Patterns of tobacco consumption in food facilities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

This study aimed at assessing prevailing patterns and risk factors of tobacco consumption among clients, food handlers and employers of food facilities, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional approach to a representative sample of food facilities in Riyadh was used. A sample of 3000 participants included clients [75%]; food handlers/hospitality workers [20%] and employers [5%]. Participants were reached at restaurants, food courts or cafes. A modified version of the WHO-CDC-Global Youth Tobacco Survey questionnaire was used for data collection. The prevalence of tobacco use at food facilities was found to be 40.3%, of which 74% were customers, 18.8% were food handlers and 7.2% were managers. The consumption of tobacco was higher at restaurants [39.9%], but lowest at food courts of shopping malls. Water pipe [55.3%] was the main consumption type, followed by cigarettes [42.6%] and chewing tobacco [2.1%]. Multivariate analysis showed that gender [male], marital status [single], and type of food facility [Estaraha and cafe/coffee shop] were independent risk factors associated with tobacco use at food facilities. Tobacco use is very common in food facilities in Riyadh as reflected by results of our study, especially among single males Saudis. We should build on success encountered in banning smoking in airports, airplanes, shopping malls, market places, educational institutions and healthcare facilities, extending the ban to include food facilities as well. This is important for the health of non-smokers as well as smokers themselves

Smoking among university students: a gender analysis

The main objectives of this paper were to estimate the consumption patterns of tobacco use among King Saud University [KSU] undergraduate students; and investigate different risk factors which may contribute to tobacco use among female students. A representative sample [n=7550] of the total KSU undergraduate student population of 69, 498 [males and females] was selected, stratified according to college and gender. A modified version of the WHO/CGC Global Youth Tobacco Survey [GYTS] questionnaire was used for data collection. Overall smoking prevalence among KSU students was estimated at 14.5%, prevalence among male students [32.7%], and females [5.9%]. Independent risk factors for smoking among males were found to be: age, father's smoking habits, and "friends' smoking habits"; while among females were: sister's smoking habits and "friends' smoking habits." The findings of this study re-emphasize the significance of peer pressure on smoking among university students of both sexes; influence of family members, usually of same sex. We need to foster gender-sensitive tobacco prevention intervention programs to prevent youngsters of both sexes from taking up such habit. We also need to raise awareness of girls and young women, of the consequences of smoking in general, water-pipe in specific, on their own health, that of their spouses, families, and off-springs, many of whom could develop chronic respiratory disorders, as passive smokers in the beginning/potential smokers themselves, later on. All such efforts should be backed and supported by strong governmental commitment, to ensure success of their implementation accordingly

Saroidosis-associated pulmonary hypertension: clinical features and outcomes in Arab patients

Pulmonary hypertension [PH] occurs in many patients with interstitial lung disease, including sarcoidosi. We explored the frequency, clinical characteristics and outcomes of PH in Arab patients diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis. A retrospective study in three tertiary hospitals was performed on 96 patients who underwent Doppler echocardiography. Demographic and clinical characteristics, physiological studies and computed tomography [CT] results were collected and compared between patients with and without PH. Twenty [20.8%] patients were found to have PH. Patients with PH were more likely to be sumptomatic [cough, P= 0.008; dyspnea, P=0.04], to have an advanced radiographic stage [P=0.001], and to be receiving systemic therapy [P=0.0011], compared to those without PH. Physiological data including pulmonary function test parameters, arterial blood gas levels and oxygen saturation at rest and after exercise were all significantly lower in patients with PH compared to those without PH. Compariosn of CT patterns between patients with and without PH showed significant differences in the frequencies of ground-glass opacity [61.5 vs. 28.8%, P=0.032] and fibrosis [76.9 vs., 44.2%, P=0.035]. In total, four patients died during the study period, including three with evidence of PH. The frequency of PH in the present study was 20.8%. Clinical, physiologic and radiographic characteristics appeared to differentiate patients with PH from those without PH. The presence of PH contributed to poor outcomes in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis