Epidemiology of tuberculosis and evaluation of treatment outcomes in the national tuberculosis control programme, River Nile state, Sudan, 2011-2013

Tuberculosis is a major health problem in Sudan, a country that carries 11-15% of the tuberculosis burden in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology of tuberculosis in River Nile State and to compare treatment outcomes with WHO recommended indicators. A descriptive study was conducted on data collected from records of 1221 patients registered at tuberculosis management units over the 3 years 2011-2013. The mean age of cases was 37.7 [SD 21.5] years and 65.9% were males; 76.3% were pulmonary tuberculosis and 36.9% were sputum smear-positive cases. Average values for all outcome indicators were suboptimal, notably rates of case notification [30.8 per 100 000], case detection [10.3%], treatment success [79.6%], treatment failure [3.0%], default [8.1%] and death [8.0%]. Of the 264 patients tested for HIV, 3.8% were positive. Outcome indicators tor the national tuberculosis control programme are lagging behind the required targets

Undiagnosed diabetes mellitus in rural communities in Sudan: prevalence and risk factors

Undiagnosed diabetes constitutes a challenge for health providers, especially in rural areas. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus and glucose intolerance among adults in rural communities in River Nile State, north Sudan. In a cross-sectional community-based study, blood glucose, anthropometric, demographic and clinical history data were obtained from 1111 individuals from 35 villages. The prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes was 2.6% [29 individuals]; glucose intolerance was detected in 1.3% [14 individuals]. Classic symptoms [polydipsia, polyuria and weight loss] were present in around half of the participants but were not more prevalent in those with diabetes. Lower educational level, increasing age, hypertension and unexplained weight loss were significant risk factors for diabetes. Other variables [obesity, sex, occupation, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking] were not significant risk factors. There is a low prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes and glucose intolerance in the rural population of River Nile State

Our Experience with posturography in hemiparetic patients after stroke in Kuwait

To study the Berg Balance Scale [BBS] as balance functional impairment of hemiparetic stroke patients after onset of stroke; to quantitatively assess control of balance by computerized dynamic posturography [CDP]; to correlate composite equilibrium score [ES] with sex, side of lesion and stroke type; and to correlate ES with static and dynamic posturography in hemiparetic stroke patients. A retrospective case control study. Outpatient clinic in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital, Kuwait. A total of 21 hemiplegic ambulatory stroke patients and 19 age-matched healthy individuals as control group. BBS and CDP. ES and sensory organization test [SOT] 1-6. BBS scores of stroke patients were below the lower limit of the normal control group [p < 0.001]. Significant reduction was observed for composite ES of stroke patients compared to control group. Although no significant difference of static balance function was observed between patients and controls, significant reduction of dynamic balance function [SOT 4, SOT 5, SOT 6] was observed in stroke patients, compared to control group [p < 0.05]. In linear regression correlation [r-] of stroke patients, no significant correlation was observed of ES with static balance function [SOT 1, SOT 2, SOT 3] in hemiparetic stroke patients [p > 0.05]. However, there was a direct significant correlation of ES with dynamic balance function including SOT 4, SOT 5 and SOT 6 [r = -0.71; p < 01], [r = 0.761, p < 0.01] and [r = -0.761, p < 0.05] respectively in hemiparetic stroke patients. Impaired dynamic equilibrium in stroke patients is likely to reflect reduction of muscle strength of the paretic side along with the possible impairment of sensory organization

Health profile of workers in the paint industry

In paint manufacture, there is unacceptably high chemical exposure with consequent effects on health. Raw materials used to manufacture paints constitute major chemical hazards to workers as a result of mechanical operations. This study is conducted on a group of workers in a paint industry in an attempt to assess the impact of the paints and coatings on health and on the clinical and laboratory parameters. Due to the high concentration of solvents in this industry, high incidence of renal impairment has been observed. The liver was less affected as evidenced by the serum transaminases level, though these were considered unreliable measures being unrelated to sub-clinical affection. Chest examination revealed the presence of some cases of chronic bronchitis and others with frequent asthmatic attacks. Immunological assessment revealed statistically significant elevation in the serum immunoglobulin E [IgE] among the exposed population. Contrarily, the IgG was not significantly elevated though positively correlating with the IgE level. The paint industry is, therefore, one of the most hazardous industries that need further investigations to keep the levels of toxic dust to minimum and set the precautions to protect the working population

translation into arabic and revalidation of a fatigue questionnaire

The monoclonal antibody NCL-CK13 was studied in specimens of craniopharyngioma, ameloblastoma and calcifying odontogenic cyst neoplasms and the mandible and maxillae of normal human fetuses. There was a decrease in NCL-CK13 as the dental lamina developed, with a complete loss in the enamel organ. The neoplastic epithelia of the neoplasms revealed a clear phenotypic and immunohistochemical reactive relationship to the stratified embroyonic mucosa, away from the enamel organ. This suggests that these neoplasms might have their histogenesis from early stage epithelium, the oral part of the dental lamina or its remnants

Epidemiological relation between illnesses and injury occurrence among industrial workers in Alexandria

He present study followed the 6 monthly reports of illnesses and accidents issued from 925 companies in Alexandria from the year 1990 to the end of 1994. The aim of this work is to test the presence of a relationship between illnesses and injury occurrence in different types of industries. The involved companies were categorized according to their main activity into 5 types: spinning and weaving, chemical, engineering, food processing and service companies. The illnesses were divided into acute [less than 7 days sick leave] and chronic illnesses. Simple and multiple regression analyses were utilized involving the frequency and severity of injuries as dependent factors and the number of workers, the frequency and severity of both acute and chronic diseases as independent factors. Results indicated that large companies showed a significantly higher frequency and severity of occupational injuries [P<0.001]. This holds true for all types of industries except the engineering category. All regression analyses revealed a significant positive relationship between frequency and severity of injuries and each of the number of workers, frequency and severity of acute and chronic illnesses. Stepwise regression showed that frequency of acute illnesses is the most important predictor of frequency of injuries while number of workers is the first predictor of severity of injuries. This can be useful as a preliminary tool for locating weak points in the preventive strategy to be adopted in different industries

Assessment of total suspended particulates level and some physical environmental factors and related health problems among school pupils in Alexandria

The present work aimed at measuring TSP, noise, and lighting levels in school environment and determining their possible effects on the health status of students. A systematic sample of 18 schools was selected from the Eastern region of Alexandria. From each school, 2-3 classrooms were selected at random where measurements of TSP, noise, and lighting levels were carried out. A total of 646 students were selected from 6 positions inside 46 classrooms. The health impacts of the studied parameters were assessed using a precoded observation sheet. The average TSP level was 2.10 +/- 1.30 mg/m[3]. Schools and classrooms near markets showed significantly the maximum average TSP [3.38 +/- 0.59 mg/m[3]] while those lying within residential areas showed the lowest average [1.33 +/- 0.67 mg/m[3]]. No significant difference between pupils classified by history of allergy in the average TSP levels was found. The average noise levels were 64.45 +/- 3.7 dB and 71.36 +/- 4.08 dB during complete silence in the morning and afternoon respectively, 75.32 +/- 3.85 dB during a lesson, and 78.32 +/- 6.87 dB during tram or train passage. All noise levels exceeded the recommended maximum permissible levels [42-55 dB]. No statistically significant association could be detected between noise during a lesson in one hand and hearing acuity, performance, and concentration in the other. The median lighting level was 27.9 foot-candles. Pupils with visual acuity lower than 6/9 were significantly exposed to a higher average lighting level than those with visual acuity of 6/6 or 6/9 [Mann-Whitney Z = 2.59. P<0.01]