Hyperendemicity of diarrhea in a valley area, Asir region, Southwestern Saudi Arabia

A random sample of 781 subjects living around a valley in Shebaa area, southwestern Saudi Arabia, and 1284 subjects from the rest of Shebaa, along with a sample of 1095 from a nearby urban community in Abha city have been studied following a notification of a suggestive increase of diarrhea in the valley. This was to determine whether the prevalence of diarrhea was high in the valley and to formulate hypotheses about possible implicated factors. The family head was interviewed about episodes of diarrhea among family members during the 2-week period preceding the interview, about source of drinking water, an. about some demographic variables. Observations were made and data were collected on presence and frequency of flies in the house, methods of excreta and refuse disposal, valley and wells water, and the nearby agricultural farms. The 2-week diarrhea episode rate per subject was significantly [p < 0.0001] highest, in the valley [0.20], was 0.09 in the rest of Shebaa, and was lowest in the urban community area [0.05]. The rate decreased by age [p < 0.001] and increased by frequency of flies in the house [p < 0.0001], particularly in the valley. Drinking only from the desalinated water was associated with diarrhea episode rate of 0.12 as compared to 0.05 for drinking only from bottled water or from any other combination of sources [p < 0.01]. The valley and wells water was grossly polluted and was regularly used for irrigating and washing fresh fruits and vegetables from nearby farms. Hypotheses for the factors possibly contributing to this hyperendemicity of diarrhea in the valley include inadequate excreta and refuse disposal, contamination of the valley and wells water, contamination of the, desalinated water during transportation or storage and abundance of flies

Bacteriologic portability of the drinking water in a diarrhea hyperendemic area in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

High prevalence, of diarrhea was reported among people living in a semiurban community in Shebaa area in Southwestern Saudi Arabia. This was in comparison to prevalence in a nearby urban community in Abha, the capital city of The Southwestern Region of Saudi Arabia. Contamination of the desalinated water, commonly used for drinking, was one possible hypothesis for occurrence of this diarrhea problem. The objective of the present study was to test bacteriological potability of desalinated water in both Shebaa and Abha areas and to determine whether any contamination occurred during transportation from water distribution stations to houses or during storage in house reservoirs. -Water samples were collected and analyzed by the Presumptive Coliform Test from a sample of water tankers transporting water and from tap water originating from house reservoirs in a sample of houses in the two areas. Source of drinking water was recorded for each of such houses. Of 117 water samples from 39 tankers transporting water, only one sample was positive bacteriologically and non-potable [potability = 99%]. Whereas among 201 tap water samples from a random sample of houses, 26.4% showed contamination. Bacteriological non-potability was -found in a significantly higher proportion of houses in Shebaa area [38.4%] than in Abha city [7.9%], [p < 0.001]. Also, desalinated water was used for drinking significantly more in Shebaa than in Abha [p < 0.001]. It is concluded that transportation of the desalinated water by water tankers has not significantly contributed to its contamination. Such contamination rather obviously occurred during storage in house reservoirs, and was possibly implicated, at least partly, in the increased prevalence of diarrhea in Shebaa

Health profile and utilization of health services in selected communities in Abha Part 1: introduction and methodology

Valuable information about community health problems and evaluation of health services can be obtained through health surveys. This study was planned to determine the health profile, prevalence of some specific health problems [e.g. dental caries and intestinal parasites], immunization coverage, and the utilization of health services for two urban communities in Abha City. A 20% simple random sample including 146 families and 942 individuals was selected and studied from AI-Manhal and Serthabta Communities served by AI-Manhal Primary Health Care Center. The methodology included interviewing the head of the household, the examination of teeth of children below 12 years of age and stool analysis for parasites. Key problems and methodological issues discovered during the survey are discussed. Detailed results will be published in separate reports

Relationship of intestinal parasites in urban communities in Abha to socioenvironmental factors

The prevalence of intestinal parasites and their relationship to family income, level of education, and source of drinking water was studied in a 20% random sample in two urban communities in Abha City. The sample included 942 individuals, and stool specimens were obtained and examined from 722 of them [76.7% response]. Only two pathogenic parasites [Giardia Iamblia and Entamoeba histolytica] were detected in this sample, with prevalence rates of 3.6% and 1.7% respectively. The non-pathogenic Entamoeba coli was detected in 7.9% of the sample. Higher parasitic prevalence rates were associated with lower income and with lower educational level. Higher infection rate with G. lamblia seems to be linked to the consumption of well-water for drinking