Risk assessment of spontaneous abortion in Cairo: a case control study

There is an increased risk of spontaneous abortion with high level of chemicals exposures as shown for some occupational groups. Howevere, there are substantial gaps in our knowledge about whether exposure to environmental chemicals has an impact on spontaneous abortion for the general population. The study aimed to measure the blood lead level and investigate the risk factors of spontaneous abortion among married women in Cairo governorate. A case-control-hospital based study was carried out in four different types of hospitals at the emergency and outpatients clinics. The subjects composed of 2 groups, control group [a]: normal pregnant females [232 subjects] attending the hospital after 28th week of gestation and spontaneous abortion group [b]: 230 cases attended the emergency room of the studied hopitals. The researchers collected the required data through an interviewing questionnaire then blood samples from them were collected and analzed for blood lead level by the atomic absorption method. The study revealed that women at high risk of developing spontaneous abortion are those with smoker husbandss, low educational level, low income, living nearby chimney, irregular and painful menstruation. Also women with previous history of abortion[s], congenital anomalies, pelvis operation[s] and abortion investigations are at more risk for the development of spontaneous abortion than the normal pregnancy ones. We have recommended that women who are at the spontaneous abortion risk during pregnancy should have a more frequent antenatal care for monitoring and evaluation. Also, there is a great need for a well developed occupational health programs and studies in this arena

Survey of utilizers' satisfaction with governmental and non-governmental family planning services in Egypt

The study aimed to provide a practical, valid and reliable survey instrument for quality assessment depending on the degree of utilizers' satisfaction with the offered governmental and non governmental family planning services. The study concluded that the perceived service quality by the utilizers of non governmental health units was better than those of the governmental health units. Also, the tested survey instrument covered the essential quality aspects from the clients point of view and it was proved to be practical, sensitive and specific for routine use in the various family planning delivery modes. The authors recommended the health decision makers to integrated clients orientation development program into the current health care delivery system

Cost-effectiveness of family planning services in Egypt

The study aimed to improve the operational and allocative efficiency of the governmental family planning units in Egypt. The specific objectives were to measure and compare 3 different cost-effectiveness ratios among 4 different types of family planning delivery models at the primary and secondary health care delivery levels in Egypt. The study concluded that the most cost effective delivery mode based on the number of family planning clients, and the annual births averted was the rural health units. While, the urban health centers were the most cost-effective delivery mode considering the annual CYPs. However, by excluding the annual land cost, the urban health centers and Cairo Governorate will be the most cost-effective delivery mode and region based on the annual number of clients and the annual CYPs. While, the rural health units and Beni-Swif Governorate were the most cost-effective delivery mode and region based on the cost per births averted indicator

Cost and revenue analysis of clinical services improvement units in Egypt

This study aimed to improve the operational efficiency of the clinical services improvement [CSI] units in Egypt. The data were collected from 15 CSI units chosen by the multistage random sampling technique. The pertinent capital and recurrent items were identified, measured, costed and allocated to the different types of clients. The results revealed that the average cost per family planning and non-family client was 13.12 +/- 0.94 LE and 12.32 +/- 3.97 LE, respectively, and the average cost per annual [CYPs] was 12.50 +/- 2.81 LE, while the average cost/revenue ratio was 1.62 +/- 0.35. The best value was detected among the high caseload units. The study concluded that there is a great potential for cost revenue among the studied health units and capacity utilization studies are needed to maximize the operational efficiency of the units by introducing new services and /or improving the quality of the current services

Productivity of family planning physicians and nurses at primary health care centers in Egypt

The study was conducted in 51 primary health care units in rural and urban areas in 3 governorates of Egypt in order to describe and measure the pattern of physician's and nurse's productivity in relation to family planning services. The cross-sectional analytic research design was chosen to study the current research issue. The multi-stage random sample technique was utilized to recruit a representative samples of governorates, health units, physicians, and nurses. The data were collected and analyzed at the micro-, meso-, and macro-levels. The direct observation technique was employed to assess the performance of human resources at the studied units. The results showed that the mean Actual Annual Working Hours [AAWHs], in relation to the Egyptian standard of work, of physicians and nurses was 55.44 +/- 17.17% and 60.03 +/- 17.26%, respectively. The study concluded that low and varied productivity of human resources at primary health care units is an urgent problem that deserves special attention from the health decision makers. This necessitates the design of a well structured productivity improvement program for primary health care units in Egypt