ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND@#Vitamin D deficiency associated with dyslipidemia can contribute towards cardiovascular diseases. Previous studies have found that Saudi Arabia has a high burden of vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular disease risk factors. We aimed to explore the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and dyslipidemia, including total cholesterol, low-density lipids, high-density lipids (HDL), and triglycerides (TG) in apparently healthy Saudi male and female participants aged 30-75 years.@*METHODS@#A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1717 apparently healthy Saudi participants from 18 primary health care centers in Riyadh. Data collectors conducted the interviews, took anthropometric measurements, and collected the blood samples. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were measured using an electrochemiluminescence assay method. Lipid panel was measured by a fully automated analyzer using enzymatic methods.@*RESULTS@#Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of low level of HDL cholesterol in association with 25(OH)D deficiency was 2.1 times higher in males (OR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.1, 3.9) and 1.3 times higher in females (OR = 1.3; 95% CI = 0.9, 1.9). A significant excess odds ratio of high levels of TG in association with 25(OH) D deficiency was observed in females (OR = 3.0; 95% CI = 1.1, 7.9) but not in males.@*CONCLUSION@#Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in Saudi Arabia. Low levels of HDL cholesterol in men and high TG levels in women are associated with vitamin D deficiency. The results emphasize the importance of treating vitamin D deficiency in the general population.
ABSTRACT
To estimate the proportion of children 1-4 years of age vaccinated in the first year of their life and determine socio-demographic factors associated with vaccination in the rural sub-district Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan. Cross-sectional study. The study was conducted in 9 Union Councils of sub-district Gambat, district Khairpur, Sindh, from August to October 2008. A questionnaire based representative multi-stage cluster survey was conducted. A total of 549 children aged 1-4 years were assessed for coverage and predictors of vaccination. Univariate and multivariate analysis was done using logistic regression to determine the unadjusted and adjusted relationship between socio-demographic predictor and outcome [vaccination status]. The coverage for complete vaccination was 71.9% [95%CI=68.1%-75.7%]. Educational level of mother [p=0.042], father [p=0.001] and child birth at hospital [p=0.006] were significantly associated with the vaccination status. Mother's educational level of intermediate and above was the strongest predictor [OR=12.19, 95%CI=1.57-94.3] for vaccination. Education of parents, particularly mother's education was important determinant of vaccination status of the children. In addition, distance from taluka health facility and misconception of parents were among the main reasons of not getting the children vaccinated. There is a need to educate the parents especially mothers about the importance of vaccination and organize EPI services at Basic Health Unit level to improve the vaccination coverage in rural areas of Pakistan