intervention educational program on child maltreatment implemented for female teachers in Jeddah primary schools

Child maltreatment is a complex problem and its prevention requires action on many fronts. Teachers spend many hours a day with children and they are likely to be concerned about child maltreatment at some time during their career. This study was carried out to explore knowledge, attitudes, and practice [KAP], and to raise awareness of teachers with respect to child maltreatment. An intervention educational program was performed, 2008, for 498 female teachers selected through multistage stratified random sample technique from 25 primary Jeddah schools. Health education was conducted using audiovisual aids and pre-designed educational materials [folder, 5 colored brochures booklet, computer CD and gifts] were given to participants. Five educational posters with different themes were distributed in the visited schools. Results showed that 33.9% and 23.0% of teachers reported using emotional and physical punishment with own their children, respectively. Only, 8.2% reported the authorities when discovering a student exposed to maltreatment. The mean teachers' knowledge score was low before the program and significantly improved after it [Paired t = 25.4, P < 0.000]. The highest percentage of knowledge gain score was noticed for indicators of sexual maltreatment, risk factors, and impact of maltreatment. Concerning attitude, considerable changes in most of teachers opinion regarding child maltreatment was found after program. It is concluded from the current study that there was lack of teachers' awareness regarding child maltreatment before the program and educational program was successful in improving it. There is an urgent need for standardized education and training programs for teachers on child maltreatment

effect of nuritional intervention program on the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in rural areas of Belbeis district-Sharkia governorate-Egypt

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in rural areas of Belbis district, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt and to assess the effect of iron supplementation and nutritional educational program on the level of hemoglobin in blood. A cross-sectional study was conducted, followed by intervention prospective study. Women attended the antenatal clinics in two primary health care units of Belbis district through December 2000; which amount to 100 women 50 in each primary health care unit were included in this study. Data was collected as regard to their age, parity, educational level and occupation. All participating women were subjected to hemoglobin analysis during the first time, after one month and two months. Women with hemoglobin level less than 11 gm/dl were considered anemic. Chi-square and t tests [paired and unpaired] were applied to test the relationships among study variables. The prevalence of anemia among pregnant women at the first time booking was 55%. After the intervention nutrition education program and iron supplementation, the prevalence declined after three months down to 32%. While, the prevalence after the same period for pregnant women in the control group [non intervention group] was 46%. Both parity and educational level affected significantly the prevalence of anemia only among the intervention group. This study suggested that anemia is still high among pregnant women and integrated intervention programs should be considered prior to conception

trend of maternal mortalities in Egypt from 1990 to 2000, impact of maternal health services

The safe motherhood initiative was launched by WHO 1987 as a global effort with the target of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity by fifty percent by the year 2000. Despite this progress, pregnancy related deaths remain a significant public health issue, because one third to one half of pregnancy related deaths are considered preventable. Also, it was estimated that the highest risk occurs in Africa with 40% of the world maternal deaths. So the aim of this work is to study changes in the maternal mortality ratio and its underlying causes over the last ten years in Egypt Also, to study the effect of family planning services on such trend by examining some impact and process indicators. Data about maternal deaths, demographic data, fertility data and maternal health services were collected from official sources for the period from 1990-2000. Maternal Mortality Ratio [MMR], Proportionate Maternal Mortality Rate [PMM] and cause specific maternal mortality ratio were also calculated. The result of the study revealed that there was a continuous declining trend of all studied ratios and haemorrhage was the leading contributor to maternal mortality in Egypt through the studied period account for more than 50% of maternal deaths. As regard the trend of some maternal health care facilities provided by ministry of health and population [MOH and P], there was an increase in the trend over the studied years. The number of family planning units had also increased. There was a steady decline trend in the early 1990s of both Total Fertility Rate [TFR] and age specific fertility rates, while in late 1990s the trend was more or less raising. The trend of early pregnancy showed slight increase while at the same time the trend of late pregnancy showed slight decrease. So we can say that the health policy in Egypt was in line with the global health policy which aimed to achieve health for all the year 2000. The study also concluded that the maternal mortality ratios in Egypt decreased during the study period 1990-2000 which coincided with the increase in health services particularly those related to mothers

Behavioral risk factors among physicians working at faculty of medicine-Ain Shams university

Behavioral factors and lifestyle are increasingly recognized as underlying causes of preventable morbidity and premature death. Physicians frequently advise their patients about quitting smoking, losing weight, and increasing physical activity; so what about their own personal behavioral choices? to determine the prevalence of behavioral risk factors that physicians are currently practicing and its relation to some demographic variables. 616 staff physicians, of both sexes, were randomly selected to fill a questionnaire inquiring about major behavioral risks. Among the behavioral risks investigated were smoking, physical inactivity, overweight, non-use of seatbelts. Univariate and multivariate analysis were done in which all behavioral risks were dichotomized into at risk or no risk and related to different demographic factors. Res 382 physicians participated [response rate 62%]. Current smoking among male physicians was 26.6%, past smokers 12.1%, 51% of current smokers reported smoking in front of patients or in clinic. Among all participants, 84% were sedentary [no, or irregular physical activity], 59.9% were overweight [Body Mass Index >/= 25]. Regular use of seatbelts was only followed by 11.2%. Routine checkup within the past year was reported by 18.6%, blood cholesterol checkup by 15.4%. Regarding aspects of women's health, a clinical breast examination was done in 32.5% of women physicians >/= 40 years, a cervical smear in 10%, and a mammogram in 7.5%. Different behavioral risks were found to be associated with different sets of demographic variables. efforts are necessary to promote physicians to quit smoking, increase physical activity, lose weight, use seatbelts, screen for chronic diseases, to minimize preventable disorders