Prevalence and correlates of university students' perceived stress in southwestern Saudi Arabia.

ABSTRACT: The university period can be stressful for most students. It may be due to exposure to various stressors. Objectives: To establish the prevalence and factors associated with high perceived stress among university undergraduates in south-western Saudi Arabia.A self-administered survey was conducted among a representative sample of King Khalid University students through a cross-sectional study. Data obtained included socio-economic, academic characteristics, and grade point average (GPA) scores. Stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale.This study included 2467 students. The average Perceived Stress Scale score was 19.13 ±â€Š6.56, which was notably higher (P = .02) among health care undergraduates (19.45 ±â€Š6.49) compared to others (18.85 ±â€Š6.61). High perceived stress prevalence rate was 12.7% (13.6% in health care institutions and 12.0% in non-healthcare institutions). Multivariable analysis revealed that high perceived stress was considerably greater among females (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.35, 95% confidence interval:167-3.30), smokers (aOR = 1.65), those with an unsatisfactory income (aOR = 3.10), and healthcare students (aOR=1.33). In contrast, it was negatively associated with the GPA score (aOR= 0.77).High perceived stress is a substantial problem among university students. Female students and healthcare students are at a greater risk. High stress is correlated with smoking, lower GPA scores, and perceived insufficient family income.

Iodine Deficiency Disorders as a Predictor of Stunting among Primary School Children in the Aseer Region, Southwestern Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the present occurrence of stunting and explore the role of iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) as a predictor of stunting among primary school children in the Aseer Region. METHODS: In a cross-sectional investigation on school children in the Aseer region, thyroid enlargement was evaluated clinically. Urine was collected to evaluate iodine content. RESULTS: The present study involved 3046 school-age pupils. The study disclosed a total goiter rate of 24.0% (95% CI: 22.5-25.5%). The median urinary iodine content (UIC) was 17.0 µg/L. A prevalence of stunting (height for age z score of less than -2) of 7.8% (95% CI: 6.9-8.8%) was found. In a logistic regression model, pupils having clinical goiter (aOR = 1.739; 95% CI: 1.222-2.475) and students having UIC of less than 17 µg/L (aOR = 1.934; 95% CI: 1.457-2.571) were considerably related with stunting. In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, urinary iodine content to forecast stunting was good (AUC = 0.611, 95% CI: 0.594-0.629). The curve recognized the optimum cutoff point of urinary iodine content to be ≤19.0 µg/L. The sensitivity was 59.66% (95% CI: 53.1-66.0) and the specificity was 57.62% (95% CI: 55.8-59.5). Conclusion: The present study showed that stunting among school-aged children presents a mild public health problem. On the other hand, a severe iodine deficiency situation was revealed among school children in the Aseer region. Continuous monitoring of iodine status among school children is therefore necessary. Concerted interventions that blend nutrition-sensitive with nutrition-specific approaches are expected to influence decreasing stunting significantly.

Iodine-deficiency disorders in the Aseer region, south-western Saudi Arabia: 20 years after the national survey and universal salt iodization.

OBJECTIVE: To study (i) the current prevalence of iodine-deficiency disorders among schoolchildren in south-western Saudi Arabia after universal salt iodization and (ii) the iodine content of table salts and water. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study on a stratified proportional allocation sample of children. Thyroid gland enlargement was assessed clinically and by ultrasound scanning. Urine, table salt and water samples were taken to measure iodine content. Settings The Aseer region, south-western Saudi Arabia. SUBJECTS: Schoolchildren aged 8-10 years. RESULTS: The study included 3046 schoolchildren. The total goitre rate amounted to 24·0 %. Prevalence of enlarged thyroid by ultrasound was 22·7 %. The median urinary iodine concentration of the study sample amounted to 17·0 µg/l. The iodine content of table salt ranged from 0 to 112 mg/kg; 22·5 % of the table salt samples were below the recommended iodine content (15 mg/kg) set by WHO. The total goitre rate increased significantly from 19·8 % among children using table salt with iodine content ≥15 mg/kg to reach 48·5 % among children using table salt with 0 mg iodine/kg. Analysis of water samples taken from schools showed that the majority of water samples (78·8 %) had an iodine content of 0 µg/l. CONCLUSIONS: The study documented that 18 years after the national study, and after more than a decade of universal salt iodization in Saudi Arabia, the problem of iodine-deficiency disorders is still endemic in the Aseer region. Efforts should focus on fostering advocacy and communication and ensuring the availability of adequately iodized salt.

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome and valvular pulmonary stenosis. A rare association that limits the management options.

A term baby had cyanosis 2 hours after delivery; echocardiography showed hypoplastic left heart syndrome HLHS and valvular pulmonary stenosis PS. The opinions of the cardiac centers in Saudi Arabia were taken; however, the baby was not accepted probably because the associated PS made him a poor candidate for a Norwood procedure and because cardiac transplant is not available for infants in Saudi Arabia. He died after 15 days. This mother should have fetal echocardiography in future pregnancies, and if HLHS is suspected she might be advised to seek medical advice antenatally at highly specialized cardiac centers abroad, as delivery there may increase the chance of surgical intervention.

Life style and nutrition and their impact on health of Saudi school students in Abha, Southwestern region of Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the life style and dietary habits of school students and the prevalence of some nutritional problems. METHODS: We conducted this study in Abha city during the scholastic year 2000. A two-stage random sample was used to select the students. The sample consisted of 767 male and female students in different grades of education. A designed questionnaire was used to collect data regarding life style practices and dietary habits. Weight, height, and body mass index were obtained. RESULTS: Diets were rich in carbohydrates, and deficient in fiber. Breakfast was a regular meal for 72% of primary school students compared to 49% of secondary school students. Milk was consumed daily by 51.5% of the sample; fast food consumption was low (2.0 +/- 1.7 times/month). Physical exercise was practiced significantly longer by males than by females; 8.6% and 5.8% of males in intermediate and secondary grades were smokers. Sleeping hours during school days were adequate (7.4 +/- 1.7 hours/day), but relatively higher (9.5 +/- 2.3) during vacation. Underweight (18.9%), obesity (15.9%), and overweight (11%) were prevalent. Overweight and obesity were significantly more prevailing among females of primary and secondary grades. CONCLUSION: Health education and physical education programs in the schools are recommended to promote healthy life styles and dietary habits. School feeding programs may be required to achieve some of these goals.

Congenital heart diseases and other major anomalies in patients with Down syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and types of congenital heart diseases (CHDs) and other congenital anomalies among Down syndrome (DS) patients, and the short-term survival rate. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of 98 DS patients seen in Aseer Central Hospital from July 1994 to June 2005. The clinicians notes, echocardiography reports and operative notes were examined. RESULTS: The mean follow up period was 30 +/- 40.1 months. Ninety-three patients had echocardiography; CHDs were found in 57 patients (61.3%). Ventricular septal defect (VSD) was the most common (33.3%) followed by atrioventricular septal defect (22.8%), atrial septal defect (21.1%), patent ductus arteriosus (14%) and tetralogy of Fallot (5.3%). Three patients (5.3%) developed inoperable obstructive pulmonary vascular disease (OPVD) and 3 were deemed inoperable for other reasons. The CHD was clinically suspected in 96%. The most common noncardiac anomalies were gastrointestinal, affecting 22 patients (22.4%): duodenal atresia 8 patients, imperforate anus 7 patients and Hirschsprung disease 4 patients. Sixteen patients (16.3%) died at a mean age of 19 months, 15 of them (93.8%) had anomalies. CONCLUSION: The most common CHD in DS is VSD and the most common noncardiac anomaly is gastrointestinal. Down syndrome patients should be screened by echocardiography early in life to avoid OPVD. The mortality in DS is highest among those with congenital anomalies, and therefore, early intervention is crucial.