Salwa Saad Awad

Salwa Saad Awad


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

10Years (2017-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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NANisreen Naser Al Awaji
Nisreen Naser Al Awaji
MAMonira I. Aldhahi
Monira I. Aldhahi
SAShahnaz Akil
Shahnaz Akil
SASalwa Saad Awad
Salwa Saad Awad
EMEman Mortada
Eman Mortada
Substantial changes in life dynamics resulting from the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could have an impact on the quality of life (QoL) of mothers of children with and without disabilities. This study compared the quality of life (QoL) of mothers of children with disabilities (MCD) to the QoL of mothers of children without disabilities (CON) in Saudi Arabia during COVID-19 lockdown. It explored mothers’ concerns and the type of support they need during the quarantine. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted during the lockdown. An online questionnaire was distributed to mothers raising children with and without disabilities in Saudi Arabia. A total of 340 mothers participated in the study by completing the survey: 93 MCD and 247 CON. The QoL of MCD and CON was assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Furthermore, detailed information was provided by the mothers regarding their needs and concerns during the lockdown. The results of the study revealed that the overall QoL was significantly higher in the CON group, compared to the MCD group, during the COVID-19 lockdown. The social well-being and environmental well-being reported by MCD were significantly lower on the total scale of the WHOQOL-BREF than those reported by the CON group. The comparison between the two groups revealed significant differences in the support required by mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a higher percentage of MCD needed emotional and psychological support, especially from family members. The major concerns reported by MCD were the deterioration of their children’s medical conditions and the lack of medical supplies during the lockdown.

MAMonira I. Aldhahi
Monira I. Aldhahi
SAShahnaz Akil
Shahnaz Akil
Uzma ZaidiUzma Zaidi
Uzma Zaidi
EMEman Mortada
Eman Mortada
SASalwa Saad Awad
Salwa Saad Awad
NANisreen Naser Al Awaji
Nisreen Naser Al Awaji
The unprecedented outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a huge global health and economic crisis. The aim of the study was to examine the extent to which the resilience of a person is associated with the quality of life (QoL) of adults amongst Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of adults in Saudi Arabia. A total of 385 adults voluntarily participated in and completed the survey. The quality of life was measured using the “World Health Organization QoL”. The “Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale” instrument was also used to assess resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Amongst the 385 participants, 179 (46%) showed a good QoL, and 205 (54%) reported a relatively poor QoL. The resilience was found to be significantly associated with QoL. The study further revealed that gender-based differences were dominant in the QoL; the men respondents reported a significantly higher QoL in all the domains in comparison to the women respondents. The gender, income, and psychological health and interaction effect of resilience and age explained 40% of the variance in the total score of QoL. In reference to the predictors of the physical health domain of QoL, resilience, gender, and psychological health were significantly associated with the physical health domain of the QoL (R2 = 0.26, p = 0.001). It was also noted that gender was not associated with the social relationships and environmental domains of QoL (p > 0.05). Findings showed a statistically significant association between the score of QoL and resilience, age, gender, income, and psychological health. These findings highlight the significant contribution of gender-based differences, psychological health, and resilience on the domains of QoL.

NANisreen Naser Al Awaji
Nisreen Naser Al Awaji
Uzma ZaidiUzma Zaidi
Uzma Zaidi
SASalwa Saad Awad
Salwa Saad Awad
NANouf Alroqaiba
Nouf Alroqaiba
MAMonira I. Aldhahi
Monira I. Aldhahi
EMEman Mortada
Eman Mortada
Unprecedented quarantine due to COVID-19 exposes individuals to withdraw from face-to-face interactions, which may influence communication and self-esteem (SE). Therefore, the overarching aims of this study are to examine the communication apprehension levels among female college students, and thus to investigate the moderating role of self-esteem on the relationship between communication apprehension and academic achievement. In this cross-sectional study, 287 female college students completed the survey, which was circulated through email. The survey included the following questionnaires: General Health Characteristics, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, and Personal Report of Communication Apprehension Scale. The results showed that 28.2% of participants were categorized as having a high level of communication apprehension, and only 9.8% had a low level of communication apprehension. The SE reported an overall score of 24.3 ± 2.14, indicating a high self-esteem level among students. The students’ grade point average (GPA) was positively correlated with SE. However, self-esteem as a moderator variable had no significant effect on the relationships between all predictors and GPA. The finding of the study highlights the need to implement different strategies to enhance students’ group discussions, meetings, and interpersonal communication to ensure the best learning outcomes. Future studies are required to investigate gender-based disparities in the relationship between communication apprehension and SE.

24 September 2025 in Frontiers in Nutrition
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LALaila Fathi Zaid AlKilani
Laila Fathi Zaid AlKilani
SASalwa Saad Awad
Salwa Saad Awad
JAJozaa Zaidan Altamimi
Jozaa Zaidan Altamimi
FAFatimah Sayer Alharbi
Fatimah Sayer Alharbi
Introduction: The study generally aimed to examine nutritional awareness, body mass index, mental health, dietary awareness, and components of physical fitness among university students by investigating the health behaviors, physical activity, diet, sleep, internet use, and mental health of 153 undergraduate university students.Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional quantitative survey method to evaluate the risky and health-related behaviors, psychological health, and health-related behaviors of female university students.Results: Among them, 66% did not engage in high-intensity physical activities, and 54.9% did not participate in moderate-intensity workouts. Of the participants, 52.9% ate two meals a day, and 43.1% only sometimes ate breakfast. According to the survey, 56% recognized smoking as a contributing factor to health problems, and 60% said stress had a major effect on health problems. Moreover, the results reveal a statistically significant relationship between weight category and depression symptoms (r = −0.06, p = 0.53) and between physical activity and depression symptoms (r = −0.11, p = 0.23).Discussion: The findings call which calls for encouraging the increase of such studies in the future and conducting them on a larger sample and encouraging the adoption of university programs aimed at raising awareness of the importance of physical activity, healthy nutrition, and mental health.

27 July 2024 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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SESafaa Mostafa Elkholi
Safaa Mostafa Elkholi
SASalwa Saad Awad
Salwa Saad Awad
MAMadawi H Alotaibi
Madawi H Alotaibi
Background and Objectives: Many children with (CP) and their families in Saudi Arabia struggle emotionally. Unfortunately, there have not been many studies conducted on how to help them with these challenges. This research aims to bring attention to this gap and to explore how a lack of proper mental health care might affect these children’s ability to participate in everyday activities. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, a survey was conducted between August and October 2023. A total of 300 parents of CP children from Saudi Arabia participated in the study. The impact of psychological care negligence on the occupational engagement of CP children and their families was assessed by designing a valid questionnaire. Results: A total of 300 parents of children with CP participated in this study. The majority of the sample, 71% of parents, said that their children did not receive any psychological care, and 59.7% of the participants said that their children did not even receive a referral to a psychologist. However, 60.3% of parents of children noticed a significant decline in the occupational performance of their children, and 65.7% predicted an improvement in their children’s performance with future psychological care. Conclusions: It is clear that there is a lack of awareness about the importance of mental health care for children with CP in Saudi Arabia. This lack of care hinders these children and their families’ occupational engagement and social participation.

11 July 2024 in Healthcare
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
EMEman Mortada
Eman Mortada
NANisreen Naser Al Awaji
Nisreen Naser Al Awaji
Uzma ZaidiUzma Zaidi
Uzma Zaidi
MAMonira I. Aldhahi
Monira I. Aldhahi
HAHadel Fuad Alsaleh
Hadel Fuad Alsaleh
SASalwa Saad Awad
Salwa Saad Awad
This study examines the moderating effects of various factors on the relationship between physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among 287 female college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected through an online questionnaire covering health issues, PA, self-esteem, HRQoL, and sociodemographic information, supplemented by semi-structured interviews and focus groups with six participants. Results showed that 46% of respondents had good HRQoL, and 38% were physically active. The interactions of age, socioeconomic status (SES), and academic performance with PA on HRQoL were insignificant. However, physical and mental health problems significantly moderated the PA–HRQoL relationship, accounting for 1% and 4% of the variance, respectively. The qualitative analysis highlighted the need for student activity clubs and mental health support to enhance coping strategies and overall HRQoL. In conclusion, age and SES did not moderate the PA–HRQoL relationship, while physical and mental health issues did. Programs targeting students with health problems are crucial to improving their physical and mental health, thereby enhancing their well-being.