Pattern and barriers of physical activity among medical students of Al-Jouf university, Saudi Arabia

Background: physical inactivity is a public health problem in Saudi Arabia. Physical inactivity is associated with several chronic diseases, increased medical care costs and premature death

Objectives: to determine the pattern of physical activity, the predictors of physical inactivity and the perceived barriers of physical activity among students in College of Medicine at Al-Jouf University, Saudi Arabia

Methods: a cross sectional study was carried out among 283 medical students in the age group of 19- 33 years. The Arabic short form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ] was used to measure physical activity. Analysis was done according to the guidelines for data processing and analysis of the IPAQ

Results: overall, 60.1% of the students were physically inactive. Only 38.2% of the students performed vigorous physical activity, 21.9% moderate-intensity physical activity and 33.2% walking activities, which met World Health Organization criteria of health-enhancing physical activities. The significant predictors of physical inactivity were low father education, dead or retired father, mothers not working for cash, families with five members or more and non-participation in sports clubs. The significant barriers of physical activity among physically inactive students were time limitations, lack of money, lack of safe sport places, not being interested in sports and body cannot tolerate physical activity

Conclusion: the majority of medical students of Al-Jouf University in Saudi Arabia are physically inactive. Overcoming perceived barriers may increase physical activity among university students

Risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection in urban and rural areas of Qena governorate, Upper Egypt

Background: HBV infection is a significant health problem in Egypt which is categorized as an HB virus intermediate endemic area, with HB carrier rate ranging from 2%-7%. HBV infection is the 10[th] leading cause of death and HBV related hepatocellular carcinoma is the 5[th] most frequent cancer worldwide

Aims of the study: The present study aims to investigate the most important risk factors for transmission of HBV and HCV in urban and rural areas in Qena Governorate, Egypt

Patients and Methods: A matched case control study was conducted. The study included 600 patients, 100 HBV cases and 500 controls, aged above 20 years and below 70 years. Direct interview was done with each participant separately for filling the questionnaire during the period from January 2013 to January 2014. The collected data were reviewed, entered and statistically analyzed using SPSS version 19

Results: The mean age of cases and controls were 38.83 [ +/- 12.62] and 44.26 [ +/- 11.68] years respectively. Multivariate analysis shows that odds ratio of HBV infection is significantly higher among cases with some risk factors: injection by reused needle, sharing razors with others, dental procedures or oral surgery, blood transfusion and intravenous infusion and/or injection

Conclusion and Recommendations: The common risk factors exposures of hepatitis B infection included blood transfusion, dealing with patient blood, hospital admission, surgery, accidental stick with a blood contaminated needle, intravenous catheterization and dental procedures. There are statistically significant differences between HBV cases and their controls in the majority of these risk factors. The presence of these risk factors emphasizes the need for increasing the uptake of HB vaccine. Health care providers, health educators, and other community-based organizations must play an active role in counseling high-risk people

HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes of Egyptian youth

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] is a major challenge to health and development. It is pulling a tremendous burden on healthcare facilities and is decreasing economic productivity. The vast majority of the world's young people have no idea about how HIV/AIDS is transmitted or how to protect themselves from the disease

Aim of the study: Evaluate the level of knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS among Egyptian youth

Methods: Secondary analysis was done in this study based on data sets of Egypt Demographic Health Survey 2008 targeting 4,116 youth aged 15-24 years asked about HIV/ AIDS

Results: The findings revealed relative accepting knowledge as 81.6% of the respondents have heard about AIDS. More than three quarters of them correctly knew that people can reduce the risk of getting AIDS by having sex with just one uninfected faithful partner. However, there were misconceptions about routes of transmission. Egyptian youth had negative attitudes towards AIDS patients

Conclusion and Recommendations: Egyptian youth were to somewhat knowledgeable about AIDS but fear and intolerant attitudes were prevalent and need to be addressed. There is urgent need for health education programs for targeted groups in the Egyptian community about AIDS in order to increase people awareness and change their negative attitudes

Risk factors for cerebral palsy among children under five-years old in Assiut governorate, upper Egypt

Cerebral palsy [CP] is the most frequent cause of motor handicap among children. Many etiologies and risk factors for the non-progressive lesion in CP are considered to be antenatal, delivery or neonatal. The present case control study aims to investigate the risk factors of cerebral palsy among children under five years in Assiut Governorate. Three hundred children randomly selected; 150 children with CP matched in number, age and sex with normal children as controls. The mean age of cases and controls were 1.99 +/- 1.34 and 1.98 +/- 1.33, respectively. The results revealed that significantly higher percent of cases were left handed compared with controls. Artificial feeding was common among cases. Significant statistical differences were found between two study groups regarding, socioeconomic status, birth order, family history of CP, premature rupture of membranes, low birth weight, birth trauma, cyanosis at birth, and history of encephalitis. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in malpresentations, twin pregnancies, recurrent abortion, history of meningitis. In conclusion, birth trauma, low birth weight, artificial feeding and encephalitis are the most frequent risk factors in children with CP in Assiut Governorate. Therefore, antenatal, natal and postnatal health life styles reduce baby's chances of developing cerebral palsy

Knowledge and attitudes towards premarital health care among couples attending premarital clinics in Assiut city

Premarital health care is one of the most important strategies for prevention of genetic disorders, congenital anomalies and several medical, psychosocial marital problems. Assess knowledge and attitudes of premarital couples towards premarital examinations and counseling in Assiut City. This cross sectional study was conducted in three premarital clinics in Assiut City, from June to August 2010. A simple random sample of 706 respondents [345 males and 361 females] completed semi-structured questionnaires by direct interviews. The collected data included socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitudes of the respondents towards premarital heath care. The mean age of the studied sample was 26.4 +/- 5.9 years. A total of 434 subjects [61.5%] were from urban areas. The majority of the studied couples. [97.2%] were previously heard about premarital health care. Most of the respondents mentioned laboratory investigations as a mandatory component of premarital health care, while counseling was reported by 6.3% only. 30.5% didn't know about the availability of laboratory investigation such as voluntary HIV testing and hepatitis viruses B and C at premarital health care investigations. There was good knowledge about premarital health care among premarital couples but many did not know its components and available investigations. There is a need for health education about the importance of the premarital care and its services

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia in ventilated neonates :incidence and risk factors

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia occurs in neonates who need supplemental oxygen at 36 weeks gestational age and those born at >/= 32 weeks gestation who need additional oxygen after 28 postnatal days. Mechanical ventilation is an invasive life support procedure that may cause lung injury through a combination of oxygen toxicity, barotrauma, and volutrauma. Alveolar development is interrupted and parenchyma destroyed leading to emphysematous changes, decreased lung compliance, and impaired gas exchange. There is a positive correlation between ventilator settings, duration of assisted ventilation and development of BPD. The aim of the study was evaluation of the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia among ventilated neonates and determination of associated risk factors. A retrospective study conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Cairo University over the period from January 2007 to December 2008. It included 633 ventilated neonates out of 3321 total admissions [19.06%]. All data were collected from patient's records. Patients were diagnosed to have bronchopulmonary dysplasia if they needed supplemental oxygen at 36 weeks gestational age or those born at >/= 32 weeks gestation who need additional oxygen after 28 postnatal days. Patients were classified to 2 groups: BPD group and non BPD group. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia [BPD] developed in 221633 ventilated neonates [3.48%]. Twenty of them had gestational age between [28 - 32] weeks [90.90%],14/22 were males [63.63%], 13/22 were delivered by CS [59.09%], BPD developed in 18/290 [6.2%] neonates ventilated by SIMV from start, 3/178 ventilated by NCPAP followed by SIMV [1.7%], 1/165 ventilated by NCPAP only [0.61%], with P-value 0.002 [significant]. Eleven neonates out of 22 BPD cases [50%] were discharged. Twenty one out of 285 neonates diagnosed as respiratory distress syndrome [7.4%] developed BPD. In BPD group, Mean Fraction of inspired oxygen was 60.68 +/- 16.90, compared to 33.24 +/- 21.57 in non BPD group P value < 0.001 Highly Significant [HS]. Mean PIP in BPD group was 21.94 +/- 4.22 and 21.32 +/- 5.26 non BPD group, P Value 0.63. Mean PEEP was3.94 +/- 0.24 in BPD group and3.79 +/- 0.45 in non BPD group, P value 0.17. Mean Rate was 39.29 +/- 8.27 in BPD group compared to 36.23 +/- 12.10 in non BPD group, P value 0.32. Mean Flow was 7.83 +/- 0.71 in BPD group and 7.66 +/- 0.57 in non BPD group, P Value 0.25. Mean I/E Ratio was 0.40 +/- 0.02 in BPD group and 0.38 +/- 0.03 in non BPD group, P value 0.04 [significant]. Mean birth weight in BPD group was 1.22 +/- 0.21 compared to 2.27 +/- 0.80 in non BPD group, P value <0.001 [H.S.]. Mean duration of ventilation was 35.77 +/- 4.07 days in BPD group compared to 6.36 +/- 4.07days in non BPD group, P value<0.001 [H.S]. Mean length of hospital stay was 39.36 +/- 4.58 days in BPD group compared to 8.12 +/- 5.68 days in non BPD group, P value <0.001. In conclusion; The use of NCPAP is associated with a lower incidence of BPD compared to SIMV. The least required oxygen should be delivered to minimize oxygen toxicity and reduce the incidence of chronic lung disease

Knowledge and Attitude towards Smoking among Fayoum University Students

Smoking is a behavioral cause of premature morbidity and mortality, resulting in approximately four million persons dying of smoking-related diseases annually worldwide. This study aims to investigate the extent of smoking habit, knowledge toward smoking among Fayoum University students. A cross sectional analytical study was conducted in Fayoum University during the academic year 2010. A total of 804 students were selected by using randomized multi-stage sampling using self-administered questionnaire for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. The respondents age ranged from 18 to 26 years 20.36 +/- [1.21] years. The males were 51% [n=410] and females were 49% [n=394]. The prevalence of smoking among students was 13.4%. a large percentage of the smokers 82.4% used cigarettes while 8.3% smoked water pipe. Regarding knowledge about smoking related diseases, 97.3% of the students knew that smoking causes diseases; but only 5.6% of the sample had good/and satisfactory knowledge score about the causal role of tobacco in the development of specific diseases, and 66.7% of smoker students want to quit with a higher intention of for older group. In conclusion, smoking is prevalent among the university students and their knowledge about the harmful effects of smoking is generally superficial. Definite counseling programs are greatly needed to help students quit smoking

Violence among secondary school students in Assiut district

Violence by young people is one of the most visible forms of violence in society. Violence among adolescents may have serious developmental, physical and mental health consequences for the affected individuals. Violent youth are more likely than their peers to have poor mental health, use drugs, drop out of school, and be delinquent. Describe pattern, magnitude, and determinants of violence among secondary school students. A cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 1,404 secondary school students was conducted in Assiut, Egypt, 2004-2005, using a self-administered questionnaire. [Youth self-report] scale of Achenbach was used to measure [aggression], other measures of violence were included: physical fighting and weapon carrying. The main independent variables included in the study were: age, gender, religion, residence, smoking, family bonding, and attitude towards violence, depression, victimization and conflict resolution skills. Results: 59.8% of students were involved in a physical fight in the last 12 months prior to the survey, with significant gender differences and boys being more likely to be involved in such a behavior. Weapon carrying was reported almost exclusively by boys. In the Logistic regression analysis victimization, poor self-control, poor cooperation, and possessing attitudes with a positive violence orientation were found to be strong predictors of aggression and violence. Violence is a seriously growing behavior among secondary school students that needs to be addressed through school health programs investing in healthy development of adolescents pays off in mental health of tomorrow's adults

Stress releasing clasp assemblies design related to abutment alveolar bone resorption

This research was carried out on twenty patients of upper completely edentulous arch against mandibular bilateral distal extension ridges to study the effect of different torqueing releasing clasps assemblies of mesially places occlusal rest on alveolar bone height change of the abutment tooth. According to the type of the clasp assembly design used in this study the patients were classified into four groups. Where the mandibular distal extension removable partial denture frame work retained with RPI, RPL, RPA and, modified clasp assemblies design were constructed for group I, II, III and, IV respectively. After making an altered cast impression with selective pressure impression technique, jaw relation was registered and the dentures were processed with heat cure acrylic resin. Pre-apical x ray film of the abutment teeth was performed immediately, 6 months and 12 months of denture insertion. The results of this study revealed at all studied groups exhibited significant abutment alveolar bone resorption, along the follow up periods, after insertion of mandibular distal extension RPS. After six months and 12 months follow up, abutment alveolar bone height change for mandibular distal extension RPD with RPI and modified clasp was significantly less than that of RPA clasp, on other hand comparing RPI, RPL and modified mandibular distal extension RPD wearer together was found insignificant in the abutment alveolar bone resorption the former and the latter exhibit an proximally equal amount of resorption. In conclusion, Modified and RPI clasps may be the clasp of choice because they exhibit less abutment alveolar bone resorption. RPL clasp is a substitute for the RPI clasp in distal extension cases

Can prostate cancer be predicted in BPH patients with elevated serum PSA and negative initial sextant biopsy? a multivariate analysis study

Objective: To define a predictor of prostate cancer in BPH patients with an intermediate PSA [4.1-10 ng/ml] and a negative initial sextant biopsy

Patients and Methods: During 1999, 193 BPH patients with an intermediate PSA [4.1-10 ng/ml] underwent TRUS and sextant biopsy. The patients whose initial biopsies were negative for prostate cancer were re-evaluated by serum PSA every 6 months. A total of 76 patients were subjected to an extended 11-core biopsy in view of: [1] PSA velocity >/= 1 ng/ml/year, [2] a PSA rise to > 10 ng/ml and [3] suspicious biopsy findings [atypical adenomatous hyperplasia or high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia]. Overall, 160 patients were subjected either to TURP [n=127] or open prostatectomy [n=33]

Results: On initial sextant biopsy, prostate cancer was diagnosed in 22 out of 193 patients [11.4%]. The specificity of the sextant biopsy was 91.8% and its positive predictive value [PPV] was 61.1%. A repeat 11-core biopsy revealed prostate cancer in 11 out of 76 patients [14.5%]. The specificity of the 11-core biopsy was 95.4% and its PPV was 78.6%. Three cancers out of 160 [2%] were discovered on definitive pathology. The PSA velocity cut-off point at 1.4 ng/ml/year and the PSA density cut-off point at 0.12 were optimal for the prediction of cancer using receiver operating characteristic curves. The multivariate analysis [stepwise logistic regression] revealed that PSA density [p=0.011], PSA velocity [p=0.002] and age [p=0.021] were the most significant predictors of cancer when the data were inserted as a continuous format. The sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy of the model were 80%, 98.7% and 95.9%, respectively. When the data were re-inserted as a coded format, PSA velocity and PSA density were the only predictors. All the analyzed risk factors [age, PSA, DRE, prostate echogenicity and PSA/TZ index] were excluded from the model

Conclusion: PSA velocity and PSA density were the most significant predictors of prostate cancer in BPH patients with an intermediate PSA [4.1-10 ng/ml] and a negative initial sextant biopsy

rationale for prostate cancer detection in a developing country: comparison of screening and case finding

Objective: This study was conducted to compare the results of community based screening program for prostate cancer with case finding among urologic patients. Patients and Methods: Two programs for prostate cancer detection were conducted based on PSA assay [cutoff value 4ng/ml] and DRE for men aged 50 to 75 years. The first one included 833 urologic patients [group 1] and the second included 882 men who responded to a campaign for early detection of prostatic diseases [group 2]. Diagnosis of prostatic adenocarcinoma depends on ultrasound guided six-core prostatic biopsies. Results: In group 1, 154 patients were biopsied [147 due to high PSA +/- suspicious DRE and 7 due to suspicious DRE alone]. Prostate cancer was diagnosed in 36 patients [4.3%]. Organ confined cancer was detected in 41.7% of them [15 patients]. In group 2, 75 men were biopsied [69 for high PSA +/- suspicious DRE and 6 for suspicious DRE alone].The cancer detection rate was 2.2% [19 patients] and the rate of organ confined disease was 37.87 [7 patients]. There was no significant statistical difference between both groups regarding cancer detection rates and the percent of organ confined tumors. Conclusion: The results of this study may present a rationale for application of prostate cancer detection program in developing countries to urologic patients

Effect of dietary phytoestrogen; genistein; an improvement of the immunity and other biochemical indices of alloxan-induced diabetic rats

This study was set performed to investigate the effect of feeding alloxan-induced diabetic rats with experimental diets containing genistein at different levels [2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mg/kg diet] on serum glucose level, lipid profile, immunoglobulins [IgG, IgM and IgA], T-lymphocytes CD+4 and CD+8, potential hepatic and renal antioxidant activity as well as body weight gain and daily food intake. The study concluded that dietary genistein displays a range of physiological functions, which may be of multiple health benefits in diabetes, as an inhibitor of intestinal glucose uptake and preventive agent for glucose-induced lipid peroxidation

Effect of the pyrethroid insecticide cypermethrin on fertility in male rats

The effect of cypermethrin [ectomin] at two dosage level on male reproductive organs were studied, the tested doses 1/40 and 1/30 LD[50], respectively were given for 65 successive days to male rats. Sex organ weight, semen picture, testosterone level were the criteria used to evaluate the productive efficiency of the treated male rats. Both doses decreased the weights of most genital organs, sperm cell concentration, percentage of live sperm, sperm motility and increased the percentage of total sperm abnormalities. A decrease in the plasma testosterone level was observed in all treated groups. After 65 days on treatment and 30 days after last dose of drug administration as compared to control gorup. Histopathological examination was carried out on testes and accessory glands [prostate and seminal vesicle] there was incomplete spermatogenic process in the most of semineferous tubules, and activaiton of epithelial cell lining prostatic acini with polyps formation protruded in the lumenae with cystic formation, while seminal vesicle showed cystic dilatation with polyps formation these changes were more potent in the large dose

Residual analysis of some heavy metals in water and oreochromis niloticus fish from polluted areas

A total of 30 water samples were collected from three industrial localities in Egypt [Helwan [El-Marazek Bridge], Kaha and Kafr El-Zayat]. Ten water samples were collected from each locality near by and at various distances from the outlet of the local industrial establishments. At the same time, 60 Oreochromis niloticus [O. niloticus] fishes [20 fishes from each locality] were obtained from the same localities of water samples during the period of summer season in 1998. Lead, cadmium, mercury, copper and zinc levels were determined in both water samples and fish flesh by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Moreover, the effect of some heat treatments [frying and roasting] on mercury residues in fish flesh was studied. From the obtained data, it was detected that the highest values of lead, mercury, copper and zinc were found in water samples collected from Kafr El-Zayat, while cadmium was detected at its highest level in water samples collected from Kaha district. On the other hand, it was observed that the highest values of heavy metal residues in fish samples were found in Helwan, while mercury was detected at its highest level in fish samples collected from Kafr El-Zayat. Moreover, it was found that frying had a stronger effect than roasting in decreasing the residual level of mercury in fish samples. The obtained data indicated a correlation between accumulation of heavy metals in fishes and its concentrations in water. Public health importance and the hazardous toxic effects of these heavy metals as well as the suggestive recommendations to minimize water and fish pollution with these heavy metals were discussed

Incidence of ochratoxicosis in poultry in Egypt

In an intensive poultry farm, Monofia Governorate, severe outbreaks occurred in the flock. Blood samples were taken from 50 severely affected as well as from 50 apparently healthy chicks to study the biochemical alterations in serum of birds. Moreover, five diet samples consumed by the chicks were obtained for detection of rancidity or mouldness. Samples of kidneys, liver, gizzards, parts of the muscles and intestines were examined for detection of mould residues. Results obtained indicated high contamination of the diets with ochratoxin A, which resulted in severe alteration of blood constituents and high residues in the internal organs, which led to high mortalities and severe economic losses in the flock

Utility of tetrazolium blue for the spectrophotometric determination of azlocillin and ceftriaxone

A simple and sensitive spectrophotometric method was described for the assay of azlocillin and ceftriaxone in injections. The method was based on the reduction of tetrazolium blue in alkaline medium by the two drugs, giving a highly colored formazan measurable at 524 nm. The optimization of the different experimental conditions was described. The method proved to be accurate and reproducible as indicated by a relative st and ard deviation of less than 2%

Spectrophotometric determination of mequitazine and thiopentone sodium in dosage forms

A simple and sensitive spectrophotometric method was described for the determination of mequitazine and thiopentone sodium. The method was based on the formation of ferroin upon reaction of these drugs with iron [III]-o-phenanthroline reagent. The colored product was quantitated spectrophotometrically at 510 nm. Beer's law was obeyed over concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 0.8 mg% and 2 to 6 mg% for mequitazine and thiopentone sodium, respectively. The proposed method has been applied successfully to the determination of the investigated drugs in dosage forms