The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the socioeconomic risk factors associated with obesity among female school-aged children and adolescents in primary and intermediate schools in Al-Khobar city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Al-Khobar city, which is located in the eastern part of Saudi Arabia, during the period of January to March 2003. It involved 2239 female schoolchildren randomly selected from 30 regular government and private primary and preparatory schools. The students' ages ranged from 6 to 17 years, with a mean of 10.49 +/- 2.64 years. A multistage stratified random sampling technique with proportional allocation was used. Data were collected using questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. Body mass index interpretation was based on using a table of standard definitions for overweight and obesity in children (Cole's). The spss version 10 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for data entry and analysis. A chi-squared test was used in cross-tabulation analysis to test the significance of association between body mass index and socioeconomic variables. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were 20% and 11%, respectively. The prevalence of overweight was higher among schoolchildren with father in private work (P<0.01) and the prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher among schoolchildren with highly educated mothers (P=0.008). The prevalence of overweight and obesity among female school-aged children and adolescents in the Al-Khobar city was very high. Accordingly, it is recommended that health education programmes regarding obesity should be provided to all schoolchildren, their families and teachers.

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the mean period of school absenteeism (MPSA) among asthmatic Saudi schoolboys of Al-Khobar City and to determine the factors associated with the absenteeism. The methodology included the distribution of a self-administered questionnaire, which was completed by the parents of 1482 schoolboys who satisfied the selection criteria of the study. The prevalence rate of questionnaire-diagnosed asthma (QDA) was 9.5% (141/1482). The MPSA among questionnaire-diagnosed asthmatic boys (QDAs) was 13.6 +/- 3.4 days compared to 3.7 +/- 2.2 days among non questionnaire-diagnosed asthmatic boys (non QDAs). Among QDAs, the MPSA was associated significantly and positively with those who were younger, and with decreasing levels of socioeconomic class, histories of pets at home, presence of a currently smoking family member (father or both parents), visit to a hospital emergency room, and admission to hospital. It was significantly and negatively associated with concomitant use of prophylactic medication(s), including those used appropriately. The QDAs from middle and lower socioeconomic classes showed less use of prophylactic medication(s) but more histories of visits to an emergency room and of admissions to hospital. The multiple linear regression equation for the total period of school absenteeism (TPSA) during the 1995 academic year was generated. Asthmatic school children have a higher MPSA compared to their non asthmatic classmates. The risk of suffering the impacts of this disease is shown to be particularly increased among QDAs belonging to less socioeconomically advantaged families.

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Background:With the report of high prevalence rate of Vitamin D deficiency in the literature since the 1980s, the condition can be considered an epidemic in Saudi Arabia. However, no specific steps have been taken by the Ministry of Health to tackle the problem. Moreover, little is known about general practitioners’ (GPs) knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of Vitamin D supplementation for infants.Objectives:To measure the KAP of GPs, of Vitamin D supplementation for infants in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.Materials and Methods:This was a cross-sectional study of GPs practicing in primary healthcare centers in the Dammam area of Saudi Arabia. All the 110 GPs working in primary health centers (PHCs) in Dammam were invited to participate in the study. Data was collected with the help of a self-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Statistical analysis included descriptive analysis of all the variables, expressed as the mean (standard deviation [SD]) or the median if not normally distributed.Results:Ninety-three GPs working in the Dammam area participated in the study. Thirty percent had excellent knowledge of Vitamin D. Ninety two percent had a positive attitude toward Vitamin D supplementation and sixty percent regularly prescribed Vitamin D supplementation for infants.Conclusion:The majority of GPs had a positive attitude toward Vitamin D supplementation for infants. However, their knowledge and practice need improvement.

The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence of parental smoking and its association with respiratory symptoms among 6- through 15-year-old schoolboys in Al-Khobar City, Saudi Arabia. This was a cross-sectional study. The methodology included the distribution of a self-administered questionnaire, which was completed by the parents of 1482 schoolboys who satisfied the selection criteria of the study. The overall rate of smoking among parents of this sample was 18.2% (32% among fathers and 4% among mothers). There was an increased risk associated with parental smoking and respiratory symptoms among asthmatic and nonasthmatic children. The magnitude of this risk was variable for different respirator), symptoms. The smoking rate among parents of asthmatic children was significantly higher than that of parents of normal children. The logistic regression model showed paternal smoking to be significantly associated with asthmatic children. The study concluded that there is an increased risk of respiratory symptoms among asthmatic and nonasthmatic children because of parental smoking. The smoking rate and trend among fathers and mothers were comparable to those reported earlier, indicating an ongoing problem. Schoolchildren with smoking parents may be better screened for bronchial asthma. Management of children presenting with respiratory symptoms should include an inquiry about exposure to passive smoking. Tobacco smoking should be considered a public health problem with serious implications, and the importation of tobacco should be banned.