Role of school teachers in identifying attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among primary school children in Mansoura, Egypt

There is a knowledge gap in primary school teachers that affects their ability to detect attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]. This study measured primary school teachers' knowledge about ADHD, and implemented a training programme to improve early detection of ADHD. The prevalence and risk factors of ADHD were also studied. The training programme was implemented through a 2-day workshop for 39 primary school teachers who completed a validated Arabic version of the ADHD Rating Scale for 873 primary school children. The children's parents completed the questionnaire to explore ADHD risk factors. The teachers' pre-training knowledge scores of ADHD ranged from 17.9 to 46.2%. Post-training, their scores improved significantly to 69.2-94.9%. Prevalence rate of ADHD was 12.60%. On logistic regression, independent predictors of ADHD were female gender, unemployed fathers and rural residence. In conclusion, ADHD is a significant health problem among primary school children in Mansoura, Egypt. Efforts should be made to improve teachers' knowledge about ADHD and control modifiable risk factors

Assessment of physical inactivity and perceived barriers to physical activity among health college students, south-western Saudi Arabia

Physical inactivity is a public health problem in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the pattern of physical activity, predictors of physical inactivity and perceived barriers to physical activity among health college students in King Khalid University. A total of 1257 students [426 males and 831 females] were recruited. The Arabic short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used. Overall, 58.0% of the students were physically inactive. Only 13.4% of the students performed vigorous physical activity, 14.8% moderate-intensity physical activity and 29.9% walking activities which met World Health Organization criteria of health-enhancing physical activities. The prevalence of inactive leisure time was 47.5%. The independent predictors of physical inactivity were non-membership of sports clubs and being a medical student. The top reported barrier to physical activity among inactive students was time limitations [51.3%]. Overcoming perceived barriers may increase physical activity among students

Occupational and environmental risk factors for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Egypt: a multicenter case-control study

Despite the advances in medical therapy and technology, the prognosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis [IPF] remains poor and the need for disease prevention based on identifying the risk factors becomes mandatory. Occupational and environmental exposures were studied in several countries and found to play important role in the disease development. However, in Egypt, a little attention has been paid to study the effect of these factors in the disease development. To identify the occupational and environmental risk factors associated with the development of IPF in Egypt. A multicenter hospital-based case-control study was carried out in chest hospitals affiliated to three Egyptian cities-Cairo, Tanta and Mansoura. Subjects were 201 patients with confirmed IPF [cases] and 205 age-, sex- and residence-matched controls. Data on occupational and environmental factors were obtained from a questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors of IPF in both sexes for single factors with adjustment for age, residence and smoking status. Compared with the controls, the risk of IPF in male workers was observed to increase significantly in chemical and petrochemical industries and carpentry and wood working [OR=2.56, 95% CI: 1.02-7.01], and with occupational exposures to wood dust and wood preservatives. Among female workers, a significant increase was observed in farming [OR=3.34, 95% CI: 1.17-10.12], raising birds and occupational exposures to animal feeds, products and dusts and pesticides. Risk of IPF decreased significantly in male workers and in-significantly among female workers in sales and clerical related activities. The environmental exposures to birds and cats were significantly associated with elevated risk of IPF development in both sexes. In Egypt, farming, raising birds and wood working are important risk factors for the development of IPF

Self-care practices of school age children with nephritic syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome is primarily a pediatric disease that is associated with high relapse rate. The nature of the disease and the side effects of medical treatments result in a great threat to children, families and society. To assess the level of self-care practices of school-aged children with Nephrotic syndrome and to identify the predictors of low self-care fuel shop. A cross-sectional descriptive study was done to 100 school-aged children with Nephrotic syndrome selected from the urology outpatient clinic at Mansoura university children's hospitals Self-care practices of school age children with Nephrotic syndrome questionnaire [SCSCNSQ] Arabic version was developed by the researchers. Demographic, clinical, and self care requisites data were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 11. Most of the studied children had low level of self-care [self care deficit]. Frequency of re-hospitalization, parents' socioeconomic standard, education and occupation were significant predictors for low self care. Regression analysis revealed that the more risky predictors in decreasing order are fathers' education, socioeconomic standard and frequency of hospital admission. Self-care level of nephritic syndrome children should be assessed and educational training program should be provided to caregivers of children with risky predictors of low self care to improve disease outcome and minimize re-hospitalization