RESUMO
Background: Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in children and adults. The prevalence of asthma has increased in developed and developing countries over the last three decades. Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma and to describe some related characteristics and associated symptoms of cases in a sample of adolescent secondary-school girls of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in secondary schools in Riyadh city, during the academic year 2016-2017. A predesigned questionnaire was disseminated to the targeted population to complete it
Results: Out of 154 female students, the prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma was 4.5%. The prevalence of rhinitis symptoms, exercise-induced wheezing and night coughing in the past 12 months in physician-diagnosed asthma and exercise-induced wheeze was 42.9%, 28.6% and 28.6%, respectively
Conclusion and recommendations: The prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma in female adolescents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was 4.5%, there was with a high rate [42.9%]of rhinitis symptoms among the asthmatic girls. The prevalence of asthma in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was within the reported prevalence ranges from many other parts of the world. Health education sittings is recommended to increase the public awareness about the causes and importance of seeking medical care during and between the attacks of asthma, especially in adolescent period
RESUMO
Background: several studies have shown micro-nutrient deficiencies in the Middle East region. Prominent defects in vitamin D, folate, and iron were especially noted. There are not many studies currently that tell us about the prevalence of dietary supplement intake in Saudi Arabia
Aim: the aim was to observe the current prevalence of dietary supplement use in Saudi Arabia. We will also attempt to elicit the reason they take the supplements, and how it affects their overall quality of life
Method: cross-sectional study among 489 Saudi patients was without any exclusion criteria using a standard questionnaire. The study was held at the endocrinology department of King Abdul Aziz Hospital and Oncology Center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Results: the overall prevalence of multivitamin, mineral and supplement intake in the Saudi population was found to be 22%. Among them 16% were male and 24% were female
Conclusion: healthcare providers must spread more awareness about the potential benefits of dietary supplements in preventing non-communicable diseases