Occupational exposure to cadmium and relation to male infertility

Cadmium is a new class of endocrine disruptors with a wide range of effects on mammalian reproduction. To determine the association between occupational exposure to cadmium and male fertility. Blood cadmium and lead levels were estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 30 infertile male welders and 30 healthy age matched, fertile, male welders as controls. FSH, LH and testosterone were estimated and semen analysis was done. The age ranged between 27-45 years. The infertile welders show significantly higher blood cadmium levels [42.7 +/- 1.7 micro g/dl] compared to the fertile group [11.3 +/- 4.1 micro g/dl, p <0.01] while serum testosterone and FSH are significantly lower among the infertile welders compared to controls [p < 0.05]. In addition, blood cadmium but not blood lead level has a significant inverse correlation, with serum testosterone and FSH [r=-0.37, -0.39, respectively, p < 0.05]. Oligozoospermia and abnormal forms is present in 56.7% and 43.3% of the infertile welders, respectively. Smokers have significantly higher blood cadmium compared to non smokers [p <0.01]. Smoking index has insignificant correlation with FSH, LH and testosterone but shows a significant positive correlation with blood cadmium [p <0.05] but not blood lead level. Blood cadmium is an independent predictor of infertility among the studied population Chronic exposure to cadmium can affect endocrine function of reproduction in males at the level of hypothalamus, pituitary and the testes together with its effects on spermatogenesis. Smoking can potentiate the effects of cadmium on the male reproductive system

effect of selected health education methods on the knowledge and attitude of primary school teachers in a rural area

Health education is an integral component of the primary school curriculum. The teacher plays an effective and influencial role in changing knowledge, attitude and practices of students. This study aimed at assessing primary school teachers knowledge and attitude towards selected common health problems [Bilharziasis and Anemia] and to study the different effects of different health education methods on their knowledge and attitudes. The study was conducted in eight primary schools randomly chosen. All teachers [73] in six schools were exposed to the health education programmes. In the other two no programme was implemented [26 teachers]. Only one of the methods [Lecture, group discussion or community organization] was used in each two of the six schools to cover the aspects related to the health problem and its prevention A pre and post-test was conducted and answers and responses were summed up. Accordinlgly, knowledge and attitude were scored .It was found that teachers knowledge improved significantly by health education using the three methods. Yet community organization was the most effective. Significant improvement in attitude was revealed by the use of community organization and groups discussion while, the lecture had a limited effect in this respect. It is recommended that lecture be used to impart health knowledge to large group of students as regards common health problems. For change of attitudes and consequent practices related to health, community organization and group discussion methods are to be used