Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has forced the urgent lockdown of schools and colleges worldwide. To ensure the continuity of education a shift from traditional teaching to e-learning was required. This study aims to identify factors that affect students’ satisfaction and continued intention towards e-learning. A questionnaire was distributed to medical and dental students (second to sixth year) from different universities in Saudi Arabia. The study synthesizes the expectation-confirmation theory (ECT) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to predict students’ satisfaction and intention to continue using e-learning using a validated self-administered questionnaire. We used the structural equation model to analyze the results and assess the study’s hypotheses. A total of 870 completed questionnaires were received (67% response rate). The results showed that students were at a moderate level of satisfaction (median = 3.5). According to the ECT, both perceived usefulness and confirmation significantly influenced students’ satisfaction (β = −.69 and β = .82, respectively). Satisfaction was the strongest predictor of students’ continued intention (β = 1.95). Among the TPB constructs, perceived behavioral control (β = .51), attitudes (β = .39), and subjective norms (β = .36) had a significant positive influence on their intention to use e-learning. The results suggest efforts to increase students’ satisfaction and intention with e-learning should be directed to adopting easy and useful e-learning platforms. In addition, training and motivating students to continue e-learning and increasing their confidence to ensure the effective and efficient use of such teaching modalities.

Obesity has led to a dramatic increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus among the Arab population over the past 2 decades. Obesity is strongly associated with insulin resistance, which, when coupled with relative insulin deficiency, leads to the development of overt type 2 diabetes mellitus. This comprehensive review summarizes the key findings in the published literature pertaining to the prevalence, risk factors, and genetics of obesity in the Arab population. The mechanisms of obesity-associated diabetes mellitus are also elaborated. In addition, we have reviewed several management strategies and the perceived barriers to their effectiveness in obese Arabs

Objective: We examine obese and non-obese patients with respect to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) positive-infection (HPPI) and associated factors, specifically body mass index (BMI). Methods: This study took place in the Department of Endoscopy of a central hospital in the Najran region of Saudi Arabia (SA). A total of 340 obese Saudi patients (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) who had undergone diagnostic upper endoscopy before sleeve gastrectomy, were compared with 340 age and gender-matched control patients (BMI < 30 kg/m²) who had undergone diagnostic upper endoscopy for other reasons. Data collected included diagnosis of HPPI. Descriptive and multivariable binary logistic regression was conducted. Results: Mean patient age was 31.22 ± 8.10 years, and 65% were males. The total prevalence of HPPI was 58% (95% CI = 54–61%) with obese patients presenting significantly more HPPI than non-obese patients (66% vs. 50%, OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.45–2.70, p < 0.0005). Age and gender did not associate significantly with HPPI (p = 0.659, 0.200, respectively) and increases in BMI associated significantly with increases in HPPI (p < 0.0005). BMI remained a significant factor in HPPI when modelled with both age and gender (OR = 1.022, 95% CI = 1.01–1.03, p < 0.0005). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, the significance of HPPI in obese Saudi patients residing in the Najran region in SA was demonstrated alongside the significance role of BMI in HPPI.

Aims: The DAR 2020 survey summarised fasting practices and complications in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who fasted during Ramadan, and impact of pre-Ramadan diabetes education towards controlling the complications. Methods: Eight week post-Ramadan, Muslim people with T2D from 13 countries of five regions (South Asia, Southeast Asia, Gulf Nations, Middle East and North Africa) consented to answer questionnaire on breaking fast, hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia, Ramadan-focused diabetes education and self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). Results: Among 4889 participants who observed Ramadan fast (>25 days), 51.1% were females. Hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia was recorded mostly in North Africa (25.2%) and Gulf Nations (30.2%), respectively. In Middle East, 2.5% and 3.1% people required hospitalisation following hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia respectively. In South Asia, lowest incidents of hypoglycaemia (8.4%) and hyperglycaemia (7.0%) were noted. Pre-Ramadan diabetic education was received by total 45.9% participants. SMBG was performed more frequently in North Africa (19.5%). Metformin, Sulfonylureas and basal insulin were used most commonly in all regions. Conclusions: Fasting complications occurred in each region, but well-managed by the participants, physicians and family members amidst difficult time of COVID-19. The findings promote the necessity of patient education programmes for more people with diabetes to ensure safe fasting during Ramadan.

The increasing incidence of hypospadias and cryptorchidism, coupled with the widespread presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), has raised concerns about the potential impact of these environmental factors on male urogenital development. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the association between maternal exposure to various EDCs and the risk of hypospadias and cryptorchidism. We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases from inception until May 2024. We included case-control and cohort studies that examined the association between maternal EDC exposure and hypospadias or cryptorchidism, reporting adjusted odds ratios (aOR) or crude odds ratios (cOR). Data were extracted and pooled using a random effects model, and heterogeneity was assessed using the Q test and I-square statistics. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). A total of 48 studies were included in the systematic review, with 46 studies included in the meta-analysis. The pooled analysis revealed a significant association between maternal EDC exposure and an increased risk of hypospadias (aOR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.18–1.35, p < 0.0001) and cryptorchidism (aOR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.19–1.57, p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses showed that exposure to pesticides, phthalates, alkyl phenolic compounds (ALKs), and heavy metals significantly increased the risk of hypospadias. In contrast, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) did not show a significant association. Significant associations were found with pesticide and PCB exposure for cryptorchidism, but not with phthalate, ALK, or heavy metal exposure. Maternal exposure to certain EDCs is associated with an increased risk of hypospadias and cryptorchidism in male children. These findings underscore the importance of addressing environmental and occupational exposures during pregnancy to mitigate potential risks. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which EDCs affect urogenital development and to develop effective interventions to reduce exposure among vulnerable populations.

Background/Objectives: Chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, require sustained management and medication adherence to reduce the risk of related complications and mortality. However, the adherence levels are not satisfactory, which could be attributed to several factors, including cultural beliefs and socioeconomic factors. This study aimed to assess the relationship between cultural and socioeconomic factors, patient preferences, and medication adherence among diabetic patients. Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional design was implemented using face-to-face questionnaires and personal interviews. This study was conducted in 159 primary healthcare clinics (PHCs) in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, from 26 August 2024 to 10 February 2025. It included type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. The Morisky Medication Adherence and General Medication Adherence Scales were used to evaluate diabetes medication adherence among the participants. Results: The included 424 diabetic patients had a predominant age range from 40 to 59 (48.1%). The majority were non-smokers (88.7%), Saudi Arabian (94.6%), and female (62.7%). The findings revealed a significant association between patient age (p < 0.001), body weight (p = 0.023), nationality (p = 0.015), educational level (p = 0.027), and the presence of comorbidities (p = 0.005) with the level of medication adherence. Conclusions: This study revealed that most diabetic patients attending PHCs in Madinah exhibited medium-to-high levels of medication adherence, with key influencing factors including age, comorbidities, education level, physician satisfaction, and health self-awareness.