Refaal Aldealij’s research while affiliated with King Abdulaziz University and other places

Background Musculoskeletal disorders, including back pain, pose a significant challenge to workforce health, particularly in professions characterized by prolonged periods of sedentary activities. This challenge is notably relevant in commercial airline piloting due to unique ergonomic issues. Despite extensive research on back pain in various occupational settings, an understanding of the specific factors contributing to back pain among commercial airline pilots in Saudi Arabia is still lacking. Methods This cross-sectional survey aimed to investigate the prevalence of back pain among Saudi Arabian commercial airline pilots. A structured questionnaire, developed through literature review and expert consultation, covered demographic information, occupational details, and back pain history. The survey was administered online to active pilots recruited through the Saudi Airlines Medical Services, with data collection spanning six weeks. Results Among 310 predominantly male participants (99.0%), a significant prevalence of back pain was identified, with 71.3% reporting lower back pain in the last 12 months. Factors associated with a decreased likelihood of low back pain included comfortable seat conditions (odds ratio [OR]: 0.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.2–0.7), a senior officer position (OR: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3–0.8), and regular exercise (OR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.3–1.0). Higher flying hours in the past year were associated with an increased prevalence of back pain (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.2–4.1). The multivariable analysis revealed that a comfortable seat was the single independent factor most significantly associated with back pain (OR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1–0.7). Conclusions This study highlights a notable prevalence of back pain among Saudi Arabian commercial airline pilots, underscoring the need for targeted interventions. The critical role of seat comfort emphasizes the importance of ergonomic considerations. Findings contribute to the global discourse on pilot health, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing evaluation and potential revisions to existing guidelines. Clinical trial number Not applicable.

Background: The usage and availability of blue light-emitting devices (BLEDs) have increased in recent years, and these devices have become a common part of evening routines and bedtime. This pattern raises concerns about the possible adverse impacts on sleep quality and overall well-being. There is a scarcity of population-based studies examining the usage of BLEDs at bedtime among both medical and nonmedical students in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the use of BLEDs at bedtime and its relationship with sleep quality among college students. Patients and Methods: From 2021 to 2023, we collected data through a validated self-administrated questionnaire among 485 college students aged 19 and above at a university in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, focusing on device usage patterns and sleep quality. Results: The study discovered that most participants (98%) used BLEDs before bed. A significant relationship was observed between device use at bedtime and poor sleep quality, including shorter sleep duration, sleep disturbances, and daytime sleepiness. Furthermore, there is a link between device use and symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and irritability upon awakening. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that using electronic devices before bedtime was associated with poor sleep quality and sleep disturbances. This emphasizes the importance of encouraging healthy sleep habits and raising awareness of the potential dangers of using devices before bedtime.

Background Depression poses a significant challenge globally, including in safety-critical industries such as aviation. In Saudi Arabia, where the aviation sector is rapidly expanding, pilots encounter unique stressors inherent to their profession. However, research on pilot mental health, particularly within the Saudi context, remains limited despite its critical role in flight safety. Methods This cross-sectional survey was designed to estimate the self-reported prevalence of depression in a convenience sample of airline pilots in Saudi Arabia. Participants were recruited from various commercial airlines in Saudi Arabia. Recruitment efforts utilized targeted outreach on social media platforms, focusing on pilot forums and groups. The survey was administered online for accessibility and convenience. The structured questionnaire, developed through a literature review and expert consultation, comprises sections on demographic and professional characteristics, occupational information, health habits, and depression assessment via the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Results This study enrolled 310 participants, with the largest cohort (34.8%, n = 108) falling within the 30–39 years age group, closely followed by individuals under 30 years (30.0%, n = 93). Males dominated the sex distribution (99.0%, n = 307). The mean PHQ-9 score was 8.2 ± 5.4. Notably, 40.6% (n = 126) of the participants had a score of 10 or higher, indicating the potential for moderate, moderate-severe, or severe depression. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis revealed that pilots with 11–15 years of experience had greater odds of experiencing depression than did those with 0–10 years of experience did (odds ratio [OR]: 3.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.1–8.4], p = 0.04). Pilots with rest times exceeding 24 h had lower odds of depression than did those with rest times less than 1 h (OR: 0.3, 95% CI: [0.1–0.8], p = 0.02). Engaging in regular exercise was associated with reduced odds of depression (OR: 0.3, 95% CI: [0.2–0.5], p < 0.01), as was longer sleep duration (> 8 h) (OR: 0.2, 95% CI: [0.1–1.0], p = 0.04). Conclusion Our study estimates the prevalence and severity of self-reported depressive symptoms among airline pilots in Saudi Arabia, surpassing global estimates. The identified factors, including lack of regular exercise, short sleep duration, and insufficient rest between flights, underscore the complex mental health challenges faced by pilots in this region. Addressing these issues is crucial not only for pilot well-being but also for flight safety.