Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome in medical students: impact on cognitive functions

Premenstrual syndrome [PMS] has been claimed to be one of the most commonly encountered health problems. It affects an important sector of the population in the age group of education, production and reproduction. The aim of this work is to study the effect of PMS on some cognitive functions in medical students. A comprehensive sample of the students of the Faculty of medicine, Suez Canal University, was divided into PMS [positive] and PMS [negative] using the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire [MDQ]. Attention, concentration, and memory functions were evaluated using tests derived from Wechsier Adult Intellingence Scale [WAIS]. The tests were undertaken pre-and post-menstrual, and the results were compared. Statistically significant changes in all the tests were found in the PMS + ve group, while this was three only for the world recognition test in the PMS - ve group. Regression analysis of post-menstrual scores as dependent factor, and PMS scores, premenstrual test result, and some personal and socio-economic characteristics as independent factors, has shown that only PMS, and pre-menstrual scores were significant. More concern about the prevention and management of this syndrome is recommended. It should be considered in some Job assignments

group approach for a health education program on diarrhea comparison of community health workers versus students delivering the program

Although mortality from diarrhoeal diseases has shown some decline, they are still a major cause of malnutrition and inadequate health in children. These sequelae are the results of improper knowledge and false beliefs among mothers. Community health workers might have a great impact in increasing the awareness of mothers through health education. The aim of this work is to test the hypothesis that community health workers are more effective than medical students in promoting the knowledge of mothers about proper practices during diarrhoea. Two hamlets were randomly chosen from two villages of the same district. They were comparable in all socio-demographic characteristics. Fifty mothers have been included from each hamlet. A pilot study was done with the aim of tailoring the health education program to the studied communities. The program was planned to be delivered in a group approach, ensuring interaction between donors and recipients. Students and community health workers were trained on delivering the program exactly in the same manner. A pie-post questionnaire was designed to measure the change of knowledge of the mothers before and after the program. Results have shown statistically significant differences in the pre-post test results in both groups. However, the magnitude of this change turned to be higher in the community health workers group. The conclusion is that group approach was successful in raising the awareness of mothers about proper management of diarrhoea, specially when delivered by community health workers

Infant feeding practice during diarrhea in a rural community in Ismailia governorate

This household study was carried-out on 133 mothers having children less than 2 years of age, in a rural area in Ismailia Governorate for evaluating mothers knowledge and practice toward infant feeding during diarrhea. The methodology to collect information combines market, nutrition and anthropological research techniques to document and understand why practices related to feeding during and following child's episode of diarrhea, do occur, in addition to the attitudes associated with those practices. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were utilized and organized in manner to yield an understanding of the multiple causes of improper feeding practices. Structured observation was used to confirm the presence of behaviors reported verbally. The study revealed that only 30.9 percent of mothers change the pattern of infants feeding during diarrhea. The commonest types of foods used during diarrhea were vegetable soup, rice and carrots. The less common were potatoes, beans and cooked squash. The commonest fluids used during diarrhea were caraway, starch water, rice water, tea, anise and cumin, whereas mint, salt and sugar solution were less frequently used