ABSTRACT
This survey determined the prevalence and regional distribution of mental retardation among children in Saudi Arabia. Data were analysed from a population-based national survey conducted during 1996-99, in which 60,630 children aged up to 18 years were screened using IQ tests and questionnaires completed by physicians. The prevalence of mental retardation was 8.9 per 1000 children, a rate similar to that reported in other countries. Moderate or severe retardation was classified in 70.9% of these children. Of the mentally retarded children in the 0-18 years age range, 83.2% were not attending school. Special educational programmes are needed to improve the quality of life of mentally retarded children.
Subject(s)
Intellectual Disability/epidemiology , Adolescent , Age Distribution , Child , Child, Preschool , Cluster Analysis , Education of Intellectually Disabled , Female , Health Surveys , Humans , Intellectual Disability/diagnosis , Intellectual Disability/psychology , Intellectual Disability/rehabilitation , Male , Mass Screening , Maternal Age , Needs Assessment , Population Surveillance , Prevalence , Quality of Life , Residence Characteristics/statistics & numerical data , Risk Factors , Saudi Arabia/epidemiology , Severity of Illness IndexABSTRACT
This survey determined the prevalence and regional distribution of mental retardation among children in Saudi Arabia. Data were analysed from a population-based national survey conducted during 1996-99, in which 60,630 children aged up to 18 years were screened using IQ tests and questionnaires completed by physicians. The prevalence of mental retardation was 8.9 per 1000 children, a rate similar to that reported in other countries. Moderate or severe retardation was classified in 70.9% of these children. Of the mentally retarded children in the 0-18 years age range, 83.2% were not attending school. Special educational programmes are needed to improve the quality of life of mentally retarded children
Subject(s)
Intellectual Disability , Child, Preschool , Saudi ArabiaABSTRACT
A total of 14 660 individuals were included in the study. A fasting blood sample and 2-hour post-glucose load blood sample from each participant were analysed for blood sugar. Participants were classified as diabetic or non-diabetic and as either obese [BMI > 30 kg/m2], overweight [BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2] or normal [BMI < 25 kg/m2]. The prevalence of obesity was calculated in the total sample and separately for diabetic and non-diabetic males and females. The results showed obesity and overweight in 13.05% and 27.23% of males and 20.26% and 25.20% of females respectively. The prevalence of both obesity and overweight were significantly higher among diabetics than non-diabetics. In each province, diabetics had a significantly higher prevalence of obesity than non-diabetics. Several interprovincial variations were seen. Public education on obesity and overweight and ways to decrease them are recommended in Saudi Arabia
