Prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress as measured by the depression, anxiety, and stress scale [DASS-42] among secondary school girls in Abha, Saudi Arabia

To determine the prevalence of symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress among secondary school girls. A cross- sectional study was carried out on secondary school girls in Abha city, Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia, using the Arabic version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale [DASS-42]. Of 545 female students recruited in this study, 73.4% had the symptoms of at least one of the three studied disorders; 50.1% had at least two disorders. The prevalence of symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress was 41.5%, 66.2% and 52.5% respectively. The majority of symptoms were mild to moderate in severity. The scores for depression, anxiety, and stress were positively and significantly correlated. No significant association was found between the girls' sociodemographic characteristics and the scores of the three studied disorders. One of the most important aspects of a primary care physician's care of females is to screen for and treat common mental disorders

Risk factors for failure to seroconvert among adults vaccinated against hepatitis B

To explore the possible risk factors for failure to seroconvert after vaccination of healthy subjects against hepatitis B [HB]. This study comprised 381 healthy employees at the Armed Forces Hospitals [AFH] in the southern region, Khamis Mushayt [KM], Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and 302 healthy subjects attending the Roda Health Clinic in Abu Dhabi [AD], United Arab Emirates. A data collection sheet was designed by the researchers to include variables related to personal and vaccination characteristics. Data were obtained from medical records of the employees who were appointed at the AFH and attendants of the health clinic during 2006. Titers of hepatitis B surface antibody [HBsAb] >/= 10 IU/L were considered protective, while those <10 IU/L were considered non-protective. Seroconversion occurred in 89.5% of subjects in KM compared with 91.4% of subjects in AD. HBsAb seroconversion of participants from KM was significantly lower among subjects aged >40 years compared with those aged <40 years [86.4%, 92.9%, respectively, p=0.038]. Seroconversion was slightly lower among males [87.9%] than females [92.2%], slightly lower among non-Arabs [86%] than Arabs [91.8%], lower among diabetics [79.2%] than non-diabetics [90.2%] and those who had viral infections [85.2%] than those who did not have viral infections during their course of vaccination [89.8%]. HBsAb seroconversion was significantly higher among subjects whose received vaccines were less than two years old than participants whose received vaccines were more than two years old [91.8%, 82%, respectively, p=0.009]. In AD HBsAb seroconversion of participants was significantly lower among subjects aged >40 years compared with those aged <40 years [87.7%, 94.9%, respectively, p=0.026]. Seroconversion was significantly lower among males than females [88.4% and 95.4%, respectively, p=0.031], slightly lower among non-Arabs [89.8%] than Arabs [92.6%], significantly lower among diabetics [84.3%] than non-diabetics [92.8%] and among those who had viral infections [82.4%] than those who did not have viral infections during their course of vaccination [91.9%]. HBsAb seroconversion was slightly higher among subjects whose received vaccines were less than two years old than participants whose received vaccines were more than two years old [91.8% and 90.1%, respectively]. The main reason for failure to seroconvert after full course HB vaccination includes the use of vaccine lots that are more than two years old. Besides, old, male and diabetic subjects tend to have lower serconversion rates. Anti-HB vaccines should be properly stored till use. Further study is needed to decide if old [>40 years], male diabetic subjects may need more booster doses of anti-HB vaccination to achieve seroconversion

Risk factors for work-related stress, burnout and coping among nurses of University Hospitals

To investigate the extent of burnout among nurses and risk factors related to burnout; to ascertain which aspects of nursing work were related to burnout and to examine the relative contribution to burnout made by these different variables. This study included a total of 200 nurses working in the Medical and Surgical Wards, Sohag and Zagazig University Hospitals [100 nurses from each hospital]. Study tools included an interview questionnaire, the Staff Stress Inventory Checklist, the Burnout Potential Inventory and the Jalowic Coping Scale. Nurses stresses in Sohag and Zagazig University Hospitals were mainly in the form of physical stresses, mainly due to workloads. Total stress scores were significantly higher among nurses in Sohag University Hospital than those among nurses in Zagazig University Hospital [95.4 +/- 34.7 and 82.1 +/- 29.6, p=0.004]. Affective oriented coping was more than the problem-oriented coping [72.0 +/- 25.9 and 35.2 +/- 12.5, in Sohag vs. 64.4 +/- 22.5 and 3 1.6 +/- 10.9 in Zagazig]. Nurses in Sohag showed significantly higher scores for coping than those in Zagazig [107.2 +/- 38.2 and 96.0 +/- 33.4, respectively, p=0.028]. In both university hospitals, conflict and overload mean scores were high, while the mean scores of values conflict were the lowest score. Nurses in Sohag University Hospital sustained significantly higher conflict, poor teamwork and values conflict while those in Zagazig University Hospital sustained significantly higher punishment. Age, income, and years of experience in nursing had significantly negative correlation with stress scores and burnout and significantly positive correlation with coping scale. There is a positive significant correlation of stress with burnout in both Sohag and Zagazig [r=0.6283 and 0.7094, respectively, p<0.001] and negative significant correlation of coping with burnout [-0.4235 and -0.3760, respectively p<0.001]. Stress scores were significantly higher among nurses having Diploma with specialty than those with Diploma in nursing. Coping scores were higher among nurses having Diploma with specialty than those with Diploma in nursing. Nurses in university hospitals experience occupational stress. With less age, salary and years of experience in nursing, work-related stress becomes more perceived. Affective oriented coping strategies are resorted to more than the problem-oriented coping. Nurses in Sohag cope better than those in Zagazig. The hospital organization should monitor staff conflict and must ensure that workloads correspond to workers capabilities and resources. Training places more emphasis on preparing nurses to deal with the emotional needs of their patients, with detached concern. Stress inoculation training which teaches nurses appropriate coping skills could be implemented. Particularly vulnerable groups of nurses, such as those with Diploma with specialty, should be monitored regularly for signs of burnout. They should be the primary targets for ongoing training and/or preventative interventions such as stress inoculation training

Parent-adolescent conflict in Egypt and United Arab Emirates

This study aimed at exploring the frequency and intensity of parent-adolescent conflict within Egyptian families living in Egypt and those living in a Gulf country [Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates]. Two Arab countries were studied [Egypt and United Arab Emirates]. We examined everyday conflicts for the past 4 weeks between 400 Egyptian children in early adolescence [aged 10-15 years] and their parents [200 Egyptian adolescents living with their parents in Egypt and 200 Egyptian adolescents living with their parents in United Arab Emirates]. The frequency and intensity of conflicts were assessed using an Arabic translated version of the Parent Issues Checklist, which consists of a list of 44 items that can possibly lead to disagreements between parents and adolescents. Fighting with sibling ranked as the most frequent adolescent-parent conflict issue both in Egypt and UAE. Adolescent-parent conflict issues of highest intensity were using drugs, telephone calls and watching TV in Egypt compared with telephone calls and who friends should be and watching TV in UAE. Outcome of most adolescent-parent conflicts was mainly concession of adolescent to parents in Egypt [92%] and to a much lesser extent in UAE [56%]. Concession of parents was much more observed as an outcome for adolescent-parent conflicts in UAE [26%] than Egypt [6%]. A significant positive correlation between frequency of adolescent-parent conflict issues and income of family as well as age of the adolescent in both Egypt and UAE. A significant negative correlation is present between duration of attained education by parents and frequency of adolescent-parent conflict issues. It is to be noted that mother's length of education correlated negatively with frequency of conflict more than that of the father [r=-0.328 vs. -0.310 in Egypt and-0.347 vs. -0.305 in UAE]. Pattern of conflict is affected by socioeconomic status, age of parents and growth of the adolescent. Parents' education, especially maternal education is a favorable factor toward minimizing parent-adolescent conflict. Primary prevention efforts should focus on avoiding the identified reasons and patterns of dispute between parents and their adolescent children in addition to spreading an atmosphere of harmony within the family between parents and their children. This can be achieved through carrying out mental health educational programs. Mothers should actively participate in all these mental health educational programs

Screening for negative emotional syndromes among medical students in Upper Egypt

To assess anxiety and depression levels among medical students in Upper Egypt and to identify associated risk factors. The Arabic Version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale [DASS] was used to screen for depression and anxiety among the 1200 medical students [300 from Beni Suef Faculty of Medicine and 900 from Sohag Faculty of Medicine]. Anxiety is more prevalent than depression among medical students in Upper Egypt. Depression was absent in almost four-fifths of medical students in Upper Egypt [83% in Beni Suef and 76.9% in Sohag]. Difference between medical students in both governorates was not statistically significant. Anxiety was absent in almost two-thirds of medical students in Upper Egypt [67% in Beni Suef and 63.8% in Sohag]. Difference between medical students in both governorates was not statistically significant. Grades of depression were significantly more prevalent among older medical students [p<0.001], females [p<0.001], students at the clinical stages [p<0.001], parental consanguinity [p=0.020] and medical students with positive family history of psychiatric disorder [p<0.001]. Grades of anxiety were significantly more prevalent among female medical students [p<0.001], parental consanguinity [p=0.017] and medical students with positive family history of psychiatric disorder [p=0.024]. Medical students are vulnerable to depression and anxiety. Older students, female sex, clinical studies, parental consanguinity and positive family history of psychiatric disorders constitute risk factors for depression while female gender, consanguinity and positive family history of psychiatric disorders constitute risk factors for anxiety. Psychological and psychiatric support for medical students is a well-established need that should be met. The process of medical education should be analyzed to recognize sources of stress that should be dealt with accordingly. This study should be replicated on other university students to identify the impact of other types of university education on the mental health of students

Epidemiology and risk factors of substance use disorders among universty students in Upper Egypt

This study aimed to identify the substances abused by university students in Upper Egypt, recognizing the risk factors for substance use among Upper Egyptian university students and exploring reasons for initiating the substance abuse. The study comprised 1780 students in three nonmedical faculties belonging to South Valley University [Arts, Education and Commerce]. The diagnosis of "substance use disorders" was based on the definition of DSM-IV. The study tools included a study questionnaire and the socioeconomic class assessment sheet. The study concluded that substance abuse is a serious problem affecting university students in Upper Egypt, especially males. Cannabis as well as sedatives/hypnotics/anxiolytics and opioids are the most frequently abused illicit substances. Smoking is a highly significant risk factor for illicit substance abuse. Mass media and friends constitute the main source for information about the psychoactive substances. The improper family integrity is a major factor leading to illicit substance abuse

Assessment of quality of life in patients with psoriasis in upper Egypt

This study examined a consecutive sample of 100 psoriatic patients. The distribution of psoriatic lesions was mapped on body diagrams and assessed as the percentage of body area affected. The psoriasis disability index [PDI] questionnaire was used to assess the impact of psoriasis on quality of life. The results showed that the highest PDI scores were those of questions concerned with work, the effect of treatment on home messiness or untidiness and frequency of bathing. Social disability was manifested since disease condition prevented 94% of patients from going out socially. Social function was affected in 85.7% of those with mild psoriasis and 93.6% of those with moderate and 100% of those with extensive disease. The lowest scores were those related to the practice of sports and frequency of going to the hairdresser. The total PDI score correlated positively with extent of disease [r = 0.356]. The mean PDI score was significantly higher in those with joint affection, hand/feet affection and face/scalp affection compared with those without such affections