Beliefs of subfertile Saudi women

To assess the beliefs of infertile Saudi women and acquire information on alternative medicine usage by infertility patients. Between February 2008 and January 2009 a cross-sectional survey was performed in a tertiary hospital. Fifty- one patients attending the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Medicine Department, Women's Specialized Hospital, king Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were interviewed at random. They were asked questions pertaining to their beliefs and alternative therapies used to their beliefs and alternative therapies used to treat their infertility. Information was entered into an Excel sheet, and statistical analysis was carried out. Eighteen [35.3%] women believed their infertility was the result of the evil eye, and 13 [25.5%] believed it was due to envy. The first choice when the women realized they had difficulty conceiving were du'a [supplications] [n=23, 45.1%], visiting doctor [n=22;43.1%], and reading Qur'an [n=5; 9.8%]. Although most [n=37; 72.5%] ultimately turned to the Qur'an as a remedy. Herbal medicine was used by 35[68.6%] patients. We believe healthcare professionals should consider the personal beliefs and alternatives that subfertile women resort to

Quality of life in males with spinal cord injury in Saudi Arabia

To assess the interests and post-hospitalization of quality of life [QOL] and career of patients with spinal cord injury [SCI]. This study took a period that extended for 20 years [1982-2003]. Fifty-seven male patients in the Riyadh, Armed Forces Hospital and Al-Kharj Hospital Program [RKH], Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA] with SCI responded to a questionnaire, which was distributed manually to 120 contributors. The questionnaire items include health status, occupation and educational level. The majority of the SCI patients belonged to the age group of 21-30 years [40.4%] and 31-40 years [33.3%]. The injury levels were cervical [43.9%], thoracic [40.35%] and lumbar [23.5%]. The urinary incontinence was managed by intermittent catheter [28%], indwelling catheter [17.5%], suprapubic cystostomy [15.8%], condom [12.3%] and continent [14.1%]. Pressure sores were common and complication led urinary tract infections in 80.7% of patients. Spinal cord injury was a major cause and has a significant influence on patients' employment and career. Rehabilitation equipments and supplies support were provided by the RKH [45.6%], Ministry of Health [19.3%], self-purchasing [12.3%] and other source [22.8%]. The important factors affecting the patient's QOL were financial status, employment, equipment supply and social isolation. Spinal cord injury is practically affecting the young adult population of KSA. The patient's QOL is significantly affected and hampered by factors such as accessibility, financial status and employment. Effective measures for the management and social awareness may improve the patient's style and QOL

Characteristics of visitors to traditional healers in central Sudan

Traditional healing is widespread in Sudan and traditional healers are well respected by the community. This study aimed to assess the characteristics of visitors attending traditional healers, the reasons for visits, the frequency of visits, satisfaction with visits and advantages and disadvantages of visits. The results showed that children under ten years did not take part in visits; most of the visitors were between 21 and 40 years [61%] and were women [62%]. Visitors were less educated compared to the general population in the area. The main reasons given for attending traditional healers were treatment [60%] and blessing [26%]. Visitors did not mention any disadvantages to visiting traditional healers