ABSTRACT
In 2001, the measles immunization schedule in Saudi Arabia was changed to 2 measles, mumps and rubella vaccine doses at 12 months and at 6 years. In this follow-up study we evaluated the seroresponse to the second measles dose before school entry. We recruited 138 children randomly from primary health care centres in Qassim; 124 children completed the study. Blood samples were collected before and 1 month after giving the second measles dose, before the age of 6 years. There was a statistically significant increase in the geometric mean titre of measles antibody, from 2205 m IU/mL before vaccination to 4723 mlU/mL after (P = 0.0001). The proportion of children with positive ELISA results increased fro++ 94.2% before vaccination to 99.2% after (P = 0.02), while the proportion with protective level (> or = 200 mlU/mL) increased from 97.1% before vaccination to 99.19% after (P = 0.21). The 2-dose measles immunization schedule can produce optimum protection at school entry if high vaccination coverage is guaranteed.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Viral/blood , Immunization, Secondary , Measles Vaccine/immunology , Measles virus/immunology , Measles/immunology , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Measles/blood , Measles/prevention & control , Measles Vaccine/administration & dosage , Saudi Arabia , Seroepidemiologic StudiesABSTRACT
We carried out a follow-up study to investigate variation in short-term outcome for preterm infants in 2 hospitals in Buraidah. We compared gestational age, birth weight, head circumference at birth and length of stay. Outcome measures were weight gain/day, feeding pattern on discharge and feeding pattern 1 month after discharge. Mean weight gain was significantly higher in hospital A, 9.6 [+/- 19.7] g/day compared to -1.2 [+/- 29.5] g/day in hospital B [P = 0.049]. The proportion of infants exclusively breastfed 1 month after discharge was 37.5% in hospital B compared to 13.2% in hospital A [P = 0.0224]. There are clear hospital level differences in short-term outcome in the same region, emphasizing the need for continuous follow-up and evaluation of differences in a perinatal audit
Subject(s)
Infant, Premature , Birth Weight , Length of Stay , Breast Feeding , Gestational Age , Feeding MethodsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Accurate information about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is important for their prevention. OBJECTIVES: This study is intended to assess knowledge on AIDS in students of secondary schools in Buraidah City and to measure the effect of a health education program on their knowledge about AIDS in general, modes of HIV transmission and the degree of their misperception about the transmission of the disease through casual contact. METHODOLOGY: A well-designed health education program using personal communication and visual media techniques was conducted for 483 secondary school students in Buraidah secondary schools during the year 1997. Pre- and post-tests were done to examine their knowledge about AIDS. RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The results of this study pointed out that a health education program on AIDS for students of secondary schools greatly and significantly improved their scores on general knowledge on AIDS views on its transmission and misperception of AIDS (p < 0.01). Continuous in-ice programs for secondary students are recommended.
Subject(s)
Attitude to Health , HIV Infections/prevention & control , HIV Infections/transmission , Health Education/organization & administration , School Health Services/organization & administration , Students/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Audiovisual Aids , Educational Status , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Male , Program Evaluation , Saudi ArabiaABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Accurate information about Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is important for their prevention. OBJECTIVES: This study is intended to assess knowledge on AIDS in students of secondary schools in Buraidah city and to measure the effect of a health education program on their knowledge about AIDS in general, modes of HIV transmission and the degree of their misperception about the transmission of the disease through casual contact. METHODOLOGY: A well-designed health education program using personal communication and visual media techniques was conducted for 483 secondary school students in Buraidah secondary schools during the year 1997. Pre and post-tests were done to examine their knowledge about AIDS. RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The results of this study pointed out that a health education program on AIDS for students of secondary schools greatly and significantly improved their scores on general knowledge on AIDS views on its transmission and misperception of AIDS (p<0.01). Continuous in-service programs for secondary students are recommended.
ABSTRACT
Accurate information about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS] and human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] is important for their prevention.This study is intended to assess knowledge on AIDS in students of secondary schools in Buraidah City and to measure the effect of a health education program on their knowledge about AIDS in general, modes of HIV transmission and the degree of their misperception about the transmission of the disease through casual contact. A well-designed health education program using personal communication and visual media techniques was conducted for 483 secondary school students in Buraidah secondary schools during the year 1997. Pre- and post-tests were done to examine their knowledge about AIDS.The results of this study pointed out that a health education program on AIDS for students of secondary schools greatly and significantly improved their scores on general knowledge on AIDS views on its transmission and misperception of AIDS [p < 0.01]. Continuous in-ice programs for secondary students are recommended
