bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Consanguinity on Pregnancy Outcome in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Wong Simin S. , Anokute Charles C. 
Published: September 2007

SIMPLE random sample of 4498 Saudi pregnant women was analysed to study the effect of consanguinity on pregnancy outcome. The rate of consanguinity was found to be 54.3% which com prised 31.4% of first cousins and 22.9% of other relatives. The average proportion of outcome was higher and over 50% within the consanguinous mar riages in all pregnancy outcome except prematurity and low birth weights. In general, more unfavourable outcomes occurred among consanguinous than non-consanguinous mar riages. Perinatal, infant and neonatal deaths were the most deleterious outcomes among related marriages with 62%, 60.3% and 57.9% respectively. The differ ences between total consanguinity and unrelated mar riages in the infant and perinatal death categories were significant (P=0.05).
Medical Treatment for Rheumatic Diseases
Authors: Bird H.A. 
Published: September 2007

REST, PHYSIOTHERAPY, joint protection, patient education and counselling all play an important role alongside drug therapy and sur gery in the management of a chronic disorder such as theumatoid arthritis. Patients expect their physician to take the initiative in integrating the members of the multi-disciplinary team devoted to their care. The physician will also instigate drug therapy. In early disease, an analgesic ('for pain') may supplement a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ('for stiffness'). A variety of such drugs are available with various advantages and disadvantages. For more severe, progressive disease a 'second-line' or disease-modifying drug may be prescribed. Typical examples are injectable gold, penicillamine, anti malarials, sulphasalazine and methotrexate. The pres cription of any of these represents a calculated risk: the benefits of treatment have to be balanced against the likely side-effects. A variety of intra-articular treatments are also available for providing some localisation of response and sometimes obviating the need for surgery which should be the subject of close collaboration between the rheumatologists and orthopaedic surgeons.
Alternative Therapy for Rheumatic Diseases
Authors: Bird H.A. 
Published: September 2007

THE wide variety of alternative therapies available for rheumatic diseases attests to the inability of the medical profession to provide patients with adequate cures. Many patients resort to alternative remedies even if these are not always declared to the physician. Our own studies have included assessments of injectable enzyme preparations, vitamins and the use of healing in conjunction with the Confederation of Healing Organisations. Other well controlled trials have been made of diet, nutritional supplements and natural remedies such as green lipped muscle prepar ations. Unfortunately, the controlled scientific evidence of efficacy is often eclipsed by extravagant advertising claims for subjective enthusiasm of patients who suffer from a variety of conditions, many of which undergo a natural cyclical variation in severity. The clinical assessments used in such trials require critical appraisal.
The Role of Sex Education in Adolescent Pregnancy
Authors: Edet Emmanuel E. 
Published: September 2007

THE AIM of the present Review is to throw some light on the sexual education of young people in the hope that it would provide a panacea for adolescent pregnancy. The source of knowledge, family or school, is not the issue, but information presumably will foster an enlightened mind and perhaps even enlightened behaviour. The availability, or lack of availability, of sex education, contraception and abortion services appears worthy of special consideration. It is often assumed that adolescents, and especially low socio-economic adoles cents, begin their pregnancies at young ages because of indifference, or cultural pattern. Too little attention has been paid to the provision of adequate sex education and birth control services, especially in developing countries.
Phenothrin Lotion, the Latest Recruit in the Battle Against Headlice: The Results of Two Controlled Comparative Studies
Authors: Doss S. , Powell C.A. , Miller A.J. 
Published: September 2007

ONE HUNDRED and one subjects with head louse infestation were entered into two separate studies, in which a phenothrin aqueous/alcoholic lotion was compared to a carbaryl lotion and a malathion lotion. Fifty subjects were treated with a single application of the phenothrin lotion, 28 with the carbaryl lotion and 23 with the malathion lotion. In the comparative study of the phenothrin and malathion lotions an inspection on the day following treatment showed no live lice remained, but that six of the subjects treated with malathion lotion still had evidence of viable eggs (p<0.05). In one subject viable eggs were still evident at two weeks post-treatment. There were no cases, however, of live lice or viable eggs at four weeks post-treatment. Mild cutaneous side-effects were reported in five subjects, the inci dence of which was not significantly different by treatment group. One subject in the phenothrin and carbaryl lotion comparative study had evidence of live lice at one week post-treatment with phenothrin lotion. This subject received no further treatment and was clear of both live lice and viable eggs at subsequent visits. A separate case of live lice infestation was found at two weeks post-treatment in a subject treated with phenothrin lotion and at four weeks post-treatment in two subjects treated with carbaryl lotion. As these subjects were free of live lice infestation at previous follow-up visits it was highly probable that these were cases of re-infestation from another source. Two subjects treated with carbaryl lotion, one of whom also had evidence of live lice, had viable eggs at four weeks, again probably due to re-infestation. A significantly greater incidence of side-effects (p<0.05) was found in the carbaryl lotion treatment group, which were again of a mild cutaneous nature. These studies demonstrate the safety and efficacy of this phenothrin lotion and suggest that it would be a useful and acceptable addition to the currently avail able range of insecticidal preparations.
Public Health Aspects of a Refugee Camp
Authors: Dyke Tim 
Published: September 2007

THE explosion in the number of refugees through out the world has led to the development of a new medical speciality; Migration Medicine. Such a speciality has a strong public health dimension. Addressing the public health needs of refugees especially in developing countries is one of the few challenges of practising public medicine which gives measurable results in weeks rather than years. Whilst I was a trainee in Public Health Medicine in Glasgow, UK, I was seconded to Medecins Sans Frontières ('doctors without borders') to act as Medical Co-ordinator of a relief operation for refugees from Sudan. This paper discusses some of the lessons that the experience taught me which have application to many refugee situations throughout the world.
Nutrient Intakes of University Women in Kuwait
Authors: Al-Shawi Alia N. 
Published: September 2007

This study assessed the nutrient intakes of 203 female college students, aged 20-31 years, mean 21 years. Results from computer analysis of 3-day food records showed that, on the basis of group means, two thirds of Recommmended Daily Allowance (RDAs) was met for all nutrients except iron, zinc, folacin and vitamin D. Nutrient intake and RDAs showed no significant differences related to marital status with the exception of vitamin D and manganese (p < 0.05). The indexes of Nutritional Quality indicated that, on average, diets of the students met or exceeded nutrient density allowance for protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6 and phosphorus. Nutrients for which the average female student consumption was below recommended standards on a calorie basis, were carbohydrates, fat, vitamin D, folacin, calcium, iron, zinc and sodium. The diets were limited in fibre, high in sugar, high in caffeine and slightly above recommendations in cholesterol. Female college students needed guidance in selecting nutrient dense foods. Attention in nutrition education programmes should be directed toward the individual student rather than the group.
Road Traffic Injuries in Al-Ain City, United Arab Emirates
Authors: Bener A. , Absood G.H. , Achan N.V. , Sankaran-Kutty M. 
Published: September 2007

Road traffic injuries are the second major cause of death in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A retrospective study for a 1 year period of all road traffic accidents and injuries was conducted in Jimi Hospital for the period 1 January to 31 December, 1990. A total of 1197 injuries were encountered at the Hospital Emergency Department. The majority of victims were males and under the age of 35 years. During the Ramadan (fasting month), the number of persons who were injured by traffic accidents was slightly higher than during other months. Excessive speed was closely related to traffic accidents and injuries. Most of the accidents and inj uries occurred from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm. Head injury was the most frequently noted type of injury (40.5%), followed by limbs injury (22.1 %) and chest, abdomen and pelvic injuries (14.7%). These findings suggest that there is a need to take a comprehensive approach on both excessive speed and driving habits.
Zimbabwe's Success Story in Education and Health: Will it Weather Economic Structural Adjustment?
Authors: Tumwine James K. 
Published: September 2007

The beginning of the 1980s saw the birth of Zimbabwe as a result of a protracted liberation war. It coincided with global interest in primary health care, the concept of universal primary school education and, unfortunately, moves towards economic stabilisation and structural adjustment programmes. Economic structural adjustment was adopted by several sub Saharan African countries with dire consequences for the poor and vulrierable. Zimbabwe's commitment to social justice and to equitable distribution of resources demonstrated a practical move away from the culture of rhetoric so characteristic ofmany governments and non-governmental organisations and agencies. This commitment has been translated into impressive improvements in health and education. Current evidence shows that education has had a positive impact on health and related areas like contraceptive use, child mortality and the nutrition status of children. Conversely nutrition and health conditions among school children are important determinants of educational outcomes. Hitherto Zimbabwe's economy has been sufficiently strong to avoid excessive dependence on the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other foreign financial institutions. Unfortunately, however, the current economic recession together with economic structural adjustment programmes are beginning to have a negative impact on health and education. Will true synergism between health and education weather these structural problems? It seems that the people and government of Zimbabwe have the capacity and resolve to weather such a storm.
Nurses.. Bridging The Gap: Australian Aboriginals and Primary Health Care
Authors: Newman Barbara 
Published: September 2007

This paper outlines a clinical learning experience designed to provide nursing students with experience in working with the Australian Aboriginal people. It also provided an opportunity for the concepts of primary health care from the rural perspective to be observed and experienced. Walgett is 433 miles or 694 kilometres from Sydney and situated in the north west of the state of New South Wales (NSW). Australia, being a large continent ofsome 7,682,300 square kilometres or 2,966,15 3 square miles, is divided into 7 states, of which New South Wales is the most populated (National Geographic Atlas of the World, 1981).
Smoking Habits of Students in Secondary Health Institutes in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Abdalla Abdel Wahid Saeed  , Al-Johali Eisa Al , Al-Shahry Ahmed Hussain 
Published: September 2007

The smoking habits of all male and female students enroled in Riyadh Secondary Health Institutes of the Ministry of Health in 1990 were studied using a self-administered questionnaire. The overall smoking prevalence was 22%. Cigarettes were virtually the only form of tobacco used. Males smoked about twice the females in terms of prevalence (24% and 14%) and intensity (14 and 6 cigarettes per day). The majority of smokers for both sexes started the habit at or before the age of 16 years and the majority of them thought seriously about quitting and attempted to quit but only 12% of them were so far successful. Psychologic pressures, smoking contacts and foreign travel were important factors in relapsers. Religious, health and professional considerations were the most important motives for attempting to quit the habit among smokers and for not attempting the habit itself for the non smokers.
Fathers and Breast Feeding: A Pilot Observational Study
Authors: Voss Simon , Finnis Louise , Manners Jacquie 
Published: September 2007

A small pilot survey (n = 113) by questionnaire of the fathers of a sample of children under one year of age was undertaken in order to investigate the involvement of fathers with infant feeding and their attitudes to the method of feeding adopted. The response rate was 72% overall and 79% when the partners of 'single parent' mothers were excluded. Nearly 30% of respondents had not discussed the method of feeding with anyone, but over 60% had discussed it with their partner. 64% of fathers sometimes helped with feeding their child and 17% said that they always helped. The majority of fathers did not mind their partner breast feeding in front of friends or relatives but 42% did not like them feeding in front ofstrangers and over half did not like them breast feeding in a public place. From this study, based on relatively small numbers, we conclude that fathers may feel left out of infant feeding. They should be given more opportunity to become involved from an early stage and take part in the decision about the method of infant feeding to be adopted.
Exploration of the Frontiers of Tradomedical Practices: Basis for Development of Alternative Medical Healthcare Services in Developing Countries
Authors: Osujih Michael 
Published: September 2007

The study is a brief exploration of the functions and roles of the traditional healers in the total health care delivery system as a basis for tapping the salient features of this age old art: for the purpose of refining, and establishing it as an alternative medical health-care service. The investigation is considered relevant particularly in the developing countries where, in addition to the dearth of orthodox medical services, institutions and per sonnel, it is relatively cheaper, socio-culturally accessible and acceptable. Refining and developing some aspects of the traditional healers' services will serve the interest of the health consumers whose main concern is with service and not the source. Furthermore, it is hoped that the study will stimulate purposeful discussions on the need for an unbi ased examination of the materials, methods and techniques of the traditional healers including, eventually, compiling a native pharmacopoeia. A more comprehensive account of the traditional healers contributions to the battle against diseases and maintenance of health and well being is envisaged.
Sexual Promiscuity: Knowledge of Dangers in Institutions of Higher Learning
Authors: Ebong R.D. 
Published: September 2007

Knowledge of dangers of sexual promiscuity was assessed in 2 institutions of higher learning. The objectives were to find out the knowledge of medical and social consequences as well as the factors responsible for sexual promiscuity among Nigerian youths. The study also assessed the discrepancies in societal concept of sex norms for males and females. The result was used as an index to determine the need for sex education for Nigerian youths. A total of 200 students (100 from each school) was assessed by random selection and use of a questionnaire. The result showed that students had a fair knowledge of sexual promiscuity, although in terms of medical consequences the knowledge was low for both groups. On social consequences, the knowledge was fair for both groups. Students agreed that lack of financial support and of supervision from parents and teachers were among the causes of sexual promiscuity. Recommendations were made for Health Education in these areas in institutions of higher learning. Also, recommen dations were made for parental education on how to bring up, and care for, their adolescents to reduce the problems of sexual promiscuity. It was also recommended that a compulsory course on sexual promiscuity should be included in the syllabus in institutions of higher learning.
Smoking, pregnancy and the fetus
Authors: Economides Demetrios , Braithwaite Jeffrey 
Published: September 2007

Smoking may influence a women's reproductive ability by having adverse effects on fertility, the early embryo and the fetus. The ability to become pregnant and to maintain the pregnancy long enough for it to be clinically detected is reduced in smokers. Smoking can adversely influence seve ral of the crucial steps within the reproductive process required for achieving a pregnancy. Despite the increased miscarriage rate in women that smoke there is no evidence to suggest that smoking can cause fetal abnormalities. The chemical composition of cigarette smoke is more closely related to reduction in fetal growth than the number of cigarettes smoked. In smokers, the placenta appears remarkably normal. The effects of smoking could be due to one or more of the hundreds of different chemical substances in tobacco smoke, but apart from carbon monoxide and nicotine, little is known about the effects of other toxins. Nicotine can adversely affect uterine and placental blood flow by causing constriction of the blood vessels. It can also affect both the maternal and fetal blood pressure and heart rate, but its action on the fetal cardiovascular system does not appear to be dependent on its effect on placental perfusion.
Knowledge and attitudes towards AIDS among primary health care physicians in the Asir Region, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Mahfouz Ahmed A. R. , Alakija Wole , Al-Khozayem Abdul-Aziz , Al-Erian Reda A. G. 
Published: September 2007

Study Objectives: To assess the knowledge and attitudes towards AIDS among practicing physicians in the Asir Region, Saudi Arabia. Design and Participants: A survey was carried out among primary health care (PHC) physicians working in the 238 PHC centers in the region. Self administered questionnaires were distributed to the 361 physicians working in these centers. Three hundred and twenty-eight responded (90.1%) and were included in the study. Non- respondents were found not to differ significantly from respondents with regards to sex, age and qualifications. Main Results: The study revealed several gaps in their knowledge regarding AIDS. Of particular concern are those who are to be considered at high risk and modes of transmission of the disease. Conclusions: These results indicate an urgent need to develop AIDS specific continuing medical education program to deal with erroneous ideas to convey the message properly to the public.
A comparative study of generalised obesity and anatomical distribution of subcutaneous fat in adult White and Pakistani migrant males in Peterborough
Authors: Bose Kaushik 
Published: September 2007

Obesity can be defined in two main ways - generalised obesity (measured as Body Mass Index (BMI)) and anatomical distribution of adiposity. A comparative study of generalised obesity (body mass index) and the anatomical distribution of subcutaneous fat in adult White and Pakistani migrant males was carried out in Peterborough. No signifi cant difference in the prevalence of obesity as measured by the BMI was observed between Whites and Pakistani migrants. The mean BMI values were similar in both ethnic groups. However, Pakistanis had significantly more truncal fat com pared with Whites whereas the latter group had more upper extremity fat compared with the former. No significant difference was observed in the amount of fat deposited on the lower extremities between the two ethnic groups. The Pakista nis also had significantly more total (sum of all skinfolds) subcutaneous fat compared with Whites. These preliminary results clearly indicate that there is a tendency for accumulation of truncal adiposity in Asians of Pakistani origin compared with Whites irrespective of the level of generalised (BMI) obesity. The health implications of body fat patterning on non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and coronary heart disease (CHD) are well known. It is possible that the pattern of fat distribution observed in migrant Pakistani males in this study exists in other migrant groups originating from the Indian subcontinent. This pronounced truncal distribu tion of body fat could be one of the risk factors predisposing migrant Asians in the UK to develop NIDDM and CHD irrespective of their BMI. Future epidemiological studies should lay more emphasis on morphological fat patterning rather than BMI in Asian migrants in the UK.
Compliance with short-term antibiotic therapy among patients attending primary health centres in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Shammari S.A. , Khoja T. , Al-Yamani M J M S 
Published: September 2007

Non-compliance results in several undesired consequences. Admissions due to non-compliance have been estimated to account for up to 10.5% of all admissions to hospi tal. There seems to be very little data about compliance in Saudi Arabia. The present study addressed the problem of non-compliance with short-term antibiotic therapy in patients attending Primary Health Centres (PHC). The data were collected from five different centres selected randomly from the 53 centres in the Riyadh area, Saudi Ara bia. A five-part questionnaire was designed and used to collect data. Different parts were required to be completed by patient, doctor, pharmacist and social worker. At the end of the study period 414 questionnaires were suitable for evaluation. Paediatric patients (< 15 years old) constituted 65.9% of the sample. Compliance was noted in 67.8%. Those who missed three doses or less and more than three doses were 22.7% and 9.4% respectively. Factors which appeared to enhance patient compliance were: parental involvement (p<0.001), un employment (p<0.01), absence of psychiatric illness (p<0.02) and early improvement of symptoms (p<0.05). Reasons most frequently mentioned by patients for non-compliance were: rapid improve ment of symptoms, bitter taste of drug(s), forgetfulness and frequent dosing. These reasons accounted for 73.7% of reasons for non-compliance. Our findings suggest that approximately two thirds of patients were compliant with their medications. It is also worth noting that approximately three quarters of patients were not compliant for reasons which could be minimised or removed by good patient counsel ling and effective communication with patients. At least one third of the patients did not use their drugs appropriately. These findings suggest that the problem of non-compliance needs to be further evaluated in this part of the world.