Role of the nurse in maintaining healthy physical environment in primary schools in Alexandria

Healthy school physical environment affects the day to day health and well being of the students. It should be organized in a way that reduces or eliminates safety hazards for all students and school personnel. The nurse collaborates with other school members to provide effective intervention to prevent the exposure of students to potentially physically harmful conditions. They must have the educational knowledge and background to be actively involved in promoting a safe healthy school environment. The present study aimed to know the role of the nurse in maintaining the healthy physical environment in primary schools in Alexandria. The study was conducted at the governmental primary schools in the seven educational zones. The study included all nurses working in 350 primary schools. The study was fulfilled through a cross-sectional approach. A total number of 251 nurses accepted to be included in the study, their mean age were 45.87 +/- 10.61 years, the majority of them [89.2%] were married and had children about 57.0% had a certificate of health visitor diploma. The results showed that knowledge, attitudes and practices of nurses regarding maintaining healthy school physical environment are adequate in some aspects and inadequate in another. As regards knowledge, only one quarter of nurses has the required knowledge, while one third of them did not have enough knowledge. However, there were unsatisfactory attitudes and practices in maintaining healthy school physical environment. The study revealed that a significant positive relationship was found between knowledge of nurses and their qualifications and marital status

Coping strategies of mothers of children with cardiac problems

Assessment of coping strategies is important in planning of health education programs to enhance coping. The aim of the present work was to assess the knowledge and attitude of mothers concerning cardiac problems, to assess the coping strategies of mothers of children with cardiac problems, and to identify some predictors of the coping strategies. A cross sectional study of 187 mothers of children with cardiac problems who attended the cardiology school health insurance clinic of Sporting Student's Hospital in Alexandria with their children within a period of one month was conducted. Every mother was subjected to the modified Jalowiec coping scale to assess the coping strategies. Knowledge and attitude of the mothers were assessed through a pre-designed interviewing questionnaire. The results showed marked variability in correct responses to various statements about cardiac problems. However, most of mothers showed poor knowledge [87.17%] and about half of them [46.0%] showed negative attitude. These figures were significantly higher among mothers of children with congenital heart defects [CHD] than among those whose children suffer from rheumatic heart disease [RHD]. The most commonly used coping method was [Pray; trust in god] [92.5%], followed by [Accept the situation as it is] [88.0%], and [Hope that things will be better] [73.5%]. More than half of the mothers [55.5%] reported that they always [Resign themselves to the situation because it is their fate] while 28.0% reported that they always [Worry]. The percent mean score of use of problem-oriented coping methods was nearly equal to that for affective-oriented coping methods. Duration of illness [p<0.01], previous hospitalization [p=0.01], and attitude of mothers to illness [p=0.05] were all significantly associated with coping strategies. However after adjustment for other variables, high percent mean total coping scores were more likely among mothers of children with longer disease duration and those whose mother showed negative attitude towards cardiac problems [p<0.05]. Health education programs are needed to enhance coping strategies, knowledge, and attitude of mothers of children with cardiac problems. However, high coping strategy scores are significantly associated with the longer duration of illness and the negative attitude of mothers, possibly due to prolonged exposure to stress and the feeling that their children are different. Support group for parents is a highly recommended strategy to help a family benefit from communication with others who share common concerns, interests, and goals

Street children in Alexandria: profile and psychological disorders

Today developed and developing countries are facing the problem posed by street children. The continuous and unrestrained exposure to the street and its associated lifestyles makes these children vulnerable to a range of health, social, and other problems. The aim of the present work was to assess the profile of street children and their living condition from different aspects, in addition to assessment of some psychological disorders among them. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 street boys present at El-Horreya institute for Children Community Development, which is a non-governmental organization in Alexandria. An equal control group of 50 school boys were selected at random from the first and second grades of one governmental boys preparatory school of the Middle District of Alexandria. Every child was subjected to an interviewing questionnaire. The Arabic version of Revised Ontario Child Health study scale, children Depression Inventory and the Cooper-Smith Self-Esteem Inventory, were used to identify children with conduct disorder, depression, and assess self-esteem, respectively. Anthropometric measurements including weight and height were measured for each street child and BMI was calculated. The present study revealed that more than half of street children [58.0%] came from large size families, about three-quarters [72.0%] reported insufficient income, most of them had low educated parents and unskilled fathers, 80.0% reported not living with both parents before coming to the institute, and 91.2% reported bad inter-parental relationship. Family history of drug abuse, alcohol intake, smoking, and imprison were significantly higher among street children compared to school children [p<0.001]. The present study showed that 74.0% of street children were smokers, 22.0% reported drug abuse, and 90.0% were dropped out of school. Family violence, beating, and beating without reason significantly increase the risk of being a street child [OR= 31.90, 2.0, and 44.58, respectively]. The risk of conduct disorder, depression, and low-self esteem were significantly more among street children compared to school children [OR= 44.59, 14.64, and 9.66, respectively]. The main cause of leaving home was beating, 80.0% lived in street after leaving home, 72.0% their main source of living was begging, and most of them faced problems in the street especially with the police. The results revealed that 92.0% were satisfied with the institute and 86.0% prefer to stay in the institute than returning to the street. Planning programs to prevent, protect, and rehabilitate street children are essential

Anxiety among school age children suffering from asthma

This study was conducted on 146 asthmatic preparatory school students. A matching control of 223 non-asthmatic students from the preparatory school was also included in the study. The study was carried out through a cross-sectional approach. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data about the general characteristics of the sample, interpersonal and inter-parental relationships, school performance and the attitude and behavior of mothers towards their asthmatic children. The Arabic version of state-trait anxiety inventory [STAI] was used to identify children with anxiety state. The present result revealed that 24.7% of the asthmatic students were anxious with a higher preponderance among boys than girls. Bad interpersonal and inter-parental relationships had increased the risk of the occurrence of anxiety state among asthmatic children. Also, poor scholastic achievement was more encountered among asthmatics who had anxiety. The development of asthma education programs to increase parents', children's and teachers' awareness of asthma symptoms and asthma trigger events was recommended

Relationship of adolescent self-esteem to sociodemographic factors, and scholastic achievement

This study was conducted through a cross sectional approach to assess the relationship of adolescent self-esteem to sociodemographic factors and scholastic achievement among preparatory school pupils in Alexandria. The study included 707 pupils selected by using a multistage stratified random sample of pupils enrolled in the preparatory schools in Alexandria Governorate. The results of the study revealed that 14.85% of the adolescents had low self-esteem. Girls were at higher risk to develop low-self esteem [OR=1.9]. Low socioeconomic level was the only significant predictor for the development of low self-esteem

Knowledge of primary school teachers in Alexandria about asthma

This study was conducted to elucidate the level of knowledge about asthma among primary school teachers in Alexandria. An interview questionnaire was constructed to collect data from 318 teachers chosen through a multistage stratified random method from 10 primary schools in Alexandria. The questionnaire included personal data and a series of statements about asthma that were to be answered. The study revealed that the teachers had limited knowledge about asthma in children. Most of them believed of the importance of playing sports for the asthmatic children. About 11% of the teachers did not permit an asthmatic child to keep his medicine with him during school hours. A significant difference in the level of knowledge about asthma was found between teachers who had received instructions and those who did not. It is recommended that instructions about asthma should be given to all primary school teachers during their teacher training Courses

Serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis among primary school children in a rural area

The present study was carried out on primary school children of Abbis VIII to assess their serological status to Toxoplasma infection. A stratified random sample was chosen from the pupils during the scholastic year 1985-1986. The total sample was 254 child. Positive reaction was obtained in 29.92% of them. The percentage of sero-positive results was significantly higher among children whose mothers had a history of stillbirths [44.44%]. Also it was affected by socio-economic level of the children where the rate of infection was highest among low socio economic groups. Cats play an indirect role in causing infection through the contamination of soil by viable oocysts. Age and sex proved to have no effect on the percentage of positive reactors