Helicobacter pylori infection: seroprevalence and predictors among healthy individuals in Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections among humans worldwide. However, there is no information on the epidemiology of H. pylori infection in Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of H. pylori in asymptomatic healthy individuals and the possible relationship between H. pylori infection and sociodemographic, lifestyle, and environmental factors in this region

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on a consecutive sample of asymptomatic healthy individuals. A pilot-tested interview format was used as the research tool. Venous blood was collected from individuals and sera were separated. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine H. pylori IgG antibody levels in all serum samples

Results: A total of 456 samples were collected. H. pylori antibodies were found in 129 [28.3%] individuals. Seroprevalence of 16.9% was found in individuals younger than 20 years of age, which gradually increased with age and reached 36.8% by the age of 50. After controlling for the confounding factors, significant independent predictors of seropositive state were: rural residence [odds ratio [OR]=2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.3, 4.7], crowded housing [OR=1.6, 95% CI=1.1, 2.6], low socioeconomic status [OR=3.3, 95% CI=1.6, 8.8], using tanks for drinking water supply [OR=2.2, 95% CI=1.2, 7.4], active smoking [OR=5.6, 95% CI=3.2, 9.8], alcohol drinking [OR=2.3, 95% CI=1.5, 6.2], eating raw vegetables [OR=3.2, 95% CI=1.4, 7.1], eating spicy food [OR=2.1, 95% CI=1.3, 3.5], and presence of asthmatic/atopic symptoms [OR=2.5, 95% CI=1.3, 5.9]. No associations were found between infection and age, gender, source of sewage disposal, eating fruits, or family history of upper gastrointestinal symptoms

Conclusion and recommendations: Infection with H. pylori is declining among healthy individuals of Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Infection is acquired at an early age and reaches up to 36.9% as age advances. The risk of H. pylori seropositivity was related to socioeconomic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. A nationwide epidemiological study is warranted to determine the seroprevalence of H. pylori in Saudi Arabia

Needle stick injuries among health care workers of Alexandria University hospitals

Needle stick injury has been recognized as one of the occupational hazards which results in transmission of blood borne pathogens. As there was limited data on the national level about these injuries determinants of such injuries are important to investigate and to design effective prevention programs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and circumstances of needle stick injuries among heath care personnel working at Alexandria University hospitals. Effectiveness of the existing control measures and practice of standard precautions were also assessed. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 913 health care workers [HCW] in different clinical departments of the three teaching hospitals from January to December 2007. Data were obtained by an anonymous, self-reporting questionnaire. Health Belief Model [HBM] was used to explain standard precautions practice. Multiple linear regression was performed to predict factors associated with the practice of standard precautions. Of the recruited participants, 70.6% [645/913] had completed the questionnaires. Nurses had the highest response rate [92.5%]. More than two thirds [68.0%, n=438] of participanting HCWs had sustained at least one needle stick injury in the last 12 months. Risk of [Needle Stick Injuries [NSls] was significantly associated with younger age of the participants and fewer years of work experience. More specifically, of all occupational groups, nurses have the highest risk to experience needle stick injuries [62.3%]. Disposable syringes accounted for 38.4% of injuries. Most needle stick injuries [36.5%] occurred at the patient's ward. Evaluating the kind of activity under which the needle stick injury occurred, on average 36.0% of injuries occurred during recapping of a needle especially if this practice was handily done. High risk patients [one with a history of infection with HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or injection drug use] were involved in 8.2% of injuries. The majority of NSIs [73.1%] occurred at end of the shift. Most health care workers [77.4%] were mentally distressed during their injury. Factors increase possibility of infection transmission were the procedure involving a needle placed directly in patient's vein or artery, exposure to a source patient who had evidence of blood borne infection, low immune status of the HCW [i.e., no vaccination with HBV], deep injury, and lack use of personal protective equipment. A total of 327 respondents [74.7%] did not report the injury to an employee health service. Lack knowledge of appropriate procedure after injury was the most common cited reason for not reporting the injury. The survey revealed that use of preventive measures was inadequate. Only 10.0% of all participant workers knew new needless safety devices. The significant protective factors that decreased the frequency of needle stick injuries were using devices with safety features [OR=0.41], satisfactory adherence of a health care worker to infection control guidelines [OR=0, 42], having training in injection safety and appropriate work practices [OR=0.14], comfortable room temperature during injection [OR=O.32], and availability of written protocol for prompt reporting of such injuries [OR=0.37]. The mean standard precautions practice percent score for the health care workers was 46.32%. In multiple linear regression model, knowledge score of infection transmission [adj beta: 0.18] and the work experience [adj beta: 0.06] were the only significant predictors of standard precautions score. There is a high rate of needlestick injuries in the daily routine of Alexandria teaching hospitals with subsequent risk of infection transimission. Greater collaborative efforts are needed to prevent needlestick injuries. Such efforts are best accomplished through a comprehensive program that addresses all circumstances that contribute to the occurrence of needlestick injuries in health care workers. Critical to this effort is the elimination of needle use where safe and effective alternatives are available and the continuing development, evaluation, and use of needle devices with safety features. All such approaches must include serious initial and ongoing training efforts

Bed utilization indices in the general hospitals in state of Kuwait 2004

Hospitals are an important part of the health care system and hospital costs are the largest component of the health care spending. This study aims to analyze and compare the hospital bed utilization indices in the general hospitals in Kuwait for year 2004. Review of the records of some departments of the general hospitals in Kuwait [which are general surgery, internal medicine and pediatrics departments] was done. Calculation and comparison of the hospital bed utilization indices was performed for the year 2004. An analysis of bed complement [B. C.] at the various general hospitals for the year 2004 revealed that Mubarak Al Kabir, Amiri and Sabah hospitals had the maximum B.C. Jahra and Adan hospitals had the maximum bed occupancy rate [B.O.R]. Sabah, Amiri and Mubarak Al-Kabir had the maximum average length of stay [A.L.S]. Farwania hospital has the maximum turn over interval [T.O.I], while Jahra hospital has the minimum T. O. I. [regarding generral surgery] and the maximum Turn over rate [T. O. R] regarding all selected departments [general 2Preral medicine and pediatric department]. Farwania, Amen and Sabah hospitals have the minimum surgery, internal medicine and pediatric departments respectively]. The results of this study can be valuable in providing scientific and effective example that highlights some gaps in the indices between various general hospitals for better achievements on the developmental scale

Healthy lifestyles among women in reproductive age in urban Alexandria Egypt 2006: community based study

A healthy lifestyle [HLS] is a way of living that lowers the risk of being seriously ill or dying early. Researches have identified certain types of behavior that contribute to the development of non-communicable diseases and early death. The most important are dietary pattern, exercise, tobacco smoking and stress. This research aimed at measuring the prevalence of HLS among healthy non-pregnant women in reproductive age in Urban Alexandria, Egypt. A Cross sectional epidemiological study was carried out during the period December 2006- January 2007. The research included 600 healthy non-pregnant Women in reproductive age [excluding pregnant, lactating and those in the period of purperium]. They were selected using the cluster sampling technique from 30 clusters in Alexandria City [20 from each cluster]; giving a community based reliable and representative sample of the studied population. Women were interviewed using a specially designed interviewing format which contained questions about: socio-demographic profile, dietary habits, exercise performance, tobacco use and psychosomatic manifestations of stress. Weight, height and blood pressure were measured. Weight, height, body mass index [BMI], systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly correlates with age. There was a significant relation between smoking index and age. Two thirds of women <25 years were passively smokers. Eating habits significantly differed between women <25 years and those >25 years, with more skipping breakfast among younger women [<25 years]. Younger women [<25 years] were significantly more practicing exercise, using stairs and more frequently walking. The degree of development of psychosomatic manifestations significantly differed between young [<25 years] and old [>25 years] women. collectively, younger women had more healthy life styles [regarding smoking, exercise and stress] than older one. Education, occupation, marital status and place of origin were possible predisposing factors for such difference