Screening for common mental disorders and substance abuse among temporary hired cleaners in Egyptian Governmental Hospitals, Zagazig City, Sharqia Governorate.

BACKGROUND: Informal employment is common in developing countries, including Egypt. This type of employment may have significant consequences on mental health. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of common mental disorders and substance abuse among temporary hired hospital cleaners. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 242 adult temporary cleaners and 209 permanent cleaners working in 4 governmental hospitals in Zagazig City, Sharqia Governorate, Egypt. All participants were invited to complete a structured questionnaire through a semi-structured interview which included the self-reporting questionnaire 20 items (SRQ-20) and the work stress scale. Assessment of drug use included urine-based screening tests for common substances abused. RESULTS: The prevalence of job stress, common mental disorders and substance abuse, particularly tramadol and cannabis (Bango), was significantly higher in the studied temporary cleaners compared to permanent cleaners. Risk factors associated with increased susceptibility of the temporary cleaners to common mental disorders were family history of substance abuse, high crowding index, history of physical illness, low educational level, and smoking; while being unmarried, male sex, family history of mental disorder, age ≥40 years, smoking, and length of service ≥8 years, were associated with substance abuse among the same group. CONCLUSION: Temporary hired hospital cleaners suffered from impaired mental health more than permanent cleaners. Therefore, expanding the coverage of current laws and occupational safety and health standards to cover workers in the informal sector especially in developing countries is recommended.

Identification of factors and groups at risk of infection with Schistosoma mansoni in urban Sharkia Governorate.

The main objective is to determine the relationship between biological, socioeconomic and behavioral factors and the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni in urban areas. Sharkia Governorate was stratified according to the population size into large and small sized cities. A questionnaire was used to collect information on each individual included in the study and specimens of stool were also collected and examined parasitologically for the detection of S. mansoni eggs. Those found infected were treated with praziquantal. The overall prevalence was 6.8% ranging from 2.8% in large sized cities to 10.3% in small sized ones. The geometric mean egg count was almost similar in both types of cities (45.8 eggs per gm stool). Univariate and multivariate analysis identified several variables that were associated with the occurrence of S. mansoni infection in both large and small sized cities. groups at risk of being infected were identified. The data of the present study are valuable in finding some of the risk factors responsible for the occurrence of schistosomiasis in urban areas as well as for finding the high risk groups, all of which are important for planning the needed control strategies.