Report on the Screening Programme held at Watford Jamaat on 10th September 2006

The Screening Programme held at Al-Zahra Centre Watford attracted 180 people.  There were 70 males and 110 females.

After registration each person visited the following stations where appropriate:-

-    Urine Test for Glucose and Protein
-    Height and Weight to Calculate BMI (Body Mass Index)
                if less than 25 - normal
                more than 25 - over weight
                more than 30 - obese
-    Blood Pressure
-    Thalassemia Blood Test
-    Blood Glucose Test
-    Blood Cholesterol Test
-    Dentists – checking gums/teeth
-    Opticians – general eye check-up
-    Cardiac assessments (40 yrs plus only)
-    Doctors – consultation and overall health assessment

Total number of people who had the Blood Glucose test done…….... (66)
Total number of people who had the Blood Cholesterol test done...... (68)
Total number of people who had the Thalassemia Blood Test……….. (52)
 
 
The following are the results:-


RESULTS


 
DENTAL EXAMINATION
 
General Findings:

•    Periodontal Disease
•    Quite a bit of rampant caries (decay)
•    Poor oral health

The need for screening is paramount because:

• Inform patients of their privileges/rights? To seek NHS dental services at reasonable cost and or free, if they fall into such categories.

• Explain in lay terms as to how important Occlusion/mastication is for the general well being health wise. If edentulous or with poor dentition they consume soft foods, high calorie diets and leads to overweight, cardiovascular problems etc.

• Information to mothers regarding dietry advice to children on issues such as Nursing bottles, Dummy usage, Fruit Juices and alternative to sugary snacks.
  
  

 

 

 

 

 


OPTICAL EXAMINATION            

General Findings:

•    Three cases of Diabetic retinopathy.
•    One case of Retinal tear.
•    Lots of Uncorrected vision.
•    Colour Vision defects.
•    Ptosis.
•    Strabismus.



THALASSAEMIA BLOOD TEST

Number of people who had Thalassaemia test.	= 52
Number of people who had successful test.	= 52
Number of people who were not affected by Thalassaemia.	= 51    98.1%
Number of people who were affected by Beta-Thalassaemia Trait.	= 01    1.9%
Number of people who had incidental finding of anaemia or alpha thalassaemia trait.	= 09    17.3%

       

Total of 52 individuals were tested for Thalasaemia.  Out of 52 only one was found to be a carrier of thalassaemia trait, which is low from our normal screening. We would normally pick about 6% carrier in any screening that we would do. The positive test came to only 1.9%
 

What is Thalassaemia?

50% of our blood is made up of cells.  The cells are red and white cells.  The white cells are responsible for body’s defence from infections and the red cells carry red pigment called haemoglobin which binds with oxygen from lungs to take it to different parts of the body.  In anaemia, the cells do not have enough haemoglobin to carry the oxygen.  In Thalassaemia, the red blood cells are smaller in size than normal.  Hence the cells cannot carry normal amount of oxygen.  The body is therefore weak.


Beta Thalassaemia Trait

People with beta Thalassaemia trait are not ill.  They are absolutely healthy and normal but some of them have slight anaemia.  They do not know that they are carriers unless they have a special blood test carried out.  This was the blood test that was done at the screening programme.

If a couple is tested and one partner proves to be a carrier then there is no danger to their children.  But if both partners are carriers then there is a 25% chance of each pregnancy to produce a child with Thalassaemia major.


Beta Thalassaemia Major

This is a very serious blood disorder which children are born with and it begins to show in early childhood.  Children who have beta Thalassaemia major cannot make enough haemoglobin in their blood.  They need frequent blood transfusions and other medical treatment.  Most children who have these transfusions grow normally and live quite happily in their early teens, but to live longer than twenty they need other treatment as well like bone marrow transplant, operation to remove the spleen and other more drastic treatment.

It was important for everyone in our jamaat to have the blood test to find out if they were a carrier so that they could minimise the danger of having a child with beta Thalassaemia major before contemplating marriage or if they were married, before they start a family.

Everybody who took part in the screening program will be informed of their results.  Those who missed the screening programme should contact their GP..

Each person having completed the screening programme was given a summary of their results and advice on further check-ups with their doctor, dentist or optician.

There were several volunteers including Male doctors, Female doctors, Dentists, Opticians, Pharmacists, Nurses, Medical students and many male and female volunteers who helped with measurement of height and weight, registration and controlling the flow of people.  Our appreciation goes out to all of them for their help.

We hope that those who made the effort to attend the screening programme found it beneficial, especially if they were found to have problems of which they were unaware or at least had their concerns resolved.  

In Conclusion

The community needs help with advise on long term conditions, especially those that affect is the most namely Diabetes and heart disease. We also need to understand the risks of smoking, and that every hour 13 people die because of smoking.

The community is advised to seek help from the local health authority namely the PCT, to put a health education programme in place to understand the risks of disease and what we can do in order improve health such as diet, exercise and healthy living. Also the managing committee needs to liaise with health care professionals with in the community and arrange lectures and workshops on all topics affecting the community.  

On behalf of the Health Improvement Board of the Council of European Jamaats we would like to thank all those who attended and all the members of the managing committee for the welcome and hospitality accorded to us during the screening programme. Our special thanks to your medical coordinators Br. Zulfikar Ali Shah, Kamaran Shah and Sister Sajida Tabasum whose tremendous efforts and organisation made this programme a great success.

Dr Husein Jiwa

Screening Coordinator
Health Improvement Board
Council of European Jamaats

HIB