Knowledge and perception of breast cancer and practice of breast self-examination among female patients attending primary health care centers in Al Khobar City, Saudi Arabia

To assess the knowledge of risk factors and screening methods for breast cancer, perception of the disease, and practice of breast self-examination [BSE] among female patients attending Primary Health Care Centers [PHCCs] in Al-Khobar city, Saudi Arabia. Descriptive cross-sectional study using interviewbased questionnaires. Primary Health Care Centers. Six hundred Saudi and non-Saudi Arabic speaking females aged 25 years or more. Level of knowledge and perception of breast cancer; proportion of women practicing BSE. Forty-eight percent women had poor knowledge about breast cancer. Around 85% women recognized postmenopausal hormone therapy, period of breast feeding and smoking to be risk factors for breast cancer. Only 25% women knew that mammogram is the best screening method. Almost half [49.2%] of participants were seriously concerned about getting breast cancer. In the multiple regression analysis, age, education and occupation of women were significant positive predictors of level of knowledge [p < 0.05]. Television was the most important source of knowledge [44.1%]. BSE was practiced by 44.6% women. Logistic regression analysis showed that practice of BSE in women was more likely with increasing age, educational level and knowledge scores as well as in homemakers and health-care workers [p < 0.05]. The study showed that a substantially high proportion [48%] of female PHCC attendees had knowledge deficits regarding breast cancer. BSE was not being practiced by 55.4% women. There is a need to target women for educational programs on breast cancer particularly through PHCCs

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

Anthropometry and body composition of school children in Bahrain

This study was conducted because of the lack of a comprehensive nationwide assessment of data on the anthropometric status and related health problems in Bahraini school children aged 6 to 18 years. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on the anthropometric status of school children enrolled in the primary, intermediate and secondary government schools in all populated regions of Bahrain. The sample size included 2594 students [1326 girls and 1268 boys] representing 2.5% of the total student population. For sample selection, a multi-stage sampling design was chosen that combined multi-cluster and simple random sampling methods. Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, mid-arm circumference and skin fold thickness at two sites [triceps and subscapular]. Anthropometric indices derived were body mass index [BMI] and arm muscle area. The WHO reference standards [2007] and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [NHANES] II data were used for comparison. Compared to WHO reference standards, the median height of Bahraini children and adolescents in the age range of 6 to 18 years was close to the 25th percentile or lower, while the median BMI during adolescent years was comparable in boys, but higher than WHO standards in girls, reaching the 75th percentile. The cut-off values of BMI for overweight/obesity status [85th and 95th percentile] were higher by 3-6 kg/m 2 compared to WHO standards. While skin fold thicknesses were also higher in Bahraini adolescents compared to their American counterparts [NHANES II], arm muscularity was substantially lower. Current study findings for BMI as well as skin fold thicknesses suggest an increased trend toward adiposity among Bahraini adolescents, especially in girls, which puts this age group at a high risk of adult obesity and its consequences. A need for urgent intervention programs is emphasized

Obesity among Bahraini children and adolescents: Prevalence and associated factors

Obesity has been strongly linked to increased health risks and mortality in adults. Since childhood and adolescent obesity have a potential for adult obesity, it is important to identify its magnitude, associated factors and establish need-based primary preventive programs from early ages. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweight, obesity and its associated factors among school children. The study design was cross-sectional. A multistage sampling technique was chosen to select students from primary, intermediate and secondary public schools from the eleven populated regions of Bahrain. The sample consisted of 2594 students, aged 6-18 years. Data was collected on the socio-demographic characteristics, exercise pattern and sedentary behavior using a questionnaire. Height and weight measurements were taken. The prevalence of normal, overweight status and obesity was compared to CDC standards. The findings showed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among girls [13.5%; 11.9%] and boys [9.1%; 12.3%]. Adolescent girls and boys [>/= 11 years] were more overweight/obese [30%; 23%] than their pre-adolescent [/= 7 hours/week] [p<0.05] and watching television [>/= 8 hours/week] [p<0.01] than the non-overweight. The logistic binary linear regression analysis showed that students from small-sized [/= 11 persons], students exercising less frequently [

Prevalence and predictors of premenstrual syndrome among college-aged women in Saudi Arabia

Research on risk factors for premenstrual syndrome [PMS] is lacking for the Gulf countries of the Middle East, a region with unique cultural features that might influence expectations and self-perception of the disease. We examined the association of PMS frequency with possible risk factors for the disease. Using a self-report questionnaire, we surveyed all eligible young women [n=464] enrolled in the medical, nursing and medical technology/respiratory therapy educational programs at a university in Dammam. Women were asked about the frequency of symptoms during the previous six months. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to determine which of several biopsychosocial and dietary factors influenced the premenstrual symptom score. At least one premenstrual symptom was experienced by 448 women [96.6%], and 176 [37.5%] had a high symptom severity score. Premenstrual symptom frequency was significantly associated with a maternal history of premenstrual syndrome, selfperception of mental stress, physical activity, consumption of sweet-tasting foods, and coffee, but these factors only explained 14% of the variability in the multiple regression model. Conclusions: We recommend that women vulnerable to mental stress take advantage of relaxation techniques and psychotropic therapies. Moreover, women with PMS might eliminate sweet-tasting food and caffeine-containing beverages, particularly coffee, from their diet

Caries experience in urban Saudi schoolgirls

To study the point prevalence and care-index of dental caries among Saudi public schoolgirls aged 12-14 years. Design and setting: A cross-sectional study of 281 Saudi schoolgirls randomly selected from the primary public schools in Dammam city. Intervention: Dental examination according to standard methods recommended by the World Health Organization. The point prevalence of dental caries in the studied sample was 79.7% and the decayed, missing and filled teeth index [DMFT] was found to be 2.78 [SD 2.23]. The first molars were more frequently affected [38.9%] compared to the other types of teeth. No significant variation in DMFT scores was observed by age. Of the total carious teeth, there were more decayed teeth [95%] than missing [26%] and filled teeth [17%]. The "care-index" in the study population was very low [7.4%] indicating limited restorative dental care. Visits to a dentist for professional prophylaxis were reported by only 4.6% girls. Lack of dental health awareness and a high prevalence of dental caries among schoolgirls [12-14 years of age] calls for primary health centers and school health services to play an active role in prevention and timely treatment

Predictors of Saudi birthweights: a multiple regression analysis

To examine the predictors of Saudi birthweights. A cross-sectional study of Saudi babies born during the period from October 1985 to September 1986. King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-khobar. A total of 278 babies who were live births singletons and preceded by a sibling birth was randomly selected for the study. The relative influence of certain sociodemographic, biological correlates was analysed by multiple regression. In the fully specified regression, increasing gestational and maternal age showed a significant advantage to birthweight. Babies born to consanguineous parents were on average 74 g lighter than those of non-consanguinous parents, but the results tailed to insignificance [p=0.09]. The average weight of infants born within a year of sibling birth was lower by 132.7 g than that of babies born at 2-3 years birth interval; the statistical association, however, was weak [p=0.1]. socioeconomic circumstances had no significant effect on birthweight. The study provides a clue to the relative impact of some predictors for Saudi birthweights. Further explorations are required on the role of antenatal care, child spacing and consanguinity per se on fetal growth

Nutritional profile of Saudi primary schoolgirls in an urban region

Two hundred eight-five primary schoolgirls from the urban area of Thugba, Al Khobar, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia were examined anthropometrically. Hemoglobin estimations and laboratory stool analysis for ova and cysts were also performed. When compared to the standards of the US National Center for Health Statistics, the height-for-age measurements were below the median, lying between the 10th and 25th percentiles except in the 6-year-olds, who showed no stunting. This feature excludes the possibility of severe malnutrition in the prenatal period and infancy. Weight-for-height performance showed a trend towards overntrition. We are thus inclined to believe that there is a genetic rather than nutritional component for stunting in the older children. Of the study group, 26.4% had anemia, and 9.2% were infested with one parasite or more, and anemia was common in those harboring infestations

Perception and practice of family food and water hygiene in a semi-rural area of Saudi Arabia

This study was carried out in Dareen, a semi-rural area in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. It serves as an indicator to some of the possibilities of contamination of water and food at the point of consumption. Some of the problems identified include infrequent cleaning of water storage containers, infants drinking unboiled water and lack of general hygienic conditions in the house with an abundance of flies. In general, educational rather than income level of the respondents influenced the knowledge and practice of water and food hygiene. Health education in these areas is recommended