Biomedical subjects

T J Hashim

Publications and source records attributed to T J Hashim.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1996

Prevalence of hypertension and sociodemographic characteristics of adult hypertensives in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of hypertension in adults residing in Riyadh city and to study the sociodemographic characteristics of adult hypertensives. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Primary Health Care Centres (PHCCs) in Riyadh city selected by stratified random sampling, the subjects resident in each PHCC catchment area were selected by systematic sampling from their records in the PHCCs. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 1394 adults aged 15 years and over were interviewed and examined during March 1993 to March 1994. The average of three measurements of blood pressure (BP) was taken to represent their current pressures. A subject is considered hypertensive if the average BP reading is 160/95 mm Hg or more, or is currently under treatment. RESULTS: The total hypertensive subjects were 214 giving an overall prevalence of hypertension of 15.4%. Of these 157 (11.3%) subjects were known hypertensives and were under some form of treatment. On the other hand 57 (4.1%) other subjects were newly detected by the study. Hypertension (BP = 160/95 mm Hg or more) was significantly related to age, marriage, education, occupation and employment status and consanguinity. Male subjects had a higher prevalence of hypertension but the differences were not significant. Nationality and income were not related to high BP. CONCLUSION: Hypertension is a problem among adults in Riyadh city. It is significantly related to some sociodemographic and family factors. About 27% of all hypertensives are not aware of their disease and more than 31% of known hypertensives are apparently not well controlled. There is a need for a programme to prevent and control hypertension in Riyadh city. Similar studies need to be done in other areas of the country to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and associated factors as prerequisites for any programme to control the disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Decrease in perinatal mortality and increase in cesarean section rates.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the cesarean section (CS) rate in the Riyadh area, its trend and relationship to perinatal mortality (PNM). METHODS: Based on delivery data obtained from the Ministry of Health hospitals, Saudi Arabia, for a total of 12 years, yearly rates of CS, PNM and the ratios of obstetricians and beds per 10,000 population were computed for the Riyadh area and compared with the overall rates for Saudi Arabia. Correlation coefficients were used to investigate the relationship between the CS rate and each of the stated variables. RESULTS: Riyadh had significantly lower rates of CS and PNM than Saudi Arabia as a whole. The CS rate in Riyadh showed a positive trend (increasing from 4.4 to 6.7%) while the PNM rate revealed a significant decreasing trend (decreasing from 21.6/1000 to 16/1000 live births). A negative association existed between the Riyadh rates of PNM and CS (r = -0.2375) and PNM and the availability of obstetricians (r = -0.8693). CONCLUSIONS: From our data it was not possible to establish a cause and effect relationship between the CS and PNM rates.

Cesarean Section↗

PubMed1994

Pregnancy experience, knowledge of pregnancy, childbirth and infant care and sources of information among obstetric patients at King Khalid Hospital, Riyadh.

One hundred obstetrics patients were interviewed at King Khalid Hospital (Saudi Arabia) concerning their current pregnancy experience, knowledge of pregnancy and child care and sources of information on these topics. Interviews were conducted and a short knowledge test given to nulliparous, primaparous and multiparous patients. The overall mean score of respondents was 50.4%. Significant information deficits existed in: the implications of prescription drugs and dental care during pregnancy; time of conception; when to contact a physician for personal care. Nulliparous patients scored lower, and information deficits appeared in: when to call a physician for infant care, immunization for newborns and events during pregnancy. Respondents did not perceive physicians and nurses as significant sources of information when compared with alternative sources.

Adolescent↗