Publications by authors named "Raafat Al-Hakeem"
Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are major public health concerns around the world. This study describes the epidemiology of reported STI cases from 2005 to 2012 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Methodology: The annual registry was the main source of data as reported by healthcare providers.
Background/aims: Around 101,000 individuals are estimated to be viremic for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in 2014; however, only about 20% have been diagnosed. We aim to assess baseline epidemiology, disease burden, and evaluate strategies to eliminate HCV in KSA.
Materials And Methods: The infected population and disease progression were modeled using age- and gender-defined cohorts to track HCV incidence, prevalence, hepatic complications, and mortality.
Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are a major public health, social, and economic problem leading to morbidity, mortality, and stigma. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of STIs, investigate behavioral risk factors and the relationship between the STIs/HIV and demographic factors.
Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between 2013 and 2014 among attendees of the Ministry of Health hospitals.
Background: Saudi Arabia annually reports a relatively higher proportion (28-32%) of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) cases in comparison to other global regions. However, there were few studies conducted so far to determine the sociodemographic factors and clinical manifestations associated with EPTB at a nationwide level.
Methodology: A retrospective analysis on culture positive EPTB isolates collected from all the provinces of the country were conducted for a period of 12 months to determine the spectrum of diversity in EPTB infection sites and the confounding factors.
Background: Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) is the only available vaccine for tuberculosis (TB). Low grade complications in healthy recipients and disseminated vaccine associated complications among immuno-suppressed individuals were noticed globally after administration. Recently a series of clinically suspected BCG associated suppurative and non-suppurative lymphadenitis cases were reported from different regions of Saudi Arabia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Eastern province of Saudi Arabia is an industrial zone with large immigrant population and high level of tuberculosis case notification among immigrants. The impact of immigration and current trends of tuberculosis transmission among immigrants and autochthonous population in the region had not been investigated so far using molecular tools.
Methodology: During 2009- 2011, a total of 524 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates were collected from the central tuberculosis reference laboratory, representing an estimated 79.
Article Synopsis
- Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) are becoming more common in Saudi Arabia, linked to increasing cases of immunosuppressive illnesses and therapy, prompting a nationwide study on their diversity and clinical implications.
- From June 2009 to July 2010, researchers analyzed 95 clinical isolates and found a high diversity of 13 NTM species, with rapid growers like Mycobacterium abscessus and Mycobacterium fortuitum being the most prevalent.
- The study revealed that 67.1% of the isolates were clinically relevant respiratory cases, highlighting NTM infections as a growing concern for health authorities, especially in patients with pre-existing conditions like tuberculosis and HIV.
Objective: To study trends in HIV case notification rates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Design: A ten year retrospective review of annual HIV case notification returns to the Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Methods: Annual Registry statistics covering the period 2000 to 2009 were reviewed.