Prehypertension among young adult females in Dammam, Saudi Arabia

The aim of present study was to determine the prevalence of prehypertension and associated risk factors among young adult females in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of about one-third of female students enrolled in 4 colleges of the University of Dammam. They were screened for high blood pressure and associated cardiovascular risk factors by an interview questionnaire. Weight and height, waist and hip and blood pressure measurements and random blood glucose testing were done. The results revealed that 13.5% of the 370 students were prehypertensive. The most prevalent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases was physical inactivity [53.2%], followed by overweight/obesity [29.1%]; 16.3% of prehypertensive students had 3 or more risk factors. Logistic regression analysis revealed that overweight/ obesity was the strongest predictor of prehypertension. Our study indicates a need for routine blood pressure measurements and risk assessment in young adult females in Saudi Arabia

Concomitant cryptococcosis and burkholderia infection in an asymptomatic lung transplant patient with cystic fibrosis

Concomitant pulmonary infections with Cryptococcus neoformans and Burkholderia cepacia in lung transplant recipients are very rare and create unique diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas. Herein, we present a double lung transplant patient with cystic fibrosis who was found to have coinfection with these two rare organisms, though he was completely asymptomatic

comparative study of perceived stress among female medical and non-medical university students in Dammam, Saudi Arabia

The objective of this study was to investigate any differences between female undergraduate medical and non-medical students for: 1] prevalence and causes of perceived academic stress, and 2] changes in physical, mental, psychological and emotional health as well as life-style since starting college studies. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Dammam University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, in January 2008. All 319 pre-clinical female medical students were included in the study and 297 non-medical students from the College of Applied Studies and Community Services [CASCS] were selected by stratified random sampling. The study instrument was a questionnaire on the "Influence of Studying on Students' Health". More medical students [48.6%] reported being frequently stressed due to studies than CASCS students [38.7%, P <0.01]. Unsuitable teaching methods, an unsatisfactory study environment, and fear of failure in examinations were more frequently mentioned by medical than non-medical students [P <0.05]. While underlying social problems were significantly more common in medical students, economic problems were more prevalent among CASCS students [P <0.05, P <0.05]. More medical than non-medical students reported a worse status of physical and mental health, anxiety and depression and negative life-style changes since initiation of the college programme. Medical students were at higher risk of physical and mental health problems than non-medical students due to academic stress. Since a substantial proportion of CASCS students also experienced academic stress, we recommend that a student support committee be established for both colleges to provide counselling and guidance in healthy ways to cope with stress

Surgical emergencies in pediatric otolaryngology

To obtain baseline data on the most common surgical emergencies in pediatric otolaryngology in Saudi Arabia. This report is a retrospective study of all children presenting to the pediatric otolaryngology emergency service at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Between January 2001 to January 2006 data were carefully collected and then analyzed for patients requiring emergent surgical intervention by the pediatric otolaryngology service. A total of 15,850 children presented to our pediatric otolaryngology emergency service. Surgical intervention was indicated in 183 children [1.2%].The larynx/head and neck was the most common site involved. Foreign body related emergencies were the most common presentation requiring surgical interventions [42%]. The aero-digestive tract was the most common site for foreign body retrieval [54%].Pediatric patients have always constituted a significant portion of the general otolaryngology service. Most pediatric otolaryngology emergencies are relatively benign. Aero-digestive tract foreign bodies are the most common indication for surgical intervention in pediatric otolaryngology

Risk factors for low birth weight in Sana'a city, Yemen.

Low birth weight [LBW] represents the third leading cause of death in children in Yemen, and is the most significant predictor of death, health, growth and development. The aim of this study was to estimate the birth weight distribution and prevalence of low birth weights in Sana'a City of Yemen, and to determine some of the contributing risk factors. Subjects and A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to study women who delivered in the four main hospitals in Sana'a City during the study period. Respondents were 2256 mothers ranging in age from 14-45 years, with a mean age of 29.55 years. The mean age at the time of marriage was 22.38 years. Anthropometric measurements and interviews were used to determine the risk factors. The birth weights and anthropometric measurements of all babies born alive to mothers interviewed in the four hospitals during the period were collected. Post-delivery weight and other measurements of respondents were also collected. The data collected were entered into a computer using Statistical Package for Social Science [SPSS]. The mean birth weight of the newborns in the study was 2812 g. Twenty-two% of the newborns weighed between 700 and 2499 g. About 39% of respondents had urinary tract infection while 29% suffered from anemia, and 10% had bleeding during pregnancy. All anthropometric measurements were significantly associated with LBW. Mothers who were younger in age at their first delivery, had low post-delivery weight, and bled during pregnancy, were more likely to have LBW babies. There is a need for national prospective research project to study the low birth weight problem at the national level. There is also a need to discourage teenage pregnancies and to encourage utilization of mother and child health services, and treat concomitant illnesses during pregnancy