Factors associated with the spread of dengue fever in Jeddah Governorate, Saudi Arabia

Dengue fever resurged sharply in Jeddah in 2004 and rose to 1308 cases in 2006. This case-control study determined factors potentiating the spread of the disease to provide an epidemiological baseline to help dengue control. All [650] suspected cases of dengue in Jeddah in 2007 were eligible for inclusion. Cases were those confirmed with dengue by laboratory investigations [n = 244] and controls those confirmed negative [n = 406]. Of these, 129 cases and 240 controls could be contacted and were included in the study. Variables found significant in the bivariate analysis were included in a logistic regression analysis. The presence of stagnant water in indoor drainage holes [OR = 4.9], indoor larvae [OR = 2.2], nearby construction sites [OR = 2.2], and older age [OR = 1.2] were independent determinants of dengue infection [P< 0.01 for all]. Face-to-face health education significantly decreased the risk of dengue infection. Efforts are needed to control the modifiable factors identified in this study with emphasis on health education

Early teenage marriage and subsequent pregnancy outcome

The relationship between marriage before 16 years and pregnancy outcome throughout the childbearing period was examined. Participants included all married women attending six randomly selected primary health care units in Jeddah with at least one infant and complete medical files. Early teenage marriage was found for 27.2% of women. Most of these were illiterate [57.1%], housewives [92.4%] and grand multiparae [66.7%]. They were at twice the risk of spontaneous abortion, four times the risk of combined fetal death and infant mortality, and twice the risk of losing pregnancies any time during their childbearing years. They remained at high risk of poor pregnancy outcome throughout their reproductive lives. Despite tradition, marriage should be discouraged before 16 years