Epidemiology of urinary tract disorders among children in Alexandria

Disorders affecting the urinary tract represent an important group of diseases which cause notable morbidity and mortality among children. Little, however, is known about the pattern and determinants of their occurrence among Egyptian children. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiologic characteristics and relative importance of this group of diseases among a group of Egyptian children below 12 years of age. The study was carried out over a period of six months [October 1[st], 1999 to end of March 2000]. It was designed as a hospital-based matched case control study. All patients presenting to Alexandria University Children's Hospital with any disorder of the urinary system were investigated. Diseases of kidney and urinary system were responsible for 6% of all hospital attendance during the study period. Almost one fourth of all cases were below 1 year of age. Approximately 60% were males with a male to female ratio of 1.6:1. Renal problems among children were associated with poor paternal and maternal education, low socioeconomic condition and drinking untreated water [OR = 1.8, 1.6, 1.6 and 2.4 respectively]. The most commonly encountered conditions were renal impairment [33.7%], nephrotic syndrome [24.4%], acute glomerulonephritis [19.7%] and urinary tract infections [UTI] [17%]. After controlling for possible confounders in Stepwise Multiple Logistic Regression, renal impairment was associated with sepsis, congenital anomalies and lack of medical care. As regards nephrotic syndrome, the number of males was almost twice that of females and approximately 75% of cases were above four years. Nephrotic syndrome was associated with residence in industrial areas. Glomerulonephritis was associated with presence of streptococcal sore throat or skin infection, low maternal education, high crowding index [>2 persons/room], insufficient income and low socio-economic condition. UTI was associated with urinary catheterization, anatomic abnormalities of urinary tract and systemic diseases [nephrotic syndrome and leukemia]. Diseases of the kidney and urinary tract represent a significant cause of morbidity among children. Urinary tract diseases were associated with low socioeconomic conditions, poor parental education and drinking untreated water. Early detection, prompt and adequate management of conditions that predispose to functional renal failure, especially dehydration and sepsis is recommended. Circumcision of young boys is a protective maneuver. If catheterization is indicated it should be conducted under strictly aseptic conditions

Compliance with antituberculosis drugs among tuberculosis patients in Alexandria, Egypt

Tuberculosis is an important reemerging disease with increasing global morbidity and mortality. Tuberculosis control is hindered by patient noncompliance with treatment regimens. To study compliance to antituberculosis drug regimens, 172 patients diagnosed with tuberculosis during the first three months of 1995 were investigated. The patients were interviewed at their homes during July and August 1995. More than one-third [34.9%] of the patients were not adhering to the antituberculosis drug regimen. Factors increasing drug compliance included: disease symptoms, knowledge about the disease, family history of tuberculosis and hospitalization. More information about the disease and the importance of compliance should be provided to tuberculosis patients at the time of diagnosis and initiation of therapy. Supervision of drug administration by health care personnel is stressed

Population study of blood pressure and associated factors in Kuwait

A population survey of blood pressure in Kuwait has confirmed that high blood pressure constitutes an important public health problem giving a prevalence rate of 15.14%. In common with other studies blood pressure was found to be significantly correlated with body weight, possibly by a primary effect on diastolic pressure. Systolic blood pressure was also significantly correlated with age and family history of hypertension and diastolic blood pressure was primarily correlated with the number of cigarettes smoked per day. There was a significant difference between mean blood pressures of both diabetics and non diabetics

Viral hepatitis in Alexandria

Viral hepatitis is considered one of the most important problems in the field of infectious diseases allover the world. The aim of the work was to study the most important epidemiological factors which may predispose to the occurrence of the disease and detection of HBs Ag among a subsample. The total number of the studied sample amounted to 1055 hepatitis cases. The study group was subjected to an interview for collection of basic epidemiologic data. The results obtained revealed that most of the cases were illiterate living at a low sanitary condition as indicated from the crowding index and sanitary condition of their homes. History of blood transfusion, contact with viral hepatitis cases and parenteral drug use were found to be potential risk factors in the occurrence of the disease. Among a subsample of hepatitis cases 28% were found to be HBs Ag +ve

Intelligence quotient and its association with parasitic infection and some social factors among primary school children in Alexandria

The study was carried out on primary school children in Alexandria. A random sample was selected from the six educational zones of Alexandria. Good-enough" draw a man test" was used to measure the J.Q. Data were collected through a questionnaire designed to cover the social factors and the results of the stool examination. The results showed that socio-economic factors including parent's education, occupation and crowding index have an effect on the level of the I.Q. There was a negative correlation between birth order and number of siblings. The mean I.Q. level was higher among pupils free from parasites as compared to those infected

epidemiologic study on tetanus neonatorum in Alexandria

Tetanus neonatorum is still one of the public health problems in Alexandria despite the availability of maternal and child health services and advocation of the active immunization of pregnant mothers. All cases of Tetanus neonatorum admitted to communicable diseases hospital during the year 1985 were investigated. The study revealed a minimum attack rate of 3.59/1000 live births with a case fatality of 76.2%. Only 10.5% of mothers of cases visited MCH centers but none of them gave a history of immunization against the disease. Almost all of the cases [99.1%] delivered at home by a "Daya" or one of the relatives. In addition the admission records of the past ten years [1975-1984] were investigated

Blood pressure study among adult population at Farasan Islands

1- Blood pressure curve is a continuous one with no line of demarcation between normal and abnormal high blood pressure. 2- Females have higher mean blood pressure than males except for age 65 and over, [P<0.05]. 3- There is no significant relation between over-weight and high blood pressure. 4- No relation between high blood pressure and underground water. 5- Social pressure that leads to psychological disturbance among females plays an important role in getting them gaining higher levels of blood pressure than males

Prevalence of skin diseases among school children in Qatar [1979]

This study was carried out in Qatar during the year 1979 to determine the prevalence of skin diseases among school children. The study revealed the following main results: 1- The total number of students with skin disorders amounted to 540 cases [25.1%]. 2- The age varied between 6 years and 20 years. 3- Children belonging to bigger families were more susceptible to skin diseases. 4- The overall prevalence of skin diseases was significantly higher among students whose father's were non-employees. 5- 7.1% of the cases were due to fungal infection. 6- Nutritional disorder was responsible for 10% of the cases mainly in the form of follicular hyperkeratosis. 7- Pit. alba was reported in 26.1% of the cases with a higher prevalence among male students.8- Pediculosis was detected in both sexes with nearly a similar prevalence

Poliomyelitis among school children in Qatar

This study was carried out with the aim of assessing the magnitude of the problem of poliomyelitis in Qatar and determining the most important epidemiological factors related to the occurrence of the disease. Epidemiologic data were collected through a questionnaire interview with one of the parents of the cases. In addition, clinical data and information about vaccination against the disease were obtained

Accidents among school children in Alexandria

A total of 430834 students were put under surveillance for one school year to investigate accidents among them. The males had higher rates than females In all types of accidents except accidental poisoning. The rate was higher among primary level students specially in falls, motor vehicles and burns accidents. Accident rate was higher among the afternoon section students. The time of higher occurence was aroungd 12 O'clock noon and 40' clock afternoon. The accidents were nigher among those students with fathers who are not working Accidents due to falls contributed to 65.9% and those due to motor vehicle contributed to 20.3%. The accidents resulted into 20% deaths and 48% permanent disability