Behavioral-based educational intervention directed towards agricultural families to protect children from pesticide exposure

Background: Culturally appropriate educational intervention was devetoped and directed towards agricultural families to improve knowledge and practice of agricultural families in order to protect their children from exposure to pesticides

Methods: Parents [n=297] were randomly assigned into either lecture or video training group. Ability to recall information or improve practrces among parents was evaluated in 3 consecutive sessions [2 weeks and 1 month apart]

Results: All participating families were using pesticides inside homes and in the fields, All tamrlies were using space insect killers inside homes [main ingredients include tetramethrin, sumithrin, pyrethrin, and piperonyl butoxide] in different forms. Pesticides appIied in the fields are organophosphates [57.9%], carbamates [41.4%], and pyrethroids [28.5%]. In both lecture and video training groups, knowledge scores of participants improved significantty in the second and third sessions, as compared to the first session. Although practice scores of both groups improved in subsequent sessions, the changes were not significant

Discussion: Using non-traditional appropriately designed educational interventions that depend more on eral memory is more likely to ensure sustainability of the gained knowledge as well as practice

prevalence of hepatitis B markers among students attending Hodeidah and Hadhramout universities in Yemen

Objectives: This study was designed to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B [HB] surface antigen [HBsAg] and HepatitisB core antibodies [HBcAb] among university students in Yemen

Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 742 students attending Hadhramout and Hodeidah University from October to May 2000. Blood samples were collected from all students and sera tested for total HB core antibodies [IgG+IgM] and HBsAg using Wellcozyme[ Abbott-Murex, South Africa]

Results: Three hundred and twenty six students were enrolled from Hodeidah University, and 416 students from Hadhramout University. Approximately two-thirds of the total enrolled were males and 86.5% were >/= 20 years. The overall prevalence rates for HBsAg and HBcAb were 2.0% and 14.4%, respectively. There was no statistical difference in the HBsAg prevalence rate between different age groups. HBcAb prevalence rate was significantly higher for those students >20 years of age. Male students had statistically higher prevalence of HBsAg and HBcAB than female students [2.4% vs. 1.2%, p>0.05, and 19.0% vs.5.0%, p< 0.001 respectively]. Hodeidah university students had five times more likely to have HBsAg marker than Hadhramout university students [OR = 5.26, 95% CI=1.47-18.80] [p<0.01]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that increasing age [adjusted OR=1.17, 95% CI=1.06-1.28], male gender [adjusted OR=4.05, 95% CI=2.15-7.66] and being a student at Hodeidah University [adjusted OR=1.67, 95% CI=1.07-2.61] were independent risk factor for HBV infection

Conclusion and recommendation: The overall prevalence of HBsAg and HBcAb among university students is much lower than that reported among other segments of the general population in Yemen this finding suggests that knowledge and awareness of preventive measures play a significant role in lowering the risk of HBV infection. Nevertheless, the sero-prevalence rate is relatively high considering the mode of HBV transmission. Further studies are needed to look at the possible risk factors in Yemen where cultural practices differ from those in other countries

Health disorders among workers in poultry breeding farms

Background and objectives: breeding poultry indoors is increasingly common People who work in these settings may suffer some health disorders. This study aimed at assessing respiratory and skin disorders resulting from occupational exposure among workers in the poultry breeding farms and some associated environmental and work characteristics

Subjects and methods: the study was conducted in three randomly selected chicken breeding farms [Menoufiya Governorate]. All exposed workers [n=50] and a similar number of matched controls were subjected to structured questionnaire full clinical examination, Spiro metric measurements and skin prick testing. Environmental studies of the workplace were also done

Results: levels of dust formaldehyde and ammonia inside the studied farms were within the standard of the Egyptian Environmental Law. Exposed workers reported significantly higher prevalence of cough [70% vs.34%1, wheezes [42% us. 10[degree]hl. and repeated attacks of fever [12% vs.0.096] as compared with controls. Mean values of the percentages of VC, WC, FEV l, FEV l /FVC. F'EF25 and FEF50 of the predicated values were significantly lower among exposed workers than controls. Baseline Spiro metric function results were significantly associated with ventilation conditions of the poultry houses and type of work, being lower in workers of poorly ventilated farm and among breeders. Also 68% of exposed workers had positive skin prick test results to feed, mites, house dust dropping or feather antigens found in the workplace compared to none of the controls. p<0.001. Workers with positive skin test also should significantly lower values of FEV1, FEV1 / FVC and FEF50 than exposed workers with negative skin prick test for any of the studied antigens

Conclusion and recommendations: workers in chicken breeding farms are at risk of developing skin allergy, respiratory symptoms and ventilatory dysfunction of both obstructive and restrictive patterns that were influenced by farm ventilation and type of work. Which should be stressed upon on preempbyement curd periodic medical examinations