Meal skipping pattern among male students in a Saudi university campus

The objective of this study was to describe meal consumption pattern of male students in King Saud University Campus and to identify some demographic associates of meal skipping. Data were collected from a sample of 325 male students selected through stratified random sampling technique according to room accommodation [single or double] and systematic random within the stratum. Self administered pre-coded questionnaire was used for data collection. The majority of the sample [82.8%] skipped breakfast, 47.4% skipped the lunch, and 13.3% skipped the dinner. Only 7% of the students satisfied the daily requirement of fruits and vegetables. Type of college [health-related Vs not related], room accommodation, home region and marital status were not statistically associated with meal pattern [P>0.05]. Only the academic level was statistically associated with meal pattern [P<0.05]. Results of the study recommend initiation of a health education program concentrating on importance of regular intake of meals and sufficient amount of fruits and vegetables in KSU Campus

Work-related assaults on nursing staff in Riydah, Saudi Arabia

To determine the extent of work-related violence against nurses in hospitals in Riyadh. Materials and methods: Through a cross sectional approach, a self administered questionnaire was offered to 500 active-duty nurses selected randomly. In addition to the demographic characteristics, the questionnaire inquired about exposure to workplace violence, hospital and department of employment at the time of exposure, characteristics of the assailant and nurses perception of the causes of violence. Out of 434 respondents, 93 [21.4%] were males, and 341 [78.6%] females. The mean age was 36.1 +/- 7.97 years. Workplace violence was experienced by 235 [54.3%] nurses. Of these 93.2% were exposed to harsh insulting language, 32.8% to verbal threat, 28 1% to attempts of physical assault. 17.4% to sexual harassment and 16.2% to actual physical assault, Nurses working in psychiatry and emergency units had the highest rate of exposure to violence [84.3% and 62.1% respectively] Nurses perceived shortage in security personnel [82%], shortage in nursing staff [63%], language barrier [36.3%] and unrestricted movement of patients in hospitals [21.5%] as causes of their exposure to violence. Recommendations: improve security in hospitals by increasing the number of security officers on duty and increase the community's awareness of the problem

Risk factors of bronchial asthma in Bahrah, Saudi Arabia

Asthma is a common health problem whose prevalence in Saudi Arabia has risen over the last few decades. Brick factories in the city of Bahrah have exacerbated the problem, and increasing numbers of asthma cases are attending local primary health care centers. Determine the risk factors of asthma in Bahrah. Materials and The study was comprised of 110 cases of bronchial asthma resident in Bahrah who were diagnosed by the treating physicians and 110 healthy controls matched in age and sex. A questionnaire was completed from cases and controls, consisting of data regarding personal, familial, indoor and outdoor environmental factors that may be potential risk factors to asthma. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done to assess risk factors. The mean ages of cases and controls were 22.4 [ +/- 16.7] and 22.8 [ +/- 16.1] years, respectively. Each group consisted of 64 males [58%] and 46 [42%] females. There was a significant association between distance from houses to brick factories and bronchial asthma [Chi square for linear trend = 26.6, p < 0.001]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that living within one kilometer of a brick factory [OR = 5.1, CI = 2.33 - 11.16], family history [OR = 4.6, CI = 2.16 - 9.78], allergic rhinitis [OR = 3.39, CI = I.49 - 7.69], skin atopy [OR = 4.6, CI= 1.53 - 13.87] and recurrent respiratory tract infections [OR = 4.1, CI = 1.79 - 9.22] were independent risk factors for asthma in Bahrah. Conclusions and recommendations: Brick factories, family history and history of rhinitis, skin atopy, or recurrent respiratory tract infections are risk factors of bronchial asthma. An in-depth study to asses air pollution in Bahrah is recommended People are advised not to live near brick factories

Anepidemiological study of cancer larynx in Alexandria

The purpose of this work is to study the pattern of cancer larynx in Alexandria and to investigate some factors associated with its occurrence. All cases of cancer larynx admitted to Alexandria major hospitals [Main University Hospital and Gamal Abdel-Nassr Health Insurance Hospital] during 1994 were included in the study. For each case a control matched for age and sex was chosen from patients admitted to the same hospital for causes unrelated to cancer larynx. A questionnaire was completed by interview with the patient or his/her companion to collect the data concerning basic epidemiologic data, medical history, habits and exposures. Majority of cases occurred among males [84%]. The peak of occurrence was observed in elderly persons [65-74 years]. Supraglottic cancer larynx constituted 84% of all cases in men and 78% in women. The risk of cancer larynx was 12 times higher among smokers [OR = 12.27], 8 times among those who drink alcohol [OR = 8.75], 4 times in those with history of voice strain [OR = 4.28] and 2.5 times in those with low and very low social standards [OR = 2.55]. Exposure to wood dust increased the risk of cancer larynx 5 times. After controlling confounders by using multivariate logistic regression low social class, smoking, exposure to wood dust and voice strain remained significant risk factors [OR = 2.09, 10.6, 3.8 and 2.4, respectively], but the effect of alcohol intake was deleted. No exposure for irradiation of neck for thyroid, oil, leather, textile materials or precancerous lesions was found among cases or controls. In conclusion, cancer larynx is disease of old age and low social class. Smoking, alcohol intake, wood dust and voice strain increase the risk of occurrence of cancer larynx

epidemiological study on consanguineous marriage among suburban population in Alexandria

A survey was carried out on the 1056 households in 3 randomly selected suburban areas in Alexandria [Ghon, Nahaat and Ezbat El-Nesha]. A questionnaire interview was conducted with married females in these households to determine the pattern and frequency of consanguinity and to study their knowledge about causes and effects of consanguineous marriages. Of the 1018 investigated matings 29.78% were consanguineous with an average inbreeding coefficient of 0.0139. First cousins marriages constituted around two third of them. Throughout the last 50 years, change in the tend of consanguineous marriages was not statistically significant. Age at marriage was younger in consanguineous marriages than remote ones. Sharing traditions and customs together with lower cost of marriage among relatives were reported to be the 2 leading causes of consanguineous marriages. While, only 11.79% of the studied females knew that consanguineous marriage is harmful, more than two fifths reported that it has no effect on offsprings

study of injuries at the primary care level in Alexandria

One of the essential elements of PHC is appropriate treatment of injuries. Injuries are the most serious public health problem. Therefore the studies of the incidence and risk factors of injuries are needed to provide direction in planning and implementation of appropriate preventive programs. The aim of the present work was to study the pattern of injuries recorded at the PHC level, to study the referral system and feed back of injuries, as well as to study the role of PHC centers in the prevention of injuries through health education programs. Data about injuries in the last five years [1989-1993] was collected from the primary emergency posts and the main Ambulance Center in Kom EI-Deka. Moreover, repeated visits to different PHC centers were done to study the referral system and feed back and the role of these centers in the prevention of injuries through health education programs. The results revealed the defective referral system for injuries between PHC centers and the primary emergency posts as well as the feed back mechanism. Moreover, there was no health education program provided in the study PHC centers about prevention of injuries. The results revealed that there was decline in the occurrence of injuries from the year 1989 to the year 1993. The case fatality of injuries increased from the year 1989 to the year 1993. Injuries were higher among males and among age group of more than 15 years. Accidents due to cars were more prevalent than other types. There is a need for accurate data recording at the primary care level, good referral system and feed back about injuries. The role of PHC centers in the prevention of injuries through health education programs should be stressed