Objectives Voluntary testing (VT) plays a crucial role in the prevention and control of infectious diseases. The present study investigated the perceptions and utilization of VT services for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among the inhabitants of Saudi Arabia. Methods: In total, 3,510 adult participants from all provinces of Saudi Arabia were recruited via a national online survey. Results: Of the 3,510 participants, 88.9% were aware of the testing services available to them and of those, more than half (59.5%) had used the VT services and 96.1% were satisfied with the services. Contact with a positive COVID-19 case was the top reason for accessing VT, while a lack of awareness about the availability of VT services was the top perceived limiting factor. A history of chronic health conditions, anxiety and/or depression, and previous symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 were found to be predictors of the utilization of VT services (odds ratio [OR] 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22−1.96; OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.16−1.88; and OR 3.31, 95% CI 2.77−3.95), respectively. Conclusion: The awareness of voluntary COVID-19 testing services was satisfactory among the Saudi Arabian population, but can be improved. Sociodemographic and health history predictors of the utilization of VT services were identified.
<sec>
<title>Objectives</title>
<p>This study aimed to assess medication use in pregnant women in Malaysia by measuring use, knowledge, awareness, and beliefs about medications.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Methods</title>
<p>This was an observational, cross-sectional study involving a total of 447 pregnant women who attended the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), Malaysia. A validated, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect participant data.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Results</title>
<p>Most of pregnant women had taken medication during pregnancy and more than half of them (52.8%) showed a poor level of knowledge about the medication use during pregnancy. Eighty-three percent had a poor level of awareness and 56.5% had negative beliefs. Age and education level were significantly associated with the level of knowledge regarding medication use during pregnancy. Multiparous pregnant women, and pregnant women from rural areas were observed to have a higher level of awareness compared with those who lived in urban areas. Use of medication during pregnancy was determined to be significantly associated with education level, and race.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Conclusion</title>
<p>Although there was prevalent use of medication among pregnant women, many had negative beliefs, and insufficient knowledge and awareness about the risks of taking medication during pregnancy. Several sociodemographic characteristics were significantly associated with the use (race and education level), level of knowledge (age and education level), awareness (parity and place of residence), and beliefs (race, education level, and occupation status) towards medication use during pregnancy.</p></sec>
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<sec>
<title>Objectives</title>
<p>A questionnaire was designed to determine public understanding of early and late complications of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Methods</title>
<p>A cross-sectional study was performed in participants who were selected using a multi-stage sampling method and a standard questionnaire of 67 questions was proposed. An expert panel selected 53 closed-ended questions for content validity to be included in the questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaire was tested using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient giving a score of 0.84.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Results</title>
<p>Of the 825 participants, 443 (57.6%) were male, and 322 (41.87%) were 40 years or more. The proportion of low-, moderate- and high- awareness about T2DM and its complications was 29.26%, 62.68%, and 8.06%, respectively. Friends (56.31%) and internet and social networks (20.55%) were the 2 major sources of awareness, respectively. The medical staff (e.g., physicians) had the lowest share in the level of public awareness (3.64%) compared to other sources.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Conclusion</title>
<p>These results present data that shows the general population awareness of T2DM is low. Healthcare policymakers need to be effective at raising awarenes of diabetes and it should be through improved education.</p></sec>
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