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Hussam Darraj,1 Khalid M Hakami,1 Rawan Maghrabi,1 Nawaf Bakri,1 Mohammed H Alhazmi,1 Abdellh A Names,1 Ahmed Akkur,1 Maram Sayegh,1 Asma Alhazmi,1 Saad M Khubrani,1 Gassem Gohal,1 Amro H Alomar,2 Abdulaziz H Alhazmi1 1Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia; 2King Fahad Central Hospital, Ministry of Health, Jazan, 85534, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Abdulaziz H Alhazmi, Email Abalhazmi@jazanu.edu.saBackground: Nutritional rickets remains a significant concern in certain countries, with increasing prevalence attributed to factors such as limited sunlight exposure and undernourishment. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with rickets due to nutritional deficiency in children from Jazan Province, southwestern Saudi Arabia.Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using descriptive data from medical records at a tertiary hospital in Jazan Province. Records of patients diagnosed with rickets between January 2010 and December 2020 were analyzed. Symptomatic rickets cases from pediatric clinics were included, and diagnoses were based on biochemical and clinical tests. Risk factors were assessed using patient medical records. Data were analyzed using percentages, mean, and standard deviation.Results: The study included 84 patients with rickets (53 females and 31 males), primarily between 11– 18 years old. The mean body mass index (BMI) of the participants was 21.21. The most common risk factor was nutritional deficiencies, including vitamin D deficiency or calcium deficiency, with 75 patients reporting a family history of vitamin D deficiency. The children had limited sunlight exposure and low levels of calcium and vitamin D. Malnutrition was identified as the highest risk factor for rickets in the study population.Conclusion: Nutritional rickets appears to be prevalent in the Jazan Province, emphasizing the need for government organizations to address this preventable disease. Adequate sun exposure and recommen

Shahad I Zoli,1 Maisa A Baiti,1 Atyaf A Alhazmi,1 Raud M Khormi,1 Maram A Sayegh,1 Tahani Altubayqi,1 Afnan M Darisi,1 Raffan A Alhasani,1 Saleha H Alhazmi,1 Sarah O Gharawi,1 Abdulrahman A Muhajir,2 Abdulaziz H Alhazmi1 1Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 2General Directorate of Health Affairs, Jazan, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Abdulaziz H Alhazmi, Tel +966-7-3295000, Email abalhazmi@jazanu.edu.saBackground: Group B streptococcus (GBS) infection is one of the leading causes of neonatal sepsis and meningitis. GBS screening and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis can effectively prevent early-onset GBS disease. This study aimed to assess the awareness of the risks of GBS infection and screening in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia.Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a survey of 995 women aged 18– 45 in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected between January to April 2023 and included information on sociodemographic characteristics, awareness of GBS infection, and perspectives on GBS screening.Results: The response rate was 97.45%, and the mean age of the participants was 31.50 ± 9.80 years. Most were married (60.2%), had a university education (81.11%), and 59% were pregnant or had a pregnancy history. Only 23% had heard of GBS, associated with age, marital status, job, pregnancy status, awareness of GBS risk factors, and pregnancy follow-up (p < 0.05). Women most aware were students (55.9%), married (55.46%), pregnant or had a pregnancy history (51.09%), knew risk factors of GBS (38.86%), and were followed by a specialist (88.14%). Regarding GBS screening preferences, 40% preferred universal screening without consent, 31% with consent, 16% for high-risk pregnancies with consent, and 13% for high-risk pregnancies without consent.Conclusion: The study found low awareness of GBS among women residing in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Factors related to demographic details and obstetric follow-up were associated with better understan