Eid-al-Fitr festivity and Ramadan fasting attitude among individuals with diabetes from Saudi Arabia and Pakistan: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to assess the attitude of Saudi and Pakistani individuals with diabetes regarding Eid-al-Fitr festivities, exploring diabetes care during the month of Ramadan and these individuals' dietary patterns on Eid day. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Karachi (Pakistan). PARTICIPANTS: Of the total 405 subjects, 204 individuals with diabetes from Saudi Arabia (SA) and 201 from Pakistan (Pak) were enrolled. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: This survey-based study was carried out in SA and Pak after Eid-al-Fitr 2020. An online questionnaire was circulated via various social media platforms. The data analyses were performed using SPSS V.26. RESULTS: There were 80 subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) and 325 subjects with type 2 DM. Among our study subjects, 73 were on insulin, 260 were on oral antidiabetics (OADs) and 72 were taking both OADs and insulin. Two-thirds of the participants, 276 (68%) visited their physicians before Ramadan. Many participants (175, 43.2%) broke their fast a day or more because of diabetes. Many participants consumed sugary food on Eid day. The use of chocolates, sugary foods and fresh juices on Eid-al-Fitr was higher in Saudi subjects than in Pakistani ones (p<0.001). Saudi subjects with diabetes adhered more strictly to medications during Ramadan than Pakistani subjects (p=0.01). Saudi participants were more compliant with monitoring DM during Eid-al-Fitr compared with Pakistani subjects. Many participants in both groups felt stressed or depressed and stated that their Eid celebrations were restrictive because of their DM conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Most Saudi and Pakistani participants enjoyed Eid celebrations by abstaining from dietary restrictions. The sugar consumption attitude during Eid day was not up to the mark. Many subjects broke their fasts for a day or more because of diabetes. Saudis were more vigilant in monitoring DM than Pakistanis during Eid-al-Fitr. Individuals with diabetes should consult their physicians before Ramadan for checkups and counselling.

Assessment of the common risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus in jeddah.

Risk factor management is important in avoiding life-threatening complications and preventing new-onset diabetes. We performed a case-control study in 2013 at ten primary health care centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to determine the common risk factors of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) and the demographic background of adult Saudi patients with DM2. Known diabetic patients were recruited as cases, while nondiabetic attendants were selected as controls. A pretested designed questionnaire was used to collect data from 159 cases and 128 controls. Cases were more likely than controls to be men (P < 0.0001), less educated (P < 0.0001), natives of eastern Saudi Arabia (P < 0.0001), retired (P < 0.0001), lower-salaried (P < 0.0001), or married or divorced (P < 0.0001). By univariate analysis cases were likely to be current smokers (P < 0.0001), hypertensive (P < 0.0001), or overweight/obese (P < 0.0001). Cases were also more likely to have a history of DM in a first-degree relative (P = 0.020). By multivariate analysis, cases were more likely to be older than 40 years (P < 0.0001), less educated (P = 0.05), married or divorced (P = 0.04), jobless/housewives (P < 0.0001), or current smokers (P = 0.002). They were also more likely to have salaries <7000 Saudi riyals (P = 0.01). Overall, prediabetic and high risk groups should be identified and counseled early before the occurrence of diabetes.

Tuberculosis screening among health sciences students in Saudi Arabia in 2010.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major health threat in both developed and developing nations. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of reactivity to the Mantoux test or tuberculin skin test (TST) among health sciences students after an open case of TB infection was detected in one of the students. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional screening survey among students of the Health Sciences College for Girls in Jeddah conducted in June 2010. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Students were screened using a standardized TST, and the bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) scars were later inspected. RESULTS: Of 320 students, only 296 (92.5%) participated in the survey. Thirty-five (12%) had a positive test reactivity (≥10 mm). Seventy-six (25.7%) students had no BCG vaccination scar. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of a positive TST was high among students when considered as a primary diagnostic method for latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Strengthening infection control measures is recommended during students' health care training.