Screening for nutritional risk among elderly population

Older adults are a potentially vulnerable group for malnutrition, especially the newly hospitalized elderly patients or those institutionalized. Thus, the prevention of nutritional problems is crucial

Aim of the Work: To assess the risk of malnutrition using the Mini-Nutritional Assessment [MNA] among three groups of elderly people; institutionalized, hospitalized and freely living outpatient groups

Methods: A total of 300 persons [100 in each group ] aged 65 years and over participated in the study. MNA questionnaire, anthropometrics [Body Mass index, Mid arm circumference and Calf circumference] were used to collect data. The sensitivity and specificity of the MNA test were assessed using the Body Mass Index as the gold standard

Results: According to MNA score [maximum 30 points]. MNA <17points, i.e., malnutrition, was noted in 2% of hospitalized patients, 10% of those living in institutions, 1% of outpatients. The corresponding values for NINA scores 17-23-5 points [risk for malnutrition] were 43, 10, and 18%, respectively. The least mean MNA score was found among the hospitalized group [16.96+/-2.97]. The mean values of anthropometric measures were significantly lower in subjects classified as at risk and malnourished. The increase of age and the female gender were significantly related to malnutrition

Conclusion: The results suggest that MNA is a useful tool [100% sensitivity] for preliminary detection of risk of malnutrition among elderly

Postpartum women's knowledge, attitudes and practices related to postnatal care and problems: a comparative Egyptian study

Opjective: to show residential differentials in characteristics of postpartum women and their knowledge, attitudes and practices related to postnatal care and problems

Methods: a community-based study was carried out in the Wassat region of Alexandria in the year 2002. Two hundred urban and rural postpartum women were selected at random from birth registries in two health centers and visited at their homes

Results: Significant differences in demographic and maternity features of urban and rural women and in their use of maternity care as well as in their experiences of postnatal complications were observed. The study indicated that the median percent scores of women's knowledge about postnatal complications and services rendered during home visits were very low. Urban women were more knowledgeable about postpartum complications and services rendered during clinic check up. Rural women were more likely than their urban counterparts to rate seriousness of postnatal complications as not serious at all, and that both home visits and clinic check up are not important at all. Considering the factors related to women's knowledge, education of both urban and rural women played a significant positive role, while parity had a significant positive effect among urban ones. On the other hand, attending antenatal care and delivery assisted by midwives were significant positive factors among rural women. Attitudes of urban women played a significant role on utilization of postnatal maternity care

Conclusion: urban and rural postpartum women differ significantly in their characteristics, knowledge, attitudes and utilization of postnatal care. Several recommendations were forwarded mainly planning and implementing of an effective communication education intervention, raising the level of women's education, and promotion and improvement of attendance and quality of maternity care

Tuberculosis at chest clinic of school students hospital in Alexandria : what is the current situation ?

This study was conducted to measure tuberculosis incidence rates and reveal epidemiological characteristics, clinical features and treatment outcome of tuberculosis [TB] cases among school students in Alexandria. A retrospective analysis of medical records was carried out for 609 registered consecutive tuberculosis cases who were attending tuberculosis center affiliated to chest clinic in Alexandria school students' hospital during 5 year-period [1997-2001]. Incidence of tuberculosis among school students declined from 16. 84/100, 000 in 1997 to 14. 69/100, 000 in 2001. The age of cases ranged from 5 to 20 with an average of 11. 55 +/- 3.65 years. The female/male ratio was 0.88. One third [33.0%] of cases were of extrapulmonary type. The remaining [67%] of cases were pulmonary TB, of which [9.85%] were smear positive cases. The average age of smear positive pulmonary TB cases was significantly higher than that of smear negative ones and that of extrapulmonary type [P<0. 00]. Females accounted for 60 % of smear positive cases [36 out of 60 cases]. All cases of this group received directly observed therapy. Treatment outcomes over 5-year period revealed 86.7% cure rate for smear positive cases, one case with drug resistant strains, one defaulter and death of one patient due to an associated illness. Despite an efficient tuberculosis-control program in this center as indicated by high cure rate, the relatively high incidence rate of new cases among school students indicates that tuberculosis is still a problem in schools. This calls for the importance of TB screening especially in secondary schools for early detection and proper management of smear positive pulmonary TB cases

Study of behavioral pattern among preschoolers in Alexandria

A cross sectional study was done on [178] preschooler selected in a cluster technique. Matthews Youth Test of Health was completed by teachers for measurement of [type A] behavior pattern. [BCL] was chosen to assess behavioral problems among preschoolers. [type A] children in the study constituted 43.82% and those having behavioral problems -were 29.21%. Boys were significantly more of [type A] and had more behavioral problems than girls [X[2] = 4.9012 and 6.1730 respectively]. professional parents had children significantly more of. [type A]. Single children were significantly more of [type B]. Children tended to be significantly more [type A] when their both parent, were [type A]