Field evaluation of a rapid-format kit for the diagnosis of bancroftian filariasis in Egypt

The AMRAD-ICT Filariasis Test [ICT-Fil] is a new, rapid-format card test for the detection of bancroftian antigenaemia in human blood. We evaluated the performance of the test under field conditions in Egypt by comparing 1813 endemic and 102 nonendemic participants. Endemic participants were tested for microfilaraemia [thick smear and membrane filtration] and serum antigenaemia [ELISA]. The infection rates detected were 2.8% by thick smear, 3.5% by membrane filtration, 8.8% by ELISA and 9.0% by ICT-Fil. The card test detected antigenaemia in 98.0% and 95.3% of microfilaraemia carriers testing positive by thick smear and blood filtration respectively. Nonendemic participants were ICT-Fil negative. Identical results were obtained for 173 out of 184 [94%] endemic participants tested by the serum and whole blood ICT-Fil versions

Intervillage and intravillage risk factors for bancroftian filariasis in the Nile Delta

The distribution of Bancroftian filariasis in the Nile Delta of Egypt is highly focal. Infection prevalence rates very widely between villages and within endemic villages. Improved understanding of risk factors for filariasis may lead to more efficient programmes for surveillance and control of this largely environmental disease. Pilot GIS studies performed at Washington University [Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences] suggest that much of the variability in filariasis prevalence at the village level can be explained by variable ground vegetation cover, which may in turn correlate with vector density and/or longevity. Landsat thematic mapper data [1984 scenes] for Qalubia governorate on vegetation cover [a surrogate for water availability] were highly correlated with infection prevalence rates by village from Egyptian Ministry of Health night blood surveys. Case control studies have identified the following as significant risk factors for filariasis within endemic villages: crowding [persons/house], residence in houses with indoor animal sheds non-use of sanitary waste disposal, parental infection [either parent] and residence in houses facing agricultural land [peripheral houses]. Mosquito density, mosquito infection and infectivity rates are all significantly higher in [peripheral] areas of endemic villages adjacent to agricultural land. We plan to continue research on risk factors for filariasis over the coming year with multidisciplinary studies [entomology, environmental assessment and socioeconomic survey] of two closely spaced villages in the ICIDR project area with highly divergent infection prevalence rates of 2% and 12%. This study may confirm preliminary findings and lead to new insights regarding the focal distribution of filariasis in Egypt

Study of the knowledge, attitude of Egyptian health care workers towards occupational HIV infection

Acquired imnuino-deficiency syndrome [AIDS] was reported for the first time in Egypt in 1986. Up to March 1993, 60 cases were notified to the Ministry of Health and 359 were detected to be infected with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]. Most cases had acquired infection abroad through blood, blood products or sexual contact. The number of cases is continuously increasing. Fear and ignorance about HIV infection causes panic among health care workers [HCWs] whenever a case is discovered and needs medical care. We assessed the knowledge and attitude of 346 HCWs towards the probability of occupational HIV infection using a self administered questionnaire. The sample included physicians, surgeons, nurses, laboratory technicians and ambulance workers. 72.8% of HCWs believed that they are in "great" danger of acquiring AIDS through occupational exposure whereas 0.6% thought that there was no danger. 67% of HCWs had wrong ideas about transmission of HIV [toilet seats, droplet infection, touching patients]. 83.5% mentioned that AIDS patients should be isolated in quarantine. The main source of information about AIDS was the television, radio and ordinary press. 44.8% got their information from textbooks or scientific literature. 95.4% felt the need for more information about infection and disease. The results show an urgent need to start a program of education of BCWs concerning the risk of occupational HIV infection and the measures of its prevention

Child abuse as an inhibiting factor for family planning

The aim of this study is to determine the magnitude of the problem of using children as an economic asset to the family thus, in one way increasing the prevalence of child abuse in Egypt and also hindering the family planning program. Two focus-group interviews were conducted in urban and rural areas for 10 women with the same age range and socioeconomic background. All were non-users of any contraception. Subsequently an interview was conducted for all women who attended the Ob. and Gyn. Clinic at Ain Shams University Hospital in the period from June to August 1991, their ages ranged from 30-35 years and they never used contraception. Another group of women with the same characteristics were interviewed from a rural area at Fayoum Governorate. A questionnaire was filled for each interviewed woman. The total women interviewed in urban area is 340 while in the rural area they were 400 women. Sixty percent of urban women and 80% of rural women are illiterate, 70% of the urban and 100% of rural women are housewives. Their years of marriage ranged between 10-20 years and all of them have more than five children. A percentage of 73.5% of urban women and 85% of rural women stated that children are used as an economic asset to their families, they work in urban areas as assistants in motor repairs, hair-dressers, beggars, bakeries, shops, restaurants and factories while in rural areas they work as agricultural workers

Spirometric standards for healthy nonsmokers female industrial workers in Egypt

A group of 213 Egyptian female industrial workers were selected from non dusty departments of the Nile Pharamaceutical company in Ameria district. The subjects were asymptomatic, nonsmokers and not previously exposed to dust operations. All female workers were asked to complete a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and then clinically examined. Those with no evidence of cardiopulmonary diseases were subjected to vitalograph spirometery. A predection formulas based upon age and height were established for FVC, FEVl and FEF 25-75%. Comparing our findings with the previous studies, the results revealed that our pulmonary measurements were lower than those obtained from the other similar studies. This was attributed to several confounding factors

Premenstrual syndrome among a group of Egyptian students an epidemiologic study

Premenstrual syndrome [PMS] is a common condition characterised by various physical, emotional or behavioral changes which at times reach such levels of severity that they may have her work. The aim of this study is to find out the prevalence of PMS among young Egyptian girls and to study epidemiologic factors associated with it. PMS was diagnosed when symptoms have occurred 7-10 days prior to menstruation and relieved by the onset of bleeding in a minimum of three consecutive cycles. Moreover, at least one symptom of the somatic group and one of the psychological group should be present at a time, symptoms included headache, colics, backaches, edema of breast and/or legs for the somatic manifestations. Suffering from forgetfulness, lowering concentration, bouts of crying easy provoked and preference to stay at home for the psychological manifestations. This study was conducted among students in the final year at Ain Shams University in the Departements of Biology and philosophy. The studied group constituted of 160 students. Prevalence of PMS was found to be 48%, out of which 12.5% have severe PMS and 35.5% have moderate PMS. The younger the age at menarche the more was the probability of getting PMS. Those with irregular menstruation were more apt to get PMS than those whose menstual cycles were regular. Dysmenorrhea was associated with PMS. The amount of bleeding lost each cycle had no relation with PMS. Moreover, whether the students lived in dormitories or with their families it had no statistical association with PMS

Health hazards of chronic zinc exposure among brass foundry workers [a preliminary study]

This study was done at Helwan factory for non-ferrous industries where 50 workers exposed to Zinc fumes and 20 others non exposed were selected randomly for this study. Mean concentration of Zinc ranged from 4.8-8 mg/m[3] in the working atmospheres. Non of the exposed workers complained of symptoms of chronic inflamations of skin, gastrointestinal and respiratory systems. Some complained of general weakness, loss of weight and libido. Zinc concentrations in plasma and urine were significantly higher in exposed workers, while blood haemoglobin and haematocrite% were significantly lower than in the non-exposed group. Pulmonary function tests revealed evidence of significant chronic obstructive ventilatory impairment among the exposed group

Occupational accidents in a television company in Egypt: an epidemiological study

All accidents that occurred in a television company in 1997 and 1979 were studied. Results revealed higher accident rates in 1977 than in 1979, but the differences were insignificant statistically except for the accident severity rate. Females had lower accident rates than males. A significant association was found between occurrence of accident and the worker's age but this was not the case for worker's experience skill deviations from health or marital status. Person falling, striking against objects, being struck by falling objects together were responsible for 71.8% of all Injuries and 73.6% of all days lost. 48.7% of all injuries were wounds while.28.2% were strains and sprains 46.4% of all injuries occurred to the hands, 32.2% to the feet and 3% to the eyes. All industrial accidents lead to temporary disability. Improper housekeeping leading to falls of persons, persons striking against or being struck by objects seems to be the major problem of this company