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Introduction Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a form of glucose intolerance that arises during pregnancy, affecting a significant portion of women. It has immediate and long-term effects on both the mother and fetus, including complications like preeclampsia, premature delivery, and an increased risk of cesarean sections. A cross-sectional study among Saudi Arabia's general population, which included 979 women aged between 18 and 60, found varying levels of awareness of GDM, emphasizing the need for more research on awareness levels regarding GDM in Saudi Arabia and more educational campaigns to improve awareness. Objectives The study evaluates the knowledge of pregnant women about GDM and its implications for the mother and fetus. It investigates the relationship between knowledge levels and demographic factors like age, education, and socioeconomic status, aiming to identify knowledge gaps regarding this health issue and develop targeted educational initiatives. Methodology This was a cross-sectional study that included 979 women and was conducted using a Google Forms (Google Inc., Mountainview, CA) questionnaire. The questionnaire covered demographics and explored the knowledge level of women about the impact of GDM on the mother and fetus. Statistical analysis was implemented by IBM SPSS software version 27.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), with a 5% significance level. Ethical approval was sought, emphasizing anonymous data collection. We did not collect any identifying or private information from participants, and all responses were kept confidential. Results A study of 979 women revealed that their knowledge of GDM was significantly influenced by their age, gestational age, and the number of prior deliveries (p-value < 0.05). The total mean knowledge score for women's correct responses stood at 7.62 (±4.49). The study found that a majority of women, exceeding 60%, accurately answered certain questions about GDM, such as its association with heightened risks, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions, cesarean section likelihood, high birth weight, and preeclampsia. However, less than 30% could answer yes to questions that indicated that GDM could increase the risk of shoulder dystocia, hypoglycemia at birth, premature rupture of membranes, postpartum hemorrhage, and vacuum delivery. Conclusion There is a need for targeted educational initiatives, particularly focusing on knowledge gaps that women are lacking regarding GDM. Age and prior deliveries were identified as significant determinants of knowledge levels., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Gari et al.)

Background: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the social stigma directed toward patients with HIV are serious public health issues. We aimed to evaluate the HIV knowledge base and stigmatizing attitudes toward patients with HIV among students enrolled in medical schools in Saudi Arabia., Methods: This cross-sectional study included students at medical colleges in Saudi Arabia and was conducted between February and March 2023. We used non-random convenience sampling with an online chain referral via a validated Arabic questionnaire composed of 35 questions. Data were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics., Results: A total of 1,213 medical students (women: 56.6%) participated in the study. Students in clinical years had a higher level of HIV knowledge than their pre-clinical colleagues. Logistic regression analysis revealed that participants who gave incorrect answers to questions related to mother-to-child and casual contact HIV transmission had a higher likelihood of harboring a negative attitude towards patients with HIV. Conversely, those who correctly answered queries on prevention and treatment were less likely to have stigmatizing attitudes. A significant proportion of this cohort harbored negative attitudes toward patients with HIV, with the sex and geographic location of participants being significant predictors of negative attitudes., Conclusion: Our data have revealed a significant percentage of medical students in Saudi Arabia to have misconceptions about HIV transmission and prevention, and stigmatizing attitudes toward patients with HIV, indicating a need for targeted interventions to enhance the HIV knowledge base in this population of future caregivers., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Objective: To examine the knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors and human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine among Saudi women of childbearing age., Methods: An anonymous, survey-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to March 2023., Results: Overall, 422 participants were included in the current study. Most participants were within the age group of 15-25 years old (42.9%), single (47.9%), and educated with a bachelor's degree (70%). Out of a total of 14 points, the average knowledge score for all participants was 7.3 ± 2.31 (range: 2-14). More than three-quarters of the surveyed participants correctly identified the following risk factors for cervical cancer: multiple sexual partners (78.2%), having weakened immunity (82.7%), infection with HPV (82.9%), and positive family history of cervical cancer (88.9%). Concerning HPV vaccine, 153 (36.3%) participants heard about HPV vaccine and only 20 (4.4%) of them were vaccinated. Only 128 (30.3%) participants stated correctly that 9-13 years old is the best age to start HPV vaccine, whereas 51 (12.1%) participants correctly stated the number of HPV vaccine doses to be three over six months. Overall, 167 (39.6%) participants declined to receive the HPV vaccine. The three most frequently reported reasons included not hearing about HPV vaccine (35.3%), fear from HPV-related side effects (30.5%), and apprehension from HPV vaccine injection (16.2%). Among several socio-demographic characteristics, occupation was statistically significantly associated with knowledge score (p < 0.001), with students in health specialties tended to have the highest knowledge score compared with others., Conclusion: Most participants displayed good knowledge about cervical cancer risk factors, but not about HPV vaccine. Very alarmingly, less than 5% of the participants received HPV vaccine and close to 40% of them declined to receive the HPV vaccine. Mechanisms to increase public awareness about HPV vaccine and its acceptance by women are recommended., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Author(s).)

Objectives:  The aim of this study is to assess the awareness level and knowledge about multiple sclerosis (MS) disease among the general population in the Western region of Saudi Arabia.  Methods: This study was a community-based cross-sectional descriptive study carried on by an online questionnaire, previously validated in published studies, to all residents in the western region of Saudi Arabia who successfully fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria a total number of 4038.  Results: Out of the total number of respondents (n=3,536), the majority 46% (1,625) showed a low level of knowledge, while 31% (1,116) have an average level of knowledge, and 22.5% (795) have a high level of knowledge. Various factors including age, gender and socioeconomic status showed a potential association.  Conclusion: This community-based survey showed a low level of knowledge in regard to MS in the Western region of Saudi Arabia. Multiple variables showed potential associations that can be utilized to efficiently direct governmental and non-governmental health organizations' efforts to maximize awareness of this condition to aid early recognition and early treatment in the hope of better outcomes., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2022, Dahlawi et al.)

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly malignant glial tumor seen commonly in the cerebral hemispheres, but rarely encountered in the cerebellum. It may occur at any age, but is seen more often in adult age groups. Despite its rarity, GBM should be considered in patients with a ring-enhancing lesion in the cerebellum. No consensus regarding the best management has yet been established. However, multimodal treatment is currently available to deal with these lesions: wide excision with radiochemotherapy may improve and prolong the patients life. Although the outcome remains dismal, we emphasize that timely multi modal treatment may provide the patient a better outcome and longer life. Herein, we report 2 new cases of cerebellar GBM and discuss their outcome and present a review of the relevant literature.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and often disabling disease that impacts the central nervous system, leading to significant public health concerns. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness and knowledge of MS among the population of Tobruk, Libya. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Tobruk, Libya, during August 2023. A total of 1,427 participants were surveyed using the Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge Questionnaire (MSKQ-25). Data were collected via an online Google form and analyzed using RStudio and SPSS. The analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, t-tests, Mann-Whitney tests, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Pearson's correlation coefficients. Results: The study found a low level of MS awareness among participants, with a mean MSKQ-25 score of 8.32 ± 5.44. Significant differences in MS knowledge were observed between individuals with relatives who had MS and those without (p < 0.001), and between medical field students and students from other backgrounds (p < 0.001). No significant association was found between MS knowledge scores and marital status or educational levels. However, significant associations were observed between MS knowledge and age, gender, and financial status (p < 0.05 for all). The majority of participants lacked knowledge about genetics, etiology, and treatment of MS. Conclusion: The findings highlight a critical need for comprehensive public outreach and education programs to improve MS awareness in Tobruk, Libya. Health education initiatives focused on MS are essential for increasing community knowledge, facilitating early detection, and improving disease management. Further research is needed to understand the reasons for misinformation and to develop strategies for increasing awareness across the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive demyelinating illness. The central and auto- nomic nervous systems are affected, which may result in permanent impairments. The present study aimed at assessing the knowledge of MS among citizens in northern Saudi Arabia. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults in Arar City, northern Saudi Arabia, from April to September 2022. Adults aged ≤18 were included, excluding health professionals, students, and individuals with MS. Data were collected via a structured online questionnaire validated by experts, covering demographics and 16 questions on MS knowledge, scored for accuracy. Knowledge was rated as "good" (≤10 correct answers) or "poor" (<10). Data were analyzed in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), with chi-squared tests and a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: A total of 245 participants were included. Women comprise slightly more than half (51.4%), and 60.4% are married. TV or radio programs were the most often cited source of knowledge about MS (65.7%), less than half (45.7%) agreed that MS affects the age group of 20-40 years. A little over one-third reported double or blurry vision as a disease symptom. Around two-thirds of the participants had inadequate informa- tion about MS. Conclusion: The community's knowledge of MS is low. Although MS occurrences are greatest in Saudi Arabia, many people are still unaware of the illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cervical cancer is a major health problem for women around the world, and it is caused mainly by certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV vaccine can prevent this cancer, but how much women know about the disease and the vaccine is important for getting more people vaccinated. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to look at the knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine among women in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, self-administered, cross-sectional online survey was conducted from 112 women aged 18–50 years in various cities of the Asir region. Ethical clearance was taken from the Research Ethics Committee at King Khalid University (ECM#2024-3108) prior to survey. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that covered demographics, knowledge of cervical cancer, preventive measures, and awareness of the HPV vaccine. Data were collected from September 01, 2024, to November 01, 2024. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. Results: A majority of respondents (55.4%) believed that cervical cancer was not an incurable disease, indicating a general optimism about treatment options and potential outcomes. However, the fact that 41.1% of respondents were unsure about its curability suggested a significant gap in knowledge that could lead to hesitance in pursuing treatment or preventative measures. Moreover, an overwhelming 95.5% of respondents correctly identified that cervical cancer was not contagious, reflecting a strong understanding of its noncommunicable nature. The data pointed to a critical deficiency in educational outreach, with 82.1% of respondents indicating that their schools did not provide education on HPV, its vaccinations, or methods of prevention. Conclusions: There is some optimism and understanding about the general nature of cervical cancer, but substantial gaps in knowledge remain, particularly concerning its curability and prevention. There is a clear need for targeted educational programs that focus on raising awareness about HPV, vaccination, and cervical cancer prevention. By improving education in schools and the broader community, as well as providing accessible information on treatment and prevention, public health initiatives can empower women to make informed decisions and ultimately reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health literacy (HL) level is related to promotion of health, improved health behaviors, and early diagnosis of diseases, as well as the appropriate use of health services. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is the primary method of protection against cervical cancer and recommended for women aged 9 to 27. This study aims to assess the university students' knowledge about HPV and the association between HL and HPV vaccination. In this cross-sectional and descriptive study, an electronic survey was used. Demographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements of the participants were questioned. HPV Knowledge Scale (HPV-KS) and Turkish Health Literacy Scale (THLS-32) were used to evaluate HPV knowledge and HL. Statistical analyzes were performed with SPSS version 26. A total of 361 university students (74% women), aged 21.98 ± 4.72 years, were included in the study. About 52% of the participants were health sciences students. The total THLS-32 score was 34.68 ± 9.37 (95% CI = 33.71-35.65), and the total adequate/excellent HL level was 51%. The mean HPV-KS score of the participants was 10.28 ± 8.15 (95% CI = 9.44-11.12) of a possible 35. Health sciences students had higher rates of HPV awareness (78% vs 65%; P = .007). General HPV knowledge level was significantly better among women (P < .001), >20 years (P = .002), and those with a family history of cancer (P < .001) and significantly lower among students at prep or first year of school (P < .001). There was a weak, positive relation between THLS-32 and HPV-KS score (R = 0.136; P = .01). Participants with higher levels of HPV knowledge (P = .034) and total HPV-KS score (P = .025) were statistically significantly higher in students with adequate/excellent HL. Our results reveal that knowledge about HPV vaccination is closely related to HL levels. Educational interventions on HL may be considered to increase HPV vaccination rates., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Cerebellar glioblastoma multiforme (CGBM) is rare and its treatment is ill defined. To elucidate prognostic factors, we performed a single institutional review of the largest series to date of CGBM. The West China Hospital database was reviewed from 2007 to June 2011, and a total of 28 CGBM patients were collected. Median age of patients was 50 years old, whereas median Karnofsky Performance Status was 80 (range, 30-100). Brainstem invasion was observed in 9 patients. Sixteen patients received total resection and 12 patients received subtotal resection. Postoperative Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) was administered to 22 patients. After operation, 16 patients received concurrent GKRS and chemotherapy, and 6 patients received chemotherapy after GKRS. In addition, 4 patients only received chemotherapy, and 2 patients did not receive either GKRS or chemotherapy due to various reasons. Median follow-up period was 13.7 months (range, 5.2-28.1 months). Median overall survival (OS) of 28 patients was,1 4.3 months and median progression-free survival (PFS) was 9.4 months. Univariate log-rank analysis showed that OS and PFS were significantly related to brainstem invasion (p = 0.03, p = 0.04, respectively), extent of resection (p = 0.02, p = 0.04, respectively) and GKRS (p = 0.01, p = 0.02, respectively) of GBM. Multivariate analysis revealed that OS and PFS were also significantly associated with brainstem invasion (p = 0.007, p = 0.014, respectively), extent of resection (p = 0.032, p = 0.045, respectively) and GKRS (p = 0.031, p = 0.046, respectively) of CGBM. According to our study, brainstem invasion, extent of resection and GKRS were major prognostic factors for survival. Combination of postoperative GKRS and chemotherapy had an improved prognosis, and it may be a feasible postoperative adjuvant treatment of CGBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]