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Background: Mental illnesses are a significant public health concern. Thus this study aimed to better understand the general views of medical students in Jeddah toward psychiatry, the influences of other factors on those attitudes, and the likelihood of psychiatry specialization. Methods: A total of 844 medical students from six colleges in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, participated in this cross-sectional study. Students' attitudes toward psychiatry (ATP) were measured using the ATP-18 questionnaire. The association between students' attitude toward psychiatry with gender, nationality, monthly income, university, academic year, lecture evaluation, clinical evaluation, the likelihood of specializing in psychiatry, personal history of mental illnesses, relative/ friend with mental illness, and relative/ friend who is a psychiatrist were investigated. Results: The mean ATP-18 score was 62.22 (SD = 7.29), indicating that the students had a positive attitude toward psychiatry overall, but had a negative view of psychiatric patients. The participants' gender, monthly income, university, the likelihood of specializing in psychiatry, personal history of mental illness, history of relatives or friends with mental illness, history of relatives or friends who are psychiatrists, psychiatric clinical course, and lecture course evaluation were found significantly associated with ATP-18 scores. Conclusions: The students showed an overall favorable attitude toward psychiatry and an unfavorable attitude toward psychiatric patients. The presence of de-stigmatization strategies toward mental illnesses and psychiatric patients in the undergraduate academic curriculum of psychiatry could improve students' perspectives on mentally ill patients.

Background Postpartum depression (PPD) is common among women worldwide. PPD affects women after giving birth and can impact the relationship between mothers, their babies, and their spouses, and is associated with considerable economic and personal burdens. This study aimed to calculate the prevalence of PPD among women who gave birth at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and identify significantly correlated variables using a cross-sectional approach. Methodology This cross-sectional study included a sample size of 483 mothers from the obstetrics inpatient ward at KAUH, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Participants were selected randomly and interviewed using a questionnaire consisting of two parts. The first part included demographic data and the studied variables, and the second part was the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Patients were followed up for six weeks using the same questionnaire in 354 participants. Results Of the 483 postpartum women, 15.1% (n = 73) were more likely to exhibit PPD on day one, with a cutoff of 13 points using the EPDS. A smaller proportion of participants were more likely to exhibit PPD at week six (5.1%, n = 18). This finding suggests a positive improvement in the prevalence of PPD from day one to week six. The most significant predictors identified in the regression analysis were family monthly income and family support (p = 0.001 and 0.003, respectively), which positively impacted prevalence. Conclusions The calculated PPD prevalence in this cross-sectional study was high. Because PPD negatively impacts the relationship between a mother and her child, with consequences potentially affecting the entire family, we suggest increasing awareness of PPD and focusing on the most significant modifiable risk factors. In addition, early screening programs and continuous follow-up are recommended to provide early intervention and support, which may decrease the harmful impacts of PPD.

Depression can increase the risk of diabetes-related complications, healthcare expenditures, and morbidity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). There have been increasing cases of diabetes in Saudi Arabia; however, research correlating depression with diabetes is lacking. The aim of this study was to find out how common depression is among T2DM patients at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, and assess any additional risk factors for depression in these patients. A cross-sectional study using computer-assisted telephone interviews was conducted among patients with T2DM from June to August 2021. A total of 215 participants completed the survey. Symptoms and signs of depression were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistical analyses were used to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with depression.Depression was shown to be prevalent in 54% of type 2 diabetes patients, with the most common associated risk factors being not exercising (p=0.00) and having at least one diabetes-related complication (p=0.001). There was no evidence of a significant relationship between depression and gender or age, although females were, in general, more depressed than males.Diabetic patients have a significantly high prevalence of depression; therefore, it is vital to conduct regular screening for depression in patients diagnosed with T2DM.

Background Atypical antipsychotics (AAP) are commonly prescribed to children and adolescents and are associated with important adverse effects including weight gain and metabolic syndrome. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is not only the most common pediatric liver disease but is also associated with serious complications including liver cirrhosis. Objective Given that NAFLD and AAP are associated with metabolic syndrome, we aim to comprehensively examine the association between AAP and NAFLD in children and adolescents. Methods We will conduct a systematic review of studies exploring NAFLD in subjects younger than 18 years on AAP published in English between 1950 and 2020 following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. Results A PRISMA flowchart will be used present the study results after comprehensively reviewing studies on NAFLD in children and adolescents taking AAP. The first and second systematic searches will be conducted during December 2021. The results are expected to be published in June 2022. Conclusions This research project will serve as a foundation for future studies and assist in devising interventions and reforming clinical guidelines for using AAP to ensure improved patient safety. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/20168

Atypical Antipsychotic medications are commonly prescribed to children and adolescents and are associated with important adverse effects including weight gain and metabolic syndrome. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is not only the most common pediatric liver disease, but can also be associated with serious complications including liver cirrhosis. Given that both NAFLD and Atypical Antipsychotics (AAP) are associated with metabolic syndrome, we aimed to comprehensively examine the association between AAP and NAFLD in children and adolescents. We will conduct a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines, of English-language literature published between 1950 and 2020, exploring NAFLD in subjects younger than 18 years on AAP.

Mental health issues during the perinatal period are common, up to 29% of pregnant and 15% of postpartum women meet psychiatric diagnostic criteria. Despite its ubiquity, little is known about the longitudinal trajectories of perinatal psychiatric illness. This paper describes a collaboration among six perinatal mental health services in Quebec, Canada, to create an electronic databank that captures longitudinal patient data over the course of the perinatal period. The collaborating sites met to identify research interests and to select a standardized set of variables to be collected during clinical appointments. Procedures were implemented for creating a databank that serves both research and clinical purposes. The resulting databank allows pregnant and postpartum patients to complete self-report questionnaires on medical and psychosocial variables during their intake appointment in conjunction with their clinicians who fill in relevant medical information. All participants are followed until 6 months postpartum. The databank represents an opportunity to examine illness trajectories and to study rare mental disorders and the relationship between biological and psychosocial variables.

Background:. In March 2020, the Saudi Ministry of Health implemented mitigation measures to control the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including media campaigns, a nationwide lockdown, and closures of plastic surgery clinics. The aim of this study was to explore the public’s knowledge of COVID-19, their willingness to undergo cosmetic surgery during the pandemic, and the factors influencing their decisions. Methods:. An internet-based cross-sectional survey was conducted. We collected data on demographic information, knowledge about COVID-19, and willingness to undergo cosmetic procedures. Participants also completed the cosmetic procedure screening questionnaire to assess body dysmorphic disorder. Results:. The sample included a total of 1643 participants (women, n = 1002; 61%). A total of 613 (37.3%) participants were aged between 30 and 40 years. The majority (n = 1472; 89.6%) referred to official government accounts for information regarding COVID-19. Most participants (n = 1451; 88.3%) felt that the pandemic was serious, and 1387 (85%) said they would not leave home to undergo cosmetic procedures during the outbreak. Being women, the presence of body-image concerns, and higher cosmetic procedure screening questionnaire scores were associated with an increased willingness to undergo cosmetic procedures. Conclusions:. This is the first study to explore the public’s willingness to undergo cosmetic procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The public was well educated about the pandemic, via government actions. This was reflected in participants who wished to undergo a cosmetic plastic procedure; we identified factors associated with an increased willingness to undergo procedures, which may help design awareness initiatives.

There is increasing recognition of the importance of addressing spirituality in psychiatry. Studies report that religiosity correlates with greater well-being and social support, and lower rates of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse (1). Leading authorities in psychiatric diagnosis and training have recognized these findings as reflected in diagnostic nosology and training standards. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition introduced a category for religious and spiritual problems (2). Spirituality is mentioned in the training requirements of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (3) and the practice guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association (4). Studies suggest that training on spirituality improves residents’ attitudes (5), comfort levels, competency (6), and knowledge (7) in this area. Despite these findings, a survey of Canadian psychiatry residency programs showed that most did not offer any didactic teaching, and those that did offered no more than 4 hours (8). This study aimed to explore the attitudes, experiences, and comfort levels of psychiatry residents at McGill University regarding spirituality in psychiatry, and to examine residents’ interest and past learning experiences in this area. An IRB-approved anonymous, paper-based survey was distributed to the residents in the 201022011 academic year. The questionnaire items were generated based on the specific research questions of this study, and a literature review of previous related work. The questionnaire was further developed by consulting two psychiatrists involved in resident education and by having two medical students who had graduated complete it and provide feedback on clarity and length. Most questions were quantitative, providing response options on a Likert scale. Items were conceptually grouped into the following domains with respect to spirituality in psychiatry: self-reported attitudes, experiences in practice, influence on practice, comfort level, relation to CanMEDS (Canadian Medical Education Directives for Specialists) roles, and barriers to discussing spirituality in practice. For the latter two questions, residents were simply asked to select all the items deemed true for them. A few questions addressed demographics and personal spirituality, and two qualitative short-answer questions addressed learning in the area of spirituality and psychiatry. Quantitative data were analyzed, using SPSS GradPack 17 for Windows, to yield descriptive frequencies. Qualitative data were analyzed with a framework-analysis approach, a type of thematic analysis used in research that aims to provide outcomes or recommendations (9). After a general familiarization process, a framework of three themes was identified: knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Data were then coded under these headings by two researchers, and percentage agreement in coding was calculated to ensure reliability. The response rate was 64% (45/70) with 43% male and 57% female respondents. Residents identified as Christian (37%), Jewish (25.9%), Atheist (7.4%) and Muslim (3.7%), and 25.9% were categorized as “other, ”“ unknown,” or “none.” Many considered themselves spiritual-only (37%), whereas very few (5%) reported being religious-only. Many (37.5%) were neither spiritual nor religious, and 20% were both. Only 38.6% of residents had received training on spirituality, but 81.3% of those who did found it beneficial. Further quantitative results are summarized in Table 1. Qualitative data explored the impact of previous training in spirituality and psychiatry on residents and their learning interests for the future. In terms of knowledge, residents reported that training “introduced the topic” and “increased awareness” of the relationship between spirituality and mental health. An important attitudinal change was that residents reported an increase in “comfort approaching the topic” and in the “initiative to question” patients on it. Residents’ skills improved through “coaching on sensitive questioning,” and having the patients’ spiritual history made “more accessible.” Residents were interested in acquiring knowledge and skills that would help them in their “day-to-day care of patients.” They wanted to learn specifically about “different spiritual/religious affiliations/belief systems”, as well as gain a broader understanding of “their potential impact on mental health.” They were also eager to develop skills in taking a “spiritual history” and in integrating spirituality into their conceptualization of cases.