Effect of online pedometer program on physical activity in Qatar.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of pedometers as motivation for individuals to walk 10,000 steps and more a day. METHODS: A cross-sectional longitudinal study conducted during for 12 weeks. The intervention consists of goal setting to reach 10,000 steps or more and to keep it as daily target. The pedometer was issued for every participant after they were registered at the website and given a self-monitoring on line account. Participants were informed to upload their data every week. An automated e-mail and text messages were sent to participant didn't upload the data. Average daily steps measured in the 1st week were taken as baseline, and the average weekly steps were measured at the 4, 8, and 12 weeks. RESULTS: The study included 970 adults, and showed a significant increase in average daily steps from 6.833±4.144 steps/day at baseline into 10.600±6,385 steps/week at the 12th week (P<0.001), 19.3% met the daily target of 10,000 steps or more at the baseline with considerable increase to 45.0% by the 12th week. However this increase is more obvious in females as only 11.7% of them met the daily target of 10,000 steps at start and reached to 38.5% at the 12th week. At the 12th week the age group ≥45 years became more active with pedometer than the younger age group (48.5% vs. 43.2%). Although adults from different races showed increasing physical activity however Arabs remain less active than other ethnic groups (39.0% and 53.3% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Pedometer program was found to be effective in promoting physical activity in Qatar. Daily steps goal is encouraging adults for achieving their recommended daily physical activity level. This intervention is more useful for adults and women in particular.

A scoring system as a tool for antenatal care audit in family medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To propose the antenatal assessment score (AAS) as a tool for auditing the process of antenatal care in family medicine, and to highlight its accessibility by applying it at 2 family health care centers. METHODS: A descriptive study of an audit process was conducted in 2 primary health care centers (non commissioned officers' [NCO] and officers' health centers [OC]) belonging to the Department of Family Medicine, Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from February 2001 to June 2002. A systematic random sample of patients registered at the maternal registers of both centers was selected. A score system of 100 points was developed containing items regarding history taking, examination, investigations, treatment, referral, health education, number of visits and record keeping. The information was gathered retrospectively from patients' files at both centers. RESULTS: The total assessment score approached 67 out of 100 for NCO and 71 out of 100 for OC with a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). History taking in general was achieved to 77% in NCO and 86% in OC. Examination whether general (8% and 76%) or obstetric (67% and 72%) was achieved at a lesser level. All investigations were recorded equally in both centers (77%). Referrals, whether routine or emergency, were much less recorded 35-28%. The majority of antenatal records at both centers were partially completed (84.5% and 81%). Indications to any given medications (73% and 91%) and the total number of visits were higher among NCO records with statistically significant difference (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Antenatal assessment score is an accessible tool for the audit process of antenatal care in family medicine. In depth analysis and interpretation of the results could be of high importance to total antenatal care. Nationwide use of this audit tool is recommended.