The effect of wearing the veil by Saudi ladies on the occurrence of respiratory diseases.
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.
Ahmad
E F
EF
Department of Medicine, Dammam Central Hospital, Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed
M
M
Al Rayes
A A
AA
Al Qahtani
A
A
Elzubier
A G
AG
Suliman
F A
FA
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