Khat [Catha edulis]extract increases oxidative stress parameters and impairs renal and hepatic functions in rats

The habit of khat chewing represents a major socio-economic problem in many countries but research into its hepato-renal toxic effects has produced contradictory results. To evaluate the subacute effects of Khat [Catha edulis] extract on hepatic and renal functions in white albino rats. Randomized experimental animal study. Physiology laboratory, medical school of King Khalid University. Twenty white albino rats aged between 14 and 16 weeks were included in the study. The rats were assigned randomly into two groups, ten each. Treated rats received orally administered hydro-ethanol extract of Catha edulis for four weeks. Control rats received corresponding amounts of normal saline. There was statistically significant increase in the activities of hepatic enzymes in treated rats compared to the control group. In addition, serum urea, bilirubin and phosphorus concentrations were significantly increased compared to a decreased serum total protein and albumin concentrations. Oral administration of the extract induced lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in hepatic and renal tissues as shown by significant increases in lipid peroxidation biomarkers thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] and significant decreases in levels of superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT] and glutathione [GSH]. Histological examination of Catha edulis treated rats revealed marked hepato-renal pathological changes compared to the control group. These results indicate that orally administered Catha edulis extract exerts severe hepato-nephro toxicity and the mechanism of this damage may be related to oxidation, increased lipid peroxidation, and generation of free radicals inside these tissues

Prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress as measured by the depression, anxiety, and stress scale [DASS-42] among secondary school girls in Abha, Saudi Arabia

To determine the prevalence of symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress among secondary school girls. A cross- sectional study was carried out on secondary school girls in Abha city, Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia, using the Arabic version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale [DASS-42]. Of 545 female students recruited in this study, 73.4% had the symptoms of at least one of the three studied disorders; 50.1% had at least two disorders. The prevalence of symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress was 41.5%, 66.2% and 52.5% respectively. The majority of symptoms were mild to moderate in severity. The scores for depression, anxiety, and stress were positively and significantly correlated. No significant association was found between the girls' sociodemographic characteristics and the scores of the three studied disorders. One of the most important aspects of a primary care physician's care of females is to screen for and treat common mental disorders

Prevalence of psychological symptoms in Saudi Secondary School girls in Abha, Saudi Arabia

Adolescence is characterized by rapid physiological, social and cognititive changes. Aim of the present work is to study mental health of Saudi adolescent secondary school girls in Abha city, Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 secondary schools for girls using the Arabic version of the symptom-revised checklist 90 [SCL 90-R], a mental health questionnaire that was administered to the girls by fourth-year female medical students. The most prevalent mental symptoms in the 545 female students were phobic anxiety [16.4%], psychoticism [14.8%], anxiety [14.3%], and somatization [14.2%]. The prevalence of depression, paranoid ideation and interpersonal sensitivity amounted to 13.9%, 13.8% and 13.8%, respectively. The least prevalent mental symptoms were hostility [12.8%] and obsessive-compulsive behavior [12.3%]. Overall, psychological symptoms [in terms of a positive global severity index] were found in 16.3% of the girls. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, no significant relationship was found with sociodemographic factors. Psychological symptoms and disorders are prevalent in secondary school girls and health professionals need to be able to recognize, manage and follow-up mental health problems in young people. Further research is needed to explore the magnitude of the problem at the national level

Primary care physicians' knowledge and attitude towards prescribing medication for acute respiratory infection

This study was performed to assess primary care physicians' knowledge and attitude towards prescribing medications for acute respiratory infections [ARIs]. Aseer Region Primary Care Physicians. Cross sectional study. A cross sectional study using a self-administered, questionnaire carried out during March and April 2004, among all primary care physicians. Out of 320, 268 questionnaires were returned [response rate = 83.75%]. The mean rank of score in knowledge on ARIs was 16 [SD = 2.0] out of 21. More than 80% of respondents have heard about the National Protocol for ARIs [NP-ARIS]. One-third has attended a training course on the protocol, while a third did not want to attend such type of training. Of the 153 physicians who had copies of the protocol, 145 read it. However, only 85 physicians of those who read it comply with it. Physicians with experience more than 5 years in primary health care centres attended more training courses on the NP-ARIs [44% vs 20%, p = 0.01], had a positive attitude towards it [70% vs 60%, p = 0.04]. Those who were trained on the protocol, prescribed anti histamines and vitamin c less frequently [38% vs 60%, p = 0.04] and [38% vs 61%, p = 0.04] respectively. Over-prescribing for acute respiratory infections is a common behaviour among primary care physicians, despite their good knowledge of the health problem

Dietary habits and exercise practices among the students of a Saudi teachers training college

To assess the dietary habits and exercise practices among Saudi male students of a Teacher's Training College. A cross-sectional study was conducted during the academic year 2005/2006 in Abha, Aseer Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study sample was drawn using the systematic random sampling technique. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Out of a total sample of 500 students, 456 questionnaires were returned giving a response rate of 91.2%. Approximately 10% of the students reported some type of organic disease, while psychiatric disorders were reported by 4.6% of the students. Nearly half of the students had a body mass index of more than 25 kg/m2. Practice of exercise was not prevalent in 14% of the students, while 69.3% were engaged in exercise only twice per month. Half of the students ate lunch and dinner, while snacks after lunch was taken by 76.1% of them. Addition of salt 55.5%, consumption of ghee 91.4%, and watching television while eating 85.3% was noted among the students. Breakfast was the most commonly missed meal. Approximately 11.4% students did not take vegetable and 28.9% did not take fish at all while softdrinks were consumed by more than 85% of the students ranging from 1-4 times to more than 7 times per week. There is an urgent need to assess barriers to the healthy life style and to design an effective intervention program to improve the lifestyle of the future teachers

Prescribing patterns for acute respiratory infections in primary health care, Aseer region, Saudi Arabia

The objective of this study was to identify the patterns of prescribing for Acute respiratory infections in patients attending primary health care centers in the Aseer region, southwestern Saudi Arabia . This study was conducted at primary health care centers in the Aseer region during November 2003. A master sheet designed by the investigator was distributed to all the working physicians in the primary health care center in the Aseer region. The master sheet included the age, sex, complaints, signs, clinical diagnosis and the type of medications prescribed. Physicians were asked to include all patients attending on 17[th]P November 2003, and send the master sheet to the Technical Supervision Unit at Primary Care Department, General Directorate of Health Affairs. Data of the master sheet was entered and analyzed by using SPSS. The total number of patients attending with acute respiratory infections [ARIs] was 3000 which represented 25% of the patients attending primary health care centers that day. Children formed 60% of the total number of cases. Regarding symptoms and signs, it was found that 70% had a cough, 59% had a runny nose, and 43% had a sore throat. The common cold was the most common diagnosis [42%]. Antipyretics, antihistamines, antibiotics and antitussives were prescribed for 78%, 48%, 45% and 25% respectively. Statistical analysis using logistic regression revealed that the higher the temperature, the more severe the throat congestion and the presence of exudates on pharynx, the higher the likelihood to prescribe antibiotics. In this study, it was found that the prescription of all drugs for ARIs was still high in spite of the fact that these conditions are self-limiting. To rationalize prescribing for ARI, implementation of the national protocol for diagnosis and treatment of ARIs is mandatory. Further studies to explore the physician's knowledge, attitudes and behavior concerning prescribing for ARI is strongly recommended

Barriers to compliance among diabetics in Asir region

The objective of this study was to explore the barriers to compliance with medical advice among the diabetic patients attending Wasat Abha Primary Health Care Center in Asir region, Saudi Arabia. A total of 100 diabetic patients who were labeled as poor compliants were interviewed to look for the underlying barriers to comply with appointment, drug and diet. Forty percent of total diabetics were labeled as poor compliants. Twenty three percent were poorly compliant to diet, 21% to appointments and 19% to drugs. The most common reasons for poor compliance were unavailability of drugs at the primary health care center, social and behavioral barriers. Non-compliance is high among diabetics, this requires more research to understand and tackle the underlying reasons