Predictors of work-related stress among nurses working in primary and secondary health care levels in Dammam, Eastern Saudi Arabia

Work-related stress [WRS] is an insidious and persistent part of everyday life related to the response of people to work environment. Nursing is a strenuous job and WRS is prevalent among nurses. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of WRS among nurses working in primary and secondary health care levels in Dammam, Eastern Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted in 17 primary health care centers [PHCCs] representing the primary level of health care and Medical Tower Complex [MTC] representing the secondary health care level in Dammam city. The total number of nurses included in the study was 637 nurses [144 in PHCCs] and [493 MTC]. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, which was developed based on the pertinent literature. It included two main parts: Sociodemographic and job characteristics of nurses and 31 WRS questions. The overall prevalence of WRS among all studied nurses was 45.5%; 43.1% and 46.2% in primary and secondary levels, respectively. In the primary level, there was a statistical significant association between WRS and being married [85.5%], and having living three children and more [53.2%]. Moreover, younger age group 20-<30 years [79.4%], Saudi nationality [86.8%], being married [74.6%], having nonbachelor degree [83.3%], work shifts [89.5%], and working in surgical department [46.5%] were the significant associating factors with the occurrence of WRS among nurses in secondary levels. Young age was the only predicting factor for WRS in primary care level. While being female, Saudi, married, with work shifts, and working in surgical department were found to predict WRS in the secondary level. Appropriate strategy in health care organization to investigate stress in health care settings is recommended. Moreover, interventional programs to identify, and relieve sources and effects of stress should be developed

Congenital toxoplasmosis: a significant cause of congenital hydrocephalus in Egypt

This study was performed on 100 hydrocephalic children aging from one month to 8 years. The patients were examined physically and radiologically to exclude any hydrocephalic case associated with any other intracranial lesion. Serum and CSF samples were taken during ventriculoperitoneal shunt operation for all patients and serum samples from all mothers were collected and examined to detect anti- toxoplasma IgG using indirect ELISA. Serum samples of 40 normal children and their mothers sera were examined for IgG as controls. Positive anti-toxoplasma IgG was detected in 23% of the hydrocephalic children and their mothers denoting that their infection may be congenital from their mothers. The mean optical density [OD] of anti- toxoplasma IgG antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid of hydrocephalic cases was significantly higher than their level in the serum of the same patients

Socioenvironmental predictors of abortion and stillbirths in an industrial community in Egypt

Air pollution is considered to be one of the overgrowing problems of cosmopolitan distribution, due to marked progress in industrialization. The applied epidemiological and environmental studies related to reproductive health in the community are considered as the main principles for comprehensive health development in industrial cities. The present study focused on the role of air pollution on the occurrence of abortion and stillbirths among married fertile women during the childbearing age [15-50 years] in two industrial areas, namely Helwan in Cairo Governorate and Tenth of Ramadan City in Sharqyia Governorate. A cross-sectional epidemiological study based on community background was implemented in the two studied areas. The unit of observation was the family including married fertile women based on specific inclusion criteria. Cluster sampling procedure was used in which the unit of sampling was the household, selected within a radius of not less than five Kilometers around the factories. Using Epi-info program, the total sample size in the two studied areas was 1934 women. The interview questionnaire was the tool adopted for data collection, which includes gynecological and obstetric data related to reproductive health. The socio-economic status of studied women was determined using scoring system that includes the education and occupation of both couples. The environmental study was carried-out in the two areas in order to assess the levels of air pollutants and their chemical nature. Data management using Logistic regression analysis was done to determine the effect of independent variables, such as socio-economic factor, exposure to air pollutants on the occurrence of abortion and stillbirths as examples of reproductive health problems. The mean age of the studied women was 33.8 +/- 8.8 years in Helwan and 28.1 +/- 6.5 years in Tenth of Ramadan. Also the study showed significant differences in both the socio-economic status, smoking inside houses and parity between the studied women in Helwan and Tenth of Ramadan City. The overall prevalence of abortion and stillbirths among women in the studied areas were 29.2% and 4.5%, respectively. However, the prevalence of such reproductive health hazards among women in Helwan was significantly higher than in Tenth of Ramadan City. Also the results of environmental study indicated that Helwan has higher mean values of total dust count, suspended and respirable dust concentrations as well as lead concentration in the ambient air than in Tenth of Ramadan City. The Logistic regression analysis showed that the respirable dust concentration in the air and smoking inside houses are the significant independent factors for the occurrence of abortion. Moreover, Lead concentration in the air and women education is the main predictors of both abortion and stillbirths. Accordingly, the Egyptian authorities should attempt to improve air quality in urban industrial communities to promote reproductive health and prevent woman's health hazards

Congenital toxoplasmosis: a significant cause of congenital hydrocephalus in Egypt

This study was made on [100] hydrocephalic children aging from one month to eight years. These patients attended Neurosurgery Department of AI-Azhar University Hospitals and Neurosurgery Department of Nasser Institute Hospital, in the period from. November 1997 to November 1999. They were examined physically and radiologically, to exclude any hydrocephalic case associated with any other intracranial lesion. Serum and CSF samples were taken during ventriclo-peritoneal shunt operation for all patients and serum samples from all their mothers were collected and examined to detect anti-Toxoplasma IgG using indirect ELISA. Forty normal children serum samples and their mothers sera were examined for IgG as control. Positive anti-Toxoplasma IgG was detected in 23% which was significantly higher than control [P<0.01] with O.D. values significantly higher [P<0.01] of hydrocephalic children and their mothers denoting that their infection may be congenital from their mothers. The mean optical density [O.D.] of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid of hydrocephalic cases was significantly higher than their level in the serum of the same patients [P<0.001]. This means that there may be local antibody production in the CNS. Congenital infection with T. gondii might be a cause of congenital hydrocephalus in Egypt

Paradoxial therapy and behavioral therapy in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Ninety-two outpatients with obsessive-compulsive disorder [OCD] were randomly assigned to receive either medication with paradoxical or behavioral therapy. The treatment program continued for six months. Evaluation after the first three months showed an improvement of 39 patients from the group treated by paradoxical therapy; after six months, they decreased to 35 patients. They were compared with 29 patients in the group treated by behavioral therapy, who were improved within the first three months and decreased also to 22 patients, who improved after six months. Most of the patients, who were treated by paradoxical therapy, showed a better improvement. The superiority of paradoxical therapy over the behavioral therapy was clearly demonstrated

Evaluation of expanded program on immunization during the first year of life in Abu Dhabi

This study was intended to highlight the program of vaccination in the first year of life against the Expanded Program on Immunization [EPI] - target diseases and to determine the trend of these diseases in Abu Dhabi during 1984-1989. The data were collected from annual reports of Ministry of health. This retrospective study pointed out to the following results : [1] The average vaccination coverage [percent] during the first year of life against EPI-Target diseases increased gradually during 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989. [2] The vaccination coverage [percent] during the first year of life using BCG and measles vaccines are increased significantly [p < 0.001] during 1985-1989 compared with 1984. [3] The vaccination coverage [percent] during the first year of life using OPV and DPT at the third dose are increased significantly [p < 0.05] during 1987- 1989 compared with 1984. [4] The reported cases of measles and its incidence rate consequently decreased during 1988-1989 compared with 1987 and the differences are statistically significant [p < 0.001]. The reported cases of diphtheria and its incidence rate show significant increase [p < 0.01] during 1988 compared with 1984 other EPI target diseases do not show any statistically significant difference [p > 0.05] during 1985-1989 compared with 1984. Based on this study it can be concluded that with increase in average vaccination coverage [percent] from 58.5% in 1984 to 82.9% in 1989, the number of reported cases of EPI target diseases decreased

comparative study of blood retinol and selenium in minor lower urinary lesions. A case control study

A case control study was done at Ain Shams University Hospital. Eligibility criteria were put to select cases from the clinics of urosurgery department and a control group from the clinics of surgery departments. The study was conducted in the period form 1st of February till 1st of June 1992. Both cases and control groups were subjected to an interview questionnaire, clinical examination and laboratory investigation to estimate the serum levels of retinol and selenium. Serum retinol and selenium were significantly lower among cases than among control group [p < 0.05 and p < 0.0001 respectively]. Moreover, it was found that cases who lived in lower Egypt, belonged to lower socioeconomic class, smoked cigarettes and with current urinary tract infections had mean value of serum retinol significantly lower than the control group [p < 0.05]. There was a significant difference in the mean blood selenium between cases and control groups who lived in Cairo [p < 0.001]

study of knowledge attitude and practice of Egyptian mothers towards weaning

This work aims to study knowledge, attitudes and practices of Egyptian mothers towards weaning. Its objective is the promotion of the health status of Egyptian children through proper weaning practices. The study population included three groups; a rural group [150 mothers from Meet El-Kaid Village], a suburban group [150 mothers from Bab El-Sharia] and urban elite group [50 mothers from Heliopolis]. The authors recommend active nutritional education of mothers about the ideal feeding and proper weaning practices and discourage of early introduction of weaning foods before four months of age

vaccination programme and its impact on the pattern of expanded programme on immunization target diseases in Asir Province

The vaccination coverage [percent] during the first year of life and its effect on the pattern of Expanded Programme on Immunization' [EPI]-target diseases was studied in the Asir province of Saudi Arabia [Southern Region] during 1983-1986. A correlation matrix was computed for all variables to determine the significant correlation between the vaccination coverage percent and the reported cases of EPI-target diseases. The average vaccination coverage [percent] during the first year of life against EPI-target diseases was significantly increased [p<0.05] in 1985 and 1986 compared to 1983 and 1984. The reported cases of these diseases consequently decreased, and a negative correlation was noticed between vaccination coverage [percent] in the first year of life by type of vaccines and the corresponding cases of EPI-target diseases. Based on this study, it can be concluded that with increased vaccination coverage from 63.5% in 1983 to 87.3% in 1986, the number of reported cases of EPI-target diseases decreased. We look forward for more coverage to achieve a further decrease in these diseases

retrospective study of the impact of an expanded program of immunization on target diseases in Saudi Arabia

A retrospective study was undertaken o determine the impact of an expanded program of immunization in the first year of life and trends of target diseases in Saudi Arabia during 1983-1986. Registered birth were the target population each year. Cases of target disease and the number of vaccinated infants by type and dose of vaccine were collected on a pre-designed form from the Annual Health Reports of Saudi Arabia. The vaccination coverage percent by type, dose of vaccine, and the weighted average vaccination coverage percent in the first year of life were estimated per year. The proportional morbidity rate of cumulative target diseases during the same period was also calculated. Compared to 1983 showed increased vaccination against tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, and measles during 1984 and 1986 but not in 1985, and morbidity from the target diseases declined during 1984 and 1986