Assessment of the diagnostic system of Schistosoma infection at rural health unit level, Egypt.

The study sample was 6 rural health units and 405 attendants. Assessment of inputs was done through review of documents, charts, interviews, questionnaires and direct observation. Assessment of accuracy of the techniques was done by cross matching the results of urine and stools examination using different techniques (filtration and sedimentation for urine, and Kato-Katz and direct smear for stools). Results of technicians were compared with that of investigators using the same technique. Two days examinations of urine and stools samples were done by investigators using nucleopore and Kato-Katz, respectively. Environment assessment showed that, political and economic environments were the most influencing components that affect the system of diagnosis. Organization assessment showed that organization structure adapted to a large extent its objectives. However, decentralization and technological development were required. Filtration was more sensitive than sedimentation (82% and 51.3%, respectively). Specificity and PV+ were 100% for both tests. While, PV- and efficiency were 97.6% and 97.8% for filtration, and 93.7% and 94.1% for sedimentation, respectively. Sensitivity of Kato-Katz was higher than direct smear (88.5% and 11.5%, respectively). Kappa coefficient ranged between 0.63 and 1 as regards results of technicians compared to that of investigators. Mean daily workload of urinary examinations per technician ranged between 5.8 and 34.8. That of stools examinations was 5.3 and 32.4. Satisfaction rates ranged between 51.3% and 100% for different rural health units. Strengths and opportunities should be intensified. Weaknesses and threats should be treated.

A KAP study among staff and student nurses about infection control in Theodor Bilharz Hospital.

The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of staff and student nurses in Theodor Bilharz Research Institute Hospital towards simple protective measures such as: hand washing practices, recapping of syringe needles after use, and their awareness of Hepatitis B and C viruses prevention and control. A questionnaire is designed and distributed to all student nurses in the school (41 students out of 45), and to all staff nurses working in the hospital (39 nurses out of 50), with a total of 80 out of 95. Scoring system is used for data analysis. The overall scoring of KAP for the three items studied are below 80%, which means that they really need health education about these items. Thus, it is very important to create public awareness in the hospital community, and among nurses about the concept of infection control. This will be done through formal and informal instructions, by organizing regular courses and posters. It is very essential to provide safe disposal of syringe needles in special containers, have facilities for hand washing during work and apply HB vaccine for nurses working in the hospital. Meanwhile, a highly motivated behavior should be enabled and reinforced through realization of the regulatory and organizational factors for better implementation arrangement, which all supplement the educational intervention directed to change rather than just planning.

Individual, household and behavioral risk factors of S haematobium infection in an Egyptian village in Giza Governorate.

A survey study has been conducted in Zaweit Abu Soelum village in Giza Governorate to study and describe individual, household and behavioral risk factor related to S. haematobium infection in an area with moderate level of infection. A systematic random sample of houses was chosen, and all individuals in the selected household were invited to participate. A total number of 616 persons in 100 houses complied in the study. A primary school was present in the village. A random sample of school children were also included. Urine and stool analysis were performed for each person. Personal, household and behavioral data were collected through personal interview. Uni-varite and multivariate analysis were done to test the available risk factors. Results showed a S. haematobium prevalence of 12.3%, whereas, a prevalence of 35.9% was observed among school children. Age as a risk factor showed the highest significance to infection, followed by the history of burning micturition with f-value = 0.001.