It was concluded that there is an urgent need to pay more attention to the mental health of adolescent secondary school boys in Saudi Arabia. Further studies are needed to explore knowledge and attitude of students, parents and teachers concerning mental health.

Using stratified sampling technique 2696 adolescent school boys (aged 11-19 years) in Abha City, Southwestern Saudi Arabia were interviewed and examined for weight and height using standardized techniques. The overall prevalence of obesity and overweight in the present study amounted to 16%. Using logistic regression analysis, lack of exercise practice in the previous week in general [aOR = 1.352, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.066-1.941] or in the class (aOR = 1.446, 95% CI = 1.083-1.931) were significantly associated with obesity. The present study showed that obesity among adolescent school boys in Abha City is a public health problem. There is a need for a national program in the country to prevent and control obesity among adolescents. The program should incorporate: dietary management of obesity, promotion of physical activity, health education campaigns and consideration of the possibility of providing facilities for practicing physical activity and exercise in the community.

Mothers of children with bronchial asthma consecutively admitted to Aseer central hospital, Saudi Arabia (n = 171), were interviewed using a questionnaire based on the Chicago Community Asthma Survey to study their knowledge and behaviours concerning bronchial asthma. The least known information among mothers was the complications of bronchial asthma. Breathing exercises during asthma attacks were the least practised behaviour. In a multivariate analysis, significant risk factors for poor knowledge and behaviours among mothers were female sex of the child, illiterate mother and young age of mother (< 30 years). More education is needed to help the mothers of asthmatic children to acquire the necessary knowledge and practices to care for their children.

Using stratified random sampling technique, 1552 adolescent school age boys and girls in Abha city, southwestern Saudi Arabia, were screened for mental health using Arabic validated version of SCL-90-R. The overall prevalence of mental disorders amounted to 15.5%. The most frequent mental symptoms were phobic anxiety (17.3%), interpersonal sensitivity (14.7%), and obsessive compulsive (14.5%). In logistic regression analysis, some sociodemographic conditions (father education, mother working status, ranking among brothers and sisters, and type of school) were significantly affecting mental health. General practitioners and other primary care workers need to be educated to better engage young people, to recognize mental disorders, and to deliver simple treatments, including supportive counseling, and cognitive behavior therapy. There is a need for a national program in the country to integrate youth mental-health interventions with all existing youth programs, including those in health and education.

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