scholarly journals Prevalence and Risk Factors of Falls Among the Elderly in Unaizah City, Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. e86-93
Author(s):  
Abdullaziz Alabdullgader ◽  
Unaib Rabbani
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Elderly Individuals ◽  
Related Risk

Objectives: Falls and fall-related consequences are a major public health problem in the elderly. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of falls and fall-related risk factors among elderly individuals in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and October 2019 among 280 elderly patients aged >60 years old attending 10 randomly selected primary healthcare centres in Unaizah City, Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using the validated 10-item Missouri Alliance for Home Care (MAHC-10) fall risk assessment tool. Results: A total of 269 participants were included in the study (response rate: 96.1%). The prevalence of falls over the preceding year was 31.6%. Females fell more frequently than males (34.5% versus 28.5%) and most falls occurred indoors (84.7%). Various risk factors were associated with fall risk including being aged >80 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 5.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.66–16.14), polypharmacy (aOR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.01–5.71) and environmental factors (aOR: 2.79, 95% CI: 1.24–6.28). However, more educated participants had a lower risk of falling (aOR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.09–0.77). There was also a significant association with the MAHC-10 fall risk score (P = 0.043). Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of falls among the elderly in Unaizah City. Various factors were associated with falls including advanced age, polypharmacy, age-related changes and environmental factors. As the majority of fall events occurred indoors, home safety improvements are recommended. Moreover, additional larger-scale research is necessary regarding fall-related risk factors and fall prevention initiatives among elderly individuals in Saudi Arabia.   KEYWORDS Elderly; Falls; Geriatrics; Public Health; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Saudi Arabia.

scholarly journals Risk Factors for and Barriers to Control Type-2 Diabetes among Saudi Population

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yahya Mari Alneami ◽  
Christopher L. Coleman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Saudi Population

<p><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> The prevalence of Type-2 Diabetes is dramatically increasing in urban areas within Saudi Arabia. Hence, Type-2 Diabetes has now become the most common public health problem. Understanding the major risk factors for and barriers to control Type-2 Diabetes may lead to strategies to prevent, control, and reduce in the burden of disease cases.</p><p><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> To describe risk factors for and barriers to control Type- 2 Diabetes in Saudi Arabia.</p><p><strong>METHODS:</strong> The literature search was conducted on risk factors for and barriers to control Type- 2 Diabetes in Saudi Arabia using the databases PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar (2007-2015). The literature search yielded 80 articles, of which 70 articles were included in this review after excluding non-relevant articles. </p><p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> The literature review revealed that obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, smoking, and aging are the major risk factors for Type-2 Diabetes in Saudi Arabia. Further, the review allocated a complex set of barriers including, lack of education, social support, and healthy environment. These barriers may hinder Saudis with Type-2 Diabetes from controlling their disease.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> The prevalence of Type-2 Diabetes is high among the Saudi population and represents a major public health problem. Effective research programs are needed to address the modifiable risk factors for and barriers to control Type-2 Diabetes among Saudi population.</p>

scholarly journals Period prevalence, risk factors and consequent injuries of falling among the Saudi elderly living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e019063 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faisal Yousef Almegbel ◽  
Ibrahim Muthyib Alotaibi ◽  
Faisal Ahmed Alhusain ◽  
Emad M Masuadi ◽  
Salma Lafyan Al Sulami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Old People ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Period Prevalence ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesApproximately 28% to 35% of people aged 65 and over fall each year. The consequent injuries of falls are considered a major public health problem. Falls account for more than half of injury-related hospitalisations among old people. The aim of this study was to measure a 1-year period prevalence of falling among old people in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In addition, this study described the most common risk factors and consequent injuries of falls.Setting and participantsA cross-sectional survey was carried out in Riyadh, using a convenient sampling. The targeted population were Saudi citizens who were 60 years or above. Over a 6-month period, 1182 individuals were sampled (545 men and 637 women).ResultsThe 1-year prevalence of falling among old Saudis (>=60 years) was 49.9%. Our results show that 74% of the participants who experienced falls had postfall injuries. Old participants who were uneducated and those with middle school certification were associated with falls (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.72; 95% CI 1.15 to 2.56, aOR 1.81; 95% CI 1.15 to 2.85, respectively). Those who live in rented houses had a higher risk of falls. Interestingly, having a caregiver was significantly associated with more falls (aOR 1.39; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.79). However, not using any medications was significantly related to fewer falls. In addition, old individuals using walking aids were more likely to fall than those who did not. Participants who mentioned ‘not having stressors were associated with less frequent falls (aOR 0.62; 95% CI 0.39 to 0.97). Cerebrovascular accidents were strongly associated with falls with an estimated OR of 2.75 (95% CI 1.18 to 6.43). Moreover, osteoporosis, poor vision and back pain were found to be predictors for falls among the elderly.Conclusion49.9% of elderly Saudis had experienced one or more falls during a 12-month period. Several preventable risk factors could be addressed by routine geriatric assessment. Research on the impact of these risk factors is needed.

Substance Abuse and Drug-Related Death, Suicidal Ideation, and Suicide: A Review

Crisis ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie Mino ◽  
Arnaud Bousquet ◽  
Barbara Broers
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Family Support ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Hiv Epidemic

The high mortality rate among drug users, which is partly due to the HIV epidemic and partly due to drug-related accidental deaths and suicides, presents a major public health problem. Knowing more about prevalence, incidence, and risk factors is important for the development of rational preventive and therapeutic programs. This article attempts to give an overview of studies of the relations between substance abuse, suicidal ideation, suicide, and drug-related death. Research in this field is hampered by the absence of clear definitions, and results of studies are rarely comparable. There is, however, consensus about suicidal ideation being a risk factor for suicide attempts and suicide. Suicidal ideation is also a predictor of suicide, especially among drug users. It is correlated with an absence of family support, with the severity of the psychosocial dysfunctioning, and with multi-drug abuse, but also with requests for treatment. Every clinical examination of a drug user, not only of those who are depressed, should address the possible presence of suicidal ideation, as well as its intensity and duration.

scholarly journals Nutrition and cognitive impairment in the elderly

2001 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. González-Gross ◽  
Ascensión Marcos ◽  
Klaus Pietrzik
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Clinical Onset ◽  
Related Risk

As the number of older people is growing rapidly worldwide and the fact that elderly people are also apparently living longer, dementia, the most common cause of cognitive impairment is getting to be a greater public health problem. Nutrition plays a role in the ageing process, but there is still a lack of knowledge about nutrition-related risk factors in cognitive impairment. Research in this area has been intensive during the last decade, and results indicate that subclinical deficiency in essential nutrients (antioxidants such as vitamins C, E and β-carotene, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, folate) and nutrition-related disorders, as hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriacylglycerolaemia, hypertension, and diabetes could be some of the nutrition-related risk factors, which can be present for a long time before cognitive impairment becomes evident. Large-scale clinical trials in high-risk populations are needed to determine whether lowering blood homocysteine levels reduces the risk of cognitive impairment and may delay the clinical onset of dementia and perhaps of Alzheimer's disease. A curative treatment of cognitive impairment, especially Alzheimer's disease, is currently impossible. Actual drug therapy, if started early enough, may slow down the progression of the disease. Longitudinal studies are required in order to establish the possible link of nutrient intake – nutritional status with cognitive impairment, and if it is possible, in fact, to inhibit or delay the onset of dementia.

Sociodemographic and clinical profile in elderly suicide victims: 34 autopsy case studies

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s887-s887
Author(s):  
S. Ellouze ◽  
I. Baati ◽  
W. Ben Amar ◽  
D. Trigui ◽  
W. Abbes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Elderly Suicide

IntroductionThe elderly suicide is a major public health problem that is gaining more and more ground, given the aging population problem. This has rarely been the subject of forensic studies in Tunisia.ObjectivesTo identify the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of elderly suicide victims over 60 years and to determine what factors might increase suicide risk in this population.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study on suicide victims aged 60 and over, autopsied in forensic medicine department of the Habib Bourguiba university hospital in Sfax (Tunisia), on a 10-year period (January 2006–December 2015).ResultsWe identified 34 cases with an average age of 66 years. The sex ratio was 2.77. Suicide victims were alone in 38.2% of cases. They were inactive professionally in 32.4% of cases. Almost half of them (44.1%) had a psychiatric history, 40% of depressed pace, 26.7% of bipolar disorder and 13.3% of schizophrenia.Three main factors were identified as precipitating the passage to suicidal act: family conflicts (26.5%), financial difficulties (11.8%) and loss of autonomy (5.9%).Suicide methods were hanging (50%), immolation and drug intoxication (11.8%), hit by train and poisoning (8.8%), jumping from height (5.9%) and drowning (2.9%). In 55.8% of cases, suicide took place at home.ConclusionElderly suicide seems to be a huge but largely preventable public health problem. Its prevention is essentially based on the identification of risk situations and the detection and treatment of depression: major suicide risk factor in this population.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Prevalence, risk-inducing lifestyle, and perceived susceptibility to kidney diseases by gender among Nigerians residents in South Western Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 860-870
Author(s):  
Monica Ewomazino Akokuwebe ◽  
Clifford Odimegwu ◽  
Femi Omololu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Lifestyle Modification ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Perceived Susceptibility ◽  
Female Ratio

Background: Kidney disease (KD) is increasingly recognized as a major public health problem worldwide with rising inci- dence and prevalence. Early identification of KD risk factors will slow down progression to kidney failure and death. Objective: To determine the prevalence, risk-inducing lifestyle and perceived susceptibility among Nigerians in South-west- ern Nigeria. Methods: A pretested structured questionnaire was employed to draw information on socio-demographic, knowledge, risk-inducing lifestyle and perceived susceptibility to conventional risk factors of KD from 1757 residents aged ≥15 years. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 47.61±13.0 years with a male-female ratio of 1.13:1. Knowledge of KD was low (mean score 2.29; 95% CI: 2.18, 2.32). The prevalence of some established KD risk factors was regular use of herbal medications, 26.8% and physical inactivity, 70.0%. Females with factors such as use of herbal drink [RRR: 1.56; CI=1.06- 2.30; p=0.02] and smoking [RRR: 2.72; CI=1.37-5.37; p=0.00] predicted increased odds of perceived susceptibility to KD than their male counterparts. Conclusion: The prevalence of KD risk-inducing lifestyles was high. More emphasis should be placed on effective public health programmes towards behavioural change in order to adopt lifestyle modification as well as to reduce the tendency to develop KD. Keywords: Kidney disease; risk-inducing lifestyles; perceived susceptibility.

scholarly journals Psychosocial suicide risk factors

2021 ◽  
Vol 129 (s1) ◽  
pp. 100-109
Author(s):  
Karla Patricia Valdés-García ◽  
Luis Miguel Sánchez-Loyo ◽  
Iris Rubí Monroy Velasco ◽  
Claudia Jocabed Carreón Márquez
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Young People ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Biopsychosocial Model ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Psychological Autopsy ◽  
Suicide Risk Factors

Due to the number of deaths by suicide, it’s classified as a public health problem, and it is a multifactorial and dynamic problem, influenced by biological, psychological, social, cultural, and environmental factors. The study aimed to identify risk factors based on the proposal of the biopsychosocial model of suicide risk of Turecki by applying the psychological autopsy in three suicide cases in young people. Debido al número de muertes por suicidio se le ha clasificado como un problema de salud pública, es una problemática multifactorial y dinámica, influenciada por factores biológicos, psicológicos, sociales,culturales y ambientales.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Human Brucellosis in Wadi Al Dawaser region of Saudi Arabia

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamudha Parveen Rahamathulla
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Diagnostic Yield ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Human Brucellosis ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Middle East Countries ◽  
Igm Elisa

Background and Objective: Brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease and a major public health problem in the Middle East countries including Saudi Arabia. This study has evaluated the seroprevalence of human brucellosis in Wadi Al Dawaser region of Central Saudi Arabia. Methods: The study was conducted for three years (2015-2018) at Wadi Al Dawaser general hospital. A total of 6721 clinically suspected serum samples were collected over three years and tested by Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), Serum Agglutination Test (SAT), IgM and IgG ELISA. A standard questionnaire to determine the risk factors were used among patients. Results: Of the total 6721 samples tested, 576 (8.6%) were seropositive for brucellosis. RBPT identified 427 (74.1%), SAT titers 493 (85.6%) cases. IgM ELISA and IgG ELISA were positive for 501 (86.9%) and 558 (96.8%) cases respectively. Among the positive cases, 77.3% were male with the male to female ratio of 3.3:1. Nearly, 82% were Saudi Nationals. Direct contact with domestic animals and consumption of raw milk were the risk factors identified. No seasonal variation was seen. Diagnostic yield of IgM ELISA showed 86.9% sensitivity and 100% specificity; IgG ELISA showed 96.8% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Both IgG and IgM ELISAs showed 100% Positive predictive value, 98.9% and 95.6% Negative predictive value respectively. Conclusion: A seroprevalence of 8.6% of human brucellosis was documented from this rural region. This is the first report from Wadi Al Dawaser. Frequent surveillance among risk group, vaccination of livestock, creating awareness and health education among the public and school children are recommended. How to cite this:Rahamathulla MP. Seroprevalence of Human Brucellosis in Wadi Al Dawaser region of Saudi Arabia. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(1):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.1.55 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

scholarly journals Modeling Obesity and Its Associated Disorders in Drosophila

Physiology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Trinh ◽  
Gabrielle L. Boulianne
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Complex Disorder ◽  
Gene Environment ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors

In recent years, obesity has been recognized as a major public health problem due to its increased prevalence in both children and adults and its association with numerous life-threatening complications including diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and cancer. Obesity is a complex disorder that is the result of the interaction between predisposing genetic and environmental factors. However, the precise nature of these gene-gene and gene-environment interactions remains unclear. Here, we will describe recent studies demonstrating how fruit flies can be used to identify and characterize the mechanisms underlying obesity and to establish models of obesity-associated disorders.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Hypertension and Prehypertension in Iranian Children

2021 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farshid Kompani ◽  
Azar Nickavar
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Asymptomatic Children ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
Significant Public Health Problem ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Iranian Children

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is a significant public health problem worldwide. Early diagnosis of HTN and its related risk factors has been considered as one of the main requirements of general healthcare in children. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the nomograms of normal systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) and the prevalence of asymptomatic HTN and pre-HTN in a population of school-aged children. Methods: Systolic and diastolic BP, height, and weight were measured in 5811 healthy school-aged children (2904 males and 2907 females) during healthcare visits. HTN was defined as systolic or diastolic BP ≥ 95th percentile for age, gender, and height of the screened population on ≥ 3 occasions. Pre-HTN was considered as systolic or diastolic BP between 90 - 95 percentile. Results: HTN and pre-HTN were detected in 8.4% and 7.8% of the children, respectively. The prevalence of HTN was 8.6% among the males and 8.2% among the females. Systolic HTN and pre-HTN were detected in 5.8 and 6.4% of the cases compared to diastolic HTN and pre-HTN observed in 5.9 and 6.1% of the participants, respectively. In addition, HTN was detected in 27.9% of children with obesity. Conclusions: According to the high incidence of asymptomatic HTN and pre-HTN in asymptomatic children, it is recommended to perform routine BP measurement during medical care visits of all healthy school children and to prevent and treat obesity in childhood.

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