NULL

NULL

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.

The relation between pelvimetric parameters and the TME duration, with the mesorectal fat area as a significant value, independently predicts TME difficulty. Adding that to pre-operative CRT, it can predict TME difficulty in all patients. Interestingly, we find significant predictive values were MRF and wide (β) angle in male but in female we did not find any predictive values fro TME difficulty, So, In male patient with thick MRF and wide angle, taTME approach may be helpful to reduce TME time. But we need to collect more cases to propose this observation with confidence in the future.

Patients with metastases after CRT showed higher rate of positive mrCRM, mrEMVI, mesorectal LNs, and poor tumor response. Further studies with large number of patients are necessary for better survival outcomes in LARC

Background The traditional gastric balloons have been used for several years to reduce weight in overweight and obese patients, but the need for sedation and upper endoscopy leading to several limitations. The current series is the first study that evaluates the safety and effectiveness of the swallowable gastric (Elipse™) balloon in our population on the national level. Methods Ninety-six patients (mean BMI was 33.6 ± 4.3 kg/m2 ) participated in this study. All patients swallowed one Elipse™ balloon intended to remain in the stomach for 4 months, self-empty, and then pass. Each balloon was filled with 550 mL of filling fluid. Anti-emetics and anti-spasmodic drugs were prescribed for 2–3 days after insertion; proton pump inhibitor was prescribed twice daily 1 week before the procedure and continued until the end of residence time (16–20 weeks). Results In the current series, at end of the procedure (after 4 months), the overall mean weight loss (WL) was 11.2 ± 5.1 kg, mean waist circumference reduction was 10.9 ± 2.1 cm, and a mean BMI reduction was 4.9 ± 2.0 kg/m2 . The percentage of total body weight loss (TBWL%) was 12.1 ± 5.2%. The Elipse™ therapy reported improvements in the metabolic parameters investigated. Conclusion This swallowable gastric balloon (Elipse™) can be safely and successfully swallowed, filled, imaged, and passed with accepted weight loss and clinical improvement in factors related to the metabolic syndrome

Background The traditional gastric balloons have been used for several years to reduce weight in overweight and obese patients, but the need for sedation and upper endoscopy leading to several limitations. The current series is the first study that evaluates the safety and effectiveness of the swallowable gastric (Elipse™) balloon in our population on the national level. Methods Ninety-six patients (mean BMI was 33.6 ± 4.3 kg/m2 ) participated in this study. All patients swallowed one Elipse™ balloon intended to remain in the stomach for 4 months, self-empty, and then pass. Each balloon was filled with 550 mL of filling fluid. Anti-emetics and anti-spasmodic drugs were prescribed for 2–3 days after insertion; proton pump inhibitor was prescribed twice daily 1 week before the procedure and continued until the end of residence time (16–20 weeks). Results In the current series, at end of the procedure (after 4 months), the overall mean weight loss (WL) was 11.2 ± 5.1 kg, mean waist circumference reduction was 10.9 ± 2.1 cm, and a mean BMI reduction was 4.9 ± 2.0 kg/m2 . The percentage of total body weight loss (TBWL%) was 12.1 ± 5.2%. The Elipse™ therapy reported improvements in the metabolic parameters investigated. Conclusion This swallowable gastric balloon (Elipse™) can be safely and successfully swallowed, filled, imaged, and passed with accepted weight loss and clinical improvement in factors related to the metabolic syndrome

Background The traditional gastric balloons have been used for several years to reduce weight in overweight and obese patients, but the need for sedation and upper endoscopy leading to several limitations. The current series is the first study that evaluates the safety and effectiveness of the swallowable gastric (Elipse™) balloon in our population on the national level. Methods Ninety-six patients (mean BMI was 33.6 ± 4.3 kg/m2 ) participated in this study. All patients swallowed one Elipse™ balloon intended to remain in the stomach for 4 months, self-empty, and then pass. Each balloon was filled with 550 mL of filling fluid. Anti-emetics and anti-spasmodic drugs were prescribed for 2–3 days after insertion; proton pump inhibitor was prescribed twice daily 1 week before the procedure and continued until the end of residence time (16–20 weeks). Results In the current series, at end of the procedure (after 4 months), the overall mean weight loss (WL) was 11.2 ± 5.1 kg, mean waist circumference reduction was 10.9 ± 2.1 cm, and a mean BMI reduction was 4.9 ± 2.0 kg/m2 . The percentage of total body weight loss (TBWL%) was 12.1 ± 5.2%. The Elipse™ therapy reported improvements in the metabolic parameters investigated. Conclusion This swallowable gastric balloon (Elipse™) can be safely and successfully swallowed, filled, imaged, and passed with accepted weight loss and clinical improvement in factors related to the metabolic syndrome