Three years cancer statistics in Assiut University Hospitals, Upper Egypt

This study aimed to rank the common cancers served by Assiut University Hospital and study some demographic characteristics of cancer patients. The data were abstracted from 4067 records of cancer patients for three years [1993- 1995] from the Oncology Department and Administration and Registration Office of Assiut University Hospital. ICD10 was utilized to classify the various types of cancer. Many patients came from Assiut [30.1%] and Sohag [23.4%]; male: female ratio was 1.14: 1 and the mean age of all cancer patients was 45.5 +/- 20.3. The peaks occurred at 55 years old for men and 10 years earlier for women for Assiut patients. The cancer risk was unity at age of 32 years and the peaks of risk occurred at 55 years old for men and 10 years later for women. The common cancers were breast [14.9%], lymphoma [13.6%], followed by bladder [10.8%], lung [5.5%] colon and rectum [4.2%] and liver and bile ducts [3.4%]. In males, bladder cancer [17%], lymphoma [16.8%] and lung [8.2%] were the most common cancers; while breast cancer [29.5%] and lymphoma [10%] were the most common cancers in females

Health related behaviors among adolescents and youth in Assiut governorate, Upper Egypt

A cross-sectional community-based study in rural and urban areas was designed to study the cultural norms and health related behavior about reproduction, female circumcision, STDs, smoking and leisure time use. The data were collected by a personal interview of 1660 adolescents and youth aged 15-24 years in two rural [1151] and two urban [509] areas. Three children were the ideal number of wanted children in 54.2% and more than half considered 35-40 years the ideal age for terminating child bearing. About one-fourth of married females got pregnant three times or more and this was depending on the number of living children and duration of marriage by using logistic regression analysis. Female circumcision was almost universal [98.5%] and decreased markedly by mother's education [82.5%] and 75.9% intended to circumcise their daughters. About-half of adolescents and youth [48.4%] knew about STDs. Of the aware group, 94.9% knew AIDS and 59.2% recommended sticking to religious teaching to protect themselves against STD/AIDS. 30% of males were smokers and the habit was much higher among working groups as free business, skilled workers and farmers. Leisure time use was underutilized, sports were practiced by 26.6%, reading as a hobby by 41.6% and only 12.2% were volunteers for public activities. Literacy and unemployment are major problems with gender disparities

Prevalence of enteroperasites among primary school children in Assiut governorate

This study included 3682 pupils [2313 males and 1369 females]. The results revealed that 35.8% of the school pupils were infected with one or more of intestinal parasites. The infection rate was just higher among rural pupils than the urban ones and among males than females without statistical significant differences. The activation of health education of the school pupils through mass media and school health program as regards personal hygiene and environmental sanitation was recommended. Also, the periodic stool examination and the treatment of cases should be emphasized

Effect of outdoor air pollution caused by the fertilizer Factory in Assiut on prevalence of COPD

The research was conducted to study the effect of outdoor air pollution caused by the Superphosphate Fertilizer Factory in Manqabad. Assiut on the prevalence of COPD. It is a cross-sectional community-based study conducted from March through July, 1993 on 492 subjects in the area exposed to air pollution, and on 291 control subjects in a non-exposed area Data were collected during personal interview at home visits including history taking and clinical examination. Spirometric pulmonary function studies were performed and reversibility of airway obstruction of all subjects was tested. Air samples covering the 24 hours were collected to measure SO[2] concentration in different regions. Mean SO[2] concentration was higher in exposed [2.97 ppm] than non-exposed [0.48 ppm] areas. The two populations were matched age structure. Sex and smoking habits. The prevalence of COPD was 17.5 percent in exposed compared to 6.2 percentin non-exposed areas [p<0.001]. The prevalence of COPD consistently paralleled to SO[2] concentration in different regions in exposed area. The prevalence of COPD was higher in exposed than non-exposed areas for the factors of age, sex, occupation and smoking. Smoking and occupational exposure are preventable modifying risk factors We concluded that the Fertilizer Factory in Assiut causes sulphur air pollution which is an important factor contribution to the development and/or aggravation of COPD

Hepatic morbidity associated with Shaematobium in Upper Egypt [an ultrsonographic field study]

Several studies demonstrated the usefulness of ultrasonography in diagnosing schistosomal periportal fibrosis. A multistage random sample was taken to represent the rural population of the Egyptian governorates by EPI 123. 31 different rural population communities in Assiut Governorate and 44 in Qena Governorate were studied. The sample size was 14,204 for Assiut and 17,822 in Qena. The sampled households were interviewed for personal data and parasitological examination. One-fifth of the houses were subjected to clinical and abdominal ultrasonography examination and 3058 persons completed all forms in both Assiut and Qena. Hepatic morbidity associated with S. haematobium was studied. It was concluded that, in Upper Egypt S. haematobium infection is associated with mild degree of periportal fibrosis without significant hepatomegaly, splenomegaly or portal vein dilatation which might be due to available chemotherapy