Background/Objectives: Disc herniation, also termed herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP), is a common spinal disorder affecting approximately 10% of the global population, associated with pain, neurological complications, and diminished quality of life. Despite its global burden, regional variations in public awareness and sociodemographic determinants remain inadequately characterized, particularly in Middle Eastern populations. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, public awareness, and sociodemographic determinants of HNP among adults in Saudi Arabia at a nationwide level. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2024 to July 2025. Using a convenience sampling approach via social media platforms, an online questionnaire was distributed nationwide across Saudi Arabia. Data from 1112 participants were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression. The questionnaire comprised two sections: sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge and awareness of HNP. Results: The prevalence of disc herniation was 8.9%, consistent with global estimates. Overall awareness was relatively high at 67.6%, though knowledge of specific risk factors varied considerably. Most participants recognized obesity (88.0%), poor sitting posture (85.8%), history of lower back trauma (86.2%), and work requiring physical effort (88.8%) as risk factors, while fewer acknowledged smoking (46.4%), diabetes (51.2%), sleeping on a soft bed (36.9%), and increased height (35.9%). Multiple logistic regression, adjusted for all sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health-related covariates, identified significant independent predictors of HNP including marital status (married OR = 2.90), current smoking (OR = 2.91), hyperlipidemia (OR = 1.86), family history (OR = 8.95), and prior knowledge of the condition (OR = 2.28). Knowledge of HNP was significantly associated with university education (OR = 1.70), higher income levels (OR = 2.23 for ≥15,000 SAR; OR = 2.07 for 5000–9999 SAR), and family history (OR = 4.70), while those in low and medium workload jobs demonstrated lower knowledge. Conclusions: Although overall public awareness of HNP is relatively high in Saudi Arabia, substantial gaps persist in knowledge of modifiable risk factors, particularly smoking and diabetes mellitus. Targeted smoking cessation campaigns, diabetes awareness programs, and ergonomic education initiatives delivered through primary healthcare centers, workplaces, and schools are recommended.

Background: Uncorrected refractive error remains a leading, preventable cause of visual impairment worldwide, yet adult-level data on spectacle and contact lens perceptions in Jazan are lacking. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study surveyed adults aged 18 years and above in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, in 2026. A self-administered Arabic online questionnaire, covering sociodemographic and ocular characteristics, knowledge and misconceptions about spectacles and contact lenses, attitude toward spectacle use, and practices including spectacle use, eye examination, and refractive intervention, was distributed through social media platforms. Data were analyzed in SPSS using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression. Results: 513 adults completed the survey. Mean age was 25.83±9.23 years; 62.4% were female. Composite knowledge score averaged 6.42±1.67 of 10; 26.1% scored good, 47.0% moderate, and 26.9% poor. Awareness of spectacles reached 95.5% and 97.7% perceived a benefit. Current spectacle use was 43.1%, annual eye examination 36.5%, and refractive-intervention interest 29.6%. Contact lens beliefs were less accurate than matched spectacle beliefs (60.0% vs. 52.0% and 62.2% vs. 43.3% correct; McNemar p ≤ 0.001). Self-reported refractive error predicted spectacle use (AOR = 26.59), eye examination (AOR = 3.43), and intervention interest (AOR = 4.32), all p < 0.001. Composite knowledge showed no significant sociodemographic association (all p > 0.05). Conclusion: High awareness of spectacles coexists with low utilization and persistent misconceptions, particularly around contact lenses. Targeted eye-health education is needed for Jazan’s adult population.

Background/Objectives: Cervical spine injuries (CSIs) are life-threatening conditions commonly resulting from road traffic accidents and falls; improper first aid management can significantly worsen neurological outcomes. Public awareness and correct first aid response are critical for preventing secondary injury; despite this, available data from the southern provinces of Saudi Arabia remain insufficient. This study aimed to assess public awareness and first aid preparedness for CSIs across four southern regions of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed across multiple regions, encompassing 1179 adults from Jazan, Aseer, Al-Baha, and Najran between 2025 and 2026. A validated online questionnaire was employed for data collection to assess CSI awareness, recognition of injury signs, and appropriate first aid responses. Awareness scores of ≥60% were classified as good. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of awareness. Results: The mean awareness score was 16.0 ± 4.8 out of a possible total of 20 points, corresponding to 80% of the total score, with 87% of participants demonstrating good awareness. The majority of respondents recognized the importance of spinal immobilization (89%), maintaining head–neck alignment (95%), and contacting emergency services before intervention (93%). Correct responses to emergency scenarios were recorded in 83% of participants. Notably, only 39% had attended formal medical or trauma training, and merely 3% reported real-life first aid experience. Training attendance (β = 1.39, p < 0.001) and marital status (married; β = 1.37, p = 0.004) were identified as independent predictors of higher awareness scores. Conclusions: Although general public awareness of CSI first aid is high, formal training participation remains critically low, revealing a substantial gap between knowledge and practice. Integrating structured first aid training into community, workplace, and primary healthcare settings is essential to improve trauma outcomes and reduce preventable disability.

Background: Residual exotropia remains a common challenge following surgical correction of intermittent exotropia (IXT) and sensory exotropia (SX). Identifying prognostic factors associated with postoperative misalignment is essential to improve surgical planning and long-term outcomes. Objective: To systematically review and evaluate patient- and surgery-related risk factors for residual exotropia after surgical correction, and to compare these factors between intermittent and sensory exotropia. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Google Scholar were searched from January 2010 to 2025. Eligible studies included patients undergoing surgery for intermittent or sensory exotropia with reported postoperative alignment outcomes. Data extraction and risk-of-bias assessment were performed independently by multiple reviewers, using the MINORS tool for non-randomised studies and the Cochrane RoB 2 tool for randomised trials. The primary synthesis was narrative; where studies were sufficiently comparable, random-effects meta-analyses were additionally performed (single-arm success proportions were pooled with a random-intercept logistic model using maximum-likelihood estimation, and the between-technique odds ratio was pooled by the inverse-variance method with the DerSimonian-Laird estimator). Results: A total of 53 studies (approximately 7470 patients) were included. Reported surgical success ranged widely, from approximately 38% to 91.6%, depending on the success criterion and follow-up duration. Residual exotropia and postoperative exodrift were consistently reported across studies. Larger preoperative deviation, poor preoperative control, amblyopia, reduced stereoacuity, and sensory exotropia were associated with higher rates of residual deviation and recurrence. Early postoperative alignment emerged as one of the strongest predictors of long-term success, with early overcorrection associated with improved stability. Patients with intermittent exotropia demonstrated better sensory recovery than those with sensory exotropia. The predictive value of risk factors differed by subtype: poor preoperative visual acuity and the chronicity of visual loss dominated in sensory exotropia, whereas fusional control, stereoacuity, and the early postoperative target angle dominated in intermittent exotropia. No statistically significant difference between surgical techniques was detected. On meta-analysis, the pooled surgical success rate was 68.7% (95% CI 63.8– 73.2; I² = 89%) and was similar in intermittent (68.3%) and sensory (67.6%) exotropia (test for subgroup differences, P = 0.42), and bilateral lateral rectus recession and recession-resection did not differ in success (pooled odds ratio 0.88, 95% CI 0.51– 1.52). Conclusion: Residual exotropia after surgery is influenced by multiple patient- and surgery-related factors, particularly preoperative sensory status and early postoperative alignment, with a modest early overcorrection (a small postoperative esodeviation) associated with greater long-term stability. Intermittent and sensory exotropia differ in functional outcomes, underscoring the importance of individualized surgical planning and long-term follow-up. Standardized outcome definitions and prospective studies are needed to improve comparability and long-term outcome prediction.

Background/Objectives: Lumbar puncture (LP) is an essential diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in neurological practice. Despite its clinical value, misconceptions and fear may influence its acceptance among the public. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and misconceptions regarding LP among adults in Saudi Arabia and to examine associated sociodemographic factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2025 and January 2026 using a structured, self-administered online questionnaire adapted from a previously validated instrument. Adults aged ≥18 years residing in Saudi Arabia were recruited via convenience sampling through open social media channels, so the sample is self-selected rather than population-representative. Knowledge and attitude scores were categorized into defined levels, and multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors. Results: A total of 1267 participants were included. Knowledge of LP was limited (mean 6.1 ± 3.9 of 18), with 905 (71%) scoring poor and only 362 (29%) demonstrating good knowledge; misconceptions about complications such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction were common. Attitudes appeared favorable, with 1182 (93%) reaching the pre-specified 50% threshold, but this cut-off is lenient because an entirely neutral respondent scores 60% on a summed five-point scale, and only 692 (55%) agreed they would sign consent if their physician recommended LP. Knowledge and attitude were weakly but significantly related (r = 0.21, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.26; adjusted β = 0.25 per additional correct item, p < 0.001). Higher education, student status, healthcare occupation, and higher income predicted better knowledge, and male sex predicted lower knowledge (all p < 0.05), whereas sociodemographic factors were weakly associated with attitude. Conclusions: Among self-selected online respondents in Saudi Arabia, knowledge of lumbar puncture was limited while attitudes were comparatively favorable, and the two were weakly but positively related. Targeted educational interventions are warranted to address misconceptions, enhance public awareness, and support informed decision-making within the healthcare system.

Objective: This study aimed to assess knowledge and practice regarding eye injury first aid among adults in Jazan, and to identify factors associated with appropriate behavior. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 542 adults in Jazan using a structured questionnaire. Knowledge and practice scores were calculated and categorized into poor, moderate, and good levels. Results: The majority of participants demonstrated poor knowledge (60.5%), with only 26.0% showing good knowledge. While many recognized the need for medical care (60.0%), only 15.5% identified immediate irrigation after general injuries, and 35.2% identified immediate irrigation after chemical injuries. Practice was also suboptimal, with only 9.0% demonstrating good practice, despite 80.1% recognizing the seriousness of chemical injuries. Younger age was associated with better knowledge (aOR = 0.95, p-value=0.004), while higher education predicted better practice (aOR = 4.43, p-value=0.005). A weak correlation was observed between knowledge and practice (r = 0.213), whereas a strong correlation existed between practice and early management awareness (r = 0.816) (p-value