Study of some adolescents health problems and application of educational program among adolescents students in Sharkia govemorate-Egypt

Adolescence is a difficult and dangerous period of transition from childhood to adulthood. This population segment is exposed to a variety of health problems including; iron deficiency anemia, obesity, and dental caries, under nutrition, smoking, substance abuse and psychological problems. Objectives: This study is conducted to assess some of adolescents health problems and to explore their underlying factors. Also, it assesses the impact of an applied educational program for the most feasible problem. The study is composed of two phases, the first one is a cross sectional study that is conducted on a suitable sample size of preparatory, secondary school and university adolescents during the academic year 2004-2005. A multistage sampling technique is used for sample selection. A self-administered questionnaire is used to collect the following data; sociodemographic, dietary history, some lifestyle factors and depressionanxiety scale. Clinical examination, anthropomctric measurements and some laboratory tests arc done for the students. The second phase is an intervention one that is conducted after data collection, analysis and prioritization of health problems. Parasitic infection took the first priority to be solved, and the infected students are divided into intervention and control groups. A self-administered questionnaire is used to assess knowledge and practice of both groups regarding parasitic infection. The intervention group is subjected to medical treatment and an educational program while the control one is subjected to medical treatment only. After 2 months all participants are asked to complete the same questionnaire and stool analysis is done for them. The first phase of study showed many health problems among the studies adolescents, which are in sequence; dental caries, anaemia, parasitic infection, obesity, underweight, smoking, anxiety and depression. It was found that dental caries, anaemia, parasitic infection, underweight and depression were significantly associated with rural adolescents belonging to low social class. While, obesity and smoking were significantly associated with urban ones belonging to high social class. Anemia, obesity, anxiety and depression were more prevalent among females, while underweight and smoking were more among males. The problem of obesity was associated with those taking snacks and four meals or more, and not practicing exercise regularly. However, underweight was associated with those were taking less number of meals not and were not taking snacks. Finally, anxiety and depression, both were associated with smoking and absence of qxercise practice. The second phase showed reduction in the percentage of students who were infected by parasitic infection in both control and intervention groups with significant reduction in the intervention group reflecting the great impact of the educational program. The adolescents are exposed to some health problems and by assessing their knowledge about parasitic infestation, it was found to be relatively deficient. So, the study recommended a regular health appraisal for early detection, management in addition to application of a sustained health education program aiming to improve their knowledge, attitude and practice regarding the common health problems

Satisfactory counseling anti compliance among diabetics in Zagazig University Hospital

Diabetes is a chronic disease of life long duration and its management requires a fundamental change in the patient's life style. The success of long term maintenance therapy for diabetes depends largely upon the patient's compliance with a therapeutic plan. This study was carried out to identify factors associated with satisfactory counseling and compliance among diabetic patients. A sample of "330" diabetics were identified during their current visits to diabetes outpatients clinic in Zagazig University Hospital. Relevant data were collected via a predesigned questionnaire including some demographic, disease characteristics. Also, patients were inquired about the counseling services offered as regard their acquired knowledge, the counseler's cognitive and facilitative communication skills with patients and his or her affective skills toward them. Lastly, patients were inquired about their compliance to diet, drug and the required care. Degree of diabetic care was assessed by: blood glucose measurement, body weight, presence of infection and testing for peripheral sensation. This study revealed that the studied diabetics with good compliance and overall satisfaction represent [29.7%] and [31.5%] respectively. There was an important role for patients' demographic and disease characteristics in moderation of there compliance and satisfaction, where those who tended to comply better were older in age [>/= 45 years], literate and employed. The same tendency was noticed among those with type I diabetes, with positive family history, with good disease control and good quality of care. Counseler's cognitive and facilitative skills were found to be significant moderators among the counseling components for patients' compliance and satisfaction. Diabetic patients with good score of compliance and overall satisfaction towards the offered counseling services represent relatively low percentages that seemed to be unsatisfactory. So, we recommended training of health care providers dealing with diabetics to develop their patients' counseling plans besides their clinical care. Also, health education of diabetics to improve their knowledge, behaviour and promote their compliance