Correlates and reproductive consequences of consanguinity in six Egyptian governorates.

This study aimed to explore some correlates and potential reproductive consequences of consanguinity. We analysed data for 8515 ever-married women aged 15-49 derived from a household survey conducted in 2017 in six governorates. The prevalence of consanguineous marriage was 35.9%. The odds (OR (95%CI)) of consanguinity were higher in rural southern governorates (3.68 (3.03-4.46)), with less than secondary education (1.55 (1.42-1.7)), with unemployment (1.74(1.48-2.04)) and in the lowest wealth quintile (3.09 (2.66-3.6)). After adjusting for residence, education, wealth, age at marriage and the number of children; the OR (95%CI) for spontaneous abortion and still births with consanguinity were 1.31 (1.09-1.59) and 1.63 (1.18-2.25) respectively. Consanguinity remains highly prevalent in Egypt especially in rural southern governorates. Women empowerment in terms of attaining higher education and employment may reduce the problem. Consanguinity appears to be associated with adverse reproductive outcomes including spontaneous abortion and still birth.

Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and precautionary actions against COVID-19 among medical students in Egypt.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has become a significant public health threat. Therefore, the purpose of this survey was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and precautionary measures related to COVID-19 among college students. METHODS: A convenient sample of 3263 volunteers responded to a self-administered electronic questionnaire during the period from October to December 2020. The knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) score level was calculated with a range of 0-34 points. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 21 (+/-1.2) years, 69% were female, and 60.3% were urban. The majority of respondents received information about COVID-19 symptoms (93.9%), how to protect yourself (92.5%), and how it is transmitted (86.8%). The most cited sources of information were social media (75.7%), and the most credible were government websites and international organizations. More than half (65%) expressed concern regarding contracting COVID-19, and 89.2% believed that COVID-19 is a dangerous infection due to the rapid spread of the virus. The mean total KAP score was 26.1 (+/-4.2), which differed significantly between gender groups and residential areas. Logistic regression analysis showed that volunteers with good knowledge were 1.3 and 1.0 times more willing to volunteer and maintain a physical distance than those with less knowledge. Female students were 40% less likely to volunteer than males, yet they were 1.8 times more cautious about practicing protective measures such as washing their hands with soap and water than male students. Classifying the COVID-19 pandemic as a serious infection, urban communities have twice been careful to wear masks outdoors and maintain a social distance of at least 2 m from one another compared to rural inhabitants. CONCLUSION: The current survey revealed that medical students have good knowledge regarding COVID-19, a positive attitude towards the use of protective measures, which were necessary to limit the spread of the disease. However, improvement is still required, and community education should occur as usual with a commitment to utilizing all the strategies that can support knowledge to improve and change attitudes as well as practices of the population.

Accuracy of salivary glucose assessment in diagnosis of diabetes and prediabestes.

AIMS: to assess salivary glucose correlation with blood glucose and its accuracy in diagnosis of diabetes and prediabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative study including 204 adults in 3 groups (104 type 2 diabetics, 50 prediabetics, 50 non-diabetic controls) aging 18-65 years. The participants were interviewed about their socio-demographic, comorbidities, & drug treatment using a predesigned questionnaire. Salivary & blood samples were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Mean salivary glucose was observed to be 23.40 ±â€¯12.755 mg/dl in control group, 42.68 ±â€¯20.830 mg/dl in prediabetic group and 59.32 ±â€¯19.147 mg/dl in diabetic group with significant difference between the 3 groups (P value < 0.001). Salivary glucose was significantly correlated to FBS with strong positive association (r = 0.67, P value < 0.001 in control group, r = 0.56, P value < 0.001in diabetic group and r = 0.36, P value 0.01 in pre-diabetic group). Salivary glucose could differentiate non-diabetics from diabetics (AUC: 0.928, P value < 0.001) with sensitivity (94.2%) and specificity (62%) & differentiate non-diabetics from prediabetics (AUC: 0.928, P value < 0.001) with sensitivity (94.2%) and specificity (62%). CONCLUSIONS: Salivary glucose estimation can serve as valid and non-invasive test for screening and diagnosis of diabetes & prediabetes.

Skin disorders among male primary school children in Al Hassa, Saudi Arabia: prevalence and socio-demographic correlates--a comparison of urban and rural populations.

INTRODUCTION: Skin diseases are common among school children worldwide. However, limited information is available about the socioeconomic correlates that contribute to their development among school children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). OBJECTIVES: to identify the prevalent transmissible and non-transmissible skin disorders among male primary school children in Al Hassa, KSA, and to detect possible socio-demographic correlates implicated in their development. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study a total of 1337 male primary school children were selected from urban and rural schools in Al Hassa, Saudi Arabia by a multistage sampling method. Socio-demographic and housing conditions data were collected through a self-administered parents'/guardians' questionnaire. A personal interview with the child established personal hygiene habits; this was followed by clinical dermatological screening. RESULTS: The prevalence of transmissible skin disorders was 27.2% (CI=24.8-29.6); solitary transmissible skin disorders were diagnosed in 7.8%, while 19.4% had multiple disorders. Common dermatoses identified included superficial infections (fungal, bacterial and viral), eczematous dermatosis, and infestations (scabies/pediculosis). Logistic regression revealed that large family size was a positive predictor for pediculosis and fungal infections, and rural residence was a positive predictor for pediculosis; however, higher maternal educational status might be protective against the development of both lesions. Frequent showering and high family income were both negative predictors for the development of infectious (transmissible) dermatoses. The prevalence of transmissible dermatoses was higher in rural compared with urban school children, while the prevalence of most non-transmissible dermatoses did not show a significant difference between urban and rural populations. CONCLUSION: Both transmissible and non-transmissible skin disorders were frequently encountered among male primary school children in Al Hassa, Saudi Arabia. Both socio-demographic and hygiene correlates play a significant role in the development of these disorders.

Outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy at a secondary level of care in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The first option for gallbladder surgery is laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of this study is to analyze the outcomes for all patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at a secondary level of care. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2005 and 2008, 968 consecutive laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed at King Fahad Hospital. We collected and analyzed data including age, gender, body mass index (kg/m2), the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, mode of admission (elective or emergency), indication for LC (chronic or acute cholecystitis [AC]), co-morbid disease, previous abdominal surgery, conversion to open cholecystectomy, complications, operation time, and length of postoperative hospital stay. RESULTS: Nine hundred and sixty-eight patients had laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the center. There were 824 females and 144 males; the age range was 15-64 (mean 32.9 ± 12.7 years). The operating time was 45 to 180 min (median 85 min); the complication rate was 4.03% (39 patients). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy could be performed safely in the majority of patients with cholelithiasis, by an experienced surgical team at a secondary level of care.