Health compromising behaviours and perception of student -teacher interpersonal relationship among secondary school students in Benghazi City, Libya

Adolescents are vulnerable to the risks of smoking, drug addiction, alcohol and violence. This is also a time of high risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. This study was conducted firstly to investigate some of the health compromising behaviours present among secondary school students, their correlates and associations Secondly, to assess the students views and teachers perceptions about student-teacher interpersonal relationship and its correlation with the students' health compromising behaviours. A descriptive, cross-sectional study using a multistage, stratified, school-based, cluster sampling design conducted in Benghazi city, Libya where 985 secondary school students [440 girls and 545 boys] and 111 teachers in 21 secondary schools were included. Two predesigned tested self administered questionarriars were used for data collection, the first for students including open ended questions investigating different heath compromising risky behaviours. The second for both teachers and students to assess the perception and views of students and teachers about student -teacher interpersonal relationship. The results of this study demonstrate the high and increasing levels of risk behaviors among the students. Tobacco use was reported by [14.8%] of students [12.7%] current cigarette and [5.3%] water pipe smokers, Alcohol [7.0%] and drug use [9.4%], Sexual behaviour [16.6%], Unhealthy nutrition [64.4%], Unsafe driving [58.6%] and Violence related behaviour practiced by [42.7%]. Data also confirm the adolescents' tendency towards multiple risks where it was revealed that 63.5% of all studied students participate in two or more of the six investigated health compromising behaviors. By multiple regression analysis, male gender was the main influencing factor and additional work beside study found to be protective against involvement in risky practices. High mother education was found to be positively correlated with most of the risky behaviours among students. Significant correlation was found between the different investigated risky behaviours where violence related behaviour shows a highly significant positive correlation with all mentioned health risk behaviours. High discrepancies were found between the students' and teachers' perceptions related to their interpersonal relationship. Perceived poor relationship and communication with school teachers was found as one of the main determinants of risk taking behaviour among students. Strengthening the student - teacher interpersonal relationship may be protective against students' health compromising behaviours. The study findings provide valuable information to policy-makers, educators, health providers and community workers that can be used to improve the health and well-being of adolescents in Libya. Much more work must be done, through a multi-sectorial approach to promote a healthy population of adolescents and the young

Assessment of health team knowledge and monitoring the application of auditing tools for nosocomial infections in Benghazi hospitals, Libya

An infection occurring to a patient in a hospital or other health care facility in whom the infection was not present or incubating at the time of admission. This includes infections acquired in the hospital but appearing after discharge, and occupational infections among staff of the facility As a public health problem, nosocomial infections will become increasingly important in the future. The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge of health team members [Physicians and Nurses] about nosocomial infection, and to monitor the application of auditing tools for nosocomial infection. The study was carried Out in all hospitals of Benghazi City, Libya. The sample of the study included 120 health team members aged from >20 to 50 years old. The cota sample approach was applied. The results revealed that all heath team members had poor knowledge's scores about nosocomial infection and all heath team members in all 7 hospitals had minimal compliance for application of auditing tools for nosocomial infections .The study recommended that Establishment of occupational health department, which follows the rules, and regulations of occupational safety and health act such as evaluating personnel for existing infection, administering vaccines, keeping records, managing exposures and educating employees, a written policy and infection control manual should be available for all health team at their work place

study of the occurrence of obesity and some risk factors among primary school children in Assiut governorate

The school age period is one of the apparent feeding problems.Over weight and obesity may soon cause as much preventable disease. The obesity rates have been accelerated dramatically in the past 20 years, in conjunction with a nation trend toward sedentary lifestyles. Estimating the prevalence of overweight and obesity is a preliminary step to build up the prevention and control strategies of obesity. The aims of this study is to assess the occurrence of obesity among primary school children in Assiut, and determine some of it is risk factors. The study was conducted in 11 primary school in Assiut Governorate [both urban and rural areas]. Cross sectional study was used. The total sample included 1000 pupil from primary schools. They were divided into two groups; first group [562 pupil from urban areas] and second group [438 pupil from rural areas]. They were 717 pupil from governmental schools and 283 pupil from private schools. The pupil's age ranged from 6 to 12 years. They were 571 males and 429 females. Data were collected through interviewing pupils individually using a developed questionnaire sheet. Measurements of weight and height were done for each child individually at school using a scale, and non-stretchable tape and body mass index was calculated. The results revealed that the occurrence of obesity and overweight were [6.4% and 16.3% respectively] and more than half of them [53.6%] had family history of obesity, also all parameters are significant predisposing factors except for sex and scholastic level and also there were significant relations between obesity and taking dinner, eating in front of T. V, and increase eating during stress [P < 0.000, 0.013 and 0.038 repectively]. Further more overweight and obesity were significantly more frequent in urban than in rural localities and in private than in governmental schools. Also they were more frequent in children of illiterate than literate parents. From this work it is to recommend increasing physical activity and practical nutritional knowledge through education programs in the school curriculum, encouragement of physical activity during school days and periodic follow up for overweight and obese children by the school physicians and school nurses to avoid future pathological insults and handicaps

Effect of health education and training program for secondary school students on menstruation at Assiut Governorate

Menstruation is a normal cyclic physiological event signifying the reproductive years in the human female. Early preparation for menstruation is important for future childbearing and for a girl's concept of her self as a woman. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of health education and training program for secondary school students on menstruation and menstrual hygiene. The study was carried out in urban and rural areas in Assiut Distirct, Urban area in Asuit City [El-Kayate secondary girls school], rural area in Mosha village [Mosha secondary girls school]. Sample of the study included 100 secondary school students aged 15-17 years from the urban and rural areas. They were divided into two groups: First group included 50 students from urban area and other 50 students from rural area. The systematic random approach was used. The program was applied to the 100 students. Evaluation of the knowledge and practices before [pre - test], immediate after the implementation of the program [post-test], and after three months [follow - up test] through the same predesigned questionnaire and check list was conducted to estimate the student's knowledge and practice. The results revealed that all students had poor knowledge scores, while about two third [59.0%] of them had poor practices scores and showed highly statistical differences between the pretest and the post-test and between the pre - test and the follow - up test related to total knowledge and practices scores [P= 0.000]. The study recommended that education about menstruation and menstrual hygiene should be included in elementary school curricula and adequate books and magazine, which include materials related to menstruation and menstrual hygiene, should be available to the preparatory school students