Introduction: Social media (SM) usage has increased markedly among young adults. It is linked to poor sleep quality (PSQ), a risk factor for mental and physical health concerns. This study identified the determinants of PSQ in SM users among freshman college students. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional design was used and 842 students completed a self-administered questionnaire. Analyses were performed using the χ² test to examine differences in the characteristics of poor and good sleepers and logistic regression to estimate the risk of PSQ with reference to SM usage patterns. Results: Around 75.40% (n = 635) of the participants had PSQ. There was a significant difference in the PSQ rate between males (66.3%) and females (79.3%, p < 0.001), those who were physically active (67.2%) and those who were not (82.4%, p < 0.001), those who were mentally depressed (86.5%) and those who were not (61.5%, p < 0.001), and those with anxiety (87.8%) and those without (64.3%, p < 0.001). The risk of PSQ was lower among students who used SM for education (OR = 0.65, CI = 0.42 to 0.99, p = 0.048), had higher laptop usage (OR = 0.67, CI = 0.47 to 0.96, p = 0.03), and had higher SM usage during daytime (OR = 0.46, CI = 0.32 to 0.67, p < 0.001). The risk of PSQ was higher among those who reported SM usage at bedtime (OR = 1.69, CI = 1.01 to 2.81, p = 0.046). Discussion: Among SM users, PSQ was related to sociodemographic features, lifestyle characteristics, and health-risk factors. Further research is required to confirm these findings.

Introduction/objective: As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic progressed, the virus was found to cause long-term health complications known as long COVID (LC). This study aimed to investigate LC symptom severity and the factors associated with the likelihood of persistence beyond 1 year among COVID-19 survivors in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted via convenience sampling between December 1, 2023, and March 1, 2024. In-person interviews were performed, and 845 individuals with persistent symptoms after acute COVID-19 were included. Results: Hair loss and memory impairment were the most reported symptoms. In predicting LC persistence beyond 12 months, women were found to have higher odds of being symptomatic than men, and individuals from moderate-to-high-income households were more likely to report persistent symptoms than those from low-income households. Each additional acute COVID-19 symptom increased the likelihood of persistent symptoms by 1.14 times. Reporting more symptoms in the first 6 months post-infection significantly reduced the odds of long-term symptoms by approximately 30%. Conclusion: LC symptom severity varies among patients, and sociodemographic and clinical factors influence the likelihood of experiencing symptoms beyond 1 year. Understanding these factors can provide insights and help optimize management, leading to improved patient outcomes.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly raised public health concerns and efforts to limit its spread, impacting societies and health systems worldwide. As challenges persist, the emergence of Long COVID (LC) marks a turning point in understanding the pandemic’s long-term effects.Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of LC in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and explore factors contributing to its persistence.Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was carried out between December 1, 2023, and March 1, 2024, involving 1,355 patients who recovered from COVID-19. Participants were conveniently chosen and information was gathered through in-person interviews in public settings after obtaining consent.Results: A majority of the patients (N = 1,355; 47.5% female; 93.8% Saudis; mean Age ± SD 33.13 ± 12.60 years) had received three COVID-19 vaccine doses (89.5%). Women experienced 17.4% more LC symptoms than men (p < 0.001). The risk of having a higher symptom count increased by 42.5% 12 months after acute COVID-19 infection compared with baseline (<3 months, p < 0.001). A higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with more symptoms (1.1% increase per unit, p = 0.004). More acute-phase symptoms correlated with more LC symptoms (p < 0.001). Higher educational attainment reduced LC risk by 33% (p < 0.001). Finally, age and vaccination status had no effect on LC symptoms count (p > 0.05).Conclusion: Sociodemographic and clinical factors contribute differently to the chances of having LC and the count of symptoms. Awareness of such factors could provide insight into improving management, leading to better health outcomes.

Background: Self-harm is a serious public health problem across the world, impacting not only people who self-harm but also their families and society as a whole through higher resource costs and productivity losses. This review was conducted among the general Saudi population to investigate the prevalence of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and factors affecting it. Methods: An electronic literature search of four major databases, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus Science Direct, and Google Scholar, was conducted to include eligible studies. All studies reporting NSSI or relevant to the subject were included. Results: A total of five articles with 1758 participants were included. The lowest recorded NSSI prevalence was 0.47% while the highest was 10.2%, both in Al-Khobar city. Conclusion: We recorded a relatively low but increasing prevalence of NSSI. The review also demonstrated that NSSI was more common among the female population and young people. Self-poisoning, including drug overdose, was the most prevalent method of self-harm. Interpersonal difficulties, marital problems, academic failure, and family and self-conflicts were common motivating factors of NSSI.

Background: Obesity is a significant public health issue in Saudi Arabia. Rising obesity rates increase the risk of weight bias and stigma, even among healthcare workers. Objectives: This study assesses weight stigma in healthcare workers, with findings intended to inform strategies for creating a more supportive healthcare environment for patients with obesity. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a university hospital in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Healthcare workers completed self-administered questionnaires, including the Attitudes toward Obese Persons Scale (ATOP) and the Beliefs about Obese Persons Scale (BAOP), which assess levels of positive attitudes and beliefs about obesity, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: The study included 266 healthcare workers (HCWs), mean age 33.21 years, with 54.5% female. The ATOP mean score was 64.4, and BAOP mean score was 18.3, indicating moderate negative attitudes and beliefs toward obesity. Significant differences in ATOP scores were found based on age, patient interactions, and years of experience. Discussion: Our study aligns with international findings, revealing significant weight stigma among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia. Such stigma can negatively impact patient care, leading to biased treatment and poorer health outcomes. Societal norms and personal biases contribute to this stigma, despite misconceptions regarding its supposed motivational effects. Addressing this requires comprehensive training and education for healthcare providers. Policymakers should include weight bias education into medical curricula and establish anti-discrimination policies to promote inclusivity and respect. Conclusions: Our study highlights obesity stigma among Saudi healthcare workers and the need for targeted interventions. Creating a supportive, nonjudgmental environment can enhance patient-provider relationships and improve healthcare outcomes for individuals with obesity.

Background: Long COVID (LC) has emerged as a significant epidemiological and public health issue, affecting patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study explored the impact of LC on HRQoL in COVID-19 survivors in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and examined the sociodemographic and clinical factors that influence HRQoL. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1024 participants, and data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire that incorporated the EQ-5D-5L tool to assess HRQoL. Sociodemographic information, acute COVID-19 symptoms, and LC symptoms were recorded. Statistical analyses included bivariate analyses and multivariable generalized linear modelling. Results: Of all participants, 63.8% reported experiencing LC symptoms, with fatigue, cough, and anosmia being the most common. Participants with LC had significantly lower HRQoL scores (mean EQ-5D-5L index score, 0.93) than those without LC (mean score, 0.98; p < 0.001). The key factors influencing lower HRQoL included a higher number of LC symptoms, older age, the presence of pneumonia during acute COVID-19, and pre-existing conditions such as anxiety and hypertension. Conclusions: LC negatively impacts HRQoL, with older age, chronic diseases, and the number of LC symptoms being strong predictors of poor outcomes. Interventions targeting rehabilitation and psychosocial support are critical for improving the long-term health outcomes of patients with LC.