Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de santé de la Méditerranée orientale = al-Majallah al-ṣiḥḥīyah li-sharq al-mutawassiṭ
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In this article the impact of sanctions on the Iraqi people is reviewed. The health services and situation in Iraq before sanctions were imposed in 1990 are described indicating their adequacy. The adverse effect of the sanctions on the health services and on health indicators are outlined, as evidenced by, among others, the increased malnutrition among children, increased infant and under-5 mortality rates and the increase in foodborne and waterborne diseases. The situation in Iraq illustrates the devastating effects of sanctions on people, particularly children, adolescents, women and the elderly, and highlights the need for more balanced and comprehensive humanitarian programmes.
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East. Mediterr. Health J. · Mar 2000
Primary health care physicians' views on periodic health evaluation in Saudi Arabia.
The attitude and beliefs of primary health care physicians regarding periodic health evaluation is critical to determining the most effective and acceptable means for delivering recommended clinical preventive services. We aimed to evaluate the views of primary health care physicians in Saudi Arabia on periodic health evaluation. ⋯ Almost all (95%) of the physicians were aware of the benefits and costs of periodic health examinations, and were willing to carry it out. Their enthusiasm for performing many items during examinations should be encouraged.
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East. Mediterr. Health J. · Mar 2000
Knowledge of secondary-school female students on breast cancer and breast self-examination in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
A self-administered questionnaire was given to 6380 female secondary-school students (mean age = 18.1 years) in Jeddah to identify their knowledge of breast cancer and attitude towards breast self-examination (BSE). Knowledge of risk factors and presentation was very low. Over 80% of students failed to answer 50% of the questions correctly. ⋯ Also students who had undergone mammography, had been exposed to breast surgery or had a positive family history of breast cancer showed significantly higher knowledge levels. Only 39.6% reported ever hearing of BSE and only 14.4% and 7.1% respectively knew the correct frequency and timing. However, 82.4% had a positive attitude towards learning BSE.
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East. Mediterr. Health J. · Nov 1999
Appraisal of sickle-cell and thalassaemia genes in Saudi Arabia.
A comprehensive national survey of the distribution of the sickle-cell (Hb S) gene and thalassaemia genes was initiated in 1982, with more than 30,055 blood samples collected. The Hb S, alpha- and beta-thalassaemia gene frequency range was 0.005-0.145, 0.01-0.40 and 0.01-0.15 respectively in various areas of Saudi Arabia. We present here an appraisal of sickle-cell and thalassaemia gene occurrence in the Saudi population, based on our studies conducted over 10 years in different regions of Saudi Arabia.
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East. Mediterr. Health J. · Jul 1999
Clinical, laboratory and X-ray findings of drowning and near-drowning in the Gulf of Aqaba.
Clinical, laboratory and X-ray findings in 34 victims of submersion are presented. Five people died and 29 survived (age range 12-60 years). Severe hypoxia was found in all patients (mean PO2 of 58 mmHg with some oxygen support). ⋯ Pulmonary oedema was the most common X-ray finding. Fourteen patients were put on mechanical ventilation on the basis of their clinical picture and blood gases analysis. Clinical and laboratory data are very similar to those reported in international studies.