Problems of work - related stress with some behavioral and health impact among teachers

This study was conducted to investigate the problems of work related stress among teachers in different grades of basic education, and to study the influence on physical health and behavioral reactions. Among teachers 24.07% reported their jobs as being wholly stressful [an overall job stress score above the cut off point] compared with 10.45% among the controls. [Controls were selected from nurseries and kindergartens and were of the same social class]. Mean score values of the overall job stress among teachers in primary, preparatory and secondary schools were 121.24 +/- 12.33, 128.19 +/- 13.11 and 139.00 +/- 10.93. respectively, while those of the controls were 119.12 +/- 10.84. The prevalence of problems relevant to coping, context and stressors [Conflicts, job pressure, job scope and rapport with management] were all higher among the teachers with higher mean score values of all the items compared with those of the controls. A little inter group difference was detected among the teachers. In comparison with teachers of recreational subjects [music, sports and arts]. The teachers of academic subjects [Arabic, English, science, geography... etc] revealed higher prevalence of all the items of job stress related problems with higher mean score values, Except for the problems of rapport with management which were more prevalent among males [47.37% with mean score value 8.97 +/- 1.57] in comparison with females [9.8% with mean score value 5.50 +/- 1.62], all work stress related problems revealed no sex differences. The prevalence of all stress related behavioral reactions, syndromes and diseases which were studied were higher among the group of teachers in comparison with those among the controls, with higher prevalence among teachers in secondary schools compared with those in preparatory and primary schools. The design of an appropriate type of stress reduction program depending on an accurate assessment of the origin of the problem is highly recommended. Provision of counseling services for solving problems, social activities, leisure, exercises are important. Periodic medical examination [physical and mental] should be carried out regularly

Developmental dyslexia among fourth grade primary school children in Benha city

This work was carried out on 542 children aged from 9-12 years, who represent one fifth of all fourth grade pupils of the primary schools in Benha city. To diagnose dyslexia, all children included in the study were subjected respectiely to: Picture intelligence test, silent reading test, measurement of visual acuity, hearing tests, neuropsychiatric and oral reading test. Word recognition test and sentence comprehension were used to differentiate between different types of reading retardation. The dyslexic group was subjected to Stanford - Binet Intelligence test to assess accurately the I. Q. The dyslexic group were eight out of 542 with a prevalence rate of 1.5% with ratio of 3:1 with male preponderance

study of the effect of sodium valproates on brain neurotransmitters GABA and 5HT and its teratogenic effect an experimental study

White albino rats were given sodium valproates 400mg / kgm / day for 21 days in males and till 20th day of gestation in females compared to other group of rats didn't receive any drug. The effect of the drug on rats showed significant elevation of GABA concentrations in all tested brain areas and 5HT in cerebral cortex and midbrain, while reduced 5HT in thalamus and hypothalamus. Maternal adminstration of Sodium Valproates induced non Significant change in the number of resorption and live fetuses, as well as number of implantation. Fetuses revealed spina bifida [30%], absence of angle of mandible and ossific centers in upper and lower limbs [15%] and short neck [15%]. Side effects of sodium Valproates such as sedation and weight gain could be attributed to increase of GABA concentration, whereas increased appetite may be due to decreased 5HT in hypothalamus. The anticonvulsant effect of Sodium Valproates could be due to such increase of GABA and to some extent incease of 5HT