Leena Rashad Baghdadi

Background/Objectives: Population health management (PHM) emphasizes prevention, coordinated care, and population-level approaches to improving health outcomes. However, patient familiarity with PHM terminology and attitudes toward PHM-aligned principles remain underexplored in primary care settings. This study assessed familiarity with the term PHM, attitudes toward PHM-aligned principles, and participation in preventive health programs among adult primary care attendees in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and examined their associations with health literacy, patient activation, and sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adult attendees of primary care outpatient clinics at King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between 1 October and 1 December 2025. Participants completed a self-administered Arabic questionnaire that included PHM awareness items, Questionnaire Assessing Population Health Management-Aligned Principles (PHM-Q), a study-developed 7-item instrument assessing agreement with PHM-aligned principles, the HLS-Q12, and the PAM-13. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, Kruskal–Wallis tests, Spearman correlation analyses, and internal consistency assessment were used. Results: A total of 286 participants were included. Familiarity with the term PHM was limited, with 24.8% reporting prior exposure. Participation in preventive health programs was also limited, as only 17.5% of participants reported having participated. In contrast, agreement with PHM-aligned principles was generally favorable (PHM-Q mean 3.86, SD 0.57). PHM-Q scores correlated positively with health literacy (ρ = 0.548, p < 0.001) and patient activation (ρ = 0.433, p < 0.001). Participation in preventive health programs was significantly associated with higher health literacy and higher patient activation. Conclusions: These findings should be interpreted as reflecting favorable attitudes toward PHM-aligned principles within this sample rather than formal PHM literacy, operational understanding, or readiness for PHM implementation. Because the study-developed questionnaire was exploratory and not psychometrically validated beyond internal consistency, the results should be understood as descriptive and hypothesis-generating.

The proper use of child restraint systems (CRS) in cars can significantly reduce the risk of injury. This study aimed to assess Saudi parents' knowledge related to CRS use and examined the association between CRS adherence and travel distance. A cross-sectional study of Saudi parents with at least one child ageds0-10 years was conducted using a validated electronic questionnaire distributed at public venues throughout Riyadh, using a convenience sampling technique for recruitment. The survey evaluated demographics, knowledge of CRS, and road-safety measures, using a score system and driving patterns related to travel. A total of 385 Saudi parents participated in the study. The average age of participants was 37.69 years (SD ± 7.44), 82.6% were women, and 88.8% of participants were aware of the Saudi CRS policy. Booklets and user manuals as sources of CRS information and an increased number of CRS information sources were associated with significantly higher adherence to CRS while traveling in a vehicle (p = 0.040 and p = 0.037, respectively). Participants who always used their seat belts also consistently used CRS for their children (70.7%), significantly different from those parents who sometimes/never used a seat belts (p < 0.001). CRS knowledge was significantly higher for parents who always wore seat belts (p = 0.006). Driving speed was a significant factor associated with adherence to CRS and higher speed (> 100 km/h) associated with lower adherence (p = 0.024). Increasing parental awareness and providing detailed guidance on the correct installation and usage of CRS in vehicles could help ensure children's safety and well-being.

Dumping syndrome is a postoperative complication of bariatric surgery; it is classified into early and late dumping syndrome depending on the time of the symptoms. This study aimed to assess the health-related quality of life among adult patients in Saudi Arabia experiencing varied severity of dumping syndrome after a sleeve gastrectomy or a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure. This cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated health-related quality of life questionnaire administered online to adults (≥17 years old), who had undergone bariatric surgery in Saudi Arabia. The study recruited 237 eligible adults; 142 (59.9%) of them had severe dumping syndrome. The mean physical health component summary score was 45.01 (SD = 8.42) and the mean mental health component summary score was 38.89 (SD = 9.74). Individuals with severe dumping syndrome had significantly lower (p = 0.041) physical and mental health component summary scores compared to individuals with moderate severity dumping syndrome. Higher household income was associated with higher physical and mental health summary scores. Participants who underwent gastric bypass surgery had significantly lower physical health summary scores compared to those who underwent sleeve gastrectomy. Dumping syndrome is more prevalent in women than men. The most common symptoms are a desire to lie down (79.3%) and nausea (37.9%). Patients with severe late dumping syndrome were more inclined to seek help from various healthcare providers, highlighting potential gaps in effective management strategies. These findings suggest current management approaches for severe late dumping syndrome may be insufficient, prompting the need for developing standardized treatment protocols and increasing awareness among healthcare providers. Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of different therapeutic interventions and exploring strategies to improve patient outcomes and access to specialized care.

Purpose: Dumping syndrome (DS) is a postsurgical complication of bariatric procedures. It is classified into early and late dumping based on occurrence within different postprandial timeframes. This study measures the prevalence of DS among adult patients and its association with social determinants and nutrition knowledge. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study used a convenience sampling method via distributing an online validated questionnaires to patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass surgery in ≥ 3 months. Results: Out of 352 participants, 237 (67.3%) had a modified Sigstad weighted DS score of ≥ 3.26, indicating the presence of DS; 182 (76.8%) had early DS (symptoms within 1 hour postprandially) and 55 (23.2%) had late DS (symptoms 1– 3 hours postprandially). Only gender and monthly income showed statistically significant differences between early and late DS patients. No statistically significant associations were found between the DS subtypes and sociodemographic characteristics, although participants’ age approached significance (p = 0.052). Type 1 diabetes was significantly associated with DS and affected patients were 6.7 times more likely to experience symptoms. The mean nutrition knowledge score among all the participants was 60.88 (SD = 14.76) suggesting moderate nutrition knowledge. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of DS (67.3%) among post-bariatric surgery patients in Saudi Arabia, and early DS is more common than late DS. The findings suggest a strong correlation between type 1 diabetes and DS. Nutrition knowledge was moderate but insufficient in key areas that affect postoperative outcomes. The study is novel in reporting a high prevalence of DS among post-bariatric patients in Saudi Arabia and uniquely explores the association of DS with social determinants, nutrition knowledge, and type 1 diabetes—areas less examined in previous research. It emphasizes the imperative need for comprehensive patient education and continuous dietary counseling to improve long-term management and outcomes for bariatric surgery patients.

Background/Objectives: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) frequently experience depression and anxiety, adversely affecting their quality of life. Addressing mental health in this population is a key public health priority. This study is aimed at examining the influence of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors on these conditions, which is essential for comprehensive patient care. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a regional hospital in Riyadh between March and November 2022, involving 213 patients diagnosed with RA. Depression and anxiety levels were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and sociodemographic and lifestyle information was collected via questionnaires and from patients’ medical records. To identify significant associations, bivariate and regression statistical analyses were performed. Results: The prevalence rates of depression and anxiety were 16.4% and 23%, respectively. Significant associations were found between sociodemographic factors (age, marital status, education level, healthcare facility type) and depression and anxiety levels. Lifestyle factors, specifically sugar-sweetened drink consumption, were significantly associated with anxiety. Conclusions: Sociodemographic and nutritional factors play a crucial role in shaping the psychological well-being of patients with RA. These findings highlight the importance of adopting holistic care strategies that address both the physical and mental health needs of these patients. Enhancing access to preventive medicine and public health services in Saudi Arabia is essential for achieving this goal. Future research should continue to explore these associations to guide the development of targeted interventions.

Purpose: Cycling is a popular activity for children aged 5–14 years and has a notable risk of head injuries. Extensive evidence shows that bicycle helmets can reduce the severity of head injuries and prevent fatalities. The current study examines the prevalence of bicycle helmet use among children (aged 5–17 years) in Saudi Arabia, parents’ attitudes and safety perceptions toward children’s bicycle helmets, and factors that influence parents’ decisions regarding their children’s bicycle helmets. Methods: This study used an analytical cross-sectional design via a validated questionnaire to examine parents’ attitudes toward helmet use for their children (aged 5–17 years) in Saudi Arabia. The study, which was carried out from September 2023 to September 2024, involved 492 participants (69.5% mothers and 30.5% fathers), and they were recruited from all regions of Saudi Arabia. A validated and translated questionnaire was used to assess helmet usage attitudes, considering demographic factors and potential confounders. Results: Approximately 60% of children wear helmets while cycling, despite a high mean attitude score of 5.49 (SD = 0.91), with 93.3% of respondents expressing strong support for mandatory helmet laws. While belief (mean (M) = 5.45) and knowledge (M = 4.63) scores were also high, they did not correlate with actual helmet use. Strong helmet regulations significantly increased usage rates (>80%). Helmet ownership and parental helmet-wearing habits were associated with higher usage among children, with mothers showing greater usage rates for younger children than fathers. Regression analyses indicated that parents who wore helmets as children were 5.85 times more likely to have their children wear helmets and parents who wore helmets themselves were 7.98 times more likely to ensure that their oldest child did so. Conclusions: While parents have positive attitudes toward helmet safety, actual helmet usage among children measures at approximately 60%. Sustainable helmet regulations and parental modeling, especially for parents who wear helmets, are crucial for improving safety.

Depression is a possible cause of the increased mental health risks associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including depression-related complications. Biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARDs) therapies have emerged as innovative anti-inflammatory drugs with positive effects on mental well-being. Tocilizumab is a bDMARDs commonly used to treat RA and its influence on depression needs to be studied. It targets interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptors, reducing inflammation, which may also alleviate depressive symptoms due to the role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of depression. Thus, its influence on depression needs to be studied. To assess the strength of the association between exposure to tocilizumab and the rate of development of depression in patients with RA and to evaluate tocilizumab as an exposure and depression as an outcome in these patients, a search was conducted in the MEDLINE, PreMEDLINE, Cochrane, and Scopus databases from January 1980 to April 2024. Inclusion criteria were studies that diagnosed RA according to the latest American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism guidelines or a rheumatologist and provided information on tocilizumab exposure and diagnosed depression as an outcome. The present meta-analysis was conducted following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. These studies were assessed for eligibility by the author and an independent assessor. To summarize the findings, the meta-analysis combined the relative risk estimates from each study with raw data counts. Twelve studies in the meta-analysis fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Tocilizumab monotherapy exhibited a promising beneficial effect on the risk of depression, indicated by the decreased risk in RA patients (Relative risk 0.68, 95% CI 0.20, 2.31). Patients with RA on tocilizumab treatment had a lower risk of developing depression compared to those unexposed to tocilizumab treatment. Therefore, future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the beneficial effect of tocilizumab on depression in the RA population.

This study aimed to assess and identify the risks for poor quality of life among female Saudi contraceptive users by administering an online questionnaire. The validity of the Arabic version of the Spanish Society of Contraception Quality of Life (SEC-QOL) questionnaire was assessed by incorporating the relevant items into an exploratory factor analysis and a subsequent confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. p < 0.05 was statistically significant. Questionnaires completed by 652 eligible women were analyzed. The most common contraception method was oral pills (51.5% of respondents). Analysis of the internal consistency of the questionnaire revealed that overall reliability was >0.7, which is considered adequate (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.845). Analysis of risk factors associated with higher overall SEC-QOL scores (worse overall quality of life) revealed several statistically significant variables. A “not good” relationship with their husbands, “heavy” menstrual flow, and premenstrual breast symptoms (breast pain, hypersensitivity, and increased size) were identified as risk factors for poor quality of life due to their association with the highest scores (poor quality of life). The Arabic version of the modified SEC-QOL is a valid and reliable tool to measure the quality of life of Saudi contraceptive users.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is widely used in various medical fields, including diagnostic radiology as a tool for greater efficiency, precision, and accuracy. The integration of AI as a radiological diagnostic tool has the potential to mitigate delays in diagnosis, which could, in turn, impact patients’ prognosis and treatment outcomes. The literature shows conflicting results regarding patients’ attitudes to AI as a diagnostic tool. To the best of our knowledge, no similar study has been conducted in Saudi Arabia. Objective: The objectives of this study are to examine patients’ attitudes toward the use of AI as a tool in diagnostic radiology at King Khalid University Hospital, Saudi Arabia. Additionally, we sought to explore potential associations between patients’ attitudes and various sociodemographic factors. Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital. Data were collected from patients scheduled for radiological imaging through a validated self-administered questionnaire. The main outcome was to measure patients’ attitudes to the use of AI in radiology by calculating mean scores of 5 factors, distrust and accountability (factor 1), procedural knowledge (factor 2), personal interaction and communication (factor 3), efficiency (factor 4), and methods of providing information to patients (factor 5). Data were analyzed using the student t test, one-way analysis of variance followed by post hoc and multivariable analysis. Results: A total of 382 participants (n=273, 71.5% women and n=109, 28.5% men) completed the surveys and were included in the analysis. The mean age of the respondents was 39.51 (SD 13.26) years. Participants favored physicians over AI for procedural knowledge, personal interaction, and being informed. However, the participants demonstrated a neutral attitude for distrust and accountability and for efficiency. Marital status was found to be associated with distrust and accountability, procedural knowledge, and personal interaction. Associations were also found between self-reported health status and being informed and between the field of specialization and distrust and accountability. Conclusions: Patients were keen to understand the work of AI in radiology but favored personal interaction with a radiologist. Patients were impartial toward AI replacing radiologists and the efficiency of AI, which should be a consideration in future policy development and integration. Future research involving multicenter studies in different regions of Saudi Arabia is required.