Hypertension among attendants of primary health care centers in Al-Qassim region, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the present work were to determine the prevalence of hypertension among attendants of primary health care centers in Al-Qassim region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Also to investigate sociodemographic associates, and assess awareness among hypertensives. METHODS: Through cluster sampling 30 primary health care centers were selected. Forty attendants were chosen randomly from each center. A questionnaire inquiring sociodemographic characteristics and awareness was completed by interview with each participant. Using standardized methods the blood pressure, height and weight were measured. RESULTS: The study sample amounted to 1114 persons, 338 (30%) were hypertensives (blood pressure >140/90), 24% stage 1, 4% stage 2 and 2.5% stage 3. The prevalence increased with age. It was higher in males (33%), single persons (44%), illiterate (33%), merchants (45%) and obese persons (35%). Age above 40 years, illiteracy, overweight and obesity were independently associated with hypertension with statistically significant value. Less than one 4th (23%) of hypertensives were aware of their hypertension. CONCLUSION: Hypertension is a major public health problem. A routine measurement of blood pressure of all attendants of primary health care centers with periodic examination of those aged more than 40 years particularly overweight and obese persons should be implemented.

Pattern of intestinal parasitic infection among food handlers in riyadh, saudi arabia.

OBJECTIVE: Identify the types and prevalence of intestinal parasites among food handlers, and test the effectiveness of the current pre-employment screening policy. METHODS: A cross sectional survey was carried out in the catchment areas of seven primary health care centres (PHCCs) to represent various sections of Riyadh city. A total of 700 food handlers working in restaurants were randomly selected from the study area. All study subjects were asked to complete a data collection form and to bring a fresh stool specimen on the specified day to the designated PHCC. RESULTS: About 66% of the selected subjects complied in bringing fresh stool specimens. Fifty nine (12.8%) of the specimens were positive for parasites. There was a significant association between the food handler's nationality and the likelihood of a positive specimen result, being highest among the Bangladeshis (20.2%) and Indians (18.5%) and the lowest among the Arabs (3.4%) and the Turks (10%). The commonest intestinal parasites isolated were Giardia lamblia (33.8%), followed by Enterobius vermicularis (27.4%). The current screening policy does not seem effective, as there was an absence of significant association between holding a valid PEHC and the test result, with 81% of the positive results from persons holding valid pre-employment health certificates (PEHCs). CONCLUSIONS: Though it is obligatory for food handlers to hold a PEHC in Saudi Arabia, the prevalence of intestinal parasites remains high. Possible solutions include health education on hygiene, more frequent stool tests, and assessment of the current annual screening procedure.

Prevalence and determinants of smoking in three regions of Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To study the prevalence and determinants of cigarette smoking among Saudi nationals in three regions of Saudi Arabia. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 8310 individuals aged 15 years and above from both sexes, randomly selected from the three regions, using a stratified cluster sampling technique. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, household, community-based survey. Using a predesigned and tested questionnaire, the participants were interviewed by primary care physicians. The interview covered personal, social, and educational characteristics of the respondents, and also included questions about their smoking status, duration of smoking, and daily cigarette consumption. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Association between current smoking and sociodemographic variables, in univariate and multivariate analysis. Degree of interaction between the different determinants of cigarette smoking. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of current smoking was 21.1% for males and 0.9% for females. Most smokers (78%) were young to middle-aged (21-50 years old). Smoking prevalence was higher among married people, among uneducated people, and among those in certain occupations: manual workers, businessmen, army officers, and office workers. CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette smoking is an important public health problem in Saudi Arabia. A more intense and comprehensive tobacco control effort is needed.

Peak expiratory flow rate in a sample of normal saudi males at riyadh, saudi arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the normal peak expiratory flow rate for adult Saudi males and to compare our standards with British standards. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in five primary health care centers representing Riyadh city in the period between 15(th) November through December 1993. Six hundred and eighty Saudi men who satisfied stringent criteria of normality were included in the study. RESULTS: The mean and standard deviation of the subjects' age and height were 28.4 ± 13 and 167.6 ± 6.4 respectively. Linear regression analysis was performed through step-wise procedure to determine the form of regression of peak expiratory flow on age and height. Regression curves were obtained and it was found that peak expiratory flow rate did not begin to decline until about the age of 25 years; and as height increased the peak expiratory flow rate increased in a linear relationship. CONCLUSION: It was demonstrated that our study group had lower peak expiratory flow rate compared with British people. These findings will serve as a basis for preparing flow rate values for our population.

Predictors of smoking among male junior secondary school students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and determinants of cigarette smoking among intermediate (junior secondary) schoolboys in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 1382 students (ages 12-19 years) in 45 classes randomly selected from 15 schools, using a two-stage stratified cluster sampling scheme. DESIGN: Students in the selected classes were requested to complete an anonymous questionnaire, under the supervision of trained interviewers. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses of potential risk factors were performed. SETTING: Intermediate schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Association between current smoking and socio-demographic variables, history of smoking, age of smoking initiation, smoking behaviour among family members, knowledge of the harmful effects of smoking, and whether smoking is allowed in the presence of relatives and acquaintances. RESULTS: The prevalence of current smokers was 13.2% overall, ranging from 3.2% in those 12-13 years old to 31.1% in those aged 18-19. Some of the variables (nationality, father's education, and smoking allowed in the presence of parents or teachers) found to be associated with current smoking in a univariate analysis were no longer significantly associated with smoking in the multivariate analysis. By multivariate analysis, knowledge of the harmful effects of smoking, age, smoking allowed in the presence of friends or brothers, and previous smoking were statistically significant determinants of current smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Current health education activities against smoking should be continued and extended to the young population to further reduce the prevalence of smoking and its health consequences. Religious antipathy toward smoking should be emphasised in any local anti-smoking campaigns.