Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome among a noring community

To evaluate the relation between snoring and the presence of obstructive sleep apnea [OSA] in terms of relevant health parameters and questionnaire responses. Selective random sampling within a household survey in the cities of Al-Khobar and Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over a 3 month period during the year 2000, was carried out. One hundred and fifty-two persons, aged 17-62 years, with a positive history of snoring as determined by the spouse or other members of the family were selected. The presence of OSA was determined using the Epworth sleepiness scale [ESS]. The predictors included age, gender and body mass index. Snoring was found to be more associated with OSA as suggested by ESS in the study sample. The severity of snoring and its pattern are more associated with apneic patients. Snoring is common and may be a serious medical problem. This study revealed that snoring is associated with symptoms suggesting OSA syndrome as detected by ESS. The family doctor and his team should be aware of the condition, using simple screening test such as ESS, improves the patient care, and finding of suspected cases

Evaluation of antenatal referrals from health centres to the maternity and children's hospital in Dammam city, Saudi Arabia

To evaluate antenatal referral rates from Primary Health Care [PHC] centres to the Maternity and Children's Hospital in Dammam and factors affecting it. Methodology: Four randomly Selected Primary Health Care Centres in Dammam city. A sample of 135 pregnant women referred to the hospital [cases] and 135 pregnant women not referred [controls] were randomly selected. A double phase sampling scheme was adopted. Questionnaires regarding the characteristics of the general practitioners [GPs] were distributed to those GPs caring for antenatal patients in the 4 health centres. There was a variation in the referral rates of the five general practitioners from 11.5 to 21.2 per 100 antenatal consultation. It was found that certain characteristics of the GPs had an important influence on the referral rates. High risk factors in pregnancy were present in some of the controls but they were not referred. Conclusion and Recommendations: There is a variation in the referral rates between the GPs. There is a need to monitor and improve the quality of the antenatal care and the referral process. Better training of the GPs and implementing shared obstetric care is recommended