Prevalence, risk factors and outcome of childhood abuse reported by female university students in Jeddah

Child abuse constitutes all forms of physical and /or emotional ill treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child's health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence, types, main predictors and outcome of child abuse, retrospectively reported by female university students in Jeddah. A cross sectional study was conducted and the Standardized Arabic Version of Child Abuse Screening Tool for Young Adult [18-24 years old] was used. Ethical standards of confidentiality and freedom to participate were followed. Multistage stratified random sample was used with selection of 1, 897 females. About two-thirds [68.3%] of students reported exposure to some form of child abuse. Physical and emotional forms were recalled by 45.1% and 50.6% of students, respectively, while, 2.9% reported exposure to forced contact sexual assault. Parents and siblings were the commonest perpetrators of both physical and emotional abuse, while other relatives and extra-familial persons were the main offenders of sexual violence. The predictors of exposure to three forms of abuse together were: existence of parent who hit the other [aOR= 2.54; 95% CI: 1.88-3.42], non-university graduated mother [aOR =1.83; p

Validity of self-reporting questionnaire and Rahim Anxiety Depression Scale

The Self-Reporting Questionnaire and Rahim Anxiety-Depression Scale are instruments used for screening minor psychiatric morbidity. The aim of this study is to test and compare their validity and reliability in a sample of Saudi adult diabetic patients. A random sample of 226 adult diabetics and an equal number of matched normal subjects were interviewed using a structured questionnaire including socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as the Self-Reporting Questionnaire and Rahim Anxiety-Depression Scale. A sub-sample of 49 patients were further clinically assessed according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. Indices of inter-rater and test-retest reliability were in the range of 84% to 88%. Validity measures, reached by comparing the results of the screening tests with the blind clinical judgement of qualified psychiatrists, showed ranges of sensitivity between 70% and 94%, specificity between 72% and 84%, overall accuracy rate between 71% and 84%, and odds ratio between 6.3 to 48. Factor Analysis extracted 5 factors: one of predominantly depressive symptoms, 2 of somatic complaints, one of psychic anxiety, and one of neurasthenic manifestations. Compared to Self-Reporting Questionnaire, Rahim Anxiety-Depression Scale gave consistently higher values in all tested indices of validity. The 3 instruments seem reliable and valid in screening psychiatric morbidity in diabetic patients. Rahim Anxiety-Depression Scale, which incorporates all the items of Self-Reporting Questionnaire and Somatization Sub-scale, was found superior to Self-Reporting Questionnaire alone, and it allowed for probing the severity, as well as the frequency, of reported symptoms

Establishing a computerized tumor registry: the estern province experience

Programs for effective cancer care include facilities for cancer research, prevention and treatment as well as a regional national cancer registry. The Computerized Tumor Registry Project at King Faisal University is the first attempt to establish population-based Tumor Registry at a regional level in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA]. This paper discusses the steps taken to set up the registry and analyzes the achievements and obstacles. Developing the registry required project manpower, computer software and other non-human resources including procedure and system manuals, data entry and follow-up formats, as well as reportable lists, confidentiality code, legislation, data collection procedures, a way to estimate the population of Eastern Province and quality control measures. The project achievements and major obstacles were outlined. Measures to ensure completeness of the registration, updating the census and improving quality control were recommended

Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: Analysis of population-based data from the eastern province of Saudi Arabia

In 1985 a computerized population-based tumour registry was initiated for the whole of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia over a 2-year period [1987-1988]. This study was designed to analyse data on patients with Hodgkin's disease [HD] and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [NHL]. The computerized population-based tumour registry data was reviewed to identify these patients with HD and NHL. We identified 40 patients with HD and 101 with NHL. Their mean age +/- SD was 30.8 +/- 19.5 and 44.1 +/- 22.9 years, respectively. Their median age was 32 years. Almost two-thirds of patients were Saudis and 73% were males; children below 10 years constituted only 2% of the whole series. The male to female ratios were 5.6:1 and 1.2:1 for HD and NHL, respectively. On average, NHL patients were older than those with HD and the oldest age-group among those with NHL were those with intermediate-grade histology. The census obtained for the Eastern Province allowed for the first time an estimation of the incidence rate per 100 000 for patients at various age-groups and different histology The crude incidence rate of HD and NHL per 100 000 was higher for non-Saudis [6.53] compared with Saudis [4.77] It was also higher in non-Saudi males [8.63 per 100 000] than in non-Saudi females [2.60 per 100 000]. The age-standardize incidence rates per 100000 for lymphosarcoma and Hodgkin's disease, was 8.4 and 2.8. The corresponding figure for Saudi females were 5.5 and 0.9. For non-Saudi males and females the figures were 15.5 and 1.2 [males] and 11 and 0.4. We conclude that the data about HD and NHL derived from our population-based registry serve as the first population-based information that can be compared with regional and other international data

experience of integrating schistosomiasis control into the primary health care system in Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia

During a four year period[1986-1989] the control of schistosomiasis in an endemic region in Saudi Arabia was gradually integrated, from specific schistosomiasis control canters into the health care facilities of that region. In the first three preparatory years, the staff of the primary health care centers received training in the integrated approach to the diagnosis and control of schistomiasis in the population. By the beginning of the fourth year integration was complete leading to an increase in coverage of population at risk to about 80%. Those found positive were treated with praziquantel. Biomphalaria arabica and Bulinus Truncates were identified as the principal snail hosts for s. mansomi and s. haematobium respectively. In the preintegration period, the average prevalence rate of schistosomiasis was 6.1% but this reduced to only 0.05% for s. haematobium and 1.5% for s. mansoni. 16of 31 districts had s. mansoni prevalence rates of <1% while 28 of 31 districts had s. haematobium prevalence rate of < 0.2%. the highest prevalence rate was in the 15-39 year group. After mollusciciding 75% of infested water reservoirs became free of snail hosts. The use of the primary health care systems for the control od schistomiasis is recommended over the specific schistosomiasis control centers in ecdemic areas