title: Morbidity patterns among king faisal university students, Al hassa, kingdom of saudi arabia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the prevalent morbidity problems among students at King Faisal University. To identify the nature of referred cases and assess the efficiency of the referral system.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective, records-based descriptive study, involving the examination of the health records of students at King Faisal University, who attended the Medical Center for Primary Health Care services in a five-year period. A pre-tested compilation sheet was used for data collection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 2472 consultations, about 58 % of the diagnosed morbidity conditions were of infectious nature, mostly affecting the respiratory (62%), dental (14%), gastrointestinal (7%), and skin infections (5 %), with more prevalence among males. The non-infectious morbidity conditions were recorded more among females and included muscle and joints problems (16 %), allergic conditions (15 %), gastrointestinal (8 %), and trauma (5 %). Some of the encountered morbidity demonstrated seasonal variation. Case referrals were about 6 %, more in the non-infectious conditions, with a deficient feedback system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quality improvement of the medical records and the establishment of a proper referral system are necessary. Health education on preventable morbid conditions should be organized and implemented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Abdulrashid C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Choudary
authors.forename: Ali I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Al-Sultan
authors.forename: Tarek T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Tawfik