ABSTRACT
Abortion constitutes a major health problem with associated morbidity and mortality that are completely avoidable. After abortion, a qualified family planning consultancy can be given to women and they can be secured to use a suitable contraceptive method. However, the impact of post-abortion counseling is still debatable. The study aim was to assess the knowledge of recently aborted women regarding family planning methods, and their intentions to use contraception alter abortion. The study was conducted at Assiut University Hospital using a cross-sectional descriptive design. A sample of I 00 women were consecutively recruited from those admitted in a state of abortion. A structured interview schedule was used to collect data about socio-demographic characteristics of women, obstetric history, knowledge, and attitude regarding family planning, and their use and intention to use contraception. The results have shown that most women had knowledge about most methods as IUD [85.0%], pills [68.0%], and injection [55. 0%], very few had knowledge about local methods. Overall, 43.0% had satisfactory knowledge, 92.0% had positive attitude, and only 36.0% were using contraception, and 41.0 had the intention to use after current abortion. Satisfactory knowledge was increasing with age [p=0. 006], older age at marriage [p=0. 03], higher number of girls [p=0.003], and abortions [p=0.02]. Negative attitude was related to the number of abortions [p=0.047]. Use of contraception was statistically significantly related to age, education, age at marriage, parity, number of boys and girls, number of abortions, and whether the index pregnancy was wanted. Women's intention to use contraception after current abortion was statistically significantly related to education, age at marriage, parity, number of boys and girls, and whether the index pregnancy was wanted, and to previous use of contraception. In conclusion, knowledge about contraception and its use are low among recently aborted women in Assiut. Their intention to use contraception after abortion is closely related to their previous use. It is recommended that nurses have a more active role in increasing women knowledge and awareness about contraception and family planning. Post-abortion counseling should be encouraged, with programs for retraining nurses on the principles and practices of post-abortion care and family planning
ABSTRACT
At least half of all women who have given birth experience pelvic organ prolapse. The prevalence in Egypt is high and the age and parity remain the most predictive factors for the condition. There is a need to identify knowledge deficits, misconceptions, and common self-care practices used by women with pelvic floor dysfunction. The aim of the study was to measure women's knowledge about genital prolapse, and to identify their self-care practices to relieve its symptoms. The study was conducted at Assiut University Hospital using a cross-sectional analytic design. Subjects consisted of 100 married women aged 20 to 60 years, having at least one vaginal delivery, and diagnosed as having genital prolapse. A specially designed interview schedule was developed for data collection; it included socio-demographic data. symptoms of genital prolapse, and knowledge about it, as well as women's reported self-care practice for relief of its symptoms. The results revealed that low back pain, frequency and urgency of micturition, and feeling lower heaviness with cough or sneezing were the most common symptoms. Only 16.7% of the women had a satisfactory knowledge about genital prolapse. The most common seIf-care practices for dribbling of urine were changing underwear [68.7%], while 27.3% did nothing. Most women did nothing for dysuria [46.0%], defecation problems [68.7%], and dyspareunia [80.7%]; 51.3% of women reported reducing their prolaspe for relief of the feeling of heaviness. Back pain was mostly treated by lying down on the back [20.7%], and 30.0% reported washing with soap and water for vaginal discharge. Low abdominal pain and dysmenorrhea were mostly managed by hot herbal drinks, 42.0% and 393%, respectively. The woman herself was the main source of information for almost all symptoms. Knowledge was statistically significantly higher among educated women, p<0.001, and those with severe symptoms, p=0.03. Also, seeking medical advice was statistically significantly higher among younger [p=0.02] and educated [p=0.047] women. Statistically significant associations were revealed between seeking medical advice and knowledge about the causes [p=0.02] and management [p=0.02]. It is concluded that women with genital prolapse lack knowledge about this condition, and its causes and management. They also have a low health seeking behavior. The role of health care providers as sources of information is minimal. Therefore, it is recommended that nurses have a more prominent role in educating women about the predisposing factors, symptoms and signs. and proper self-care practices
ABSTRACT
Female genital cutting is a public health problem. In Egypt, 97% of ever-married Egyptian women had been circumcised. In order to deal with FGC effectively, there is a need to discern the factors that lead to perpetuation of its practice. The aim of this study was to describe the intention of health care providers to circumcise their daughters, and to analyze the factors that might be influencing this intention. The study was carried out in the University and General hospitals, as well as the MCH centers in Assiut and Port-Said cities, using a cross-sectional analytic design. A consecutive convenience sample was taken, 101 from Port Said and 250 from Assiut, with inclusion criteria of being a female health care provider, and having at least one daughter. Data were collected during the period from June to November 2004 using self-administered questionnaire comprising questions about socio-demographic data, beliefs, conviction and intention to circumcise daughter[s], as well as husband's opinion. The age of women ranged from 17 to 60 years. Most of them were nurses, and had urban residence [83.8%,]. The number of daughters ranged front one to four. More husbands were convinced with circumcision than wives, 48.4% and 32.5%, respectively. The most commonly stated reasons for circumcision were habit [68.4%], religious factors [67.2%], and chastity [65.0%]. Women conviction with and intention of circumcision were influenced by their age, religion, education, job, husband education, family type, and number of daughters. husbands with rural residence, extended families, and higher number of daughters were also more convinced. Statistically significant association was present between conviction of women and husbands on one hand, and women intention to circumcise their daughters on the other hand, p<0. 001. More urban women mentioned changing concept and fear from complications, while more rural women have mentioned the change in traditions. About half of the women in Port Said were convinced [45.5%], compared to about one fourth in Assiut [27.2%], p<0.001. The mean age at circumcision was statistically significantly higher in Assiut [11.2+/-1.6 SD years], compared to Port Said [9.7+/-2.0 SD years], p<0.001. It is concluded that still more than one third of healthcare providers are convinced and have the intention to circumcise their daughters. It is recommended to conduct educational programs that emphasize the religious aspects of the issue. Also, nurses need to be acquainted with the various cultural forces that lead to FGC in order to help women
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge of pre-menopausal employed women about menopausal changes. The study was carried out on a convenient sample of 102 women working in Assiut University faculties and aged 40 to 50 years participated in the study. A structured interview sheet. The field work was performed over a period of two months, February and March 2004. About two thirds of the women [67.6%] had an overall adequate level of knowledge about menopause. Knowledge about the pen-menopausal changes hut time was deficient. The knowledge about psychological changes was better than physical and systemic changes. The risk of ischemic heart diseases was under-estimated by the group. Age and education were positively associated with adequate knowledge. It is recommended to upgrade the curriculum of secondary schools and faculties of nursing, and to refresh the knowledge of healthcare providers about climacteric process. The role of mass media and non-governmental organizations is emphasized
ABSTRACT
Although it is a normal process, menstruation is often accompanied by minor or sometimes major problems, like dysmenorrhea and irregularities. Health care professionals have an important role, as health educators and counselors, to provide adolescent girls with information about the normal menstrual cycle and menstruation. The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of menstrual irregularities among nursing students faculty of nursing, Assiut University, and their associated knowledge, and the factors affecting it. A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. A systematic random sample of 215 students was recruited from all four years of the faculty of nursing, Assiut University. This sample size was calculated to estimate a prevalence of any irregularity. The mean age of students was 18.9+/-0.9 years. Most of the girls had their menarche at 12 to 15 years age. The period of menstrual flow from 4 to 6 days for [80.0%] of student, and [70.2%] had regular menses from its start., while only [26.5 %] had irregular menses, [73.7%] of them don't take any action about this irregularities. As regard the knowledge related to menstruation it was very low, also it was found only [6.5%] of them had total satisfactory knowledg about menstruation. Also it was found that students whose educated mother had acorrect or satisfactory knowledge [78.6%] compared by un educated mother with a moderate statistical significant p=0.025. The present study was concluded that nursing studentsi knowledge related to menstruation and menstrual irregularities is slightely deficient. It is recommended that the preparation of nursing students as future educators and counselors in this health issue should be given more attention