Alkhurma virus is a flavivirus, discovered in 1994 in a person who died of hemorrhagic fever after slaughtering a sheep from the city of Alkhurma, Saudi Arabia. Since then, several cases of Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever (ALKHF), with fatality rates up to 25%, have been documented. From January 1, 2006, through April 1, 2009, active disease surveillance and serologic testing of household contacts identified ALKHF in 28 persons in Najran, Saudi Arabia. For epidemiologic comparison, serologic testing of household and neighborhood controls identified 65 serologically negative persons. Among ALKHF patients, 11 were hospitalized and 17 had subclinical infection. Univariate analysis indicated that the following were associated with Alkhurma virus infection: contact with domestic animals, feeding and slaughtering animals, handling raw meat products, drinking unpasteurized milk, and being bitten by a tick. After multivariate modeling, the following associations remained significant: animal contact, neighboring farms, and tick bites.

In Saudi Arabia, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is high. DM is a risk factor for periodontal disease. The current study aimed to estimate the prevalence and potential associated factors for periodontitis among type I and II DM patients in Abha, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with DM who attended the Periodontal Consultant Center at King Khalid University and Aseer Central Hospital, in Abha city, from January 2020 to January 2022. A questionnaire was used to collect relevant data. Patients were assessed for the severity of periodontitis. A total of 499 DM patients were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of periodontitis was 7.4% among type I DM and 46.4% among type II DM patients. The prevalence of periodontitis was significantly associated with age among type I DM patients (p-value = 0.001) and type II DM patients (p-value = 0.001), respectively, and smoking among type I DM patients (p-value = 0.002) and among type II DM patients (p-value = 0.000), respectively. Age and smoking were the potential associated factors for the prevalence of periodontitis among type I and II DM. The study provides evidence about the prevalence of periodontitis among DM patients, creates awareness regarding the factors that potentially contribute to worsening periodontal tissues, and the importance of early diagnosis and prevention to avoid the irreversible destruction of the periodontal tissues.

Background: Little is recognized about factors affecting poor sleep hygiene and relations of sleep problems with the quality of life among adults. Aims: To evaluate sleep hygiene, explore its associated factors, assess the prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and insomnia, and their relations with sleep hygiene. Besides, correlate sleep problems with life quality. Methods: A representative sample of primary healthcare population was surveyed using questionnaires comprising sociodemographic characters, personal lifestyles, validated Arabic versions of Epworth sleepiness scales, Athens insomnia scale, short-form health survey questionnaire (SF-12), and developed Arabic sleep hygiene index (SHI). Results: A total of 401 adults participated in the study. The average SHI score was 17.25 ± 7.33. Poorer sleep hygiene was significantly detected in younger age, unmarried, unemployed, smokers, and energy drinks consumers (P < 0.05). Positive significant correlations were correlated with cellphone and video-gaming duration. About 56.61% and 39.90% of participants suffered insomnia symptoms and EDS, respectively. Significant poorer SHI was detected among insomnia and EDS sufferers. Negative significant correlations were observed between scores of both components of SF-12 and EDS, insomnia, and SHI. Conclusion: Significant negative associations were detected between SHI, EDS, insomnia, and both components of life quality. The role of sleep hygiene education programs in the promotion of sleep and quality of life need to be considered.

(1) Background: The rising prevalence of e-cigarette use among university students necessitates a comprehensive understanding of dependence levels and associated factors. This study investigates e-cigarette dependence among Jazan University students in Saudi Arabia. (2) Methods: With the use of a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 1187 students through an online survey from January to April 2024. Dependence levels were assessed using the Penn State Electronic Cigarette Dependence Index (PS-ECDI), and the Arabic version of the questionnaire was validated through pilot testing. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with e-cigarette dependence. (3) Results: The results indicated that among current e-cigarette users, 37.4% had low dependence, 34.4% had medium dependence, and 13.8% had high dependence. A significant proportion of current and ever users regarded e-cigarettes to be less harmful (50.6% and 44.4%, respectively) and less addictive (37.9% and 32.3%, respectively) than cigarettes. Significant factors influencing dependence included gender, with males showing higher odds of medium (AOR = 12.8, 95% CI: 3.4–47.6) and low dependence (AOR = 9.7, 95% CI: 2.5–37.3) compared to females. Longer duration of e-cigarette use (>2 years) was strongly associated with high dependence (AOR = 50, 95% CI: 7.7–324). Daily use and multiple quit attempts were also significant predictors of higher dependence levels. (4) Conclusions: These findings highlight the substantial e-cigarette dependence among university students and underscore the need for targeted interventions to address this growing public health concern.

Background. The presence of extensive workload and pressure associated with COVID19 has resulted in a lot of mental and physical trauma in primary health care physicians (PHCC) across the world. Aim of the study. The present study is aimed at understanding the level of dissatisfaction in PHCC physicians in the Asser region of Saudi Arabia. The various risk factors associated with dissatisfaction also have been analyzed in this study. Method. An analytical cross-sectional study was performed on various PHCCs who were working in the Ministry of Health in the Asser region. Results. The overall analysis showed that around 73% of the physicians who responded showed dissatisfaction. The major factors that were found to affect satisfaction based on the variables analyzed include physicians who are males, Saudi Nationals, training residents, and those who received recognition. These four variables had a p value of less than 0.0001 making it statistically significant. Conclusion. The study observed that there is dissatisfaction amongst PHCC physicians towards the management of pandemics. The factors identified should help officials in order to address these issues