Prehypertension among young adult females in Dammam, Saudi Arabia

The aim of present study was to determine the prevalence of prehypertension and associated risk factors among young adult females in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of about one-third of female students enrolled in 4 colleges of the University of Dammam. They were screened for high blood pressure and associated cardiovascular risk factors by an interview questionnaire. Weight and height, waist and hip and blood pressure measurements and random blood glucose testing were done. The results revealed that 13.5% of the 370 students were prehypertensive. The most prevalent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases was physical inactivity [53.2%], followed by overweight/obesity [29.1%]; 16.3% of prehypertensive students had 3 or more risk factors. Logistic regression analysis revealed that overweight/ obesity was the strongest predictor of prehypertension. Our study indicates a need for routine blood pressure measurements and risk assessment in young adult females in Saudi Arabia

Human fascioliasis in a rural area, Alexandria. Part I: disease prevalence, public awareness and utilization of health services

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of human fascioliasis in Abis village, to assess the public awareness about the disease and to identify the utilization pattern of available health services. Accordingly, a household survey was conducted by systematic random sampling. A total of 3475 stool samples were collected and examined by duplicate Kato slides for fasciola eggs. A total of 2340 persons were interviewed by a predesigned questionnaire to assess their knowledge and source of information about the disease, out of them 68 [2.9%] gave a past history of fascioliasis those were asked about their utilization pattern of available health services. The results revealed a significantly higher prevalence rate of human fascioliasis in Abis 8 [13.2%] than in Abis 7 village [7.3%]. As regard public awareness concerning fascioliasis, about one quarter of the interviewees had never heard about the disease and only 7.8% achieved a good knowledge score. About 19% of the study sample knew the disease host and 75.7% knew its mode of transmission, while 35.6% did not know any of its clinical manifestations and about 20% did not know the investigations needed for its diagnosis. Moreover, about 15% of the interviewees did not know any of the methods of disease prevention but 76.2% mentioned that proper washing of leafy vegetables may prevent disease transmission. It was also found that only 19.6% of the study sample mentioned primary health care [PHC] facilities as their source of information about the disease. About 72% of the 68 cases giving a past history of fascioliasis were diagnosed by the PHC physicians and only 29.4% were treated at the primary level. It may be concluded that active case finding revealed a much higher prevalence rate of human fascioliasis in Abis than as estimated by passive case finding, which may be due to the low public awareness about the disease

Human fascioliasis in a rural area, Alexndria. Part II: review of the primary health care services provided for its prevention and control

The aim of the present study was to assess the quality of services provided for prevention and control of human fascioliasis as Abis 7 and 8 primary health care [PHC] facilities. It was revealed that the laboratory technician's workload at Abis 8 rural health center was about double that of Abis 7 health unit. Both PHC facilities used praziquantel for treatment of clinical cases, but with different doses; an ununified referring system was recognized; no health education sessions were organized at both health facilities; no snail control activities were performed at Abis 8 center and no community participation was found in this aspect in both villages; as well as absence of coordination between the health facilities and veterinary unit. The laboratory records showed an increase in disease trend from 1991 to 1994, and a prevalence rate of only 0.5% at 1994. About 60% of the PHC staff achieved a good knowledge score about fascioliasis and none a poor score. Their knowledge was satisfactory concerning the host, mode of transmission, the clinical manifestations and investigations needed for diagnosis of fascioliasis. As regards methods of disease prevention, about 89% of PHC personnel reported proper washing of leafy vegetables, while only 3.7% mentioned avoidance of using animal excreta as manure and none of them remembered to mention snail control