Gender differences in health care utilization and outcome of respiratory tuberculosis in Alexandria

A study of gender differences in health care utilization and outcome of respiratory tuberculosis was carried out in Alexandria, Egypt. A cohort of 334 patients was followed-up for 8 months; 69.2% of cases were males. The pattern of tuberculosis symptoms was similar for both sexes. Women started treatment earlier than men. Women had significantly lower scores in knowledge, beliefs and attitudes about tuberculosis than men. Compliance was unsatisfactory for both sexes. Men tended to be more adherent to drugs and to sputum and X-ray examinations but there were no sex differences in compliance with health education and medical examinations. No significant sex differences in treatment outcome were found: the overall cure rate was 60.5% and treatment failure was 4.8%. Multiple regression analysis showed satisfaction with medical care was the only significant predictor of treatment failure

Impact of schistosomiasis on quality of life and productivity of workers

The effect of schistosomiasis on quality of life [QOL] and productivity of workers was examined. In a textile factory in Alexandria, Egypt, personal, occupational and sociodemographic data were collected from 172 workers with schistosomiasis and 172 workers without schistosomiasis. Several indicators of productivity and the World Health Organization QOL brief were used to determine the impact of schistosomiasis. The disease affected the general, physical and independence, psychological and spiritual, and social domains of QOL. Although the productivity score of workers with schistosomiasis did not differ significantly from the control group, they had significantly lower additional hours of work and lower total incentives/month. A significant relationship was found between severity of schistosomiasis and QOL domains and productivity indicators

Epidemiological and risk predictors of severity of school injuries

Accidents are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among schoolchildren. Epidemiological and risk predictors of injury severity were investigated among all school injuries presenting at the Students' Hospital in Alexandria during the scholastic year 1996-97. In all, 3422 injured pupils were surveyed. Age, nature of injury, place and mechanism of school injury and referral method were significant risk predictors for hospitalization. Age, referral method and nature of injury were significant predictors of referral to specialized health services. Injury severity score was significantly predicted by the presence of acute disease during time of injury, place and mechanism of injury as well as by provision of first aid and referral method and time

Interaction of chlorpheniram maleate with carrageenan

The interaction of carrageenan [Aubygum x 23] with chlorpheniramine maleate in aqueous medium was studied. The effect of drug conception, polymer [Aubygum x 23] concentration, electrolytes and pH on the extent of such interaction was investigated. It was found that the percentage of drug interacted with the polymer increases with increasing polymer or drug concentration. On the other hand, the presence of electrolytes decreased the interaction between the drug and the polymer. Such decrease in the interaction was found to depend on the concentration of electrolyte added and its valency. The interaction was found to be pH dependent and the optimum pH was found to be 7. The m.p. and solubility of the interaction of product were found to differ from the m.p. and solubility of the original compounds [chlorpheniramine maleate and Aubygum x 23]. IR analysis showed that there is a very powerful interaction induced via hydrogen bonding and large polarity of the produced mixture