Patterns of diseases and preventive measures among domestic hajjis from Central, Saudi Arabia [complete republication]

To identify the occurrence of upper respiratory tract infections [URTI], diarrheal diseases and trauma during the Hajj season, and the practice of some preventive measures by pilgrims. A cohort study during November and December 2009 among hajjis registered while visiting Primary Health Care Centers of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to get mandatory meningococcal meningitis vaccination. On return from hajj, hajjis were contacted on telephone to collect information on occurrence of URTI and diarrhea along with other associated activities in Hajj. Out of 1507 hajjis, 54.7% developed symptoms; 97% reported upper respiratory tract symptoms, and 9.3% reported diarrheal symptoms. Those <40 years of age were more likely to develop an URTI. The incidence of diarrheal diseases or trauma was not statistically associated with age. No statistical difference for educational level was found for URTI or trauma, but there was a statistically significant difference for diarrheal diseases. There was no statistical difference for nationality in relation to diarrheal diseases and trauma, but there was a statistically significant difference for URTI. There was a statistically significant difference of URTI between those pilgrims who used the face mask most of the time and those who used it sometimes. Upper respiratory tract infections is a common health problem among studied domestic hajjis. Generally, there is room for improvement in the adoption of preventive measures by hajjis; and there is still limited information on the use of facemasks in spite of the fact that using it significantly decreases the risk for URTI

Patterns of diseases and preventive measures among domestic hajjis from central, Saudi Arabia

To identify the occurrence of upper respiratory tract infections [URTI], diarrheal diseases and trauma during the Hajj season, and the practice of some preventive measures by pilgrims. A cross-sectional study during November and December 2009 among hajjis registered while visiting Primary Health Care Centers of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to get mandatory meningococcal meningitis vaccination. On return from hajj, hajjis were contacted on telephone to collect information on occurrence of URTI and diarrhea along with other associated activities in Hajj. Out of 1507 hajjis, 54.7% developed symptoms; 97% reported upper respiratory tract symptoms, and 9.3% reported diarrheal symptoms. Those <40 years of age were more likely to develop an URTI. The incidence of diarrheal diseases or trauma was not statistically associated with age. No statistical difference for educational level was found for URTI or trauma, but there was a statistically significant difference for diarrheal diseases. There was no statistical difference for nationality in relation to diarrheal diseases and trauma, but there was a statistically significant difference for URTI. There was a statistically significant difference of URTI between those pilgrims who used the face mask most of the time and those who used it sometimes. Upper respiratory tract infections is a common health problem among studied domestic hajjis. Generally, there is room for improvement in the adoption of preventive measures by hajjis; and there is still limited information on the use of facemasks in spite of the fact that using it significantly decreases the risk for URTI

Evaluation of syndromic management of sexually transmitted infections in Saudi Arabia

STIs can lead to acute symptoms, chronic infection and serious delayed consequences such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy, cervical cancer and the untimely death of infants and adults. To identify the points of strength and weakness in the system for management of sexually transmitted infections [STIs] and pattern of distribution of reported cases in Saudi Arabia. Data of 5377 reported cases of STIs from all regions of the kingdom during the year 2009 were collected. The original data collection sheets were collected from primary health care centers in all regions of the kingdom, entered into Epi-Info software computer program, organized and statically analyzed. Average monthly reporting was variable between 163.4 cases and 3.3 cases. Age group of 20-40 represented 70.7% of reported cases with the majority Saudis [92%], females [92.9%], literate [59.2%] and married [91.0%]. Housewives represented 62% followed by the unemployed [17.3%]. The age at first sexual experience ranged from 15 to 25 [81.0%] which was mostly with other sex [95.1%]. HIV testing was performed by only 3.0% of reported cases. Vaginal discharge was the most frequent diagnosis [77.6%] followed by lower abdominal pain [42.3%]. Urethral discharge and lower abdominal pain differed significantly in relation to sex while scrotal swelling and lower abdominal pain were statistically different in relation to nationality. Vaginal discharge, cervical inflammation and abdominal pain differed significantly in relation to age. Syndromic surveillance of STIs is essential to decrease STIs and control human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infections. There is a need to build capacity of primary health care workers to collect accurate and valid data. Monitoring and evaluation activities are essential to promote program activities

Awareness of healthcare workers regarding preventive measures of communicable diseases among Hajj pilgrims at the entry point in Western Saudi Arabia

To determine the level of knowledge of healthcare workers [HCWs] towards preventive measures for communicable diseases among pilgrims, and to highlight the difficulties faced by HCWs in implementing preventive measures at entry point. A cross-sectional study was conducted at King Abdulaziz International Airport Hajj Terminals in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during Hajj season from October to November 2009 including 325 healthcare workers [HCWs]. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Difficulties reported by HCWs were refusal of vaccine, or chemoprophylaxis by some pilgrims, language barriers, and difficulties in organizing pilgrims. The different items related to meningococcal meningitis were answered correctly by most HCWs except for preventive measures applied to infants and children. Less than one half were aware of the period of validity for Yellow Fever vaccine certificate and measures to be taken for unvaccinated pilgrims. Only 32.9% were aware of preventive measures that should be applied against influenza A [H1N1]. Physicians, those reading guidelines, and those with high experience a showed significantly better level of knowledge than other categories. The HCWs have difficulties in some preventive measures, especially among non-physicians, those with less years of experience, and those who did not read the written guidelines, which highlighted the importance of training courses before Hajj season

Some cardiovascular risk factors among children: hypertension and lipoprotein [a]

Mortality and morbidity from cardiovascular diseases among adults is increasing. Prevention of these serious clinical events should begin in childhood. To study hypertension and lipoprotein [a] concentration and some other serum cardiovascular risk indicators among children. The study population included 168 children aged 1-14 years. Children accompanied by their mothers were interviewed for data collection. Every child was clinically examined and his/her blood pressure and anthropometric measurements recorded. Serum samples from children with hypertension and a matched normotensivc control group were examined to determine Iipoprotein [a] [Lp a], fasting blood sugar, serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, high-density lipoprotcin cholesterol [HDL-c]. and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-c] level. Hypertensive children, [totaled 10 who were all of school age] represented 5.95% of the total with no significant difference between males and females. Hypertensive children were significantly more likely to have positive family history of hypertension compared to normotensive children. Hypertensive children were found to have significantly higher means of body mass index [BMI], skin fold thickness, serum cholesterol, LDL-c, HDL-c, Lp [a] and triglycerides as compared to normotensive children. Lipoprotein [a] was found to be not correlated with any of the other risk factors. blood pressure of school age children should be periodically screened to early diagnose and treat hypertensive cases especially among children with family history of hypertension. Efforts should be directed at prevention and management of obesity in children and adolescents as it is frequently accompanied with hypertension. Lipoprotein [a] should be measured periodically for children having positive family history of premature death from cardiovascular disease, even in the absence of other risk factors, as it constitutes an independent risk factor

Drug addiction at Al - Amal Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The use of illicit substances creates serious and complex problems. Preventing drug abuse would result in significant health improvement and economic savings. 2588 addicts were studied. Patients were interviewed using pre-designed questionnaire and their blood screened for HIV infection. The majority of addicts were aging 20-40 years [84.43%], single [63.25%] and unemployed [66.15%]. Heroin was the most frequently abused drug followed by polydrugs and alcohol. Nearly one half of addicts started drug abuse at age 20-30 years. Teenage drug abuse was found among 36.25% of addicts, abusing mainly volatile substances and polydrugs. Duration of drug abuse was found significantly different among different types of abused drugs. Extramarital sexual relationships were reported by 37.52% of addicts and intravenous drug injection was practiced by 40.34%. The prevalence of HIV infection among addicts was 1.16/1000. A clear understanding of the problem of drug abuse is essential for establishing prevention programs. The low prevalence rate of HIV infection among studied addicts provides a golden opportunity for early application of preventive measures aiming to curb the spread of HIV infection in this community

Tuberculosis at Mahalla El - Koubra Town: a study of some epidemiological features

Tuberculosis is considered the most important resurgent disease worldwide. In 1993 WHO declared the worsening TB epidemic a global health emergency. This longitudinal incidence study was conducted to study some epidemiological features of newly diagnosed cases of tuberculosis and treatment outcome at Mahalla El-Koubra town during the years 1996,1997 and1998. The overall incidence rate of tuberculosis cases among total cases presented with chest complaints in the two Mahalla El-Koubra chest dispensaries decreased significantly from 3.315/1000 examined cases in 1996 to 1.301/1000 in 1998. The proportion of smear-positive case detection however has significantly increased during study period from 57.33% in 1996 to 70.63% in 1998. Extrapulmonary TB, mainly TB pleural effusion and TB lymphnodes also increased from 15.46% in 1996 to 17.99% in 1998. Male patients represented 65.48% of cumulative total. Before the age of 15 years, female TB patients were more than male patients while during the age group 15-45 years the reverse was found. However, these differences were found to be statistically not significant. Cure rates significantly improved from 1996 to 1998. On the other hand treatment failure and defaulting significantly decreased. Short-term treatment was found to have higher favorable outcomes [completed and cure] as compared to standard treatment and retreatment. Incidence of TB cases was declining at Mahalla El-Koubra during the study period. Short-term treatment implemented at Mahalla El-Koubra chest dispensaries proved to yield better outcomes. Directly observed therapy-short course [DOTS] strategy recommended by WHO is being recently employed as a treatment modality at Mahalla El-Koubra chest dispensaries. Continuous surveillance of TB is essential to validate and ensure an actual decrease in TB incidence and for evaluation of treatment outcome of DOTS strategy

Leprosy in Saudi Arabia, 1995 - 1997

Considerable progress has been made in the fight against leprosy following the use of multidrug therapy [MDT] regimen. WHO declared the goal of eliminating leprosy as a public health problem by the year 2000 which was not yet achieved in some countries due to operational obstacles. To study the epidemiology of leprosy in Saudi Arabia during the period 1995-1997. All reported cases of leprosy in Saudi Arabia during the period 1995-1997 were studied. Case definition and diagnosis were based on WHO criteria. In Saudi Arabia, leprosy incidence during 1995-1997 was declining. Results showed that 53.39% of the total cases were Saudi, 84.75% were males, 64.41% were of multibacillary type, 44.92% aged 20-40 years and 58.47% were unemployed and unskilled workers. Multibacillary cases increased with increased age while paucibacillary cases decreased with increased age. Cure rate using MDT was 72.88% with 3.39% mortality rate. Treatment outcomes were not significantly different in relation to occupation, clinical type of the disease, nationality and age. Conclusion: Although only a small number of newly diagnosed patients present each year, leprosy remains a debilitating disease. Thus, the most important component of any leprosy control program should aim at early detection of such cases to make them noninfectious by multidrug therapy