Public attitude towards biomedical research at outpatient clinics of King Abdulaziz medical city, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study was to determine the attitude of Saudi Arabians to research involving storage and use of human tissues from which genetic information may be derived and to assess their willingness to donate tissue samples to biobanks. In a cross-sectional interview study of 1051 outpatients at a hospital in Riyadh city, 68.8% had a positive attitude towards biomedical research and 78.4% were willing to allow use of excess surgical tissues for research purposes. Participants were less willing to allow the use of tissue or organs from a deceased relative. Logistic regression analysis found that predictors for a positive attitude to biomedical research and to use of tissue in research were: female sex, higher level of education, previous experience of blood testing and previous participation in health-related research. The attitudes towards biomedical research among the participants were satisfactory and comparable to findings from other countries

Predictors of gestational diabetes mellitus in a highparity community in Saudi Arabia

A study in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia investigated the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM] and its predictors in a high-parity group of pregnant women [n = 633, 50.1% grand multiparas]. The prevalence of GDM was 12.5% and 3.8% by World Health Organization and American Diabetes Association criteria respectively. Multiparous women were 8.29 times more likely to have GDM than nulliparous women. However, after adjustment for maternal age and history of abortion, nulliparous women were 2.95 times more likely to develop GDM than parous women. The probability of GDM for a parous woman increased from 2% to 21% when age increased from 20 to 40 years. The high rate of GDM among grand multiparas may be due to the confounding effect of maternal age

audit of diabetes care at 3 centres in Alexandria

Selected indicators for structure, process and outcome of care were used to audit diabetes care in 3 centres in Alexandria. Structure was poor: main problems included absence of appointment and recall system, deficiencies in laboratory resources and lack of educational material. Process of care was poor for 69.2% of patients: deficiencies included absence of essential information in records and missing some essential clinical examinations. Degree of control was poor for 49.2% of patients and only 30.6% had no complications. Compliance to appointment was good for about 80% of patients. Better outcome [fewer complications and higher compliance] was significantly associated with poor process of care. This cannot, however, be considered a valid predictor of outcome as good care might be initiated by the presence of complications

Health-related lifestyles and risk behaviours among students living in Alexandria University hostels

We assessed health - related lifestyles and their determinants among 600 Alexandria students living in university hostels. Data were collected by questionnaires, and anthropometric University and blood pressure measurements were taken. Most students were not satisfied with their situation in terms of accommodation, health and support. About 86% ate unhealthy diets, 33.8% were physically inactive, 25.3% were overweight or at risk of becoming overweight, 17.5% of male students were smokers and 32.2% had poor sleep behaviours. About 28% of the students adopted 3 or more current risk behaviours. About 23% reported low perceived health status and 80.3% felt they had low to moderate social support. There were significant sex differences regarding some behaviours

Psychosocial assessment of geriatric subjects in Abha City, Saudi Arabia

Psychosocial assessment of geriatric subjects was carried out through a home-based survey of people aged 65 years and over [n = 810] in the catchment areas of 3 primary health care centres. All the participants had a structured interview and were given a short version of the geriatric depression scale. Depression was found in 17.5% of the subjects, more commonly in women [27.7% versus 12.7%]. The combined effect of impaired perceived health status [52.4%] and functional capacity [26.6%], loneliness [4.5%], single status [24.3%], and lack of education [80.5%] explained 23.7% of the variance in depression score by multiple regression analysis. Depression is a problem among the geriatric population in the region, especially women. Periodic home psychosocial screening of geriatrics is recommended

Effect of erectile dysfunction on quality of life

Erectile dysfunction [ED] is one of the most common diseases of male sexual dysfunction. A cross-sectional study of 388 ED patients who attended six andrology and urology clinics in Jeddah for the first time was performed during a period of 3 months. ED was rated as mild [21% of patients], moderate [60%] or severe [19%], and was strongly associated with age. After adjusting for age, only lack of exercise, alcohol consumption and drug addiction were significantly associated with severity; hypertension, cardiac diseases and smoking were not. About two-thirds of the patients had poor quality of life; severe ED was the only significant predictor of this. Severe ED was not an indicator for co-morbidities

Central obesity in elderly individuals in south-western Saudi Arabia: prevalence and associated morbidity

Central obesity in all individuals aged 65 years and over [n = 810] in the catchment areas of three primary health care centres in Abha was determined from the waist circumference [WC] and waist-to-hip ratio [WHR]. The age-adjusted prevalence of central obesity was 32.4% and 43.5% based on the WC and WHR indicators respectively. WC was significantly associated with the risk of diabetes and hypertension, while WHR was significantly associated with the risk of diabetes only. These findings suggest that reducing the prevalence of central obesity in old age would decrease the risk of diabetes and hypertension. WC is a powerful independent predictor mainly of hypertension risk, while WHC is a good predictor of the risk of diabetes

Risk factors of coronary heart disease: attitude and behaviour in family practice in Saudi Arabia

To study risk factors of attitudes and behaviour towards coronary heart disease [CHD], 280 Saudis > or = 20 years attending a family practice answered a structured health and lifestyle questionnaire and had their weight, height, blood pressure and random total cholesterol measured. Significant difference was found between males and females in the mean number of cardiovascular risk factors [t = -3.03, P < 0.01]. Few people with high dietary fat intake, obesity or physical inactivity perceived their behaviour as harmful. The number of people who perceived an associated risk to their health increased with incidence of smoking and obesity but not with high fat intake. Physically inactive people were least likely to perceive their behaviour as harmful

Compliance and control of diabetes in a family practice setting, Saudi Arabia

This study aimed to identify some determinants of compliance with diet, anti-diabetic drugs and the appointment system amongst diabetic patients [n = 294] attending a family practice setting. The results showed that good compliance with diet was significantly higher among males [P = 0.01] and those with good diabetic control [P = 0.01], while good compliance with appointment systems was significantly associated with type II diabetes [P < 0.01] and good care [P < 0.01]. Compliance with drugs showed no significant association with any of the studied determinants [P > 0.05]. When multiple regression analysis was applied, the degree of control of diabetes, its duration and the total score of care were the only predictors of the three aspects of compliance [P < 0.05]