Pesticide Application and Khat Chewing as Predictors of the Neurological Health Outcomes among Pesticide Applicators in a Vector Control Unit, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Pesticide applicators are at risk of developing neurological symptoms and neurobehavioral deficits. This risk may increase if the applicator chews stimulant plants like khat. OBJECTIVE: To examine the sociodemographic and exposure determinants of neurological symptoms presentation, neurobehavioral performance, and cholinesterase activity among pesticide applicators in a vector control unit, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 30 pesticide applicators and 32 non-applicators from a vector control unit in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia, were studied. The study participants completed an exposure and medical questionnaire, and a neurobehavioral test battery. Their blood samples were also tested for the measurement of butyryl cholinesterase (BChE). RESULTS: The mean blood BChE level was no significantly different between the applicators and non-applicators. Working in pesticide application and chewing khat were significant predictors of the neurological symptoms presentation and neurobehavioral deficits among the study participants. Each factor was associated with about 40% of the symptoms included in the questionnaire. Exposure to pyrethroids was significantly associated with a decrement in symbol digit test latency, tapping (TAP) non-preferred hand, and TAP alternating hands measures, representing the executive and motor speed/coordination functions. Khat chewing was associated with TAP preferred and non-preferred hands and serial digit learning measures, representing the memory and motor speed/coordination functions. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that being exposed to pyrethroids and chewing khat are associated with neurological and neurobehavioral drawbacks among pesticide applicators.

Health needs assessment.

THIS PAPER TAKES A PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH TO BRIEFLY EXAMINE: (i) the concept of community health care need assessment; (ii) the roles of academic institutions in health needs assessment; (iii) Jazan study to address the health care needs in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. The methods included an analysis of the literature, distillation of experience from the recently Jazan Health Need Assessment Survey, and WHO reports. The most important perceived health problems in Jazan region are shortage of health care providers, increased prevalence of communicable diseases and poor environmental health. The academic institutions, Ministry of Health and other health care institutions need to work together to look for innovative approaches, especially to increase the awareness of the society on public health issues, and give more support to increase national and regional funding for community based studies.The findings of the assessment of the health needs of Jazan presented in this review could be utilized as a baseline and reference information for policy formulation, subsequent planning and cost effective intervention programs. It could also be utilized for the curriculum development or review for a community oriented medical schools.

A study of maternal dietary intake during pregnancy in riyadh, saudi arabia.

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to evaluate the dietary nutrient intake of pregnant women. The relationship between dietary intake and pregnancy outcome was also studied. METHOD: A total of 114 pregnant women were studied, using systematic random sampling. RESULTS: THE PERCENTAGES OF THE MEAN NUTRIENT INTAKE BELOW THE RECOMMENDED DIETARY ALLOWANCES (RDA) FOR PREGNANT WOMEN WERE AS THE FOLLOWS: 51.8%, 93.9%, 82.5% and 98.2% for energy, vitamin B1, calcium and iron, respectively. Moreover, 13.2% of the women experienced some form of pica. Using height and mid-arm circumferences, about 2.8% and 4.4% were seen to be undernourished respectively. CONCLUSION: Saudi pregnant women need guidance in selecting nutrient dense foods to reduce maternal and outcome health hazards.

Mothers' practices during pregnancy, lactation and care of their children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To study mothers' practices during pregnancy, lactation and care during the first 2 years. METHODS: A cross section study was carried out in 5 Primary Health Care Centres (PHCC) in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Two hundred and fifty women (50 from each PHCC) who have children less than 2-years of age who visited the selected PHCCs during the study period were selected by systematic random sampling. Data was collected via a questionnaire which contained sociodemographic characteristics of the mother and their children and mothers' practices during pregnancy, lactation and the care of their children. RESULTS: Approximately 73% of the mothers breast fed their children initially but only 37.6% are currently breast feeding their children. The majority of the mothers started breast feeding during 1-8 hours after delivery, 63% added supplementary foods to their children at 4-8 months. The majority of mothers visited antenatal clinics during pregnancy, vaccinated their children and followed up their children in well baby clinics. Half of the mothers are currently using contraceptives and 19% are consuming less food during pregnancy. The mothers' educational level was the most important factor associated with mothers' practices. CONCLUSION: Some mothers' practices during pregnancy, lactation and child care needs corrective intervention.