Disability in Saudi Arabia

Disability is a complex, influential, dynamic, multidimensional challenge, and it can substantially limit major life activities of human beings and their ability to integrate/reintegrate into society. According to the World Health Organization reports almost 15% of the world's population lives with certain types of disability, of whom 2-4% experience substantial difficulties in functioning. In Saudi Arabia, very limited research has been conducted on the prevalence and incidence of disability, and most of this is on disabled children. There are several difficulties associated with conducting research on disability related issues in Saudi Arabia. Here, we review the current situation of disability, disability research, and rehabilitation in Saudi Arabia from the published literature

analysis of the length of stay in traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injured patients. a rehabilitation unit experience in Saudi Arabia

To determine and analyze the influence of age, gender, type of injury, and ethnicity in the length of stay [LoS] of in-patient rehabilitation unit patients after traumatic spinal cord injury [TSCI] and non- traumatic spinal cord injury [NTSCI]. We conducted a retrospective study of all patients who completed the TSCI and NTSCI rehabilitation program at Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from January 2005 to October 2008. Admission records of 495 traumatic spinal cord injured [male 404, female 91; mean age 34.3 +/- 0.68 years] and 126 non-traumatic spinal cord injured patients [male 81, female 45; mean age 45 +/- 1.56 years] were identified. We excluded patients aged /=81 years due to the small proportion. The influence of age, gender, type of injury, and ethnic differences in the LoS were analyzed. Compared with TSCI, patients with NTSCI had a significantly [p=0.035] shorter LoS [58.8 +/- 1.68, 46.2 +/- 2.1]. The frequency of the TSCI was higher in the 21-30 age groups and lower in the 71-80 age group. Compared with TSCI, the frequency of NTSCI was less in all age groups. The LoS of male was longer than the female in all age groups. The LoS of Saudi patients were higher in TSCI [p=0.021] and NTSCI rehabilitation program compared with the non-Saudis. The results of the study suggest that the gender, types of injury, and ethnicity differences were influencing factors of LoS of traumatic and non traumatic spinal cord injured patients

Determinants of length of stay in an inpatient stroke rehabilitation unit in Saudi Arabia

To determine and analyze the influence of age, gender, and ethnicity in the length of stay [LoS] of inpatient rehabilitation unit patients after stroke. All patients who completed the stroke rehabilitation program at Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 1st January 2005 to 15th October 2008 were selected for the study. Admission records of 823 [male; 551, female; 272] patients with a mean age of 62.87 +/- 0.54 years were included in this study. Patients aged /= 91 years were excluded due to small sample size. Age, gender, and ethnic differences of LoS were analyzed. The mean LoS on the stroke rehabilitation program of the study population was 45 +/- 1.56 days. Results showed that the frequency of the stroke was higher in the 51-60, 61-70, and 71-80 age groups, and lower in the 20-30 and 31-40 age groups. The LoS of males were longer than females in all age groups, and statistically significant results were observed in the 51-60 [p=0.0084]. 61-70 [p=0.0042], and 71-80 [p=0.037] age groups as compared with females. The study also found that the LoS of Saudi patients were higher when compared with non-Saudis [p=0.009]. The results of the study suggest that gender, age, and ethnic differences were risk factors of LoS of stroke patients

Quality of life in males with spinal cord injury in Saudi Arabia

To assess the interests and post-hospitalization of quality of life [QOL] and career of patients with spinal cord injury [SCI]. This study took a period that extended for 20 years [1982-2003]. Fifty-seven male patients in the Riyadh, Armed Forces Hospital and Al-Kharj Hospital Program [RKH], Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA] with SCI responded to a questionnaire, which was distributed manually to 120 contributors. The questionnaire items include health status, occupation and educational level. The majority of the SCI patients belonged to the age group of 21-30 years [40.4%] and 31-40 years [33.3%]. The injury levels were cervical [43.9%], thoracic [40.35%] and lumbar [23.5%]. The urinary incontinence was managed by intermittent catheter [28%], indwelling catheter [17.5%], suprapubic cystostomy [15.8%], condom [12.3%] and continent [14.1%]. Pressure sores were common and complication led urinary tract infections in 80.7% of patients. Spinal cord injury was a major cause and has a significant influence on patients' employment and career. Rehabilitation equipments and supplies support were provided by the RKH [45.6%], Ministry of Health [19.3%], self-purchasing [12.3%] and other source [22.8%]. The important factors affecting the patient's QOL were financial status, employment, equipment supply and social isolation. Spinal cord injury is practically affecting the young adult population of KSA. The patient's QOL is significantly affected and hampered by factors such as accessibility, financial status and employment. Effective measures for the management and social awareness may improve the patient's style and QOL