Subject(s)
Curriculum , Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate , Certification , Clinical Competence , Humans , NorwayABSTRACT
Fifty-seven cases of drugs overdose, seen in Asir Central Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia, during the period from 1989 to 1993 inclusive were studied. The study has shown progressive increase in the number of parasuicides in recent years. Forty-six cases were diagnosed as self-induced drug overdose (parasuicide), while the remaining 11 were considered to be accidental overdose, mainly in children. The sociodemographic features of the sample showed that 89% of the parasuicide cases were among Saudis and that 77.8% of them occured in females. Their average age was 23.9 +/- 9.1 years and 95.6% of them were below the age of 40 years. The commonly used drugs were analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and tranquilizers or antidepressants. Psychiatric illnesses were diagnosed in 74.4% of cases of parasuicide, with depressive illnesses constituting 39.5% and personality disorders the remaining 34.9%. Possible reasons for the recent increase of parasuicide by drug ingestion were discussed and the rates were compared with studies from the Gulf region and Western countries.
Subject(s)
Brucellosis , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Occupations , Risk Factors , Saudi ArabiaABSTRACT
One hundred forty-two cases of salmonella infection seen in Asir region, Southern Saudi Arabia, during the period of 1989-1991 inclusive, were analyzed. Ninety-four cases were found to have enteric fever and 48 cases were found to have, Salmonella enteritidis gastroenteritis. Enteric fever is more common in non-Saudis (64%) than in the indigenous Saudi population (34%). Salmonella enteriditis gastroenteritis is more common among the Saudi population (75%) than non-Saudis (25%). The clinical presentation of both types of salmonella infection is outlined. Enteric fever is more common among expatriates who recently came from India (40.5%), Egypt (10.6%), Pakistan (6.4%), and Syria (4.3%). Salmonella typhi resistant to tetracycline, ampicillin, and chloramphenicol are more common among Indian patients (75% of resistant cases) and Syrian patients (12.5-28% of resistant cases). Resistance to cotrimoxazole is commonly encountered in Indians (50% of resistant cases) and Egyptians (33.3%). Salmonella enteriditis resistant to tetracycline, ampicillin, and chloramphenicol is more common among Saudis (66.7% of resistant cases) and Filipinos (16.7-33.3% of resistant cases). Recommendations regarding screening of expatriates for enteric fever and proper drug therapy of possible resistant cases are outlined.
