Psychometric properties of an Arabic safety attitude questionnaire [short form 2006]

Objectives: There is a widespread interest in exploring healthcare providers' attitudes and perceptions about patient safety culture. This study was done to determine the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of Safety Attitude Questionnaire [SAQ] in Palestinian hospitals

Methods: This was a methodological study and the SAQ was translated into Arabic using the forward-backward translation technique. Four Ministry of Health hospitals in the Gaza Strip were randomly selected, and proportionate systematic sampling was followed to select the participants. Questionnaires were distributed to 370 physicians and nurses. Face and content validity were tested, and the content validity index was determined using the average approach. Internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach's alpha, split-half reliability, and intercorrelation between the questionnaire scales. Construct validity was assessed through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis

Results: A total of 339 questionnaires were received, giving a response rate of 91.6%. Questionnaire acceptability was good and relevant to the study purpose. Cronbach's alpha value was 77.7 [74.7-82.2]. Goodness of fit indices from the confirmatory factor analysis showed a satisfactory model fit: comparative fit of indices [CFI = 0.797], root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA = 0.085], and standardized root square residual [SRMR = 0.074]. Factor analysis with varimax rotation revealed that six factors explained 62.3% of the variance

Conclusions: The Arabic version of SAQ [short form 2006] is valid and reliable, and shows a satisfactory model of fit. This instrument shows promise to be a sound tool to assess the safety culture in Palestinian hospitals

short to medium-term risks of intracameral phenylephrine

To compare outcomes and complications of patients undergoing phacoemulsification with and without the administration of intracameral phenylephrine. In this retrospective study, a chart review was performed. Two groups with an equal number of patients who did or did not receive intracameral phenylephrine during phacoemulsification were compared for differences in outcomes, risk factors and complications. The Chi-square test was used for comparison between groups. P<0.05 was statistically significant. The two groups were well matched with regard to preoperative ophthalmic and systemic risk factors for complications and had very similar phacoemulsification power and time profiles. No differences in outcome were detected [P>0.05, all comparisons]. This retrospective study suggests that intracameral phenylephrine normalizes the intraoperative risk of small pupil cataract surgery and is not associated with an increased risk of systemic or postoperative ophthalmic complications

Changes of amino acid neurotransmitter concentrations in striatum and thalamus induced by exposure of young and adult rats to electromagnetic radiation

The rapid rise in the use of mobile communications has raised the questions about the health issues. The head and the brain are usually the most exposed targets in mobile phone users. Over the last decade, exposure to high frequency electromagnetic radiation [EMR] has been found to induce deficits in rodents in spatial memory tasks. In addition, radiofrequency radiation has measurable effects on human cognitive performance. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of 900MHz EMR on some amino acid neurotransmitters [glutamic acid, glutamine, GABA, glycine and taurine] to measure their significant variations in the thalamus and striatum of adult and young rats

In the present study, both adult and young rats were exposed to EMR at a frequency of 900MHz, a power density of 0.02mW/Cm[2] and an average specific absorption rate of 1.165 W/Kg for one hour daily. Both the exposed and control rats were decapitated after 1h, 1,2 and 4 months of daily exposure to EMR and another group was decapitated after 1 months of stopping the exposure that extended daily for 4 months. Most of the excitatory and inhibitory amino acid meurotransmitters in the thalamus and straitum of the two ages showed significant increase after 1h of a single exposure. This increase persisted in the two areas of the adult animals only throughout the three time intervals [1, 2 and 4 months of daily exposure]. However, in the young rats this increase was normalized after 1 and 2 months and reappeared after 4 months. The most prominent effect recorded after stopping exposure was a significant increase in the striatal excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters of adult rats and a decrease in striatal GABA in young animals. The present reported data cannot exclude the possibility of the microwave-induced biological effects on the brain at a power level and frequency related to mobile communication. It may be concluded that the alteration in the amino acid neurotransmitters may provide one of the mechanisms underlying the memory and cognitive disorders induced by mobile phone radiation

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of general practitioners towards physical activity in the capital health region, Kuwait

Physical activity [PA] has been recognized as a key determinant of good health. Geneal practitioners [GPs] ate in good position to influence population levels of PA. This study aimed at assessing [GPs] knowledge about the benefits of PA in various health conditions and determining their attitudes, practice and barriers toward promoting regular PA in primary care settings. A cross-sectional study was conducted including all GPs working in the primary health care centers at the Capital health region in Kuwait.. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 147 GPs that included personal characteristics, Knowledge about the benefit of physical activity, attitudes of GPs towards promoting physical activity, conditions indicated for the GPs to give advice regarding PA, and barriers against promoting PA Four-point Likert-type scale was used to assess GPs response. GPs response rate was 76.2%. The majority of the respondents were females [60.7%]. The mean +/- SD age and number of years in practice were 36.4 +/- 9.5 and 12.1 +/- 7.7 years respectively. Overall, the knowledge percent score ranged/from 38.6 to 95.5 with a mean = 80.5%. Mostly all GPs [98.2%] believed that PA promotion is an important part of primary care work. 92% believed that their advice to increase activity was more effective when linked to a patient's presenting problem. The majority of GPs disagreed to discuss PA with the patient only when he mentioned it [88.4%]. Most of the GPs [91.1%] indicated that they always give advice to overweight patients Only 32.1% of GPs said that they would give advice to all patients. The most frequent barriers to promoting PA were lack of consultation time [87.6%]. lack of clear guidelines [62.5%], non-relevance of PA to the consultation [59.8]. Only 39.3% of GPs indicated that absence of patient interest was a barrier to promoting PA. Barriers to promoting PA were not owing to lack of knowledge, but probably reflect the working practices of GPs. Clear practice guidelines are needed to promote activity in a way that will have impact on the population level. An inquiry about, and discussion of physical activity are recommended to become part of routine office visits

Effect of exposure to electromagnetic radiation from the mobile phone on acetylcholinesterase activity in the hippocampus and striatum of young and adult male rats

Acetylcholine is an established neurotransmitter in the transmission of signals in many of brain neurons. A decrease in the activity of cholinergic systems has been implicated to underlie the memory disturbances resulting from electromagnetic radiation [EMR]. The present study shows clearly that EMR from mobile phone [at a frequency of 900MHz, a power density of 0.02mW/cm[2] and an average specific absorption rate of 1.165W/kg] had an adverse effect on acetylcholinesterase [AchE] activity, the enzyme specific for the functioning of acetylcholine. The exposure of young male rats to the previous EMR for one hour caused a significant increase in AchE activity in the hippocampus, but not in the striatum, whereas the prolonged exposure for one month and four months [1 h daily] induced a significant increase in the enzyme activity in both areas. Both acute [I h] and prolonged [1 and 4 months, 1h daily] exposure to EMR produced significant increases in AchE activity in both hippocampus and striatum of adult male rats. The increase in the enzyme activity continued also after stopping EMR exposure for one month. The implication of these changes to the brain functions of the cholinergic system in both areas is discussed

Prevalence of known diabetes mellitus among nationals in Abu-Dahabi city

This study aims at finding the prevalence of known diabetes mellitus among national in Abu Dahabi City by reviewing valid health record in New Rhoda Health Centre [n = 15175]. This research was carried out from 16 September 1989 and lasted for 2 months. The prevalence of diabetes was more among females [2.58% and 1.81% respectively]. The age specific prevalence of diabetes for both sexes was steadily increasing until age 59, then it was fluctuating. The highest rate was found from 80 - 84 years among males. On the other hand, among females a very high rate was met in age group 65 - 69 years [32.7%]. International comparison of prevalence of diabetes yielded a high rate in Abu Dahabi, age adjusted prevalence rate was 5.69%

Marital status and sex mortality differentials in Egypt

This study gives clues to marital status and sex mortality differentials in Egypt. The first aspect of this study was carried out in El-Darb El-Ahmar Health Office utilizing its death records. The second aspect of this research was done using available data from national vital statistical books. The results of this study showed that the age at death and the cause of death may be related to marital status. In addition, the following pattern of sex mortality differentials was observed in Egypt in 1979:- Higher male mortalities were observed in all age groups expect from 1-4, and above 70 years. This pattern was attributed to biological superiority of females over males