Self-medication with drugs and complementary and alternative medicines in Alexandria, Egypt: prevalence, patterns and determinants.

This study aimed to describe the prevalence, pattern and reasons for self-medication among adults in Alexandria, Egypt. In a community-based survey during 2012, a representative sample of 1100 adults completed a predesigned interview questionnaire on self-medication practices by drugs and complementary or alternative medicines (CAM). A majority of them practised self-medication (86.4%), mostly using both drugs and CAM (77.5%). The most commonly used drugs were analgesics (96.7%), and cough and cold preparations (81.9%), but 53.9% of respondents reported self-medication with antibiotics. The most frequently used CAM were herbs (91.6%), followed by spiritual healing (9.4%) and cupping and acupuncture (6.4%). CAM improved the condition according to 95.2% of users. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, occupation and the presence of chronic conditions were the independent factors significantly affecting the practice of self-medication with drugs.

Self-medication with drugs and complementary and alternative medicines in Alexandria, Egypt:prevalence, patterns and determinants

تباع مجموعة واسعة من أدوية الوصفات الطبية بدون وصفة في كثير من البلدان النامية. وقد هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى وصف انتشار التطبيب الذاتي وأنماطه وأسبابه بن البالغن في الإسكندرية بمصر. ففي مسح مجتمعي أجري خال عام 2012 قامت عينة ممثِّلة تتألف من 1100 بالغ باستكمال استبيان مصمم مسبقاً عن ممارسات التطبيب الذاتي بواسطة العقاقر والأدوية التكميلية أو البديلة. ولقد أظهرت النتائج أن معظمهم مارسوا التطبيب الذاتي 86.4 %، في الغالب باستخدام العقاقر وكذلك الأدوية التكميلية أو البديلة 77.5 %. ولقد كانت الشكوى من الإصابة بالمشاكل الهضمية الأكثر شيوعاً لممارسة التطبيب الذاتي. وكانت الأدوية الأكثر استخداماً المسكنات 96.7 % ومستحضرات السعال والرد 81.9 %، ولكن 53.9 % من المستطلَعين أبلغوا عن تطبيب ذاتي بالمضادات الحيوية. وكانت الأدوية التكميلية أو البديلة الأكثر استخداماً الأعشاب % 91.6 ، يليها العاج الروحي 9.4 % والحجامة والوخز بالإبر 6.4 %. ولقد تحسنت الحالة بفعل الأدوية التكميلية أو البديلة وفقاً ل 95.2 % من المستخدِمين. وكشف تحليل الانحدار اللوجستي أن العمر والمهنة ووجود أمراض مزمنة كانت العوامل المستقلة التي تؤثر بشكل كبر عى ممارسة التطبيب الذاتي بالعقاقر.

This study aimed to describe the prevalence, pattern and reasons for self-medication among adults in Alexandria, Egypt. In a community-based survey during 2012, a representative sample of 1100 adults completed a predesigned interview questionnaire on self-medication practices by drugs and complementary or alternative medicines (CAM). A majority of them practised self-medication (86.4%), mostly using both drugs and CAM (77.5%). The most commonly used drugs were analgesics (96.7%), and cough and cold preparations (81.9%), but 53.9% of respondents reported self-medication with antibiotics. The most frequently used CAM were herbs (91.6%), followed by spiritual healing (9.4%) and cupping and acupuncture (6.4%). CAM improved the condition according to 95.2% of users. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, occupation and the presence ofchronic conditions were the independent factors significantly affecting the practice of self-medication with drugs.

La présente étude avait pour objectif de décrire la prévalence, les tendances ainsi que les motifs de l’automédication chez des adultes à Alexandrie (Égypte). Dans une enquête communautaire en 2012, un échantillon représentatif de 1100 adultes a répondu à un questionnaire prédéfini au cours d'un entretien sur leurs pratiquesd'automédication à base de médicaments conventionnels, complémentaires et alternatifs. Une majorité d'entre eux pratiquait l'automédication (86,4 %), et la plupart consommait à la fois des médicaments conventionnels et des médicaments complémentaires et alternatifs (77,5 %). Les médicaments conventionnels les plus utilisés étaient les analgésiques (96,7 %), et les préparations contre la toux et le rhume (81,9 %), tandis que 53,9 % des répondants indiquaient consommer des antibiotiques en automédication. Dans la catégorie de la médecine complémentaire et alternative, le recours aux médicaments à base de plantes (91,6 %) arrivait en tête, suivi par les soins spirituels (9,4 %), l'application de ventouses et l'acupuncture (6,4 %). La consommation de médicaments complémentaires et alternatifs permet d'améliorer l'état de santé selon 95,2 % des utilisateurs. L'analyse de régression logistique a révélé que l'âge, l'emploi occupé et la présence de maladies chroniques étaient les facteurs indépendants qui influaient significativement sur la pratique de l'automédication à base de médicaments conventionnels.

Risk of aggression and criminal behaviour among adolescents living in Alexandria Governorate, Egypt.

Adolescent risk-taking and aggressive behaviours are among the most visible forms of violence in society. A study was carried out to identify the prevalence and risk factors for aggression, violence and criminal behaviour among adolescents in Alexandria, Egypt. Using multistage, cluster sampling of families from all health districts in Alexandria, the mothers of 783 adolescents aged 11-19 years answered an Arabic version of the Mentor Research Institute screening questionnaire. Overall 26.9% of adolescents were assessed to be at high risk and 20.2% at extremely high risk of aggression and criminal behaviour. Living in urban/slum areas, male sex, low level of parents' education/occupation, exposure to violence within the family and changes in behaviour of any family member were associated with risk of aggression/violence. In multivariate analysis, the significant independent variables were adolescents' sex, presence of behavioural changes in the family, violence against brothers and sisters and substance abuse by any family member.

Risk of aggression and criminal behaviour among adolescents living in Alexandria governorate, Egypt

Adolescent risk-taking and aggressive behaviours are among the most visible forms of violence in society.A study was carried out to identify the prevalence and risk factors for aggression, violence and criminal behaviour among adolescents in Alexandria, Egypt.Using multistage, cluster sampling of families from all health districts in Alexandria, the mothers of 783 adolescents aged 11-19 years answered an Arabic version of the Mentor Research Institute screening questionnaire.Overall 26.9% of adolescents were assessed to be at high risk and 20.2% at extremely high risk of aggression and criminal behaviour.Living in urban/slum areas, male sex, low level of parents' education/occupation, exposure to violence within the family and changes in behaviour of any family member were associated with risk of aggression/violence.In multivariate analysis, the significant independent variables were adolescents' sex, presence of behavioural changes in the family, violence against brothers and sisters and substance abuse by any family member

يعتبر إقدام المراهقين على المخاطرة والسلوك الإجرامي من أكثر أشكال العنف مشاهدة في المجتمع. وقد أجرى الباحثون هذه الدراسة للتعرف على معدل انتشار عوامل التعدي والسلوك الإجرامي والعنيف وخطره بين المراهقين في الإسكندرية، مصر، وقاموا بأخذ عينات عنقودية متعددة المراحل من أسر تنتمي إلى جميع المناطق في الإسكندرية، ووجهوا أسئلة مستمدة من النسخة العربية لدليل معهد البحوث واستبيان التحري فيه إلى 783 من أمهات المراهقين الذين تتراوح أعمارهم بين 11 - 19 عاما، واتضح من إجاباتهن أن 26.9 % من مجمل المراهقين الذين خضعوا للتقييم كانوا معرضين لخطر مرتفع، و 20.2 % منهم معرضون لخطر مرتفع ارتفاعا بالغا للتعدي وللسلوك الإجرامي. وقد ترافق ذلك الخطر مع العيش في العشوائيات، والذكورة، وتدني مستوى التعليم والعمل لدى الوالدين، والتعرض للعنف ضمن الأسرة، والتغير في السلوك لدى أي فرد من أفراد الأسرة. ومن خلال التحليل المتعدد المتغيرات، تبين أن المتغيرات ذات الأهمية التي يعتد بها هي جنس المراهق، ووجود ثغرات سلوكية لدى الأسرة، والعنف الموجه ضد الأخوة والأخوات، وإدمان أحد أفراد الأسرة لإحدى مواد الإدمان

La prise de risque chez les adolescents et les comportements agressifs sont les formes les plus visibles de la violence en société.Une étude a été menée pour identifier la prévalence et les facteurs de risque d'un comportement agressif, violent et criminel chez des adolescents à Alexandrie [Egypte]. A l'aide d'un échantillonnage en grappes à plusieurs degrés de familIes dans tous les districts sanitaires d'Alexandrie, les mères de 783 adolescents âgés de 11 à 19 ans ont rempli le questionnaire de dépistage du Mentor Research Institute dans sa version en langue arabe.Globalement, 26, 9 % des adolescents ont été évalués comme étant à haut risque et 20, 2 % à extrêmement haut risque de comportement agressif et criminel.Le fait de vivre dans des zones urbaines/d'habitat insalubre, d'être de sexe masculin, d'avoir des parents dont le niveau d'études/professionnel est faible, d'être exposé à une forme de violence familiale et a des modifications de comportements de membres de la famille ont été des facteurs associés au risque de comportement agressif/violent.A l'analyse multivariée, le sexe de l'adolescent, la présence de changements comportementaux dans la famille, la violence envers les frères et surs et la toxicomanie de membres de la famille étaient des variables indépendantes importantes

Prevalence and determinants of condom utilization among people living with HIV/AIDS in Egypt.

Condoms are an integral part of HIV/AIDS prevention, yet their use is affected by several factors. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of condom use and the psychological and behavioural determinants among people living with HIV/AIDS in Egypt. Focus group discussions were used to develop the study tool (questionnaire interview) geared towards eliciting knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about condoms among 338 confirmed HIV-positive persons attending fixed voluntary counselling and testing centres in 8 governorates in Egypt. The prevalence of condom use was 45.0% in regular sexual relations and only 18.1% in casual relations. The determinants of condom use were: type of partner, serostatus of partner, antiretroviral intake, beliefs and attitudes towards condom use and to HIV infection. The study shows that special efforts need to be made to change the attitudes of people living with HIV/AIDS towards condom use.

Estimation of tuberculosis incidence and mortality in Egypt using epidemiological models.

To estimate tuberculosis incidence in Egypt, data were collected from national tuberculosis case notification records, vital registration statistics, tuberculin surveys and treatment outcomes. An important source of information was the national comprehensive tuberculin survey results, which estimated a 55.2% case detection rate and a 65.6% case notification rate. The data suggest that only two-thirds of actual cases are being identified and treated by the national programme. The figures for expected versus reported deaths from tuberculosis in Egypt in 1996 suggest underreporting to be almost 80%.

Estimation of tuberculosis incidence and mortality in Egypt using epidemiological models

To estimate tuberculosis incidence in Egypt, data were collected from national tuberculosis case notification records, vital registration statistics, tuberculin surveys and treatment outcomes. An important source of information was the national comprehensive tuberculin survey results, which estimated a 55.2% case detection rate and a 65.6% case notification rate. The data suggest that only two-thirds of actual cases are being identified and treated by the national programme. The figures for expected versus reported deaths from tuberculosis in Egypt in 1996 suggest underreporting to be almost 80%