Translation, validation and cultural adaptation of the Arabic version of the HIV knowledge questionnaire (HIV-Kq-18).

BACKGROUND: Although the number of new HIV infections is declining in most regions of the world, the Middle East is one of the regions with a rapidly growing HIV epidemic, with Egypt having the fastest-growing epidemic, with a 76 percent increase in the number of cases. One of the major factors contributing to this trend is the general public's lack of knowledge about the disease. The HIV Knowledge Questionnaire-18 (HIV-KQ-18) is one of the most widely used instruments for assessing HIV/AIDS knowledge and has been translated into several languages. This study examined the validity of the Arabic version of the HIV-18-KQ as well as its adaptation among Arab undergraduates. METHODS: The HIV-18-KQ was both forward and back-translated. The translation was reviewed by an expert committee of eight experts. The final version was created and distributed to undergraduates from five Arabic countries: Egypt, Sudan, Yemen, Jordan, and Algeria. The validity of the Arabic version of the HIV-18-KQ was evaluated using internal consistency and construct validity. Internal consistency was tested using the Kuder-Richardson formula 20 (KR-20), and construct validity was evaluated using an exploratory factor analysis with a polychoric correlation matrix. RESULTS: The majority of the translated items were easy to understand. The Arabic HIV-18-KQ was deemed culturally appropriate by the expert committee. This study included 1745 university students, including 956 (54.5%) males and 798 (45.5%) females, with 33.4% from Egypt. Based on the acceleration factor approach to interpreting the scree plot in the factor analysis, it was preferable to use only one factor, which is consistent with the original version of HIV-45-KQ. The KR-20 value was 0.73, indicating good internal reliability. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the Arabic version of the HIV-18-KQ is a valid and reliable tool for assessing HIV-related knowledge in Arabic-speaking countries.

Is health-related quality of life associated with adequacy of hemodialysis in chronic kidney disease patients?

INTRODUCTION: Monitoring Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in different stages of chronic kidney disease is advised by all nephrology societies. We aimed to study the relation between quality of life and dialysis adequacy. METHODS: One hundred patients (51% males), on regular hemodialysis 3/week for > 6 months in two hospitals were included. Single pool Kt/V was used to assess dialysis adequacy. Patients were grouped into 3 divisions according to Kt/v: Group A > 1.5 (n = 24), group B 1.2-1.5 (n = 54) and group C < 1.2 (n = 22). KDQOL-SF™ questionnaire was used to study quality of life in our groups. Group C was reassessed after 3 months of improving Kt/v. RESULTS: Mean values were: Kt/V (1.48 ± 0.41), Cognitive Function (84.27 ± 9.96), Work status (30.00 ± 33.33), Energy (45.70 ± 13.89), Physical Function and Role limitations due to physical function (45.30 ± 12.39 and 31.25 ± 19.26, respectively). Group A had significantly higher scores of KDQOL-SF except Role limitations due to Physical Function. All subscales improved in group C after Kt/v improvement except 3 subscales, namely, work status, patient satisfaction and role limitation due to physical and emotional functions. CONCLUSION: Inadequate HD badly affects quality of life and improving adequacy refines many components of quality of life.

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.

Evaluation of foetal neurological behaviour in hypothyroid pregnant females - a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Maternal hypothyroidism is known for its possible deleterious effect on the neurocognitive function of the offspring. The aim of the current study is to investigate if maternal hypothyroidism also affects foetal neurological behaviour. METHODS: Fifty foetuses were examined for abnormal neurological behaviour from 25 euthyroid and 25 hypothyroid age matched pregnant females, between 28 and 38 weeks gestation. The hypothyroid group was further subdivided into controlled (n = 5) and uncontrolled (n = 20) groups. Evaluation of foetal neurological behaviour using Kurjak's antenatal neurodevelopmental test (KANET) test was performed. RESULTS: Mean total KANET score was significantly lower for foetuses in the hypothyroid group compared to the euthyroid (p < .001, 95% CI: 2-6). The number of foetuses showing pathological scores was significantly higher in the hypothyroid group (9, 36%) compared to euthyroid (1, 4%) (p < .005). The distribution of total KANET score was significantly different between the two groups (p = .017). Foetuses in the uncontrolled hypothyroid group showed lower mean KANET scores (9.650 ± 2.907 versus 10.80 ± 3.03) and higher frequency of pathological scores compared to controlled (8 = 40% versus 1 = 20%) although without statistical significance. The distribution of total KANET score was not statistically significant between the two groups (p = .893). CONCLUSIONS: Overt maternal hypothyroidism may adversely affect foetal neurological behaviour. Correlation of prenatal findings with postnatal long-term neurological development is recommended in such cases.