Street children in Alexandria: profile and psychological disorders

Today developed and developing countries are facing the problem posed by street children. The continuous and unrestrained exposure to the street and its associated lifestyles makes these children vulnerable to a range of health, social, and other problems. The aim of the present work was to assess the profile of street children and their living condition from different aspects, in addition to assessment of some psychological disorders among them. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 street boys present at El-Horreya institute for Children Community Development, which is a non-governmental organization in Alexandria. An equal control group of 50 school boys were selected at random from the first and second grades of one governmental boys preparatory school of the Middle District of Alexandria. Every child was subjected to an interviewing questionnaire. The Arabic version of Revised Ontario Child Health study scale, children Depression Inventory and the Cooper-Smith Self-Esteem Inventory, were used to identify children with conduct disorder, depression, and assess self-esteem, respectively. Anthropometric measurements including weight and height were measured for each street child and BMI was calculated. The present study revealed that more than half of street children [58.0%] came from large size families, about three-quarters [72.0%] reported insufficient income, most of them had low educated parents and unskilled fathers, 80.0% reported not living with both parents before coming to the institute, and 91.2% reported bad inter-parental relationship. Family history of drug abuse, alcohol intake, smoking, and imprison were significantly higher among street children compared to school children [p<0.001]. The present study showed that 74.0% of street children were smokers, 22.0% reported drug abuse, and 90.0% were dropped out of school. Family violence, beating, and beating without reason significantly increase the risk of being a street child [OR= 31.90, 2.0, and 44.58, respectively]. The risk of conduct disorder, depression, and low-self esteem were significantly more among street children compared to school children [OR= 44.59, 14.64, and 9.66, respectively]. The main cause of leaving home was beating, 80.0% lived in street after leaving home, 72.0% their main source of living was begging, and most of them faced problems in the street especially with the police. The results revealed that 92.0% were satisfied with the institute and 86.0% prefer to stay in the institute than returning to the street. Planning programs to prevent, protect, and rehabilitate street children are essential

Anxiety among school age children suffering from asthma

This study was conducted on 146 asthmatic preparatory school students. A matching control of 223 non-asthmatic students from the preparatory school was also included in the study. The study was carried out through a cross-sectional approach. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data about the general characteristics of the sample, interpersonal and inter-parental relationships, school performance and the attitude and behavior of mothers towards their asthmatic children. The Arabic version of state-trait anxiety inventory [STAI] was used to identify children with anxiety state. The present result revealed that 24.7% of the asthmatic students were anxious with a higher preponderance among boys than girls. Bad interpersonal and inter-parental relationships had increased the risk of the occurrence of anxiety state among asthmatic children. Also, poor scholastic achievement was more encountered among asthmatics who had anxiety. The development of asthma education programs to increase parents', children's and teachers' awareness of asthma symptoms and asthma trigger events was recommended

Relationship of adolescent self-esteem to sociodemographic factors, and scholastic achievement

This study was conducted through a cross sectional approach to assess the relationship of adolescent self-esteem to sociodemographic factors and scholastic achievement among preparatory school pupils in Alexandria. The study included 707 pupils selected by using a multistage stratified random sample of pupils enrolled in the preparatory schools in Alexandria Governorate. The results of the study revealed that 14.85% of the adolescents had low self-esteem. Girls were at higher risk to develop low-self esteem [OR=1.9]. Low socioeconomic level was the only significant predictor for the development of low self-esteem

HIV Seropositivity and KAP towards AIDS among drug addicts in Alexandria

HIV/AIDS has become the leading public health problem worldwide; the EMR is no exception from this pandemic. Intravenous drug abuse is an important route for indigenous transmission of HIV in their region. This work aimed at testing HIV seroprevalence and KAP concerning AIDS among a group of drug addicts admitted for treatment at the Alexandria Psychiatric Hospital. All 100 addicts chosen for the study were interviewed using a specially designed questionnaire, subjected to ELISA testing for HIV as well as urine testing for 5 groups of psychoactive drugs; namely, amphetamine, cannabis, benzodiazepines, opiates and barbiturates. None of the addicts were found seropositive for HIV. The mean age of addicts was 35.75 +/- 11.45 years, half of whom were of primary education or could just read and write. Most addicts acknowledged AIDS causation [86%], its inevitable fatality [80%], absence of a vaccine [84%] and prevention by safe sexual behaviors [92%]. Half of them used two or more drugs [especially opiates] for more than 10 years, through IV route [alone or in combination]. However, most addicts [85%] denied needle sharing and only 29% acknowledged its possible transmission through needle- sharing. Stratifying by route of drug administration, only 22% of IV drug users [IDU] and 37% of non-IV users [NIDU] stated that it could be transmitted through needle sharing. 32% acknowledged extramarital sexual relationships. About 11% of IDU and 8.7% of NIDU suffered from an STD [mainly gonorrhea]. It is recommended that routine HIV testing be performed for all diagnosed drug addicts. Integration of health education concerning HIV/AIDS in rehabilitation programs targeted at this group is needed to further emphasize the additional dangers of drug abuse, through possible HIV infection

Study of drug dependence among industrial workers in one of the factories in Alexandria

The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of drug dependence among industrial workers in one of the factories in Alexandria and to identify the type of drug used among them. A total sample of 200 industrial workers from one of oil and soap factories were chosen by a multistage sampling procedure. The data needed was collected by using an interviewing questionnaire. Also a fresh urine sample was collected from every worker included in the study for screening of psychoactive drugs [amphetamines, benzodiazipines, barbiturates and opiates]. The main results showed that the prevalence rate of drug dependence among industrial male workers was [4%] and for females was [0%]. The most common psychoactive drug used was barbiturates [87.5%]. The drug dependent was significantly more encountered among unskilled workers [100%] and in those of large families [87.5%]. Moreover, a significant relation was found among drug dependent industrial workers who gave history of psychological problems [87.5%] or history of absenteeism

Study of physical environment of schools for mentally handicapped children in Alexandria

The aim of the study was to develop simple criteria for assessment of physical facilities in the schools for mentally handicapped as well as assessment of existing facilities in these schools based on the developed criteria. The study was carried out on the three governmental schools for mentally handicapped children in Alexandria. Criteria for physical facilities were developed and a total sore ranged from 0-54. it was divided into 4 categories namely v. poor, poor, good and v. good according to the obtained score. The main results demonstrated that 2 schools scored v. poor and poor regarding their architecture as they constitute [12.5% and 37.5% respectively]. On the other hand one school scored v. poor as regards environment and furniture [0%] while the other 2 schools scored just good [50% and 50% respectively]

Impact of a mental health program on the utilization of the psychiatric clinic in sporting students' hospital

The evaluation of the multi-sectoral collaborative school mental health program conducted in Alexandria from 1987 to 1990 has to be done along various dimensions [Seif El-Din et al.]. The aim of the present work is to investigate the trend change in utilization of the psychiatric clinic in the Students Hospital [Sporting] through comparing pre-program years [1983/84 - 1987/88] trend with program years [1988/89 -90/91] trend. The source of information about clinic utilization consisted of two registers: one for new cases and the other for return visits. The utilization trend of the psychiatric clinic for return visits showed an increased rate of referral through program years as compared to pre-program trend expected rates. Similarly, new visits trend of referral showed the same picture except for nocturnal enuresis. These findings lend further support for the positive impact of the previously mentioned program on. the knowledge and detection skills of school physicians. Meanwhile, they highlight the need for further concern regarding their skills in management of mental disorders

Program for guidance and counselling among secondary school pupils to alleviate anxiety

The presence of guidance program was essential to alleviate anxiety of pupils where a significant observation of a decrease in anxiety was found among pupils included in general as well as in technical schools as each group has a different precipitating factor in occurrence of anxiety due to difference in school environment. School pupils community organization was done to create strong peer relationship. The teacher was trained to a group of discussion, helping the pupils in group guidance and counseling

Study of anxiety among secondary school children in Alexandria governorate

The present study was carried out on 1350 pupils, their ages ranged between 14-19 years, the mean age was 16.2 +/- 0.837, the level of anxiety increased with the increase of age where those having severe and very severe anxiety were more among pupils aged 18 and 19 years old. Girls rated to have high anxiety levels than boys and difference was statistically significant X42= 79.24. As regards the socio- economic condition, the higher anxiety score, the lower the social class and the difference was significant X122= 26.89. Pupils at the first year were significantly less anxious than those at the second year and the difference was statistically significant where X82= 27.23. Also, the pupils' score was related to the level of anxiety where pupils having severe and very severe anxiety had low score and the difference was statistically significant X122= 65.61