Mohamed Baklola

University students are increasingly vulnerable to psychological distress, yet many do not seek professional mental health care. This study aimed to examin

Sedentary behavior is increasingly recognized as an independent risk factor for adverse physical and mental health outcomes. University students are particularly vulnerable due to prolonged sitting associated with academic demands. However, data on SB among university students in Yemen remain limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, patterns, and determinants of sedentary behavior among Yemeni university students. A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among 8,312 university students aged 18-30 years from 28 public and private universities across 10 Yemeni cities. Participants were recruited using a non-probability convenience sampling approach via online platforms, which may introduce selection bias. Data were collected using a web-based, self-administered questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics and the validated Arabic version of the Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ). Average daily sedentary time was calculated, and prolonged sedentary behavior was defined as ≥ 7 h/day. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with prolonged sedentary behavior. The mean daily sedentary time was 326.3 ± 211.4 min, and 28.6% of students reported prolonged sedentary behavior. Watching television was the most common sedentary activity, followed by academic work and phone use. Sedentary time was higher among females and younger students in descriptive analyses. In multivariable analysis, enrollment in private universities (OR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.68-2.08), studying in scientific/engineering/technical (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.30-1.68) or administrative/economic disciplines (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.12-1.53), smoking (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.12-1.47), and lack of access to university physical activity facilities (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.16-1.47) were independently associated with higher odds of prolonged sedentary behavior. Older age was associated with lower odds (21-24 years: OR = 0.82; ≥25 years: OR = 0.64). Sedentary behavior is common among Yemeni university students, with certain groups at higher risk. These findings suggest that university-based strategies, such as improving access to physical activity facilities and promoting active lifestyles, may help reduce sedentary time and support student health.

Background: Undergraduate research engagement plays a pivotal role in promoting evidence-based medical practice, particularly in low-resource and conflict-affected settings such as Yemen. However, multiple structural and academic barriers often limit students’ ability to actively participate in research. This study aimed to assess medical students’ research knowledge, attitudes, participation, and perceived barriers in a multi-institutional setting in Yemen. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among undergraduate medical students from ten universities in Yemen using a structured online questionnaire assessing research knowledge, attitudes, participation, and perceived barriers. Data were collected between April and July 2025. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, and linear regression to identify factors associated with research knowledge and attitudes. Results: A total of 1,387 students participated in the study, with a mean age of 23 years; 70.7% were male. Although most students (79.8%) agreed that research should be an integral part of medical education, only 20.5% reported having published a research paper, and 41.5% had never attempted to write one. The mean research knowledge score was low (2.8 out of 10), with no significant difference by gender. Fifth-year students demonstrated the highest knowledge scores (mean = 3.2, SD = 2.0; p = 0.003). Academic performance was a significant predictor of both research knowledge and attitudes ( p < 0.001). The most frequently reported barriers were insufficient training in research methods (81.0%), inadequate research facilities and resources (76.0%), limited research opportunities (74.2%), and insufficient faculty guidance (72.3%). Conclusion: Participating medical students demonstrated generally positive attitudes toward research; however, their research knowledge and active involvement remained limited. Persistent institutional and structural barriers, including limited research training, mentorship, and infrastructure, may hinder meaningful research engagement. Strengthening research training and institutional support within undergraduate medical education may help improve research engagement in resource-limited and conflict-affected settings.

Background: Health anxiety is a common yet underrecognized concern among medical students, who are routinely exposed to illness-related content and academic pressure. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of clinically significant health anxiety among Saudi medical students and identify its predictors. Secondary objectives were to examine its association with quality of life and explore disease-related fears. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted across multiple Saudi universities between November 2024 and April 2025. Participants were recruited via convenience sampling, and data were collected using a structured online questionnaire. The instrument included sociodemographic items, the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI), a self-perception of illness question, and the SF-12 to assess quality of life. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, Pearson correlation, and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 650 students completed the survey. Clinically significant health anxiety was reported in 30% of participants. Health anxiety prevalence was higher among females compared to males (36.3% vs. 25.8%), as well as among students in their second academic year, rural residents, private university students, and those with personal or family psychiatric history. Logistic regression identified several significant predictors: female students demonstrated 2.3-fold higher odds of health anxiety compared to males (AOR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.51–3.62), rural residence, private university enrollment (AOR = 6.14, 95% CI: 3.66–10.5), and psychiatric history. A significant negative correlation was found between health anxiety and quality of life (r = −0.25, p < 0.001). Students with health anxiety reported notably lower quality of life scores. Additionally, a network analysis of disease-related fears revealed cancer as the most frequently reported concern, followed by cardiovascular and endocrine conditions. These fears clustered into somatic, chronic, and neuropsychiatric domains. Conclusion: Clinically significant health anxiety affects nearly one-third of Saudi medical students and is associated with key sociodemographic and academic risk factors, as well as poorer quality of life. These findings underscore the need for mental health support systems and preventive strategies within medical education environments to address and manage health-related anxieties early.

Background: Health anxiety is an increasingly recognized concern among medical students, who are frequently exposed to health-related information and academic stressors. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of health anxiety among Yemeni medical undergraduates and to examine its association with quality of life (QoL) and selected demographic and academic factors. Methods: A national cross-sectional study was conducted between February and April 2025 across ten medical schools in Yemen. A total of 2,573 undergraduate medical students completed an anonymous online questionnaire assessing sociodemographic and academic characteristics, health anxiety using the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI), self-perceived health, and quality of life using the SF-12 survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s Chi-square test, the Mann–Whitney U test, Pearson’s correlation, and multivariable logistic regression. Results: Clinically significant health anxiety (SHAI ≥27) was observed in 9.8% of participants. Health anxiety was more prevalent among female students and those residing in rural areas (p = 0.010 and p < 0.001, respectively). Lower academic performance, dissatisfaction with academic progress, and personal or family history of psychiatric disorders were significantly associated with health anxiety. Students with clinically significant health anxiety reported lower quality of life scores (median = 27; IQR: 24–29) compared with those without health anxiety (p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, male gender, urban residence, and academic satisfaction were independently associated with lower odds of health anxiety, whereas low academic performance and psychiatric history were associated with higher odds. A moderate negative correlation was observed between health anxiety and quality of life (r = −0.37, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Nearly one in ten Yemeni medical students exhibited clinically significant health anxiety, which was associated with poorer quality of life and unfavorable academic and psychological characteristics. These findings highlight the importance of integrating mental health support and academic counseling services within medical schools to promote student well-being.

Background: The overall well-being and academic performance of university students are profoundly influenced by their sleep patterns and mental health. This study aimed to compare levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and sleep quality between medical and non-medical students at Mansoura University. Methods: In the academic year 2023–2024, a comparative cross-sectional descriptive study with an analytical component was conducted at Mansoura University. A total of 322 medical students and 354 non-medical students from the Faculty of Commerce were recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected via a structured survey that included the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, with chi-square tests and logistic regression to identify predictors of poor sleep quality. Results: Medical students had significantly worse outcomes in both mental health and sleep quality compared with non-medical students. Poor sleep quality was more common among medical students (83.2%) than non-medical students (63.8%, p < 0.001). Higher proportions of medical students reported moderate to severe depression (43.5% vs. 15.3%), anxiety (40.1% vs. 12.4%), and stress (46.3% vs. 16.9%), all p < 0.001. Multivariate logistic regression showed that depression, anxiety, and stress were significant predictors of poor sleep quality. Medical students had a higher likelihood of poor sleep quality than non-medical students (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2–3.2). Severe to extremely severe anxiety was the strongest predictor (OR = 6.8, 95% CI: 2.9–16.2). Conclusions: Medical students showed a higher prevalence of poor sleep; however, this difference may partly reflect underlying sociodemographic differences. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve sleep quality and mental health support for students, particularly in demanding programs such as medicine.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women globally, with significant regional variations in its molecular subtypes, clinical presentation, and management. Despite advancements in oncology, limited data exist on the molecular and clinical characteristics of BC in Libya. This study aims to analyze the prevalence of molecular subtypes, clinicopathological features, and treatment patterns among Libyan women with BC at Tobruk Medical Center. This retrospective observational study included BC patients diagnosed between January 2019 and December 2020 at Tobruk Medical Center. Demographic, clinical, pathological, and treatment-related data were extracted from medical records. Molecular subtyping was based on immunohistochemical assessment of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and Ki-67. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 28 (IBM Corp., Armonk). Among 115 patients analyzed, the median age at diagnosis was 46 years. Invasive ductal carcinoma accounted for 89.6% of cases, with grade II tumors being the most common (69.6%). Luminal B was the predominant molecular subtype (67.8%), followed by luminal A (14.8%), HER2-enriched (10.4%), and triple-negative BC (7.0%). Advanced-stage diagnoses (stage III and IV) were observed in 57.4% of cases. Hormone receptor positivity was detected in 82.6%, and HER2 positivity in 25.2% of cases. This study highlights the high prevalence of advanced-stage BC and the predominance of the aggressive luminal B subtype in Libya. Targeted early detection programs and improved treatment access are urgently needed to address these challenges.

Background: Disordered eating behaviors represent an important mental health concern among medical students, who are exposed to substantial academic and psychological stressors. Data on disordered eating risk in Yemen remain limited. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of disordered eating risk among Yemeni medical students and to examine associated sociodemographic, lifestyle, medical, and psychological factors. Methods: A national multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted between June and July 2025 across fifteen Yemeni medical colleges. Undergraduate students completed a structured, self-administered online questionnaire using a convenience sampling approach. Disordered eating risk was assessed using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), with a cutoff score of ≥20. Additional items assessed sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, chronic medical conditions, and self-reported psychiatric diagnoses. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to examine factors associated with disordered eating risk. Results: A total of 3,540 students participated. Overall, 30.4% screened positive for disordered eating risk. Disordered eating risk was associated with food insecurity, parental perception of being overweight, weight dissatisfaction, type 1 diabetes mellitus, past suicide attempts, and several self-reported psychiatric conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder. Weight satisfaction was associated with lower odds of risk. Additionally, 31.6% of participants reported a prior self-reported diagnosis of an eating disorder, which was not independently verified. Conclusion: Disordered eating risk was common among Yemeni medical students and was associated with multiple sociodemographic, medical, and psychological factors. Given the cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data, causal relationships cannot be established. The findings suggest that consideration may be given to screening and supportive mental health resources within medical training institutions.

Obesity represents a major and growing public health challenge in Saudi Arabia and is commonly accompanied by a broad range of chronic conditions. Understa