Abdulrahman Al-Mohaimeed

Concordance of obesity classification between body mass index and percent body fat among school children in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundIn Saudi Arabia, where childhood obesity is a major public health issue, it is important to identify the best tool for obesity classification. Hence, we compared two field methods for their usefulness in epidemiological studies.MethodsThe sample consisted of 874 primary school (grade I-IV) children, aged 6–10 years, and was obtained through a multi-stage random sampling procedure. Weight and height were measured, and BMI (kg/m2) was calculated. Percent body fat was determined with a Futrex analyzer that uses near infrared reactance (NIR) technology. Method specific cut-off values were used for obesity classification. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were determined for BMI, and the agreement between BMI and percent body fat was calculated.ResultsCompared to boys, the mean BMI was higher in girls whereas the mean percent body fat was lower (p-values <0.0001). According to BMI, the prevalence of overweight or obesity was significantly higher in girls (34.3% vs. 17.3%); as oppose to percent body fat, which was similar between the sexes (6.6% vs. 7.0%). The sensitivity of BMI to classify overweight or obesity was high (boys =93%, girls = 100%); and its false-positive detection rate was also high (boys = 63%, girls = 81%). The agreement rate was low between these two methods (boys = 0.48, girls =0.24).ConclusionsThere is poor agreement in obesity classification between BMI and percent body fat, using NIR method, among Saudi school children.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency: prevalence and effect of compression stockings

INTRODUCTION Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a common disease affecting mainly lower limbs and significantly influencing the quality of life. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of CVI in the Qassim Region and test the effectiveness of compression stockings as an intervention option. METHODS A cross sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of CVI among patients visiting primary health care (PHC) centers in the Qassim Region. CVI patients were diagnosed and classified using the clinical, etiologic, anatomical, and pathophysiological (CEAP) scale. They were randomly divided into two groups, one using compression stockings and the other standard medical therapy. A clinical follow up was done using multiple scale system including CEAP scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS. RESULTS Among the 226 screened patients, 138 (61.1%) were diagnosed as having CVI (69% female and 45% male, p<0.001). Compared to the baseline, both the clinical and venous scores for CVI at the follow-up were significantly lower among patients using compression stockings, p=0.002 and p=0.003, respectively. Regression analysis suggested that, after controlling for age, sex and body mass index, compliance was the main factor responsible for a significant reduction in the clinical score among CVI patients. CONCLUSIONS Chronic venous insufficiency is very common in the Qassim Region. Compression stockings are highly effective in improving clinical symptoms and signs of CVI. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov(NCT02050061).

Disaster medicine education for medical students: Is it a real need?

Abstract Background: Disasters are serious public health problems that have increased over the last century. This study evaluated the familiarity and training needs of medical students regarding disaster medicine in Qassim University College of Medicine (QUCOM). Methodology: A mixed quantitative and qualitative study was conducted in which students in the clinical phase were asked to respond to a questionnaire. Clinical teachers of the college, emergency physicians and health administrators were interviewed for the qualitative part of the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS and relevant tool for the qualitative part. Results: Two-hundred twenty-nine students (91.6%) responded. Familiarity of students with disaster medicine was low with a mean score of 1.65 out of five points. However, male students demonstrated significantly higher mean scores in certain themes of disaster medicine. Students endorsed the idea that a training course is needed with a mean score of 3.66/5 and supported the idea that disaster medicine training should be provided to the general public as well (mean 3.85/5). Qualitative data affirmed inclusion of relevant topics in the curriculum based on students’ inputs and needs and as defined by the community. Conclusion: Disaster medicine education for medical students is recommended by students and experts, while the applicability and feasibility needs further exploration.

Experiences of Barriers and Motivators to Weight-Loss among Saudi People with Overweight or Obesity in Qassim Region - A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: Obesity has become a global health threat. Saudi Arabia ranks among the countries with high obesity and overweight rates. This study aims to explore experiences of Saudi people with overweight or obesity with a particular focus on the perceived barriers and motivators to weight loss. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used a qualitative approach to recruiting a purposive sample using maximum variation sampling technique. Those who had previously attempted weight loss at least once were included in the study. In-depth interviews were conducted, transcribed and/ or audiotaped. Interviews continued until saturation was reached. The qualitative content analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 19 males and 18 females participated in this study with a mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 32.6 kg/m2. Their main triggers to weight loss were concerns about overall health and the desire to improve their looks. Declining motivation, lack of family support and unhealthy eating during social gatherings were perceived as the main barriers. Motivating factors included concerns about health, family support, and availability of exercise facilities. CONCLUSION: Factors responsible for a successful weight- loss is context-specific. This study has shown several barriers as well as motivators, which play an important role in weight reduction and maintenance.

Prevalence and factors associated with anxiety and depression among type 2 diabetes in Qassim: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Objectives To assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression and to identify their associated risk factors among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods A cross-sectional, single-centre study that included 300 adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus was conducted at The Diabetic Center of King Saud Hospital in the Qassim region. Anxiety and depression were measured by using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Multivariable analysis using multiple logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the combined effect of various factors associated with anxiety and depression, adjusting for confounding variables. Results Overall, 43.6% (95% CI: 37.9–49.3%) and 34.8% (95% CI: 29–40%) of the participants experienced anxiety and depression, respectively. Anxiety was more common among patients who had poor social support (OR 5.35, P 0.001). Anxiety was less common among retired people (OR 0.36, P 0.048) and those having diabetes for more than ten years (OR 0.39, P 0.006). In contrast, depression was more common among patients who had received moderate (OR 2.47, P 0.031) or low social support (OR 6.62, P 0.000) but less common among those having diabetes for more than ten years (OR 0.44, P 0.022). Conclusion This study showed that the prevalence of anxiety and depression is high among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. These results should alert clinicians to identify and treat anxiety and depression as part of multidisciplinary diabetes care. Larger community-based studies are needed to identify the magnitude of these problems and their related factors.

Parents' perception of children's obesity, in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia

Background and Objectives: Although the prevalence of childhood obesity has increased significantly in Saudi Arabia, parents are unable to appreciate obesity in their child. The objective of the study was to identify the percentage of parents who misclassify the status of child′s weight, and determine whether there is a difference between those parents whose children are overweight and obese and those with children of normal weight. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 601 children aged 6-10 years. The children were recruited from the primary schools located in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. The body mass index of the children was assessed in the school, and their parents responded to a self-administered questionnaire which contained questions on parental perception of the children′s weight/obesity status. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS. Results: Parents with overweight/obese children had significantly more misclassification than those with normal weight children. Ninety percent of parents of the 81 overweight children misclassified and reported that their child had normal weight, while 65% of parents of the 61 obese children, misclassified the child′s weight status. Conclusions: The level of misclassification of children′s weight status by parents is high. Saudi parents with overweight and obese children do not recognize their child′s weight status. Parents′ awareness of childhood obesity and its negative health impact needs to be improved.

Students' perceptions about the family medicine course in Qassim, Saudi Arabia

Abstract Background: This study explores students’ perceptions and attitudes regarding educational methodology, content and assessment methods in the Family Medicine (FM) Course at Qassim University College of Medicine (QUCOM) with a view to build innovations and improvements on its findings. Research design and methods: Three batches of undergraduate medical students attending FM Course – 2011/12 participated in a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. Data collected through anonymous self-administered questionnaires were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Participation rate was quite high; of the 79 students constituting the course cohort, 68 (86%) responded. Students’ perceived problem-based learning (PBL) tutorials positively while both male and female students rated classroom lectures negatively. Primary health care training activities and evidence-based medicine received high positive scores. Male students assigned high positive scores to consultation skills and breaking bad news (BBN) modules, and to a lesser extent the medical audit module. By contrast, female students rated them negatively and gave significantly lower scores. These were the only areas indicating significant differences between opinions of male and female students. Conclusion: Although the degree of students’ satisfaction with the different learning activities varied, students felt that having a variety of learning and teaching experiences was more appropriate.