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

Factors associated with hepatitis C infection among chronic HCV Egyptian patients

Identification of risk factors of acute hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection in Egypt is crucial for developing appropriate prevention strategies. There are few community-based studies on the epidemiology and risk factors of hepatitis C infection in Egypt, which could not provide enough information. Clear identification of past and current risk factors for infection is of utmost importance so that intervention programs can be appropriately focused. This study aims to provide up-to-date information about changes in the incidence of individual risk factors for HCV infection transmission in Egypt. A total of 396 chronic HCV patients on follow-up treatment at liver center in El-Qabbary General Hospital in Alexandria were evaluated retrospectively regarding the potential iatrogenic, community acquired and behavioral HCV risk factors. Risk factors for HCV transmission were found in all study populations. At least three identifiable risk factors were reported by each participant. Some behavioral and community acquired exposures that entail several risky behaviors particularly, unsafe sexual practices were exclusively established among males. We report a significant decline in prevalence of HCV transmission through blood transfusion, parenteral treatment, hospitalization, surgery, non medicalized circumcision, Hijiama done by informal practitioner, tattooing, folk body piercing and threading, sharing hygiene and sharp items, and the use of communal barber or manicure sets among younger age cluster. The pattern of risk differed among older patients compared to younger age group suggesting improved medical care and infection control measures and raised public health awareness regarding the different modes of viral transmission

Seropositivity of toxoplasmosis in patients with schizophrenia

Recent studies indicate that infectious agents may contribute to some cases of schizophrenia. In animals, infections with Toxoplasma gondii can alter behavior and neurotransmitter function. In humans, acute infection can produce psychotic symptoms similar to those displayed by persons with schizophrenia. In the present study, an enzyme immunoassay [EIA] was employed to measure the level of Toxoplasma IgG antibodies in serum samples from 75 patients of schizophrenia and 85 matched controls. Percentage of positive sera for Toxoplasma IgG antibodies was significantly higher in schizophrenic cases than controls [80% vs. 52.9% respectively]. Infection increased with age in both groups and no significant association was found with sex. No association was found with duration of illness or presence of family history of schizophrenia. Circumstantial evidence indicates that infection with Toxoplasma gondii may lead to some cases of schizophrenia

Shigella carriers among non-diarrhoeal children in a rural area in Egypt

Two hundred and thirty-nine non-diarrheal children living in a rural area were recruited in this study. The results have shown that Shigella carrier rate was 5.02% with S. flexneri, the most frequently isolated species [41.7%]. 75% of the isolated Shigella species were multiply antibiotic resistant. Most isolates were resistant to the traditionally used antibiotics [ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin and tetracycline]. Emergence of gentamicin resistance was also observed. 25% of shigella isolates were resistant to nitrofurantoin, while 66.6% were resistant to trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole. All isolates were sensitive to quinolones and third-generation cephalosporins

role of drinking water and gut flora in dissemination of multiple-antibiotic resistance

This work aimed at studying the antibiotic resistance pattern of the gut and drinking water E. coli. Stool samples from 205 primary school children were cultured for isolation of gut E. coli. Drinking water samples from household taps, public taps and storage pots [Zeer] were collected and examined for the presence of E. coli using the standard membrane filter technique. All the isolated E. coli were tested for their susceptibility to the following antibiotics: Ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, nalidixic acid, nitrofurantoin, ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin. Out of the stool isolated E. coli, 78.5% were MAR. E. coli was isolated from 61.3% of the stored Zeer water of which the majority were MAR. The resistance was high to the community-used antibiotics, while the hospital-used agents still retained their efficacy