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Background: Osteoporosis is a bone disorder related to low bone density, which mainly affects women during menopause. Osteoporosis has a variety of symptoms, including bone ache and fracture, which may affect the patients' quality of life. Greater public awareness of the nature, risks, and protective factors of osteoporosis may help to reduce the sequelae related to this disorder. Objective: This study was aimed to assess awareness of the disease in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on the general population in the Aseer region of southwest Saudi Arabia from June to August 2016. Consecutive participants were interviewed using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Our study included 1,066 participants, comprising 550 men (51.6%) and 516 women (48.4%), of whom 39.5% were < 30 years old and 7.5% were > 50 years old. Overall, 80.4% of the participants had good knowledge of the consequences of osteoporosis (knowledge score > 60% of the total), 44.7% had good general knowledge regarding osteoporosis, and 33.8% had good knowledge of the risk and protective factors; generally, 36.9% of the study sample had good knowledge of osteoporosis. Conclusions and Recommendations: Our findings indicated that individuals had a strong awareness of some aspects of osteoporosis, especially the consequences, as one out of three participants were aware of the general aspects of this disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a complication of Diabetes mellitus (DM) that lingers to have high rates of morbidity and mortality regardless of advances in the management of DM. DKA mainly results from insulin deficiency from new-onset diabetes, insulin noncompliance and increased insulin need because of infection. Most persons with DKA have type 1 diabetes however, a subgroup of type 2 diabetes patients might as well have ketosis-prone diabetes. Aim of the work: To assess the level of awareness of the risk factors of DKA as well as the adherence of DM patients with drugs. Methods: This is a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study enrolling a total of 100 randomly selected diabetic Saudi adults ensuring diversity in age range and educational stages. Descriptive analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 23. Awareness levels for DKA were calculated as absolute frequencies and were reported as overall percentages. Results: a total of 100 randomly selected diabetic Saudi adults (81 females and 19 males), 56% were diagnosed with DM-1 while 44% had DM-2 and only 11% were active sport practitioners. Moreover, only 62% reported a robust adherence to DM medications. The majority of the respondent scored low knowledge on DKA (54%). Regarding awareness of predisposing risk factors: 9% and 29% of the participants have related DKA to infection and febrile illness respectively. While, 50% of them suggested that there was an association between physical stress and DKA. Conclusion: Our results revealed a compelling need to bridge the disparity in awareness of DKA among Saudi adults with both types. The current knowledge gap doesn't only incur a significant cost burden on the patients and their sponsors because of the high cost treatment and rehabilitation but also and more severely the complications that can be life-threatening if not spotted and treated quickly. Accordingly, we recommend the launch of education and awareness programs for the public at large, in the hope that this will lead to improved quality of life particularity for DM patients and their caregivers as well as establishing nutrition and sports programs at schools and universities that can teach children and young adults the preventive measures and appropriate management of DKA early on in life. Other public Awareness raising campaign through TV & Radio spots, culture and art activities and informational events would add a great value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]