BackgroundPsychological distress/morbidity is amongst the primary reason for the cause of pain at multiple sites, its progression, and recovery. Though still not very clear if physical pain in the neck or the back may predict psychological morbidities or not. Thus, we investigated the association between combined neck or back pain and psychological distress/morbidity.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, including 1,003 individuals. The questionnaire comprised of General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) and some questions about neck and back pain. Data analysis was done using statistical software SPSS version 26.0.ResultsThe results of the multivariate analysis revealed a significant positive association between neck/back pain status and total GHQ score (unstandardized Beta = 2.442, P ≤ 0.0001). Having neck/back pain had almost a 2.5 times greater risk of psychological distress/morbidity. Further, females were more likely to have a higher risk of psychological distress/morbidity (unstandardized Beta = 1.334, P = 0.007) than males while adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.ConclusionThe combination of neck and back pain was significantly associated with the Saudi population’s psychological problems. Therefore, the Saudi government needs to devise high-risk strategies and allocate adequate resources to the cause so that at-risk people can be shielded from the adverse complications arising from this condition in the long run.

Background: Influenza is one of the infections in which a specific pattern is observed according to seasons which result in severe forms of disease. By providing regular and extensive quality in epidemiological studies, the surveillance system can help in reducing the threat to public health posed by influenza that eventually minimizes the effect of illness. They also help in reporting the health ministry about the relevant information as an aid to reduce the impact of disease on public health. Objective: To assess the incidence of seasonal influenza in Abha City, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This surveillance report conducted among citizens of Abha, Saudi Arabia, 2019. It is based on sentinel surveillance and case-based data collection of laboratory-confirmed cases through electronic health records. All data were obtained from the department of infectious diseases of public health department in Aseer health directorate. Results: The total reported positive cases for influenza viruses were 808 (22.30%) patients in the city of Abha for the year 2019, among them 435 males and 373 females (F= 9.5149; P=0.002038) which 665 (82.3%) were typed as influenza A and 143 (17.7%) as influenza B. (F= 674.46; P=0.001). The prevalence of the disease is commonly seen in the age group of 5-15 (42.35 %) with a mean age of 15.45±4.50 followed by 16 to 50 years age (37.45%) and 51-65 age group (10%). There was no death registered among these cases. In February maximum cases were found, whereas in June and July minimum cases were recorded. The influenza positivity rate showed one primary peak and three secondary peaks that were recorded in February and January, March and December. Conclusion: Importance of conducting effective epidemiological surveillance for influenza virus in various regions in Abha specially in winter season with a peak in the month of February.

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