Saudi Arabian Women Research Articles

Fertility behaviour of working women in Saudi Arabia: a special case of King Saud University, Riyadh

Fertility levels and their determinants in Saudi Arabia have not been studied sufficiently for formulating family policy, although some attention has been paid to rapid fertility transitions in the context of socioeconomic and cultural change. This study focused on the fertility of a particular occupational category in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to assess determinants of fertility, measured as the number of children. The sample was drawn from the King Saud University staff – ever-married Saudi Arabian women. Results found that proximate factors (age, age at first marriage, intended number of children, length of marriage and contraceptive use) were significant in predicting fertility behaviour, whereas geographic, social and economic factors were insignificant. Thus, the fertility behaviour of this occupational group seems unique. This might be due to the special characteristics and lifestyle of this particular occupational group. The effect of the intended number of children on the actual number signified the fertility behaviour of this group of women. This, expectedly, should improve the influence of social and economic factors on fertility behaviour, in the future. Thus, advocates, policies and programmes (population and public health) at the societal and familial levels, should consider the demographic change in the social and economic context.

The prevalence of restless leg syndrome among pregnant Saudi women.

Objectives:Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is common among pregnant women, but it has not been documented in pregnant Saudi Arabian women. The main purpose of this study was to estimate the extent of the prevalence of RLS and identify both the associated factors and the associated risk factors among pregnant Saudi women.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women visiting obstetric clinics at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh (KAMC-Riyadh) over the period from June 1 to November 1, 2014. We interviewed the participants and collected demographic data, number of pregnancies, duration of pregnancy, comorbidities, and symptoms of RLS. The diagnosis of RLS is based on the four criteria designated by the International RLS Study Group.Results:The total number of participants enrolled was 517, and the mean age was 30.11 ± 5.42 years. The prevalence of RLS was 21.3% (110/517) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.83%-25.06%). RLS symptoms were more common among women in the third trimester (24.1%) compared to the second trimester (14.3%) and first trimester (13.6%), P = 0.043. The stepwise multivariate logistic model identified insomnia (odds ratio [OR]: 3.6, 95% CI: 2.167–6.017, P = 0.001), and poor sleep quality (OR: 4.9, 95% CI: 1.473-16.454, P = 0.010) were associated with RLS.Conclusion:RLS occurs in two of ten pregnant women visiting obstetric clinics at KAMC-Riyadh and is strongly associated with insomnia and poor sleep quality. Studies are needed to explore the causality of these associations.

Perceptions of Female Drivers Using Mobile Driving- Aided Applications in Saudi Arabia

Although is highly inadvisable for drivers to use their smartphone while driving, certain mobile applications provide driving assistance. These apps may come in the form of intelligent surrounding awareness apps that can alert the driver of anything amiss, for example by way of detecting potential hazards and providing collision warnings. Such apps are particularly useful for new and unexperienced drivers, as applicable to most women in Saudi Arabia where the ban on driving has just been lifted. The views and perceptions on the use of this kind of application provides valuable insight into its potential value and efficiency. Regrettably, there is a lack of studies on the user perception of mobile driving-aided applications in general and that of Saudi Arabian women drivers in particular. As a result, this study undertakes an exploratory survey to investigate the readiness of Saudi Arabian women to use mobile driving-aided applications and their perceptions. 329 respondents participated in the survey. The result indicates that a considerable number of respondents welcome the use of mobile driving-aided applications.

Awareness, prevalence of hair smoothing products that contain formaldehyde and determinants of their harmful effects among women in Saudi Arabia

Individuals who use hair smoothing products at home or in a salon work environment are at risk of exposure to various chemical compounds. Formaldehyde mixed with keratin as a hair straightening product is in common use by women in Saudi Arabia. The high temperatures used during blow-drying can release gas fumes that have several implications to include irritation of the skin, eyes and respiratory complications. Furthermore, formaldehyde is classified as a known human carcinogen. The aim of this study is to assess the source of keratin hair treatment among women, demonstrate the symptoms related to formaldehyde exposure during keratin hair treatment process and determine the practices that can increase the exposure to formaldehyde and to evaluate the level of formaldehyde in the keratin hair treatment products. A national cross-sectional survey was first conducted during March-April 2017 on Saudi Arabian children and women aged between the age of 12 and 50 years old. A standardized, fully confidential questionnaire was provided to participating members. A total of 330 filled questionnaires were obtained within the study location. Moreover, 30 hair salons that used keratin-based products were visited in 3 different cities in Al Qassim province to check the location of keratin hair treatment, ventilation procedures and take samples of hair products that were later analyzed. Most commonly reported symptom was irritation of the eyes reported by 135 people. Other symptoms described include irritation of throat, burning sensation of the nose, headache and nausea. Argan e Ojon was one of the most famous product tested in this study with formaldehyde levels above 0.2% threshold (0.35%). It is worrying thatArgan e Ojon does not comply with GSO 1943 and SASO 1953 standards. A majority of salons demonstrated poor ventilation measures and failed to isolate their clients from the general public and salon workers. With the evident complications, more should be done to make people aware of the formaldehyde risks and prevent salons from using these products.

Demographic Factors Associated with Online Shopping Experiences of Saudi Arabian Women

Internet usage in Saudi Arabia is growing quickly; for example, e-commerce grew 300% between 2007 and 2009. However, very little research has been done considering online shopping within Middle Eastern countries, especially for Saudi Arabia. The survey relied on snowball sampling and was delivered electronically via emails. The sample analyzed here included 171 Saudi national women living in Saudi Arabia. Results show that education and income were significantly related to more frequent and extensive online shopping experiences while results were mixed for the remaining independent variables, which included age, parental status, marital status, length of employment, having a personal driver, and number of children. Implications for e-commerce in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East are discussed.

From Paternalistic to Patronizing: How Cultural Competence Can Be Ethically Problematic.

Cultural competence literature and training aim to equip healthcare workers to better understand patients of different cultures and value systems, in an effort to ensure effective and equitable healthcare services for diverse patient populations. However, without nuanced awareness and contextual knowledge, the values embedded within cultural competence practice may cripple rather than empower the very people they mean to respect. A narrow cultural view can lessen cultural understanding rather than grow it. In its first part, this paper argues that a hasty, unrestrained, and uneducated willingness to accept something as a cultural good, despite being well intentioned, can still cause significant harms-particularly when based on false, misinformed, and stereotypical conceptions-including the minimization of issues, the reinforcement of stereotypes, and the impediment of cultural change. The second part of this paper examines medical autonomy within the context of Saudi Arabian women. It pushes back on the common perception that Saudi women, by virtue of culture and religion, view dependency on and deference to male relatives as a cultural good. Through a historical examination and a presentation of the current women's movement in Saudi Arabia, it is argued that the continued assumption that personal agency is a value external to Saudi women is false, misguided, and ethically problematic. Lastly, this paper considers some approaches to help providers navigate the narrow grounds between paternalism and patronization when caring for patients.

Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology with poor ovarian response. A prospective case-control study.

ObjectiveThe effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation in Saudi Arabian women with poor ovarian response (POR) is presently unknown. The present study aimed to assess the benefits of DHEA supplementation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).MethodsThis was a prospective case-control study involving 62 women who were diagnosed with POR and underwent IVF/ICSI between January 2012 and June 2016. The positive influence of DHEA in 34 women, compared with 28 women without supplementation, was defined as improvements in the number of oocytes retrieved, the fertilization rate, the number of grade I embryos generated and the pregnancy rate.ResultsBoth groups were evenly matched for age, body mass index and laboratory test parameters. There were statistically significant differences between the groups with and without DHEA supplementation for oocyte yield (6.35 ± 2.41 versus 3.98 ± 3.2), Grade I embryos generated (55% versus 30%), positive pregnancy rate (21/34 versus 10/28), and live birth rate (18/34 versus 4/28).ConclusionDHEA supplementation in women with POR had a positive effect on hormonal profiles, the quality of the endometrium, the number of oocytes retrieved, the quality of embryos, and the pregnancy and live birth rates.

Clinical Presentation of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome among Saudi Arabian Women - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Background: Polycystic ovary (PCO) is a highly variable condition with a wide array of presentations. The Polycystic ovary syndrome should meet at least two of the following three criteria: oligo- or anovulation; clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism; polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. The prevalence of PCO is largely unknown in Saudi Arabia. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the reproductive hormones levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in addition to the effect of age and body mass index (BMI) on the hormonal findings ,ultrasound and to determine the clinical, biochemical, and etiologic features of hirsutism in Saudi females. Methodology: A cross sectional study has been conducted among total of 183 patients diagnosed with PCOS had been assessed clinically along with measuring the level of reproductive hormones in Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic at King Abdul-Aziz hospital and oncology center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between June 2015 and June 2016. Conclusion: Elevated levels of luteinizing hormone / Follicle stimulating hormone LH/FSH and testosterone and reduced FSH, hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and progesterone were predictors of PCOS. This was independent of BMI or age. Future studies with larger sample size and data on insulin levels are needed for greater understanding of the manifestations of PCOS in the Saudi population.

For You and Your Baby (4YYB): Adapting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Text4Baby Program for Saudi Arabia.

BackgroundPoor birth outcomes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) have been found to be partially due to missed prenatal appointments as well as lack of knowledge of healthy pregnancy behaviors.ObjectiveThe objectives are to summarize birth outcomes and the antenatal care system in KSA, summarize research related to the US Text4Baby mobile health program, and outline the development of an Arabic version of the Text4baby app, For You and Your Baby (4YYB).MethodsFirst, birth outcomes, health care access, and smartphone usage among Saudi Arabian women are reviewed. Next, the current evidence behind Text4Baby is described. Finally, a plan to develop and test 4YYB is proposed. In the plan, studies will need to be conducted to determine the effectiveness of 4YYB in educating pregnant Saudi women on healthy knowledge and behaviors. This will create an evidence base behind 4YYB before it is launched as a full-scale public health effort in KSA.ResultsThe KSA offers public medical services but remaining challenges include poor birth outcomes and health care access barriers. An estimated 73% to 84% of Saudi women of child-bearing age use smartphone social media apps. A total of 13 published articles on Text4Baby were identified and reviewed. Due to design limitations, the studies provide only limited evidence about the effectiveness of the program in increasing healthy pregnancy knowledge and behaviors. To be useful for Saudi women, the educational messages in 4YYB will need to be translated from English to Arabic and tailored for cultural norms.ConclusionsDeveloping the 4YYB Arabic-language app for use by pregnant Saudi Arabian women based on Text4Baby is a viable approach, but a rigorous study design is needed to determine its effectiveness in improving healthy pregnancy knowledge and behaviors.

The predictors of poor quality of life in a sample of Saudi women with breast cancer.

BackgroundThe protocols for treatment, along with many adverse effects, can strongly affect cancer patients’ quality of life (QoL). As there is limited research on the QoL of Saudi Arabian women being treated for breast cancer, the purpose of this study was to identify the predictors of poor QoL in a sample of Saudi women with breast cancer.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 145 Saudi women with breast cancer who attended the Oncology Outpatient Clinic at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh for routine follow-up. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected for each patient, and a Medical Outcome Study Health Survey 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) instrument was used to assess QoL.ResultsOf 145 breast cancer patients studied, 42.1% had a family history of cancer and 52.4% were newly diagnosed cancer patients (first-year-after-cancer diagnosis). According to linear regression analyses, cancer patients with metastasis tended to have pain, along with poor physical function, little vitality, and poor general health (a decrease in SF-36 scores of 22.9, 15.0, 19.4, and 16.9, respectively). Regular exercise was a positive predictor of poor general health (an increase in the SF-36 score of 8.2). Patients with first-year-after-cancer diagnoses tended to have poor emotional well-being (a decrease in the SF-36 score of 8.5).ConclusionIn breast cancer patients, regular exercise was a significant positive predictor of better general health. Breast cancer patients with multiple tumors, metastasis, or fever tended to experience significantly poor QoL in several SF-36 domains. Clearly, a routine assessment of QoL in breast cancer patients is important.

Education’s impact on fertility: The case of King Saud University Women, Riyadh

Abstract Background Saudi Arabia has a less favorable position to demographic transition due to the traditions, culture, and norms. But with modernization, urbanization and industrialization leading to educational improvement and lifestyle changes, values of children erodes. Thus, a study to investigate the value of education on fertility, entertained to capture this mere fact, specifically to analyze the role of education on fertility; variations created; economic variables; and contraception. Methods This is based on a random sample drawn from a Riyadh based university, taking ever married Saudi Arabian women employees. Linear regression, logistic regression, one-way ANOVA, and chisquare analyses were carried out to depict the role of education on number of children and other related variables. Results Education has high predictive value on age at marriage, age of husband at marriage, ideal family size, and contraceptive use; although not predictive, it creates variations on number of children, years lived with husband and intended number of children. Education’s association with economic variables – type of job, home ownership, and income as well as age of contraceptive users shows its prominence as a catalyst in the future of fertility in the Kingdom. Conclusions Thus, the improving educational levels at current pace shall bring down fertility remarkably warranting attention, policy measures and population programs to retain it above the replacement level.

Research Article Protein Z gene variants and risk of Idiopathic Recurrent Pregnancy Loss in Saudi Arabian women

Background: Protein Z (PZ) is a vitamin K-dependent plasma glycoprotein, it plays a key role in the physiologic inhibition of coagulation by acting as a cofactor in the inactivation of factor Xa. The relationship between PZ gene polymorphisms and pregnancy loss is controversial. To address this, we investigate the association between PZ (rs3024718, rs3024719, rs3024731, rs3024778 and rs3024772) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (IRPL) in in women from Tabuk region (North western region, Saudi Arabia). Methods: A case control study, including Sixty-three women with at least three unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) were selected and matched with seventy-eight healthy and fertile women (controls). SNP genotyping was carried out by allelic discrimination using real time PCR. Results: The outcome was that the minor allele frequencies (MAF) are 0.23 vs 0.20, 0.24 vs 0.19, 0.02 vs 0.02, 0.26 vs 0.21, and 0.02 vs 0.01 respectively for rs3024718 A/G, rs024719 G/A, rs3024778 G/A, rs3024731 G/A, and rs3024772 A/G PZ polymorphisms. The genotype distribution was similar between women with RPL and control women (P>0.05) and none of the tested SNPs were associated with RPL under co-dominant, dominant, or recessive genetic models. The lack of association was also confirmed by haplotypes analysis showing an absence of RPL risk with the constructed haplotypes. Conclusion: It was concluded that the studied PZ polymorphisms are not associated with the risk of recurrent pregnancy loss in the studied population

Validation of the International Urogynecology Association's Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire in Arabic.

A valid and reliable Arabic version of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire, IUGA-revised (PISQ-IR) is needed. Of 238 Saudi Arabian women who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 227 were recruited. A detailed history was obtained and pelvic examination was performed in all participants. An Arabic version of the PISQ-IR was administered with three quality of life measures. Reliability was assessed by factor analysis, and internal consistency was measured with Cronbach's α. Face validity was established with translation, back-translation, and cognitive reviews. Criterion validity was determined by analysing the correlations between the responses and the clinical examinations and by comparing the responses with those to other validated measures of incontinence and prolapse. Overall, 67% of the women were categorized as sexually active and 33% as sexually inactive. The overall frequency of urinary incontinence was highest (85.5%), followed by prolapse (59%) and fecal incontinence (53.3%). The average score in the factor analysis for dimensions of sexual inactivity was 2.7 and Cronbach's α was 0.61; an item-by-item assessment of the majority of the scales showed an α value of >0.75, suggesting a moderate-to-high internal consistency. Regarding external validity, strong negative correlations were found with the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory, the Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory (CRADI), and the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ) in the sexually active group, and positive correlations were found with the CRADI and PFIQ in the sexually inactive group. The Arabic version of the PISQ-IR is reliable and valid for assessing sexual function in Arabic-speaking women with pelvic floor disorders.

Focal structures analysis: identifying influential sets of individuals in a social network

Identifying influential individuals is a well-known approach in extracting actionable knowledge in a network. Existing studies suggest measures to identify influential individuals, i.e., they focus on the question “which individuals are best connected to others or have the most influence?”. Such individuals, however, may not represent the context (relationships, interactions, etc.) entirely in a social network. For example, it is nearly an impossible task for a single individual to organize a mass protest of the scale of the Saudi Arabian women’s 2013 Oct26Driving campaign, the 2012 Occupy Wall Street and the 2011 Arab Spring. Similarly, other events such as mobilizing the 2013 Taksim square-Gezi Park protesters, coordinating crisis response for natural disasters (e.g., the 2010 Haiti earthquake), or even organizing flash mobs would require a key set of individuals rather than a single or the most influential individual in a social network. An alternate line of research dealing with community or cluster identification approaches extract subnetworks of individuals. However, these structures may not represent the key sets of individuals that could coordinate the social processes mentioned above. Therefore, we develop the Focal Structures Analysis (FSA) methodology to extract such key sets of individuals, called focal structures, in a social network. This research goes beyond the traditional unit of analysis, which is an individual or a set of influential individuals, and places focal structures between the individuals and communities/clusters as the unit of analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this type of work is the first effort in identifying influential sets of individuals and would open up new directions for researchers to develop new methods in social network analysis.

Married Saudi Arabian Women’s Attitudes and Knowledge Concerning Sexually Transmitted Infections

Background: Although the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) began surveillance for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission in 1984, STI-related incidence and prevalence rates are unavailable for the larger Saudi population, and more specifically, for married Saudi Arabian women. Studies show that married Saudi Arabian women are at risk of contracting STIs from their husbands, but studies regarding married Saudi Arabian Women’s STI-related knowledge and attitudes are lacking because there is no valid and reliable quantitative measurement instrument available. The aims of this qualitative study were to explore the perceptions of married Saudi Arabian women’s knowledge and attitudes about the risk of becoming infected with STIs, and to generate themes needed to guide the development of a valid and reliable quantitative instrument that is culturally appropriate and gender-specific for married Saudi Arabian women. Methods: A grounded theory (GT) approach was used for data collection, guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Model. Married Saudi Arabian women over age 18 who had been living in the United States (US) for less than 18 months underwent private interviews about STI-related knowledge and attitudes. Themes resulting from the GT analysis were assembled into a framework. Results: Twelve participants were interviewed before saturation of themes was reached. The 153 codes identified were categorized and assembled into a hierarchical thematic framework. Eight themes pertinent to STI-related knowledge and attitudes were uncovered. Discussion: The results revealed that Saudi Arabian married women are aware that they are lacking knowledge about STIs, and would like more education and resources to provide this information. In addition, these women were concerned about prevention and treatment of STIs, not only personally, but in the community at large. The results of this study will be used as a basis to develop a quantitative instrument that focus on measuring the STI-related knowledge and attitudes of married Saudi Arabian women.

Selenium Status in Saudi Arabian Compared to UK Women and Possible Influence on Bone Density and Skeletal Metabolism

Se intake in the UK is thought to be declining whereas little is known about the Se status of Middle Eastern countries in general and Saudi Arabia specifically. Recent pre-clinical and clinical studies suggest a possible link between Se status and bone health. The purpose of this study was primarily to determine Se status, and secondarily to determine the influence of Se inadequacy on bone health using prospective measures of dietary selenium (Se) intake and bone health, and retrospective analyses of plasma and serum Se content. Plasma/serum Se concentration was measured in 76 women from the Saudi Arabian Bone Health (SABHS) study (34 premenopausal and 42 postmenopausal), and 92 women from the Vitamin D, Food Intake, Nutrition and Exposure to Sunlight (D-FINES) study in southern England (27 Caucasian premenopausal, 35 Caucasian postmenopausal,14 Asian premenopausal and 16 Asian postmenopausal). Bone health marker data was available for all subjects while dietary intake data was available for United Kingdom (UK) subjects only. Se was lower in Saudi Arabian compared to UK subjects (P<0.01) even after adjusting for body size. Postmenopausal women had higher Se across all ethnicities. Se status was significantly positively correlated with Se intake in the UK Caucasian subjects (autumn 2006 intakes) and 91.5% of the UK subjects did not meet the Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI). Se status and intake relative to bone health had mixed outcomes. Based on these findings, Se status and intake is insufficient in UK and Saudi Arabian women with premenopausal women most affected.

Framingham Risk Scores for coronary heart disease in a cohort of Saudi Arabian men and women with spinal cord injury.

People with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at increased risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD). This study aimed at predicting CHD risk in a cohort of Saudi patients with SCI in comparison with patients without SCI and to correlate different demographic and clinical factors with Framingham Risk Score (FRS) in SCI patients. The study was conducted at the rehabilitation and the main hospitals of King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; on sixty patients with SCI and sixty controls of age ≥20years. FRS was calculated on a web-based calculator. For the SCI group, sub-groups were made for statistical analysis based on gender, cigarette smoking, neurological level and completeness of injury. The mean FRS for the SCI group (2±7.9) was significantly higher (P<0.001) than the control group (-2.24±3.4). The 10-year risk of developing CHD was low in 90% of the SCI group and 100% of the controls. The age, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and serum total cholesterol had a positive correlation to FRS in SCI patients and females had a significantly higher mean FRS than males (P=0.03). There was no significant relation of resultant FRS with time since SCI, smoking history and neurological level or completeness of injury. Our sample of Saudi patients with SCI had a higher FRS as compared to controls, however, majority had a low risk of developing CHD in next 10years. The age, SBP and total cholesterol surfaced as positive predictors of CHD in SCI patients. Time since SCI, smoking, and neurological level or completeness of injury did not influence the resultant FRS and thus the development of CHD.

The desire to utilize postmastectomy breast reconstruction in Saudi Arabian women. Predictors and barriers.

Objectives:To study factors that influence the desire to utilize breast reconstruction after mastectomy, and to investigate the barriers to reconstruction among women in Saudi Arabia.Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional study at 2 surgical centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to all breast cancer patients attending the surgery clinics for follow-up after mastectomy between January and March 2013. Ninety-one patients met the study inclusion criteria. The first part of the questionnaire covered the demographic and socioeconomic information regarding factors that might influence the desire to utilize breast reconstruction including possible barriers. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the significant predictors of the desire to undergo reconstruction.Results:Overall, 16.5% of patients underwent breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Young age and high educational attainment were significantly associated with an increased desire to undergo reconstruction. The main barriers to reconstruction were the lack of adequate information on the procedure (63%), concerns on the complications of the procedure (68%), and concerns on the reconstruction interfering with the detection of recurrence (54%).Conclusion:Age and educational level were significant predictors of the desire to utilize breast reconstruction. Furthermore, modifiable barriers included the lack of knowledge and misconceptions on the procedure. Addressing these issues may increase the rate of breast reconstruction in Saudi Arabia.

Genetic association between the HLA-G 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism and the recurrent spontaneous abortions in Saudi Arabian women.

The non-classical class I human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G molecule was found to be predominately expressed in the extravillous cytotrophoblasts at the fetal-maternal interface during pregnancy. This molecule is critically important for successful implantation during human pregnancy. The polymorphic insertion-deletion (indel) 14-base pair (bp) site localized at the 3' untranslated region was associated with HLA-G mRNA stability and isoform alternative splicing patterns, and thus may influence HLA-G function during pregnancy. We studied the association between the 14-bp indel polymorphism (rs16375) at the 3' untranslated region with recurrent spontaneous abortions in a Saudi population living in Riyadh. A group of 64 women with 2-11 successive abortions were included in this study. The control group included 62 women without reported abortions and at least 2 pregnancies, all visiting the King Khaled Hospital in Riyadh. The 14-bp indel was genotyped in the case and control groups. The frequency of the genotype +14/+14 was slightly higher in women with recurrent spontaneous abortions, but no significant differences were observed in the distribution of alleles and genotypes.

The impact of dietary intake and exercise on metabolic health in Saudi Arabian women

The impact of dietary intake and exercise on metabolic health in Saudi Arabian women