Squint in children and adolescents, Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia

Background: Squint, crossed eyes and deviating eyes is a condition in which the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object. A child with squint may stop using the affected eye. This can lead to visual loss called amblyopia, which can become permanent unless treated early in childhood. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of squint, some determinants and clinical manifestations and treatment characteristics in the studied children and adolescents in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia. This was a cross-sectional study, conducted in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia. The study included 156 randomly selected participants [62 male and 94 female children and adolescents]

Results: This study reported squint in 14.7% of the studied sample, 26.1% were females and 73.9% were males. There was no significant relation between squint and age, other hereditary diseases or other chronic diseases but there was relation with consanguinity between parents [P=0.03]. The cause of squint was eye trauma in 17.4%, surgical operation in 4.3% and neurological disease in 4.3%. Squint was right sided in 47.8% of cases, left sided in 34.8% and in both eyes in 17.4% of the studied cases. 78.3% of the cases had inward squint and 17.4% outward squint. In 8.7% of the cases squint alternate between eyes. Temporary squint found in 52.2% and 78.3% of squint cases use glasses. In all cases squint affect visual acuity. All cases received treatment [69.9% medical and 30.4% surgical] but only 52.2% cured and 43.5% had recurrence

Conclusion: This study reported squint in 14.7% of the studied sample, 73.9% were males. There was significant with sex and consanguinity between parents [P=0.03]. The etiology was eye trauma, eye surgical operation and neurological disease. Large scale screening studies is mandatory. Health education of the public about causes and importance of early treatment is important

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of hand hygiene among health care workers in Arar City, Saudi Arabia

Background: Hand hygiene before and after each contact with any patient, is simple, easily implemented and an effective practice to prevent hospital acquired infection.This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of hand washing among health care workers [HCW] in health care units in Arar city, Northern Saudi Arabia, based on WHO?s "Five Moments of Hand Hygiene Questionnaire?

Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out at health care unites in Arar city during the period from July to September 2017. The World Health Organization [WHO] "Hand Hygiene Knowledge Questionnaire"- revised 2009 edition was used

Results: In total, 116 respondents including 32 residents, 92 nurses and 37 nursing assistants enrolled in this study,68% of them were females and 32% were males, 41% were resident, 32.8% nurses, 12.9% Nursing assistant and 12.9% Technician. The mean score of HH knowledge in residents technicians, nurses and nurse assistants was 18 [ +/- 1.8], 17.7[ +/- 1.7], 18.3[ +/- 1.2] and 18.1[ +/- 1.4] respectively. While the mean score of attitude was the highest in nurses 6.9[ +/- 1.17] then the technicians 6.8[ +/- 1.6], and the lowest score was found in the nursing assistants 6.2[ +/- 0.56]. The mean score of practice was found to be 4[ +/- 1.6] in technicians, 3.9[ +/- 1.0] in nurses, 3.8[ +/- 0.9] in residents and 3.5[ +/- 0.6] in nurse assistants. The majority of the participants [90.5%] had a high level of knowledge of HH. The attitude level was found moderate in 81.9% and high in only 17.2%. Level of practice of HH was high in 23.3%, moderate in 75.9% and almost none of our participants was found with a low level of practice

Conclusion: This study highlighted the importance of applying the multimodal training program addressing providers' knowledge regarding hand hygiene, as well as strategies for emotional and behavioral methods such as patient engagement in hand-hygiene interventions

Consanguinity between parents and risk of epilepsy among children in Northern Saudi Arabia

Background: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in childhood. There are various risk factors that could lead to epilepsy. However, a few studies have shown that there is a strong link between epilepsy and consanguinity. Further, population studies revealed an increased familial clustering of epilepsy among first degree and to a lesser extent second degree relatives

Aim of the work: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of epilepsy among school children and adolescents [6-18 years] in Northern Saudi Arabia and consanguinity between parents

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of students aged 6-18 years in all primary, preparatory, and secondary schools in Northern Saudi Arabia, KSA during the academic year 2016-2017. Parents of the studied cases were given a predesigned and pretested questionnaire to collect the relevant data on presence of physicians diagnosed epilepsy, consanguinity between parents and family history of epilepsy

Results: Consanguinity between parents was significantly associated with the development of epilepsy where 59.1% of epilepsy patients who participated in the current study had parents who were cousins and 13.6% were non-relatives of the same family and only 22.7% of cases had no relation between their parents [p=0.000]. Family history of epilepsy was significantly associated with the development of it where 68.2% of epilepsy patients who participated in the current study had positive family history, while about half of them [31.8%] had negative family history [p=0.000]

Conclusion: Consanguinity between parents was significantly associated with the development of epilepsy in Northern Saudi Arabia. Decision makers must regulate effective health education sessions to aware the public about consanguinity between parents as a significant risk factor of the epilepsy

Spina bifida in infants and children in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia

Background: Neural tube defects [NTDs] are the most common birth defect of the central nervous system. Spina bifida [SB] is a common birth defect resulting from incomplete closure of the neural tube during the first month of pregnancy and that is associated with significant clinical complications that can affect survival and the quality of life for affected individuals

Objective: The study objective was to estimate the prevalence, types, manifestations, diagnosis, complications as well as treatment outcomes of of Spina bifida in all neonates born in Maternity and Children hospital in Arar city, Northern Saudi Arabia

Methods: This is a descriptive study involved all neonates born in Maternity and Children hospital in Arar city, Northern Saudi Arabia, KSA, during the period from 1 January to 31 December 2017. Data was collected by retrospective analysis of the recorded data and filling a pre designed questionnaire, which include questions designed to fulfill the study objectives

Results: The total number of spina bifida cases borne in maternity and children hospital in Arar city, Northern Saudi Arabia during the year 2017 was 14 cases with a prevalence of 0.51%; 8[57.1%] were females and 6[42.9%] were males. Consanguinity between parents found in 57.1% of cases, and folic acid deficiency during pregnancy reported in 78.6%. The site of spina bifida was lumbosacral in 57.1% and lumber 42.9%. The type was Spina bifida occulta 57.1%, Myelomeningocele 28.6% and Myeloschisis 14.3%. Weakness of legs, urinary incontinence 35.7%, hip dislocation, deformity of the body 21.4% and paralysis were the reported complications

Conclusion: The prevalence of spina bifida in Arar, KSA was 5.1per 1,000 live births. Majority of the reported cases were females, Spina bifida occulta was the most common then myelomeningocele and myeloschisis. The site was lumbosacral and lumber

Congenital hydrocephalus in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia

Background: Congenital hydrocephalus, an important cause of neurologic morbidity and mortality in children, is a medical condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and the recent progresses in diagnosis of hydrocephalus as well as the changes in epidemiology and treatment outcomes of the disease

Methods: This is a descriptive study involved all neonates born in Maternity and child hospital in Arar city, Northern Saudi Arabia, KSA, during the period from 1 January to 31 December 2017. Among 6000 delivered infant in 2017; there was 23 cases of hydrocephalus. Data was collected by using predesigned questionnaire which include questions designed to fulfill the study objectives

Results: the prevalence of hydrocephalus among studied infants was 0.38%. Consanguinity between parents was reported among 60.9% of the cases. Other congenital anomalies reported, cardiac anomalies 39.1%, spina bifida 17.4% and cleft palate 8.7%. Cause of hydrocephalus was 65.2% hereditary and 34.8% infection [secondary cause]. Swelling of the eyelid, increased vascular clarity on the skull, transparent skin in the head, the child's tendency to sleep, disorientation, irritability and nervousness, high crying, weakness of feeding and vomiting, delayed child skills, convulsions, increased size of the head, the sun's sign in the eye and the child is always looking down were the symptoms reported by the cases. 56.5% of the cases had shunt insertion and 43.4% had ordinary medical treatment. 30.4% of the shunt cases were complicated [17.4% had shunt blockage with infection and fever, 13% shunt blockage and 69.6% had other complications]. Outcome of the case; 39.1% were stable, 13% worsen and 47.8% died [34.7% died by complications, 8.7% during operation and 4.3% did not receive treatment]

Conclusion: The prevalence of hydrocephalus is comparable to that of other countries. More research is recommended because it is probable that the real prevalence of congenital hydrocephalus was underestimated and no account of how often abortions are performed among mothers of hydrocephalic fetuses. So more efforts from the ministry of health is needed

Overweight and obesity in association with factors related to breastfeeding in arar, northern saudi arabia

Background: There is evidence that breastfeeding [BF] may have protective effect against obesity. In some studies, a time-dependent association between duration of BF and obesity has also been shown

Objectives: This community-based study was conducted aimed to evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children 2-12 years in association with factors related to breastfeeding in Arar City, Northern Saudi Arabia

Participants and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Arar City, mothers were selected from the attendees of the female side of 5 randomly selected primary health care centres in the city. They were interviewed and filled a questionnaire which included the needed questions

Results: Among the 562 studied children, 54.8% were females and the estimated proportion of obese and overweight children are 39.9% and 13.9%, respectively. The BMI group proportions were significantly affected by the period of breastfeeding, father’s obesity, and type of feeding; whether it was artificial or breast-feeding, or both [P<0.05]. We found that 43% of those who were underfed; breastfed for less than 4 months only, were obese and 8.8% were overweight. Among those who were breast-fed for 4 to 6 months, 31.2% were obese and 20.8% were overweight and for those that had a 6 months to a year breastfeeding, 19.4% and 12.9% were obese and overweight, respectively

Conclusion: In Arar City, Northern Saudi Arabia, the BMI of children 2-12 years is significantly affected by the period of breastfeeding, father’s obesity, and type of feeding; whether it is artificial or breast-feeding, or both [P<0.05]. So policy makers must condense their efforts to increase the awareness of the mothers about the protective effect of breastfeeding from obesity and its comorbidities

Knowledge, attitude and practice of the parents regarding child vaccinations in arar, northern saudi arabia

Background: Parental decisions regarding vaccination are very vital for increasing the vaccination rate and parent compliance to the immunization schedule. Worldwide studies show that besides other factors, parental knowledge and beliefs have major influence on starting and continuing of child vaccination

Objective: The study aim to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of the parents regarding child vaccinations in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia

Methods: A cross-sectional community based study carried out during the period from 1st January to 30th July 2018. A systematic random sampling technique was used; 367 participants was included. Data collected using a pre-designed online questionnaire distributed among parents of children and adolescents to be self-administered

Results: the majority [40.1%] of children aged less than 6 years old, 58.9% were males, fathers' education was university or more in 47.7% of participants and mothers' education was secondary school 75.5%. Most [88.3%] of parents were sure that the vaccinations are important for their children, 68.4% think vaccination reduces the probability of death or illness of a child, 85.6% think that vaccinations reduces the number of infectious diseases, 89.6% think that the vaccinations have a role in the child health, 6.8% were aware that some vaccinations are accompanied with side effects such as fever and 83.1% were aware that even healthy child needs vaccination. 70.1% of parents gave their child all mandatory vaccines, 77.9% follow the child's compulsory immunization, 76.6% of parents feel secure after vaccination of their children

Conclusion: knowledge and acceptance of childhood vaccinations, perceptions of vaccine-related health benefits is good among parents in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia

Cruciate ligament injury among students of northern border university, saudi arabia

Background: cruciate ligament consists of the anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] and posterior cruciate ligament [PCL] and they go from the femur to the tibia. The cruciate ligaments function is mainly to stabilize the knee and these ligaments have a risk to be injured in the athletes as well as non-athletes

Objective: address the prevalence of cruciate ligament injuries and its association with different types of injuries among Northern Border University students, Arar, KSA

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample of Northern Border University students in Arar City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during the academic year 1439-1440. The students received the questionnaire to complete it. The parameters included in the questionnaire included age, sex, cause of cruciate ligament injury as during football playing, motor car accident, side and type of injury, type of treatment whether surgical treatment, physiotherapy or medical treatment

Results: This study reported the prevalence of cruciate ligaments injury among the studied Northern Border University students in Arar city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was 5.7%. The age of the studied ACL injury cases ranged from 18 to 30 years with mean age [+/- SD] was 23.0 +/- 4.2 years. Most of cases [98.6%] were males. Playing football was the most common cause by 78.9% followed by motorcar accidents 7%, fall from stairs 5.6%, swimming 4.2% and fall from height 2.8%. As regards the side of the injured cruciate ligament, 60.6% had anterior cruciate ligaments injury, 8.5% had posterior cruciate ligament injury, and 18.3 % had injury in both sides. In the majority [54.9%] of cases, ACL tear was complete; partial in 38.0%. 14.1% received medical treatment, surgical treatment and physiotherapy by the same percent 32.4%, medical treatment and physiotherapy 15.5%. As regards outcome of treatment, this study reported 74.6% of patients become good and stable, 23.9% still complaining and 1.4% suffering from disability

Conclusion: This study reported the prevalence of cruciate ligaments injury among the studied Northern Border University students in Arar city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was 5.7%. Most of cases [98.6%] were males. Playing football was the most common cause by 78.9% followed by motorcar accidents 7%. As regards outcome of treatment, this study reported 74.6% of patients become good and stable, 23.9% still complaining and 1.4% suffering from disability

Low back pain in population of Arar city, northern Saudi Arabia: an epidemiological study

Background: Low back pain [LBP] is a nonspecific condition of acute or chronic pain in or near the lumbosacral spines. It can be caused by inflammatory, degenerative, neoplastic, gynecologic, traumatic, metabolic, or other disorders. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of low back pain. To show also its symptoms and treatment trials among general population of Arar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Methods: A cross-sectional community based study was carried out on population of Arar city, Northern Saudi Arabia, during the period from 1 January to 30 July 2017. Systematic random sampling technique was followed. Data was collected by personal interview, using pre designed questionnaire which include questions designed to fulfill the study objectives

Results: Among 501 studied individual. The prevalence of low back pain was 23.8%, 57% of them were females [P=0.02] and 30% had family history of low back pain. However 91% of cases doesn't need vigorous effort in their work. Of the cases 90% doesn't seek medical care for treatment. Disk problems were found in 6.7% of cases, soft tissue problems in 9.3% and in 84% of cases the cause was not diagnosed. About quarter [25.2%] get medical treatment but only 16.8% improved. While 19.3% get physiotherapy and most of them [18.2%] improved. No ases get surgical treatment

Conclusion and Recommendations: There was a high prevalence of LBP among Arar population [23.8%]. Many risk factors were identified that would necessitate multidisciplinary involvement. Disk problemswere found in 6.7% of cases, soft tissue problems in 9.3% and in 80% of cases the cause was not diagnosed. We recommend that educational programs on prevention and coping strategies for musculoskeletal disorders are mandatory to reduce the rate of work-related musculoskeletal disorders

Seizures; a pediatrics emergency in maternity and children's hospital, Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia

Background: seizures are the most common neurologic emergency in pediatrics and can be terrifying for patients and families

Aim of the work: this study aimed to determine the etiologies and sex distribution of seizure in children admitted to Emergency Department of Maternity and Children's Hospital in Arar city, Northern Saudi Arabia, during the period from 1 January to 30 July 2017

Methods: this was a descriptive hospital-based study conducted in the Department of Pediatrics Emergency, Maternal and Child Hospital of Arar City during the period from 1 January to 30 July 2017. All the children below 12 years of age who were hospitalized at emergency department were enrolled in this study. The final diagnosis of seizure was made by a pediatric neurologist. The age, sex, type of seizure, associated fever, history of head trauma and other variables related to seizure in pediatric group were reviewed from the medical records

Results: a total of 158 children with diagnosis of seizures were included in this study. The proportion of male to female was about 2:1 as the percentage of males was 65.8% of patients. All patients up to 12 years were included with a mean age of 26.3 +/- 15.8 months. Less than quarter [16.5%] of the patients had focal seizures, while 83.5% had generalized seizures. Family history of seizures disorders were noted in only 15.2% patients. A previous history of seizure was mentioned in 19% patients. Febrile seizure was the most common etiology [72.2% of patients]. Epilepsy in 17.7% and vaccine-associated seizure in 5.1% of the patients. Hypoglycemia, intracranial hemorrhage, encephalitis and hyponatremia were reported 2[1.3%] for each of them

Conclusion and recommendations: as this is the first study conducted in Arar maternity and children's hospital to differentiate of the etiology of seizure in children attending the emergency department. Indeed, we suggested other researchers to follow the patients to show the repetitions of seizure and the prognosis in them especially those with dangerous etiologies as epilepsy, diabetes, encephalitis and intracranial hemorrhage. Fever coexistence, seizure type, physical and neurological examinations and history of head injury and measurement of serum blood sugar level may provide important information for primary emergency physicians when evaluating children with attack of seizures