Pattern and barriers of physical activity among medical students of Al-Jouf university, Saudi Arabia

Background: physical inactivity is a public health problem in Saudi Arabia. Physical inactivity is associated with several chronic diseases, increased medical care costs and premature death

Objectives: to determine the pattern of physical activity, the predictors of physical inactivity and the perceived barriers of physical activity among students in College of Medicine at Al-Jouf University, Saudi Arabia

Methods: a cross sectional study was carried out among 283 medical students in the age group of 19- 33 years. The Arabic short form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ] was used to measure physical activity. Analysis was done according to the guidelines for data processing and analysis of the IPAQ

Results: overall, 60.1% of the students were physically inactive. Only 38.2% of the students performed vigorous physical activity, 21.9% moderate-intensity physical activity and 33.2% walking activities, which met World Health Organization criteria of health-enhancing physical activities. The significant predictors of physical inactivity were low father education, dead or retired father, mothers not working for cash, families with five members or more and non-participation in sports clubs. The significant barriers of physical activity among physically inactive students were time limitations, lack of money, lack of safe sport places, not being interested in sports and body cannot tolerate physical activity

Conclusion: the majority of medical students of Al-Jouf University in Saudi Arabia are physically inactive. Overcoming perceived barriers may increase physical activity among university students

Risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection in urban and rural areas of Qena governorate, Upper Egypt

Background: HBV infection is a significant health problem in Egypt which is categorized as an HB virus intermediate endemic area, with HB carrier rate ranging from 2%-7%. HBV infection is the 10[th] leading cause of death and HBV related hepatocellular carcinoma is the 5[th] most frequent cancer worldwide

Aims of the study: The present study aims to investigate the most important risk factors for transmission of HBV and HCV in urban and rural areas in Qena Governorate, Egypt

Patients and Methods: A matched case control study was conducted. The study included 600 patients, 100 HBV cases and 500 controls, aged above 20 years and below 70 years. Direct interview was done with each participant separately for filling the questionnaire during the period from January 2013 to January 2014. The collected data were reviewed, entered and statistically analyzed using SPSS version 19

Results: The mean age of cases and controls were 38.83 [ +/- 12.62] and 44.26 [ +/- 11.68] years respectively. Multivariate analysis shows that odds ratio of HBV infection is significantly higher among cases with some risk factors: injection by reused needle, sharing razors with others, dental procedures or oral surgery, blood transfusion and intravenous infusion and/or injection

Conclusion and Recommendations: The common risk factors exposures of hepatitis B infection included blood transfusion, dealing with patient blood, hospital admission, surgery, accidental stick with a blood contaminated needle, intravenous catheterization and dental procedures. There are statistically significant differences between HBV cases and their controls in the majority of these risk factors. The presence of these risk factors emphasizes the need for increasing the uptake of HB vaccine. Health care providers, health educators, and other community-based organizations must play an active role in counseling high-risk people

HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes of Egyptian youth

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] is a major challenge to health and development. It is pulling a tremendous burden on healthcare facilities and is decreasing economic productivity. The vast majority of the world's young people have no idea about how HIV/AIDS is transmitted or how to protect themselves from the disease

Aim of the study: Evaluate the level of knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS among Egyptian youth

Methods: Secondary analysis was done in this study based on data sets of Egypt Demographic Health Survey 2008 targeting 4,116 youth aged 15-24 years asked about HIV/ AIDS

Results: The findings revealed relative accepting knowledge as 81.6% of the respondents have heard about AIDS. More than three quarters of them correctly knew that people can reduce the risk of getting AIDS by having sex with just one uninfected faithful partner. However, there were misconceptions about routes of transmission. Egyptian youth had negative attitudes towards AIDS patients

Conclusion and Recommendations: Egyptian youth were to somewhat knowledgeable about AIDS but fear and intolerant attitudes were prevalent and need to be addressed. There is urgent need for health education programs for targeted groups in the Egyptian community about AIDS in order to increase people awareness and change their negative attitudes

Risk factors for cerebral palsy among children under five-years old in Assiut governorate, upper Egypt

Cerebral palsy [CP] is the most frequent cause of motor handicap among children. Many etiologies and risk factors for the non-progressive lesion in CP are considered to be antenatal, delivery or neonatal. The present case control study aims to investigate the risk factors of cerebral palsy among children under five years in Assiut Governorate. Three hundred children randomly selected; 150 children with CP matched in number, age and sex with normal children as controls. The mean age of cases and controls were 1.99 +/- 1.34 and 1.98 +/- 1.33, respectively. The results revealed that significantly higher percent of cases were left handed compared with controls. Artificial feeding was common among cases. Significant statistical differences were found between two study groups regarding, socioeconomic status, birth order, family history of CP, premature rupture of membranes, low birth weight, birth trauma, cyanosis at birth, and history of encephalitis. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in malpresentations, twin pregnancies, recurrent abortion, history of meningitis. In conclusion, birth trauma, low birth weight, artificial feeding and encephalitis are the most frequent risk factors in children with CP in Assiut Governorate. Therefore, antenatal, natal and postnatal health life styles reduce baby's chances of developing cerebral palsy

Knowledge and attitudes towards premarital health care among couples attending premarital clinics in Assiut city

Premarital health care is one of the most important strategies for prevention of genetic disorders, congenital anomalies and several medical, psychosocial marital problems. Assess knowledge and attitudes of premarital couples towards premarital examinations and counseling in Assiut City. This cross sectional study was conducted in three premarital clinics in Assiut City, from June to August 2010. A simple random sample of 706 respondents [345 males and 361 females] completed semi-structured questionnaires by direct interviews. The collected data included socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitudes of the respondents towards premarital heath care. The mean age of the studied sample was 26.4 +/- 5.9 years. A total of 434 subjects [61.5%] were from urban areas. The majority of the studied couples. [97.2%] were previously heard about premarital health care. Most of the respondents mentioned laboratory investigations as a mandatory component of premarital health care, while counseling was reported by 6.3% only. 30.5% didn't know about the availability of laboratory investigation such as voluntary HIV testing and hepatitis viruses B and C at premarital health care investigations. There was good knowledge about premarital health care among premarital couples but many did not know its components and available investigations. There is a need for health education about the importance of the premarital care and its services

Knowledge and Attitude towards Smoking among Fayoum University Students

Smoking is a behavioral cause of premature morbidity and mortality, resulting in approximately four million persons dying of smoking-related diseases annually worldwide. This study aims to investigate the extent of smoking habit, knowledge toward smoking among Fayoum University students. A cross sectional analytical study was conducted in Fayoum University during the academic year 2010. A total of 804 students were selected by using randomized multi-stage sampling using self-administered questionnaire for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. The respondents age ranged from 18 to 26 years 20.36 +/- [1.21] years. The males were 51% [n=410] and females were 49% [n=394]. The prevalence of smoking among students was 13.4%. a large percentage of the smokers 82.4% used cigarettes while 8.3% smoked water pipe. Regarding knowledge about smoking related diseases, 97.3% of the students knew that smoking causes diseases; but only 5.6% of the sample had good/and satisfactory knowledge score about the causal role of tobacco in the development of specific diseases, and 66.7% of smoker students want to quit with a higher intention of for older group. In conclusion, smoking is prevalent among the university students and their knowledge about the harmful effects of smoking is generally superficial. Definite counseling programs are greatly needed to help students quit smoking

Violence among secondary school students in Assiut district

Violence by young people is one of the most visible forms of violence in society. Violence among adolescents may have serious developmental, physical and mental health consequences for the affected individuals. Violent youth are more likely than their peers to have poor mental health, use drugs, drop out of school, and be delinquent. Describe pattern, magnitude, and determinants of violence among secondary school students. A cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 1,404 secondary school students was conducted in Assiut, Egypt, 2004-2005, using a self-administered questionnaire. [Youth self-report] scale of Achenbach was used to measure [aggression], other measures of violence were included: physical fighting and weapon carrying. The main independent variables included in the study were: age, gender, religion, residence, smoking, family bonding, and attitude towards violence, depression, victimization and conflict resolution skills. Results: 59.8% of students were involved in a physical fight in the last 12 months prior to the survey, with significant gender differences and boys being more likely to be involved in such a behavior. Weapon carrying was reported almost exclusively by boys. In the Logistic regression analysis victimization, poor self-control, poor cooperation, and possessing attitudes with a positive violence orientation were found to be strong predictors of aggression and violence. Violence is a seriously growing behavior among secondary school students that needs to be addressed through school health programs investing in healthy development of adolescents pays off in mental health of tomorrow's adults