Prevalence of tobacco use among students aged 13-15 years in Health Ministers' Council/Gulf Cooperation Council Member States, 2001-2004.

Background: This article examines differences and similarities in adolescent tobacco use among Member States of the Health Ministers' Council for the Gulf Cooperation Council (HMC/GCC) using Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) data.

Methods: Nationally representative samples of students in grades associated with ages 13-15 in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Schools were selected proportional to enrollment size, classes were randomly selected within participating schools, and all students in selected classes were eligible to participate.

Infection control in the private dental sector in Riyadh.

Background: With the global rise in the number of people infected with hepatitis B and C and HIV viruses, cross infection has become of paramount concern to dental health care workers and their patients. The objective of this study was to assess the infection control practice in the private dental sector in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Subjects And Methods: The study was conducted through a cross-sectional survey of private dental practices in the city of Riyadh.

Rift Valley fever epidemic in Saudi Arabia: epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory characteristics.

This cohort descriptive study summarizes the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of the Rift Valley fever (RVF) epidemic that occurred in Saudi Arabia from 26 August 2000 through 22 September 2001. A total of 886 cases were reported. Of 834 reported cases for which laboratory results were available, 81.

Serogroup W-135 meningococcal disease during the Hajj, 2000.

An outbreak of serogroup W-135 meningococcal disease occurred during the 2000 Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Disease was reported worldwide in Hajj pilgrims and their close contacts; however, most cases were identified in Saudi Arabia. Trends in Saudi meningococcal disease were evaluated and the epidemiology of Saudi cases from this outbreak described.

Sex reassignment: A challenging problem - current medical and islamic guidelines.

Sexual ambiguity is a complex and often confusing medical problem. In addition to the life-threatening adrenal crises which may accompany some forms, ambiguity of the genitalia may lead to incorrect sex assignment by parents and/or health personnel. Children who present to medical attention beyond the neonatal period constitute a challenging problem due to the grave consequences of this condition.