BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common non-traumatic condition that leads to disability among young individuals. It is associated with demyelination, inflammation, and neurodegeneration within the central nervous system. Information on risk factors of multiple sclerosis is crucial for the prevention and control of the disease. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors of MS among adults in Saudi Arabia.MethodsA matched multicenter case-control study, including 307 MS patients and 307 healthy controls, was conducted in MS clinics and wards in 3 main cities of Saudi Arabia. Age, gender, and hospital were matched. Information on demographics, family history of MS, past medical and family history, sun exposure at different age periods, tobacco use, diet, consanguinity, and coffee consumption was obtained from self-administered questionnaires. ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. A conditional logistic regression model was used to control for potential confounding factors.ResultsThe conditional logistic regression adjusted for age and gender showed that being the first child in the family (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 1.68, 95% CI: 1.03–2.74), having a family history of MS (AOR 5.83, 95% CI: 2.83–12), eating fast food ≥5 times weekly (AOR 2.05, 95% CI: 1.03–4.08), and having had measles (AOR 3.77, 95% CI: 2.05–6.96), were independently associated with an increased risk of MS.In contrast, eating ≥5 servings of fruit per week (AOR 0.25, 95% CI: 0.16–0.38), drinking coffee daily (AOR 0.46, 95% CI: 0.31–0.68), and having a high level of sun exposure at the primary school level and university level (AOR 0.57, 95% CI: 0.38–0.85 and AOR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.30–0.76, respectively) were independently associated with a decreased risk of MS.ConclusionsOur study suggested that high levels of sun exposure during primary school and university, consumption of fruits and drinking coffee protect against MS. In contrast, eating fast food was associated with an increased risk of the disease. Encouraging outdoor activity and healthy diets in school, especially for females, is highly recommended.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12883-018-1090-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Abstract:Background: Colorectal cancer ranked the second cancers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, accounting for 10.4% of all newly diagnosed cancers in 2010. There are several risk factors affecting the incidence of colorectal cancer where some factors influence the risk more than others. Colorectal cancer is easily preventable through screening which can detect the disease in its early stages and improve survival rates. Aim: We aimed to determine the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of colorectal cancer and its risk factors among mall adult visitors in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: Across-sectional study was conducted in five randomly selected malls (120 from each mall were randomly recruited), using a modified validated questionnaire. Means, standard deviations, frequencies, percentages were calculated for the differences in the level of awareness among the study participants. Results: The response rate was 70% (55% were females and 45% were males). More than one-third of the participants identified cigarette smoking, family history of colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease as risk factors for the disease. In addition, the majority of responses reported that screening tools are useful in colorectal cancer prevention and control. Conclusion: Implementation of awareness programs is needed to establish a strong link between the public, health centers and educational institutions to increase the level of awareness of colorectal cancer.

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance is a global health problem. The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of uropathogens in the outpatient departments (OPDs) at the clinics of Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to December 2016. Nonrepetitive midstream urine samples (1273) were cultured on standard culture media. Identification and susceptibility testing of causative microorganisms was performed using the fully automated VITEK 2 Compact system. Results: Out of the 1273 nonrepetitive urine samples, 418 (32.8%) exhibited significant growth of UTI-causing microbes, 377 (90.2%) of which were Gram-negative bacilli. The commonly isolated microorganisms were Escherichia coli (157, 37.6%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (70, 16.7%), Proteus mirabilis (17, 4.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (24, 5.8%), Enterobacter cloacae (11, 2.6%), Enterococcus faecalis (12, 2.9%), and Staphylococcus aureus (14, 3.3%). Overall, drug resistance was observed in 91.3% (n=381/418) of the samples, with a majority (80%) exhibiting resistance to at least 2 drugs. Drug resistance was commonly observed against ampicillin (89.9%), oxacillin (75.6%), piperacillin (85.4%), clindamycin (56.1%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (74.5%) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (50.4%). Conclusion: The uropathogens E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa and multidrug resistance pose serious therapeutic threats in the setting of this study. A concerted and systematic effort is required to rapidly identify high-risk patients and to reduce the burden of antimicrobial resistance in this region.

BACKGROUND: Medical students are exposed to occupational health hazards in hospitals during their studies and lack sufficient education about infection control measures. Injury to medical students is a substantial problem and students have an increased risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV). To understand how medical students think about infection control, it is important to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their education. AIM: To assess current knowledge, attitudes, and practice of medical students regarding HBV infection and control measures at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a medical college. Participants completed a 39-item self-administered questionnaire assessing demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practice. Item response frequencies were calculated. Responses were recorded into yes (strongly agree and agree) and no (neutral, disagree, and strongly disagree) answers. Correct responses were totalled and categorised as good or poor performance. A scale cut-off of less than 75% correct responses was considered poor, and 75% or more correct responses was considered good. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and the chi-square test was used for analysis. RESULTS: A total of 21%, 41%, and 8% of students expressed good knowledge, attitudes, and practice, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between males and females on knowledge (p = 0.089), attitudes (p = 0.829), and practice (p = 0.248). There was a statistically significant difference between academic years on knowledge (p = 0.0001), attitudes (p = 0.0001), and practice (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Most medical students have poor knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding the risk of HBV infection. It is recommended that a policy is implemented for training on infection prevention for all medical students before they start clinical practice. Prevention programs about HBV infection should be instituted, and existing programs must be strengthened.

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