Hypertension and associated cardiovascular risk factors among urban slum dwellers in Egypt: a population-based survey

Background: The economic deprivation of most slum inhabitants, and the lack of services and facilities may increase their vulnerability to unhealthy lifestyles and cardiovascular diseases.

Aims: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in slum residents in Cairo, Egypt and evaluate their association with hypertension.

Methods: A household cluster survey was conducted in Mansheiet Nasser, a large slum area in Cairo. The study included 984 adult participants. The World Health Organization STEPS instrument for noncommunicable disease risk factor surveillance was used to determine the prevalence of smoking, fruit/vegetable consumption, overweight/obesity, physical activity, diabetes and hypertension.

Results: Smoking, insufficient fruit/vegetable consumption, low physical activity and diabetes were reported by 43.4%, 92.2%, 98.4% and 8.7% of the sample respectively. The prevalence of hypertension and overweight/obesity were 31.2% and 73.0% respectively. Most of the participants [83.8%] had = 3 cardiovascular risk factors. A significantly higher proportion of men smoked, engaged in less physical activity, had diabetes and had multiple risk factors. Hypertension was significantly associated with age 30–< 50 years [OR = 3.04, 95% CI: 1.66–5.58], age = 50 years [OR = 12.5, 95% CI: 6.71–23.26], overweight [OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.0–62.35], obesity [OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.49–3.35], low fruit/vegetable consumption [OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.02–3.48], and diabetes [OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.08–2.92].

Conclusions: Urban slum dwellers in Mansheiet Nasser have an increased vulnerability to cardiovascular diseases compared with the Egyptian population. Measures are needed to improve their lifestyles and reduce their risk of cardiovascular diseases

Association of rotating night shift with lipid profile among nurses in an Egyptian tertiary university hospital

The main objective was to identify whether night shift nurses are more prone to dyslipidaemia than day shift nurses. One hundred and fifty female nurses aged 20-49 years were recruited from Ain Shams University Hospitals, Egypt, from January to March 2016: 64 day shift and 86 night shift. Diet type was assessed by interview questionnaire and job satisfaction was assessed using the job satisfaction survey. Triglyceride [TG], low-density lipoprotein [LDL] and high-density lipoprotein [HDL] were measured in all nurses. The predictors of high TG level were ages 30-39 and >/= 40 years and night shift. The only predictor of high LDL level [> 130 mg/dl] was age >/= 40 years. An unhealthy diet and night shift were predictors of risky HDL levels. Seventy nurses were unsatisfied with their jobs, and 137 ate a semi-healthy diet. The findings emphasize that night shift nurses are at risk of abnormal lipid profile, therefore an occupational programme to help nurses cope with their employment conditions is necessary

effect of nuritional intervention program on the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in rural areas of Belbeis district-Sharkia governorate-Egypt

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in rural areas of Belbis district, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt and to assess the effect of iron supplementation and nutritional educational program on the level of hemoglobin in blood. A cross-sectional study was conducted, followed by intervention prospective study. Women attended the antenatal clinics in two primary health care units of Belbis district through December 2000; which amount to 100 women 50 in each primary health care unit were included in this study. Data was collected as regard to their age, parity, educational level and occupation. All participating women were subjected to hemoglobin analysis during the first time, after one month and two months. Women with hemoglobin level less than 11 gm/dl were considered anemic. Chi-square and t tests [paired and unpaired] were applied to test the relationships among study variables. The prevalence of anemia among pregnant women at the first time booking was 55%. After the intervention nutrition education program and iron supplementation, the prevalence declined after three months down to 32%. While, the prevalence after the same period for pregnant women in the control group [non intervention group] was 46%. Both parity and educational level affected significantly the prevalence of anemia only among the intervention group. This study suggested that anemia is still high among pregnant women and integrated intervention programs should be considered prior to conception