Activity patterns of residents in homes for the elderly in Alexandria, Egypt

To identify activity patterns of residents in homes for the elderly in Alexandria, we carried out a study on 188 elderly persons in 4 homes [2 governmental and 2 private]. Participants were interviewed individually using a structured interview schedule. Each home was visited daily for 1 week in order to assess the type of activities provided and the participation. Performance of activities was affected by health status, functional ability, lifestyle pattern [including individual practices and personal choices related to health and health risk] and type of home. Private homes, having more resources available, particularly financial resources, tended to involve their residents in physical and social activities more than governmental ones. The majority of the residents tended to be inactive

Randomized study of concurrent carboplatin, paclitaxel, and radiotherapy with or without prior induction chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Multiple concepts of combined modality therapy for locally advanced inoperable non-small cell lung cancer have been investigated. These include induction chemotherapy, concomitant chemo-radiotherapy, and radiation only. To date, combined modality therapy specially the use of concomitant chemo-radiotherapy has led to promising results and was shown to be superior to radiotherapy alone in phase II studies. However the optimum chemo-therapeutic regimen to be used as well as the benefit of induction chemotherapy before concomitant chemo-radiotherapy are yet to be determined. Based on these observations, we investigated the use of paclitaxel and carboplatin concomitantly with radiotherapy and the benefit of prior two cycles induction chemotherapy. In this trial 60 patients with locally advanced inoperable non small cell lung cancer, good performance status and minimal weight loss have been randomized into 3 groups each of 20 patients. Group A received induction 2 cycles paclitaxel [175 mg/m2] and carboplatin [AUC 6] on day 1 and 28th followed by concomitant paclitaxel [45 mg/m2] and carboplatin [AUC 2] weekly with radiotherapy. Group B received concomitant carboplatin, paclitaxel [same doses as in group A] and radiotherapy with no prior induction chemotherapy. Group C received only radiotherapy to a total dose of 60 Gy in conventional fractionation. A total of 60 patients were enrolled in this study between 1998 and 2000. Pretreatment characteristics, including age, gender, performance status, histological features and stage were comparable in each group. The incidence of oesophagitis was significantly higher in group A and B than in group C [p>0.023]. Hematological toxicities was also significantly higher in group A and B than in group C [p=0.003]. The response rate was significantly higher in group A and B than in group C [75%, 79%, and 40% respectively] [p=0.02]. The time to in-field progression was significantly higher in group B as compared to group A [48% vs. 32% failure in 2 years respectively] [p>0.001]. The median 2 year survival was significantly higher in group A and B than in group C [p=0.039] but no statistical difference was seen between group A and B. Combined chemo-radiotherapy resulted in better response and survival as compared to conventional radiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer Early initiation of radiation with concomitant chemotherapy resulted in prolonged time to infield progression. On the other hand, two cycles of induction chemotherapy did not show any significant difference regarding the response or survival. Weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin plus radiotherapy is a well tolerated regimen for outpatients with encouraging results

Teaching staff and nursing student perception about teacher-student interpersonal relationship skills

This study aimed to determine nursing-teaching staff perception about teacher-student interpersonal relationship skills and identify discrepancies between students and teaching staff perception. The study was conducted on 52 teaching staff and 750 nursing students at the High Institute of Nursing, Tanta University and 47 nurse interns at Tanta University Hospital. The tool of this study consisted of a questionnaire composed of two parts. The results revealed that around two thirds of the nursing students perceived interpersonal relationship skills as very important teacher's qualities. A statistical significant difference was found between the three groups in relation to the importance of interpersonal relationship skills. In the light of the results of this study, it is recommended that students should be encouraged by teaching staff to keep the line of communication open with them. Seminars and workshops regarding interpersonal relationship skills should be encouraged in the school of nursing

Infants' feeding pattern and reasons for changing the pattern

Health is a broad concept that includes nutrition as an essential component. Total health cannot be attained without good nutrition, which in turn depends upon adequate food intake. The aim of the research was to study the pattern and the changing pattern of feeding during the first year of life. The sample comprises 1000 infants from the well baby clinic of El-Shatby University Children's Hospital. El Raml Children's Hospital and 24 day-care centers in Alexandria. The study revealed the decline in breast feeding practice. The main reasons reported were to allow for the rapid growth of the infant which was mentioned by almost half the mothers followed by the insufficient amount or dryness of breast milk

relationship between patterns of infants' feeding and the occurrence of diarrhea

Diarrheal diseases pose a grave health threat on infants and children, they are the leading cause of death among them. One reason for this is the close connection between diarrhea and feeding. The aim of this research was to study the relation between the pattern of infant feeding during the first year of life and the occurrence of diarrhea. The sample comprised 1000 infants from the well baby clinic of el-Shatby University Children's Hospital. El-Raml Children's Hospital and 24 day care centers in Alexandria. The study revealed that diarrhea was less among totally breast fed infants as compared to the mixed and bottle fed ones. Also, the duration of attacks was shorter in breast than in mixed and bottle fed ones. Wrong feeding practice among the bottle and mixed fed babies was related to increased diarrheal attacks

Effect of occupational factors of employed women on the outcome of their pregnancy

The work during pregnancy does not affect its outcome, but rather the nature or type of work assumed by the worker. Low birth weight and pregnancy wastage especially abortion was higher among manual workers and those whose work requires standing most of the time or exerting physical effort than for the other professions. Abnormal outcome was more frequently encountered among working mothers exposed to two or more combined hazards as chemical and physical hazards or psychological as nurses, technicians and industrial workers. The importance and positive effect of antenatal care received during pregnancy had its implication on pregnancy outcome. Working mothers who received proper antenatal care tended to give birth to normal full term babies

Nurses' knowledge of breast cancer and breast self examination in Alexandria

Breast Cancer is one of the important public health problems. It represents the leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality in most developed and many developing countries. In this respect nurses as providers of primary health care assume a great role in the early detection of breast cancer which will help in improving the prognosis. The aim of this study was to assess kowledge of curses about breast cancer and breast self examination. The study revealed that in general the nurses knowledge about-breast cancer was poor. The mean score obtained was[X=l7.l3]. Also, their knowledge about breast self examination was unsatisfactory. The mean score [X=7.16]. Relating the total score of nurses knowledge about breast cancer to their position, years of experience and age, no lignificant difference was observed between them. While, a significant difference was observed between nurses knowledge and their practice of BSE

What do Egyptian mothers prefer breast or bottle feeding?

Feeding in the first year of life has an impact on the future growth and development of an infant. Methods of feeding are breast, bottle or both. Nowadays breast feeding is declining in many parts of the world. The study aims at investigating maternal views about the type of feeding during pregnancy, one and three months after delivery and the causes of change in their practice. The sample comprises 200 mothers from El-Gomrok MCH center in Alexandria. The study revealed that there is a decline in breast feeding. It has been replaced by mixed or artificial feeding. The reasons are insufficient breast milk, its cessation, return of mothers to work or sickness and babies refusal of the breast

Training of nurses working as members of front line health personnel in primary health care

Front line health personnel are the persons who have the first contact with people providing them with primary health care. Nurses, being members of the health team, play an active and critical role in providing care and promoting community health. To carry out their role efficiently they should be equipped with up to date knowledge and skills. This could be attained through in-service training programs. The aim of the study was to assess knowledge and practice of nurses working as front line health personnel about some aspects of family health in order to identify their needs. Then, to plan, implement and evaluate an in-service training program to these nurses. The study was carried out on 24 nurses working in rural health centers in different governorates of Egypt about 3 aspects of primary health care [care of the newborn, family planning and family diet]. The educational program was planned and implemented based on the needs of the participants using the appropriate media. It was apparent from the results of the pre-test that nurses need to reinforce their basic knowledge and skills and be acquainted with recent advances in the field of primary care. After the program there was a significant increase in nurses' knowledge and practice about the different aspects of family health tested

study on diarrhoea among children under 2 years in Alexandria

Diarrheal diseases being one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among young children. Improved knowledge about its causes will help in the prevention of the disease. The study was carried out on 1000 cases of children under 2 years of age suffering from diarrhea and attending at a representative sample of government centers in Alexandria. The study revealed that the majority of mothers were illeterate and were from low socio-economic class. Mothers lacked the essential knowledge about causes of diarrhea. Also they sought medical help late after the occurence of the disease