Bloodborne infections among student voluntary blood donors in Mansoura University, Egypt

We carried out a retrospective study on student voluntary blood donors in Mansoura University, Egypt. Serum samples were tested for HBsAg, anti- HCV, anti- HIV- 1 and anti- HIV- 2 as well as syphilis. About 7% of students had >/= 1 of the diseases tested for. Prevalence of HBsAg, anti- HCV, anti- HIV- 1 and anti- HIV- 2, and syphilis were 4.3%, 2.7%, 0.0% and 0.05% respectively. Significantly more males than females tested positive for HBsAg. Anti- HCV was significantly higher among rural than urban students. Volunteer student donors are a good source of safe blood. With proper selection of donors, the number of blood units discarded can be minimized

Epidemiology of dysmenorrhoea among adolescent students in Mansoura, Egypt

To examine the prevalence, determinants, impact and treatment practices of dysmenorrhoea, we studied 664 female students in secondary schools in urban and rural areas. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. About 75% of the students experienced dysmenorrhoea [mild 55.3%, moderate 30.0%, severe 14.8%]. Most did not seek medical advice although 34.7% treated themselves. Fatigue, headache, backache and dizziness were the commonest associated symptoms. No limitation of activities was reported by 47.4% of student with dysmenorrhoea, but this was significantly more reported by students with severe dysmenorrhoea. Significant predictors of dysmenorrhoea were older age, irregular or long cycle and heavy bleeding

Causes of blindness and needs of the blind in Mansoura, Egypt

A study of 113 blind people in Mansoura, Egypt highlighted the causes and risk factors for blindness, and health and social care needs of the blind. In two-thirds of cases, blindness occurred before 10 years of age. Risk factors for blindness were reported by more than half the study population. Congenital causes accounted for almost half the cases. The commonest causes of bilateral blindness were corneal opacities, cataract and glaucoma. Almost three-quarters of causes were avoidable. Health and social care for this group was inadequate and more than half would benefit from further management. Legislation for keratoplasty, a registry of blind people, and a nationwide community survey on the epidemiology of blindness are needed urgently