Background: nephrolithiasis is an extremely common disorder in Saudi Arabia. Certain dietary changes and practices can influence the development of renal stones. Aim of the work: the aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness about the symptoms and proper diet of renal stones among general population of Albaha city in Saudi Arabia. Methods: a questionnaire was distributed among the general public in Albaha City, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was consisted of two sections: section 1 included personal data and section 2 explored the awareness and knowledge about the most common symptoms and complications of renal stones. Results: 417 participants were recruited. Most of the respondents were females, aged between 34 to 49 years, married and had high education. About one third of respondents had previous information about renal stones. Nearly half the respondents recognized only one risk factor and only one identified all the eight factors listed (0.2%). There was lack of knowledge about some symptoms and false beliefs about some foods (fish and sea food, greens and spinach). Conclusion: some misconceptions were revealed about risk factors and symptoms of renal stones. There was a lack of sufficient knowledge about the role of diet in medical management of renal stones. Educational programs should focus on these points of defect in knowledge and attitude. We recommended providing the health information concerning renal stone disease through the Internet (being the source of information used by most participants) and ensuring the inclusion of these information in the routine instructions and health education of patients.

Background: Worldwide, more than one billion people are affected by hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is reported among the most prevalent occupational diseases. However, little is known about the current level of knowledge and attitude towards NIHL among general population. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes of adult population in Albaha Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia concerning the factors that contribute to Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and the use of hearing protection. Methods: A 16-item self-administrated questionnaire was used to measure the knowledge, habits, attitudes, and perception of NIHL and each participant's use of hearing protection. The questionnaire included multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank format questions. The questionnaire was divided into two sections: 1) demographic information, including age, sex, college major, and prior coursework regarding hearing in noise; 2) knowledge of hearing, the auditory mechanism, and noise-induced hearing impairment. Results: we received 296 valid responses. Fifty-nine percentage were male, 37 % percentage were students, 21 % were soldiers and 17 % were teachers. Only 19 % said that hearing loss cannot be cured and 53 % knew that it can happen at any age. Interestingly, 94 % never wore an ear plug before. Conclusion: Our study showed low percentage of correct answers about causes and protective measures against hearing loss. Future health care program should consider initiatives and public health campaigns to improve the public's knowledge and attitude.

The study concluded no significant effect on the glycemic level of patients after the administration of local anesthesia containing adrenaline 1:80,000 in healthy and diabetic patients whether hypoglycemic medication was taken or not but a rise in blood sugar level was found among diabetic patients who did not take their hypoglycemic medications undergoing tooth extraction.

Background: cataract is the most common age-related eye disease and the most treatable cause of visual impairment and blindness in adults. Aim of the work: this study aimed to assess the knowledge of Saudi population in Albaha city about cataract and its risk factors. Methods: this was a cross-sectional study that included a representative sample of 756 adults of the Saudi population in this region. Participants answered self-administered questionnaires consisting of items assessing the knowledge about cataract. Results: nearly half of the studed sample (50.5%) misunderstood cataract as a white membrane growing over the eye, while only 222 (29.4%) realized it as an increase in eye lens opacity. Moreover, this study revealed clearly deficient knowledge in the studied population about risk factors of cataract. High percent of participants (84%) did not know that incidence of cataract increases with positive family history. Likewise, there was a shortage of knowledge about the relationship of malnutrition, dehydration, hypertension and ultraviolet rays and the development of cataract. Fortunately, considerable numbers considered cataract as an age related disease and recognized that diabetes mellitus is a major precipitating factor to cataract. Conclusion: Saudi population in Albaha city had poor knowledge towards cataract and its risk factors. Hence, great efforts should be made to increase the knowledge and awareness of the general public about this disease.

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACTObjective: This study was aimed to determine and document the frequency pattern of ABO and Rh blood groups among two healthy population at Albaha, Saudi Arabia. Method:The design used for this study was a retrospective, cross sectional, laboratory based study for the distribution of ABO blood group and Rh factor conducted at both Albaha Central Blood Bank and Faculty of Medicine, Albaha University, Saudi Arabia. The study population constitute 2356 subjects enrolled into the studyduring the years 2015 and 2016. While the second group were medical students studying at Faculty of medicine Albaha University, who were potential blood donors(270 participant) Data Collection: Data regarding frequency and distribution of ABO and Rh groups of the screened blood donors at the Central Blood Bank were retrieved from registration books from Jan 2015 up to December 2016 using prepared Checklists . A total of 2155 blood donors were screened within the study period Results: A total of 2425 study population were included over the study period from January 2015 to December 2016. Out of these (88.87%) were Blood Bank donors and (11.13 %) were medical students. Amongst ABO blood group system, the most common group was O (47.67%) followed by group A (33.57%), B (13.69%) and AB (5.07%). The overall frequency of RhD positive and RhD negative blood group among our population was found to be 90.88 % and 9.11% respectively, with equal rates in the two groups Conclusion: Frequency of "Rh-positive blood group" is A, O, AB and B, whereas the frequency of the most common Rh-negative blood group are B, AB,O, and A respectively. The determination of the frequency of blood groups in the region would not only help in blood transfusion services, but also reduce the risk of erythroblastosis foetalis in the neonates.