Prevalence of Parent-Reported Food Allergies Among Children in Saudi Arabia
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Alibrahim I
PROVIDER: S-EPMC11356889 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:IntroductionAlthough the prevalence of allergic diseases, including food allergies, has increased over recent decades, relevant information on this topic is still lacking, particularly in younger children living in small cities.ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of reported food allergies in preschoolers in Limoeiro/Pernambuco, Brazil.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study with preschoolers. Parents/guardians of all preschoolers enrolled at municipal schools between March and June 2019 (total of 619) were invited to complete a screening questionnaire (total of 619). Another 151 questionnaires were applied on the streets of the town. For positive responses, a second, more detailed and validated questionnaire was completed.ResultsA total of 412 questionnaires were returned, of which, 47 presented a positive response to food allergies and only 29 (7.04%) identified a particular food. The most frequently reported food items were shrimp, mollusks, pork, fruit and milk. Of the 29 who identified foods, 22 responded to the detailed questionnaire, resulting in only 4 (0.97%) positive responses. Of these, two were later discarded through clinical examinations and an open oral provocation test, resulting in a final prevalence of 0.48% of confirmed food allergies.ConclusionThe prevalence of reported food allergies was lower than that described in previous studies. The most commonly mentioned foods were shrimp, mollusks and pork, with more reports of multiple food allergies, even in children who had never been previously exposed to these possible allergens, which highlights the relevance of perception in reported food allergy studies.
| S-EPMC9375345 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionChildren's dental health has become the primary concern, because of the increase in the prevalence of caries amongst school children in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, a meta-analysis was conducted to assess the prevalence and severity of dental caries among school children in Saudi Arabia.MethodA systematic search of Scopus, ISI Web of Science, EMBASE, Saudi digital library, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE via Ovid for cross-sectional studies with healthy participants between 5and -15 years. Two authors independently extracted the prevalence of caries. With 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects model, we calculated caries prevalence.ResultsDental caries prevalence data were extracted from 18 cross-sectional studies (n = 56,327 children). The pooled estimate for the caries prevalence among 5-7 years' children was 84% (95% CI: 0.81-0.87%; I2 = 91%) while among 12-15 years' children was 72% (95% CI: 0.63-0.79; I 2 = 96.2%). Discussion. In this systematic review, the summary estimate of the prevalence of dental caries among children of 5-7 years and 12-15 years were 84% and 72%, respectively. Further research is required to identify approaches for preventing and treating dental caries in schoolchildren.
| S-EPMC9467753 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Musculoskeletal disorders are very common in the dental practice. This cross-sectional study assessed the nature and prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (MS) and their associated risk factors among dentists in three types of clinics in Riyadh. A structured, self-administered questionnaire about demographic characteristics, nature of work, and prevalence and frequency of MS was completed by 274 male and 241 female dentists. Chi-square and logistic regression were used to determine the association of MS with a number of important variables. Pain in the lower back (64%) and neck (60%) were the most prevalent MS. Working in the dental colleges' clinics was associated with increased risk of MS (adjusted OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.27-4.18). A stronger association was observed for dentists working in the private clinics (adjusted OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.28-5.17) compared to government clinics. Female dentists were at more risk of MS than the male dentists (OR 1.63, 95%CI 1.02-2.59). The OR of MS for dentists treating more than 10 patients/d was 1.53 (95%CI 0.83-2.81). The higher risk of reported MS in females and for those working in the dental colleges and private clinics underscores the importance of recognition and prevention of MS even early in the dental profession.
| S-EPMC5546842 | biostudies-other
Project description:BackgroundPrevalence of different respiratory allergies is increasing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Environmental risk factors of respiratory allergy vary regionally, hence the prevalence. This necessitates the needs for regional studies. This article reports prevalence and symptoms of respiratory allergies in the Qassim region, and the factors associated with the prevalence.MethodsEight hundred and fifty individuals aged ≥18 years and were living in the Qassim region filled up our structured online questionnaire between September and December 2020. We estimated the prevalence of different respiratory allergies with 95% confidence intervals. Multi-variable logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the risk factors of respiratory allergies.FindingsThe prevalence of any respiratory allergy in the Qassim region was 28.8%. Most families (58.1%) had at least one member with respiratory allergy. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma were 13.5% and 11.2% 4.1% respectively. The reported symptoms included runny nose (13.6%), red, watery, and itchy eyes (10.4%), difficulty sleeping at night (10.2%), difficulty breathing in cold weather (9.2%), noisy breathing (8.5%), sneezing (8%), repeated coughing (7.5%) and shortness of breath (6.4%). Individuals with a family history were more likely to report any respiratory allergy (OR: 7.8), bronchial asthma (OR: 4.2) and allergic rhinitis (OR: 8.1) compared to the individuals without such family history. Odds of respiratory allergies was higher among males (OR: 1.5). Saudi nationals were less likely to report allergic rhinitis than the non-Saudis (OR: 0.4). Among those who reported a respiratory allergy, most (73.5%) received treatment and majority (61.7%) demonstrated compliance to the treatment, 8.8% needed hospitalization, and 23.1% needed emergency nebulization.ConclusionsPrevalence reported in our study is different than that reported in other regions. Variability in the environmental exposures might explain this. We recommend a meta-analysis to estimate the national prevalence of respiratory allergies.
| S-EPMC8221486 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The Saudi Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs is planning to initiate a hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) system in restaurants and cafeterias to manage issues of food safety in Saudi Arabia. One of the most important elements in the HACCP system is the monitoring temperature of cooked and stored food. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and use of refrigerators/freezers and food thermometers among food handlers in local and international restaurants in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in municipality-licensed restaurants. The temperatures of refrigerator and freezer were checked, and the survey form was completed by the researcher according to logbook entries. We then checked for the presence of a food thermometer, and if a functional thermometer was present, the chef was asked to complete an online questionnaire using Survey Monkey website on a tablet. The response rate of the survey was 68% (238/350 restaurants). We found that 88.1% of restaurants used a thermometer to check the temperature of their refrigerators and freezers. Thirty-one restaurants (13.0%) had a regular temperature-monitoring record available for both the refrigerator and freezer. International restaurants had significantly greater temperature-monitoring data than local restaurants (88.1% vs 63.3%; p = .0001). The prevalence of food thermometers in restaurants was 53.4% (127/238 restaurants), with significantly higher prevalence in international restaurants than in local restaurants (96.6% vs 10.8%; p = .0001). The practice of using food thermometer "always" when meat turned brown was significantly associated with the chef's age and education level. The study results showed poor monitoring and documentation of refrigerator and freezer temperatures along with a low prevalence of food thermometer use. The study result provides an insight into one of the barriers to the implementation of the HACCP system in Dammam.
| S-EPMC10261754 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The magnitude and relevance of food allergies in the preschool population remain unknown in most regions of Mexico and Latin America. Thus, our aim was to estimate the parent-reported prevalence of food allergies in a Mexican preschool population and to characterize their clinical diagnosis and presentation. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Culiacán City. A validated questionnaire was utilized. A total of 810 parents responded to the questionnaire (valid response rate, 40.7%). The estimated prevalence rates (95% CI) were: "physician-diagnosed Food Allergy (FA), ever" 5.30% (3.86-7.08); "immediate-type FA, ever" 2.96% (1.91-4.38); "immediate-type FA, current" 1.60% (0.86-2.73); and food-dependent anaphylaxis 1.11% (0.51-2.01). The main food allergens were milk (0.49%), strawberries (0.37%), egg, and soy (0.25% each). Atopic diseases and a family history of allergies were significantly associated with immediate-type FA. Among "immediate-type FA, current" cases, 76.9% required emergency room visits, but the prescription of epinephrine autoinjectors was reported in one case only. The food reactions occurred at home (92.35%), in a relative's house (38.5), and at restaurants (23%). Immediate-type FA reactions requiring emergency room visits are not uncommon among the studied population. Actions like proper anaphylaxis management and the prevention of cross-contamination of foods should be encouraged.
| S-EPMC10420166 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC4291552 | biostudies-literature
Project description:To determine the prevalence of uncorrected refractive errors (URE) among children 3-10 years and to affirm the necessity of a national school-based visual screening program for school-aged children. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in Medina, Saudi Arabia in 2015. Children were selected through a multistage stratified random sampling from 8 kindergarten and 8 primary schools. Those included were screened to diagnose UREs using a visual acuity chart and an auto refractometer according to American guidelines. The prevalence and types of UREs were estimated. Results: Of the 2121 children enumerated, 1893 were examined, yielding a response rate of 89.3%. The prevalence of UREs was 34.9% (95% CI = 32.8%-37.1%), with significant differences in different age groups. The prevalence of astigmatism (25.3%) was higher compared to that of anisometropia (7.4%), hypermetropia (1.5%), and myopia (0.7%). Risk of uncorrected refractive error was positively associated with age, and this was noted in astigmatism, myopia, and anisometropia. In addition, the risk of hypermetropia was associated with boys and that of myopia was associated with girls. Conclusions: The prevalence of UREs, particularly astigmatism, was high among children aged 3-10 years in Medina, with significant age differences. Vision screening programs targeting kindergarten and primary schoolchildren are crucial to lessen the risk of preventable visual impairment due to UREs.
| S-EPMC5556296 | biostudies-other
Project description:BackgroundThe prevalence of fungal infection is increasing globally due to an increase in the immunocompromised and aging population. We investigated epidemiological changes in fungemia in one of the major centers in Medina over seven years period with 87,447 admissions.MethodsRetrospective search of records for causative agents of fungemia in inpatients at King Fahad Hospital (KFH) in 2013-2019. Fungal-positive blood cultures, demographic, and treatment data were extracted.ResultsA total of 331 fungemia episodes proven by blood culture were identified in 46 patients. The annual prevalence of fungemia increased from 0.072 in 2013 to 1.546 patients per 1,000 in 2019. The mean age of fungemia episodes was 56 years, and 62% of episodes occurred in females. Samples from central blood incubated aerobically yielded the highest fungemia rate, accounting for 55% (n = 182). Among yeast species, Candida parapsilosis was responsible for the highest number of episodes 37% (n = 122), followed by Candida glabrata (32%; n = 107), Candid albicans (29%; n = 94), and Cryptococcus neoformans (1%; n = 4). Among molds, Lichtheimia (Absidia) species was the most common (1%; n = 3). Yeast-like fungi Trichosporion mucoides accounted for (0.003% n = 1). The use of antifungal treatment has increased (96%) over the years (2013-2019). An increase in resistance rate of 2% was found in C. albicans and C. glabrata. The most prevalent comorbidity was renal disease (24.2%).ConclusionsC. parapsilosis was the leading cause of fungemia. The association of renal disease with increased candidemia was alarming. This study is a fundamental resource to establish management policies for fungal infection in the region.
| S-EPMC10910952 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The worldwide prevalence of asthma in children is variable. The different epidemiological definitions of asthma, the use of various methods of measurement, and the environmental variations between countries are responsible for such different prevalence rates. This study has been performed to identify the prevalence/risk factors of asthma in Saudi children/adolescents in Rabigh. A cross-sectional epidemiological survey has been conducted using the validated Arabic version of the "International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire". Data on the sociodemographic characteristics of participants and risk factors of asthma have also been collected. Three hundred and forty-nine Children/adolescents with an age range of 5-18 years have been randomly selected for an interview from public places and houses in different regions of Rabigh City. The prevalence rates of physician-diagnosed asthma, any wheezing, and wheezing in the last 12 months among children/adolescents (mean age: 12.22 ± 4.14 years) have remarkably increased in association with the rapidly developing industrialization of Rabigh from previously recorded rates of 4.9%, 7.4%, and 6.4% in the only study that has previously been conducted in Rabigh in 1998 to 31.5%, 23.5%, and 14.9%, respectively. The univariate analysis has detected some significant risk factors for asthma. However, in younger aged children (5-9 years), allergic rhinitis, associated chronic illnesses, and viral respiratory infection-induced wheezing have remained significant risk factors of any wheezing. Drug allergy, exposure to dust, and viral respiratory infection-induced wheezing have persisted as significant risk factors for wheezing in the last 12 months. Eczema in the family, exposure to perfumes/incense, and viral respiratory infection-induced wheezing have remained as significant risk factors of physician-diagnosed asthma. The results of this survey should be useful in future targeted preventive plans/measures with special attention to improving air quality to limit the progressive increase in asthma prevalence in Rabigh, as well as in other similar industrial communities.
| S-EPMC9954887 | biostudies-literature