Assessing the quality of training activities by measuring participants' reaction: a questionnaire based study from Kurdistan/ Iraq

Investigating and interpreting quality, accessibility, delivery, and outcomes of training activities are the key to feed back health officials, providers, and other decision makers about the impact of the training programmes provided for health staff . To assess the attitude of the staff toward the quality of training activities conducted over the last 5 years for staff affiliated to MOH in Kurdistan/ Iraq. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Erbil, Sulaimani, and Duhok Governorates from 26th Oct- l0th Nov 2013. Multistage systematic random sampling was used to enroll the participants in this study through visiting the Institutions being selected and to hold a direct Interview with the participants to explain the questionnaire. The questionnaire included 4 parts to assess many aspects of training activities. Total number of participants was 79; Thirty-three were women and 46 were men. Nineteen participants [24.1%] were from Ministry of Health in Kurdistan/Iraq and 60 [75.9%] were from its Health directorates. Men are outnumbering women in participation in the training courses, workshops and conferences. Participation in training courses and attendance of conferences were statistically associated with level of education of the staff. Majority of participants agreed that the training courses have raised their awareness and skills [77. 72%], developed social networking [76.71%], and strengthened their technical and/or administrative capabilities [75.95%]; however, [37.72%] considered that training courses were waste of time, money and efforts. Participates have stated that personal relationships with managers may affect the selection for participation [72. 66%]. Also [46.33%] of participants agreed that the selection was not based on working background and technical capabilities. More than 50% the participants have not been adequately notified about the date of activity or receiving the agenda of the training courses in advance. Men participated In training activities more than women especially in attending conferences. Selection criteria for training are related to educational levels rather than working experiences. Participation In training courses can raise awareness and develop skills for participants; however, selection of participants is not always based on scientific and objective criteria. Participants are not well prepared by early notification and provision of educational agenda and materials before the start of training activities

Psychiatric, psychological and behavioral problem in Egyptian and Saudi adolescent orphans: a comparative study

To determine psychiatric, behavioral andpsychological problems in Egyptian and Saudi adolescent living in orphanages in a comparative study. 50 Saudi adolescent orphans [25 boys and 25 girls] and 50 Egyptian adolescent orphans [25 boys and 25 girls], 50 controls Saudi and 50 controls Egyptian psychiatrically free adolescent were also randomly selected. Psychiatric and psychological assessment using: complete psychiatric sheet, psychometry for psychopathy and aggression, ego strength, rigidity, locus of control, and SAKS which included Sexual Deviation, Relation with others, Negative attitude toward institutions, and Abnormal Behaviour. [44%] of girls and [44%] of boys showed Attention Deficit Disorder [ADD]. Also,[40%] of Egyptian boys and girls showed ADD. There was a statistically significant difference between orphans and controls Saudi girls regarding all items of psychological assessment. Orphans and control Saudi boys showed a statistically significant difference for ego strength, psychopathy, sexual deviation, and negative attitude toward home, abnormal behaviour and relation with others. There was a statistically significant difference between orphans and controls Egyptian girls and boys regarding all items of psychological assessment except for locus of control. Egyptian and Saudi orphan boys differed in all items of psychological assessment except for rigidity. Egyptian and Saudi orphan girls differed in for ego strength, sexual deviation, and negative attitude toward home, abnormal behaviour and relation with others. Saudi and Egyptian adolescent orphans showed psychiatric, psychological and behavioural problems, ADHD was the highest psychiatric diagnosis in both Saudi and Egyptian orphans, Orphans had disturbances in ego strength, psychopathy, sexual deviation, locus of control, negative attitude toward others, abnormal behavior and relation with others. There was cultural related difference in psychometric assessment for orphans

Prevalence study of psychiatric morbidity in a sample of adolescents in secondary schools in new Damietta City-Egypt

Few studies have estimated the psychiatric morbidity among adolescents in secondary schools in Egypt. The objectives of this study were to describe such disorders, identify those students with problems, and evaluate the relationship between their problems and some variables related to them. From September 2008 till April 2009. The study was done on 542 students [263 male [48.5%1 and 279 female [51.5%J], age range 15-18 years; those in urban 333 [61.4%] while in rural area 209 [38.61 with exclusion of deaf and blind. The researcher used Child and Adolescent behavior checklist, General health Questionnaire [GHQ], Clinical interview. Students with+ve score on GHQ were clinically interviewed, and the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders were done according to the diagnostic and statistically manual of mental disorder fourth version revised version [DSM IV TR]. About [22%] of Secondary school adolescents suffers from one or more of the psychiatric disorders as follows; Depression 21.4%, ADHD 15.9%, GAD 12.6% Adjustment disorder 12.6%, OCD 9.5%, conduct disorder 6.3%, Oppositional deviant dis. 5.6%, Separation anxiety dis. and Motor tics 4.8%, nocturnal enuresis 3.9%, social phobia 2.7%, no one complained of drug abuse or psychotic dis. The following socio demographic risk factors are statistically correlated to the psychiatric morbidity, age, sex, number of brothers, economic status and place of living. The mental health of Secondary school adolescents should be assessed, as they may be at risk for mental health problems. Preventive and therapeutic interventions are recommended

Epidemiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in primary school children in Egypt

To assess prevalence and identify subtypes and risk factors of ADHD among primary school children. A total of 635 school children [320 boys and 315 girls] within the primary school in Imbaba [Giza governorate] and 710 children [366 boys and 344] within the two primary schools of Abasia and Shobra in Cairo were interviewed. To identify risk factors for developing ADHD, a control group of school children [who are free of ADHD] of a sample size equal to the number of diagnosed cases were selected according to a simple random sample technique from the list of students at the corresponding study settings. The Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Teacher and Parents Rating Scales; the clinical sheet of psychiatric interview, history and mental state examination for clinical diagnosis of patients; and the ADHD Risk Factors Questionnaire were-used for diagnosis and data collection. Prevalence rates of ADHD among schoolchildren in Giza and Cairo were 6.3% and 8%, respectively. The most prevalent subtype in both study settings was the "combined subtype". ADHD cases comprised significantly more boys than girls. Other significant risk factors for ADHD included a positive family history of mental disorder [p=0.023] and the occurrence of perinatal complications to the mother of the ADHD child [p=0.014]. ADHD is a common mental disorder in Egyptian primary school children in Giza and Cairo. It affects more boys than girls. The combined subtype is the most common subtype. Positive family history of mental disorder and perinatal complications constitute significant risk factors for ADHD. School health programs should include screening of primary school children for ADHD. Diagnosed cases should be referred for psychiatric and educational management. Teachers, especially in primary schools should be aware that children with ADHD are not stupid or nasty, who should be helped not punished. Further research is needed to explore the prevalence and epidemiology of ADHD among children and adolescents in different geographical areas of Egypt