Human brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease and is especially concerning in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), where livestock importation is significant. We analyzed reported human brucellosis disease trends in KSA over time to help policymakers understand the magnitude of the disease and guide the design of prevention and control measures. By using data from the national registry from 2004 to 2012, we calculated the cumulative numbers by age group and months. Trends of incidence rates (IRs) by gender, nationality, and region were also calculated. We found that there was a greater number of cases (19,130) in the 15-44 years age group than in any other age group. The IRs significantly decreased from 22.9 in 2004 [95% confidence interval (CI)=22.3, 23.5] to 12.5 in 2012 (95% CI=12.1, 13). Males had a significantly greater IR than females. Most cases were reported during spring and summer seasons. The IR of Saudi citizens was significantly greater than that of non-Saudis, but this difference reduced over time. The IRs of Al-Qassim, Aseer, and Hail were in the highest 25th percentile. Young, male Saudi citizens living in highly endemic areas were at greatest risk of acquiring brucellosis. We recommend vaccinating susceptible animals against brucellosis and increasing the public's awareness of preventive measures.

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KeywordsAdolescent adult body weight predictor weight perception A B S T R A C TThis study examined whether body weight misclassification continues from adolescence to adulthood and the associated predictors behind that misclassification. Data are from a sample of a longitudinal Australian birth-cohort study. Data analyses were restricted to 2938 participants whose measured and perceived body weights were recorded during their adolescence and adulthood follow-ups. To identify misclassification, we objectively compared their measured and perceived body weights at each follow-up. Potential predictors during early life or adolescence periods were included in data analyses. At each follow-up, underestimation was recorded more often among overweight and obese participants, whereas overestimation was mostly recorded among underweight ones. Over 40% males and females were able to correctly estimate their body weight at one followup, whereas almost 30% males and 40% females were able to do so in more than one follow-ups. One-third females and 45% males underestimated their body weight at one follow-up, whereas 13% females and a quarter of males were able to do so in more than one follow-ups. Being female, dieting, being overweight, having an overweight mother, and having poor mental health were the most significant predictors for more than one follow-up misclassifications. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of persistent misclassification on population health benefits.

This study examined the longitudinal association between adolescent body weight misclassifications and body fat and waist circumference during adulthood. A sample was derived from a large Australian birth cohort study. The data analyses were restricted to 1002 participants for whom data on both measured and perceived weight at a 14-year follow-up and the actual measure of adult body fat and waist circumference at a 30-year follow-up were available. To determine misclassifications, we compared the perceived weight with the measured weight. The results were presented as means and mean differences (with a 95% confidence interval) of the body fat percentages and waist circumference levels across the weight misclassification groups, adjusting for potential covariates. For both male and female adolescents, weight underestimation was significantly associated with an increase in body fat percentages and waist circumference in adulthood as compared to those who correctly estimated their weight. In the mean difference analyses, adolescent males and females who underestimated their weight were found to have significantly higher body fat, and waist circumference means than those who correctly estimated their weight in the unadjusted and adjusted comparisons. The adolescent males who overestimated their weight had higher body fat, and waist circumference means when they reached adulthood. Increased awareness of weight misclassification and actual weight among adolescents might contribute to better control of weight gain in adulthood.

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