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

Compliance and its determinants at a primary health care center in Cairo

Two hundred and fourteen patients were interviewed to assess the degree of their compliance to prescription instructions and to identify factors that affected that compliance. Patients instructed to take medications once per day and those given medications for nine days or less were found to comply significantly better than others, while those instructed to take medications for ten to fourteen days has a significantly lower compliance. Patients younger than 25 years were found to have a significantly lower compliance than older patients. Sex, Family size, Type of drugs and number of drugs were not found to affect compliance. Where possible, it is preferable to give the same daily requirement in less than four doses and to limit prescription to nine days or less. Otherwise the importance of taking Medications according to instructions should be stressed, especially to patients where low compliance is expected

Socio-medical and psychological factors affecting elderly population in greater Cairo

This study was conducted during the period of July, 1990 to September of the same year. This is to determine the relation between socio-demographic factors and health status of elderly people. The target population was elderly people [60 years and above] who live in urban and rural areas of greater Cairo. The total number of studied sample was 180 subjects [148 males and 32 females]. Sensory and neuromuscular disorders represent a major health problem among elderly people, while there is no socio-psychological differences among them. Integration of national activities to improve their quality of life and to encourage recreational and rehabilitation facilities are suggested

Passive smoking hazards in childhood

Respiratory tract infection was searched for in 500 children who were exposed to passive smoking and were compared with 100 control children of the same age and socioeconomic standards. Urine examination was done for 20 subsample cases of the first group for estimation of nicotine and nicotine metabolite [cotinine]. The results revealed that the incidence of respiratory infection was significantly higher in the first group. Upper respiratory tract infections were more than the control group. The housing conditions and the age of the cases were inversely related to respiratory infections. Cigarette smoking was more harmful than other types of tobacco smoking. Eighty% of urine samples of children exposed to paternal smoking had high level of nicotine and continine. The author recommended that prevention of smoking should be mandatory for parents, especially indoor smoking. All be inforced and supported from all authorized organization and agencies