Impact of an infection-control program on nurses' knowledge and attitude in pediatric intensive care units at Cairo University hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infection is a prominent problem among patients in pediatric intensive care units (PICU) as it could result in significant morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and increase in medical care costs. The role of nurses is extremely important in preventing hazards and sequela of healthcare-associated infections. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a health education program regarding infection-control measures on nurses' knowledge and attitude in PICUs at Cairo University hospitals. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: This was a pre-post test interventional study in which a convenient sample of 125 nurses was taken from the nursing staff in different PICUs at Cairo University hospitals. The study took place in three phases. In the first phase, the nursing staff's knowledge, attitude and practice concerning infection-control measures were tested using a self-administered pretested questionnaire and an observation checklist. The second phase included health education sessions in the form of powerpoint and video presentations; and in the third phase the nurses' knowledge and attitude on infection-control measures were reassessed. RESULTS: A significantly higher level of knowledge was revealed in the postintervention phase as compared with the preintervention phase with regards to the types of nosocomial infections (94.4 vs. 76.8%, P<0.001), the at-risk groups for acquiring infection (95.2 vs. 86.4%, P=0.035) and the measures applied to control nosocomial infections (89.6 vs. 68%, P<0.001). Nurses in the postintervention phase had significantly more knowledge about the types of hand washing (99.2 vs. 91.2%, P=0.006). A significantly higher percent of nurses in the postintervention phase knew the importance of avoiding recapping syringes (72.8 vs. 34.4%, P<0.001) and believed that infection-control measures could protect them completely from acquiring infection (79.2 vs. 65.6%, P=0.033). Statistically significant higher total knowledge and attitude scores were revealed in the postintervention phase as compared with the preintervention one (P<0.001). The percentage practice score of observed units was the highest among nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Japanese Hospital (88%), whereas it was the lowest in the emergency pediatric unit (65%). CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: There is scope for improvement in knowledge and attitude after educational program was offered to the nursing staff. Educational training programs should be multidisciplinary interventions in the era of quality control to help healthcare workers realize the importance of basic infection-control measures in reducing pediatric morbidity and mortality and improving the quality of care.

The clinical profile of students attending informal schools in three rural governorates in upper Egypt: a community-based study.

BACKGROUND: Combating poverty and illiteracy represents the cornerstone for promoting health among Egyptian children; yet, drop out from the elementary education is a major problem facing stakeholders in Egyptian governorates. To tackle this problem, many projects were implemented such as reading and writing classes, and Girls Education Initiatives (GEIs). OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to construct a clinical and laboratory database for students attending the Girls Education Initiative schools in Upper Egypt. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out by involving schoolchildren in three Egyptian Governorates implementing the Girls Education Initiative (GEI) project in 197 schools in these governorates. For each student, a questionnaire investigated the possible predictors for intestinal parasitic infections, a stool sample was examined using the Kato-Katz technique, the hemoglobin concentration was measured, and anthropometric assessments measuring weight and height were carried out. RESULTS: Out of 2695 students, 898 (33.3%) students were infected by parasites; 92% of these students were infected by Enterobius vermicularis worms. The mean weight of the girls was 29.4±10.6 kg and that of the boys was 29.1±8.6 kg. The mean height of the girls was 132.5±16.9 cm and that of the boys was 132.9±16.3 cm. BMI was 16.6±6.8 and 16.7±9.5 for girls and boys, respectively. The mean hemoglobin levels were 10.6±1.37 and 10.7±1.4 mg for girls and boys, respectively. More than two-thirds of the studied group had poor hygiene habits, such as contact with canal water, not washing their hands before and after eating food, not washing their hands after bathroom visits, and not washing vegetables and fruits. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The students studied had chronic nutritional deficiencies, mainly anemia. Poor hygiene habits, poor household sanitation, and lack of parents' education in rural areas were predictors for intestinal infections. It is recommended that health education campaigns be conducted to increase students' and mothers' awareness and encourage proper sanitation and hygiene habits at home and in their environment.