Hassan Bella

Knowledge and misconceptions about malaria among secondary school students and teachers in Kassala, Eastern Sudan

This study reports the responses of high secondary school students and teachers to a questionnaire on their knowledge and misconceptions about malaria. Knowledge about symptoms and cause of malaria seems to be adequate. However, there were deficiencies regarding knowledge of the seriousness of malaria in primigravidas and children. There was an exaggerated belief that chloroquine may cause abortion. There were also important misconceptions regarding the causation of malaria by the plant Unkoleeb (sorghum saccharatum), the belief that the local beverage Aradaib (Tramindus indica) cures malaria, as well as beliefs that chloroquine injections are more effective than tablets, that intravenous fluids are essential for treatment of every attack, and that multi-vitamins may prevent the disease. The study throws light on areas where health education should be focused.

Prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms in female schoolchildren in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly seen developmental disorder, with significant impacts on the child’s social, psychological, and scholastic functioning. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of ADHD in female primary schoolchildren. DESIGN AND SETTING A cross-sectional study conducted in Al-Khobar Town, Eastern Saudi Arabia. METHODS A random sample of six primary schools for girls was chosen, from which samples of 1009 students were selected by systematic random sampling, with ages ranging between 6 and 15 years (mean and standard deviation, 9.2 [1.9]). All subjects were screened for different types of ADHD using the Attention Deficit Disorders Evaluation Scale. RESULTS The overall prevalence of ADHD was 3.5%. The prevalence of children with ADHD/inattentive type was 2.1% and the prevalence of children with ADHD/hyperactive-impulsive type was 5.6%. This rate decreased significantly with increase in age. The prevalence was higher in government school students, among Saudi citizens, later born siblings, higher number of siblings, and lower parental education. CONCLUSIONS It was concluded that the prevalence of ADHD in female primary schoolchildren is comparable with what has been reported in other studies. Some demographic factors should be taken into consideration when interpreting this result. Implications and recommendations to the concerned authorities are outlined to improve the health and educational care services to help these children.

Translation and adaptation of the revised Denver pre-screening developmental questionnaire for Madinah children, Saudi Arabia.

A childâs development is largely connected with environment, and so tools used in developmental assessment and screening should be modified to match the local environment of children. The experience and findings of such modifications is important to child health workers. The objectives of this study were to describe the method applied in translating the Revised Denver Pre-screening Developmental Questionnaire (R-PDQ) as a developmental screening tool, and to describe and analyze changes introduced to the R-PDQ after translation, adaptation and validation for Saudi children. To adapt the R-PDQ, three steps were taken: translation from English to Arabic using cross-translation method, piloting the Arabic translation on 65 children and mothers, and conducting the questionnaire on a random sample of 1219 children to introduce final necessary changes. The English R-PDQ went through major changes to make it valid for use in Saudi culture for evaluation of a childâs development. Changes were made in the content of the questionnaire, age intervals, as well as normal age of developmental abilities and the order of acquiring them. Changes in the R-PDQ items were pertinent in language and personal-social items. No major changes were introduced in fine-motor or gross-motor items. This study demonstrates a model in adapting a developmental screening tool, and illustrates the need for standardization of âimportedâ developmental screening tools before using them.