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.

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

Birth interval: perceptions and practices among urban-based Saudi Arabian women.

To determine perceptions towards birth spacing, actual birth interval and associated sociodemographic factors, we carried out a cross-sectional study on 436 mothers aged 15-50 years in Al-Khobar. All had had > or = 2 children within the previous 10 years. Only 5.2% preferred a birth interval of < 2 years, 28.2% preferred a 2 -< 3-year interval, while the rest favoured > or = 3 years. Education and employment status were predictors of birth spacing preference. About half were not aware of the physical benefits associated with longer birth interval. Only 26.3% had mean birth interval < 2 years. Age and employment status were significant positive predictors of longer birth interval. Oral contraception was the most popular method adopted for child spacing.

Birth interval: perceptions and practices among urban-based Saudi Arabian women

To determine perceptions towards birth spacing, actual birth interval and associated sociodemographic factors, we carried out a cross-sectional study on 436 mothers aged 15-50 years in Al-Khobar. All had had >/= 2 children within the previous 10 years. Only 5.2% preferred a birth interval of < 2 years, 28.2% preferred a 2-< 3-year interval, while the rest favoured >/= 3 years. Education and employment status were predictors of birth spacing preference. About half were not aware of the physical benefits associated with longer birth interval. Only 26.3% had mean birth interval < 2 years. Age and employment status were significant positive predictors of longer birth interval. Oral contraception was the most popular method adopted for child spacing

Choosing a medical career: what influences secondary school female graduates?

OBJECTIVE: To assess attitudes and reasons of secondary school female students for choosing medicine as a career. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study with a sample of 191 female students, who responded to an administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean age of the students was 18.3 ± 0.94. The mean general average test scores for female students who applied to medicine, MLT and Nursing was 94.02%, 91.26% and 86.78% respectively. Personal interest was the main reason in 85.7% of the applicants. Only 109 students (57.1%) of the study group have any knowledge about the profession of Medicine. One hundred sixty one of the students (84.3%) expected difficulties in their studies. CONCLUSION: The study showed that personal interest was the main reason behind the students' choice. A sizable proportion had no knowledge of the specialty they opted for, while more than 80% of the applicants anticipated some difficulties upon entering the Medical College. The majority of MLT applicants were not interested in nursing as a specialty. The current strategy for educating secondary school female students about Medical College programmes should be strengthened.

Identifying anxiety and depressive disorders among primary care patients: a pilot study.

One stage case-identification method, using the Arabic Version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) was applied in a pilot study for estimating the prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders among a group of Saudi primary care attenders. The validity of the Arabic Version of the HAD scale was previously tested and found valid with high sensitivity and specificity. The total prevalence rate of depression was 17% and that of anxiety was 16%. Seven percent of the sample suffered both depression and anxiety i.e. the total percentage of patients with depression, anxiety or both was 26%. Higher morbidity of depression was recorded among females and a higher morbidity of anxiety among male patients.