Availability of health services versus the health needs of older women

The aim of this study was to assess the availability of health services versus the health needs of older women in women health center and geriatric homes in Cairo and Giza governorates. Descriptive design was utilized in this study. Setting the setting of the study were 6, selected by using multistage technique, geriatric homes and women health center, while the sample was purposive sample and consisted of 152 older women. An inclusion criterion for the sample selection was older women with sixty year and over and willing to participate in the study. An interview questionnaire were used to collect pertinent data for older women. showed that mean age was 67.71 +/- 4.74 in women health center, and 70.29 +/- 5.90 in geriatric home, regarding to health needs of study sample, The study, revealed that, 84.0% and 96.2% of study sample in women health center and geriatric home respectively need for health educational program about a suitable diet .Also 6.0% and 28.9% in women health center and geriatric home respectively need to make exercise with no statistical significant differences [X[2]=14.996, p=0.000]. The study sample in women health center and geriatric home 18.0% and 82.7% respectively needs emotional and psychological support, [X[2]=59.591, p=0.000]. and 39.0% and 59.6% respectively need to availability of medical examination and suitable treatment [X[2]=5.852, p=0.016] .The study, revealed that, there is statistical significant correlation between health services in relation to older women health needs, when t=8.19, p=0.00 related to health needs and t=-4.88, p=0.00 related to health services The main health needs of older women was health educational program about suitable diet, exercise, emotional and psychological support, periodical check up, and healthy environment .There are variety of health services as deferent medical specialties, Presence of special nurse, Periodical check up, availability of medication, and referral system for hospitals. The current study recommended that, an educational programs should be implemented for the older women to increase their awareness regarding their health needs and available health services in community to improve their .health Status and to improve their qualities of life

Rehabilitation for patients with hepatitis C virus and their families

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of a rehabilitation program on patients with hepatitis C virus [HCV] and their families. Therefore, this study was undertaken to determine the level of knowledge and practices of the HCV patient and his family members, develop, and evaluating the effect of the implementing of the rehabilitation program on health status of the HCV patient and his family members. A quasi-experimental design was used. This study was conducted at the Liver Out-patient Clinic of the Specialized Ain Shams Hospital, and the Out-patient Clinics of the Ain Shams University Hospitals. The subjects of this study included 50 HCV patients and their family members [138]. Two main tools were used for data collection, which included, a structured interview questionnaire for the assessment of HCV patients' and their family members' knowledge and practices, and the Health Profile sheet for HCV patients. The results of this study showed a significant positive impact of the rehabilitation program on HCV patients' and their family members' knowledge and practices. The study concluded that the implementation of rehabilitation program showed a significant impact; as there was a remarkable increase in the HCV patients' and their family members' knowledge and practices about HCV

Effect of preventive guidelines for women with risk factors of breast cancer

Breast cancer represents among females, the most important cancer sites in term of incidence and mortality. The objective of this study was to assess women attending to the Gynecology Clinic, Breast Clinic and Mammogram Unit for risk factors of breast cancer for early detection, and counseling. A guideline booklet about preventive measures of breast cancer was developed to evaluate its effect on women's behavior. The research questions were: [1] what are the most common risk factors among the Egyptian women? [2] what is the effect of the health guideline booklet on women's behavior? The total sample was 470 Egyptian women selected randomly from those who, attended the clinics from 15 September 2003 to 15 February 2004. The women with risk factors of breast cancer were 210 only. They were provided with a health guideline booklet. Their mean age was 35.5 +/- 17.1. Most risk factors appeared among the high risk group of women using hormonal contraceptives for more than 10 years [48.7%]. The study recommended wide guidelines for improving women's behaviors towards the preventive measures and early detection of breast cancer through the proper management. Continued efforts are needed to increase the availability of high quality mammography and treatment to all segments of the population. This study concluded that the Egyptian women had a positive readiness to change their behavior through more awareness about risk factors and preventive measures of breast cancer