1
|
Al-Thani M, Al-Thani A, Alyafei S, Al-Kuwari MG, Al-Chetachi W, Khalifa SE, Ibrahim I, Sayegh S, Vinodson B, Akram H. Prevalence of physical activity and sedentary-related behaviors among adolescents: data from the Qatar National School Survey. Public Health 2018; 160:150-155. [PMID: 29704957 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2018.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the prevalence of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors among adolescents in Qatar by selected demographic characteristics. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. METHODS A total of 5862 students (2938 boys and 2924 girls) in the age group 12-17 years were included in the analyses. PA and sedentary-related measures were obtained from the self-reported survey questions. RESULTS Only 35.4% of students were performing 60 min of PA ≥3 days/week. The proportion of students with >2 hr screentime ranged from 43% to 57% (weekdays) and 50% to 62.5% (weekends). Girls had less odds of being physically active than the boys (odds ratio [OR] = 0.61, P < 0.001). Qatari students were less likely to be physically active than non-Qataris (OR = 0.79, P < 0.001). Age was inversely correlated with PA ([r = -0.113, P < 0.001 for participation with sports team] and [r = -0.139, P < 0.001 for school physical education classes]). Participation in sports teams positively correlated with 60 min of PA number of days in a week (r = 0.317, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The study describes insufficient PA among youth as a public health issue of concern in the State of Qatar that requires multipronged health promotion initiatives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Al-Thani
- Public Health Department, Ministry of Public Health, Doha, Qatar
| | - A Al-Thani
- Public Health Department, Ministry of Public Health, Doha, Qatar
| | - S Alyafei
- Public Health Department, Ministry of Public Health, Doha, Qatar
| | - M G Al-Kuwari
- Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | - W Al-Chetachi
- Public Health Department, Ministry of Public Health, Doha, Qatar
| | - S E Khalifa
- Public Health Department, Ministry of Public Health, Doha, Qatar
| | - I Ibrahim
- Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | - S Sayegh
- Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | - B Vinodson
- Public Health Department, Ministry of Public Health, Doha, Qatar
| | - H Akram
- Public Health Department, Ministry of Public Health, Doha, Qatar.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Al-Thani M, Al-Thani A, Alyafei S, Al-Chetachi W, Khalifa SE, Ahmed A, Ahmad A, Vinodson B, Akram H. The prevalence and characteristics of overweight and obesity among students in Qatar. Public Health 2018; 160:143-149. [PMID: 29704956 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2018.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2017] [Revised: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity using World Health Organisation (WHO) cut-offs for the body mass index (BMI) among students of the general population living in Qatar in the period 2015-2016. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. METHODS The study includes 164,963 students aged 5-19 years. The body weight and height were measured to calculate the BMI. The WHO standard cut-offs were used to categorise the BMI into severe thinness (BMI z-score <-3), thinness (BMI z-score ≥-3 to <-2), normal (BMI z-score ≥-2 to <1), overweight (BMI z-score ≥+1 to <+2) and obese (BMI z-score >+2). RESULTS Overweight and obesity prevalence was 44.8% and 40.4% among males and females and 45.6% and 40.9% among Qatari and non-Qatari students, respectively. Odds of obesity and overweight status were significantly higher among 10-14 and 15-19 age groups than 5-9 years age group (P < 0.001). By sex, males had 1.48 times higher odds of having obesity than females (P < 0.001), and Qatari nationals had 1.4 times higher odds of obesity than non-Qataris (P < 0.001). Although non-Qatari males also had higher odds of being overweight than females (odds ratio [OR] = 1.05, P = 0.0006), the opposite was seen among Qatari students (OR = 0.95, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION The result of this survey provides evidence of a high prevalence of overweight and obese students living in Qatar. Therefore, preventive strategies are essential in this population to lower the incidence of being overweight and obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Al-Thani
- Public Health Department, Ministry of Public Health, Doha Qatar
| | - A Al-Thani
- Public Health Department, Ministry of Public Health, Doha Qatar
| | - S Alyafei
- Public Health Department, Ministry of Public Health, Doha Qatar
| | - W Al-Chetachi
- Public Health Department, Ministry of Public Health, Doha Qatar
| | - S E Khalifa
- Public Health Department, Ministry of Public Health, Doha Qatar
| | - A Ahmed
- Public Health Department, Ministry of Public Health, Doha Qatar
| | - A Ahmad
- Public Health Department, Ministry of Public Health, Doha Qatar
| | - B Vinodson
- Public Health Department, Ministry of Public Health, Doha Qatar
| | - H Akram
- Public Health Department, Ministry of Public Health, Doha Qatar.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Boughattas S, Behnke JM, Al-Ansari K, Sharma A, Abu-Alainin W, Al-Thani A, Abu-Madi MA. Molecular Analysis of the Enteric Protozoa Associated with Acute Diarrhea in Hospitalized Children. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:343. [PMID: 28824878 PMCID: PMC5539595 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediatric diarrhea is a common cause of death among children under 5 years of age. In the current study, we investigated the frequency of intestinal parasites among 580 pediatric patients with chronic diarrhea. Parasitic protozoa (all species combined) were detected by molecular tools in 22.9% of the children and the most common parasite was Cryptosporidium spp. (15.1%). Blastocystis hominis was detected in 4.7%, Dientamoeba fragilis in 4%, Giardia duodenalis in 1.7%, and Entamoeba histolytica in 0.17%. Protozoan infections were observed among all regional groups, but prevalence was highest among Qatari subjects and during the winter season. Typing of Cryptosporidium spp. revealed a predominance of Cryptosporidium parvum in 92% of cases with mostly the IIdA20G1 subtype. Subtypes IIdA19G2, IIdA18G2, IIdA18G1, IIdA17G1, IIdA16G1, and IIdA14G1 were also detected. For Cryptosporidium hominis, IbA10G2 and IbA9G3 subtypes were identified. This study provides supplementary information for implementing prevention and control strategies to reduce the burden of these pediatric protozoan infections. Further analyses are required to better understand the local epidemiology and transmission of Cryptosporidium spp. in Qatar.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Boughattas
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Biomedical Research Center, Qatar UniversityDoha, Qatar
| | - Jerzy M Behnke
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University ParkNottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Khalid Al-Ansari
- Hamad Medical Corporation, Paediatric Emergency CenterDoha, Qatar
| | - Aarti Sharma
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Biomedical Research Center, Qatar UniversityDoha, Qatar
| | - Wafa Abu-Alainin
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical CorporationDoha, Qatar
| | - Asma Al-Thani
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Biomedical Research Center, Qatar UniversityDoha, Qatar
| | - Marawan A Abu-Madi
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Biomedical Research Center, Qatar UniversityDoha, Qatar
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Abu-Madi MA, Behnke JM, Boughattas S, Al-Thani A, Doiphode SH. A decade of intestinal protozoan epidemiology among settled immigrants in Qatar. BMC Infect Dis 2016; 16:370. [PMID: 27496143 PMCID: PMC4974681 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1728-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The World Health Organization estimates that about 3.5 billion people worldwide are affected by intestinal parasitic infections. Reports have already emphasized the role of immigrants in outbreaks of parasitic diseases in industrialized countries. With the mass influx of immigrants to Qatar, patent intestinal parasitic infections have been observed. Herein, the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections was analysed in 29,286 records of subjects referred for stool examination at the Hamad Medical Corporation over the course of a decade (2005 to 2014, inclusive). Results Overall prevalence of combined protozoan infections was 5.93 % but there were significant temporal trends, age and sex effects and those arising from the region of origin of the subjects. The most common protozoan was Blastocystis hominis (overall prevalence 3.45 %). Giardia duodenalis, Chilomastix mesnili, Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba hartmanni, Endolimax nana, Iodamoeba butschlii, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Cryptosporidium sp. and a single case of Isospora were also detected. The prevalence of combined protozoan infections, G. duodenalis and the non-pathogenic amoebae all declined significantly across the decade. That of B. hominis varied between years but showed no directional trend across years and there was no evidence that prevalence of E. histolyitica/dispar changed significantly. Protozoan infections were observed among all regional groups, but prevalence was higher among subjects from the Arabian Peninsula, Africa and Asia compared to those from the Eastern Mediterranean and Qatar. Prevalence was higher among male subjects in all cases, but age-prevalence profiles differed between the taxa. Conclusion These results offer optimism that prevalence will continue to decline in the years ahead.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marawan A Abu-Madi
- Department of Biomedical Science, Biomedical Research Centre, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Jerzy M Behnke
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Sonia Boughattas
- Department of Biomedical Science, Biomedical Research Centre, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Asma Al-Thani
- Department of Biomedical Science, Biomedical Research Centre, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sanjay H Doiphode
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abu-Madi MA, Behnke JM, Boughattas S, Al-Thani A, Doiphode SH, Deshmukh A. Helminth infections among long-term-residents and settled immigrants in Qatar in the decade from 2005 to 2014: temporal trends and varying prevalence among subjects from different regional origins. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:153. [PMID: 26984202 PMCID: PMC4793708 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1433-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Travel and migration from developing regions, where tropical diseases are common, to more developed industrialised nations can contribute to the introduction and subsequent spread of infections. With its rapidly expanding economy, Qatar has attracted vast numbers of immigrant workers in the last two decades, often from countries with poor socio-economic levels. Many used to arrive with patent intestinal parasitic infections. METHODS We analysed the prevalence of helminth infections in a dataset of 29,286 records of subjects referred for stool examination at the Hamad Medical Corporation over the course of a decade (2005 to 2014, inclusive). RESULTS Overall prevalence of combined helminth infections was low (1.86 %) but there were significant temporal trends, age and sex effects and those arising from the region of origin of the subjects. The most common helminths were hookworms (overall prevalence 1.22 %), which accounted for 70.1 % of cases, and therefore patterns for combined helminth infections were largely driven by hookworms. In both cases, and also in Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides, prevalence peaked in 2008, since when prevalence has been steadily falling. Helminth infections were largely concentrated among subjects from five Asian countries (Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan), and there was a highly biased prevalence in favour of male subjects in all cases. Prevalence of all three nematodes peaked in age class 7 (mean age 25.5 years, range = 20-29) and there were significant interactions between region of origin, sex of subjects and prevalence of hookworms. CONCLUSION These results offer optimism that prevalence will continue to decline in the years ahead, especially if control is targeted at those most at risk of carrying infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marawan A Abu-Madi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Science, Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Jerzy M Behnke
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Sonia Boughattas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Science, Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Asma Al-Thani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Science, Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sanjay H Doiphode
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Anand Deshmukh
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Al-Thani A, Elsheikh M, Janahi M, Al-Marri A, Caksen H, Bener A. Seasonality and epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus in Qatar. J PEDIAT INF DIS-GER 2015. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1556966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Asma Al-Thani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Arts, University of Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mamoun Elsheikh
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad General Hospital and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammed Janahi
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamad General Hospital and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ajayeb Al-Marri
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad General Hospital and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Huseyin Caksen
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkiye
| | - Abdulbari Bener
- Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, Hamad General Hospital and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
AIM Determine reference ranges of lymphocyte subsets in healthy Qatari adults. PATIENTS & METHODS Blood samples (n = 150) were investigated using four colors flow cytometery. RESULTS The mean percentage and absolute values of the lymphocyte subsets were: CD3: 73.6 ± 6.1%; 2,072 ± 644 cells/μl; CD4: 41.1 ± 7.9%; 1,167 ± 396 cells/μl; CD8: 33.8 ± 7.1%; 967 ± 364 cells/μl; B cells (CD19(+)): 11.3 ± 3.9%; 318 ± 144 cells/μl and natural killer (NK) cells (CD16/56(+)): 16.5 ± 6.3%, 440 ± 401 cells/μl, respectively. The CD4/CD8 ratio was 1.3 ± 0.5. The ratio, CD3(+) and CD4(+) percentage and CD4(+) cell counts were significantly higher in females; CD8(+) and NK cell count and CD8(+) percentage were significantly higher in males. The impact of age was less certain. CONCLUSION The reference values of lymphocyte subsets appear to be specific to this population, demonstrating the importance of establishing local reference ranges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Asma Al-Marwani
- 2Hematology Department, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha
| | - Adel Alnaqdy
- 3Immunolgy Department, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha
| | - Hend Sharafeldin
- 4Laboratory Department, Qatar Armed Forces Medical Services, Doha, Qatar
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Al-Thani A, Baris M, Al-Lawati N, Al-Dhahry S. Characterising the aetiology of severe acute gastroenteritis among patients visiting a hospital in Qatar using real-time polymerase chain reaction. BMC Infect Dis 2013; 13:329. [PMID: 23865805 PMCID: PMC3734054 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-13-329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2013] [Accepted: 07/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) remains a common cause of clinic visits and hospitalizations, though its aetiology has not been determined in Qatar. Methods We performed a prospective, emergency department–based study of 288 children and adults with AGE. Stool specimens were collected at presentation from June to November 2009. Faecal specimens were tested, using real-time PCR, for a panel of four viral (norovirus, adenovirus, astrovirus and rotavirus) and bacterial pathogens. Results Viral and bacterial pathogens were detected in 131 (45.5%) and 34 (12.2%) of the 288 patients recruited. The most commonly detected pathogens were norovirus (28.5%), rotavirus (10.4%), followed by adenovirus (6.25%) and astrovirus (0.30%). Norovirus was the most commonly detected viral pathogen amongst all the age groups with an almost even distribution in all age groups. Rotavirus and adenovirus were more common in children under 5 yr of age. Astrovirus was found in only one person. Conclusions Viruses, especially noroviruses, are associated with severe diarrhoea in children and adults in Qatar. Further studies to confirm the findings and to explore the causes of illness among patients from whom a pathogen cannot be determined are needed.
Collapse
|
9
|
Al-Thani A, Abdul-Rahim H, Alabsi E, Bsaisu HN, Haddad P, Mumtaz GR, Abu-Raddad LJ. Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the general population of women in Qatar. Sex Transm Infect 2013; 89 Suppl 3:iii57-60. [PMID: 23863874 PMCID: PMC3841785 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2013-051169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The Arabian Gulf region has limited epidemiological data related to sexually transmitted infections. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among general population women in Doha, Qatar. Methods Endocervical swabs were collected from healthy women attending primary healthcare centres in Doha, June–December 2008. The specimens were tested for C trachomatis by a commercially available PCR-based assay. Data on basic socio-demographic characteristics, medical history and sexual behaviour were obtained using self-administered questionnaires. The prevalence of C trachomatis and of background variables were stratified by nationality, Qatari nationals versus non-Qatari residents. Results A total of 377 women were enrolled in the study, out of whom 351 (37.9% Qataris, 62.1% non-Qataris) were tested for the presence of C trachomatis in their specimens. The mean age of participants was 41.2 years, and the vast majority (93%, 95% CI 90.3 to 95.7) were married. The mean age at sexual debut was significantly lower among Qatari women compared with non-Qatari women (19.2 vs 22.2 years, respectively p<0.001), but the mean number of reported lifetime sexual partners (1.1 partner) was nearly the same in both groups (p=0.110). The prevalence of C trachomatis infection was 5.3% among Qatari women and 5.5% among non-Qatari women, with no statistically significant difference between both groups (p=0.923). Conclusions The prevalence of C trachomatis among women was higher than expected, with no significant difference between Qatari nationals and expatriate residents. The higher prevalence may reflect, in part, the limited access to and use of chlamydia screening and management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Asma Al-Thani
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, , Doha, Qatar
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Al-Thani A, Azzam SB, Al-Sheik Abboubaker HM, Abdel-Hadi FG, Elsheikh M, Janahi IA. The role of human metapneumovirus in pediatric respiratory tract infection in Qatar. Future Virol 2010. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl.10.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Aim: The human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has been recently discovered as an etiological agent of acute respiratory infections in infants and children, with similar clinical symptoms to those caused by respiratory syncytial virus. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hMPV and its potential role as a causative agent of respiratory tract infections in children in Qatar. Methods: In the present study, we examined 84 nasopharyngeal aspirates from children with respiratory tract infections, presenting at Al-Saad Pediatric Emergency Center in Doha, Qatar, as outpatients, for the presence of respiratory viruses. Results: A total of 56 out of 84 (66.7%) cases were positive for the presence of respiratory viruses. Out of the 56 positive cases 54 (96%) contained hMPV; whereas 12 out of 56 (21.4%) contained human parainfluenza virus. A total of 14 out of 56 of the positive patients were infected with more than one virus. hMPV was in samples infected with one or more respiratory tract infection viruses and was the most frequently isolated virus from infants less than 6 months of age. Conclusion: This is the first report demonstrating the prevalence of hMPV in children suffering from respiratory tract infections in Qatar. Detection of this virus may have significant clinical implications in this patient population in Qatar.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Fatma G Abdel-Hadi
- Department of Health Sciences, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | | | | |
Collapse
|