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Y al-Mazrou

Publications and source records attributed to Y al-Mazrou.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Standardized national growth chart of 0-5-year-old Saudi children.

A national survey was carried out to achieve the following objectives: (1) construction of national standards for Saudi children, 0-5 years old, with regard to weight, height and head circumference for males and females; (2) construction of a growth chart for weight, height and head circumference for 0-5-year-old Saudi children that can be used at hospitals and health centres in the Kingdom for routine follow-up of the growth of these children. To achieve these objectives, the WHO recommendations were applied. A total of 24,000 Saudi children, 12,000 males and 12,000 females, were selected randomly representing the five regions of the Kingdom with 200 children in each monthly age group. Demographic data as well as the anthropometric measurements were recorded by well-trained personnel using a pretested questionnaire and new, well calibrated equipment. The current study showed that Saudi boys (0-5 years old) were heavier and taller than Saudi girls in the same age group, and that the median weights and heights of Saudi boys and girls (0-5 years old) were more than those of the Harvard standards. A growth chart was constructed which was suitable for growth monitoring programmes all over the Kingdom.

Anthropometry↗

The WHO antenatal care randomised controlled trial: rationale and study design.

The World Health Organisation and collaborating institutions in developing countries are conducting a multicentre randomised controlled trial to evaluate a new antenatal care (ANC) programme, consisting of tests, clinical procedures and follow-up actions scientifically demonstrated to be effective in improving maternal and newborn outcomes. These activities are distributed, for practical reasons, over four visits during the course of pregnancy and are aimed at achieving predetermined goals. The study is taking place in four countries, Argentina, Cuba, Saudi Arabia and Thailand. Recruitment of study subjects started on 1 May 1996. All 53 ANC clinical units had been enrolled by December 1996. Clinics in each country were randomly allocated (cluster randomisation) to provide either the new programme or the traditional programme currently in use. Approximately 24,000 women presenting for ANC at these clinics over an average period of 18 months will have been recruited. As women attending the control clinics receive the 'best standard treatment' as currently offered in these clinics, individual informed consent is requested only from women attending the intervention clinics. Authorities of the corresponding health districts and all participating clinics have provided written institutional informed consent before randomisation. The primary outcome of the trial in relation to maternal conditions is the rate of a morbidity indicator index, defined as the presence of at least one of the following conditions for which ANC is relevant: (a) pre-eclampsia or eclampsia during pregnancy or within 24 h of delivery; (b) postpartum anaemia (haemoglobin < 90 g/L); or (c) severe urinary tract infection/pyelonephritis, defined as an episode requiring antibiotic treatment and/or hospitalisation. The primary fetal outcome is the rate of low birthweight (< 2500 g). Adverse maternal and fetal outcomes are expected for approximately 10% of the control group. Several maternal and perinatal secondary outcomes are also considered. A comprehensive cost-effectiveness analysis and women's and providers' satisfaction evaluation are performed concurrently with the trial. Health-care programmes should be rigorously evaluated by randomised controlled trials, which are feasible in developing countries and should be conducted before introducing new treatments or health interventions.

Argentina↗

Methodological considerations in the design of the WHO Antenatal Care Randomised Controlled Trial.

We discuss methodological issues arising in a recent evaluation trial of a new antenatal care programme, as sponsored by the Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, and WHO's Division of Reproductive Health (Technical Support). The randomisation unit for the trial is the antenatal care clinic, with 53 clinics located in four countries randomly allocated to provide either the new programme or the traditional programme currently in use. Approximately 24,000 women presenting for antenatal care over an average period of 18 months will have been recruited.

Argentina↗

Population-based epidemiological study on characteristics of risk factors of hypercholesterolemia in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To study the characteristics of risk factors for hypercholesterolemia among the Saudi population. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional national epidemiological randomized household survey. SUBJECT: 4548 Saudi subjects, aged 15 years and above. Sample was representative and in accordance with the national population distribution with respect to age, gender, regional and residency, urban vs. rural, population distribution. MEASUREMENT: Height and weight with calculation of body mass index, blood samples were drawn and assayed for glucose and total cholesterol concentration. Hypercholesterolemia (HC) was defined: borderline high HC (5.2-6.2 mmol l-1) and high HC (> 6.2 mmol l-1). Univariate, multivariate, simple logistic, multiple logistic, odd ratio and chi-square were employed in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The risk of developing HC increased with age by 2% and 1% for each year increase in age for borderline high HC and high HC. The risk of developing HC was significantly higher among female subjects. There was no significant relation between the spectrum of BMI group, underweight to obesity, with risk of developing borderline high or high HC. There was a significant increase in the risk of developing HC among residents of urban communities. There was no significant regional variation for risk of borderline high HC, however, there was a significant increase in the risk of developing high HC among residents of Central and Eastern regions, compared with other regions. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of risk factors for HC among the Saudi population differ in many respects from other populations. Overweight and obesity are not significant risk factors for HC. Rural communities are more at risk of HC than urban communities. The population of the Eastern and Central regions were at significantly higher risk of developing HC. The relatively recent urbanization may account for the low prevalence of HC. It may partially explain the dissociation between obesity and HC. Food habits, both in quantity and quality in rural communities in genetically predisposed homogenous populations may account for the increase in the prevalence of HC in rural communities. There is a need to propagate information about the potential health hazard of obesity and HC among Saudi communities, at large, and specifically in the Eastern and Central regions. There is a need to study the food patterns of rural communities which may explain partially the relative increase in the prevalence of HC in rural communities.

Adolescent↗

Overweight and obesity in Saudi Arabian adult population, role of socio-demographic variables.

The objectives of this Community-based National Epidemiological Household Survey, conducted between 1990-1993, were to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Saudi Arabia and to examine its association with the socio-demographic characteristics of the adult population. A sample of Saudis 20 years and over was selected using a multistage stratified cluster sampling technique with probability proportionate to size. The selected subjects were requested to visit primary health care centers in their localities. Physicians in these clinics took measurements of heights and weights and collected other relevant data. Obesity was measured by the Body Mass Index, using the Quetelet Index. The results showed the sample of 10,651 subjects of which 50.8% were males, had a mean age of 35.8 years (SD = 14.27 years). The prevalence of overweight was 31.2% (95% confidence interval: 30.3%, 32.1%); 33.1% for males and 29.4% for females. For obesity, the overall prevalence was 22.1%; males 17.8% and females 26.6%. The study design suggested that these estimates could be closer to the true values. The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age, residential area, region, income, gender, and education are statistically significant predictors of obesity. The prevalence of obesity was higher in females than males, lower in subjects living in rural areas with traditional lifestyles than those in more urbanized environments, and increased with increasing age. The observed prevalence and pattern of overweight and obesity with age and gender is similar to those observed in the Arab community and some Western nations. There is a need for increased physical activity and better nutrition education programs to reduce the extent of obesity and to prevent the serious health consequences, especially, in the middle age group.

Adult↗

Prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Saudi Arabia, epidemiological study.

The objective of this study was to look at the pattern of serum total cholesterol concentration (TCC) distribution and the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (HC) in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional national epidemiological household survey was carried out, consisting of 4539 Saudi subjects, over the age of 15 years. The sample was adjusted for gender, age, regional and residency, and urban versus rural population distribution. The following details were taken for each subject: height, weight, calculation of body mass index (BMI) and random blood samples for total cholesterol measurements. It was found that the mean TCC for all female subjects was significantly higher than for male subjects (4.24 versus 4 mmol/l). The mean TCC of female subjects, aged 40-59 years was higher, but not significantly so, than for male subjects (4.5 versus 4.4 mmol/l). There was a progressive increase in TCC with age, reaching a maximum at the fifth and sixth decades for male and female subjects, respectively. There was a progressive increase in mean TCC with increasing BMI values for male and female subjects with higher values of mean TCC for female subjects for any given BMI value. The prevalence of HC, 5.2-6.2 mmol/l was 9% and 11% for all male and female subjects, respectively (P = 0.74), whereas the prevalence of HC, > 6.2 mmol/l was 7% and 8% for male and female subjects, respectively (P = 0.52). The prevalence of HC 5.2-6.2 mmol/l for subjects aged 40-59 years was 14% and 10% for male and female subjects, respectively (P = 0.67), whereas the prevalence of HC > 6.2 mmol/l was 9% and 11% for male and female subjects, respectively (P = 0.6). There was a progressive increase in the prevalence of HC with age for male and female subjects. The prevalence of HC > 5.2 mmol/l increased with increasing BMI values. The prevalence of HC of female subjects was significantly higher than for male subjects among normal weight groups. The prevalence of HC (> 6.2 mmol/l) for female subjects was higher, however, not significant than for male subjects among overweight and obese groups. The prevalence of HC, whether for male or female subjects, was higher among diabetics when compared with non-diabetic subjects. The prevalence of HC (> 6.2 mmol/l) among male subjects was higher for smokers when compared with non-smokers. It was concluded that Saudi subjects have lower prevalence of HC than the European and American populations. This can partially be explained by the younger nature of the population. The prevalence of HC is likely to increase in the near future with the increasing percentage of the aged population in the community, and with the effects of a longer exposure to the acquired western life-style and nutritional habits, which is showing an impact with the increase in the prevalence of obesity. The cause of coronary heart disease is multifactorial, HC being one of the main contributors. Therefore, there is a need to study, in detail, the prevalence of other risk factors, such as: obesity, smoking, hypertension etc. There is a need to promote health awareness among the population with an emphasis on controlling weight and carrying out periodic cholesterol measurements.

Adolescent↗

High prevalence of overweight and obesity in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To study the pattern of body weight distribution and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Saudi Arabia. DESIGN: Cross-sectional national epidemiological household survey. SUBJECT: 13,177 Saudi subjects, over the age of 15 years. The sample was adjusted for gender, age, regional and residency population distribution. The range and mean of age was similar for male and female subjects (15-95 years, 33 years). MEASUREMENT: questionnaire, describing the social, educational and financial status. Measurement of height, weight and calculation of body mass index (BMI). WHO classification was used for defining overweight (BMI 25-30) and obesity (BMI > 30). RESULTS: The mean BMI for female subjects was significantly higher than for male subjects, whether for all subjects or subjects of any given age group. There was a progressive increase of BMI for male and female subjects with age, reaching maximum at the 5th decade. The prevalence of overweight among male subjects was significantly higher than for female subjects (29% vs 27%). The prevalence of obesity among female subjects was significantly higher than for male subjects (24% vs 16%). There was a gender variation within each region with respect to the prevalence of overweight with higher prevalence of overweight among male subjects, throughout all the regions, except the Southern region, none of the differences, however, reached significance levels. The prevalence of obesity was significantly higher among female subjects, throughout all the regions. Overweight and obesity were more prevalent among illiterate, high-income subjects who were residing in urban communities. CONCLUSION: This epidemiological household survey has shown high prevalence of overweight and obesity among Saudi subjects. The prevalence of obesity among female Saudi subjects was among the highest reported, whether, when using the WHO criteria or the 85th percentile of US subject aged 20-29 years. The increase of prevalence of such conditions among high income subjects would reflect the perception of fatness as sign of affluence among those subjects. As the prevalence of obesity increases with age and considering that the majority of Saudi population are less than 30 years old at the present time, then, one would expect the magnitude of obesity to be even bigger in the near future. There is a need to establish programs for promoting awareness among the population of the health hazards and means of control of obesity.

Adolescent↗

Thyroid scintigraphy and perchlorate discharge test in the diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism.

Quantitative thyroid scanning using low doses of technetium-99m sodium pertechnetate was performed on 147 infants (55 males and 92 females) with congenital hypothyroidism detected through the national neonatal screening programme. Thirty-two (21.8%) were athyrotic, while 62 (42.2%) had an ectopic thyroid and 53 (36%) had a eutopic gland with increased 99mTc uptake (mean 17%; range, 5%-38%). The perchlorate discharge test (PDT) was performed in nine of the infants with ectopic glands and 15 with eutopic glands; the findings were consistent with an organification defect in 22 cases (seven ectopic and 15 eutopic). Thyroid scintigraphy and PDT can add useful aetiological, genetic and prognostic information in the clinical evaluation of infants with congenital hypothyroidism detected by neonatal screening.

Choristoma↗