The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has a direct and indirect effect on the different healthcare systems around the world. In this study, we aim to describe the impact on the utilization of emergency medical services (EMS) in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. We studied cumulative data from emergency calls collected from the SRCA. Data were separated into three periods: before COVID-19 (1 January–29 February 2020), during COVID-19 (1 March–23 April 2020), and during the Holy Month of Ramadan (24 April–23 May 2020). A marked increase of cases was handled during the COVID-19 period compared to the number before pandemic. Increases in all types of cases, except for those related to trauma, occurred during COVID-19, with all regions experiencing increased call volumes during COVID-19 compared with before pandemic. Demand for EMS significantly increased throughout Saudi Arabia during the pandemic period. Use of the mobile application ASAFNY to request an ambulance almost doubled during the pandemic but remained a small fraction of total calls. Altered weekly call patterns and increased call volume during the pandemic indicated not only a need for increased staff but an alteration in staffing patterns.

Purpose: Deprescribing is a complex process that requires active patient involvement, so the patient’s attitude to deprescribing is crucial to its success. This study aimed to assess predictors of Saudi Arabian patients’ willingness to deprescribe. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, adult patients from two hospitals in Riyadh completed a self-administered questionnaire gathering data on demographic information and the Arabic revised Patients’ Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questions. Descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 242 patients were included (mean age 59.8 (SD 11.05) years, range 25– 87 years; 40% 60– 69 years; 54.1% female). The majority (90%) of participants were willing to have medications deprescribed. Willingness to deprescribe was significantly associated with the rPATD involvement factor (OR=1.866, 95% CI 1.177– 2.958, p=0.008) and the patient’s perception of their health status (OR=2.08, CI=1.058– 4.119, p=0.034). Conclusion: The majority of patients were willing to have one or more medications deprescribed if recommended by their doctors. Patient perceptions about their own health and their involvement in deprescribing were important predictive factors that could shape counseling and education strategies to encourage deprescribing.

Background: Breast density is an important yet often overlooked factor in breast cancer screening. Limited awareness among women can hinder informed decision-making, especially in regions without standardized breast density notification, such as Saudi Arabia. Objective: This study aimed to assess awareness, knowledge, and educational needs related to breast density among women in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A nationwide, cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured online questionnaire. Saudi women aged 30 years and older were recruited via convenience sampling through social media platforms and targeted mailing lists. The survey collected demographic data and assessed participants’ breast density (BD) awareness, knowledge, perceived risk, and preferred information sources. Data analysis included both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results: 1,021 Saudi women (30– 75 years old) participated in this study. Only 11.4% of the sample had heard of breast density, and less than half of those (5%) understood its association with breast cancer risk. Women with higher education and previous mammography experience had significantly higher awareness (OR: 5.00, 95% CI: 2.18– 11.45; p< 0.001 and 1.81, 95% CI: 1.15– 2.86; p=0.010, respectively). A vast majority (80%) expressed interest in being informed about their breast density, and more than half (56.3%) are willing to pay for additional imaging if they had dense breast tissue. Conclusion: Awareness of breast density among women in Saudi Arabia is remarkably low, likely due to the absence of structured education, lack of provider-patient communication, and no national notification policy. Despite this, women express a clear willingness to receive related information. There is a critical need for targeted education on breast density. National health strategies should prioritize breast density awareness and standardized communication in breast cancer screening programs.

Background: Physical activity is a very positive behavior that has many health benefits, so understanding current physical activity levels in specific populations is important for health policy planning. Objective(s): to estimate physical activity patterns and to investigate the relationship between physical activity performance and using smartphone health applications among university students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study estimated physical activity patterns among King Saud University students. An online survey was distributed to all students attending King Saud University. The survey included questions on socio-demographic characteristics and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Results: A total of 427 students were enrolled in the study. More than half of the students were low in physical activity (56.2%) followed by moderate and high levels (30.7 %, and 13.1% respectively). More than half of them used their smartphones five hours or more per day (53.6%), and the majority (65.1%) used applications to monitor physical activity. Bivariable analysis revealed a significant association between physical activity and using applications to monitor health and using applications or wearable devices to monitor physical activity. Additionally, a significant association between physical inactivity and hours of using a smartphone per day was detected. Conclusion: Low physical activity was prevalent among students at King Saud University. Targeted interventions are needed to enhance physical activity and prevent sedentary behaviors to prevent long-term adverse health consequences.

Background: Physical activity is a very positive behavior that has many health benefits, so understanding current physical activity levels in specific populations is important for health policy planning. Objective(s): to estimate physical activity patterns in King Saud University students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study estimated physical activity patterns among King Saud University students. An online survey was distributed to all students attending King Saud University. The survey included questions on socio-demographic characteristics and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Results: A total of 427 students were enrolled in the study (41% response rate of those clicking on the survey link). Three-quarters of respondents were females, and the majority were physically inactive (62.5%); no student reported being highly active. About half of them used their smartphones five hours or more per day, and the majority (65.1%) used applications to monitor physical activity. Bivariable analysis revealed a positive association between physical activity status and decreased hours of using a smartphone per day and using applications to monitor physical activity. Conclusion: Physical inactivity was prevalent among students at King Saud University. Targeted interventions are needed to enhance physical activity and prevent sedentary behaviors to prevent long-term adverse health consequences.

This study assessed the impact of a multi-component oral health preventive program on dental plaque control among ISHCN.