Prevalence, predictors and triggers of migraine headache among medical students and interns in King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Objectives: To determine the prevalence, predictors, triggers and educational outcome of migraine among medical students and interns in King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Methods: A cross-sectional study was completed among 566 participants selected through a multistage stratified random sample method. A validated, confidential, self-administered data collection sheet was utilized. It contained ID Migraine test[TM], Numeric Pain Rating Scale [NPRS]. Questions about possible predictors, triggers and impact of migraine were asked. Descriptive, inferential statistics and multiple logistic regression analysis were conducted

Results: More than one-half [54.9%] of the participants had >/= 2 headache attacks during the three months preceded the study. The prevalence of migraine was 26.3%, and 41.6% of the cases suffered from severe pain. The main migraine predictors were Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders [FGIDs], family history of migraine, female gender, and enrollment in the second academic year. Exam stress and sleep disturbances were the commonest triggers. The majority of the participants reported that their educational performance and ability to attend sessions were affected during migraine attacks

Conclusion: A relatively high prevalence of migraine was seen among our participants. FGIDs, gender and academic year were the predictors. Screening and management of migraine among medical students are required. Conduction of relaxation programs and stress management courses are also recommended

Evidence based medicine and guidelines: awareness, perceptions and practice of physicians from a university hospital and primary health care centers, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Objective: To assess the level of awareness, perceptions and practices of Jeddah's physicians towards Evidence Based Medicine [EBM], and Evidence Based Practice Guidelines [EBPGs]

Design: A cross-sectional study was done

Setting: Selected Primary Health Care Centers [PHCCs], and outpatient clinics from King Abdulaziz University Hospital [KAUH]

Subjects: A sample of 260 physicians working at the chosen facilities

Intervention[s]: Physicians were selected through stratified random sample method. A standardized, anonymous, self administered questionnaire was used. Visual Analogue Scales were utilized to rate physicians' perceptions towards EBM. Descriptive and inferential statistics were done

Main outcome measure[s]: Identifying awareness, perceptions and practices of physicians towards EBM and EBPGs

Results: Only less than one-third of the physicians reported that they can understand and explain EBM terms such as relative risk [29.6%], absolute risk [28.1%] and meta-analysis [28.5%]. Most of the participants welcomed applying EBM in their practice. EBPG was reported as the most commonly used method for moving from opinion based practice to EBM. Lack of training [86.2%] and internet accessibility [71.5%] hindered EBM application in practice. No statistical associations were found between both genders concerning their perceptions towards EBM. Physicians from KAUH had significantly better perception than PHCCs physicians [p < 0.01] regarding the opinion that "adoption of EBM placed a burden on their already overloaded schedules". Concerning practice, 41.5% of the physicians did not perform any search influenced by their practice during the preceding year

Conclusion: Physicians had good perceptions towards EBM, but their awareness and practices need improvement. EBM training programs and increased workplace internet accessibility are required

Dysmenorrhea among female medical students in King Abdulaziz University: prevalence, predictors and outcome

Objective: To determine the prevalence, predictors and outcome of dysmenorrhea among female medical students in King Abdulaziz University [KAU], Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 435 medical students at KAU, Jeddah selected through stratified random sample method. A pre-constructed, validated, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect personal and socio-demographic information. Data about menstrual history, stress, smoking were also collected. The severity of dysmenorrhea was scored by the "Visual Analogue Scale [VAS]". Descriptive and analytical statistics were conducted

Results: The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 60.9%. Logistic regression showed that heavy period was the first predictor of dysmenorrhea [aOR=1.94; 95% CI: 1.29- 2.91], followed by stress [aOR=1.90; 95% C.I.: 1.19-3.07]. The prevalence of severe dysmenorrhea among the sufferers was 38.6%. Depressed mood was the commonest [80.8%] symptom accompanying dysmenorrhea. Regarding the outcome of dysmenorrhea, 67.5% of the sufferes reported emotional instability, while 28.3% reported absenteeism from the university

Conclusions: A high prevalence of dysmenorrhea was prevalent among medical students in King Abdulaziz University [KAU], Health promotion, screening programs, and stress management courses are recommended

Knowledge, attitude and satisfaction of health care providers regarding premarital screening and genetic counseling program in Jeddah

To determine level of knowledge and premarital screening and genetic counseling [PMSGC], to identify the predictors of high knowledge score and to verify their satisfaction with and recommendations for improving the program Cross-sectional study conducted during the January 2010 - January 2011 period Outpatient clinics of three governmental hospitals in Jeddah Intervention[s]: A self-administered questionnaire containing personal and socio-demographic data, 30 were used. HCP working in the program were asked about their satisfaction and recommendations for improvement. Main Outcome Measure[s]: satisfaction of the HCP About one-half [51.6%] of the health care providers had satisfactory knowledge about PMSGC. After controlling for the confounding factors, the only predictor of satisfactory knowledge score was being a specialized provider [aOR all participants [99%] strongly agreed and agreed on the importance of the PMSGC program. Concerning satisfaction, half of HCP working in the program had excellent or percentages for counseling about discovered diseases. program. However, there is some lack of knowledge. They recommended adding vaccinations, new screening and counseling to the current program. Formal training course[s] for HCP about the program were recommended

Self-medication with analgesics among medical students and interns in King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

To determine the prevalence and predictors of self-medication with analgesics among senior medical students and interns in King Abdulaziz University [KAU], Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 504 participants in 2013. A multistage stratified random sampling was used. A confidential, anonymous and self-administered questionnaire was used to collect personal and socio-demographic data. Data about self-medication and self-medication with analgesics during the preceding 6 months were also inquired. Both descriptive and analytical statistics were done by SPSS version 18 and Epi-Info. During the 6 months preceding the study, 75.2% and 55.4% of participants used self -medication and analgesic self-medication, respectively. The first predictor of utilization of analgesic self-medication was living with family [aOR; 1.96, 95% CI: 1.22-3.14], followed by age >21 years and non- professional jobs of fathers. Alarming high rates of self medication and self-medication with analgesics were observed among medical students and interns. Self-medication needs improvement through educational, regulatory and managerial strategies

Perceptions of clinical years' medical students and interns towards assessment methods used in King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah

The study was done to determine the perception of clinical years' medical students and interns about assessment methods used in Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A cross sectional study was conducted during the educational year 2012/2013. A multistage stratified random sample method was used to select 600 senior medical students [4[th]-6[th]] and interns. Perception of medical students and interns about different assessment formats was inquired using 3 points Likert scale. About two-fifths of participants agreed that assessment methods are comprehensive, reflecting what they taught, and challenging them. MCQs were the commonest [56.8%] preferred written assessment format. OSCE [74.1%] and OSPE [70.6%] were seen as good tools for assessing clinical competencies. Students had good perceptions towards peer assessment, log-book and open book exams. Males preferred peer assessment method more than females, with a statistical significant difference [chi[2] = 6.43, p< 0.05]. Assessment plan needs further improvements and should be designed prospectively along with learning outcomes, as only about 40% of participants agreed with assessment items. The current development of the faculty Assessment Unit will provide much help. This will lead to better preparation of medical students for their future responsibility as tomorrow's doctors

Energy drinks: Getting wings but at what health cost?

Energy drink consumption represents a global public health problem, especially among adolescents and young adults. The consumption of energy drinks has seen a substantial increase during the past few decades, especially in the Western and Asian countries. Although manufacturers of energy drinks claim that these beverages are beneficial in that they can boost energy, physical performance, and improve cognitive performance, there is insufficient scientific evidence to support these claims. The known and unknown pharmacology of the constituents of energy drinks, supplemented with reports of toxicity, raise concern for the potentially severe adverse events linked with energy drink use. Limited numbers of reviews have been published on this important subject. The aim of this review was to identify the major ingredients in energy drinks and to delineate the adverse effects related to their consumption. Electronic databases of PubMed, Clinical Key, and Google and Cochrane library were extensively searched for energy drink articles. More than hundred articles were reviewed, scrutinized and critically appraised and the most relevant forty articles were used. Energy drinks and its ingredients are potentially dangerous to many aspects of health. Measures should be taken to improve awareness among adolescents and their parents regarding the potential hazards of energy drinks. Furthermore, the sale of energy drinks on college and university campuses and to adolescents below 16 years should be prohibited

Premarital screening and genetic counseling program: knowledge, attitude, and satisfaction of attendees of governmental outpatient clinics in Jeddah

Premarital care [PMC] is a worldwide activity that aims to diagnose and treat unrecognized disorders and reduce the transmission of diseases to couples and children. To assess the knowledge and attitude of individuals attending governmental outpatient clinics regarding the Premarital Screening and Genetic Counseling [PMSGC] programs, to identify predictors of high knowledge scores and to determine the satisfaction and recommendations of clients of the program. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2009. Individuals who attended three governmental hospital outpatient clinics on the day of the interview and agreed to participate in the study were recruited. The three hospitals were the two hospitals in Jeddah that offer the PMSGC programs and the King Abdulaziz University Hospital. Ethical considerations were followed and data were collected through an interview questionnaire that had been constructed for the study. The questionnaire asked for personal and socio-demographic data and for responses, on a 5-point Likert scale, to 30 knowledge items and 14 attitude statements. Individuals who participated in the PMSGC program were asked questions regarding the services and activities of the program to ascertain their satisfaction with the program and their recommendations for program improvement. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16 [SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL]. The sample included 655 participants, of whom 38.8% completed the PMSGC program. The participants' knowledge about the program was generally low. Education was the first predictor of a high knowledge score; individuals having >/= university degree obtained a higher score [aOR = 2.73; 95% CI: 1.77-4.20]. The second predictor was the nationality of the participants, with Saudis gaining a higher score [aOR = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.002-4.16]. The third predictor was monthly income. Regarding attitudes, the vast majority of participants [96.0%] strongly agreed on the importance of the program. Concerning the satisfaction levels of those who benefited from the program, 80.0% gave an excellent or very good score for program confidentiality, whereas lower scores were given for counseling. Counseling before the tests was conducted for only 11.7% of the study participants. The majority of participants recommended adding testing for other genetic diseases and STDs as well as additional topics for counseling. Knowledge in the general population about the PMSGC program was low. Implementation of school and university educational campaigns is important. Improved counseling and adding new topics for counseling on genetic, chronic, and psychiatric problems; building healthy families; reproduction and fertility are recommended

intervention educational program on child maltreatment implemented for female teachers in Jeddah primary schools

Child maltreatment is a complex problem and its prevention requires action on many fronts. Teachers spend many hours a day with children and they are likely to be concerned about child maltreatment at some time during their career. This study was carried out to explore knowledge, attitudes, and practice [KAP], and to raise awareness of teachers with respect to child maltreatment. An intervention educational program was performed, 2008, for 498 female teachers selected through multistage stratified random sample technique from 25 primary Jeddah schools. Health education was conducted using audiovisual aids and pre-designed educational materials [folder, 5 colored brochures booklet, computer CD and gifts] were given to participants. Five educational posters with different themes were distributed in the visited schools. Results showed that 33.9% and 23.0% of teachers reported using emotional and physical punishment with own their children, respectively. Only, 8.2% reported the authorities when discovering a student exposed to maltreatment. The mean teachers' knowledge score was low before the program and significantly improved after it [Paired t = 25.4, P < 0.000]. The highest percentage of knowledge gain score was noticed for indicators of sexual maltreatment, risk factors, and impact of maltreatment. Concerning attitude, considerable changes in most of teachers opinion regarding child maltreatment was found after program. It is concluded from the current study that there was lack of teachers' awareness regarding child maltreatment before the program and educational program was successful in improving it. There is an urgent need for standardized education and training programs for teachers on child maltreatment

Prevalence and possible risk factors of helicobacter pylori infection among children attending Damanhour teaching hospital

Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] is a major cause of gastrointestinal disease in children. The factors influencing the acquisition and prevalence of H. pylori infection remain incompletely understood. In the present study, the prevalence and possible risk factors of H. pylori infection were studied among children aged 1.5-16 years who were attending the pediatric outpatient clinic of Damanhour Teaching Hospital. Blood samples were drawn and IgG seroprevalence of H. pylori among the studied children was determined using ELISA kits. A specially designed questionnaire inquired about personal, socioeconomic, household characteristics, feeding history during infancy and the child's health data was completed for every child. Results revealed that the overall seroprevalence of H. pylori infection was 50.5%. The prevalence was widely age dependent: it was 60.6% among those age >/= 5 years and only 25.9% among those <5 years [OR=4.4; 95% C1=1.6-11.9]. Increased crowding in bed was also an associated factor; the prevalence among children where >/= 3 share a bed was 59.7% compared to only 26.9% among those where /= 1 year [OR=2.5; 95% CI=1.1-5.9]. After controlling for possible confounding in a Stepwise Multiple Logistic Regression model, independent predictors for H. pylori infection were: increasing age [>/= 5 years], overcrowding in bed [>/= 3/ bed] and shorter duration of breast-feeding [<1 year] during infancy. It could be concluded that, H. pylori was highly prevalent among the sampled children and the possible risk factors are related to the community. So, there is a need to early diagnose, treat and eradicate infection during childhood to prevent its complications during adulthood