The prevalence of childhood obesity is escalating and approaching figures reported in the developed countries. Less healthy dietary habits and poor food choices may be responsible for this high prevalence.

Some 12.8 million in the age group 5–15 years are visually impaired from uncorrected or inadequately corrected refractive errors. In Saudi Arabia, the size of this public health problem is not well defined especially among primary schoolchildren. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess the prevalence and pattern of refractive errors among primary school children in Al Hassa, Saudi Arabia. A total of 2246 Saudi primary school children aged 6 to 14 years of both genders were selected using multistage sampling method form 30 primary schools located in the three different areas of Al Hassa. School children were interviewed to collect demographics and vision data using a special data collection form followed by screening for refractive errors by trained optometrists within the school premises using a standardized protocol. Assessment of visual acuity and ocular motility evaluation were carried out and cover-uncover test was performed. Children detected with defective vision were referred for further examination employing subjective refraction with auto refractometer and objective refraction using streak retinoscopy after 1% cyclopentolate. Of the screened school children (N=2002), the overall prevalence of refractive errors was 13.7% (n=274), higher among females (Odds ratio, OR=1.39, P=0.012) and significantly more among students of rural residence (OR=2.40, P=0.001). The prevalence of refractive errors was disproportionately more among those aged 12-14 years (OR=9.02, P=0.001). Only 9.4% of students with poor vision were wore spectacles for correction. Myopia was the most commonly encountered refractive error among both genders (65.7% of the total errors encountered). Uncorrected refractive errors affected a sizable portion of primary school children in Al Hassa, Saudi Arabia. Primary schoolchildren especially females, rural and older children represents high risk group for refractive errors for which the included children were unaware.

Objectives:To determine patterns of physical activity (PA) along domains of work-transport-leisure among adult Saudis, sociodemographic correlates of PA and perceived personal barriers to leisure-time-related physical inactivity in Al-Hassa, KSA.Methods:A cross-sectional study in which 2176 adult Saudis attending urban and rural Primary Health centers were selected using multistage proportionate sampling method. Participants were personally interviewed to gather information regarding sociodemographics, PA pattern using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), and perceived barriers toward recreation-related PA. Analysis was carried out along GPAQ protocol.Results:Median total physical activity was 2304 METs-minutes/week. Fifty-two percent of subjects were sufficiently active meeting the minimum recommendations when considering total PA and 21% of the subjects were sufficiently active in leisure-time-related activity with ≥ 5 days of any combination of walking, moderate or vigorous-intensity activities with a total of at least 600 METs-minutes/ week. Regression analyses showed that females, higher educational and occupational status were negative predictors to total and leisure-related PA. Barriers perceived toward leisure-related PA included weather, traditions, lack of facilities and time.Conclusion:A low PA pattern along the 3 domains of PA may impose a refection toward more sedentary life style in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives:To assess the magnitude of obesity and overweight among male primary school children, and to find the possible association between obesity/overweight and dietary habits and sociodemographic differentials among them.Study design and Methods:A cross-sectional descriptive study, including 1139 Saudi male children enrolled in the 5th and 6th grades in public primary schools in Al Hassa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), was conducted. The test included a multistage random sampling technique, based on interview using Youth and Adolescent Food Frequency Questionnaire, gathering data regarding dietary intake, dietary habits, followed by anthropometric measurements with the calculation of body mass index (BMI), the interpretation of which was based on Cole's tables for the standard definition of overweight and obesity. Sociodemographic data were collected through a parental questionnaire from. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS 12 software (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA); both univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.Results:The age of the school children ranged from 10–14 years. The prevalence of overweight among the subjects was 14.2%, while that of obesity was 9.7%; the prevalence was more in the urban, older age students. The mothers of obese and overweight children were less educated and more working. Missing and or infrequent intake of breakfast at home, frequent consumption of fast foods, low servings per day of fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products, with frequent consumption of sweets/candy and carbonated drinks were all predictors of obesity and overweight among the schoolchildren studied.Conclusion:The prevalence of childhood obesity is escalating and approaching figures that have been reported till now from the developed countries. Less healthy dietary habits and poor selection of food may be responsible for this high prevalence.

Background The recommended weight of schoolbags is less than 10-15% of the body weight. Heavy schoolbags may result in musculoskeletal and psychological problems among primary school children. This study was conducted to assess the weight of school bags in relation to primary school children weight, and to look for the prevalence of back pain among them in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Methods A total of 2567 school children were included in this study both from rural and urban areas of Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. A cross sectional survey was conducted in which a pre-tested questionnaire was used to ask about demographic profile, and symptoms of back pain. The weight of the school bags and the school children was measured. Results 1860 school children (72.46%) out of 2567 were carrying bags of weight more than 15% of their body weight. The prevalence of heavy school bags was higher among the female children as compared with the male children. Back pain was reported by 42% of the school children. Conclusions The weight of schoolbags of Al-Ahsa primary school children were higher than the internationally acceptable standards and as a result back pain was reported by 42% of school children. The school authorities and ministry of health should further evaluate and take the necessary steps to rectify the situation.

Proper dietary practices should be developed during the student years that will continue into the future. This study aimed to identify the eating habits and dietary practices among King Faisal University (KFU) students, explore the barriers to adherence to healthy eating, associate the understanding of healthy diets with students’ characteristics, and determine the association between body mass index (BMI) and awareness of the concept of healthy diets, academic discipline, and enrollment in a nutrition course. In this cross-sectional study, students were selected randomly and a questionnaire was distributed using an electronic platform through KFU email. Out of 564 students, nearly half (45.7%) reported eating snacks as their main food, and some (38.3%) reported eating with their family twice daily. The students rarely reported eating with friends (73%) or eating dates (48.8%). Furthermore, many reported that they were not consuming a balanced diet (42.6%). Some students (46.3%) reported taking breakfast daily, and 49.1% reported eating meals regularly. There was low consumption of vegetables (29.3%) and fruits (26.2%) among the students. The barriers to adherence to healthy eating were the availability of fast food (73.2%), high cost of healthy food (72.7%), limited time (59%), and laziness (57.1%). Statistically significant data indicated that the students with a normal BMI were more aware of the concept of healthy diets, studied medical and applied sciences, and were enrolled in KFU nutrition courses.

Background: Traumatic thoraco-lumbar spine injuries occur in different ways during working.Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to find out the-demographic Characteristics and Mode of Traumatic Thoraco-Lumbar Spine Injuries.Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2004 to June 2006 for a period of 2(two) years. Patients with diagnosed cases of traumatic thoraco-lumbar spinal injury with complete or incomplete cord lesion irrespective of sex were selected as study population. An elaborate history of the selected patient was taken with an emphasis of mechanism, time of injury, past history of illness.Result: A total number of 17 patients with thoracolumbar spine injury were recruited. Out of 17 patients, 7(41.2%) patients were in the age group of 21-30 years that is very younger age group. The mean age was 29.29 years. The male and female ratio was 4.7:1. In this series most affected people are farmer (47.05%). Most affected groups are injured by fall from height (70.58%) especially from tree and from roof of the buildings.Conclusion: Young age group male workers are most commonly affected in traumatic thoraco-lumbar spine injuries.Journal of National Institute of Neurosciences Bangladesh, 2018;4(1): 51-53

Introduction: Tuberculosis is the leading infectious cause of death and wasdeclared as global emergency in 1993. Sputum smear microscopy is the gold standard fordiagnosis of the pulmonary tuberculosis. Blinded rechecking of the slides and panel testingare WHO recommended methods for assuring the quality of the TB diagnostic centers. Period:Oct, 2014 to Dec, 2014. Objectives: To assess the quality of sputum microscopy at diagnosticcenters through proficiency testing.To compare the performance of trained and untrainedlaboratory staff in terms of sputum microscopy. Study Design: Cross-sectional descriptive.Setting: Lahore District. Methodology: Blinded rechecking and panel testing was performedand data was collected with the help of checklists in all the 30 (75%) functional diagnosticcenters of Lahore district. Results: Errors in reporting were found in 13 (43%) out of 30diagnostic centers during the blinded rechecking. There was no error in the blinded recheckingin microscopy of 17 (68%) AFB microscopy trained lab workers, while all the 5 (100%) untrainedlab workers committed error. Only 17 (56%) lab workers reported 80-100% slides correctlyduring the panel testing; a minimum acceptable level of skill, while 13 (44%) reported 40-60%slides correctly. One of the most striking findings of the study was the relation of training withthe performance of lab workers. Conclusion: Untrained lab staff should immediately undergostandardized training for sputum smear microscopy and refresher training should be given tothe trained lab workers to enhance their knowledge and skills.