Lead exposure and sociodemographic parameters affecting the cognitive function of a sample of children in Qalyoubia governorate

This cross-sectional, short term study is conducted in Benha city at randomly selected primary school. The target group is 100- randomly chosen- children of the 4th and 5th grades. They were subjected to a structured questionnaire for personal and familial data. IQ - is assessed using Stanford Beneit test. Blood samples were drawn to determine haemoglubin level as well as blood lead level. Scholastic achievement of the target group was measured using the mean of the last 3 months marks. Analysing data of the study reveals that 64% of children included in the study were urban residents while the remaining 36% were rural inhabitants. Urban inhabitants show statistically significant higher percentage for normal IQ. The present study reveals that Hb.%, blood lead level, mother's smoking as well as residence significantly affect the IQ. of children. Regarding scholastic achievement as an indicator for cognitive function it was found that Hb.%, blood lead level as well as I.Q. are the best predictors. Monitoring [Both environmental and Biological] is required to assess lead level in the environment as well as blood lead level. Environmental sources of lead and its hazards are required to be highlighted. Mass screening of school children for anaemia is required and subsequently proper treatment for anaemia and anaemia predisposing conditions. Finally hazards of smoking, especially by mothers, is required to be highlighted

epidemiological study of female circumcision in Benha city, Kalyoubia governorate

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 350 target females having at least one female child daughter between 5 and 15 years old, who attended MCH center in Benha city, Kalyobia Governorate during the period from July to September 2000. The study aimed at determining the magnitude of the female circumcision problem in Kalyoubia Governorate and to highlight some factors that influence the attitude of mothers towards its practice. Results revealed that the circumcised mothers were 84.6% and 73.4% of their daughters were circumcised, 63.4% were performed at age 5-9 years, 67.7% of them were carried-out by non medical personnel, 73.2% were performed without anesthesia and 30.7% of them had complications. Also, the study illustrated that significant associations exist between some sociodemographic characters of mothers and their attitude and practice of female circumcision. Mothers aged 30 years and above, rural mothers, those married at age less than 20 years, the illiterate and read and write, those with illiterate husband, housewives and mothers who belonged to low social class were more significantly agreed with performance of female circumcision. The study revealed the dire necessity to an integrated educational program to be delivered through primary health care services to change the attitude of population towards the practice of female circumcision

Geriatric health problems in rural area in Kalyobia governorate

Geriatric population have multiple health problems, through detection of these problems, it is possible to reduce their incidence. A cross-sectional study was conducted in El shukr village in Kalyobia Governorate for elderly people [>/= 60 years] during the period from June to August 1998. This study was carried out to determine the relation between some sociodemographic factors and health status of the elderly people. The study included 324-target population [>/= 60 years], males were constituted 38.9% and females were 61.1%. The mean ages of males and females were 61.3 +/- 9.2 and 64.3 +/- 3.9 respectively. A questionnaire including information about some sociodemographic characteristics, past and present history of common diseases was used. It was found that, the highly prevalent health problems among the studied population were sensory organs disorders [61.1%], neuromuscular impairment [37.7%], hypertension [36.7%] and gastrointestinal disorders [35.2%]. The lowest prevalent health problem was mental changes [7.1%]. It is recommended that. Geriatric health program for prevention and management of health problems that are prevalent among the elderly, should be fully integrated with the primary health care services

KAP study of family planning among married rural females in kalyobia Governorate

This work was conducted on attendants of a rural health unit in El-Shokre Village, Kalyobia governorate. Three hundreds and twenty married women in the child bearing period were the target sample. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice [KAP] of married rural women towards family planning in kalyobia governorate. This research showed that 92.1% of contraceptive users aged 25 years or more compared to 75.0% of the non-users. Illiteracy was significantly prevalent among non-users who were mainly not working and bearing more number of children than contraceptive users. The most popular and practiced contraceptive methods were intrauterine device and contraceptive pills. A significant gap was also found between users and non-users regarding their opinion about the ideal number of children and the ideal interconceptional period where non-users preferred more number of children as well as shorter period [P < 0.05]. Mass media was found to be an effective source of knowledge among users than nonusers [72.6% and 39.3% respectively] while neighbours and relatives had a significant effect on the group of non-users than contraceptive users [P < 0.05]. The findings pointed to the minimal effect of rural health unit as a source of knowledge to the studied women. The study showed that interpregnancy spacing and having enough number of children were the main causes of acceptance of contraception among users. The results also, revealed satisfaction of contraceptive users where the discontinuation rate was 18.5%. The prominent reason for discontinuation was the desire to get more children while the main cause of rejection, given by non-users, was related to health factors and fear of side effects [57.2%]. The researchers stress on the importance of health education program, integrated with the other activities of primary health care units, to provide illiterate rural inhabitants with the correct knowledge about family planning as well as the effectiveness and safety of the contraceptive methods in order to creat a favourable attitude and practice