Prevalence of chronic kidney diseases in rural areas in Assiut district

Chronic kidney disease [CKD] is increasingly recognized as a global public health problem. Currently, CKD is the 12[th] highest cause of death and 17[th] highest cause of disability worldwide. To determine the prevalence of chronic kidney diseases in rural areas in Assiut District, prevalence of most common risk factors for CKD and the relation between these risk factors and CKD in the studied group Two villages out of 15 villages from Assiut district were randomly selected; El Bora and Awlad Rayek. Sample size was calculated using EPI info 2000 statistical calculation version 6 which revealed that we should have sample size not less than 235 participants. All candidates were interviewed in a previously prepared questionnaire. Blood pressure measured, morning urine samples were obtained, and blood samples were withdrawn for kidney function and blood glucose level. Prevalence of chronic kidney diseases [stage 1-4] in rural areas of Assiut District is high 27.6%, prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, recurrent urinary tract infection, past history of bilharziasis and renal stones in the studied sample as follow: 15.5%, 13.2%, 12.6%, 8.9%, 6.9%; respectively. Hypertension and diabetes had high association with cases of CKD in the studied sample. It seems that there is a high prevalence of chronic kidney disease in our locality; but unfortunately little awareness about chronic kidney diseases. Hypertension and diabetes had high association with cases of CKD in the studied group

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

Epidemiological factors in relation to histopathology of chronic hepatitis C infection

This study was designed to find the relation between the histopathological features of chronic hepatitis C infection and epidemiological factors. We reviewed the records of three hundred patients from Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, UK. The mean age of the patients was 42.5 +/- 10.6 years. 205 patients [68.3%] were males and 95 [31.7%] were females. The mean duration of infection was 15.1 +/- 8.3 years. The most frequent risk factor was IVDU. 62.7% of the patients were asymptomatic and 73.7% had no clinical signs of chronic liver disease. All patients were positive for hepatitis C antibody and PCR. Histopathological grading and staging [modified Ishak HAI] were: normal liver in 3 cases [1%], minimal chronic hepatitis in 50 cases [16.8%], mild chronic hepatitis in 159 cases [53.5%], moderate chronic hepatitis in 81 cases [27.3%] and severe chronic hepatitis in 4 cases [1.3%]. Three cases [1%] were hepatocellular carcinoma. There was no significant gender difference in respect of grade or stage of chronic hepatitis C infection [P>0.05]. Patients less than 40 years old and those with duration of infection less than 20 years were more frequent in Stages 1 and 2 while patients aged 40 and above and those with duration of infection of 20 years and above were more frequent in stages 5 and 6 fibrosis [P<0.001]. Other histological features also present included steatosis in 68 cases [22.9%], lymphoid follicles / aggregates in 27 cases [9.1%] and bile duct proliferation in 17 cases [5.7%]. These 3 features were more often encountered in mild chronic hepatitis. However bile duct proliferation was more common among patients with cirrhosis. We conclude that more than half of chronic hepatitis C patients presented with mild histological features. The duration of infection and the patient's age were associated with liver fibrosis. Steatosis, lymphoid follicles and bile duct proliferation were present in association with chronic hepatitis C in a proportion of cases

Intestinal parasitic infection among food handlers in Assiut University Hospital

This work aimed to study the prevalence of parasitic infections among food handlers in Assiut University Hospital with special reference to the diagnosis of some protozoan sporozoa. Macroscopic examination of stool samples revealed 42.9% loose and 57.1% formed stool and 80.3% of food handlers had intestinal parasites. Also, a combination of Microsporidia and Cryptosporidia were found in 25% of stool samples. There were also non- pathogenic parasites rates in loose stool observed with Microsporidia, Blastocystis hominis and Giardia lamblia

relation between entamoeblasis infection and blood groups

This work included 287 persons from secondary school of nursing students and patients attending Assiut Endemic Diseases Hospital. Stool and urine samples were examined for parasitic infection. Fifty- seven were infected with Entamoeba histolytica and 230 were free from parasites. Every one was examined for ABO blood groups. Twenty-seven cases were of blood group A, fourteen, thirteen and three were of blood groups O, B and AB, respectively. Entamoebiasis was more common among urban 28 than rural 24 and semi-urban 5. The infection rates were higher among females 37 than males 20 and among the age group 10-20 and 20-30 years