title: The effect of wearing the veil by Saudi ladies on the occurrence of respiratory diseases.
abstract: It is customary in clinical practice and elsewhere to put on a mask for protection against infection, dust, and so forth. The veil, which is traditionally worn by women in many Muslim countries, especially in Saudi Arabia, may have a similar effect. The study was carried out during 1998-1999 in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Adult women were asked to answer a structured questionnaire related to the occurrence of respiratory tract problems and about veil wearing. Veil wearing was practiced by 58% of the sample. Respiratory infections and asthma were significantly more common in veils users (p < 0.00001 and p < 0.0003, respectively). This unexpected finding was probably secondary to infection. More and bigger studies are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Dammam Central Hospital, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohammed
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Al Rayes
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al Qahtani
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Elzubier
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Suliman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D003020:Clothing / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires