Epidemiological study of congenital heart diseases among children attending outpatient clinics of Benha university hospital

Epidemiology of Congenital heart disease [CHD] up to date has not been fully determined nor it received the attention it warrants. Knowledge of epidemiology of CHD is the basis for planning of preventive and curative strategies. To estimate proportion of CHD among children attending pediatric clinics of Benha University Hospital and to identify risk factors that may predispose for its occurrence. The present is a cross - sectional study was conducted on children attending outpatient pediatric clinics of Benha University Hospital during the period from March 2009 to February 2010. Out of 6766 attendants, 426 cases are referred to echocardiography unit where 145 confirmed cases of CHD are identified to be compared with 320 cases of children not having CHD and were selected randomly. Questionnaire sheets were used in addition to Medical examination and laboratory investigations. The study revealed that the proportion of CHD among children attended pediatric clinic was 2.14%. Ventricular septal defect [29.65%], ASD 17.53% and PAD [12.41%] are the most common CHD detected. More than half of cases of CHD [62.76%] are detected at infancy and male predominance was found in VSD and AS. An association was found between family history [OR=1.83, 95% CI = 1.05 - 3.16], consanguinity [OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 0.66 - 2.13] and occurrence of CHD. Also an association was found between maternal risk factors such as of drug intake [OR = 2.5, 95% CI =1.6 - 3.94], exposure to febrile illness [OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 0.82 - 3.91] and exposure to radiation [X-ray] [OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 0.54 - 3.67] during pregnancy and CHD. CHD is a public health problem among infants and young children and there are many risk factors showed a significant effect on its occurrence such as positive family history, consanguinity and material risk factors during pregnancy such as drug intake, exposure to radiation and febrile illness during pregnancy. Integrated effects from all concerned authorities [medical, social] to be directed to the families especially pregnant women to raise awareness and health education to avoid risk factors that have a role in occurrence of the problem and raise attention of doctors for early detection of CHD for proper management

Patient satisfaction with primary health care services in Qassim province, Sandia Arabia

Studies of patient satisfaction towards health services constitute an important element in the extent to which health services received meet consumers expectations and needs. To evaluate the quality of primary health care services in Qassim province, Saudi Arabia from the view of the patients and to determine the relationship between some socio -demographic and medico - administrative factors and patient satisfaction scores of different aspects of care. The present study is a cross - sectional study which was conducted on 1360 [850 urbans and 510 rurals] patients attending PHC centers in Qassim province, Saudia Arabia. They were selected randomly using systematic random sample. Data was collected by well trained students of College of Medical Science, Qassim University by interview technique using a questionnaire sheet adapted from WHO model sheet [1995]. The type of rating scale used was the 4 point quality scale. The overall patient satisfaction to PHC services in Qassim province was relatively low in comparison to that recorded in other Arabian Gulf countries. The scores of satisfaction in urban health centers [76.9%] for most aspects of services were significantly higher than that recorded in rural health centers [70.65%]. In rural health centers, the elderly [98.23%], non Saudi[82.13%] and non employed patients[85 .11%] had recorded a significantly higher level of satisfaction while in urban health centers, illiterates [82.98%], single patients [76.33%] had recorded insignificant higher level of satisfaction and in both urban and rural health centers, patients of university level of education had recorded the lowest score of satisfaction [74.13%,77.33%repectively with significant difference, In both urban and rural health centers, with the increase of waiting time, satisfaction scores decrease while with the increase in consultation time, satisfaction scores increase with significant difference. Patients attending rural health centers reported a lower level of' satisfaction towards many aspects of care and socio demographic and medico administrative variables may have a role in determining the level of patient satisfaction . This study calls for further research to define and measure patient perceptions of health care quality and to remedy the areas that received low level of patient satisfaction through upgrading and development

Epidemiological features of child abuse among a sample of preparatory school-children in Benha city

Child abuse is a world wide phenomenon and had become a major concern in many countries throughout the world. The problem was found to be serious for many children due to its toxic outcomes for children and society. To identify the prevalence rate of child abuse and its epidemiological features among a sample of preparatory school children in Benha city. This is a cross-sectional study was carried out at preparatory schools of Benha city during the academic year 2006-2007. Three hundred thirty students were selected by systematic random method from the chosen schools. Data was collected by using self administrated questionnaire that included socio-demographic characteristics and child traumatic questionnaire. The study revealed that 75.8% of the studied group had exposed to child abuse and 28.6% of females were not exposed to abuse versus 19.4% among male students. Combined form of abuse [28.4%], emotional [24%] and physical abuse [20.4%] were the more prevailing types. Only 10.1% of students belonging to low social class had not exposed to child abuse and students belonging to married parents had recorded the higher percentage [28.5%] of absence of abuse among them. Students belonging to below secondary school graduated fathers had exposed to combined form of abuse [24.3%], emotional abuse [21.8%] and physical abuse [16.3%] with frequencies higher than that recorded among students belonging to university graduated fathers. More than half of abused children [51.6%] had exposed to abuse at homes followed by those at schools [27.2%]. it could be concluded that child abuse and neglect is a big problem among prep school children because the prevalence rate in the study sample is 75.8% and there are many risk factors had shared in its Prevailing. National program is needed to prevent all forms of child abuse for all children and to control the problem through intervention strategies directed to parents, children, health care professionals, school staff and governmental and non governmental organizations to show how to prevent, diagnose and cope with the problem

Hospital bed utilization in both Benha university hospital and Benha educational hospital

Hospital bed utilization is one of influences that affect largely on performance of the hospital and can be assessed through many indices that can be used to evaluate hospital in patient care. To compare some performance indictors related to hospital bed utilization in both Benha university hospital and Benha educational hospital. Five departments from each hospital were selected to be included in the study. Average length of hospital stay, Bed occupancy rate, turn over rate and turn over interval are indices used in comparison for the total hospital and for the five departments separately through the year of the study. The over all admission rate in Benha university hospital [16.40%] was nearly twice that recorded in educational hospital [9.28%]. Average length of hospital stay in Benha university hospital was lower [4.02 days] than that recorded in educational hospital [5.03 days] and orthopedic department in both hospitals had recorded the highest average length of hospital stay. Bed occupancy rate for university hospital [70.16%] was higher than that recorded for the total educational hospital [49.62%] and emergency department and intensive care unit in both hospitals had recorded the highest B.O.R Bed turn over rate in university hospital [54.2 turn /bed] was higher than that recorded for educational hospital [36.32 turn/bed] and emergency department in both university hospital and educational hospital had the highest T.O.R. Turn over interval for the total university hospital [1.78 days] was relatively higher than that recorded for educational hospital [1.62 days] and emergency department and intensive care unit in both hospitals had recorded the lowest turn over interval. Benha university hospital during the year of the study was relatively more efficient in bed utilization than Benha educational hospital due to shorter hospital stay, higher bed occupancy rate, higher turn over rate in comparison to that recorded for Benha educational hospital. Some recommendations are put to maximize bed utilization in both hospitals

Lead exposure and sociodemographic parameters affecting the cognitive function of a sample of children in Qalyoubia governorate

This cross-sectional, short term study is conducted in Benha city at randomly selected primary school. The target group is 100- randomly chosen- children of the 4th and 5th grades. They were subjected to a structured questionnaire for personal and familial data. IQ - is assessed using Stanford Beneit test. Blood samples were drawn to determine haemoglubin level as well as blood lead level. Scholastic achievement of the target group was measured using the mean of the last 3 months marks. Analysing data of the study reveals that 64% of children included in the study were urban residents while the remaining 36% were rural inhabitants. Urban inhabitants show statistically significant higher percentage for normal IQ. The present study reveals that Hb.%, blood lead level, mother's smoking as well as residence significantly affect the IQ. of children. Regarding scholastic achievement as an indicator for cognitive function it was found that Hb.%, blood lead level as well as I.Q. are the best predictors. Monitoring [Both environmental and Biological] is required to assess lead level in the environment as well as blood lead level. Environmental sources of lead and its hazards are required to be highlighted. Mass screening of school children for anaemia is required and subsequently proper treatment for anaemia and anaemia predisposing conditions. Finally hazards of smoking, especially by mothers, is required to be highlighted

epidemiological study of female circumcision in Benha city, Kalyoubia governorate

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 350 target females having at least one female child daughter between 5 and 15 years old, who attended MCH center in Benha city, Kalyobia Governorate during the period from July to September 2000. The study aimed at determining the magnitude of the female circumcision problem in Kalyoubia Governorate and to highlight some factors that influence the attitude of mothers towards its practice. Results revealed that the circumcised mothers were 84.6% and 73.4% of their daughters were circumcised, 63.4% were performed at age 5-9 years, 67.7% of them were carried-out by non medical personnel, 73.2% were performed without anesthesia and 30.7% of them had complications. Also, the study illustrated that significant associations exist between some sociodemographic characters of mothers and their attitude and practice of female circumcision. Mothers aged 30 years and above, rural mothers, those married at age less than 20 years, the illiterate and read and write, those with illiterate husband, housewives and mothers who belonged to low social class were more significantly agreed with performance of female circumcision. The study revealed the dire necessity to an integrated educational program to be delivered through primary health care services to change the attitude of population towards the practice of female circumcision

Study of physical fitness status among police security recruits

A cross sectional study was carried out to evaluate the level of physical fitness of new recruits of the central security forces and to study the effect of training and other various ecological factors on the level of their physical fitness. Seven hundred and twenty individuals were selected from the training camp of central security forces at Quesna district. Menoufia Governorate, to be the subjects of this study. The results showed that the training program had a significant positive effect on the physical fitness response and pulmonary function measurements of recruits. Smoking habits, residence. Hb concentration and bilharzial infection were important factors affecting response to training