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OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge and attitudes of adolescents in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia towards cancer. METHODOLOGY: A pre-structured tested and revised questionnaire was administered to a randomly selected sample from four high schools (two males and two females) in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 572 adolescents. There was a marked variability in knowledge across informational items, particularly about the possible causes and how to avoid developing cancer. CONCLUSION: Students possess some knowledge of cancer, although this knowledge was not uniform. There were misconceptions about cancer and its pervention. The researcher concludes that the development and implementation of school health education programs on cancer are needed in this population.

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The purpose of this study was to determine the level of knowledge among adults in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia, concerning dietary fat and the risk of coronary heart disease. We assessed the overall knowledge levels among 393 adults who were waiting to see their physicians at Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs). Since the overall knowledge levels were high, we conclude that health education should concentrate on clarifying areas of misunderstanding shown by this study. Further, the importance of addressing perceived barriers is discussed.

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OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of hypertension in adults residing in Riyadh city and to study the sociodemographic characteristics of adult hypertensives. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Primary Health Care Centres (PHCCs) in Riyadh city selected by stratified random sampling, the subjects resident in each PHCC catchment area were selected by systematic sampling from their records in the PHCCs. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 1394 adults aged 15 years and over were interviewed and examined during March 1993 to March 1994. The average of three measurements of blood pressure (BP) was taken to represent their current pressures. A subject is considered hypertensive if the average BP reading is 160/95 mm Hg or more, or is currently under treatment. RESULTS: The total hypertensive subjects were 214 giving an overall prevalence of hypertension of 15.4%. Of these 157 (11.3%) subjects were known hypertensives and were under some form of treatment. On the other hand 57 (4.1%) other subjects were newly detected by the study. Hypertension (BP = 160/95 mm Hg or more) was significantly related to age, marriage, education, occupation and employment status and consanguinity. Male subjects had a higher prevalence of hypertension but the differences were not significant. Nationality and income were not related to high BP. CONCLUSION: Hypertension is a problem among adults in Riyadh city. It is significantly related to some sociodemographic and family factors. About 27% of all hypertensives are not aware of their disease and more than 31% of known hypertensives are apparently not well controlled. There is a need for a programme to prevent and control hypertension in Riyadh city. Similar studies need to be done in other areas of the country to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and associated factors as prerequisites for any programme to control the disease.

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OBJECTIVES: To investigate the cesarean section (CS) rate in the Riyadh area, its trend and relationship to perinatal mortality (PNM). METHODS: Based on delivery data obtained from the Ministry of Health hospitals, Saudi Arabia, for a total of 12 years, yearly rates of CS, PNM and the ratios of obstetricians and beds per 10,000 population were computed for the Riyadh area and compared with the overall rates for Saudi Arabia. Correlation coefficients were used to investigate the relationship between the CS rate and each of the stated variables. RESULTS: Riyadh had significantly lower rates of CS and PNM than Saudi Arabia as a whole. The CS rate in Riyadh showed a positive trend (increasing from 4.4 to 6.7%) while the PNM rate revealed a significant decreasing trend (decreasing from 21.6/1000 to 16/1000 live births). A negative association existed between the Riyadh rates of PNM and CS (r = -0.2375) and PNM and the availability of obstetricians (r = -0.8693). CONCLUSIONS: From our data it was not possible to establish a cause and effect relationship between the CS and PNM rates.

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One hundred obstetrics patients were interviewed at King Khalid Hospital (Saudi Arabia) concerning their current pregnancy experience, knowledge of pregnancy and child care and sources of information on these topics. Interviews were conducted and a short knowledge test given to nulliparous, primaparous and multiparous patients. The overall mean score of respondents was 50.4%. Significant information deficits existed in: the implications of prescription drugs and dental care during pregnancy; time of conception; when to contact a physician for personal care. Nulliparous patients scored lower, and information deficits appeared in: when to call a physician for infant care, immunization for newborns and events during pregnancy. Respondents did not perceive physicians and nurses as significant sources of information when compared with alternative sources.

PIP: Interviews were conducted with 100 pregnant women who were receiving obstetric care at Saudi Arabia's King Khalid Hospital to identify childbirth education needs. The median age of respondents was 26.6 years; 78.3% had two or more children. 65% had physician care throughout the index pregnancy, but only 9% made dental visits. Knowledge tests administered to nulliparous women only and nulliparous, primiparous, and multiparous women together yielded mean scores of 41.5% and 50.4% correct, respectively. Among nulliparous pregnant women, only 18% knew what to expect during labor and delivery, just 15% had concerns about infant diarrhea, and 18% were unaware of the need for early immunizations. Mothers (93%) and friends or sisters (78%) were the most frequently reported sources of information about pregnancy by nulliparous women; only 4% identified health professionals as sources. Substantial knowledge deficits were also present among women who had undergone at least one previous pregnancy and delivery. Only 30% were aware that drugs and medications can affect the fetus, just 16% indicated they would consult a doctor if they developed a postpartum fever, and only 34% could identify the fertile period of the menstrual cycle. These responses suggest there is a need for an educational program for all pregnant women, regardless of parity. While nulliparous women may benefit from a special class, those who already have children are more likely to be responsive to in-home educational methods, including audio tapes and pamphlets.

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