Premarital Screening and Genetic Counseling program: knowledge, attitude, and satisfaction of attendees of governmental outpatient clinics in Jeddah.

UNLABELLED: Premarital care (PMC) is a worldwide activity that aims to diagnose and treat unrecognized disorders and reduce the transmission of diseases to couples and children. OBJECTIVES: To assess the knowledge and attitude of individuals attending governmental outpatient clinics regarding the Premarital Screening and Genetic Counseling (PMSGC) programs, to identify predictors of high knowledge scores and to determine the satisfaction and recommendations of clients of the program. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2009. Individuals who attended three governmental hospital outpatient clinics on the day of the interview and agreed to participate in the study were recruited. The three hospitals were the two hospitals in Jeddah that offer the PMSGC programs and the King Abdulaziz University Hospital. Ethical considerations were followed and data were collected through an interview questionnaire that had been constructed for the study. The questionnaire asked for personal and socio-demographic data and for responses, on a 5-point Likert scale, to 30 knowledge items and 14 attitude statements. Individuals who participated in the PMSGC program were asked questions regarding the services and activities of the program to ascertain their satisfaction with the program and their recommendations for program improvement. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). RESULTS: The sample included 655 participants, of whom 38.8% completed the PMSGC program. The participants' knowledge about the program was generally low. Education was the first predictor of a high knowledge score; individuals having ≥ university degree obtained a higher score (aOR=2.73; 95% CI: 1.77-4.20). The second predictor was the nationality of the participants, with Saudis gaining a higher score (aOR=2.04; 95% CI: 1.002-4.16). The third predictor was monthly income. Regarding attitudes, the vast majority of participants (96.0%) strongly agreed on the importance of the program. Concerning the satisfaction levels of those who benefited from the program, 80.0% gave an excellent or very good score for program confidentiality, whereas lower scores were given for counseling. Counseling before the tests was conducted for only 11.7% of the study participants. The majority of participants recommended adding testing for other genetic diseases and STDs as well as additional topics for counseling. CONCLUSION: Knowledge in the general population about the PMSGC program was low. Implementation of school and university educational campaigns is important. Improved counseling and adding new topics for counseling on genetic, chronic, and psychiatric problems; building healthy families; reproduction and fertility are recommended.

An educational program about premarital screening for unmarried female students in King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah.

UNLABELLED: The present study was conducted to assess knowledge and attitude of unmarried female students in King Abdul-Aziz University (KAU) towards premarital screening (PMS) program, to determine predictors of high students' knowledge scores and to improve their knowledge about PMS through conduction of an educational campaign. Multi-stage stratified random sample method was used with recruitment of 1563 students from all faculties of KAU, during the educational year 2008-2009. The Pre-test included 30 knowledge items and 14 attitude statements with student's response through a 5-point Likert scale. Health education was conducted using audiovisual aids through pre-designed educational materials. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 16. RESULTS: Students' knowledge about the program was generally low before the educational campaign. The predictors of high knowledge scores were being a health science student (aOR=4.15; 95% CI: 2.97-5.81), age ≥20 years (aOR=2.78; 95% CI: 2.01-3.85), family history of hereditary diseases and income ≥10,000 SR/month. Regarding attitude, almost all students (99.0%) agreed on the importance of PMS. After the educational program, students' knowledge about PMS was markedly improved. The mean students' knowledge score was 9.85 ± 5.36 in Pre-test and improved to 18.45 ± 4.96 in Post-test, with a highly statistical significant difference (paired t=25.40, p<0.000). CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The educational program was successful in improving students' knowledge about the PMS. Conduction of similar educational programs and adding PMS in the curriculum of secondary and university education are recommended.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices relating to Dengue fever among females in Jeddah high schools.

UNLABELLED: Dengue is increasingly recognized as one of the world's major infectious diseases. Dengue vectors, human knowledge and human behavior have each been reported to play an important role in the transmission of the disease. A cross-sectional approach was conducted to assess knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) of high school female students, teachers and supervisors towards Dengue fever (DF), and to determine scoring predictors of high school students' knowledge and practice scores. A multistage, stratified, random sample method was applied. A total of 2693 students, 356 teachers and 115 supervisors completed confidential self-administered questionnaires. RESULTS: Students obtained the lowest mean knowledge score compared to the other two groups (F=51.5, P<0.001). A positive family history of DF (a OR=2.05; 95% CI=1.15-3.64), having literate mothers (>or=secondary education), and students' age >or=17 were the predictors of high students' knowledge score. The only predictor of high practice score was obtaining high knowledge score (a OR=2.06; 95% CI=1.73-2.44). CONCLUSION: KAP towards DF was deficient among target populations, especially among students. School-based educational campaigns and social mobilization for raising knowledge and changing it into sound practice is urgently needed for controlling dengue epidemics in Jeddah.

Prevalence and Determinants of Prehypertension and Hypertension among Preparatory and Secondary School Teachers in Jeddah.

UNLABELLED: Hypertension (HTN) is most likely the most common disease on Earth. It represents the single greatest preventable cause of death in humans and one of the most important modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of HTN and pre-hypertension among preparatory and secondary school teachers in Jeddah, KSA, during the educational year 2006 /2007. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted and a multistage stratified random sampling technique was used. HTN (using JNC VII criteria) was defined as Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) >/= 140 mmHg and / or Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) >/= 90 or concurrent use of antihypertensive agents. RESULTS: The prevalence of HTN & pre-hypertension were 25.2 % & 43.0 %, respectively, among the sample of 1476 teachers. Only 30.4 % of hypertensive teachers were aware of their condition. Linear regression indicated that for every 4 Kg increase of weight, there is increase of one mm Hg of SBP and 0.87 mm Hg of DBP. Logistic Regression illustrated that age >/= 40 years (aOR= 4.31, CI: 2.77, 6.73), Body Mass Index (BMI) >/= 25 (aOR= 3.03, CI: 1.77-5.19), males, and diabetes were significantly associated with HTN. Predictors of pre-hypertension were male gender (aOR = 3.22, CI: 2.49- 4.16), age >/= 40, and BMI >/= 25. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of pre-hypertension and HTN was high among teachers in Jeddah & BMI was the strongest modifiable risk factor. Lifestyle modification and implementation of screening programs for obesity, diabetes, pre-hypertension and HTN are recommended.

Prevalence, risk factors and outcome of childhood abuse reported by female university students in jeddah.

Child abuse constitutes all forms of physical and /or emotional ill treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child's health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence, types, main predictors and outcome of child abuse, retrospectively reported by female university students in Jeddah. A cross sectional study was conducted and the Standardized Arabic Version of Child Abuse Screening Tool for Young Adult (18-24 years old) was used. Ethical standards of confidentiality and freedom to participate were followed. Multistage stratified random sample was used with selection of 1,897 females. About two-thirds (68.3 %) of students reported exposure to some form of child abuse. Physical and emotional forms were recalled by 45.1 % & 50.6 % of students, respectively, while, 2.9 % reported exposure to forced contact sexual assault. Parents and siblings were the commonest perpetrators of both physical & emotional abuse, while other relatives and extra-familial persons were the main offenders of sexual violence. The predictors of exposure to three forms of abuse together were: existence of parent who hit the other (aOR= 2.54; 95 % CI: 1.88-3.42), non-university graduated mother (aOR =1.83; p