Health habits and behaviour of adolescent school children, Taif, Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study was to provide data regarding habits, behavior, problems and needs regarding health in adolescent children from a military community at Al Hada and Taif, Saudi Arabia which could guide school health programmes. We carried out a cross-sectional study on 284 preparatory and secondary school students. Prevalence of smoking was 21.3% among males and 4.9% among females. The rate of overweight was 20.8%. Driving without a license was reported by 68.8% of students, and 82.3% said they didn't fasten seat belts. However, we recorded a high rate of physical activity, 75.0% overall

National health research system mapping in 10 Eastern Mediterranean countries

Health research systems in the Eastern Mediterranean Region are not well developed to generate and use knowledge to improve health, reduce inequity and contribute to economic development. This study aimed to provide core data on National Health Research Systems [NHRS] in 10 Eastern Mediterranean countries in order to inform actions to strengthen health research system governance and management. Whilst there were examples of good practice, few countries had a formal NHRS and many basic building blocks needed for an effective system had not been put in place. Although limited in focus, the study provides useful information for countries to initiate action to strengthen their NHRS

Assessment of laboratory services in PHC units and first referral level hospitals in 5 governorates, Egypt 2002

Parallel to the development in the promotive, preventive; curative services in primary health care are expected to achieve more specially with the concomitant implementation of the referral system and family health record. Aim of this study is to assess the laboratory services in PHC and district hospitals and to evaluate the referral link as regards laboratory services between the two levels. This was across sectional descriptive study during 2002. In this study, all laboratories either in PHC units or hospitals in the five districts assigned for the Health System Upgrading Project II. A pre-designed pre-tested questionnaire form including data about the laboratory workers, their qualifications, and training experience. In addition, data about laboratory basic sanitary requirements, equipments, supplies and its logistics was collected. Referral system between the two levels will be investigated among a sub-sample of PHC laboratory in each district to explore the aspects of strengths and weakness if it is actually exists. Manpower was mainly laboratory technicians who were evenly distributed in different districts. The 2[nd] majority was assistant laboratory technician and they were mainly in Dyrute and Somosta [upper Egypt] 51/62 [82.3%]. Unqualified laboratory worker comes third. Doctors were only 8, and there was one District hospital [somosta] laboratory without a clinical pathologist. Although the mean duration of work as a laboratory Personnel was 13.3 +/- 9.6 years for PHC workers and 11.9 +/- 9.5 years for hospital laboratory personnel, the percentage of those not attending any training course was 54.2% [116/214]. A declining percentage for attending one course, two courses and three courses among PHC personnel and still lower of hospital personnel. Basic sanitary needs: were almost satisfactory except for few PHC units in Dyrute and kantara Gharb. Laboratory equipment and laboratory materials: PHC laboratory and hospital laboratory are generally satisfactory. Some vital equipment are deficient in some hospitals. The need for maintenance besides is vital training of available personnel to use such equipment. Materials for its proper utilization are essential. Needs for redistribution of some materials between hospital laboratories is recommended. Laboratory registration forms: Registration book is the only format we can consider satisfactory. Other format is either not available or available and neglected in some PHC and Hospital lab. The need for maintenance is vital, training of available personnel to use such equipment. Materials for its utilization are essential. Need for redistribution of some materials between hospital laboratories is recommended. Foundation for referral link is vital

Investigation of the free sugars and mucilage of euphorbia pseudocasts A. Berger and euphorbia pubica N.E.BR.

Free sugars of the aerial parts of Euphorbia pseudocactus and Euphorbia nubica were isolated. Identification was carried out by paper chromatography [PC] and gas liquid chromatography [GLC] which revealed the presence of arabinose, rhamnose, xylose, fructose, galactose, glucose and glucuronic acid in a ratio of [16: 20: 12: 4: 16: 3: 1] in E. pseudocactus, as well as arabinose, rhamnose, xylose, fructose, galactose, glucose, galacturonic acid and glucuronic acid were detected in a ratio of [2: 1: 14: 5: 2: 18: 2: 1] in E. nubica. Mucilage of each plant was separately extracted by cold and hot methods and weighed. PC and GLC analysis of the mucilage hydrolyzates revealed the presence of arabinose, rhamnose, xylose, galactose, glucose, and galacturonic acid in different ratios in the four mucilage hydrolyzates of the two plants

Free sugars, mucilage and amino acids of leaves of hibiscus esculentum L. var. lady finger

Free sugars, mucilage and amino acids contents of leaves of Hibiscus esculentus L., var. Lady's finger [Adelmoschus esculentus Moench, okra] were studied. GLC and PC analysis of free sugars and mucilage hydrolysates revealed the presence of rhamnose, arabinose, xylose fructose, glucose, galactose, galacturonic acid and glucuronic acid. Moreover, analysis of free amino acids content and total amino acids of protein hydrolysate was carried out by HPLC technique. The major free amino acid is tyrosine [0.76%], while glutamic acid [2.22%], aspartic acid [1.76%] and arginine [1.21%] constitute the main amino acids in the protein hydrolysate of the leaves of H. esculentus L., var. Lady's finger

Hyperendemicity of diarrhea in a valley area, Asir region, Southwestern Saudi Arabia

A random sample of 781 subjects living around a valley in Shebaa area, southwestern Saudi Arabia, and 1284 subjects from the rest of Shebaa, along with a sample of 1095 from a nearby urban community in Abha city have been studied following a notification of a suggestive increase of diarrhea in the valley. This was to determine whether the prevalence of diarrhea was high in the valley and to formulate hypotheses about possible implicated factors. The family head was interviewed about episodes of diarrhea among family members during the 2-week period preceding the interview, about source of drinking water, an. about some demographic variables. Observations were made and data were collected on presence and frequency of flies in the house, methods of excreta and refuse disposal, valley and wells water, and the nearby agricultural farms. The 2-week diarrhea episode rate per subject was significantly [p < 0.0001] highest, in the valley [0.20], was 0.09 in the rest of Shebaa, and was lowest in the urban community area [0.05]. The rate decreased by age [p < 0.001] and increased by frequency of flies in the house [p < 0.0001], particularly in the valley. Drinking only from the desalinated water was associated with diarrhea episode rate of 0.12 as compared to 0.05 for drinking only from bottled water or from any other combination of sources [p < 0.01]. The valley and wells water was grossly polluted and was regularly used for irrigating and washing fresh fruits and vegetables from nearby farms. Hypotheses for the factors possibly contributing to this hyperendemicity of diarrhea in the valley include inadequate excreta and refuse disposal, contamination of the valley and wells water, contamination of the, desalinated water during transportation or storage and abundance of flies

Bacteriologic portability of the drinking water in a diarrhea hyperendemic area in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

High prevalence, of diarrhea was reported among people living in a semiurban community in Shebaa area in Southwestern Saudi Arabia. This was in comparison to prevalence in a nearby urban community in Abha, the capital city of The Southwestern Region of Saudi Arabia. Contamination of the desalinated water, commonly used for drinking, was one possible hypothesis for occurrence of this diarrhea problem. The objective of the present study was to test bacteriological potability of desalinated water in both Shebaa and Abha areas and to determine whether any contamination occurred during transportation from water distribution stations to houses or during storage in house reservoirs. -Water samples were collected and analyzed by the Presumptive Coliform Test from a sample of water tankers transporting water and from tap water originating from house reservoirs in a sample of houses in the two areas. Source of drinking water was recorded for each of such houses. Of 117 water samples from 39 tankers transporting water, only one sample was positive bacteriologically and non-potable [potability = 99%]. Whereas among 201 tap water samples from a random sample of houses, 26.4% showed contamination. Bacteriological non-potability was -found in a significantly higher proportion of houses in Shebaa area [38.4%] than in Abha city [7.9%], [p < 0.001]. Also, desalinated water was used for drinking significantly more in Shebaa than in Abha [p < 0.001]. It is concluded that transportation of the desalinated water by water tankers has not significantly contributed to its contamination. Such contamination rather obviously occurred during storage in house reservoirs, and was possibly implicated, at least partly, in the increased prevalence of diarrhea in Shebaa

Health profile and utilization of health services in selected communities in Abha Part 1: introduction and methodology

Valuable information about community health problems and evaluation of health services can be obtained through health surveys. This study was planned to determine the health profile, prevalence of some specific health problems [e.g. dental caries and intestinal parasites], immunization coverage, and the utilization of health services for two urban communities in Abha City. A 20% simple random sample including 146 families and 942 individuals was selected and studied from AI-Manhal and Serthabta Communities served by AI-Manhal Primary Health Care Center. The methodology included interviewing the head of the household, the examination of teeth of children below 12 years of age and stool analysis for parasites. Key problems and methodological issues discovered during the survey are discussed. Detailed results will be published in separate reports

Relationship of intestinal parasites in urban communities in Abha to socioenvironmental factors

The prevalence of intestinal parasites and their relationship to family income, level of education, and source of drinking water was studied in a 20% random sample in two urban communities in Abha City. The sample included 942 individuals, and stool specimens were obtained and examined from 722 of them [76.7% response]. Only two pathogenic parasites [Giardia Iamblia and Entamoeba histolytica] were detected in this sample, with prevalence rates of 3.6% and 1.7% respectively. The non-pathogenic Entamoeba coli was detected in 7.9% of the sample. Higher parasitic prevalence rates were associated with lower income and with lower educational level. Higher infection rate with G. lamblia seems to be linked to the consumption of well-water for drinking