Predictors of postpartum depression and its association with sleep quality among mothers in Qassim, Saudi Arabia: A descriptive cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

This cross-sectional study aims to examine the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) and sleep problems, their relationship, and the characteristics associated with depression/insomnia in Qassim, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

An online survey was administered to a convenience sample of 395 mothers who had given birth within the preceding year. The survey comprised demographic characteristics, pregnancy and childbirth characteristics, depression (via the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; EPDS), and sleep quality (via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; PSQI).

RESULTS

Nearly two-thirds of respondents (62.3%) had PPD, while 92.2% experienced poor sleep quality. Both scales demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation. Participants with previous PPD, peripartum depression, a personal or family history of other depression, those bottle-feeding their infants, or who had a change in sleep pattern scored significantly higher on the EPDS and had poorer PSQI scores. Respondents with a history of mental illness, pregnancy or delivery complications, those who lacked support, or gave birth to unhealthy newborns also had significantly higher EPDS scores.

CONCLUSIONS

PPD and poor sleep quality were highly prevalent among mothers living in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Not surprisingly, PPD was strongly correlated with poor sleep quality. Postpartum counseling for mothers during the first year after delivery is necessary to decrease the risk of developing depressive symptoms and poor sleep quality. Screening for sleep-related difficulties and depression in prenatal and postnatal programs may help prevent the development of depressive disorder among postpartum women in this region of Saudi Arabia (or other areas of the Middle East).

Musculoskeletal Pain Among School Teachers in Qassim, Saudi Arabia: Prevalence, Pattern, and Its Risk Factors

Introduction 

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are defined as conditions that the environment contributes significantly to / worsens due to work conditions. WMSD comes second in the source of disability in both developed and developing countries. The aim of this study is to measure the prevalence, patterns, and risk factors of musculoskeletal pain disorders among teachers in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among school teachers in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. A validated online Arabic questionnaire was distributed among teachers living in the Qassim region through multiple social networking applications like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram. The questionnaire consisted of Socio-demographic characteristics, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and a modified version of the Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening questionnaire.

Results

A total of 503 school teachers were recruited. The proportion of musculoskeletal pain was 91%, and the most common site of pain was back (74.4%), followed by the shoulder (57.5%) and leg (51.5%). The proportion of disabling pain was (80.1%) while the rest was non-disabling pain (19.9%). In the multiple regression model, the predictors of increased disabling pain were back pain, leg pain, neck pain, and those with 51-70 kg weight. In comparison, the predictors of decreased disabling pain were having more than 7 hours of sleep and those with 20-30 classes per week.

Conclusion

Musculoskeletal pain disorders were widely prevalent among school teachers in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. Most teachers considered pain as disabling, which negatively affected their attendance. The back, shoulder, and neck were the most painful sites associated with disabling pain.

Dietary Patterns of Females with Cholecystolithiasis: A Comprehensive Study from Central Region of Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: Cholecystolithiasis is a worldwide gastrointestinal disorder and dietary pattern is one of the major risk factors involved in formation of cholelithiasis. AIM: This study was undertaken to determine the dietary patterns of female patients with cholecystolithiasis in the central region of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A total of 332 females respondents were included, among them 157 were cholecystolithiasis cases, whereas 175 were healthy female subjects. All respondents were from central region of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from a self-administered questionnaire and dietary patterns of studied population samples were compared by Chi-square test using SPSS software. RESULTS: The data showed that the consumption of meat from beef, lamb or goat, butter, ghee, pizza, cereals, legumes, coffee, tea, kabsa rice, tomatoes, and eggs was found to be positively associated with the risk of cholelithiasis. Interestingly, the data also demonstrated that consumption of cakes, chocolates, cookies, ice cream, doughnuts, chicken, fish or other sea foods, French fries, and hot dogs showed no relation with the risk of cholelithiasis. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a comprehensive description of the dietary patterns of females from central region of Saudi Arabia and their association with the risk of onset of cholelithiasis. Specifically, the majority of non-vegetarian food stuffs showed positive association with the risk of development of cholelithiasis. These findings strongly recommended that the Health Ministry of Saudi Arabia should initiate the specific intervention public health programs on the dietary pattern in relation with the risk of cholelithiasis.