Introduction
While there have been extensive studies that have examined the prevalence of diabetes within Saudi Arabia, both for adults and children alike, few studies have examined the exact origin of childhood diabetes within the country and whether it is based on cultural predilections (i.e. the types of food eaten), societal norms (i.e. the consumption of large amounts of sugary substances) or if it is an inherent genetic vulnerability unique to individuals within the state (Deiner, 2012, p. 372) (Kulaylat & Narchi, 2001, pp. 43-47 (Al Magamsi & Habib, 2004, pp. 95-98).). It must also be noted that relevant research examining the prevalence of diabetes within Saudi Arabia showed that specific regional populations had higher or lower rates of diabetes (Al-Herbish et al., 2008, pp. 1285-1288) (Al Alwani et al., 2012, pp. 31-33). This is indicative of the potential of some underlying connection that can be examined which can help to determine what specific factors within a region of high diabetes rates differ from those within a region of lower diabetes prevalence (O’Donohue, 2009, p. 86) Al-Agha, Ocheltree & Hakeem, 2011, pp. 202-207). It is expected that should this underlying factor be discovered, whether it is cultural, societal, or genetic in nature, this should help policymakers within Saudi Arabia create new governmental initiatives to address the problem of childhood diabetes within the country and help to lessen the medical and societal burden that diabetes causes for the population (Felimban & Salih, 2000, pp. 63-68).
Background of the Study
At the present, Saudi Arabia has one of the highest diabetes prevalence rates in the world. A five-year research study conducted to examine the rate of diabetes within the country showed that Saudi Arabia has an adult (30-70 years) diabetes prevalence rate of 23.7% (Al-Nozha et al., 2004, pp. 1603-1610). It showed that the prevalence rate in women is 26.2%, whereas that of men is 23.7%. While the rate seen among children was lower at an estimated 14% (with 68% showing diabetes-like symptoms) this is still indicative of the fact that diabetes starts within the population at a very young age and as such contributes significantly to the relatively high rates seen in the adult half of the population (Salman et al., 1991, pp. 176-178) (Al-Fifi, 2010, pp. 87-90) (Abduljabbar et al., 2010, pp. 413-418).
Aim
The aim of this study is to determine what specific regional/ environmental factors influence the development of childhood diabetes within the Saudi Arabian populace and determine how such issues can be resolved through specific government programs
Questions
What factors differentiate regions with high rates of childhood diabetes from those who have low rates?
Do cultural predilections, societal norms or inherent genetic vulnerability play any major role in influence the spread of childhood diabetes in the case of Saudi Arabia?
What can be done to limit the spread of childhood diabetes within the population?
Major Findings
One of the major findings within the literature review showed that the prevalence of diabetes varied depending on the region, with the central region exhibiting the highest prevalence, and the eastern region showing the lowest prevalence. Through this fact alone, a method of potential regional examination can be developed which should help solve the prevalence of diabetes in Saudi Arabia
Conclusion
It is expected that at the end of the research process the researcher will be able to develop sound conclusions involving the various factors that contribute to the spread and development of childhood diabetes within the Saudi Arabian populace and create various policy/ healthcare recommendations that should enable the Saudi government to address the issue of diabetes within the country. By doing so this research will contribute significantly towards greatly benefiting the future Saudi Arabian populace by ensuring that subsequent generations within the country will not have to suffer from diabetes.
References
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Al Alwan, I, Bin Dajim, N, Jawdat, D, Tamimi, W, Al Ahmdi, R, Albuhairan, F. 2012. Prevalence of autoantibodies in children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Journal of Biomedical Sciences. 69(1), 31-3.
Al Magamsi, MS & Habib, HS. 2004. Clinical presentation of childhood type 1diabetes mellitus in the Al-Madina region of Saudi Arabia. Paediatric Diabetes. 5, 95-98.
Al-Agha, A, Ocheltree A, & Hakeem, A. 2011. Metabolic control in children and adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus at King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital. Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology. 3(4), 202-207.
Al-Fifi, SH. 2010. The relation of age to the severity of Type I diabetes in children. Journal of Family & Community Medicine. 17(2), 87-90.
Al-Herbish, AS, El-Mouzan, MI, Al-Salloum, AA, Al-Qurachi, MM, Al-Omar, AA. 2008. Prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus in Saudi Arabian children and adolescents. Saudi Medical Journal. 29(9), 1285-1288.
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Deiner, P. 2012. Inclusive early childhood education: Development, resources, and practice. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.
Felimban, M. and M. Salih. 2000. “Stress in mothers of diabetic children in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia.” Journal of Family and Community Medicine 7(1): 63.
Kulaylat, NA & Narchi, H. 2001. Clinical picture of childhood type 1 diabetes mellitus in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Pediatric Diabetes. 2(1), 43-47.
O’Donohue, W. T. 2009. Behavioral Approaches to Chronic Disease in Adolescence: A Guide to Integrative Care, Springer Verlag.
Salman, H, Abanamy, A, Ghassan, B, Khalil, M. 1991. Childhood diabetes in Saudi Arabia. Diabetic Medicine. 8(2), 176-178.