Longitudinal effect of health team education about geriatric health in Egypt

In Egypt, the number of people over 60 years old and over was 5.1% in the year 1986 census and is expected to increase to 7.7% by the year 2010 and 12.4% by the year 2025 [CAPMAS, 1996]. Increasing the number of elderly population added new health problems to the health authorities as the old people are more susceptible to many physical, mental, and social health problems [Kassem 2000]. the present study aimed to upgrade the knowledge, attitude and practice [KAP] of the PHC-providers towards the health needs and problems of the geriatric population in Egypt through implementation of health education course study [pre and post test] design. Analytical intervention study [pre and post test] was conducted in Five governorates in Egypt [Ismailia, Damietta, Al Dakahlia, Benisuef, and Assiuot]. Seven hundred and fifty PHC-providers, randomly selected from 5 govemorates in Egypt were invited to participate in the study, and after the pre-test they were engaged in the educational course [a self-directed learning package] on geriatric health needs and problems. The PHC-providers were 50 Physicians, 50 Nurses, and 50 Health educators from each governorate. A questionnaires of, 15 items for Physicians and Nurses and 17 items for Health educators based on current geriatric health needs and problems were used. The mean scores of knowledge, attitude and practice were calculated in pre and post tests for each group of physicians, nurses and health educators. A paired sample t-test was used to detect the differences between the means of knowledge, attitude and practice scores of pre-test and post-test. One way ANOVA test and Post Hoc test [Bonferroni test] were done to clarify the significant differences in [KAP] among the five govemorates at the pre-test and post-test and for the percentage of change between both tests. The SPSS [10.0] program was used for data analysis. The scores of knowledge, attitude and practice in the pre test were much lower than that in the post test scores and a statistical significant differences [P<0.05] were found among the participants PHC providers in all govemorates. Multiple comparisons [post Hoc tests] of knowledge, attitude and practice [KAP] of PHC providers in the five studied Govemorates revealed marked variations. 149. Tbis study displayed the important of ntinuing medical education, and also demonstrated the needs of PHC providers for medical education courses about geriatric health needs and problems

trend of maternal mortalities in Egypt from 1990 to 2000, impact of maternal health services

The safe motherhood initiative was launched by WHO 1987 as a global effort with the target of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity by fifty percent by the year 2000. Despite this progress, pregnancy related deaths remain a significant public health issue, because one third to one half of pregnancy related deaths are considered preventable. Also, it was estimated that the highest risk occurs in Africa with 40% of the world maternal deaths. So the aim of this work is to study changes in the maternal mortality ratio and its underlying causes over the last ten years in Egypt Also, to study the effect of family planning services on such trend by examining some impact and process indicators. Data about maternal deaths, demographic data, fertility data and maternal health services were collected from official sources for the period from 1990-2000. Maternal Mortality Ratio [MMR], Proportionate Maternal Mortality Rate [PMM] and cause specific maternal mortality ratio were also calculated. The result of the study revealed that there was a continuous declining trend of all studied ratios and haemorrhage was the leading contributor to maternal mortality in Egypt through the studied period account for more than 50% of maternal deaths. As regard the trend of some maternal health care facilities provided by ministry of health and population [MOH and P], there was an increase in the trend over the studied years. The number of family planning units had also increased. There was a steady decline trend in the early 1990s of both Total Fertility Rate [TFR] and age specific fertility rates, while in late 1990s the trend was more or less raising. The trend of early pregnancy showed slight increase while at the same time the trend of late pregnancy showed slight decrease. So we can say that the health policy in Egypt was in line with the global health policy which aimed to achieve health for all the year 2000. The study also concluded that the maternal mortality ratios in Egypt decreased during the study period 1990-2000 which coincided with the increase in health services particularly those related to mothers