Introduction. Depressive disorders are the leading causes of disability and disease burden worldwide. They were ranked fifth among the top causes of death and disability in Saudi Arabia, with subsequent impacts on productivity and economics when affecting adults. Objectives. The study aimed to systematically investigate the prevalence of depression and its associated factors among Saudi adults during 2000-2022. Methods. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines using Medline/PubMed, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, and Ovid databases during 2000-2022 with predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of the included papers was determined, and heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the Q statistic to estimate the value. A random effects model was used to drive the pooled depression prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A forest plot was generated to show estimates for individual studies. Publication bias was assessed visually with the funnel plots symmetry and Egger’s test ( ). A sensitivity analysis was conducted to explore the effect of individual studies on the overall prevalence estimate. A subgroup analysis by the study, population characteristics, and depression tools were also run. Results. Forty-six cross-sectional relevant studies were identified, including 25814 participants. The pooled depression prevalence was 37.35% (95% CI: 33.61–41.98%) with high heterogeneity (%, ). In the subgroup analysis, the prevalence estimates were higher among females (34.5%), the singles (49.5%), undergraduate university students in university settings (47.7%), northern region (62.3%), and studies that utilized the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale (58.8%). Among the risk factors significantly associated with depression were female gender, being single, low education level, financial problems, poor housing condition, having medical problems, sleep disorders, presence of psychiatric/psychological conditions, life events, lack of social support, exposure to stress, educational/personal problems, and smartphone addiction. Conclusion. Almost more than one-third of Saudi adults had depression. Appropriate surveillance, early interventions, and depression management strategies are needed to decrease the prevalence and its consequences among adults.

Background: Public acceptance, trust, and actual uptake of COVID-19 vaccines are crucial to stem the pandemic. Although roll out of vaccines was high in KSA, the public response was not sufficiently studied. We aimed to investigate knowledge level, acceptance, and trust in COVID-19 vaccination and related predictors among adults in Makkah, KSA. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey using a snowballing sample was carried on 507 adult Saudi population living in Makkah city. The survey was developed based on literature search. In the logistic analysis, the dependent variables included acceptance rate and trust in effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines, while the independent variables (predictors) were sociodemographics and level of knowledge. Results: The survey included 507 participants, aged 18–78 years, 55.8% were females, and 36.7% had (or one of their family members) previously been exposed to COVID-19 infection. Their knowledge about COVID-19 vaccination was satisfactory (86.2%) with 71.2% intended to receive COVID-19 vaccination, and 56.4% was confident of the vaccine effectiveness. Vaccine efficacy, duration of protection, schedule of vaccination, and recommendation by authorities may favor their decision to accept or decline COVID-19 vaccines. Good knowledge about vaccines (OR = 2.07; CI: 1.24–3.48 for acceptance and OR = 2.67; CI: 1.58–4.51 for trust), higher educational level (OR = 1.80; CI: 1.07–3.40 for acceptance and OR = 3.59; CI: 2.08–6.21 for trust), previous seasonal flu vaccination (OR = 1.66; CI: 1.09–2.53 for acceptance and OR = 1.91; CI: 1.31–2.79 for trust), female sex (OR = 1.62; CI: 1.1–2.39 for acceptance and OR = 4.15; CI: 2.86–6.04 for trust), and history of COVID-19 infection (OR = 1.57; CI: 1.04–2.37 for acceptance and OR = 1.69; CI: 1.17–2.46 for trust) were among significant predictors for both vaccine acceptance and trust in vaccine effectiveness. Conclusions: Adult Saudi population in Makkah city showed satisfactory knowledge about COVID-19 vaccination with moderate rate of vaccine acceptance and a relatively low rate of confidence in vaccine effectiveness. Better understanding of public acceptance and trust in COVID-19 vaccines and addressing barriers to vaccination are recommended to improve vaccine coverage and to reinforce some communication characteristics of the current vaccination campaign.

An epidemiological survey was carried out to assess the magnitude of silicosis in Karauli, a district located in the eastern part of Rajasthan. Silicosis, an occupational disease, which is caused by inhalation of the silica dust; marked by inflammation and scaring of the lungs resulting in nodular lesions in the upper lobes of the lungs. It is a fatal fibrotic pulmonary disease, which is irreversible in nature. Silicosis burden is substantial globally. In India, epidemiological surveys conducted time-to-time show that the problem is more severe in unorganized sector. Silicosis has emerged at epidemic level in Rajasthan due to exponential growth in the mining sector, inadequate Governmental policies, and poor implementation of the laws of the land. A study in 1992-94 carried out by the DMRC, Jodhpur reported that 9.9% sandstone workers have silicosis. A study conducted by the NIMH in Karauli (2013) revealed that 74% of them were suffering from the silicosis. However, all these surveys were conducted with the high-risk groups hence they are population measures. This survey intended to assess the magnitude of silicosis amongst the general population in the Karauli, one of the most backward districts of Rajasthan. A village (with approximately 1000 population) was considered as sample unit. Total 6 villages from the 4 regions of the district with a population of 6975 were covered in this cross sectional survey. All the adult population having respiratory symptoms and known history of mining were included in the study. Two questionnaires were used, one to gather occupational and medical history and the SGRPQ to assess the Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). The SGPRQ is a self-administered questionnaire, which produces activity, symptoms, and impact scores. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and Excel based analysis tool of SGPRQ. Results revealed that 2758 cases have been diagnosed with silicosis and 2267 cases with disease had received compensation from the Government till February 2017 in Karauli district. The Karauli block of the district had highest number of confirmed silicosis cases followed by Mandaryal, and Hindaun blocks of the district. The SC community is the worst affected (77%) followed by the ST (13%), OBCs (9%), and General community (<1%) ; 39% subjects had silicosis whereas 61% subjects had severe to mild respiratory difficulties with known history of sandstone mining activities and were categorized as suspected cases of silicosis. No women and no minors were found to have silicosis. The prevalence of the silicosis in all the 6 villages differed; overall prevalence was 12% (4% confirmed and 8% suspected cases). However, the prevalence of confirmed cases amongst the male (6+ years) was 10%. Variables exposure to silica dust is significantly correlated (p=0.01) with the smoking, the symptom, activity, impact, and total scores; implying that the higher the exposure to silica dust more the chances of developing the disease or severity of the symptoms and impact of the disease on quality of life.

Severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP) represents a frequent and potentially life-threatening condition. About 10% of all hospitalized patients with CAP require admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and the mortality of these patients reaches 20–50%. To evaluate the clinical presentation, bacteriological profile and outcome of severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP). 54 patients presented by symptoms and sign of severe community acquired pneumonia who were admitted to respiratory care unit of Alhussein, Al-Azhar University Hospital from August 2015 to March 2016 were subjected to full clinical examination, chest X ray, complete blood picture, sputum and blood culture, PCR for suspected cases of Influenza H1N1 and MERS-COV, treatment, follow up, data collections and statistical analysis. The present study included 54 patients 26 males and 28 females with SCAP who were admitted to respiratory care unit of Alhussein, Al-Azhar University Hospital. The most common comorbidities were diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The most common presentations were fever, cough, dyspnea and hypoxemia. Two patients developed renal failure and 4 patients developed septic shock. The most common isolated organism was Streptococcus pneumoniae, Influenza H1N1, and Staphylococcus aureus. Mortality was 24% and it was common in patients with comorbidity than in patients without comorbidities. SCAP occurs more frequently in those with comorbidities. The most frequent isolated causative organism of SCAP is S. pneumoniae, Influenza H1N1 and S. aureus. SCAP is associated with significant mortality, early recognition and prompt treatment may improve outcome.

The correlation between nocturnal enuresis (NE) and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) was reported. We aim to determine whether there is an association between NE and SDB in children and to assess the prevalence of SDB and NE in primary school children aged 6–12 years in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among the caregivers of children aged 6–12 years in all Saudi Arabia regions. The data were gathered through a self-administered online questionnaire. It included demographic information, weight and height, and associated comorbidities, in addition to the weekly frequencies of snoring symptoms and of enuresis, as well as of unrefreshing sleep using Likert-type response scales. Counts and percentages, the mean ± standard deviation, chi-square test, independent samples t-test, and regression analysis were used in the statistical analysis using R v 3.6.3. The questionnaire was completed by 686 respondents. Most respondents did not report any comorbidities in their children (77.1%). Asthma and adenotonsillar hypertrophy were reported in 16.2% and 15.6% of children, respectively. Unrefreshing sleep, mouth breathing at night, snoring, chronic nasal obstruction, and difficulty breathing while asleep were reported once or twice per week in 38%, 34%, 28%, 18%, and 18% of children, respectively. The prevalence of NE was 22.3%, with about 36.6% of children having NE two or more times per week. Significantly, NE was reported in 26.6% of children who slept before 10 PM compared to 19% of children who slept after 10 PM; in 28.6% of children who snored or loudly snored (57.1%) three times or more per week; and in 51.2% and 27.5% of children with difficulty breathing while asleep and who breathed through their mouth at night for one or two nights per week, respectively. A multivariable regression analysis showed that male gender (OR = 1.52, p = 0.010), obesity (OR = 1.24, p = 0.028), early sleeping time (OR = 1.40, p = 0.048), loud snoring for three or more nights per week (OR = 1.54, p = 0.001), difficulty breathing for one or two nights per week (OR = 1.85, p = 0.010), and mouth breathing at night for one or two nights per week (OR = 1.55, p = 0.049) were associated with higher odds of NE. Our study revealed that 22.3% of primary school children reported suffering from NE. SDB is a common problem among children with NE. The exact mechanism that links SDB to the increase in the risk of NE is unknown. Male gender, obesity, early sleeping time, loud snoring, difficulty breathing, and mouth breathing at night are potential independent risk factors of NE in school-age children.