Musculoskeletal disorders among bank office workers in Kuwait

This cross-sectional observational study assessed the pattern of musculoskeletal disorders [MSDs] suffered by bank office workers in Kuwait. A self-administered validated questionnaire was used that included the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire and 12-item general health questionnaire [GHQ12]. Of 750 employees, 80% suffered at least 1 episode of MSD during the previous year and 42% suffered at least 1 disabling episode. The most affected body parts were the neck [53.5%], lower back [51.1%], shoulders [49.2%] and upper back [38.4%]. Nationality, GHQ12 score, smoking and sex were significant predictors of MSDs during the previous year, while alcohol drinking, marital status, GHQ12 score, years in Kuwait and sex were significant predictors of disabling MSDs during the previous year

Factors affecting the quality of life of hypertensive patients

Using the Hypertension Health Status Inventory and multivariate analysis, predictors of quality of life were determined for a r and om selection of 316 hypertensive patients. Controlling for the effects of demographic and socioeconomic factors and existing co-morbidity, a better quality of life was independently predicted by achieving a controlled blood pressure and absence of target organ complications. Neither the number of antihypertensive drugs received nor the dose frequency affected patients' quality of life. Presence of drug side-effects independently predicted a lower quality of life in the physical and emotional domains but not on aspects of daily living. The independent predictors explained 25%-30% of the variation in the quality of life of hypertensive patients. The study highlights the role of achieving blood pressure control to ensure a better quality of life for hypertensive patients

Gender differences in health care utilization and outcome of respiratory tuberculosis in Alexandria

A study of gender differences in health care utilization and outcome of respiratory tuberculosis was carried out in Alexandria, Egypt. A cohort of 334 patients was followed-up for 8 months; 69.2% of cases were males. The pattern of tuberculosis symptoms was similar for both sexes. Women started treatment earlier than men. Women had significantly lower scores in knowledge, beliefs and attitudes about tuberculosis than men. Compliance was unsatisfactory for both sexes. Men tended to be more adherent to drugs and to sputum and X-ray examinations but there were no sex differences in compliance with health education and medical examinations. No significant sex differences in treatment outcome were found: the overall cure rate was 60.5% and treatment failure was 4.8%. Multiple regression analysis showed satisfaction with medical care was the only significant predictor of treatment failure

Impact of schistosomiasis on quality of life and productivity of workers

The effect of schistosomiasis on quality of life [QOL] and productivity of workers was examined. In a textile factory in Alexandria, Egypt, personal, occupational and sociodemographic data were collected from 172 workers with schistosomiasis and 172 workers without schistosomiasis. Several indicators of productivity and the World Health Organization QOL brief were used to determine the impact of schistosomiasis. The disease affected the general, physical and independence, psychological and spiritual, and social domains of QOL. Although the productivity score of workers with schistosomiasis did not differ significantly from the control group, they had significantly lower additional hours of work and lower total incentives/month. A significant relationship was found between severity of schistosomiasis and QOL domains and productivity indicators

Violence among schoolchildren in Alexandria

Violent behaviour among school students and its predictors were investigated. Selected children [2170] were requested to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Initiating violent assaults in the 18 months prior to the study was reported by 51.0% of boys and 20.9% of girls. Multivariate logistic regression analysis pointed to 16 predictive variables for violent behaviour; few were related to family background whereas the majority were related to the children themselves. Violent assaults were more likely to be initiated by boys and those who were dangerously daring and risk-takers, often fought verbally, threatened to attack others, were cruel to animals, disrupted class discipline, were truant from school or ran away from home and were disciplined by corporal punishment by their parents and their teachers. School-based prevention and intervention programmes addressing modifiable predictors should be considered

Epidemiological and risk predictors of severity of school injuries

Accidents are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among schoolchildren. Epidemiological and risk predictors of injury severity were investigated among all school injuries presenting at the Students' Hospital in Alexandria during the scholastic year 1996-97. In all, 3422 injured pupils were surveyed. Age, nature of injury, place and mechanism of school injury and referral method were significant risk predictors for hospitalization. Age, referral method and nature of injury were significant predictors of referral to specialized health services. Injury severity score was significantly predicted by the presence of acute disease during time of injury, place and mechanism of injury as well as by provision of first aid and referral method and time

Allergic impact of air pollution caused by Kuwait oil fires among the population of eastern province of Saudi Arabia

The effect of air pollution produced by Kuwait oil fires on the frequency of skin test [ST] reactivity to 6 common air-borne allergens and on the frequency of bronchial asthma, rhinitis and urticaria were investigated in the population of Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Frequencies of ST reactivity to all allergens showed a similar pattern of changes during year 1991, with a peak in the 3rd quarter of the year. In year 1990, indoor allergens [house dust mite, house dust and cat fur] showed gradual decrease in their frequencies with time, whereas outdoor allergens [pollens] showed different patterns of changes. The differences between frequency changes during year 1991 and year 1990 were statistically significant. Similarly, changes in frequencies of cases with asthma and rhinitis, but not urticaria, in year 1991 were also significantly differed from those in year 1990. These data indicated that air pollution due to Kuwait oil fires has increased the susceptibility to allergy status among the population in the area

Geographic pattern of cesarean birth rate in Dammam [1988]

This study was carried out in the four geographic areas of Dammam. A number of 847 pregnant females expected to give births in 1988 and recorded in primary health care centers [n equal to 21] were followed to identify the type of deliveries whether normal [n = 801] or cesarean delivery [n = 46]. After data collection, population rate, crude cesarean rate, age adjusted rate, observed to expected ratio were calculated. The population caesarean section rate was 54.3/1000. There were variations in the age adjusted rate and the crude cesarean rate among the four studied areas. No significant differences were found between observed and expected number of cesarean section for the four geographic areas