Development of smoking cessation program based upon opinions and suggestions of the smoker and non-smoker subjects

This study aimed at investigating the opinions and suggestions of smokers and nonsmokers in order to develop smoking cessation. program in Al-Madinah region. Representative random samples were selected from various sectors including governmental directorates, schools, hospitals and companies and other sectors. The study was conducted during 1995 [1415 H]. Each subject was asked to complete a self administered questionnaire. The data were collected and analyzed by using the computer system. The results revealed that the majority of the participants favored the contributions of mass media, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education in the anti-smoking program. However, the contributions -of El-Emera, policemen and Municipality were not accepted approaches by the majority of the subjects. Banning sale of cigarette, health education and forcible restriction of smoking at work places were suggested by most of the participants in order to restrict the smoking habit in Al-Madinah city

Relationship between smoking habit and sociodemographic factors

The main purpose of conducting this study is to investigate the sociodemographic factors influencing the initiation of smoking habit in Al-Madinah city. A representative random sample was selected from different sectors in Al-Madinah region including government directorates employees, hospitals physicians, school students and others. Data were collected by a self administered questionnaire and analyzed by using the computer system. The results revealed that age, marital status, number of children and family smoking were significant influencing factors for initiating smoking habit, however, no significant relationships were found between smoking habit and education or monthly income. Our findings showed that about 80% of the smokers were cigarette smokers and 72% of them have tried to quit smoking but failed to do so, the reasons of failure were attributed to social and psychologjcal stresses in 63% of cases. Our data also showed that friends and imitation of adults [51.2%] were the main reasons for initiating smoking habit

Risk factors for accident repeatedness among the workers of the iron and steel factory

This study aimed at identifying the risk factors for accident repeatedness among the workers of Iron and Steel Factory in Helwan. The accident records of 71 workers with repeated accidents and 170 workers with single accident for the years [1983-86] were examined. Age and education were personal risk factors for accident repeatedness. The study revealed that accident repeatedness was significantly related to the recorded reasons of accident however no significant association was found with types of accidents, body location affections and types of spar departments

Factors influencing utilization of the curative health services among children aged 6-60 months in Bahrain

Two hundred twenty one out of 2587 children aged 6-60 months were selected at random from 8 villages in Western region of Bahrain. The data were collected by interviewing the mothers and checking out the health records. The study revealed that family size, mother's education, socioeconomic status and mother's attitude toward the curative services were significant factors for the use of the curative care. However, no significant relationships were found between the utilization of the curative care and age and sex of child, family structure and the situational factors

Cytogenetic study among workers exposed to manganese

The objective of this study was to evaluate the cytogenetic effect of manganese among the exposed workers. Twenty exposed workers were matched as regard to age, sex, socioeconomic status and smoking habits with 20 controls. All subjects were not exposed to X rays, drug therapy and viral infection for at least six months prior to the study. Smoking habit was taken into consideration. Two cytogenetic assays were conducted namely, chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges, harvest was done after 48 hr and 72 hr, respectively. The mean manganese level in the blood among the exposed subjects was 11.24 +/- 3.74 micro g/100 cc and among the controls was 3.5 +/- 1.4 micro g/100 cc, the difference was statistically significant [P < 0.05]. The cytogenetic findings revealed minimal elevation in the percentage of chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchange frequencies among the exposed subjects relative to the controls; however, the differences were not statistically significant [P > 0.05]. As regard smoking, the percentage of chromosomal damages and sister chromatid exchange frequencies were significantly higher in smokers compared to non smokers in both exposed and control subjects [P < 0.05]

Factors influencing utilization of the preventive health services among children aged 6-60 months in Bahrain

Two hundred fifty eight out of 2587 children aged 6-60 months were randomly selected from eight villages in western region of Bahrain. The data were collected by visiting and interviewing the mothers, and examining the birth certificates for immunizations. Age of the child, family structure, sickness of the child and mother's attitude toward the provided preventive services were significant determinants for the use of preventive care. However, no significant relationships were found between utilization of the preventive care and child sex, family size, mother's education, socioeconomic status and situational factors

Sister chromatid exchanges [sces] in mice exposed to benzene

The study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and cytogenetic effects of benzene exposure on mice. Swiss Webster and BDFI mice were subjected to intraperitoneal [ip] injections of benzene at the concentrations of 2.6, 3.2, 4.6, 12.8 and 25.6 m.mol/kg. The effect of increasing benzene concentrations on cell division and sister chromatied exchanges [SCEs] induction in bone marrow and alveolar macrophages of intact mice and regenerating liver cells of hepatectomized mice were studied. The results showed clear dose response relationships in all cell types. No significant differences in SCEs frequencies were observed either among the three cell types or between Swiss Webster and BDFI mice. The hepatectomized Swiss Webster mice showed higher frequencies of SCEs than the intact mice however, the difference was statistically significant only at the concentration of 25.6 m.mol/kg. no significant increase in SCEs frequencies and benzene exposure at the beginning of the first cell cycle. Exposure of the mice to benzene for 4 successive days at the concentrations of 3.2 and 6.4 m.mol/kg respectively did not show significant increase in SCEs frequencies than that induced following single benzene exposure at the same concentrations. The average percentage of the second division metaphases showed appreciable reduction only at the concentration of 25.6 m.mol/kg. Hepatectomy failed to alter the cytotoxicity of benzene as evidenced by lack of reduction of second division cells of the exposed mice relative to the controls