Effects of education of the head of the household on the prevalence of malnutrition in children

To explore the effect of the educational level of the head of household on the prevalence of malnutrition in Saudi children. The study was conducted over 2 years in 2004 and 2005 in all regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA]. The design consisted of a stratified multistage probability random sampling of the population of the KSA. The educational level of the heads of the household, and measurements of weight and height of the children were obtained during house visits. Nutritional indicators in the form of weight for age, height for age, and weight for height for children below 5 years of age were determined, and the prevalence of each indicator below -2 standard deviations [SD] was calculated for each level of education. The sample size was 7390 in the weight for age, 7275 height for age, and 7335 for weight for height. The prevalence of underweight [weight for age below -2 SD] increased from 7.4% for the university level to 15.2% in the children of illiterate heads of household. Similar patterns were found for the prevalence of stunting [height for age below -2 SD] and wasting [weight for height below -2 SD]. This study demonstrates that the higher the education level of the heads of the household, the lower the prevalence of malnutrition in their children, suggesting that completing at least 9-12 years of education [intermediate and secondary school] is needed for better improvement in the nutritional status of the children

prevalence of sickle cell disease in Saudi children and adolescents. A community-based survey

To determine the prevalence and regional distribution of sickle cell disease in Saudi children. A sample size of 45,682 children and adolescents from newborn to 19 years of age was selected by multistage random probability sampling of the Saudi households from each of the 13 regions of the country. The study is cross-sectional, community based, and conducted over 2 years from 2004 to 2005. Data, including history and clinical examination were collected with house-to-house survey of all selected households. Data management and analysis was carried out at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Sickle cell disease was detected in 108 of 45,682 children and adolescents with a prevalence of 24 per 10,000. The regional distribution of sickle cell disease showed eastern region dominance with a prevalence of 145 per 10,000, followed by the southern region with a prevalence of 24 per 10,000, western region 12 per 10,000, and central region with 6 per 10,000. No cases were found in the northern regions. The male to female ratio was approximately 1:1. The results of this national wide community-based survey show a high prevalence of sickle cell disease in the community and the disease is more common in eastern and southern regions of the country. National or regional newborn screening programs for sickle cell disease using hematological tests should be planed. This study shows that the population at risk has an uneven geographical distribution. For this reason, selective rather than universal neonatal screening is likely to be more appropriate in the country

Prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus in Saudi Arabian children and adolescents

To determine the prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus among 0-19 years old Saudi children and adolescents. A nationwide Saudi Arabian project was conducted in the years 2001-2007 with the objective of establishing national growth charts, and defining the prevalence of some chronic childhood diseases such as diabetes mellitus. The 14,000 households were randomly selected based on a recent population statistic. The questionnaire used included demographic data and evidence of diabetes mellitus. The prevalence was estimated and expressed per 100,000. Breakdown of this figure per age and region was carried out. In the 11,874 out of the 14,000 84.9% selected households, 45,682 children and adolescents were surveyed. Fifty children and adolescents were identified to have type 1 diabetes mellitus with a prevalence rate of 109.5 per 100,000. The male to female ratio was almost equal [26 males and 24 females]. The distribution of prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus by region shows that the highest was 162 in the central region, and the lowest was 48 in the eastern region. Children and adolescents were also grouped by age into 5-6 [prevalence 100], 7-12 [prevalence 109], 13-16 [prevalence 243], and 17-18 [prevalence 150]. We conclude that the prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus in Saudi Arabian children and adolescents is 109.5 per 100,000