Longitudinal effect of health team education about geriatric health in Egypt

In Egypt, the number of people over 60 years old and over was 5.1% in the year 1986 census and is expected to increase to 7.7% by the year 2010 and 12.4% by the year 2025 [CAPMAS, 1996]. Increasing the number of elderly population added new health problems to the health authorities as the old people are more susceptible to many physical, mental, and social health problems [Kassem 2000]. the present study aimed to upgrade the knowledge, attitude and practice [KAP] of the PHC-providers towards the health needs and problems of the geriatric population in Egypt through implementation of health education course study [pre and post test] design. Analytical intervention study [pre and post test] was conducted in Five governorates in Egypt [Ismailia, Damietta, Al Dakahlia, Benisuef, and Assiuot]. Seven hundred and fifty PHC-providers, randomly selected from 5 govemorates in Egypt were invited to participate in the study, and after the pre-test they were engaged in the educational course [a self-directed learning package] on geriatric health needs and problems. The PHC-providers were 50 Physicians, 50 Nurses, and 50 Health educators from each governorate. A questionnaires of, 15 items for Physicians and Nurses and 17 items for Health educators based on current geriatric health needs and problems were used. The mean scores of knowledge, attitude and practice were calculated in pre and post tests for each group of physicians, nurses and health educators. A paired sample t-test was used to detect the differences between the means of knowledge, attitude and practice scores of pre-test and post-test. One way ANOVA test and Post Hoc test [Bonferroni test] were done to clarify the significant differences in [KAP] among the five govemorates at the pre-test and post-test and for the percentage of change between both tests. The SPSS [10.0] program was used for data analysis. The scores of knowledge, attitude and practice in the pre test were much lower than that in the post test scores and a statistical significant differences [P<0.05] were found among the participants PHC providers in all govemorates. Multiple comparisons [post Hoc tests] of knowledge, attitude and practice [KAP] of PHC providers in the five studied Govemorates revealed marked variations. 149. Tbis study displayed the important of ntinuing medical education, and also demonstrated the needs of PHC providers for medical education courses about geriatric health needs and problems

Knowledge and practices of pregnant women in relation to the intake of drugs during pregnancy

The present study was done to assess Knowledge and practice. of expectant women regarding drug intake during pregnancy. To achieve this aim, a simple random sample of 400 pregnant women during their last trimester of pregnancy were selected. A specially designed interview schedule was developed and used to collect the necessary data about the study subjects. The interview schedule consisted of four main parts to cover the following : 1. General characteristics of the sample. 2. Obstetrical characteristics of the sample. 3. Knowledge about drug intake during pregnancy. 4. Practices of the study subjects in relation to drug intake during pregnancy. 5. Factors affecting their knowledge regarding drug intake during pregnancy. The main findings of the study were : 3. In general, the study sample. lacked the essential knowledge regarding drug intake during pregnancy especially in relation to the risk time for taking drugs in which nearly one-fifth of the sample [19.5%] did not know that it is risky to take drugs during pregnancy without doctor's order. 2. Regarding the practices of the study subjects in relation to drug intake during pregnancy, it was observed that the majority of the sample [86%] took drugs without prescription such as vitamins and general tonics, antacids, analgesics, anti-emetics, sedatives and antibiotics to treat their minor or major complaints during pregnancy. 3. In this study, it was also found that certain factors seemed to affect women's knowledge regarding drug intake during pregnancy. It was more obvious to observe that nearly two-thirds [60.8%] of women whose age was less than 30 years were more likely to have inadequate and poor knowledge in this respect. It was observed that the majority [81.9%] of illiterate women were more likely to have inadequate and poor knowledge about drug intake during pregnancy. It was also found that nearly three-quarters [72.3%] of housewives were more Likely to have poor and inadequate knowledge. It was also noticed that the majority [81.5%] of the primigravidae women were more likely to have poor and inadequate knowledge. It was also noted that the majority of women [87.1%] who had previous abortions were more likely to have poor and inadequate knowledge

Basal narcosis: a thchnique for culdoscopy in an awkward position

Culdoscopy was performed for 249 cases underbasal narcosis. This technique was used to achieve analgesia and sedation in a patient who has to be conscious and aware to be put in an awkward knee-chest position. This method was compared with other techniques used which included general, local or regional blocks. The results and side effects were discussed