Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among Asian female house keepers in Abha District, Saudi Arabia.

A group of 5,518 female Asian house keepers working in Abha District of Saudi Arabia was examined (1990 through 1992) to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections. They came from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Philippines and Thailand. Fresh stool specimens were obtained in special containers and examined by light microscopy of wet smears in normal saline and Lugoll's iodine solution within one hour of collection. The study revealed an overall prevalence of 46.5% which was higher than that reported among the Saudi population. The common parasites found included Trichuris trichiura (28.8%), Ascaris lumbricoides (22.2%), Hookworm (14.9%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.8%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.6%), Entamoeba histolytica (1.2%), Hymenolepis nana (0.2%), and Giardia intestinalis (0.1%). The prevalence of intestinal parasites was statistically different among various studied nationalities. The possibility of spreading such diseases throughout the community should be considered in the light of the nature of work of this group being in close contact with different family members. It is recommended that all expatriate workers be checked and treated if necessary on arrival for the first time or from vacation. This policy must be strictly monitored, particularly for female house keepers.

Anemia among pregnant women in the Asir region, Saudi Arabia: an epidemiologic study.

A cross sectional study was conducted during August 1992, on a representative sample of 6,539 pregnant women attending 69 primary health care centers in the Asir region, southwestern Saudi Arabia for the assessment of their hemoglobin level. The overall prevalence of anemia (Hb < 11 g/dl) was found to be 31.9%. It was found that the prevalence was affected by age (37.3% among those who were less than 20 years old), parity (34.9% among those who had 7 and more deliveries), inter-pregnancy spacing (35.2% among those whose birth spacing was less than 1 year), gestational age, and education (35.1% among illiterates). Health education programs at primary health care level in the region should be revised to stress the importance of balanced diet, compliance with iron medication and sufficient spacing between subsequent pregnancies.

Hypertension in Asir region, southwestern Saudi Arabia: an epidemiologic study.

A population study was carried out to determine the prevalence of hypertension among Saudis at primary health care level in the Asir region, Southwestern Saudi Arabia. All primary health care centers (PHCCs) were visited (238 PHCCs). Data were collected in relation to the updated Saudi population census for 1991. Chronic case registries were revised to identify existing cases of hypertension by age and sex till the end of 1991. Results showed that the prevalence of hypertension amounted to 2.4% among Saudis aged 45 years and more. Males and females aged 45 years and more living at high altitude had a significantly higher risk of developing hypertension (p < 0.05) compared to those living at sea level.