Health status and service needs of the elderly [60 years and over]

The main health problems were disorders of gastrointestinal and locomotor systems together with impaired vision. Chest diseases were significant problem for males. Diabetes mellitus and heart diseases were present in less than 15% of the studied elderly. Urine screening revealed the presence of blood, protein, leukocytes and nitrites in 55.9, 49, 26 and 11.8% of elderly respectively. Moreover, urine testing identified glucosuria in 11 elderly with negative history of diabetes. The study suggests some strategies to meet health and social needs of elderly

Quality assessment of health personnel performance in rural health services

The objective of quality assessment was to measure the extent at which different skills learned during training were practiced. An evaluation team composed of the university staff of selected specialities conducted evaluation visits to randomly selected 26 rural health units. Observation check-list was used for data collection about 190 health personnel working in the corresponding units. All health personnel categories were submitted to assessment process: Physicians, nurses, laboratory assistants and sanitarians. The results of the study revealed the insignificant association between renovation activities and the quality of health personnel performance. Good proportion of health personnel showed an acceptable level of performance except nurses for whom more training was still needed. Performance in maternal and child care was not up to standard. Both laboratory assistants and sanitarians expressed an acceptable level in administrative and technical skills. It is recommended that quality assessment on actual settings at working sites is to be an integral part of the training programs. More emphasize should be towards nurses training. Practical training especially in maternal and child care should be the methodology employed to ensure effectiveness

Assessment of the nutritional status in elderly persons [60 years and over]

Results showed insignificant changes of anthropometric measurements with aging and identified deficiency of vitamins A, C, niacin and calcium in 24 hours dietary recall. The median nutrient intake exceeded the standard daily allowances for vitamins B1, B2, iron and protein. It is recommended, for optimal diet of the elderly, to ensure daily consumption of vegetables, fruits and milk. Gastrointestinal troubles which form the major feeding problem have to be properly managed to allow adequate feeding

Physicians' perspective of primary health care training programs

Evaluating Primary Health Care [PHC] training programs from the health services providers perspective has posed a methodological challenge for PHC researchers. This work presents a qualitative assessment of PHC training courses conducted through Family Health Services project [FHSP] Ministry of Health. The responses to the questionnaire submitted to 81 physicians working at Rural Health Units [RHU] and participated in FSHP training programs; were analysed to assess attitude and practice effect of training. PHC training programs; were analysed to assess attitude and practice effect of training. PHC course contents satisfied demands in both practical skills and theoretical knowledge. However, physicians felt that the course contents were not relevant to community needs. The success of the process was due to efforts of trainers for creating an interesting for learning, rather than, the use of educational materials. The impact of training on health services delivery was positive in family planning and antenatal care, but less in child care, prevention and control of communicable diseases. Physicians suggested creation of RHU-University channels for ensuring the continuous education to upgrade physicians' performance in PHC. In conclusion PHC training programs, to be effective, they have to be designed to respond to practical skills needed at the PHC level especially in child care

Quality assessment of health personnel performance in rural health services

The objective of quality assessment was to measure the extent at which different skills learned during training were practiced. An evaluation team composed of the university staff of selected specialities conducted evaluation visits to randomly selected 26 rural health units. Observation check-list was used for data collection about 190 health personnel working in the corresponding units. All health personnel categories were submitted to assessment process: Physicians, nurses, laboratory assistants and sanitarians. The results of the study revealed the insignificant association between renovation activities and the quality of health personnel performance. Good proportion of health personnel showed an acceptable level of performance except nurses for whom more training was still needed. Performance in maternal and child care was not up to standard. Both laboratory assistants and sanitarians expressed an acceptable level in administrative and technical skills. It is recommended that quality assessment on actual settings at working sites is to be an integral part of the training programs. More emphasize should be towards nurses training. Practical training especially in maternal and child care should be the methodology employed to ensure effectiveness

Imbalance of body weight among females in the child bearing period

This work was conducted on 500 women in the child bearing period, non-pregnant, non-lactating, attending one of the maternal and child health centers in Cairo Governorate. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of obesity which is expected to be high among this group. Factors known to affect the body weight have also been investigated as the socio economic status, parity, eating habits and feeding pattern. The body weight is expressed as body mass index, BMI ie Quetelet Index, QI weight/height2. The results obtained from data analysis showed that the prevalence of obesity by its various grades was 79%, under weight 2.6% and normal or standard weight 18.4%. The increase in BMI was found to increase with age, parity higher family income, higher intake of high calorie foods and nibbling between meals. Association of some health problems relevant to obesity was observed as hypertension, varicose veins, abdominal hernia and history of Cesaerian section particularly among those with severe degree of obesity