Breast self-examination practice and its impact on breast cancer diagnosis in Alexandria, Egypt

This study estimated the frequency of breast-self examination practice and its possible relation to the stage of the disease at diagnosis and patient-related delay in diagnosis among newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Breast self-examination was practised in 10.4% of cases. It was performed by patients from higher socioeconomic levels and those with a positive family history of breast cancer or benign breast mass. There was significant association between failure to practise breast self-examination and diagnostic delay. We emphasize the need for breast self-examination awareness campaigns as a key measure for ensuring earlier diagnosis and hence better prognoses for breast cancer patients in our community

Profile of secondary prophylaxis among children with rheumatic heart disease in Alexandria, Egypt

A cross-sectional study was conducted in specialist children's hospitals in Alexandria, which aimed to evaluate the current regimen of secondary prophylaxis for children suffering from rheumatic heart disease. Two-thirds of the patients had complied with their prophylactic regimen. Prophylactic failure occurred in one-third of the patients, raising doubts about the efficacy of the brands of penicillin prescribed. Recurrence of rheumatic fever was recorded in 37.3% of the patients, with semiurban or rural residence and non-compliance with secondary prophylaxis the significant risk factors. These unsatisfactory findings suggest the need for a more effective strategy of primary and secondary prophylaxis for controlling rheumatic fever in our community

Current health care of childhood bronchial asthma in Alexandria, Egypt

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the outpatient clinics of all specialized children's hospitals in Alexandria. The aim was to describe the health care delivered to children suffering from asthma and how far it complied with recent therapeutic guidelines. The pattern of asthma management was characterized by a significant underuse of prophylactic drugs in moderate/severe chronic asthma, underuse of the inhalation mode of delivery, and corticosteroids abuse as a prophylactic in between acute exacerbations in mild asthma. Also, assessment of pulmonary function [peak-flow rate] was rarely performed