Cataracts are a leading cause of visual impairment globally and significantly affect quality of life. In the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia, an area characterized by unique environmental and socioeconomic factors, the awareness of the cataract and its associated risk factors remain poorly understood. Therefore, assessing the knowledge about this problem in our region is the initial step to mitigate the impact of cataracts in the region. This descriptive cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence of cataracts and the associated risk factors among adults in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. The study employed an online questionnaire divided into the sociodemographic characteristics and cataract knowledge sections. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences for descriptive statistics. The study included 701 participants, predominantly young males (64.2%, aged 18–30 years). The participant profile included students (35.7%) and teachers (16.4%), and the majority held university degrees (69.2%). The preferred sources of information were TV and social media (23.8%), the Internet (23.3%), and academic studies (10.9%). Regarding cataract awareness, 57.6% correctly identified cataracts, 64.9% recognized blurred vision as a symptom, and 68.8% were aware of surgical treatment. Notable associations were found with sex (84.1% of females with higher education, P = .039), age (90.4% of those with >50 years of education, P = .002), and occupation (93.2% of students, P < .001). Overall, there were significant associations between the knowledge level and age (67.3%, P < .001) and occupation (77.6%, P < .001). This study revealed a moderate level of awareness of cataracts in Jazan, with significant variations based on sex, age, and occupation. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions, particularly among certain demographic groups, to enhance understanding and management of cataracts in the region.

Background: Gender equity in healthcare ensures equal access to services and resources for all individuals, regardless of gender. Studies show that patients’ gender influences their healthcare experiences and decisions, and societal gender preferences impact surgeon selection. Therefore, the objective of this study was to address the surgeons’ gender preferences among Saudi Arabia’s population. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional research design and survey methodology to gather data from a representative sample of adults aged 18 and older from the general population in Saudi Arabia. This study used SPSS version 26 for statistical data entry and analysis, employing descriptive and inferential statistics, frequency distributions, descriptive statistics, and multivariate analysis using multiple logistic regression for variables significantly associated with population gender in univariate analysis. Results: This study involved 2085 participants, with 51.2% aged 18–25, 18.4% aged 26–35, 16.7% aged 36–45, and 13.8% aged 45 and above. The majority were Saudi Arabian, with a majority holding a university degree. The majority worked in the healthcare sector, while the remaining 29.7% were unemployed. This study found that there were significant gender preferences among survey respondents for different types of surgical procedures. Male participants preferred male surgeons for routine non-emergency visits and sensitive obstetric, genital, sexual, and minor procedures (p < 0.001). Female participants, on the other hand, had no preference for emergency surgeries and major surgical procedures (p < 0.001). This study found that participants were more likely to prefer female surgeons for regular non-emergency visits to the surgery clinic (p < 0.001; aOR = 2.344). Additionally, participants had a high preference for female surgeons for sensitive cases (p < 0.001; aOR = 7.064) and minor surgical procedures (p < 0.001; aOR = 2.489). Conclusion: This study underscores the significance of cognizance and the incorporation of a patient’s gender preferences when selecting surgical procedures, thus fostering an environment that is more accommodating and focused on the patient.

Heart failure (HF) is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s requirements, causing multiple significant symptoms that affect the patient’s quality of life. Worldwide, HF awareness is known to be low. However, no studies have assessed the levels of awareness of HF and their influencing factors in our region. This study aims to investigate the knowledge of HF and its influencing factors among adults in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Adult participants (≥18 years) were recruited using an online, self-administered structured questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of HF definition, symptoms, causes, risk factors, and treatment options. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participants’ responses, and logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with higher HF knowledge. Out of 399 respondents, more than half 51.6% identified HF as a condition involving the heart’s pumping failure. As far as symptoms are concerned, only 16.3% recognized shortness of breath, about 1.8% noted reduced exercise tolerance, and only 1.5% identified leg edema as typical symptoms of HF. About 45.6% of the participants were aware of all 3 symptoms. Moreover, participants with higher education exhibited higher levels of knowledge. Less than half of the participants correctly identified cardiovascular conditions leading to HF 45.9%. Knowledge regarding HF treatment was also insufficient; some participants believed that HF has no effective treatment or requires prolonged bed rest. Additionally, working in the medical field was significantly associated with better knowledge about HF (odds ratio = 3.38, 95% confidence interval: 2.11–5.54). The study found inadequate knowledge among participants, particularly regarding the most common causes of HF and the measures to reduce the risk of developing it. These findings highlight the need for improved education and awareness programs to address misconceptions and provide accurate information about HF and its management.