Levels of adulthood physical disability in a rural community in upper Egypt

Worldwide, the rapid increase in the elderly population have led to an ongoing debate about wheather longer lives can be matched by longer active lives that are free from disability [Ostir, et al., 1999]. In many developing countries, life expectancy is increasing very rapidly, but little information is available on survival free of disability [Jitapunkul et al, 2003]. Egypt is an example of a country in the middle of its demographic transition. The median age of population has risen with a life expectancy at birth from 51 years in 1970 to 70 years in 2005. Egypt's population is projected to reach 92 million in 2020 with 6.7% aged 65 years or above; approximately 7 million elderly people [CAPMAS, 1995]. To estimate the prevalence rate, identify types and factors associated with disability among adults residing in a rural area. A cross-sectional survey with total coverage of all adult population >/= 18 years residing in Gahdam village. Upper Egypt, was undertaken in 2001. A total of 2.505 adults were screened for disability using the ADL [Activities of Daily Living] and IADL [Instrumental activities of daily living instruments. This was followed by a more detailed questionnaire to describe disability by onset, duration, severity, underlying diseases, health seeking behavior and other factors. Disability was defined as deficiency in one or more of ADL or IADL items. 15.9% of adults were disabled in one or more of the ADL items. Using both ADL and IADL instruments the prevalence of disability among adult population aged >/= 18 years was 22.1%. Disability was associated with age, gender, marital status and educational attainment. Musculo skeletal disorders ranked as the first underlying cause of disability [41.9%] followed by chest disorders [16.5%]. Health services utilization declined from 90.9% at the onset of disability to 62.3% among currently disabled adults. Although private sector had the upper hand among providers sought, a large proportion of disabled adults relied on self medication 37.7%. Hospitalization during the last year was 16.4%; with an average length of stay 16.9 days. Disability among elderly population is a significant burden to individuals, families, and health care

Childhood disability levels in a village in upper Egypt

Long term physical disability among children and adolescents is a multi-dimensional problem and though the prevalence rate of disability across age groups is higher among elderly, yet, the severity of disability and psychological impacts among adolescents and young adults is much higher. Children < 18 years of age are more than 50% of the population in developing countries, even low disability levels can amount to substantial suffering. To estimate the prevalence of disability among children <18 years age in a village in Upper Egypt, its impact on the child and family life, and describe the patterns of health care seeking behavior. A cross-sectional survey with total coverage of all children 0-18 years old residing in Gahdam village, Upper Egypt "was undertaken in 2001. A child was considered disabled if he/ she was suffering from a disability in one or more of general activities specific for his/ her age or specific activities general for all age groups. Mothers of 3.448 children were interviewed via a semi-structured questionnaire in the screening phase '10 questions questionnaire' standardized instrument. A sub-sample of the disabled children's mothers was subjected to a more detailed questionnaire on disability. 340 children [9.9%] were perceived by their mothers limited by anyway because their disability or health. General disability was the most frequently reported type followed by speech disabilities. Disability was higher in magnitude and severity in males. Psychological burden among children's families ranked the first [66.7%] followed by economic burden, [31.4%] and lastly 15.7% of disabled children's families were suffering from 'physical effort' burden. The type of disability, course and economic burden were all significant predictors in seeking health care. Development screening is essential for early identification of childhood disability

Assessment of nutritional status, food habits and selected hematological tests of interns faculty of nursing, Assiut University and their relation to blood pressure

The prevalence of hypertension is approximately three times higher for obese than for non-obese. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure increase with body mass index [BMI] and obese individuals are at a higher risk of developing hypertension than are lean subjects. This study was conducted at Assiut University Hospitals on nursing interns in the year 2004. This study was conducted in an attempt to: 1] Determine the relation between BMI and food habits of nursing interns, Assiut University Hospitals. 2] Determine the relationship between blood pressure and serum sodium, potassium, food habits and BMI. 3] Determine the percentage of anemia among them. 102 nursing interns were included in this study. They were interviewed using a questionnaire containing information on age, residence and their dietary habits and some attitudes. Anthropometric measurements included weight and height to assess the body mass index. Blood pressure was measured for each subject. Blood sample was also withdrawn after written consents to perform blood picture and serum sodium and potassium as well as random serum glucose level. Data was computerized and statistically analyzed using SPSS program Version 9. This study revealed that 12.7% of nursing interns were under weight, 19.6% were over weight and 5.9% were class I obese. There was a statistically significant relation between BMI and snacks, soft drink intake and energy food intake. A high statistically significant relationship between the attitudes and the BMI was found. 26.5% of the nursing interns were hypotensive and 4.9% were hypertensive [[4 nursing interns were having mild hypertension [stage 1] and one was severely hypertensive [stage 3]]. It also revealed that 69.6% were using pickles and spices, 16.9% of them were using heavy salt pickles and the relation between using heavy salt pickles and blood pressure was statistically significant. It was also found a statistically significant relation between serum sodium, serum potassium and blood pressure. A statistically significant relation was detected between BMI and blood pressure, as 25.9% and 66.7% of hypotensive nursing interns were under and normal weight, while 60% and 20% of hypertensive were overweight and obese. More than half of nursing interns [55.9%] were anaemic. 6.9%, 14.7% and 34.3% had hemoglobin level < 10, 10- and 11- < 12 g/dL respectively. Random serum glucose was within normal in 95.1% of them and ranged from 3.4 to < 7 m.mol/L while 4.9% of the studied sample were potentially diabetic as the random serum glucose ranged between 7-8 m.mol/L. We recommended with intervention nutritional health education program to improve the nutritional status of them. Proper amounts of carbohydrate consumption, control the snacks between meals and soft drink will help to reduce the overweight and obesity and consequently the blood pressure. Low salt dietary habits to decrease the risk of hypertension. Implement the diets rich in fruits and vegetables, which are considered protective group

study about drug compliance among hypertensive patients attending Asssiut University Hospitals

This study was performed on 203 hypertensive patients. Data were collected using a structural interview questionnaire. Only 61.6% of the hypertensive patients were subjected to treatment of hypertension. Over two thirds of the patients had either poor or no knowledge of normal blood pressure range, predisposing factors, symptoms and signs and complications of hypertension. 46.3% of the included patients had problems in compliance to treatment as remembering, cost of treatment or side effects of medication and 58.5% of them were not compliant to treatment compared with 21.1% of those who had no such problems. 57.6% of the patients had difficulties in the follow up and 45.3% of them were not compliant to treatment compared with 29.1% of those who had no difficulties. Poor compliance was associated with severe hypertension, increased number and side effects of medications as well as difficulties in the follow up. Various strategies were recommended in order to improve the patient compliance, including health educational programs, self-measurement of blood pressure and monitoring of compliance

Evaluation of some prognostic variables and 4 years survival in patients with advanced Hodghin's Disease treated by chemotherapy alone or chemotherapy with radiotherapy.

This study aimed to determine the significant prognostic factors in patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease [stage III B and IV] treated by chemotherapy alone or chemoradiotherapy and the evaluation of the results regarding the response to treatment and four years survival. Analysis of the results showed that there were five prognostic factors adversely affect the response to treatment and over all survival; age, anemia, number of extra nodal sites, LDH and lymphocytic count. 96.6% of cases of stage III B were in complete remission [CR] versus 53.6% only of stage IV cases. Patients at high risk whom had three or more adverse variables their response to the treatment was 57.6%, while patients with less than three adverse variables was 79%. The four years survival was 91.1% for patients with less than three adverse variables and was 78% for patients with more than three adverse variables