Updating and validation of the socioeconomic status scale for health research in Egypt

This study aimed to update and re-validate the scoring system of Fahmy and El-Sherbini for measurement of socioeconomic status in health research in Egypt. The new socioeconomic status scale has 7 domains with a total score of 84. Intra-and inter-observer variability and the internal consistency of the scale were assessed. A linear regression model was performed to determine the relative importance of each domain to the total score. Kappa coefficient was used to measure the agreement between the socioeconomic levels of the new and the old scales. There was a strong correlation between most of the 7 domains of the scale. Cronbach alpha for the scale was 0.66. The education domain contributed to 0.898 of variation in total score. There was a moderate agreement [r= 0.76] and strong positive significant correlation [r= 0.93] between the socioeconomic levels and scores of both scales. We conclude that the new socioeconomic status scale is valid and reliable

Psychometric properties of the arabic version of the semi structured clinical interview for children and adolescents [SCICA]

The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the SCICA. The Arabic version of SCICA was administered to 42 children aged 6-11 years attending the psychiatry outpatient clinic; Mansoura University Hospital, Egypt. Test-retest correlation after two months and Cronbach's alpha of the internal consistency of the eight sub-scales and the two global scales were adequate. The concurrent validity, assessed by a correlation with the child behavior checklist [CBCL] was also found to be moderate. In conclusion the present study showed that the Arabic version of the SCICA is a good instrument for clinical and research use

Prevalence of skin diseases among students with disabilities in Mansoura, Egypt

Children with disabilities may be particularly susceptible to skin disorders, therefore the aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of skin disease among such children in Mansoura, Egypt. A total of 636 students with disabilities [76 blind, 446 deaf-mute and 114 mentally retarded] and 720 sex and age matched students [control] who did not have these disabilities were given a thorough dermatological examination. We found 89.5% of blind students, 99.3% of deaf students and 100% of mentally retarded students had 1 or more skin diseases [both infectious and non-infectious] in comparison to 24.2% of the control group. Strict hygienic measures, periodic skin examination and health education of persons caring for students with disabilities are recommended

Job satisfaction of female Saudi nurses

This study aimed to assess the degree of satisfaction of 233 Saudi female nurses with their work and to study the factors that might increase their satisfaction. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. More than 87% and 92% of nurses were satisfied with their work place and the role assigned respectively. The majority of them preferred one-shift duty because of social and family obligations. To increase their satisfaction there is a need to improve the social attitude towards the nursing profession and to provide more comfortable working conditions

Prevalence of skin diseases among school students in Mansoura, Egypt

This study was carried out to determined the prevalence of skin disease among school students [6-18 years] in Mansoura Egypt. The sample of population for this survey was 2586 students representing 1.4% of the total number of students in Mansoura schools 723[27.69%] of the studied group had one or more skin diseases. Infective skin diseases were present in 18.17% and non infective skin diseases in 17.22% of students. The most prevalent infective skin diseases were pediculosis capitis [11.71%], scabies [2.59%] and fungal infection [1.89%].The prevalence of these common infective skin diseases was studied in relation to residence, age, sex, overcrowding and socioeconomic standard. The most prevalent non infective skin diseases were acne vulgaris [6.41%], pityriasis alba [3.05%] and dandruff [2.82%].The prevalence of these non infective skin diseases was studied in relation to sex and age of student