Suitability assessment of health education brochures in Qassim province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Health education is the cornerstone of primary health care. Health education materials distributed to the community should, therefore, be suitable and effective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the health education brochures, designed and disseminated by Ministry of Health institutions in the Qassim province. The study was a cross-sectional review of health education brochures. We used a structured evaluation form, comprising general information on the brochures and a modified Suitability Assessment of Materials [SAM] score sheet. The SAM consisting of 22 criteria in six groups, includes content, literacy demands, graphics, layout/typography, learning stimulation/motivation, and cultural appropriateness. SAM criteria categorize written material into "superior," "adequate" and "not suitable." Two qualified consultant family physicians evaluated the brochures. Data were analyzed using Epi Info version 3.4 statistical package. We evaluated 110 brochures, the majority of which addressed chronic health conditions such as mental health, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Seventy-four [67.3%] brochures were evaluated as "adequate," 34 [30.9%] as "not suitable" and 2 [1.8%] as "superior." "Cultural appropriateness" was the highest scoring factor, with 92 [83.6%] brochures falling into either the "superior" or "adequate" category. With regard to "content," 88 [80.0%] brochures fell into either the "superior" or "adequate" category. This was the second highest scoring factor. Graphics was the factor that scored the least. Seventy-five [68.2%] brochures were rated in this factor as "not suitable." Although two-thirds of our brochures were considered "adequate," the majority needed improvement to their graphics and learning stimulation factors. We recommend that guidelines for designing health education brochures should be formulated to improve the quality of health education brochures

Priorities for primary health care research in Qassim, central Saudi Arabia

To determine the major research priorities in the field of Primary Health Care [PHC] in Qassim, Saudi Arabia. The study was a cross-sectional survey including academicians, researchers, and PHC program managers in Qassim. A self-administered questionnaire was used as the survey instrument. A scale of 1-5 was given for prioritizing the health issues [5=highest priority; 1=lowest priority]. A list of PHC research topics including prevalent health issues addressed by PHC programs was provided to the respondents. Responses were collected from April 2012 to June 2012, and the data was analyzed. A total of 101 eligible participants were invited to participate in the survey; out of these 85 [84.2%] responded. Diabetes mellitus [4.82 +/- 0.44] was the top priority, followed by hypertension [4.67 +/- 0.54], and bronchial asthma [4.35 +/- 0.79]. Other priority areas included child health, maternal health, and quality of care. Leishmaniasis and foodborne illness were the lowest priorities. This study identified the priority areas that need to be focused on for PHC research in Qassim. The survey lays a foundation upon which we can build future research

Co-morbidity of age related cataract surgical patients in a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study is to assess the frequency of major systemic and ocular diseases among senile cataract surgical patients in a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia. This study is a descriptive analysis of medical records of cataract patients who were operated at King Fahd Specialist Hospital [KFSH], Buraidah, during the year 2005. The records of senile cataract surgical patients were analysed for associated systemic and ocular co morbidities. A total of 292 cataract operations were performed during this 12-month period among persons aged 50 years or older. 147 [50.3%] were females. The overall mean [ +/- SD] age at the time of surgery was 67.6 + 9.2 years [range 50-96 years]. Systemic diseases affected 181 [62%] subjects, 158 [54%] patients exhibited coexisting ocular disease while 68 [23.3%] cases had no systemic or ocular co-morbidity. Frequent systemic co morbidities were, diabetes mellitus in 101 [34.6%] patients, hypertension in 89 [30.5%] followed by Ischemic Heart Disease 16[5.5%] and Asthma in 15 [5.1%] patients. Major ocular co morbidities detected preoperatively included CDK in 70 [24%],-Pseudo exfoliation in 35 [12%] and Trachoma in 35 [12%] patients. This study shows high frequency of systemic and ocular co-morbidity in senile cataract patients preoperatively

Breast cancer. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of breast self examination among women in Qassim region of Saudi Arabia

To determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of women in Qassim region regarding breast self examination [BSE], and also to explore their level of knowledge regarding breast cancer. We conducted a cross-sectional survey during the period from May to June 2005, among Saudi female patients attending the Primary Health Care Centers of Qassim region. A total of 300 females, 20-70 years of age, were interviewed in 10 randomly selected primary health care centers. The mean age of the participants was 36.2 +/- 10.2 years, and 70.7% of them were literate. Regarding the knowledge of risk factors, 76% of the respondents had 3 or more correct answers out of the total 7 questions. Twenty-six percent of the respondents did not know the presenting symptom of breast cancer. Whereas, 69.7% of the participants had never heard of BSE. The participants had a positive attitude towards learning BSE. Of the total respondents, 18.7% reported that they practice BSE, majority [57%] of whom had started performing it within the previous year. However, 74% of the respondents did not have access to breast health information. This study concludes that the level of awareness of the females of Qassim region regarding breast cancer and BSE is not adequate and a health education program for this subject should be introduced in the region

Epidemiology of needlestick injuries among health care workers in a secondary care hospital in Saudi Arabia

Accidental needlestick injuries sustained by health care workers are a common occupational hazard in health care settings. The aim of this study was to review the epidemiology of needlestick injuries in Buraidah Central Hospital, a 212-bed secondary care hospital in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia. We conducted a retrospective survey of all self-reported documents related to needlestick injuries, for the period January 2002 through December 2003. The data was analyzed to determine the age, sex and job category of the health care worker suffering the injury as well as the risk factors responsible for needlestick injuries. During the 2-year period, employees reported 73 injuries from needles and other sharp objects. Nurses were involved in 66% of instances, physicians in 19%, technicians in 10%, and nonclinical support staff in 5.5%. The majority [53.4%] of the injuries occurred after use and before disposal of the objects. Syringe needles were responsible for 63% of all injuries. Most injuries occurred during recapping of used needles [29%], during surgery [19%], and by collision with sharps [14%]. Disposal-related [11%] causes as well as injuries by concealed sharps [5%] occurred while handling linens or trash containing improperly disposed needles. This data emphasizes the importance of increased awareness, training and education of health care workers for reporting and prevention of needlestick injuries

Knowledge, attitude and practice of immunization in an urban population

This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers regarding Expanded Programme on Immunisation, [EPI] in an urban setting. A cross sectional survey was conducted in urban area of Hummak Town from January to March 2000. The study revealed that 88% of the parents had knowledge about EPI programme. The benefits of EPI were correctly enumerated by 77% of the parents. 92% of the parents had positive attitude towards EPI after some further information provided by the surveyor and 90% were ready to pay for it after knowing its benefits. Out of all respondents, 71% had immunized their children. Out of these 65% had complete vaccination and received all the doses. The most common reason for not immunizing the children was laziness [72%] on the part of the respondents. The other reasons for not vaccinating their children were non-cooperative husband, wrong concepts about EPI and poor quality of care at the health facility. This study concludes that there is need for more clear and appropriate health education messages regarding vaccination of children as well as adequate and quality outreach services of vaccination to counter the cause of laziness