Ibrahim Bani

Current iodine nutrition status and progress toward elimination of iodine deficiency disorders in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

BackgroundThe term iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) refers to all the effects of iodine deficiency on growth and development in human and animal populations that can be prevented by correction of the iodine deficiency. The objective of this paper was to determine the iodine nutrition status among schoolchildren in the Jazan Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), by measuring urinary iodine concentrations and by clinical assessments of goiter rate.MethodsA school-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Jazan region of southwestern KSA from May to November 2010. A total of 311 children, aged 6–13 years, drawn from 12 schools, were selected by a three-stage cluster random sampling method. Data on sociodemographic characteristics were collected using a structured questionnaire. Urine samples were collected and physical examinations were conducted to determine the presence or absence of goiter. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17.0. Chi square and independent t-tests were used for proportions and mean comparisons between groups.ResultsOut of 360 selected children, 311 were examined. There were 131 males (42%) and 180 females (58%). The median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) of the study group was 421 μg/L. The study population proportion with UIC > 300 μg/L was 74% with a higher proportion among males and urban populations. The proportion of children with UIC of 100–300 μg/L was only 21% and was significantly higher among females compared with males (p < 0.001). Only about 3% of the children had a median UIC less than 50 μg/L. The prevalence of total goiter rate (TGR) among the sample of schoolchildren in Jazan was 11%, with significant variations between rural and urban populations and by gender.ConclusionsThe present study demonstrates a remarkable achievement in Universal Salt Iodization (USI) and IDD elimination goals in the Jazan area. However, UIC levels reflect excessive iodine intake and may put the population at risk of adverse health consequences like iodine-induced hyperthyroidism and autoimmune thyroid diseases.

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii amongst Pregnant Women in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia.

Background. Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite of worldwide distribution. There is limited information about the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in the southern area of Saudi Arabia. The current study was carried out to determine the prevalence of T. gondii in pregnant women in Jazan province. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted between January and June 2013 and included 195 pregnant women, data on sociodemographic and predisposing factors were collected from each participant. Venous blood samples were collected following standard operating procedures. Serological analysis for latent toxoplasmosis (levels of IgG) and active toxoplasmosis (IgM) was done using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii in the study area was 24.1%. The seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG was 20% (39 out of 195), whereas IgM seropositivity was 6.2% (12 out of 195). Only 4 pregnant women tested positive for both IgG and IgM. The highest IgG and IgM seroprevalence was among the study participants aged 35 to 39 years (13.5% and 35.1%, resp.). The seropositivity rate of T. gondii-specific antibodies was higher among pregnant women from the urban areas than those from rural communities (7.4% versus 0% and 21% versus 15.4% for IgM and IgG, resp.). Conclusions. The seroprevalence of T. gondii was high in pregnant woman in Jazan. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis increases with increase of age. Awareness health education program in Jazan needs to be maintained and developed to targeted pregnant women.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Saudi patients with T2DM in Jazan region: prevalence and associated factors.

Backgrounds: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the major health problems world widely, especially among communities with sedentary lifestyle. The main objectives of this study were to know the prevalence of NAFLD among Saudi patients with T2DM in Jazan region and to determine the most important associated factors. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study targeted 230 type 2 diabetic patients, who attended Diabetic Center at Jazan General Hospital. All participants were screened for NAFLD Original Research Article Elmakki et al.; BJMMR, 5(7): 872-879, 2015; Article no.BJMMR.2015.094 873 using abdominal ultrasonography in addition to clinical and laboratory workup. Descriptive statistics, Chi square/Fisher exact test and logistic regression were utilized for data analysis. Results: The prevalence of fatty liver in the present study was 47.8% (95% CI 41.1–54.6), with no significant difference between males 49.1% (95% CI 40.0–58.3) and females 46.3% (95% CI 36.656.3). The prevalence of NAFLD was found to be 52.9% among patients who their ages range between 40-59 years. Factors associated with NAFLD were found to be age, uric acid, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p-value<0.05 for all). Conclusion: NAFLD is tremendously common among people with type 2 diabetes in Jazan region and the major associated factors were age, obesity, uric acid and elevated liver enzymes. There was no positive correlation between the presence of fatty liver and duration of DM or the degree of glycemic control.

Proposal for a community-based disaster management curriculum for medical school undergraduates in Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES Health professional preparedness is a key element of disaster response; overall there is a need for increased disaster medicine training worldwide. The objective of this study was to design and develop a curriculum in community-based disaster medicine for Saudi Arabian medical undergraduates. METHODS A structured five-step approach was used to develop a curriculum. Expert stakeholders from the Saudi Arabian and international disaster medicine communities were surveyed to determine objectives and content. Learning strategies were carefully considered to maximize participation and retention. Particular attention was paid to equipping learners with the teaching skills required to promote disaster preparedness in their local communities. CURRICULUM DESIGN The course consists of 2 weeks of classroom activities followed by 8 weeks of e-learning structured within five domains of disaster medicine. The curriculum introduces core principles in emergency medicine, public health, and disaster management. Simulations, experiential activities, case studies, and role-playing activities are all used to promote higher levels of cognitive engagement. Special content addresses the adult-learning process, and students design their own community-based seminars in disaster preparedness. CONCLUSIONS The curriculum is designed to promote learning in disaster medicine. Given the paucity of disaster medicine educators in the region, student graduates of this program would be able to improve disaster preparedness in Saudi Arabia by launching their own community-based disaster preparedness initiatives. The program could also be adapted for use throughout the Middle East.