Determinants and attitudes towards smoking among male college students

Smoking represents the most readily preventable risk factor for morbidity and mortality. The present study aimed at studying the determinants of and attitudes towards smoking among Saudi college students. Students of Riyadh College of Health Science -male section- [628] participated in the present study, with mean age of 20.71 +/- 2.74 years. All subjects answered adapting Global Youth Tobacco Survey questionnaire prepared by the Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, US. Attitudes towards smoking and their determinants were calculated using Odds ratio and confidence interval. Anthropometric measurements [weight, height, waist and hip circumference and BMI] were measured. Weight, height and BMI were similar in smokers and non-smokers. Waist and hip circumference were significantly lower among smokers [P=0.003 and 0.03 respectively]. Fathers' smoking, smoker friends, cigarette advertisement., feeling comfortable in gatherings, tension and curiosity were significant determinants of smoking. 74.36% of smokers think smoking should be banned from public places. 71.37% want to stop smoking and about two thirds saw antismoking media messages and pro-cigarette ads on billboards and in newspapers in the past 30 days. Smokers had lower Waist and hip circumference. About three fourth of smokers think smoking should be banned from public places and want to stop smoking. Strict enforcement of regulations pertaining to cigarette advertisement in any form, enabling environment and community interventions focusing on parents and peers are essential for effective control of tobacco problem

knowledge, attitude and practice of public in Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia, about complementary and alternative medicine

Complementary and alternative medicine [CAM] is well established all over the world. The present work aimed at studying knowledge, attitude and practice of people in Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia, about CAM. The study done as a cross-sectional survey study. A multistage random sample was taken from Riyadh city and surrounding governorates. The male to female ratio was equal. 70% of sample was Saudi and 30% was from other nationalities. The total number of participants was 518 persons. Data were collected using a predesigned questionnaire through direct interview. 88.8% of participants had knowledge about CAM. Females, housewives, students and jobless were more knowledgeable [p<0.05]. Mass media e.g. [T.V., newspapers and radio] and Family, relatives and friends represented the main sources of CAM knowledge [46.5% and 46.3%] respectively. 84.6% of participants or one of their family members has used some form of CAM before. Females, housewives, illiterate or just read and write and those aged 60 years and more were the main users of CAM practices. Medical herbs [58.89%], prayer [54%], honey and bee products [54%], hijama [35.71%] and cauterization or medical massage therapy [22%] were the commonly used CAM practices. Most participants agreed that there is need for; CAM practices [93.8%], regulations for CAM [94.9%], health education [96.6%], specialized centers [94 .8%] and CAM clinics [92.7%]. Participants agreed that CAM is cheap [74.5%], safe [86.9%] and effective [93.7%]. 8.3% of participants usually discuss CAM with their physicians especially females. There is a high prevalence and increased public interest in CAM use in Riyadh region. There is positive attitude towards CAM with need for special centers and clinics providing CAM practices. Most participants are reluctant to share and discuss CAM information with their physicians

Lipid screening among college male students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is there a relation to smoking and malnutrition?

Disturbed lipid profile, smoking and obesity have been always associated with cardiovascular diseases. The study aimed at screening lipid profile and its relation to malnutrition and smoking in college males from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The present study was conducted from September 2008 to March 2010. 716 students aged 18 - 35 years of Riyadh College of Health Science -male section- participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements including weight, height, waist circumference [WC] and hip circumference [HC] were measured to assess malnutrition. BMI was calculated. Fasting blood sugar and lipid profile including total cholesterol [TC], Low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] and triglycerides [TG] were estimated. Socio-demographic data were collected from a self-administered questionnaire. Mean concentration of TC was 4.11 +/- 0.81 mmol/l, while it was 2.58 +/- 0.6, 1.29 +/- 0.46 and 1.43 +/- 0.8 mmol/l for LDL-C, HDL-C and TG respectively. Mean TC value was significantly different across weight groups except among underweight subjects. Mean value of HDL-C and LDL-C differed significantly across weight groups except among overweight subjects. Mean TG concentration differed significantly among obese and very obese subjects at 5% level of significance. Smoking was statistically significantly associated with elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure, BMI, lower WC and HC, elevated TC, LDL-C and TG and decreased HDL-C. There was inter-relation between dyslipidemia, smoking and malnutrition in young adult males

Health education intervention program of food services staff for provision of safety food in Tanta hospitals

Food borne diseases are associated with preparation of food under unhygienic conditions or prepared and kept for several hours at ambient temperatures before it is served and left overnight without refrigeration and served the following day. Hence, this work aimed at improving knowledge and practice of food services staff regarding provision of safe food for hospitalized patients in Gharbia governorate through a health education intervention program. All food services staff working in Tanta University hospitals [n=25] and Health Insurance Hospitals [n=127] were the target of the study. They answered a queonnaire sheet that included personal data and knowledge and practices of the food services staff regarding food safety at the start of the study [pre-intervention] and at the end of a health education intervention program [Postintervention]. A health education intervention program was applied for food services staff categorized as having low [40-59%] or very low score [<40%]. It had been applied in 5 sessions in the form of large group discussion. This program was conducted over a period of two and halt months, one session weekly. Food services staff with low and very low score regarding knowledge on food safety was 22.37% and 17.10 respectively. Concerning Practice of food safety, 20.39% of staff had low score and 18.42% had very low score. Age, sex, years of work, place of work and job title had no statistical significant association concerning knowledge and practice of food safety measures. There was statistically significant improvement of knowledge and practice of food services staff up to six months after health education intervention program at 5% level of significance. The percent of improvement ranged from about 32-95% for knowledge and 39-72% for practice. Findings highlighted the importance of providing health education in food and personal hygiene to food services staff and incorporating the same in existing guidelines for food establishments laid down by civic agencies in Tanta and elsewhere

Backpack use and other risk factors for low back pain in young adolescents

Background: An earlier onset of low back pain is often predictive of future back problems. This implies that prevention of low back pain in adolescence may have a positive impact in adulthood. Aim of work: The study aimed at assessing the frequency of occurrence of low back pain in young adolescents and to ascertain some risk factors

Subjects and methods: A longitudinal prospective study of 882 preparatory school students with mean age 13.03 +/- 1.09 in Tanta City and a close rural area was conducted during the scholastic year 2003-2004. Schools were selected randomly [one out of seven schools for boys, one out of eight schools for girls and one Mixed rural school] to participate in the study. From each school; two classes in each grade [first, second and third grade] were selected randomly. Frequency of low back pain during the period of the study was reported through monthly visits. Anthropometric measurements were assessed twice; one at the start of the study and the second six months Iater. The risk factors for low back pain were studied. These included demographic, anthropometric, lifestyle, mechanical and psychosocial factors. Also, clinical assessment of muscular flexibility and its relation to low back pain was done

Results: Of young adolescents, 17.23% reported low back pain that tasted one day or more at least once a week during the follow up period [6 months]. Risk factors associated with the development of low back pain were female sex, high growth spurt [Odds Ratio =2.48, Confidence Interval =1.41-4.34] rapid-weight gain [Odds Ratio=1.86, Confidence Interval =1.07-3.22], carrying heavy backpack [Odds Ratio=1.93, Confidence Interval =1.30-2.86] and adverse psychosocial factors

Conclusion and recommendation: Low back pain is a common problem in young adolescents. It was associated with high growth spurt, rapid weight gain, heavy backpacks and adverse psychosocial factors. Modifying some risk factors through school health education and extracurricular physical and social activities may potentially serve to provont the development of low back pain in young adolescents