Background Problem-based learning (PBL) is a student-centered innovating instructional approach in which students define their learning objectives by using triggers from the problem case or scenario. Objectives To assess undergraduate medical students’ perception toward PBL sessions and to compare their perceptions among different sex and grade point average (GPA) in the college of medicine, Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods We conducted a cross-sectional study based on a self-administered anonymous online questionnaire during the first semester of the 2017–2018 academic year in IMSIU. The data were collected from male and female students of the second and third year, as well as male students of the fourth year. Results Out of 259 students, 152 (58.7%) completed the questionnaire. The students’ perception toward PBL was more positive than negative. Most of the students reported that PBL sessions increased their knowledge of basic sciences ( P =0.03). Furthermore, most students agreed that PBL provided a better integration between basic and clinical sciences which differed significantly between the different GPA groups ( P =0.02). Nevertheless, only 28.3% of the students agreed that the teaching staff is well prepared to run the sessions with significant statistical difference among different GPA groups ( P =0.02). Moreover, only 26.3% of the students reported that there was proper student training before starting the PBL sessions with no significant difference. Additionally, only 34.2% and 28.9% of the students felt that they learn better and gain more knowledge thorough PBL than lectures respectively, with no significant difference. Conclusion This study showed that tutors should be trained to guide the process of PBL effectively to achieve its goals. Moreover, students should be securely introduced to PBL and experience the development of their clinical reasoning through PBL. Further improvements are needed to provide students with an effective favorable learning environment and to take the students recommendations into consideration.

Background: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that has several important roles in our bodies. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among medical students in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A crosssectional study was conducted among medical college students at Saudi Arabia in the colleges of medicine of Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic University and Alfaisal University. A total of 575 medical students from different academic years participated in this study. Results: A total of 475 medical students participated in this survey. Most of them were Saudi citizens. There were no male-to-female differences. The vast majority of the study participants were in the intern year and only 1% were in the clinical year. Results showed that medical students seem to have substantial information regarding the value of vitamin D and vitamin D deficiencyrelated diseases and bone health. Furthermore, nationality was found to have a strong significant association with all domains of vitamin D benefits. Conclusion: A moderate awareness level was detected regarding the deficiency of vitamin D. Age, gender, nationality and academic grades were significant factors affecting the awareness level.

Background: Influenza is a very prevalent infection all around the world. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, barriers and factors influencing influenza (Flu) vaccination uptake among college students in Saudi Arabia's central region. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional questionnaire survey was utilized to collect the data from the study participants. Results: There were a total of 1,869 valid surveys collected. The younger age group (less than 30 years) dominated the study by a significant margin (61 %). Saudi Arabians comprised more than half of the participants (69 %). Most respondents (62%) worked in healthcare, while 35% did not.Only 35% of the study participants received the vaccine. In comparison, 44% did not 46 % recognized that the influenza vaccine is safe and effective and over half of the participants knew that the seasonal influenza vaccine is freely available at every primary health care. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (n = 592) agreed that the flu-vaccine could cause influenza and around a quarter (n = 490) thought the seasonal influenza vaccine weakens the immune system and makes people more susceptible to disease. Conclusion: Vulnerable people who have high risk of getting the influenza flue should be targeted more in regards of health education about the influenza vaccine, multi approach models should be implemented at socio economic factors to increase the tendency for getting the influenza vaccine.

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