Awareness of tuberculosis among general populations in Riyadh Region and its surroundings

Background: in the past, and until the end of the twentieth century, TB was one of the major causes of death. Nowadays, the world is still challenging with TB control, even though the percentage of TB has been decreased. In Saudi Arabia, annual TB incidence rate is 12/100,000 population. Even though incidence rate of TB has been decreased in Saudi Arabia, still TB not fully control. Getting the world free from TB will not happen if general populations don't aware about TB

Aim: to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice towards TB among general populations in Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia

Method: this is a cross-sectional study done by selection of general populations in Riyadh region by random sample. The study was done by a self-administrated questionnaire that contains demographic data part and other parts that evaluate the awareness of TB. Comparison of results between many variables by Chi-Square Test and P-value < 0.05 was considered as a significant level

Result: around 519 participants in this study [Response rate 94.36%] by mean age 33. Only 3.3% have a history of TB and 21.1% have relative with a history of TB. Only 19.4% of participants have good knowledge, only 18.0% have favorable attitude and most of the participants have a good practice [67.6%]. People with high degree educational level have better knowledge than others. Non-Saudi people are better than Saudis in practice and people who have relative with a history of TB are better in attitude than others. In practice, Female are better than male, married people also better than single, people with a history of TB or relative with a history of TB are better than others

Conclusion: papulations in Riyadh and its surroundings have a very low level of knowledge toward TB. Most people have unfavorable attitude level. Even though there is a high level of good practice but still it needs to be increased. Education has an important role to increase the level of knowledge about TB

Infection with genital herpes virus and its treatment in relation to preterm delivery

Infection with herpes simplex is a standout amongst the most well-sexually transmitted infections. As the infection is common in women of reproductive age it may be contracted and transmitted to the fetus amid pregnancy and the new-born. Herpes simplex virus is a significant cause of neonatal infection, which could lead to death or long-term disabilities. Infrequently in the uterus, as it happens frequently during the transmission delivery. The most serious danger of transmission to the fetus and the new-born happens in case of an early maternal infection contracted in the second half of pregnancy. The danger of transmission of maternalfetal-neonatal herpes simplex could be diminished by applying a treatment with antiviral medicines or depending on a caesarean section in some particular cases. The aim of this paper is to provide recommendations on the management of herpes simplex infections in pregnancy and approaches to decrease perinatal transmission of herpes simplex virus