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Sweden Health Screening |
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Report on the Screening Programme held at Zainabiya Islamic Centre, Marsta on Sunday 18 May 2008.
The Screening Programme held at Zainabiya Islamic Centre, Marsta, attracted 74 people. There were 41 males and 33 females. After registration each person visited following stations where appropriate:-
HEALTH IMPROVEMENT BOARD
- 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
- Dentists – checking gums/teeth
- Opticians – general eye check-up
- Cardiac assessments (40 yrs plus only)
- Doctors – consultation and overall health assessment
- Stress management consultations (16 yrs plus only)
Total number of people who had the Blood Glucose test done…….... (37)
Total number of people who had the Blood Cholesterol test done...... (36)
The following are the results:-
RESULTS
DENTAL EXAMINATION (Dr Gulam Sumar)
The facility and volunteer assistance from Marsta jamaat made this Dental Screening very rewarding, both for the patients and the provider.
General Findings:
- The patient volume and cross section of population was well balanced.
- The children age group 3yrs to 12yrs exhibited good dental awareness.
- The indigenous Khoja population’s dental needs were in line with other UK jamaats. Due to the nature of “Shia immigrants (Pakistanis, Iraqis, Iranians, Kurdish), the dental need of their people was high. The cost element of dental treatment was a deterrent for going to Dentist and getting appropriate treatment.
- Adequate advice was given so that they seek dental treatment.
OPTICAL EXAMINATION (Zainab Remtulla)
The Optometric area covered in the Medical Screening Programme consisted of some basic tests, namely ophthalmoscopy, visions with and without spectacle correction, and for children under the age of 16, colour vision, stereopsis and binocular vision.
A whole variety of patients were seen from ages of four to seventy and over. There were no abnormalities in this sample; mostly everyone had very good levels of vision and healthy fundi. There was one case of possible glaucoma and quite a few of the elderly patient had cataracts as expected.
The main issue that arose was that many patients had not had eye tests for three/four years or more because they felt their vision was sufficient. People need to be aware that they should have a full sight test at least every two years so that not only vision but the intra-ocular pressures and the health of the back for the eye can be assessed for things like glaucoma, uncontrolled diabetes, cataracts, etc.
Also children who were at the age of twelve or thirteen had never had any type of eye test until they attended our screening. Again parents need to be made aware that children should have sight tests from as young as possible so that ‘squints’ or ‘lazy eye’ can be detected. This is because this condition can only be treated until the age of approximately seven years.
Alhamdulillah the response to the Optometric side of the screening was extremely good; patients who needed to be seen for their full eye test either routinely or urgently, were relevantly advised.
CARDIO-VASCULAR ASSESEMENT (CVRA) (Riaz Esmail)
This assessment looks at the absolute risk (the individual's risk) and the relative risk (the individual in context of a population of the same age/gender) of a person suffering a heart attack or a stroke in the next 10 years, and whether treatment should be initiated.
The CVRA includes and adjusts for age, sex, ethnicity, family history, and we measure total cholesterol, blood glucose, and add these results, together with smoking history.
We found higher levels of risk in smokers, and by using the program with 'what if' scenarios helped them to visualise the health benefits in the longer term of giving up smoking; these individuals were then counselled on giving up smoking and motivated to do so.
One interesting random blood glucose reading was 13.5mmol/l (normal range 8 to 11 mmol/l) in a normal weight 26 year old with no previous history of glucose intolerance or diabetes. He was referred to his GP for further investigation.
We came across a husband and wife with a young family, who were both hypertensive but had lapsed treatment when their BP reached control. No-one had explained to them that it was the medicines that kept the blood pressure under control and they should continue taking them. They assumed that as the condition was controlled they no longer needed medicines (rather like taking paracetamol for a headache). When we assessed their risk it was around 40% ( 2 in 5 chance of a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years), and active treatment is normally initiated at 15%.
We were able to counsel them in their mother tongue (neither spoke good English or Swedish) on the benefits of continuing their medication and controlling hypertension, as well as giving healthy living advice around reducing salt, eating healthily and taking regular exercise. They were referred back to their GP for re screening and reinitiating of treatment.
The station was extremely well supported by the volunteers of Marsta Jamaat who made sure that we had everything we needed for smooth running on the day.
Prevalence of Stress Disorders at Marstä, Sweden
18th May 2008
(Dr N A Suleman Consultant Psychiatrist)
Total No of Participants:
| 74
| No of Participants with completed information:
| 33
| No of Male Participants with completed information:
| 20 | No of Female Participants with completed information:
| 13
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AGE DISTRIBUTION
Age Group
| Male
| Female
| Total
| %
| | 0-10 | 0
| 0 | 0
| 0
| | 11-20 | 3
| 1 | 4
| 12.12
| | 21-30 | 5
| 3 | 8
| 24.24 | | 31-40 | 5
| 4 | 9 | 27.27
| | 41-50 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 12.12
| | 51-60 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 18.18 | | 61-70 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6.06 | | 71-80 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
RESULTS
BOTH MALE AND FEMALE
| Stress Severity | Score Category
| No. of People
| %
| | None | 10-14 | 17 | 51.51
| | Mild | 15-19 | 12 | 36.36
| | Moderate | 20-24
| 3
| 9.09
| | Severe | 25-30
| 1
| 3.03
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FEMALE
| Stress Severity | Score Category
| Female | %
| | None | 10-14 | 5
| 38.46
| | Mild | 15-19 | 6
| 46.15
| | Moderate | 20-24 | 1 | 7.69
| | Severe | 25-30 | 1 | 7.69
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MALE
| Stress Severity | Score Category | Male | %
| None | 10-14 | 12 | 60
| | Mild | 15-19 | 6 | 30
| | Moderate | 20-24 | 2 | 10 | | Severe | 25-30 | 0 | 0 |
TREATMENT ISSUES
33 people completed the forms and were also seen by the doctor. All the individuals interviewed were over the age of 16.
The most common problems encountered were those of Depression and Anxiety. Issues of difficulties in relationships, marital difficulties and other social problems and time management were also reported.
Advice was given to the participants that were examined, depending upon their individual circumstances and their needs. For example, those with mild anxieties were encouraged to use various relaxation techniques. Advice was also give on issues of time management, anger management and different methods for dealing with anxiety. Issues related to self confidence, self-esteem and positive cognitions were also freely discussed. Specific advice was offered on certain individual issues such as marital counselling.
Patients scoring high on the stress questionnaire with scores in the region of 20-30 were provided with more detailed information, practical steps to be undertaken to prevent a breakdown and advice to contact their respective General Practitioners for more specialist intervention. Medication was discussed where appropriate and fears were allayed where there were concerns about the use of medication and potential side effects.
SOME COMMENTS FROM PARTICIPANTS
These comments cannot be traced back to any of the participants at the event.
They are included only to reflect the views of some people.
The comments have been useful and provide some grounds for further improvement of the services
“I found the different analogies helpful in order to plan my time.”
“Using the chart was a really good idea because it helped me to realise where I was standing and now I know what to do when I get stressed”
“Was a good session. Wish had more time. Got good tips and ideas”.
“Your talk with me has put my mind at rest. Inshallah I will try my best to implement your advice and next time be firm and confidential in taking decisions. May Allah reward you and give you taufeeq to serve our community. May success be yours forever”.
Registration started at 9am by Br. Iqbal Manji and Sis. Afroza Rupani. 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, Stress counsellors, 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.
Speech on the importance of health screening in our community was given by Dr Safiya Virjee. Health talk on high blood pressure was done by Br. Riyaz Esmail and presentation on awareness on Thalasseamia was given by Dr Akbar Mohammedali.
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.
This was the first health screening conducted in Marsta Jamaat, Sweden. The interest from the community members was remarkable and the attendance was tremendous for a small jamaat.
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 representative Br. Nabil Rupani, Sister Fayeza Suleman and Sister Sumanah Hussein whose tremendous efforts and organisation made this programme a great success.
Dr Husein Jiwa
Screening Coordinator
Health Improvement Board
Council of European Jamaats |
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