Rapid diagnosis of schistosomiasis in Yemen using a simple questionnaire and urine reagent strips

Schistosomiasis ranks second to malaria in terms of socioeconomic and public health importance in Yemen. This study assessed the validity of a morbidity questionnaire and urine reagent strips as a rapid tool for screening schoolchildren for urinary schistosomiasis as compared with the presence of eggs in urine as the gold-standard parasitological diagnosis. The study examined urine samples and interviewed 696 children [mean age 12.5 years] attending a primary-preparatory school in south Yemen. Urinary schistosomiasis was confirmed in 126 [18.1%] children. Diagnostic performance was poor for 2 items in the morbidity questionnaire [self-reported history of previous infection and self-reported history of antischistosomal treatment]. However, self-reported dysuria, self-reported haematuria in the questionnaire and microhaematuria by reagent strips [alone or with macrohaematuria] revealed good diagnostic performance. The results indicated that reagent strips are a valid method for detection of microhaematuria for identifying individuals and communities infected with Schistosoma haematobium

Blood pressure patterns among the Omani population

The National Blood Pressure Survey aimed to determine blood pressure levels among Omanis > or = 18 years, study the epidemiological factors most related to blood pressure and suggest a programme for the management and control of hypertension in Oman. Of the 4732 people screened, 1278 [27.01%] had high blood pressure. Multiple regression analysis showed that blood pressure depended on age, body mass index and income per capita simultaneously. In a logistic regression model, adjusted risks associated with obesity and those aged >/= 45 years were significantly increased compared with the relevant different categories. A national plan of action for hypertension control and management is recommended and discussed

Congenital anomalies among Omani births: a case control approach

A case control study was initiated in all the hospitals of three regions in Oman, namely North Batinah, South Batinah and Dakhiliya. All cases of congenital anomalies diagnosed at birth were notified to the Non-Communicable Disease Control Section, Directorate General of Health Affairs, through the period from March to end of September 1993. Out of the 15014 births, 178 had congenital anomalies, giving a rate of 11.86 per 1000. The rate was 3.2 per 1000 births for musculoskeletal deformities, 2.00 for congenital heart disease, 1.73 for genital organs, 1.27 for chromosomal anomalies, 1.07 for cleft lip and cleft palate and 0.93 per 1000 births for nervous system malformations. Births whose parents are consanguineous, those with mother's age below 25 years and 30 years and above, those with birth order 8 and more and premature babies were found to be at an increased risk of having congenital anomalies at birth. Studying the epidemiological variables related to congenital anomalies simultaneously in a logistic regression model, revealed that only adjusted risk associated with consanguinity was significantly increased compared to the relevant reference category