Perceptions of school nurses and principals towards nurse role in providing school health services in Qatar

Background: The school nurse plays a crucial role in the provision of comprehensive health services to students. This role encompasses both health and educational goals. The perception of the school nurse's role and its relation to health promotion is fundamental to the development of school nursing. This study aimed to determine the perception of school nurses and principals toward the role of school nurses in providing school health services in Qatar

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among all school nurses [n=159] and principals [n=159] of governmental schools in Qatar. The participants were assessed for their perception toward the role of the school nurse in the school using 19-Likert-type scaled items Questionnaire

Results: The response rates were 100% for nurses and 94% for principals. The most commonly perceived roles of the school nurse by both nurses and principals were 'following up of chronically ill students', 'providing first aid', and 'referral of students with health problems', whereas most of the roles that were not perceived as school nurse roles were related to student academic achievements

Conclusion and recommendations: School nurses and principals agreed on the clinical/medical aspects of nurses' role within schools, but disagreed on nurses' involvement in issues related to the school performance of students. The study recommends raising awareness of school principals on the school nursing role, especially in issues related to the school performance of students

Prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms in female schoolchildren in Saudi Arabia

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] is the most common seen developmental disorder, with significant impacts on the child's social, psychological, and scholastic functioning. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of ADHD in female primary schoolchildren. A cross-sectional study conducted in Al-Khobar Town, Eastern Saudi Arabia. A random sample of six primary schools for girls was chosen, from which samples of 1009 students were selected by systematic random sampling, with ages ranging between 6 and 15 years [mean and standard deviation, 9.2 [1.9]]. All subjects were screened for different types of ADHD using the Attention Deficit Disorders Evaluation Scale. The overall prevalence of ADHD was 3.5%. The prevalence of children with ADHD/ inattentive type was 2.1% and the prevalence of children with ADHD/hyperactive-impulsive type was 5.6%. This rate decreased significantly with increase in age. The prevalence was higher in government school students, among Saudi citizens, later born siblings, higher number of siblings, and lower parental education. It was concluded that the prevalence of ADHD in female primary schoolchildren is comparable with what has been reported in other studies. Some demographic factors should be taken into consideration when interpreting this result. Implications and recommendations to the concerned authorities are outlined to improve the health and educational care services to help these children

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]: Is it a health problem among male primary school children

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD] among male primary school children. Cross-sectional study. Male primary schools, Dammam, Saudi Arabia. One thousand two hundred and eighty-seven students, aged 6-13 years, in 67 government and 10 private primary schools were selected by multistage systematic random sampling. Data were collected using two types of questionnaires: the modified Arabic version of the Attention Deficit Disorders Evaluation Scale [ADDES] school version, and Parents' questionnaire to diagnose the three main subtypes of ADHD namely: inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, and combined ADHD. It was found that the majority of the boys were from government schools [83.0%], aged 6-<9 years [40.5%] and of Saudi nationality [80.7%]. One thousand two hundred and sixty-eight out of 1287 completed all parts of the questionnaire concerned with diagnosing all the three types of ADHD. The overall prevalence of combined ADHD was 16.4% [208], 12.4% [157] hyperactivity-impulsivity and 16.3% [207] inattention disorders respectively. The study also revealed a variety of socioeconomic factors to be significantly associated with the development of ADHD. These included parents' low level of education, mother's occupation, and low socioeconomic status. In this study, the overall prevalence of ADHD was higher than previous studies in Saudi population. ADHD prevention and control should be an integral part of the primary health care [family medicine] system. Education and training programs for parents, school teachers, and caregivers regarding different aspects of ADHD should be established

Primary care physicians perceptions and practices on asthma care in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia

To determine the primary health care [PHC] physicians knowledge, attitudes, and practices on asthma care in the sectors of Abha and Khamis Mushayt, Aseer Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia during the period from June to July 2001. Sixty-one PHC physicians were selected randomly through 2-stage stratified sampling with proportional allocation. Self-administered questionnaires were used covering PHC physicians' knowledge, attitudes and practices. Scoring of case scenarios on asthma care were established. The mean total score for the case scenarios was poor, which was 37.7% of the total marks. The knowledge of PHC physicians on asthma care in Aseer region was not satisfactory. The study recommends the establishment of new strategy to implement and disseminate the National Protocol for Asthma Management

Pattern and factors affecting utilization of child curative health services in the state of Bahrain

1] To determine pattern and extent of utilization of preschool primary health care curative services. 2] To determine factors influencing the utilization of these services. This is a retrospective study. Study population consists of mothers and their children under five years of age who were registered in primary health care centers. Number of child's illness visit to the primary health care center in the previous 12 months was determined. The mean number of visits to PHC center was [5.87 /12 months] for urban children and [5.89 /12 months] for rural ones [a visit every 2 months]. About 91% of urban children and 99% of rural children had visited at least one time PHC center for curative services. About three quarters of children in urban and rural areas were either regular or high users of curative services of PHC centers. Significant factors affecting utilization of curative care are child health status, age and sex of child, mother own use of health center, parent education, mother health perception, mother psychological distress, satisfaction with health care services, mother familiarity with management of illness. The study showed that there was relatively high utilization of curative care services

Immunization uptake in the state of Bahrain

This cross- sectional study aimed at determining and comparing the extent of immunization uptake, and factors that influence it in urban and rural areas of Bahrain. The study sample consisted of 386 mothers and their children under five years of age. Outcome measures: completeness of immunization of the child. Overall, 97% of urban and 95% of rural children were completely immunized. Factors influencing immunization uptake were found to be different in urban and rural areas. Child health perception and awareness of seriousness of the immunization target disease significantly factors affecting completeness of immunization in both urban and rural areas included mode of transport, education of parents, family size, family type, child health perception, knowledge about immunization target disease and regularity in attending well- baby clinics. The study concluded that immunization uptake in Bahrain in high