Burnout among physicians and nursing staff working in the emergency hospital of Tanta University, Egypt

Little is known about professional burnout among health-care workers in Egypt. The current study aimed to reveal the extent of burnout among physicians and nursing staff working in the emergency hospital of Tanta University and to identify some of its determinants. A cross-sectional study was carried out on all physicians [n = 266] and a systematic random sample of nurses [n = 284]. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and its subscales. Most of the participants [66.0%]had a moderate level of burnout and 24.9% of them had high burnout. Multivariate analysis of variables affecting burnout showed that age, sex, frequency of exposure to work-related violence, years of experience, work burden, supervision and work activities were significant predictors of burnout among the respondents. The authors recommend health education interventions during pre-employment training programmes for prevention of burnout syndrome and periodic screening for early detection and management of burnout

Looking beyond legality: understanding the context of female sex workers in greater Cairo, Egypt

Data on demographic, social and behavioural characteristics of female sex workers in greater Cairo are very scarce. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 431 randomly selected sex workers after mapping of sites where they gather. Data collection was performed by direct interviewing using a questionnaire sheet covering sociodemographic data and sexual history with paying and non-paying partners. More than one half of participants [52.7%] were aged < 30 years. Only 39.3% were exclusively working as sex workers while the rest had other jobs beside sex work. Almost 70% were responsible for dependants. The age of first selling sex was <15 years for 4.7% of the women and 15-25 years for 58.7%. Unwanted pregnancies were experienced by 36.2% and 34.8% had had an abortion. Many participants had ever been arrested by the police [71.2%]. The study has provided some useful background data for further studies in this very sensitive area of research

Factors associated with the spread of dengue fever in Jeddah Governorate, Saudi Arabia

Dengue fever resurged sharply in Jeddah in 2004 and rose to 1308 cases in 2006. This case-control study determined factors potentiating the spread of the disease to provide an epidemiological baseline to help dengue control. All [650] suspected cases of dengue in Jeddah in 2007 were eligible for inclusion. Cases were those confirmed with dengue by laboratory investigations [n = 244] and controls those confirmed negative [n = 406]. Of these, 129 cases and 240 controls could be contacted and were included in the study. Variables found significant in the bivariate analysis were included in a logistic regression analysis. The presence of stagnant water in indoor drainage holes [OR = 4.9], indoor larvae [OR = 2.2], nearby construction sites [OR = 2.2], and older age [OR = 1.2] were independent determinants of dengue infection [P< 0.01 for all]. Face-to-face health education significantly decreased the risk of dengue infection. Efforts are needed to control the modifiable factors identified in this study with emphasis on health education

HIV infection and related risk behaviours among female sex workers in greater Cairo, Egypt

Although illegal in Egypt, prostitution exists. The prevalence of HIV infection among female sex workers [FSWs] in Cairo is not precisely known. This cross-sectional study investigated the high-risk behaviour for HIV infection and HIV prevalence among FSWs in greater Cairo. A total of 431 FSWs were interviewed about their sexual history with paid and unpaid partners, condom use and risky behaviour for HIV infection; all were tested for HIV. Use of alcohol and drugs was reported by 39.9% and 49.0% of the women respectively; 37.6% only used such substances while with a client. Male condoms were known by 72.6% but their use in the previous month was low [32.8%] and only 22.4% had used one with their last client. The main reasons for not using condoms were not thinking of it [40.6%] and client refusal [20.5%]. All the women tested negative for HIV infection. The high-risk behaviour of many FSWs necessitates intervention programmes to reduce their risk of HIV infection

Hepatitis B and C viral infection: prevalence, knowledge, attitude and practice among barbers and clients in Gharbia governorate, Egypt

A study in Egypt determined the prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infections among barbers [n = 308] and their clients [n = 308] in Gharbia governorate, and assessed knowledge, attitude and practices during hair-cutting and shaving. HBsAg was detected among 4.2% of barbers and 3.9% of clients [more urban than rural]. Anti-HC antibodies were detected in 12.3% of barbers and 12.7% of clients. HCV-RNA prevalence was 9.1% among both barbers and clients [more rural than urban]. Knowledge was high among the majority of participants and good practices during shaving and hair-cutting were observed for the majority of barbers. Barbers appeared to have no job-related risk of acquiring viral hepatitis

Evaluation of HIV voluntary counselling and testing services in Egypt. Part 1: client satisfaction

HIV voluntary counselling and testing [VCT] services were launched in Egypt in 2005. A study of all functioning VCT centres in Egypt [7 mobile and 9 fixed] aimed to determine the profile of clients and their level of satisfaction to identify strengths and weaknesses in the service. In direct interviews with a sample of 928 clients, the main motive for seeking VCT was risky sexual behaviour [34.2%]. More females than males sought services because of partners' risky sexual behaviour. More than 90% of the clients were satisfied with the counselling service. Only 41.4% were willing to discuss the test results with their partners. Male sex, higher education level and attendance at fixed VCT centres were associated with higher satisfaction

Evaluation of HIV voluntary counselling and testing services in Egypt. Part 2: service providers' satisfaction

Voluntary counselling and testing [VCT] services are major components of HIV prevention and treatment efforts. A study in Egypt aimed to determine the satisfaction of service providers at VCTs to identify strengths and weaknesses in the service. Direct interviews with all 50 VCT team members and focus group discussions with 16 counsellors showed that the majority believed that they had received enough training [90%], but still 66% wanted further training. Only 50% reported receiving sufficient incentives. Problems that were highlighted included absence of a fixed job description, lack of administrative support, unclear working rules and regulations and lack of proper community awareness. Counsellors expressed the need for improving working environment to ensure privacy and confidentiality

Risk behaviours for HIV/AIDS infection among men who have sex with men in Cairo, Egypt

A sample of 73 men who have sex with men [MSM] in Cairo, Egypt, were screened for HIV infection and were interviewed to study their risk behaviours for HIV/AIDS. Most [65.8%] had initiated sexual activity before 15 years; 65.8% took both active and passive roles in sexual acts. The frequency of sexual acts was < 1 per week for 73.3% of those aged 25 + years, but > 1 daily for 25.9% of those aged < 25 years. Heterosexual relations were reported by 73.3% of the older age group, while 70.7% of the younger age group were exclusively MSM. Condoms were always used by only 19.2% of the sample

Knowledge, attitude and practices of Egyptian industrial and tourist workers towards HIV/AIDS

This study explored knowledge, attitudes and practices towards HIV/AIDS infection among 1256 Egyptian industrial and tourism workers aged 16-40 years. Compared with industrial workers, tourism workers had a significantly better perception of the magnitude of the HIV/AIDS problem worldwide as well as in Egypt and of the likelihood of the problem worsening. Knowledge of tourism workers was also significantly better about causative agent of AIDS and methods of transmission. Both groups had negative attitudes towards patients living with HIV/AIDS concerning their right to confidentiality and to work. Both groups had a positive attitude towards behaviour change for protection from HIV/AIDS, principally via avoidance of extramarital sexual relations and adherence to religious beliefs. Use of condoms as a way to avoid HIV/AIDS was reported by only 0.4% of workers

Needs assessment and coping strategies of persons infected with HIV in Egypt

The aims of this study were to identify the psychosocial and health care needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS and to determine their coping strategies. The study was conducted in 3 governorates of Egypt on 153 people infected with HIV. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews. The majority of the people had been forced to change the pattern of their sexual behaviour. Fear of stigmatization and feelings of anxiety, hopelessness and depression were frequently reported, resulting in a negative psychosocial impact on the infected person. Decreasing stigma and providing psycho-social support would help people living with HIV/AIDS to utilize effective ways of coping with the negative sequelae of the infection

Risk perception and precautions taken by health care workers for HIV infection in haemodialysis units in Egypt

A cross - sectional study was made in 32 haemodialysis units in the Nile delta, Egypt to evaluate knowledge and practices towards risk of HIV infection by 317 health care workers. Exposure to injury was reported by 48.6% in the previous year. Significantly more workers in government units needle-stick than in private units had good knowledge of bloodborne infections, universal blood precautions and safe disposal of contaminated items, and recognized asymptomatic HIV patients as a risk. Previous training, but not years of experience, influenced knowledge. Despite good knowledge, the performance of health workers was poor for universal blood precautions, and was worse in private haemodialysis units

Condom use among males [15-49 years] in Lower Egypt: knowledge, attitudes and patterns of use

We conducted a cross-sectional study on a randomly selected sample of 2304 males aged 15-49 years from 4 governorates in Lower Egypt to assess their condom use and knowledge and attitudes towards condom use. Condoms were considered an effective method of contraception and prevention of transmission of sexually transmitted infections [STIs] by 60.5% and 60.0% respectively. Only 23.9% had ever used condoms, mainly for contraception, but 26.8% would consider using them in the future. A quarter reported knowing how to use condoms properly. Obstacles to condom use included perceived lack of need [75.7%], rejection by partner [57.6%] and hazards of condoms [31.9%]. The majority knew about HIV/AIDS [90.8%] but a few felt at risk of STIs [11.2%] or HIV infection [10.3%]