University student health survey

Objective: To evaluate the lifestyle of students at the University of Bahrain and to determine the prevalence of diseases and behavioral risk factors

Design: A Cross-Sectional Study

Setting: University of Bahrain, Bahrain

Method: Nine hundred sixty-six students enrolled in the academic year 2011/2012 from all educational levels seeking bachelor degree at the University of Bahrain were included in the study

Result: Two hundred and thirty-eight [24.6%] males and 728 [75.4%] females were included in the study. The participants' age ranged between 18 and 21 years. Five hundred and twenty-four [54.2%] students had normal weight, 192 [19.9%] were overweight and 133 [13.8%] were obese. Eight hundred two [83%] presented with normal waist/hip ratio [WHR]. Eighty-three [34.9%] males and 81 [11.1%] females presented with central obesity. Seven [0.7%] students had high blood sugar level. Nine [3.8%] males presented with systolic blood pressure [SBP] >140 mmHg and 5 [0.7%] females presented with SBP >140 mmHg. Three hundred twenty-six [44.8%] females had anemia compared to 78 [32.8%] males. Four [1.7%] males were diabetic compared to 7 [1%] females. Five hundred and fifty-four [57.3%] students reported physical activity for thirty or more minutes/day. One hundred six [44.5%] males and 36 [4.9%] females were smokers. Two hundred twenty-nine [31.5%] females have checked their blood sugar level during the past 12 months and only 47 [19.7%] males did

Conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of providing periodic measurements of diabetes as well as the importance of early detection of diseases and health risks. In addition, the importance of participating in regular physical activities as a prevention measure from diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle

Gomez-lopez-hernandez syndrome: a rare neurocutaneous syndrome

A six-year-old boy presented with generalized tonic-clonic seizures and myoclonic jerks; the patient was treated with anti-epileptic medication and his seizures ceased into remission. During the physical examination, the patient had bilateral parietal alopecia with insensitivity to painful stimuli at the site of alopecia. MRI brain showed rhombencephalosynapsis with dysgenesis of the corpus callosum. The patient was diagnosed with Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome which was previously overlooked. We report the first case in the Kingdom of Bahrain, to the best of our knowledge. This presentation elaborates further on this rare neurocutaneous disorder which was missed for several years

Public awareness of beta thalassemia in Bahrain

Genetic diseases, especially hereditary blood disorders such as thalassemia syndromes impose a significant burden on many countries. Many educational programs have been implemented in Bahrain to increase public awareness of beta thalassemia and other hereditary blood disorders. The aim of the study is to evaluate public awareness level about beta thalassemia. Cross sectional survey. Public in Bahrain. Questionnaires were distributed to 2000 individuals from December 2006 to February 2007. The participants were interviewed by either a health professional or a trained interviewer. Two thousand questionnaires were received; nevertheless, not all of them did answer all the questions. One thousand two hundred ninety-seven [65.1%] heard of beta thalassemia and 809 [40.5%] knew that both parents have to be carriers to have an affected child. One thousand five hundred forty-seven [77.8%] strongly agreed that premarital checking could prevent beta thalassemia. Females showed better knowledge than males and married individuals seem to know more about beta thalassemia than unmarried. The study sample seems to have poor knowledge of beta thalassemia indicating the need for improving their basic knowledge of the disease. Further stress on the importance of continuing the screening campaigns specially the student screening program, premarital counseling and newborn screening service is advised

Public awareness of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PD] deficiency

To evaluate public awareness level of G6PD deficiency in Bahrain. Cross sectional survey. Bahrain Schools, Public Gathering Centers [commercial malls and others]. A questionnaire was distributed among 2000 individuals from the public [nonprobability convenience sample]. It was conducted from December 2006 to February 2007. The participants were personally interviewed by a health professional or a trained interviewer. One thousand eight hundred fifty-nine [93.9%] has heard of G6PD deficiency and 1,586 [79.8%] recognized it as a blood disease, only 690 [34.7%] recognized it as a gender related disease. One thousand seven hundred three [85.7%] knew that fava bean ingestion can be a triggering factor for hemolysis in affected individuals. Females showed better knowledge than males and married persons seem to know more about G6PD deficiency than unmarried. The study revealed a good level of knowledge of G6PD deficiency. Some of the respondents were confused about the pattern of inheritance. Females are more knowledgeable of the disease, which affects mainly males, and married individuals seem to know more than singles. There is a general acceptance of hemoglobinopathies prevention campaigns, which is conducted in Bahrain, such as the premarital service and the student-screening program

Public awareness of sickle cell disease in Bahrain

Previous studies that have assessed patient awareness of the management of sickle cell disease [SCD] indicated a lack of awareness of the disease and possibly a need for more public education. Therefore, we measured public awareness in Bahrain of SCD. The study was conducted from December 2006 to February 2007. A questionnaire was distributed among 2000 persons selected from among the general public. The participants had face-to-face interviews with either a health professional or a trained interviewer. Most [93%] had heard of SCD and 89% knew that it can be diagnosed by a blood test, but 51% did not know the prevalence of SCD in Bahrain. Eighty-four percent recognized it as a hereditary disorder and 72% said that it can skip generations. Females showed better knowledge than males and married persons seems to know more about SCD than unmarried ones. There is a good level of knowledge about SCD among the public, though some of the respondents were confused about the difference between the carrier state of a disease and the disease itself. There is wide acceptance and appreciation of the SCD prevention campaigns being conducted in Bahrain, such as the premarital service and the student screening program

Clients' satisfaction of the premarital counseling service in Bahrain

In an attempt to reduce the incidence of genetic disease in Bahrain a premarital screening program was introduced in 1985, which included a national campaign to increase the awareness of genetic blood diseases among the population. In 1992, the premarital counseling service was extended to include all health centers and on the 23[rd] June 2004, a law has been issued mandating premarital screening and counseling for all individuals wishing to get married. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clients' satisfaction from the premarital counseling service after four years of issuing the law. Genetic Clinic at Salmaniya Medical Center. Cross sectional study. A questionnaire was distributed to the attendants of the genetic clinic [GC] for premarital counseling. Those who received and answered the questionnaire were referred from health centers [HC] after being evaluated and found at risk. The study was conduced from January 2005 to December 2007. SPSS was used to analyze the data. One thousand five hundred and sixty-six clients answered the questionnaire, 70% of the respondents reported that the service is excellent in general. In the HC, 82% faced no problems in taking an appointment and 89% had no problems during the interview. At the GC, 91% agreed that there were no significant problems in getting an appointment and 97% had no problems during the consultation. Eight-two percent of the referred couples preferred to have the certificate stamped in the GC. It took one week for 73.5% of the clients to get an appointment in the HC. Seventy-eight percent got their laboratory results within a week and 86% were seen in the genetic department within one week. After almost 4 years of issuing the premarital law in Bahrain, most clients attending the premarital service in GC are satisfied with the level of the service. The delay in getting an appointment in the HC and in getting the laboratory results are major problems the clients are concerned about