National prevalence, perceptions, and determinants of tobacco consumption in Saudi Arabia

Introduction Tobacco use has been associated with many health risks that can lead to premature death. This study aims to assess the national prevalence of tobacco consumption and the associated determinants in Saudi Arabia. Methods The study involved a cross-sectional national survey of 5175 individuals conducted across the 13 official regions of Saudi Arabia. The sample included individuals aged 18 years and above from both genders recruited using a quota sampling technique. Data collection was carried out between September 2018 and May 2019 through Web-based computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATIs). Participants were asked to report their current consumption of tobacco products including cigarettes, shisha (waterpipe), smokeless tobacco, cigars, pipes, and electronic cigarettes/vaping. Knowledge of specific health risks associated with smoking and public perceptions of the smoking phenomenon were also assessed among never smokers, smokers, and former smokers. Results The national prevalence of tobacco consumption was 24.02% (1120/5175). Cigarettes were the most prevalent tobacco product consumed (16.18%; 95% CI: 14.5881–17.7663), and daily cigarette smoking prevalence was the highest (14.12%; 95% CI: 12.6433–15.5924). Shisha smoking prevalence was 8.12% (95% CI: 6.8054–9.4352). E-cigarette use prevalence was 2.22% (95% CI: 1.5770–2.8711). The most common tobacco product used among males was cigarettes (15.13%; 95% CI: 13.58–16.67), while shisha was commonly used among females (1.57%; 95% CI: 1.11–2.04). Cigarette smoking prevalence was the highest in the Aljawf region (21.12%; 95% CI: 17.07–25.18), shisha smoking prevalence was the highest in the Makkah region (12.41%; 95% CI: 8.64–16.17), whereas smokeless tobacco use was prevalent in the Najran region (4.75%; 95% CI: 2.81–6.70). Males (AOR: 8.17; 95% CI: 5.98–11.71; P < 0.0001), young adults below 45 years of age (AOR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.50–2.98; P < 0.0001), and those with below a bachelor’s degree (AOR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.01–1.77; P = 0.0396) were more likely to consume tobacco compared with others. The population mean knowledge scores of health risks associated with smoking among smokers was 1.91 ± 1.72 (Range: 0–10), with the highest knowledge scores (2.16 ± 1.68) among former smokers. Only 46.53% (95% CI: 44.30–48.75) of the population are bothered “to very large extent” by smoking health consequences. Conclusions Tobacco consumption is prevalent in Saudi Arabia. Different forms of tobacco use were reported, and the most common was cigarettes, followed by shisha and then electronic cigarettes. Tobacco use remains one of the major threats to the health of the population in Saudi Arabia.

Prevalence and determinants of non-communicable diseases in Saudi Arabia

Background Chronic diseases are considered the leading cause of mortality in Saudi Arabia. With a lack of national health surveillance systems, this study examines chronic disease prevalence and multimorbidity and their associated factors in Saudi Arabia. Methods Data was pooled from two cross-sectional national surveys conducted across the 13 regions of Saudi Arabia between March and July 2018. The study targeted Arabic speakers aged 18 years or older. The presence of chronic diseases was assessed according to self-reported medical diagnoses of chronic conditions. Multimorbidity was assessed based on the reported number of diseases (no condition, at least 1, and ≥ 2 conditions). Factors associated with chronic diseases’ presence were examined using regression analysis. Results Out of the total participants (N= 7,317), the most reported chronic conditions were cardiovascular diseases (15.1%) followed by respiratory diseases (14.16%). The multimorbidity prevalence (≥ 2 chronic conditions) was nearly 5.6% (n= 564). Factors found to be significantly associated with the presence of chronic diseases were age, gender, employment status, marital status, and smoking. The findings showed that those who rated their health as fair or poor were almost three times more likely to be diagnosed with at least one chronic condition (95% CI: 2.21 - 3.56, P <0.001). Conclusions The study found a proportion of Saudis living with chronic diseases and multimorbidity with the highest risk among elderly people. The study findings are useful in building a sustainable health surveillance system and designing effective health policies and interventions to tackle the burden of chronic disease in Saudi Arabia.

Investments in Food Safety Risk Assessment and Risk Analysis as a Requirement for Robust Food Control Systems: Calling for Regional Centres of Expertise

Risk Assessment is the scientifically-based process that characterizes the possible human health implications of hazards found in food. This scientific approach is part of the risk analysis paradigm that governs the food decision-making process. It is a prerequisite for the development and execution of robust and consistent food safety regulatory decisions. This paper reviews food regulatory decision-making scenarios where risk assessment plays a key role. It discusses challenges associated with the access to capacity and competencies from various disciplines necessary to enable risk assessment and overall risk analysis. The paper illustrates the urgent need for the provision of additional support to capacity building initiatives in this area by means of mutually beneficial resource-sharing with the objective to establish regional and/or sub-regional centres of food regulatory science, including expertise in risk assessment. Regional Centres of Expertise may be the answer to provide the needed competencies and up-to-date tools to operationalize food regulatory systems, where food risk analysis is the foundation of decision-making, as advocated by the guidance of the Codex Alimentarius commission. It may also be the response to support economic regional integration, where food and agrifood trade needs to be supported by the removal of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) constraints and through achieving a more coordinated and harmonious food safety standard setting framework, at the regional level.

POPULATION-BASED ESTIMATES OF COMMUNITY-BASED ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS (ADRS) IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) represent important preventable causes of mortality, morbidity, hospitalization and increased healthcare costs. Traditionally, ADRs are studied in a clinical setting, but it is also important to estimate rates of ADRs in the community. The current study aimed to estimate population-based rates of ADRs in the community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted via registered pharmacists at community pharmacies across the 13 regions of KSA. The data were collected on an electronic online platform and included questions about participants’ demographics, health characteristics, experience with ADRs within the last 12 months and assess their knowledge about Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) reporting system. Results: Data collection was conducted between June and August 2018. Data from 5,228 surveys was analyzed. After weighting, the national annual rate of ADRs was estimated to be 28.00% (95% confidence interval 26.10% -30.00%). Of the respondents reporting an ADR, 371 (30.26%) reported that they were aware of the SFDA reporting system. Those who indicated they were aware, were asked if they had ever filed a report in the system; 53 (14.29%) said they had made a report. Conclusion: The results of this population-based estimates of community-based ADRs nationally in KSA showed that more than one quarter of the population had experienced ADR in the last 12 months. Future study is needed to better understand why these rates are higher in some regions than others, and what is needed to prevent high rates in subgroups such as women and those with chronic diseases.

Health Literacy and Medication Literacy in Saudi Arabia: Current Status

Background: Low health literacy and medication literacy can be associated with adverse medication-related events. The objectives of this research were to characterize medication use, describe health information sources, and characterize medication literacy in the KSA population. Methods: A cross-sectional nationwide survey was conducted among Saudi residents aged 18 years or above. Results: A total of 3,557 surveys were available for analysis (men = 1,811 and women = 1,746). Respondents were concentrated in younger categories, and each region was represented by 7% to 8% of respondents by design. Twenty-three percent of respondents (n = 825) reported having at least one chronic disease. A total of 1,882 (53%) of respondents reported ever looking for health information; of those, web pages were the most popular information sources. Among those taking medication for chronic disease, only 61% agreed that they knew how their medication should be monitored, 51% agreed that they knew what to do if they missed a dose, and 50% agreed that they knew their drug's side effects. Conclusion: This study's results suggest that interventions focused on medication literacy and tailored to prevalent chronic disease groups should be explored. Because the most common source of health information is web pages, interventions to improve overall health information literacy, especially pertaining to online medication information, should be studied.

The Prevalence of Cigarette Smoking in Saudi Arabia in 2018

Background Tobacco smoke is the second leading risk factor for death worldwide. This report aims to determine the recent prevalence of and factors associated with cigarette smoking in Saudi Arabia. Methods Data were pooled from two nationwide cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2018 across the 13 regions of Saudi Arabia. The study targeted Arabic-speaking Saudi residents aged 18 years or older between March and July 2018. Results A total of 7,317 adults across the 13 regions of Saudi Arabia were included in this study. The prevalence of cigarette smoking was 21.4% of the population. The prevalence of smoking was 32.5% among males and 3.9% among females. There is a disparity in cigarette smoking prevalence from one region to another. The Aljwaf, Northen Borders, Riyadh, and Eastern regions have the highest prevalence, while the fewest cigarette smokers live in Aseer Jizan and Albaha. Conclusion The prevalence of cigarette smoking was relatively high among males, those aged 25–44 year old, and those who live in the northern regions.

The National Survey of Health, Diet, Physical Activity and Supplements among Adults in Saudi Arabia

Background Diet, health, physical activity, tobacco use, and mental health are risk factors that contribute to an increased incidence of NCDs. This report aims to determine overall health status, nutritional perceptions, knowledge, behaviors, and shopping practices among the Saudi population. Methods A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted among Saudi residents aged ≥ 18 years. This study used a stratified quota sampling technique to get an equal distribution of participants across the 13 regions of Saudi Arabia. Results A total of 3,699 people across all 13 regions in Saudi Arabia were interviewed. Of those, 15.2% reported that they had at least one chronic disease, 12.5% were at risk of depression, and 16.4% were regular smokers. Overall, 25.9% of participants were obese (29% of men and 26.5% of women). Less than two thirds (60.5%) of participants were physically active, with an average of 53 minutes of physical activity per day. A lack of willpower was the most-reported reason for not being active. A very small portion of participants ate fruit (5.8%) and vegetables (7.3%). During the last seven days, 19.9 % had taken supplements, and 54.65% of those reported that they used supplements for medical reasons. Conclusion Further research is needed to develop evidence-based nutrition guidelines to address food consumption and Saudi dietary habits.

Probability of extending the shelf life of dairy products: A protocol study

This type of publication have no abstract.

Drug Safety and Risk Assessment

Letter to editor publications, have No abstract.