Sero-response to measles vaccination at 12 months of age in Saudi infants in Qassim Province.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sero-response to measles component of the first measles, mumps and rubella MMR dose given at 12 months by measuring measles antibody before and one month after the vaccination. METHODS: A follow-up study where, 57 children at the age of 12 months were recruited randomly from the Primary Health Care Centers in Qassim, Saudi Arabia using a multistage sampling techniques. Fieldwork was conducted from October until December 2006. Blood samples were collected to measure measles IgG antibody before, and one month after giving MMR using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Data were compared before and after vaccination using geometric mean titer GMT and seroconversion. RESULTS: In the 57 infants, positivity rate increased significantly from 3.5% (2/57) pre-vaccination to 100% one month after p=0.0001, and with a sero-conversion of 96.5% (55/57). Also, GMT increased significantly from 0.014-2.172 IU/ML, after vaccination p=0.0001. CONCLUSION: Sero conversion and GMT are significantly high after the first MMR given at 12 months and this is supported by the surveillance data in Qassim.

Upstream investment in health care: national and regional perspectives.

Since the burden of disease has shifted towards non-communicable diseases and public health management, there is a greater need to direct resources to address risk factors of the diseases rather than the diseases themselves. The downstream agenda focused on treatment services and is still an important problem at the level of national health management. Much has been accomplished in preventive programs for infectious diseases in Saudi Arabia but a great deal more is needed to combat non-communicable diseases. While a national non-communicable diseases program is being established in the Kingdom, more advanced pilot projects of NCD can be started in the regions. A model for cardiovascular diseases in Qassim will be presented.

Short-term outcome of preterms in two neonatology units in Al-qassim, saudi arabia.

OBJECTIVE: A follow-up study, to compare the short-term outcome of preterms, in two hospitals in Al Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Preterms admitted in two hospitals, 47 in hospital A and 36 in hospital B, were followed from admission until one month after discharge. Preterms were compared on gestational age, birth weight, birth head circumference and length of stay. Outcome measures were weight gain per day, feeding patterns on discharge and feeding patterns one month after discharge compared with the feeding of normal infants (200 infants) at the age of 6 weeks. RESULTS: No difference was found between the two hospitals on admission in gestational age, mean birth weight, birth head circumference and length of stay. Mean weight gain per day was significantly higher in hospital A, 9.56 (± 19.7) gm, compared to 1.22 (± 29.47) gm in hospital B. (P=0.049). But the proportion of exclusive breast fed infants, one month after discharge was higher in hospital B, 37.5% compared to 13.2% in hospital A. (p=0.0224). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that there is a clear hospital level difference in the same region, in the short-term outcome. This emphasizes that outcome should be continuously followed and that differences should be evaluated in perinatal audit procedure.

Evaluation of continuing medical education in Al-qasim, saudi arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate CME activities in Al-Qassim region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia METHODS: A study using a pre-structured questionnaire was conducted in Al-Qassim, targeting physicians working in the hospitals. The survey was conducted in two phases. The first phase was conducted at the inception of the department of professional education and the second one year later. Questionnaires were given to a sample of physicians working in the hospitals. RESULTS: Mean CME hours in the region increased from 5.5(±5.9) to 14.2(±19.7), p=0.0001. 50% said that the CME should be presented differently. There was a need for regular courses (61%), departmental and bedside activities (52%) and visiting speakers (45%). Only 47% of the physicians were using the Internet. CONCLUSION: There is a need to shift from credit counting to a process that can yield professional development through practical courses and departmental activities. The use of the Internet in CME activities should be encouraged.