probability distribution of attendance to hospital emergency units for school students in Alexandria

The present work is a retrospective study designed to examine the assumption that emergency arrivals at the Sporting Students' Hospital in Alexandria follow a Poisson distribution. Data about all arrivals at the emergency room [ER] for the year, 2000 [43076 arrivals] was extracted from the records of the emergency department and classified by age, sex, school, reason for visit, date and time of visit. Data analysis revealed that 12.9% of the total arrivals indicated hospital admission either to the inpatient units [12.5%] or the ICU [0.4%]. Goodness of fit test showed that admissions to the ICU fit the Poisson distribution but those admitted to the inpatient units did not follow the assumed distribution. However the latter group did not fit exactly the normal distribution which indicated that deviance from the Poisson is due to the large mean non-elective admissions [14.74% per day]. Hence the Poisson assumption is not excluded as the inpatient emergency admissions are still randomly distributed and independent. Univariate and multivariate Poisson regression of the daily emergency admissions gave another clue to the goodness of fit of emergency admissions to the Poisson process. Regression analysis showed significantly higher log[e] number of emergency admissions among the age group 12 or more, male students, medical conditions in contrast to injuries, governmental schools, and at 04:00-11:59 pm in contrast to midnight to 07:59 am. Results of the present study indicated the random nature of demand for emergency admission which affects use of bed stock. A prospective study of these admissions on daily basis is needed

Geographic information systems [GIS] analysis of under five mortality in Alexandria

The aim of this study is to analyze under five mortality in Alexandria using GIS. A retrospective study is conducted to collect recorded data about under-5 deaths and live births from 1996 to 2001 from Health Information Center and CAPMAS in Alexandria. Data used include sociodemographic and environmental conditions in Alexandria sub-districts digitized maps of Alexandria districts and sub-districts [scale 1:50, 0000]. The spatial analysis of the geographical database revealed that there is regional variations of U5MR. GIS overlay analysis indicates that there is no association between low sociodemographic and environmental indicators and deaths caused by perinatal conditions and congenital malformations. The cause of death most associated with low sociodemographic and environmental indicators are found to be ARI and external causes of mortality. This is quietly evident in Amria and Borg Al Arab sub-districts

Time-series analysis of under five mortality in Alexandria

The aim of this study is to analyze levels, trend and seasonal patterns of under-5 mortality in Alexandria. In order to fulfill this aim, a retrospective study is conducted to collect recorded data about under-5 deaths and live births from 1996 to 2001 from Health Information Center and CAPMAS in Alexandria. Causes of death are categorized using the ICD-10. Several trend equations were tried to select the best fit trend equation. Seasonality is tested using the 12-month moving average method. The predicted value for under-5 mortality rates for the year 2002 is calculated using the best-fit trend equation and the seasonal index and compared to the actual levels to test the validity of the prediction models. The study revealed a significant downward trend of U5MR PNMR and CMR while the NMR does not show significant decrease over the study period. The peak seasonal index of U5MR is in December followed by summer months, those of NMR and CMR are in summer and PNMR is mainly in winter. Maximum index of U5MR due to ARI is in winter while rates related to congenital malformations are in autumn while deaths due to perinatal conditions are mainly in May and June, and external causes of injury are mainly in summer. Though the picture is promising special emphasis is still needed for ARI, congenital anomalies and perinatal conditions

Nutritional status of children in squatter and urban areas in Alexandria, Egypt

Normal individuals have their own growth potential, which is genetically determined. However, variations in the growth are due to interactions between these potential and environmental factors such as nutrition and/or chronic diseases. The objective of the study was to compare the nutritional status of squatter and urban children less than two years in relation to their feeding practices. Methodology: Through a cross-sectional approach, 1000 healthy children [<2 years] from a squatter and urban area in Alexandria-Egypt were submitted to weight and length measurements. Mothers were interviewed about demographic characteristics, socioeconomic data, and the current feeding practices using the 24-hours recall method. Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis was performed with stunting, wasting, and underweight as dependent variables. There is a statistically significant difference between squatter and urban children in the prevalence of wasting [4.2% and 1.4% respectively] and underweight [11.3% and 2.4% respectively], whereas the prevalence of stunting was insignificantly higher among squatter children compared to urban children [21.7% and 16% respectively]. Nutritional status was generally better among exclusively breast-fed infants and those breast-fed for 23 months. Beside squatter residence, poor nutritional status was strongly associated with older child's age, male sex and being a child of non-working mothers. Conclusion and recommendations: Better nutritional status was encountered among urban children compared to squatter ones. Measures that enables children to live in environment that favor achievement of their growth potentials were recommended

Parasitic infections and maternal awareness of preschool children in Karmouz district, Alexandria

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 256 children and their mothers in a poor urban district to assess the mothers' knowledge and practices as regards parasitic infections and infestations that may be present in their preschool child and to correlate the presence of these infections with their awareness. A pre-designed questionnaire that included sociodemographic data, items to assess the mothers' knowledge about the sources and preventive measures of parasitic infections and infestations and their practices was completed. A stool sample was collected from children and examined using formol- ether techniques. Sellotape technique was used to detect Enterobius vermicularis. Pediculus capitis was diagnosed by the inspection of the scalp. The majority of mothers were found to be aware that their children had a parasitic infection which was significantly associated with results of stool analysis. Appropriate and detailed control methods of parasitic infections and pediculosis must be taught and applied by parents and community. Socioeconomic development, organized health programs and motivation should be undertaken