Preventive measures for the transmission control of influenza in primary schools in saudi arabia: lessons from the recent H1N1 pandemic

Background: All over the world schools play an important role in the transmission of influenza within the community. The aim of the present study was to assess the preventive measures taken by primary schools in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia, to reduce the transmission of H1N1 influenza

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in ten female primary schools selected by a multistage stratified random sampling technique with proportionate allocation out of 163 public and private schools in Dammam and Khobar. All ten schools were assessed for availability of human and nonhuman resources for the prevention of H1N1 transmission, and the efficiency of preventive measures by a predesigned checklist based on the guidelines of World Health Organization, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and Saudi Ministry of Health and by the review of school records. Two classes were randomly selected from each school for the screening of desks for influenza by rapid antigen test and confirmation of positive cases by polymerase chain reaction. The total sample size was 500 desks

Results: Optimal implementation of recommended preventive and control measures in the primary schools was observed. All desk swab samples were negative for the influenza virus. Despite the low prevalence of students immunized with the H1N1 vaccine [2.3%], the percentage of suspected and confirmed H1N1 cases was low [0.6% and 0.1% respectively]

Conclusion and Recommendation: Appropriate implementation of the recommended preventive and control measures for influenza in primary schools may reduce H1NI viral transmission even without mass student immunization. Accordingly, it is recommended that only high-risk children be immunized to reduce the incidence of side-effects of the vaccine

Smoking pattern among female college students in Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Smoking is the most important avoidable cause of premature morbidity and mortality in the world. The estimated annual death rate of 4.9 million people in 1999 is expected to rise to 10 million by the 2020s and 2030s, 7 million of which will occur in developing countries. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of smoking and assess its pattern among non-medical female college students in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted of 1020 female students selected from the literature and science colleges by multi-stage stratified random sampling technique with proportional allocation. Data were collected using a self-administered modified WHO Global Youth Tobacco Survey questionnaire. Results revealed that occurrence of smoking among female college students was 8.6%. It was significantly higher among literature college students [12.1%] than among Science College students [3.4%]. The mean age at which smoking started was 16 +/- 2.4 years, with a minimum of 11 years. More than half of the students who smoked were cigarette smokers, while 43.2% were shisha smokers. There was a strong relationship between parents who smoked and daughters who smoked. The main motive for smoking was curiosity [44.3%], followed by relief of tension [26.1%]. It may be concluded that smoking is increasing among female college students in Saudi Arabia. Accordingly, it is recommended that a preventive comprehensive health education program on smoking be initiated for females in middle schools, that stricter tobacco control measures be adopted by the government, and that anti-smoking clinics be established in colleges

comparative study of perceived stress among female medical and non-medical university students in Dammam, Saudi Arabia

The objective of this study was to investigate any differences between female undergraduate medical and non-medical students for: 1] prevalence and causes of perceived academic stress, and 2] changes in physical, mental, psychological and emotional health as well as life-style since starting college studies. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Dammam University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, in January 2008. All 319 pre-clinical female medical students were included in the study and 297 non-medical students from the College of Applied Studies and Community Services [CASCS] were selected by stratified random sampling. The study instrument was a questionnaire on the "Influence of Studying on Students' Health". More medical students [48.6%] reported being frequently stressed due to studies than CASCS students [38.7%, P <0.01]. Unsuitable teaching methods, an unsatisfactory study environment, and fear of failure in examinations were more frequently mentioned by medical than non-medical students [P <0.05]. While underlying social problems were significantly more common in medical students, economic problems were more prevalent among CASCS students [P <0.05, P <0.05]. More medical than non-medical students reported a worse status of physical and mental health, anxiety and depression and negative life-style changes since initiation of the college programme. Medical students were at higher risk of physical and mental health problems than non-medical students due to academic stress. Since a substantial proportion of CASCS students also experienced academic stress, we recommend that a student support committee be established for both colleges to provide counselling and guidance in healthy ways to cope with stress

Quality assessment of primary health care services provided for diabetes mellitus control in Alexandria

The present study was conducted aiming at: assessment of the quality of primary health care [PHC] services provided for the control of diabetes mellitus [DM] in Alexandria; and opportunistic screening of high risk individuals attending PHC facilities for DM. Accordingly, the availability of human and non-human resources for DM control in two r h and two urban PHC centers in Alexandria [one of them was sewing a desert area] was assessed by a pre-designed checklist 920 adult PHC attendants were screened for risk factors of DM. Individuals having more than one of the following risk factors: age above 50 years, overweight [body mass index >27 kg/m2], family history of DM in first degree relatives, history of hypertension, hypertension [systolic blood pressure >140 mm Hg and /or diastolic blood pressure >90 mm Hg], history of hyperlipidemia and history of gestational diabetes or birth of a large sized baby in females- were subjected to random capillary blood glucose [RCBG] testing. Cases were considered likely diabetic if RCBG was >200 mg/dl. The performance of all PHC physicians examining and managing 560 diabetic patients was observed over a period of two months. One fourth of the diabetic cases were checked for the level of glycaemic control by fasting capillary blood glucose testing

role of primary health care in patient education for diabetes control

The aim of the present work was to study the role of primary health care [PHC] in patient education for diabetes control in Alexandria. Accordingly, the knowledge and perception concerning diabetes and its management of all PHC physicians [88] and nurses [104] working in 2 rural health centers and 2 randomly chosen urban health centers of Alexandria Governorate were assessed by a pre-designed self-administered questionnaire. All diabetic patients [560] over 20 years of age attending the study health facilities over a period of 2 months were assessed for their knowledge and attitude concerning diabetes and self-management and asked about their degree of satisfaction with the provided PHC services by a pre-designed interview questionnaire. It may be concluded that there is a serious gap in the provision of basic education services to the majority of diabetic patients attending PHC facilities in Alexandria

Quality assessment of the primary health care services provided for control in Alexandria

The aim of the present study was to assess the quality of services provided for acute respiratory infections [ARI] control in Alexandria after about five years of its integration into primary health care [PHC]. The ARI training coverage of actively practicing physicians was only 35% and of nurses 37.5%, due to inappropriate allocation of trained human resources. The knowledge of trained PHC physicians was slightly better than that of untrained staff and both were unsatisfactory. The main deficiency was in detecting the dangerous signs and in classifying [cough or difficult breathing], which resulted in missing all cases of [severe pneumonia] and [very severe disease] needing referral to higher levels, in order to reduce the ARI specific mortality rates. The rate of oral antibiotic abuse reached about 55%, which was much higher than that found in the ARI annual report 1997 and is more likely to be the true figure. On the other hand, long acting penicillin was underutilized, due to fear of its allergic reaction and oral antibiotics were used instead of it. Therefore, the later were unavailable at the PHC facilities for about 7 months mainly during winter and spring time

Impact of mental health knowledge and attitudes of trainees on their school contacts

School personnel are valuable community resources in child mental health programmes. Realizing that continuous evaluation of the school mental health training programme in Alexandria is highly recommended, it was decided to study the impact of knowledge and attitudes of trainees on the untrained colleagues through comparing school communities having few trained personnel [intervention group] with school communities having none [control group]. A total of 206 teachers and social workers representing both groups participated in this study. Their knowledge and attitudes were assessed using designed child mental health related knowledge and attitude scales. Findings of the present work lend further support to earlier indications of improvement in trainees knowledge. Furthermore, they suggested that trained staff hold promise for accessing their non-trained colleagues and improving their knowledge. However, data failed to prove any effects on staff attitudes

Study of the role of Alexandria primary health care program in the assessment of behaviour disorders of primary school children part I: prevalence of behaviour disorders among primary school children

The study was conducted to reveal the prevailing behavioral disorders among school children in Alexandria. A representative sample from the primary school children was selected by the stratified random sample method. A sheet for description of personal and psychosocial data, and the standardized Arabic version of the CBCL and behavior questionnaire for completion by teachers were used for assessment of behavior disorders which indicated the importance of providing mental services in the context of primary health care

study of the role of Alexandria primary health care program in the assessment of behavior disorders of primary school children part II: appraisal of mental school health services provided by primary health care facilities

The study was carried out in randomly chosen rural and urban primary health care facilities in addition to schools following these facilities. The mental health services were evaluated by a sheet for description of primary health care and school health services as well as studying of records. The results revealed that mental and school health services provided to school children were minimal. Also, recording system was found to be deficient. However, strengthening of mental health services in context of PHC is necessary

study of the role of Alexandria primary health care program in the assessment of behavior disorders of primary school children part III-knowledge and attitude of primary health care personnel, teachers and social workers about behavior disorders

The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge of primary health care personnel, social workers and teachers about behavior disorders, beside measuring the attitude of teachers towards behaviorally disordered school children. An interview technique was used to complete the designed questionnaire. The results showed deficiency in knowledge about behavior disorders in all categories except teachers graduated from the Faculty of Education or Institute of Teacher's Education. Also, the majority of teachers showed negative attitude towards behaviorally disturbed pupils. Accordingly, a training program in mental health in the context of primary health care is recommended for primary health care personnel, social workers and teachers