented through tables and descriptive methods. RESULTS: The samples consisted of 98 males and 43 females. Overall, the respondents were positive about academic advising services they received from their respective advisors. Female students felt more positive than male students for all the statements on academic advising (p < 0.05). Additionally, our results indicate that as students climb the academic ladder, their rating of academic advising tends to rise. Strengths and weaknesses of academic advising are discussed here together with suggestions for improvements. CONCLUSION: The results of this questionnaire survey demonstrate the vital factors pertaining to the institutional academic advising services provided to the students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. In medical education, the need to obtain reliable and valid assessments is critical for the learning process. This study implemented a post-validation item analysis to create a supply of valid questions for incorporation into the question bank. Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed in the College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Saudi Arabia. The study was targeting 250 items and 750 distractors from 2017 to 2020. The post-validation item analysis was done to evaluate the quality of the items using test-scoring and reporting software. Data were analysed by SPSS Version 25. Quantitative variables were expressed as mean (SD), while qualitative variables were expressed as number and percentage. An independent t-test was done to reveal the association between the item analysis parameters. A value of p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. The mean difficulty index (DIF I), discrimination index (DI) and distractors efficacy (DE) were 73.8, 0.26 and 73.5%, respectively. Of 250 items, 38.8% had an acceptable DIF I (30%–70%) and 66.4% had ‘good to excellent’ DI (>0.2). Of 750 distractors, 33.6%, 37%, 20% and 9.2% had zero, one, two and three non-functional distractors, respectively. The mean Kuder–Richardson was 0.76. The DIF I was significantly associated with DE (p=0.048). The post-validation item analysis of this study showed that a considerable proportion of questions had acceptable parameters and were recommended for item banking. However, some questions needed to be rephrased and reassessed or discarded. Conclusion. Three-option multiple-choice questions should be considered for future examinations to improve the assessment process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously impacted various aspects of the society on a global scale. Schools and universities provide rich resources for adolescents and young adults to develop significant coping mechanisms. This study assessed the perceptions of risk, fear, mental health status, and coping strategies among Saudi student nurses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Using an online survey, the mental health of the students was assessed by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale short form version, whereas the coping was assessed by the Brief-Coping Orientation of Problem Experienced scale. The students had modest risk perception and fear of contracting COVID-19. "Religion" was reported as the most frequently used coping strategy. Approximately 43.3%, 37.2%, and 30.9% of the respondents manifested some degree of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. Poor COVID-19 knowledge, perceived seriousness of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia, perceived risk of COVID-19 infection, and the use of some coping strategies were predictors of fear. Knowing someone infected with COVID-19, fear, and several coping strategies predicted students' mental health. This study provides data that can be used to create educational and health policies that focus on the mental health of university students, specifically nursing students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple choice questions (MCQs) as a tool of assessment is used at various levels of education because of its validity and reliability. The objectives of the current study was to compare the differences in MCQs flaws rate, difficulty factor (DF), discrimination index (DI), and reliability (R) of the test and to compare the non functionality of MCQs distracters (NFD) before and after the implementation of medical education department guidelines, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia. The cross sectional longitudinal and pretest-posttest design was adopted for this study for the pathology final MCQs exam for the years 2012, 2013, 2014 (where the guidelines were not implemented yet) and 2015, 2016, 2017(where the guidelines were implemented). The flaws adopted by the Department of Medical Education (DME) were the ones derived from the national board of examiners (NBME) and the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) which include (grammatical, logical clues, extra details, absolute terms, negative stem, unfocussed stem and extra details in correct options). Acceptable questions difficulty, discrimination index, nonfunctioning distractors, and reliability is ranged from 30% - 85%, 0.20-0.24 or negative, <5% and > 0.90 respectively. Flaws were reported as 66.7%, 50%, 53.3% (for exam 1, 2 and 3) respectively before and 10%, 8.3%, and 13.3% (for exam 4, 5 and 6) respectively after implementation of the MCQs guidelines, with almost disappearance of the unfocused questions. Acceptable difficulties of the questions were 34%, 57% and 71% (for exams1, 2, 3) before guidelines implantation to 69%, 77% and 73% (for exam 4, 5, 6) after guidelines implementation. Changes were observed in the discrimination index: where questions with negative and zero discrimination index, dropped from 16.9%, 11% and 12% (for exam 1, 2 and 3 respectively) before application of the guidelines to 10%, 6%, 4.5% (for exam 4, 5 and 6 respectively) after application of the guidelines. Although the tendency to make all distracters functional was observed, no changes were found in reliability before and after the implementations of the guidelines. To conclude, dramatic improvement was observed in the quality of MCQs after the adoption of guidelines by Medical Education Department reflected in: reduction in MCQs flaws, improvement in difficulty factors, advancement in discrimination index and functionality of MCQs distractors, however no progress in the reliability of the MCQs exam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]