ABSTRACT
In 1990, Saudi Arabia began vaccinating all children at school entry against hepatitis B. We evaluated hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] prevalence rate among pregnant Saudi women 12 years later in 5 regions of the country. Using multistage sampling, 2664 pregnant Saudi women were recruited. Blood samples were tested for HBsAg; positive samples were also tested for hepatitis Be antigen [HBeAg]. In all 2.44% were positive for HBsAg and 4 [0.15%] were also positive for HBeAg. HBsAg prevalence was highest in Gizan [4.2%] and lowest in Tabuk [1.4%]. Positivity for women < or = 20 years of age was 0.5% compared with 2.6% for older women [P = 0.049]. The overall HBsAg prevalence rate was lower than previously reported
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Age Distribution , Blood Transfusion/adverse effects , Carrier State/epidemiology , Causality , Cross-Sectional Studies , Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/bloodABSTRACT
We evaluated the safety of a measles-mumps-rubella [MMR] immunization campaign for Saudi children [age range: 6-13 years] and gender differences in reporting post-MMR adverse events. After vaccinations were administered, we monitored 160 schools for 14 days and 19 hospitals in the 8 cities under study for 10 weeks. Incidence rates were: all MMR adverse events, 26.5/10,000 MMR vaccines [significantly higher in females than males]; Urabe strain aseptic meningitis, 1.0/295,000; fever, 40.2/10,000 [females] and 0.9/10,000 [males]; and parotitis, 5.4/10,000 [females] and 0.9/10,000 [males]. Combined MMR vaccine containing the Urabe mumps strain was safe for children aged 6-13 years. Gender differences regarding reactogenicity were evident and should be considered when designing future studies
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems/standards , Data Collection/standards , Drug Hypersensitivity/etiology , Fever/etiology , Immunization Programs/organization & administration , Sex Distribution , Metabolic Clearance RateABSTRACT
Using existing data, we reviewed the organizational structure of the Saudi Arabian health system: its demography and history, principal health indicators, organization and management, type and distribution of facilities, financial base, and the impact on it of the Haj. We noted duplication of services, inadequate coordination between some health industry sectors, and the need for a more extensive and rational health centre network with improved information systems and data collection. We also noted scope for a greater role for the private health sector and increased cooperation between it and the public sector to improve health service delivery and population health
Subject(s)
Humans , Budgets/organization & administration , Delivery of Health Care/organization & administration , Financing, Government/organization & administration , Health Services Research , Health Status Indicators , Models, Organizational , Primary Health Care/organization & administration , Private Sector/organization & administration , Public Sector/organization & administration , Referral and Consultation/organization & administrationABSTRACT
This paper describes the measles immunization programme in Saudi Arabia and the change from the single-dose schedule with the Schwartz vaccine to the double-dose schedule with the Edmonston-Zagreb vaccine. The recent measles-mumps-rubella school campaign is also described
Subject(s)
Humans , Infant , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Child, Preschool , Immunization Programs/organization & administration , Immunization Schedule , Measles/epidemiology , Measles virus/immunology , Needs Assessment/organization & administration , Program Development , Program Evaluation , Vaccination/standardsABSTRACT
Vaccines produced in accordance with WHO formulas, differ in concentration from those used in United States according to FDA formulas. We aimed to compare the immunogenicity of both formulas. Infants who were 6 weeks old were randomly put into 3 groups to receive 3 doses of vaccines at 6 weeks, 3 months and 5 months of age. The vaccines consisted of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis and oral polio vaccine. Antibody levels for polyribosylribitol phosphate [PRP], tetanus, diphtheria and poliovirus were measured 1 month after the third dose of vaccines. Although diphtheria and tetanus antigens in the FDA formula are half the concentration of the WHO formula, anti-tetanus and anti-diphtheria antibodies were significantly higher. No difference was found between groups regarding oral poliovirus vaccine
Subject(s)
Humans , Infant , Antibodies, Bacterial/blood , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Bordetella pertussis/immunology , Clostridium tetani/immunology , Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine/chemistry , Haemophilus Vaccines/chemistry , Haemophilus influenzae/immunology , Pharmacopoeias as Topic/standards , Poliovirus/immunology , Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral/chemistry , United States Food and Drug AdministrationABSTRACT
Integration is an important tool for successful implementation of components of a comprehensive health programme. We describe strategies adopted to integrate the Saudi maternal and child health [MCH] activities with other primary health care [PHC] components in order to achieve optimal quality care. Achieving such integration was one of the specific objectives of the MCH programme. Besides training MCH workers, other important tools of MCH/PHC integration included: organization, supervision, continuing education, data management and health systems research. The strengths and weaknesses of integration are discussed while the opportunities, limitations and implications are reviewed