Health-care professionals' perceptions and expectations of pharmacists' role in the emergency department, United Arab Emirates

The objective of this study was to assess health-care professionals' attitudes and perceptions towards the value of certain pharmacist functions in the emergency department [ED]. The study was conducted among 396 physicians, nurses and other professionals in 4 government hospitals and 10 private hospitals in Dubai. While 83.6% of respondents reported that pharmacy services were available in the ED only 30.7% had a permanent clinical pharmacist working there. A majority [75.7%] agreed that the availability of clinical pharmacists in the ED would improve quality of care. On the role of clinical pharmacists in the medication review process, 45.0% of respondents favoured the review of only high-risk medication orders in the ED. The study found favourable views towards a role for clinical pharmacists in the ED for assuring appropriate medicine prescribing and administration, monitoring patient adherence, providing drug information consultation and monitoring patient responses and treatment outcome.

Birth weight of infants among obstetricians

Information on birth weights, gestational ages as well as average weakly working hours and years of residency were provided by 146 female obstetricians with 412 deliveries. It is found from the total deliveries that nearly one third occurred during residency. The relationship of birth weight and period of gestation in relation to the time of residency was evaluated. Infants delivered during residency had significantly lower mean birth weight than those delivered before residency. Although mean birth weight tends to increase after residency, it was still lower than that of before residency. Low birth weight and preterm labor were insignificantly higher among births that occurred during residency. The results of this study suggested a potentially negative impact of obstetric residency on the birth weights of infants born to female house officer

Health problems of newly admitted students of High Social Welfare Institute in Cairo

Three thousands and four hunderd and eighty students aged 17-24 years [1841 males and 1639 females] were examined form the newly attending students of High Social Welfare Institute in Cairo. Every student subjected to an interview, full clinical examination and urine analysis. The results pointed out that the leading diseases or impairments among the studied student were dental caries, acne vulgais, error of refraction. Haematuria and proteinuria. They represent 30.7%, 11.5%, 9.4%, 2.2% and 2.1% respectively. There is a male predominance predominance in the prevalence of Haematuria only, but as regards errors of refraction and dental caries more in females. Students of rural origin had error of refraction and haematuria more than urban ones but the opposite in the dental caries. No sex or origin difference in skin findings. The results were discussed and suitable recommendations were suggested

Family history of breast cancer as a risk indicator for the disease in some University Hospital

Cancer is becoming more and more prevalent in different countries all over the world. This increasing prevalence led to the rapid expansion of activities in cancer research and cancer control. Breast cancer accounts for 31.3% of all cancer among Egyptian Women [Omar, 1984]. In this work a sample of 300 patients suffering from breast cancer were chosen form National cancer institute [NCI] in Cairo and some university hospitals. A control group of 150 apparantly healthy women were chosen from the same centers but they were free from the disease. A questionnaire was fulfilled through personal interview and it included different variables relevant to the family history to breast cancer as a risk indicator. The results revealed that 6% of cancer cases had positive family history of breast cancer compared to zero% in the control group. At the same time first degree relatives with breast cancer comprised 3.4% of cases and zero% for controls. In addition it was observed that positive family history of bilateral breast affection occurred in 0.6% while family history of unilateral breast affection occured in 5.3% First degree relatives of patients with unilateral breast cancer had a higher rate 3.1% than bilateral breast cancer 0.3%. The same finding was also noted among second and far degree relative 2.2% compared to 0.3%

Serum antibodies of toxoplasma brucella and salmonella among Egyptian policeman dealing with animals

Toxoplasma, brucella and Salmonella are important problems in Egypt [Rifaat, et al., 1975 and Toylar, et al., 1982]. In this work infection rates of these three important organisms are studied among 100 Egyptian policemen dealing with animals [dogs and horses], chosen systematically. A control group of 50 subjects were also chosen systematically. A quationnaire was fulfilled through personal interview including different variables relevant to these problems. Clinical examination and laboratory investigations including serological tests for toxoplasma, brucella and salmonella antibody titere were done. Infection rates by these three organisms were found to be 29%; 4% and 7% respectively among the group working contact with animals, while no one of the control groups showed positive results. Accordingly animal contact proved to play a major role for infection by these three agents

Study of some fatal accidents and intentional injuries in Egypt and USA [1979]

The frequencies of accidents and intentional injuries in the developing countries differ from that in the industrialized ones, consequently this comparative study was held to illustrate variation between Egypt and USA as regard the incidence and pattern of fatal accidents and interntional injuries. Data of this work were obtained from WhO records [1983] "Manual of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases. Injuries and Cause of Death, for 1979". The Egyptian figures denote that the highest rates of fatal injuries were from fire [46%] followed by motor vehicle [14.4%] and then occupational or machinery accidents [8.9%]. The pattern differ in USA as the most common fatal injuries were motor vehicle [33.8%] followed by suicide [17.6%] and homicide [14.4%]. In Egypt males are victims of accidental deaths more than females [54% and 46% respectively], while the corresponding figures in USA were 72% and 28% respectively. All ages are liable to accidents, although certain types of accidents have heavy tool in middle age persons i.e. road and machinery accidents. Deaths from violence are more common in USA than in Egypt

Tuberculosis risk factors

Tuberculosis has continued to be one of the major public health problems in many countries. Many factors are responsible for the persistance of this disease, therefore this work was directed to lay stress on these factors. The sample was taken systematically from patients attending a three agency offering services to tuberculous patients. The sample size was 200 patients while the control group comprised to 100 individuals. It was found that 77.5% of cases and 88% of controls were residing urban areas. The most frequent age among both cases and controls was from 20-39, and males were more prepondant than females. Also it was found that 65% of cases belonged to lower socioeconomic class and 20% of them were house hold contact to tuberculous patient and 30% were smoker compared to 42%, zero% and 27% in the control group respectively. Social problems were found in 22.5% of cases and in 13% in controls. Majority of patients were found to be living in poor housing conditions and 46.5% of them were below average weight, compared to 18% in control group

Case control study of impetigo

Impetigo is one of the most frequently encountered dermatologic condition, in children [Tunnessen, 1985]. A control study was undertaken to investigate some of the ecological factors, clinical manifestations and complications of Impetigo. Three hundred-seventy patients were studied. The controls children are one hundred eighty-six. Most patients were from Cairo and their age was below 6 years., the females formed a slightly higher proportion of the cases than males. Comparison between cases and controls in the socioeconomic state, presence of ecological factors helping the presence and spread of impetigo between infant and preschool children were studied. There was a strong relation between the presence of scabies, pediculosis capitis, insect bites, itching skin conditions and the occurrence of disease. The results suggested that impetigo as an infectious disease may spread from patients with active lesions to siblings or others in close contact. The results of the study concerning complications revealed that most of the complications occurred with non bullous type, while most of bullous impetigo cases had no complication. Non suppurative complication in the form of Kidney trouble did not occur in any of the different clinical types

Knowledge and attitude of medical personnel towards expanded program of immunization in Giza governorate

This study aims to assess the knowledge and attitudes of medical personnel toward vaccination programme in Giza Governorate. The subjects of this study were consisted of 252 physicians and 215 nurses working in the Maternal and Child Health Centers and the Ministry of Health Hospitals in Giza Governorate. One third of these health units were selected by simple random sample. The results of this study revealed that there are a statistical significant differences of level of knowledge and attitudes of physicians and also of nurses. Unsufficient level of knowledge were observed among medical personnel about cold chain and new concept which limit the list of contraindication of administration of EPI vaccines. The main causes of underutilization of vaccination in the opinion of health personnel were illiteracy, unawareness lack of information of utilizers. The researchers recommend a pre-service, inservice training and up-dating knowledge of health personnel about cold chain, new concept of EPI vaccines contraindication and role of community participation in the success of such program