Impact of A health education intervention program about breast cancer among women in a semi-urban area in Alexandria, Egypt

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second principal cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide as well as in Egypt. The present work aimed to assess the impact of a health education intervention program about breast cancer [BC] among women in a semi-urban area in Alexandria. The study was carried out through pre-post test design in three phases; pre intervention phase, intervention phase, and post intervention phase. A total number of 139 females accepted to be included in the study, their mean age was 39, 94 +/- 13.5 years, about 23% had secondary and university education. Intervention health education program was administrated to 96 women, those were subjected to post test, and the total number of drop-outs group was 43 women. The results showed that there was a highly significant improvement in all knowledge items of the intervention group from pre to post-test. After the intervention program, eleven women [11.6%] had good knowledge. About, 75.0% practiced breast self examination [BSE] in post-test compared to 7C.0% who did not practiced it in pre-test. Age was the only factor affecting BC knowledge significantly. Women's education and knowledge score were significantly associated with the practice of BSE. Conclusion and Recommendations: data from this study re-enforce the continuing need for more BC education programs that are intended to attract the attention of women with low literacy skills

Compliance of mothers to the breastfeeding guidelines in Alexandria

The compliance of mothers to the six items related to their practice of the 10 steps of successful breastfeeding [Immediate breastfeeding initiation, rooming in, breast-feeding on demand, avoiding prelacteal feeding, avoiding use of pacifier, and avoiding use of bottles] are of great importance to achieve better breastfeeding outcomes. The objectives of the study were to estimate the extent of compliance of mothers to these items and to identify some factors associated with this compliance. The study was fulfilled through a cross-sectional approach. It was conducted at the MCH and FH centers in Alexandria Governorate. The study included 390 mothers accompanying their breast-fed infants aged 0-12 months to well baby clinics at those health centers. A pre-designed structured interview questionnaire was constructed to collect the data required from mothers. Only 29.8% of mothers started breastfeeding within the 1st hour after labour, 57.2% of them practiced rooming in, and 78.7% of them regulated breastfeeding according to their infants needs. Prelacteal feeding was given to 58.2% of the infants. 22.8% of mothers used pacifiers and 41% used bottles for their infants. Scoring of the overall compliance of mothers to the 6 points related to their breastfeeding practice of the WHO/UNICEF joint statement showed that 24.1% of mothers scored satisfactory level, 41.3% average level while 34.6% scored as low level of compliance. The level of mothers compliance was positively affected by their level of knowledge about breastfeeding and the six items [X[2]=267.582, P<0.01] and by the increase in the child order [FET=15.618, P<0.01]. It was adversely affected by their social level [X[2]=19.853, P<0.01], education [x[2]=28.289, P<0.01] and working status [x[2]=17.439, P<0.01]. Also it was adversely associated with the history of neonatal asphyxia [FET=17.909, p<0.01], the delivery in health settings [FET=44.278, p<0.01], and the delivery by caesarian section [X[2]=40.1 93, P<0.01]

Cytogenetic abnormalities and herdetiry thrombophilias among the abortees: study of 1000 couples

Recurrent miscarriage affects only 1% of all couples. It is one of the most frustrating experiences for both patients and clinicians. The present study aimed at studying: the role of cytogenetic abnormalities and hereditary thrombophilias in repeated pregnancy losses [RPL], and the associated risk factors. Kuwait Medical Genetics Centre A cross section study for cytogenetic abnormalities followed by a nested case control was conducted for 1000 couples referred because of RPL. A control group was selected at random from female patients attending the outpatient clinics for a reason other than abortion for comparison with those who were proved to have chromosomal abnormalities. Asubgroup of 100 female partners, who had no cytogenetic abnormalities, were further tested for the presence of factor V Leiden [FVL; Arg506Gln] and prothrombin [FII] gene mutations [G20210A]. the prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities was 4.4%; most of them were structural aberrations [79.5%] represented mainly by inversion and translocation. Carriers of FVL mutation [G1691A] among the patient's group was significantly higher than that of the control group [10% vs. 2% respectively].One patient was heterozygous for FII G20210A mutations. This was nearly the same like that found in controls. The percentage of consanguineous marriages among patient group was less than that among the control group. Chromosome study for couple who have had RPL must be carried out. For complete and proper workup we have to investigate the presence of FVL, and FII G20210A mutations among patients with normal karyotype

Role of gender in coping capabilities among young visually disabled students

This study aims to detect the role of gender in coping capabilities among young visually disabled students attending two schools for blindness. The WHO Disability Assessment Schedule [WHODAS II], 36-Item Interviewer Administered translated Arabic version was used. It evaluates six domains of everyday living in the last 30 days. These domains are: understanding and communicating, getting around, self care, getting along with people, household activities and participation in society. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews of 200 students who represented the target population of the study. Binary logistic regression analysis of the scores of the six domains revealed that in almost all the domains except for getting around with people and coping with school activities, females significantly faced more difficulties in coping with daily life activities than did their male counterparts. Getting older was a significant factor in increasing difficulties in coping with school activities. Genetic factor was a dominating factor in causing and increasing the difficulties score. Conclusion and recommendations: Female gender was more susceptible to facing more difficulties in coping with visual disability than males. Early rehabilitation measures should be applied to assist the coping and adaptation of the visually disabled in all aspects of everyday living activities

Job satisfaction and stress among MCH physicians in Alexandria

Physician satisfaction with their job is a topic of importance to physicians in practice, physicians in training, health administrators and health executives. Stress among physicians arises due to inadequate demands of the job in relation to worker's abilities, frustrated aspirations and dissatisfaction with regard to aimed goals. The cross-sectional study design was conducted at 7 randomly selected Maternal and Child Health [MCH] centres affiliated to seven medical zones in Alexandria. The study sample consisted of all physicians working at the studied MCH centres. A questionnaire designed for data collection was distributed to all physicians available and who accepted to participate in the study. The questionnaire included 4 sections measuring, sociodemographic characteristics, overall satisfaction and global satisfaction, an eight-dimension satisfaction scale and a four dimension stress scale. The questionnaire was distributed to 100 physicians out of whom 77% responded. Satisfaction scale was on a scale ranging from 6 [greatly satisfied] to 1 [greatly dissatisfied]. Stress was on a scale ranging from 6 [greatly stressed] to 1 [greatly unstressed]. The total mean satisfaction score for the sample under study was 3.3 +/- 0.6 with a significant difference among zones and the total mean stress score for the sample under study was 3.8 +/- 0.7 with a significant difference among zones. It is recommended that decision makers at the MOHP find ways to raise the physicians' pay, efficient planning of resources and find opportunities for future promotion

Part I: prevalence and some associated factors of childhood injuries in Alexandria

Unintentional injuries are a significant source of morbidity and mortality in Egypt. The present work was designed to determine the reported prevalence of injuries among children aged less than 6 years and some contributing epidemiological factors related to injuries. Accordingly, a cross-sectional study design was conducted at randomly selected MCH centers from the six administrative districts of Alexandria, yielding 311 mothers who were selected using the proportional allocation method. A predesigned questionnaire included: sociodemographic data and history of injuries among children aged less than 6 years during 12 months preceding the study. If injuries occurred, mothers were inquired about age, sex, birth order of the child, place, time, and cause of injury, in addition to place of treatment and the end result of injury. Items to assess mothers knowledge and practices related to childhood injuries were also inquired. Analysis of results revealed that the reported prevalence of childhood injuries was found to be 20.9%, with a male predominance in a ratio of 1.6:1. The highest prevalence [44.3%] of injuries occurred among the first child of the family. The majority of injuries occurred at home [72.7%], during day time [64.8%] and complete recovery was occurred [77.2%]. The highest prevalence of injuries was among children from West district [46.7%]. The most common causes of injuries were falls, cut wounds and burns [62.5%, 10.2% and 8.0% respectively]. After controlling for confoundings, using Stepwise Multiple Logistic Regression, injuries were significantly associated with decreased mean mothers' practice score [regarding childhood injuries] and increased number of children in the family [OR = 2.039; 95% C.I = 1.17-3.54 and 2.062; 95% C.I. = 1.12-3.79 respectively]. A major system for data collection and accident analysis should be established especially for children

Part II: mothers' knowledge and practices about childhood injuries in Alexandria

The protection of children from injury ultimately depends on the action of adults. Knowledge of risks of childhood injury does not ensure that parents will adequately protect their children, but such knowledge has been shown to be an essential precursor of changes in behavior. The present work was designed to assess mothers' knowledge and practices related to unintentional injuries among their children. A cross sectional study design was conducted at six randomly selected MCH centers from the six administrative districts of Alexandria. The total number of mothers was 311 selected using the proportional allocation method. A pre-designed questionnaire included: sociodemographic data, 29 items to assess mothers' knowledge [23 items close ended and 6 items open ended], 29 items to assess mothers' practices related to injuries' risk factors and prevention in addition to items about mothers' opinion. The results demonstrated that 88% of mothers were knowledgeable about indoor risk factors, just above half [53.0%] recognized the family as a risk factor. More than one-fourth [28.9%] of mothers had a satisfactory level of knowledge, 58.9% had fair level and 12.2% had a poor level. Preventive outdoor safety practices were reported by the majority of mothers [85.2%]. Only 16.8% of mothers had good level of practice, 64.6% had average level and 18.7% had poor level. Stepwise Multiple Linear Regression revealed that mothers' educational level and age at birth of the first child were significant predictors of their knowledge about childhood injuries. As regards mothers' practices, only mothers' knowledge was the predictor of their practice towards injury prevention. Injury prevention training programs targeting parents focusing on increasing awareness of the scope of the problem and helping to build positive attitudes and behaviors related to childhood injuries are recommended

Cholesterol patterns during pregnancy among women attending MCH centres in Alexandria part I: It's relation to some socio-biological factors

The present study revealed no significant correlation between the social level and the lipid pattern during pregnancy, although there was a trend of increase in lipid pattern with the low social class compared with middle social class. This was attributed to the effect of severe malnutrition on liver function. Malnutrition, parasitic infestation and chronic endemic diseases are a triad that interact together in low social classes to manifest as a severe malnutrition state, that become more evident during pregnancy. No significant correlation between the age of the pregnant mothers and various lipid changes was detected. However, HDL cholesterol shows a trend of decrease with middle age [35 years and above]. It was stated that cholesterol levels rise until late middle age and subsequently the levels drop. It also revealed a higher plasma cholesterol level with the third and more delivery than the nullipara. However, there was a lower plasma triglyceride level with the third and more delivery than the nullipara

Cholesterol patterns during pregnancy among women attending MCH centers in Alexandria part II: It'srelation to weight gain, blood pressure and fasting blood sugar

The aim of this work was to study the relation of the pattern of serum cholesterol level of pregnant women attending MCH centers to blood pressure, weight gain and fasting blood sugar. The techniques used were anthropometric measurements, and Quetelet's index. Fasting blood sugar was determined for each pregnant woman by vein puncture. The present study revealed no significant correlation between weight and different lipid pattern, despite there was a trend of increase of cholesterol and triglyceride with higher weight gain during pregnancy. The present study also revealed no significant correlation between the Quetelet's index and the different serum lipids. Regarding the blood pressure, the study showed no significant association between blood pressure of pregnant women and their lipid change. Regarding fasting blood sugar, the study revealed no significant correlation between fasting blood sugar and lipid patterns