Epidemiology of brucellosis in Al medina region, saudi arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of brucellosis in the Al-Medina region of Saudi Arabia and to determine the related factors. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 1997 with a random multistage cluster sampling of 500 households (4000 subjects). Tube Agglutination Test (TAT) and 2-mercapto-ethanol (2ME) analyzed blood samples. RESULT: The study revealed that the prevalence of brucellosis was 2.6%. The prevalence was shown to increase with age in rural communities and low socio-economic status. There are eight predisposing factors associated with brucellosis. These are the consumption of raw milk, and milk products, the keeping of livestock, milking of livestock, animal contact, butchering of raw meat, handling parturient animal and contact with placenta membrane. The overall prevalence of brucellosis among livestock as assessed by examining blood from a random sample of animals was estimated at 17.4%. CONCLUSION: THE FINDINGS OF THIS WORK INDICATE THAT: (1) There is high prevalence of brucellosis in the Al-Medina region of Saudi Arabia. (2) Very little is being done to prevent or minimize infections. (3) Control and prevention of brucellosis in animals and humans should be the goal in Saudi Arabia RECOMMENDATIONS: IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT: (1) the surveillance be strengthened; (2) there be strict adherence to hygienic practices on farms; (3) there be cooperation and joint supervision at the boundaries with neighboring countries; (4) there be health education.

Seroepidemiology survey of brucellosis antibodies in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is considered the most important zoonosis in Saudi Arabia, with a high prevalence among man and livestock. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A natural survey of 23,613 subjects was conducted in 1997, in order to assess the seroprevalence of brucellosis in Saudi Arabia. Investigations included interviews, clinical examination and blood sampling for antibody determination, using the standard tube agglutination test (STAT). RESULTS: The result of the study revealed that the seroprevalence of brucellosis was 15%. The seroprevalence increased by age, and was higher in rural areas, and among people in high-risk occupations. CONCLUSION: Direct contact with domestic animals and consumption of raw products of animal origin were identified as the main risk factors.

Prevalence of contraception used among Saudi Arabian women.

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Prevalence of brucellosis among abattoir workers in Saudi Arabia.

The prevalence of brucellosis among abattoir workers in Saudi Arabia was determined through a randomised multi-stage sampling of 1200 abattoir workers. Diagnosis was made by both blood culture and standard tube agglutination test. The overall prevalence of brucellosis was 4.0% among abattoir workers. Infection was more common among butchers (8.9%), veterinarians and veterinary assistants (5.4%), and administrative personnel (1.1%). In order to reach optimum planning for a national brucellosis control programme in Saudi Arabia, ministerial co-ordination should be established with formulation of inter-governmental veterinary agreements between the Saudi government and the relevant authorities of animal exporting countries. A national survey on animal marketing is required.

Sampling in epidemiological research: a case study of the prevalence of brucellosis in Saudi Arabia.

The superficial description in biomedical journals of sampling methods used in epidemiological studies of the prevalence of some diseases can be attributed to shallow knowledge of basic sampling techniques. The population of interest in most community surveys is usually very large and resources and time available limited, so that researchers have little or no choice but to study a sample of the population. One of the basic principles of sampling is the avoidance of bias, guaranteed by taking a random sample. But the term 'random sample' has often been misinterpreted as synonymous with 'haphazard sample', taking a sample without a definite pattern. It is re-emphasised that a random sample is a probability sample that gives every unit in the population a known probability of being selected in the sample. The procedures for taking a random sample for a nationwide study in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are not easy because of the structure of the population, and therefore require more complex sampling methods like the stratified cluster sampling. It is also necessary in a stratified sample to calculate estimated persons affected by a condition for each selected subgroup of the population before obtaining the overall prevalence rate. A proper understanding and use of appropriate sampling techniques is most likely to result in the most desired representative sample, and guarantees that some underlying assumptions for inferential statistics will be satisfied.

Iodide concentrations in Saudi waters: A cause for concern.

Samples of tap water and drinking mineral water from different regions of Saudi Arabia were analyzed for iodide content. Low iodide concentrations were found in all samples. This finding may reflect an overall low iodide content in the soil and consequently also in locally grown food, which could predispose to endemic goiter. In the absence of data on the prevalence of endemic goiter, we recommend the routine use of iodized salt in Saudi Arabia.

Attitudes of professionals in providing maternity care in a primary health care system in Saudi Arabia.

This study was done on a sample of the primary care centers in the Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia to assess the opinions of the medical and paramedical staff regarding the capability and acceptability of providing antenatal and intrapartum care in the primary health care setting. The study showed that 96% of all the respondents supported the provision of antenatal care services in primary health care with 60% of them giving the reason that it is more convenient for pregnant women. 90% of the respondents wanted the antenatal care to be delivered through special clinics and the majority of them wanted to give a greater role to the midwives in antenatal care. Questioned about the intranatal care provision in the centers, 98% of all the respondents agreed to the utilization of primary health care in such service. A similar percentage of them claimed to have the ability to do deliveries in the centers with existing facilities. To avoid duplication of care and to best use of available resources, low risk pregnancies should be seen antenatally and delivered in the primary health care centers provided and quality of such care is kept under control.

PIP: This study examined a sample of primary care centers in the Al-Baha region of Saudi Arabia to assess the opinions of the medical and paramedical staff regarding the capability and acceptability of providing antenatal and intrapartum care in the primary healthcare setting. The study showed that 96% of all respondents supported the provision of antenatal care services in primary healthcare with 60% of them claiming it is more convenient for pregnant women. 90% of the respondents wanted antenatal care to be delivered through special clinics and the majority wanted to provide the midwives with a greater role in antenatal care. When questioned about the intranatal care provision within the centers, 98% of all respondents agreed to utilization of primary healthcare in such service. A similar % claimed to have the ability to deliver babies in the centers with existing facilities. To avoid duplication of care and to utilize existing resources as best as possible, low-risk pregnancies should be seen antenatally and delivered in primary healthcare centers provided the quality of care is closely monitored.

Rheumatic heart disease in schoolchildren in western district, Saudi Arabia.

The prevalence of rheumatic heart disease was assessed among schoolchildren aged between 6-15 years in the Western District. A sample size of 9,418 (10% of the target population) underwent cardiac evaluation. The prevalence of rheumatic heart disease was 24 per 10,000 schoolchildren (6-15 years). The prevalence was higher in rural areas and in females. This survey revealed that the carrier rate of beta-hemolytic streptococci was 34%.

Accidental poisoning of children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

There were 7142 cases of accidental poisoning in children admitted to all Riyadh Governmental Hospitals during the five years period (1983-87). Household products were the most common poisoning agent, accounting for 59% of all cases. This was followed by drugs (39%), and plants (2%). Children aged one to two years were the most affected. The fatality rate was 0.1%. This study indicates that improved living conditions, proper storage of the drugs and chemicals as well as health education of parents will help in reducing the incidence of poisoning.

The traditional midwife in Saudian villages.

To identify the role of the midwife in rural Saudi Arabia, a house to house survey was conducted in 10 randomly selected communities in Riyadh district. The study showed that the midwife's role in a village is particularly significant in protecting the health of the poor and less educated mother. If effective coverage of ante-natal, delivery and post-natal services is to be achieved then it is suggested that a greater emphasis should be placed upon training the midwives.

Maternal influences on birth weight.

The birth weight of 2,848 singleton babies delivered Al-Medina District hospitals was studied. The mean birth weight of Al-Medina babies was 3.26 Kg. (SD 0.44), the males with mean birth weight of 3.32 Kg. (SD 0.45), and were significantly heavier than females with a mean birth weight of 3.20 Kg. (SD 0.42). The incidence of low birth weight was 7.0 per cent. The birth weight was found to increase consistently with maternal age, parity, and height. Birth weight was significantly higher for babies of non-consanguineous parents.