| SHORT COMMUNICATION |
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| Year : 2007 | Volume
: 14
| Issue : 1 | Page : 35-42 |
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Morbidity patterns among King Faisal university students, Al Hassa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Abdulrashid C Choudary1, Ali I Al-Sultan2, Tarek T Tawfik1
1 Department of Family and Community Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia
2 Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia
Correspondence Address:
Tarek T Tawfik
Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 400, Al-Hassa 31982
Saudi Arabia
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
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Objectives : To explore the prevalent morbidity problems among students at King Faisal University. To identify the nature of referred cases and assess the efficiency of the referral system.
Subjects and Methods : This was a retrospective, records-based descriptive study, involving the examination of the health records of students at King Faisal University, who attended the Medical Center for Primary Health Care services in a five-year period. A pre-tested compilation sheet was used for data collection.
Results : Out of 2472 consultations, about 58 % of the diagnosed morbidity conditions were of infectious nature, mostly affecting the respiratory (62%), dental (14%), gastrointestinal (7%), and skin infections (5 %), with more prevalence among males. The non-infectious morbidity conditions were recorded more among females and included muscle and joints problems (16 %), allergic conditions (15 %), gastrointestinal (8 %), and trauma (5 %). Some of the encountered morbidity demonstrated seasonal variation. Case referrals were about 6 %, more in the non-infectious conditions, with a deficient feedback system.
Conclusion : Quality improvement of the medical records and the establishment of a proper referral system are necessary. Health education on preventable morbid conditions should be organized and implemented. |
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