20Jan 2017

NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES AMONG GERIATRIC POPULATION OF ARAR CITY, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

  • Associate Prof. of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Northern Border University, KSA. Intern, Faculty of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, KSA.
  • Final year student, Faculty of Medicine, Northern Border University, KSA.
  • Medical Student, Sohag University, Egypt.
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Background: The aging population presents a challenge for the public healthcare system. There is a need to more health and social support to that vulnerable group. Neurological diseases represent an important public health problem. Local level data concerning neurological diseases among elderly are essential for providing the needed health services. Study objective: To study some of the demographic characteristics of the elderly population and to estimate the prevalence of neurological diseases, its types and possible determinants among the elderly population of Arar city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Methodology: The present cross sectional community based study was conducted in Arar city, the capital of Northern Borders Governorate of KSA, on 138 elderly people. Systematic random sampling technique was followed. Data was collected through personal interviews with the sampled elderly and filling the questionnaire, which guided us to the data of socio-demographic characteristics and neurological diseases, its types and its determinants.Results: The overall prevalence rate of neurological diseases observed in this study was 20.9%; the prevalence of stroke was 4.3%, parkinsonism was 3.6%, facial palsy 4.3%, headache syndrome was 6.5% and 2.1% previous nervous system surgery. Stroke is associated with depression. Headache and parkinsonism were more common in females bur stroke was more in males. Conclusion and recommendations:In light of the results of the present study; neurological diseases were prevalent among elderly population in Arar city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Commitment from decision makers is the first step to decrease the burden caused by neurological disorders and its sequel on that vulnerable group. Health education campaigns and initiatives are needed to increase societal and professional awareness of public health aspects of neurological disorders. Strengthening the preventive, curative and rehabilitation care within the existing health systems. Defining the priorities for research, is one of the important ways for dealing with neurological disorders among geriatric population.

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[Nagah Mohamed Abo El-Fetoh, Mohammed Faried Mourad, Afaf Meshal AL-Mjlad, Reem Salme Alenzi, Sara A Alsaddique, Nawaf Abdullah Almohaisen, Faiz Faisal Alanazi and Yasser Hamoud Alanazi and Abdalla Mohamed Bakr Ali. (2017); NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES AMONG GERIATRIC POPULATION OF ARAR CITY, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY Int. J. of Adv. Res. 5 (Jan). 1347-1354] (ISSN 2320-5407). www.journalijar.com

Dr. Nagah M. Abo-El-Fetoh
Associate Prof. of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Northern Border University, KSA

DOI:

Article DOI: 10.21474/IJAR01/2893      
DOI URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.21474/IJAR01/2893

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