Geographical Locations - Qatar

• (Statistical) Number of Inhabitants per Doctor: 660
• CIA World Factbook : Qatar

Organisations and Networks

UN and Multinational

• WHO
  - WHO Country Profile - Qatar
  - WHO - Tobacco Control: Country Profile - Qatar
  - WHO - Environmental Burden of Disease: Country Profile – Qatar
• WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) in Cairo

Government

• Hukoomi: Qatar Government Online
• Supreme Council of Health

Non-Government

Academic Institutions

• Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar

National Policy and Related Documents

Reports, Guidelines, and Projects

• Acute and transient psychotic disorders in a rapidly developing country, State of Qatar
  Background: Little is known about acute and transient psychotic disorders, which is a diagnostic group, introduced with International Classification of Disease, 10th revision. It is an interesting area of research receiving a lot of attention. Objective: The aim of the study was to find the incidence of acute and transient psychotic disorders in the population and determine its sociodemographic features in the State of Qatar. Design: This is a retrospective descriptive study. Setting: The study was conducted in the Department of Psychiatry of the Rumaillah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar. Methods: All Qatari, non-Qatari Arabs, and expatriate patients who were hospitalized with psychotic disorders in the inpatient wards or treated in the outpatient clinics of the Department of Psychiatry over a 7-year period were enrolled in the study. Data were collected from the medical records of patients. The study was conducted from August 1, 1996, to January 1, 2004, amongst the patients with acute and transient psychotic disorders. The diagnostic classification of definite psychotic disorders was made in accordance with criteria based on the International Classification of Disease, 10th revision (ICD-10). Results: A total of 174 patients were treated during a 7-year period. Among them, 69% were males and 31% females. No cases were found in children aged less than 15 years. The highest frequency (43.7%) was found in the early adulthood (16–29 years of age). The incidence of acute and transient psychotic disorders was higher in the expatriates (66.7%). More than half (63.8%) of the patients were employed. Most of the cases (35.6%) had acute schizophrenia-like psychotic disorders (F23.2). There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of acute and transient psychotic disorders between males and females, Qatari and non-Qatari Arabs, and single and married. Conclusion: The study found markedly lower incidence rate of acute and transient psychotic disorders in females than males. The highest frequency was found in the early adulthood (16–29 years). No cases were found in children aged less than 15 years. It is important to find ways to promote healthier lifestyles in this population in order to prevent the onset of psychotic disorders. [author abstract] [Medicina (Kaunas) 2007; 43(7): pp.575-579]
• Clinical characteristics of Crohn’s disease in Qatar
  Objective: To assess the clinical characteristics of Crohn’s disease (CD) in Qatar. Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study. We studied 50 CD patients admitted to Hamad General Hospital over a period of 8 years from January 1995 to December 2002. We retrospectively collected and analyzed the demographic and clinical data. We made the diagnostic classification of definite CD in accordance with the criteria based on the International Classification of Disease ninth revision [ICD-9]. We based the obtained information on the following parameters: the age at the time of admission, gender and Crohn’s risk factor profiles. Results: Of the studied population, 60% were males and 40% females. Sixty-two percent were Qataris and 38% expatriates. Most of the subjects were <40 years of age (80%). Fifty-two percent had ileo-colonic disease, 24% colonic and 24% ileal disease. The majority of the Crohn’s patients had the symptom of abdominal pain (84%), followed by weight loss (80%) and diarrhea (70%). Pallor sign was most frequent in patients with inflammatory CD (76.9%) and obstructive CD (66.7%), whereas we found the anal signs in patients with fistulas (84.2%). Conclusion: The study showed a relatively high frequency of ileo-colonic Crohn’s disease compared to colonic and ileal diseases. We observed that the most frequent symptom is abdominal pain. [author abstract] [Saudi Medical Journal 2005; Vol. 26 (11): 1796-1799]
• Growth Pattern of Qatari Preschool Children
  Aim: To compare the growth patterns of Qatari preschool children aged 0-5 years with the growth reference charts developed by the American National Center for Health Statistics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (NCHS/CDC). Methods: The demographic data of weight, height, and age were collected in a cross-sectional study among 8,231 Qatar children aged 0-5 years. There were 4,136 (50.2%) boys and 4,095 (49.8%) girls. The children were selected by a cross-sectional stratified random sampling procedure based on the stratification on the location and a socio-economic status. The measured data were compared with NCHS/CD growth charts. Results: The boys were significantly taller than girls in age groups 0-6months (58.3±4.1 vs. 57.4±4.0 cm, respectively; p<0.001), 6-12 months (66.7±4.0 vs. 66.2±5.1 cm, respectively; p=0.018), 48-54 months (102.1±3.6 vs. 100.9±3.9 cm, respectively; p<0.001), and 54-60 months (106±4.8 vs. 103.1±3.5 cm, respectively; p<0.001). The boys had significantly heavier weight pattern than the girls in all age groups (p<0.001). The height for boys ranged from 58.3 cm to 106 cm, and for girls from 57.4 cm to 103.1 cm. The weight range for boys was 5.4-17.6 kg and 5.1-16.8 kg for girls. More than 11% of the children had stunted growth, 5.4% of the children were taller than normal for their age, 4.4% of the children were undernourished, and 0.6% were severely undernourished. Conclusion: A combination of height for age (as an indicator of stunting) and weight for height (as an indicator of wasting) showed – that a sizeable proportion of Qatari children had normal or slightly above normal nutritional status. The growth pattern we presented may suffice as a standard for monitoring the growth of Qatari children in particular, and those in the Gulf region in general. [author abstract] [Croatian Medical Journal, 45(4): 461-465, 2004]
• Impact of Chickenpox in Qatar
  "According to 2007 Qatar Annual Health Report, there are higher reported cases of chickenpox among non-Qatari individuals (2924) than Qataris (622). One possible reason contributing to higher reported cases could be the labor class of Qatar… The most important prevention strategy against chickenpox is immunization. Treatment of chickenpox consists of antiviral agents with supportive care. The development of the varicella immunoglobulin is now used for the prevention of VZV which can decrease morbidity and health care costs. Qatar was the first in the middle east region to introduce the chickenpox vaccine to the population in 2002." [Qatar University, College of Pharmacy, c2008]
• Metabolic Syndrome and its components among Qatari population
  Metabolic Syndrome (MeS) is a cluster of abnormalities including impaired glucose metabolism, central obesity, dyslipidemia and hypertension. The MeS has not been widely studied among the Arab populations, but the data available suggests that it is an increasingly common problem. Prevalence of MeS and its associated components are not available in Qatar. To estimate the prevalence of MeS and its associated components among the Qatari population and to determine its associated risk factors. A cross-sectional study was carried out among Qatari adults aged 20 years and above. Face to face interviewing using a structured questionnaire followed by laboratory tests [was] conducted. MeS was defined using the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria as well as the International Diabetes Federation criteria (IDF). The crude prevalence rate of MeS according to ATP III criteria and IDF criteria were 26.4 and 34.0%, respectively. The age-standardised prevalence of the MeS according to ATP III was 27.7% (95% CI 23.3–32.0%), (23.6% among men (95% CI 19.5– 27.7%) and 32.6% among women (95% CI 28.0–37.2%)) and according to IDF criteria, the age standardised prevalence was 35.4% (95% CI 30.7–40.0%), 38.7% (95% CI 34.0–43.5%) for women and 35.8% (95% CI 31.2–40.5%) for men. Age, Body Mass Index and HbA1c were significantly associated with MeS after adjustment for a number relevant variables including; gender, marital status, educational level, exercise, smoking, etc. Prevalence of the MeS in Qatar is considerably higher than anticipated. A well-designed health education programmes to increase the awareness of the public as well as healthcare providers are highly recommended. The programme should focus on the risk factors and the health consequences of MeS. [author abstract] [Int. J. Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2008, pp.88-102]
• State of Qatar: Report on the Country Progress Indicators towards Implementing the Declaration of Commitment on HIV, 2008
  "In Qatar, we continue to diagnose 5-10 new cases of HIV infection every year. During the year 2007 more than 35000 people had HIV tests done. This includes 18777blood donors. A total of 10new cases were diagnosed. The ages ranged from 0 to 47 years. The most important mode of transmission is heterosexual exposure. The cumulative number of cases diagnosed with HIV in Qatar is 231. The number of people living with HIV is 78." [UNAIDS, 2008]
• The neglected epidemic: Road traffic accidents in a developing country, State of Qatar
  The objective of the study is to explore the pattern of road traffic accidents (RTA) and their causes in the State of Qatar. A total of 52,160 RTA, 1130 injuries and 85 fatalities were registered during the year 2000. The data on RTA, injuries and fatalities was obtained from the Traffic Department of the Ministry of Interior, Supreme Council for Planning and Ministry of Public Health. The major cause of traffic accidents in Qatar was careless driving (71%). Relatively there was a more rapid increase in the number of registered vehicles (155%), but accidents were only (61%) in 2000 compared to the year 1983. The majority of victims (53%) were in the age group (10 – 40), ‘‘the most productive class in Society’’. Forty-three per cent of the total drivers who died due to RTA were in the age group (10 – 19) who were unlicensed drivers. In 2000, deaths due to RTA were the third leading cause of death after the diseases of the circulatory system and cancer. In conclusion, it is possible to control the epidemic of road traffic injuries through strict policy interventions, mass media and a national traffic campaign to increase the use of seat belts. [author abstract] [International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion, Vol. 12, No. 1, March 2005, 45 – 47]

Educational Resources

• WWW Virtual Library: Qatar
• ArabNet: Qatar government: Health Services
• CDC - Travel Information: Middle East
• Library of Congress, Country Study: Qatar