Background Various adjuvants were added to intrathecal anesthetics to improve quality of the block and postoperative analgesia. We hypothesized that intrathecal dexmedetomidine and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) may add similar effects. Our objectives were to compare their effects as adjuvants to intrathecal bupivacaine on postoperative analgesia, stress hormones, sedative properties and the neonatal outcome after cesarean section. Methods A randomized double‐blind controlled study; ninety parturients were divided into three groups. All patients received intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine 12.5mg. NaCl 0.9% was added to intrathecal block in group C, 5μg dexmedetomidine in the group D and 50mg MgSO4 in group M. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score, stress hormones were assessed within the first 12 postoperative hours, sensory block, and neonatal outcome were also assessed. Results VAS scores were significantly lower in groups D & M. Onset of postoperative pain was significantly prolonged in group D. Time to peak sensory level was shorter in group D. Sedation score was significantly higher in group D only after 30 minutes of intrathecal block. Although stress hormones increased in all groups during intraoperative and postoperative periods, their levels were significantly lower in group D compared to other groups. No differences were noted regarding neonatal outcomes. Conclusion Intrathecal dexmedetomidine is superior to intrathecal MgSO4 during cesarean section with regard to duration of analgesia, pain severity, and stress hormone levels. Dexmedetomidine has a rapid onset and longer duration of sensory block compared to MgSO4. No significant adverse effects to the parturients or newborns.

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Purpose: Mammography screening (MS) is an underutilized screening tool; although it is provided free of charge to the Saudi community. The present study aimed at assessing knowledge and barriers of mammography screening among women attending primary health centers in Aljouf region, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 423 women aged 41–75 years attending ten primary health centers in Aljouf region, Saudi Arabia. Structured interviewing questionnaires were used for data collection. SPSS program, version 24 was used for data analysis. Results: The least reported risk factors of BC in this study were early menarche (14.9%), first pregnancy after the age of 30 years (18%), and late menopause (18.7%). Concerning knowledge of MS, 50.8% of the women correctly identified that mammogram is the ideal method for detecting BC. The most encountered personal barriers towards MS were lack of information about mammogram (69.5%), fear of exposure to radiation (67.4%), fear of discovery of BC (62.9%), being busy all the time (62.2%), and fear of cancer treatment (61.9%). Regarding economic barriers, 40% of the participants reported that taking sick leave from work is difficult while 37.8% revealed that mammogram is costly. Concerning health system barriers, the most common barriers were fear of error in diagnosis (62.6%), long time to take medical appointment (57%), and preferring not to have a mammogram except after a doctor recommendation (52.7%). The present study showed that women’s education and residence significantly predicted their knowledge. Furthermore, women’s education and income significantly predicted their barriers towards MS. Conclusion: Many barriers toward mammography screening were encountered in the present study. Addressing these barriers and raising awareness about MS may be of great value to increase its uptake by Saudi women.

Purpose: Mammography screening (MS) is an underutilized screening tool; although it is provided free of charge to the Saudi community. The present study aimed at assessing knowledge and barriers of mammography screening among women attending primary health centers in Aljouf region, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 423 women aged 41–75 years attending ten primary health centers in Aljouf region, Saudi Arabia. Structured interviewing questionnaires were used for data collection. SPSS program, version 24 was used for data analysis. Results: The least reported risk factors of BC in this study were early menarche (14.9%), first pregnancy after the age of 30 years (18%), and late menopause (18.7%). Concerning knowledge of MS, 50.8% of the women correctly identified that mammogram is the ideal method for detecting BC. The most encountered personal barriers towards MS were lack of information about mammogram (69.5%), fear of exposure to radiation (67.4%), fear of discovery of BC (62.9%), being busy all the time (62.2%), and fear of cancer treatment (61.9%). Regarding economic barriers, 40% of the participants reported that taking sick leave from work is difficult while 37.8% revealed that mammogram is costly. Concerning health system barriers, the most common barriers were fear of error in diagnosis (62.6%), long time to take medical appointment (57%), and preferring not to have a mammogram except after a doctor recommendation (52.7%). The present study showed that women’s education and residence significantly predicted their knowledge. Furthermore, women’s education and income significantly predicted their barriers towards MS. Conclusion: Many barriers toward mammography screening were encountered in the present study. Addressing these barriers and raising awareness about MS may be of great value to increase its uptake by Saudi women.

Abstract: (1) Backgrounds and Objectives: with the rapid alteration in the socio-demographic pattern of the Saudi community, particularly the changes concerned with women’s education and work force, contraceptive use must be a fundamental aspect in the life of women in reproductive age. The present study aimed to identify the prevalence and correlates of contraceptive use among women attending primary health centers in Aljouf region, Saudi Arabia, and to determine the perceived barriers of stopping or not using contraceptive methods in this population. (2) Methods: a primary health center-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 369 women of reproductive age. Data collection was done by using structured questionnaires distributed during face to face interviews with the participants. Data were analyzed using the SPSS program, version 24. (3) Results: most of the participants (n = 166; 45%) were current contraceptive users and 32.2% (n = 119) reported previous use of contraceptive methods. Pills were the most frequently used method (n = 203; 71.2%) and intrauterine devices (IUDs) came next (n = 67; 23.5%) while surgery was the least common method among the respondents (n = 3; 1.1%). Logistic regression analysis showed that the significant predictors of contraceptive use were: age > 35 years (odds ratio (OR): 4.52; confidence interval (CI): 1.56–15.42), Children number  4 (odds ratio (OR): 1.41; confidence interval (CI): 1.06–1.92) and monthly income  5000 Saudi Riyal (RS) (odds ratio (OR): 2.29; confidence interval (CI): 1.24–8.27). The most perceived barriers towards contraceptive utilization were cultural, demographic, medical, administrative, and barriers related to the method itself. The least reported barriers were psychosocial and physical. (4) Conclusions: the present study showed a high prevalence of contraceptive use among Saudi women in Aljouf region, Saudi Arabia. The study recommended sustained eorts to increase population awareness of the importance of family planning. Policymakers should discover the barriers that prevent contraceptive utilization by women.