Adverse health problems among municipality workers in Alexandria [Egypt]

Solid waste management has emerged as an important human and environmental health issue. Municipal solid waste workers [MSWWs] are potentially exposed to a variety of occupational biohazards and safety risks. The aim of this study was to describe health practices and safety measures adopted by workers in the main municipal company in Alexandria [Egypt] as well as the pattern of the encountered work related ill health. A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and April 2013. We interviewed and evaluated 346 workers serving in about 15 different solid waste management activities regarding personal hygiene, the practice of security and health care measures and the impact of solid waste management. Poor personal hygiene and self-care, inadequate protective and safety measures for potentially hazardous exposure were described. Impact of solid waste management on health of MSWWs entailed high prevalence of gastrointestinal, respiratory, skin and musculoskeletal morbidities. Occurrence of accidents and needle stick injuries amounted to 46.5% and 32.7% respectively. The risk of work related health disorders was notably higher among workers directly exposed to solid waste when compared by a group of low exposure potential particularly for diarrhea [odds ratio [OR] = 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2-3.8], vomiting [OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.1-6.6], abdominal colic [OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.1-3.2], dysentery [OR = 3.6, 95% CI = 1.3-10], dyspepsia [OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.1-3], low back/sciatic pain [OR = 3.5, 95% CI = 1.8-7], tinnitus [OR = 6.2, 95% CI = 0.3-122] and needle stick injury [OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 2.1 5.5]. Workers exposed to solid waste exhibit significant increase in risk of ill health. Physician role and health education could be the key to assure the MSWWs health safety

intervention study for prevention of HCV infection in some hemodialysis units in Alexandria

This study was conducted aiming to compare between strict adherence to the universal precautions and anti HCV seropositive patients isolation as a preventive measure. To fulfill this aim, 80 anti HCV seronegative patients and 44 staff members working in three hemodialysis units were included in the study. A predesigned questionnaire was filled for all patients that included history of hepatitis risk factors, which are related, or not to dialysis process. Another questionnaire was filled for all medical and paramedical staff in the studied units, which included their knowledge, attitude and practice [KAP] as regard HCV. Pretest was done, followed by health education program [HEP]. A post test was performed after one month and every 6 months for 18 months. An observational sheet was filled by one of the researchers to describe the hemodialysis units environment and to record the practice of the staff in the studied units. Blood samples were collected from the study subjects at baseline, every 3 months for patients and every 6 months for the staff. Sera were separated and tested for anti HCV seropositivity using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] test third generation. Marked increase in staff's knowledge was evident one month after HEP and decreased gradually throughout the follow up period. The attitude was slightly elevated and remained nearly unchanged throughout the follow up. Only in unit A the mean preventive score was markedly increased 6 months after HEP and remained high throughout the follow up period. The incidence rate of anti HCV seroconversion decreased in unit A from [10% to 0%], where universal precautions was applied, and in unit C from [24.4% to 10%], where isolation of anti seropositive patients was done in the first and third 6 months of the follow up period respectively. It increased in unit B, where no measure was taken, from 10.5% to 16.7%

Hepatitis B surface antigen in cimex lectularius

Bedbug [Cimex lectularius] samples adult and nymphs either engorged or starved from Central Security Forces sleeping wards, laboratory animal house and control samples from laboratory reared colonies were ground and subjected to ELISA test of hepatitis B surface antigen together with 276 serum samples from the recruits slept in those wards. In the camp 7 out of 30 samples of engorged adult bedbugs were positive to HB[s] Ag and 5 out of 30 sample of starved bedbugs were positive. Regarding nymphs 4 out of 30 engorged samples showed positive results. One of five samples of engorged adult bedbugs from the laboratory animal farm was positive. The control samples were negative. Serum samples of 276 recruits showed 3.6% positive results of HB[sAg]

Study of the sensitivity of blood spotted on filter paper in the detection of HBsAg and anticore using Elisa technique

The sensitivity of the filter paper method was compared with that of whole serum in the detection of HBsAg and antic using ELISA technique. It was found that analysis of eluates of blood spotted on filter paper should be recommended in field surveys and of HBsAg screening prior to an immunization campaign. On the other hand, in the detection of anti HBc the eluted technique is less sensitive and should not be performed if accurate epidemiological data are to be collected

Intra familial spread of asymptomatic hepatitis B in Alexandria

A total of 107 family members were examined for HBsAg, 86 members were in families with a persistent carrier index and 21 of them were in families free from a carrier index. Rate of HBsAg transmission was 100% in families with a carrier index and absent in those free from a carrier. Horizontal transmission of hepatitis B virus infection reached about 80% in the total sample examined. All babies born to a carrier mothers became positive at one year of age stressing the importance of screening of the mother in the planning for vaccination programmes for the prevention of hepatitis B infection in newly-born

Parasitic infections in mentally retarded children

All the students of the two mental rehabilitation schools of Alexandria were the subject of the present study. The results demonstrated that school environment has a role in the transmission of infection with Ascaris and Trichuris. On the other hand, the I.Q. of the examined children had a significant effect on the directly transmitted parasites and the number of parasites infecting each child

Trichomonas urethritis in males

51 males from the attendants of V.D. clinics were subjected to urine and prostatic secretion examination by direct microscopy and culture on the CPLM medium. Trichomonas vaginalis infection was diagnosed among 21.6% of them. Culture technique proved to be more sensitive. The infection rate was affected significantly by residence, age and occupation of the examined individuals. On the other hand, marital status and education have no relation with infection

interaction of an organophosphorus insecticide [surecide] and schistosomiasis mansoni in white mice I: physiological and Parasitological changes

The interaction of the organophosphorous insecticide [Surecide] and schistosomiasis mansoni infection on white mice was investigated. A physiological study was done to show the effect of the insecticide and S. Mansoni on the appetite, body weight, organ weight and organ to body weight ratio of the mice. A parasitological examination including the 1st. detection of S. mansoni eggs in the stools of infected mice, egg count every days and egg count in the liver and intestine was also performed

Serological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis among mentally retarded children

IFAT and IHAT were done on 208 blood samples collected from mentally retarded school children for the detection for the antibodies. Positive reactions were obtained in 27.4%. The results revealed that the percentage of Toxoplasma infection was affected by the I.Q. Rank of the examined children, as well as their nervous signs and symptoms, the history of diseased brothers or sisters and history of abortion, stillbirth or premature labour in children's mothers