Doaa Ahmed Khalifa

Measures of Religiosity

The measurement of religiosity and spirituality is increasingly common in the social and behavioral sciences, as well as within medicine and the medical and psychological sciences. However, attempting to measure and quantify such vague, nebulous, and seemingly subjective concepts has caused havoc among investigators. We define here the construct of religiosity and discuss general approaches to measurement. We then describe seven dimension-specific and three multidimensional scales, most developed within Christian populations. We also describe five religion-specific measures to assess Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and New Age faith traditions. Finally, recommendations are made on the best measures of religiosity to use depending on the purpose of the research, the religious composition of the population, and the space available in the questionnaire. The chapter is rounded out with a brief description of measures of spirituality.

Female sexual dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury: a study from Iran

Objectives:We assess the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), compare sexual function and sexual distress between female patients with SCI and gender-matched healthy controls, and address risk factors associated with sexual dysfunction among Iranian female patients with SCI.Setting:Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.Methods:Eligible Iranian female patients with SCI were included in this cross-sectional study. They were asked to provide sociodemographic information, and complete the Female Sexual Function Index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised questionnaire.Results:Of the 105 patients participated in this study, the average age was 41.0 (s.d.=10.1) years. Women with SCI reported significantly higher levels of sexual dysfunction compared with normal controls. Approximately, 88% of SCI patients reported at least one type of sexual dysfunction, whereas only 37% of healthy controls reported sexual dysfunction. Lack of vaginal lubrication was reported more frequent in SCI patients compared with controls. Women with SCI reported a significantly higher level of sexual distress compared with healthy women. Sexual dysfunction was observed to be significantly higher in older patients, those with less education, patients with complete lesions, those with sexual distress and patients who were anxious and depressed.Conclusion:Sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent among Iranian women with SCI. Sexual dysfunction is associated with age, education, symptoms of depression and anxiety and level of injury. Sexual counseling during the rehabilitation period may help to prevent sexual dysfunction following SCI.

Religious beliefs, practices, and health in colorectal cancer patients in Saudi Arabia.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) patients experience considerable psychological stress because of changes brought on by their illness. Religion may be a resource for such patients. We examined the prevalence of religious beliefs and practices in CRC patients and correlation with demographic, social, psychological, and physical health characteristics.

Depression in patients with colorectal cancer in Saudi Arabia.

Persons with colon cancer experience considerable psychological stress due to physical and social changes brought on by illness, increasing their risk of depressive disorder (DD). We examine the prevalence of DD and depressive symptoms and determine baseline demographic, social, psychological, and physical health correlates.

Current State of Psychiatry in Saudi Arabia

Background: In 1983, an article and accompanying editorial was published on the state of psychiatry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), which was described as “a mental health system in statu nascendi.” Methods: We provide a 30-year update on advances in mental health care in KSA. Data are reported from a wide range of sources, including the 2007 Saudi Arabian Mental and Social Health Atlas, which compares services in KSA with the rest of the world. Results: We examine how the current mental health system operates in KSA, including recent changes in mental healthcare policy and development of a national mental healthcare plan. Discussed are current needs based on the prevalence and recognition of mental disorders; availability of services and providers (psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, psychologists, and social workers); education and training in psychiatry; developments in consultation-liaison, addictions, child-adolescent, and geriatric psychiatry; and progress in mental health research. Conclusions: Mental healthcare in Saudi Arabia has come a long way in a very short time, despite cultural, religious, social, and political challenges, although there still remain areas where improvement is needed. The development of psychiatry in KSA serves as a model for countries in the Middle East and around the world.

Prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and comorbid psychiatric and behavioral problems among primary school students in western Saudi Arabia

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), subtypes of ADHD, and psychiatric, academic, and behavioral comorbidity in public primary school students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. A simple random sample of 6 primary government schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was identified (3 male, 3 female), and a random sample of classes in each of grades 1-6 were selected. Between July and November 2016, teachers in these classes were asked to complete the Vanderbilt ADHD scale on all students in their classes. Results: A total of 929 students were screened. The overall prevalence of ADHD was 5% (5.3% in girls, 4.7% in boys). The most prevalent subtype of ADHD was combined type (2.7%), followed by hyperactive type (1.2%), and inattentive type (1.1%). The highest prevalence of ADHD overall was in grade 3 (7.1%) and the lowest prevalence in grade 6 (3.4%). Among students with ADHD, prevalence of comorbid psychiatric, academic, and behavioral problems was widespread (56.5% oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder, 54.4% impaired academic performance, 44.4% classroom behavioral problems, 41.3% depression/anxiety). Comorbid problems were especially prevalent in combined ADHD subtype and in boys. Conclusions: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is common in primary school children in Jeddah, and is associated with widespread psychiatric, academic, and behavioral problems, especially in boys. These findings have implications for the diagnosis and treatment of this serious neurobehavioral disorder.