Health beliefs and health behaviour related to bilharziasis in selected Egyptian villages

This report provides an investigation of the relationship between health beliefs and health behavior of 128 villagers from Delta region of Egypt. An interview was used to collect data from the respondents. It was found that individuals who were neither previously nor presently infected scored significantly higher in preventive health behavior than those who were previously or presently infected. The presently infected individuals demonstrated a significantly higher perception of barriers to compliance to preventive health behavior than the presently noninfected ones. The perceived susceptibility to, and seriousness of the disease were significantly higher among the previously and presently infected individuals than the previously and presently noninfected individuals. Significantly higher susceptibility and seriousness were demonstrated by individuals who perceived bilharziasis as not preventable than those who believed that it is preventable. Finally, respondents who believed that schistosomiasis is not a punishment from God perceived barriers to compliance to preventive health behavior and perceived seriousness of the disease significantly higher than those who perceived the disease as a punishment from God

Impact of chronic osteomyelitis on patients' physical functioning and psychosocial wellbeing

The impact of chronic osteomyelitis on patients' functioning and psychosocial wellbeing were studied in 60 patients with haematogenous osteomyelitis compared with an equal number of healthy individuals selected as a matched control. The interview method was used for data collection. Tools consisted of physical, social and psychological rating scales. Patients demonstrated significantly lower physical and social functioning, poorer self-esteem, higher anxiety and more frequent psychosocial problems than the healthy group. Repeated hospitalization had significant adverse effect on patients' functioning and well-being. Sociodemographic variables and duration of disease had no effects. Teaching and rehabilitation programmes, psychosocial screening and support, referral and follow up are recommended for all patients with chronic osteomyelitis