National survey of Prevalence of Mental Disorders in Egypt: preliminary survey

This study is an initial step for the National Survey of Prevalence of Mental Disorders in Egypt. We conducted a door-to-door household survey of 14 640 adults aged 18-64 years in 5 regions in Egypt. Mental disorders were diagnosed using the MINI-Plus diagnostic interview. Overall prevalence was estimated at 16.93% of the studied adult population. The main problems were mood disorders, 6.43%, anxiety disorders, 4.75%, and multiple disorders, 4.72%. Mental disorders were associated with sociodemographic factors [e.g. being female, being unemployed, being divorced] and physical illness [e.g. heart disease, kidney disease, hypertension]

Optimization of extracellular lipase production by Fusarium oxysporum

During screening of lipolytic fungi, a strain of Fusarium oxysporum was isolated. Culture conditions of liquid medium were optimized and the highest lipase production amounting 44.9 U/ml was achieved at the 5[th] day of cultivation at 30°C. The medium containing 0.2% [w/v] peptone and sunflower oil was used. Lipase activity was optimum at pH 7.0 and 55°C and a good stability up to 90% activity retention was observed at pH ranging from 6.5 to 8.0. The enzyme activity rapidly dropped at temperature above 70°C. Analysis of enzymatic glycerolysis of triolein by thin-layer chomatography showed a clear fatty acid spot

Factors influencing the success of family planning services in El Menia and Assuit governorates Egypt

Family planning is an added value to the health and weli-being of women, children, families, and communities and a key component of reproductive health services. The objectives of this study are to identify the cultural, social and environmental determinants associated with under utility of family planning services and assess women satisfaction towards the quality of family planning services. The study was carried out in two governorates El Menia and Assuit, in each governorate 10 primary health care units were selected, live of them have already got the golden star in quality of family planning service recently. The study was conducted during the period January 2004 to May 2004. The subjects of this study included; 300 women who attended the family planning services during the study period, 20 physicians, 20 nurses and 20 social workers [Raedat], who are working in the selected 20 primary health care units. The result revealed that there were no significant differences between the two groups as regards duration of marriage and the number of living children. The rate of illiteracy was around 54% in both groups. Considering the educational status of the husbands there was a significant difference between the two groups. 64% of physicians in PHCs with golden star used explanatory tools during discussion with clients compared to 43.3% in the second group. This difference was statistically significant [p<0.01]. The results pointed out that physicians were the first contact as mentioned by 20.7% of women in the first group compared to 10% in the second group this difference was statistically significant [p<0.05]. General examination was performed in 91.3% for women in the first group compared to 73.3% for women in the second group this difference was statistically significant [p<0.01]. The overall patient satisfaction rate was the same in both groups [87.8% per patient in the first group and 87.3% in the second group]. The study concluded from the results of interview and focus group discussions that reasons for distinguishing PHCs with golden stars relatively to those without golden stars may be attributed to many factors including the lower illiteracy rate of the husbands, the relatively lack of desire of the women to have more children in the next two years, the near distance of the PHCs to the houses, seeing the physicians on the first contact to the PHCs and using tools for explaining the contraceptive methods

Congenital anomalies in native breeds of sheep and goats: a report on 120 cases of 24 varieties

Among 1428 examined native breeds of sheep [658] and goats [770], the incidence of congenital anomalies was 8.4%. The prevalence was higher in sheep [9.4%] than in goats [7.5%]. Local Ossimi sheep breed and mixed goats breed showed the highest incidence. Twenty-four patterns of congenital anomalies were diagnosed with a predomination of pelvic and perineal regions. Congenital anomalies of the urogenital and digestive systems showed the highest incidence than those of other body systems. The recorded congenital anomalies were reviewed and discussed. The accurate diagnosis and surgical management were found to be helpful in the correction of some congenital anomalies in sheep and goats

Patient satisfaction with primary health care services in two districts in Lower and Upper Egypt

This study compares patient satisfaction with primary health care services and identifies factors associated with patient satisfaction in two health districts in Egypt where a project for upgrading primary health care services had been running for three years. An exit interview was conducted for 1108 patients using a structured questionnaire. The results revealed that most clients using primary health care services were females. Patient satisfaction was high for accessibility, waiting area conditions and performance of doctors and nurses. The main complaints centred on the availability of prescribed drugs and laboratory investigations. Additionally, level of privacy in the consultation room was described as unsatisfactory by 33% of patients. There was no association between overall patient satisfaction and age, gender, education level or type of service received

Relation of environmental occupational stress factors and lipid profile as a risk factors of ischemic heart disease

The present study analysed the relationship between some environmental occupational stress Factors in terms of decision latitude, demand context, perceived strain during work and blood lipids as a risk factor of ischaemic heart disease [IHD], in terms of cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C, Apolipoprotein, A[I], Apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein [a]. The study was carried out in one of the factories in the tenth of Ramadan and included a cross sectional samples of 105 male workers aged 35-50 years, employed in jobs with regular mental tasks and a certain degree of responsibility for more than 10 years duration. The participants were interviewed and personal, occupational and medical data were collected and biochemical blood investigations were done. The study showed significant higher serum cholesterol in the group of disturbed relations at work. Serum levels of LDL-C was significantly higher in some groups of occupational stress, while serum HDL-C was significantly lower. Serum triglycerides was significantly increased in two groups. There was a significant association between lower serum levels apo-[I] and some of the occupational stress factors. Low decision latitude was the only stress factor which showed a significant correlation with high levels of lipoprotein [a]

evaluation of an arabic version of Rose questionnaire

An Arabic version of Rose questionnaire was tested to establish its credibility as an epidemiological tool for screening purposes. The study showed that the criteria used in defining CHD determinants were still applicable today and in Arabic. The Arabic version maintained similar, if not better, sensitivity and specificity results than its original counterpart. The study pointed out, however, to several limitations that should be kept in mind during the interpretation of the questionnaire results

Effects of interaction between gliclazide and some calcium channel blockers on serum glucose, insulin and cortisol levels in non-diabetic and diabetic albino rats

The present work was conducted to study the effects of some calcium channel blockers[nifedipine and verapamil] on fasting serum glucose, insulin and in alloxan diabetic rats. Also the interactions between these calcium channel blockers and the oral hypoglycaemic sulfonylurea [gliclazide] were studied following the same parameters. It was found that oral administration of verapamil 20 mgm/kgm/day or nifedipine 1 mg/kgm/day for 15 succes sive days produced a significant elevation of serum glucose level accompanied by a significant reduction of serum insulin level in non diabetic rats, meanwhile in diabetic rats although they had significant reduced serum insulin level they did not elevate serum glucose level. This is probably due to some potential hypoglycaemic effects of calcium channel blockers that are only working in diabetic rats e.g. reduction of intestinal glucose absorption in diabetic rats and/ or blockade of the effects of hyperglucagonaemia that often prevails in type ll diabetes mellitus. Gliclazide 18 mg/kgm/day for 15 successive days produced a highly significant reduction of serum glucose level, accompanied by significant elevation of serum insulin in both non diabetic and diabetic rats. Coadministration of either calcium channel blockers with gliclazide significantly reduced it's hyperinsulinaemic effect in both groups of rats, whereas the gliclazide hypoglycaemic effect was abolished in non diabetic rats but in diabetic rats it was not signigicantly affected. As regards serum cortisol level neither verapamil nor nifedipine could produce any significant changes. Gliclazide elevated serum cortisol in nondiabetic rats only, such an effect that was abolished by coadministration of verapamil of nifedipine. Therefore, until a further detailed clinical study is available, it may be justifiable to follow up blood glucose level in patients under calcium channel blockers therapy and care should be exercised in using these drugs in potentially diabetic individuals. As regards the use of calcium channel blockers in diabetic patients under treatment with oral sulfonylurea, although they did not seem to adversely affect the control of diabetic state inspite of their hypoinsulinaemic effect as the present animal study proved, yet further evaluation of such interaction in human is still needed

Association between induced abortion and the course of a subsequent pregnancy

The objective of this paper is to determine whether an association exists between prior induced abortion and subsequent spontaneous abortion, low birth weight deliveries, placenta previa, and secondary sterility. Four hundred twenty-seven women from Algalaa and Ain Shams Maternity Hospitals were chosen. They were classified into 4 groups as follows: women who had normal birth weight deliveries, women who had low birth weight deliveries, cases with placenta previa, and cases with secondary sterility. All women were interviewed to determine their history of prior induced abortion. Our results suggested that prior induced abortion does not carry adverse effects on future pregnancy or fertility