البحث و الابتكار

Abstract Objectives The World Health Organization's six tobacco control strategies (Monitor, Protect, Offer help, Warn, Enforce, and Raise; MPOWER) aim to reduce tobacco use, yet little is known about their impact on individual-level adolescent nicotine use in Middle Eastern countries. This study examined whether exposure to MPOWER policies is associated with current nicotine use among adolescents in Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional analysis used nationally representative data from the 2022 Global Youth Tobacco Survey conducted in schools across Saudi Arabia. The analytic sample included 5092 adolescents aged 13–15 years with complete data on nicotine use and policy exposure. A five-domain MPOWER index (Protect, Offer help, Warn, Enforce, Raise) was constructed from self-reported survey items. The primary outcome was any nicotine product use in the past 30 days. Survey-weighted logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs), controlling for age, sex, school grade, and spending money. Results The prevalence of current nicotine use was 11.1 %. MPOWER exposure was significantly lower among users than non-users (2.5 vs. 2.8, p < 0.001). Higher policy exposure was associated with reduced odds of nicotine use (adjusted OR per unit increase = 0.65, 95 % CI: 0.57, 0.73). The association was stronger with the standardised index (adjusted OR = 0.11, 95 % CI: 0.06, 0.21). Conclusions Greater individual-level exposure to World Health Organization MPOWER tobacco control measures was inversely associated with adolescent nicotine use in Saudi Arabia. Causal inference cannot be made, and longitudinal studies are warranted.

Abstract Background: The rising use of e-cigarettes among adolescents presents a growing public health concern, particularly in countries like Saudi Arabia, where tobacco marketing regulation is still evolving. Although marketing is a known driver of youth tobacco uptake, evidence from the Eastern Mediterranean region remains limited. This study examined the association between exposure to e-cigarette marketing and current use among Saudi adolescents using nationally representative data. Methods: We analysed cross-sectional data from the 2022 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) in Saudi Arabia, a nationally representative, school-based survey of adolescents aged 13–15 years. Key exposures included seeing a point-of-sale (POS) advertisement and being offered a free e-cigarette. A composite marketing exposure score (0, 1, or 2 exposures) was created. The outcome was current e-cigarette use, defined as use on at least one day in the past 30 days. Survey-weighted logistic regression models estimated crude and adjusted odds ratios (aORs), adjusting for age, sex, parental smoking, and peer smoking. Sex-stratified analyses were also conducted. Results: Among 5,610 adolescents, 300 (5.4%) reported current e-cigarette use. Of all respondents, 5.7% had been offered a free e-cigarette and 19.7% had seen a POS advertisement. Both exposures were significantly associated with current e-cigarette use: free product offer (aOR: 6.57; 95% CI: 4.61–9.36; p < 0.001) and POS ad exposure (aOR: 2.66; 95% CI: 1.79–3.97; p < 0.001). A dose–response relationship was observed, with those exposed to both forms of marketing having 15 times the odds of current use (aOR: 15.05; 95% CI: 7.81–29.02; p < 0.001). Associations were significant for both males and females. Conclusion: Exposure to e-cigarette marketing is a strong and consistent predictor of adolescent use in Saudi Arabia. These findings support urgent policy action to restrict youth-targeted tobacco promotions.

Abstract Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a prevalent global health issue affecting millions of patients worldwide, impacting quality of life, impeding physical and psychological well-being, causing financial stress, and increasing mortality rates. This study aimed to highlight the prevalence of CKD and its associated risk factors across Saudi Arabia. Method: This is a cross-sectional study conducted from 2015 to 2022, using data from 42 branches of a major network of diagnostic laboratories in Saudi Arabia, covering the country's 13 administrative areas. Results The mean age was 40.35 ± 14.5 years. The highest proportion of participants resided in the Makkah region at 35.77%, followed by the Riyadh region at 25.75%. The overall prevalence of CKD was 4.76%, with most having CKD in stage 3 (3.5%). The prevalence of CKD was higher among males compared to females (5.83% vs. 3.88%) and increased significantly with age, being 0.45% among participants aged 18–29 years and reaching 50.94% among participants aged 90 years or older. Predictors of CKD included increasing age, male sex, administrative area (Makkah 1.40 [95% CI:1.26–1.55], Jazan 1.34 [95% CI:1.18–1.52], Najran 0.47 [95% CI, 0.39–0.57], Alqasim 0.73 [95% CI, 0.64–0.82]), and a high hemoglobin A1C. CKD in Saudi Arabia is influenced by various demographic and geographic determinants contributing to its prevalence and associated burden on the population. Conclusion These findings emphasize the need for targeted screening and prevention strategies, especially for at-risk populations. Continued surveillance, early detection, and effective management are crucial to reducing CKD's burden and improving kidney health outcomes in Saudi Arabia. Further research is essential to better understand the disease's regional and demographic drivers.