Population-based health survey in eastern region of Saudi Arabia.

A community health survey was conducted to describe the current health status and preventive health practices of National Guard military employees and their dependants residing in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. In a cross-sectional survey in 2010, data were collected via a questionnaire interview and direct physical measurements. A total of 1339 adults aged 14 years completed the survey [mean age 30.7 (SD 12.7) years]. About two-thirds of the sample had problems of overweight and obesity, while 50% had high serum lipids and psychiatric disorders. Hypertension and diabetes were detected in 9.0% and 9.1% of the participants respectively and 15.8% were smokers. The rates of complete immunization and breastfeeding of children were 88.9% and 80.2% respectively and 21.7% of the women had ever used oral contraceptives. However, only 6.5% of the women had ever had a mammogram and 13.4% a cervical smear. The survey results provide a baseline from which to strengthen many oublic health nolicies and orogrammes.

Population-based health survey in Eastern region of Saudi Arabia

A community health survey was conducted to describe the current health status and preventive health practices of National Guard military employees and their dependants residing in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. In a cross-sectional survey in 2010, data were collected via a questionnaire interview and direct physical measurements. A total of 1339 adults aged >/= 14 years completed the survey [mean age 30.7 [SD 12.7] years]. About two-thirds of the sample had problems of overweight and obesity, while 50% had high serum lipids and psychiatric disorders. Hypertension and diabetes were detected in 9.0% and 9.1% of the participants respectively and 15.8% were smokers. The rates of complete immunization and breastfeeding of children were 88.9% and 80.2% respectively and 21.7% of the women had ever used oral contraceptives. However, only 6.5% of the women had ever had a mammogram and 13.4% a cervical smear. The survey results provide a baseline from which to strengthen many public health policies and programmes

Patients knowledge of hypertension and its control in Eastern Sudan.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the knowledge of hypertensive patients, in Kassala, eastern Sudan, about the disease, in relation to its control. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Kassala Teaching Hospital, Kassala, Eastern Sudan. SUBJECTS: Patients with hypertension attending referred outpatient medical clinic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Blood pressure, control status and hypertension knowledge score. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty two patients were involved in this study, of whom 68 (73.6%) were females and were of middle age. The majority were of low education. One fifth (19.4%) was found to have controlled blood pressure. About two-thirds of patients showed a high score of knowledge about the aetiology and complications of hypertension. Half of the patients knew about treatment of hypertension. Patients have a very low score regarding knowledge of symptoms of hypertension (38.8%). CONCLUSION: This study showed good patients' knowledge about hypertension, but such knowledge did not seem to have a significant beneficial effect on blood pressure control. Health education is warranted by health care providers and other factors leading to poor control should be identified and managed.