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Background Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Some of the risk factors for breast cancer include family history, personal history, and hormonal replacement therapy. There are different methods of screening breast cancer, including clinical examination, breast self-examination (BSE), and mammograms. Despite the various modalities of screening, the screening was low, and the level of awareness was variable. Objective The objective of this research is to determine the knowledge and level of awareness regarding breast cancer and BSE among female Riyadh citizens. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 408 participants, using a convenient sample technique. The inclusion criteria were female, Riyadh residents, aged between 18 and 70 years old. An online survey was distributed among female Riyadh residents, and it included demographic data, knowledge regarding breast cancer, its risk factors, BSE, and mammograms. The questionnaire was constructed for this study, and validity and reliability were tested. Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS, version 22; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY) software was used for statistics. Analysis of quantitative data by a t-test and association of qualitative variables by a chi-square test was conducted. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 408 participated in our sturdy, with the majority aged 50 years and above. All of those aged between 18 and 30, in addition to the majority of those aged 50 and above, showed poor knowledge. Gathering information through campaigns and TV/radio was associated with better knowledge compared to other sources. Knowledge regarding breast cancer risk factors was better among younger participants compared to older ones. Regarding BSE, all participants, regardless of age, showed poor knowledge. However, older participants aged 50 and above showed good knowledge in regard mammograms. Conclusion Most of the participants showed poor knowledge in regards to breast cancer symptoms and signs, risk factors, and BSE. However, knowledge regarding mammograms was mostly good among the participants. The variations in knowledge were influenced by several factors, including age, educational level, number of kids, information sources, and prior history of history of breast cancer or of a relative.
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Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory condition with increasing global prevalence. There is some evidence highlighting the effect of asthma on brain functioning. In Saudi Arabia, limited studies have examined the relationship between asthma and mental health, including cognition and mood disorders in older adults in particular. In this study, we examine the association between asthma and mental health outcomes in middle-aged and elderly individuals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In a cross-sectional study, 243 subjects were recruited from outpatient clinics between 2020-2021 (non-asthmatic: n = 159, asthmatic: n = 84). The Montreal Cognitive Assessment test, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Asthma Control Test were used to assess cognition, anxiety and depression, and asthma control, respectively. Logistic regression analysis while controlling for covariates revealed an association between asthma and symptoms of anxiety and depression (OR = 2.40 [95% CI: 1.07-5.35]) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (OR = 1.80 [95% CI: 1.00-3.24]). Poorly controlled asthma increased the odds of anxiety cases (OR = 4.88 [95% CI: 1.09-17.2]). Stratifying analysis by age intervals revealed that asthma was associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression (OR = 2.5 [95% CI: 1.00-6.08]) in middle-aged patients only, while elderly asthmatics had increased odds of having MCI (OR = 7.4 [95% CI: 2.34-23.31]). These findings highlight the possible effects of asthma and its control on mental health among middle-aged and elderly individuals in Saudi Arabia.
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OBJECTIVE: The emergence of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in precautionary measures by governments worldwide to contain the spread of the virus. However, the degree of compliance toward personal precautionary measures has varied, despite the urgent need to contain the pandemic. This study aimed to assess the level of compliance toward personal protective precautions during and after the lockdown among residents of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 1,108 residents using an online survey to collect sociodemographic data, compliance with personal protective measures, and other factors during and after the lockdown. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY) was used for data analysis. RESULTS: During the lockdown, 35.5% of respondents were "very compliant," whereas 30.1% were "less compliant." Additionally, compliance levels in those who depended on official sites as their primary source of information were significantly higher than those who depended on their family, friends, and social media. Approximately 39.76% of those who were "very compliant" intended on getting vaccinated against COVID-19, while 28% of those with high compliance did not intend on getting vaccinated. Further, compliance levels were high in participants who were not in direct contact with COVID-19 cases as well. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of maintaining the level of compliance toward personal precautionary measures against COVID-19 even after lockdown release to prevent further waves. This study showed that compliance toward personal protective measures was high for those who did not have direct contact with COVID-19 positive people after lockdown, those planning for inoculation, and those insuring applications of precautionary measures by their children. Additionally, higher compliance was noted in participants who sought information from official sites.