Egyptian Public Health AssociationJournal of Egyptian Public Health Association0013-244692120170301Rural–urban differences in the use of postnatal care services in Malawi110700310.21608/EPX.2018.6645ENKennedyMachira1 Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Faculty of Development Studies, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi.
2 Population Research Unit, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, North West UniversityMafikeng,
P.O. Box X2046, Mmabatho, 2735, Republic of South Africa.MartinPalamulenPopulation Research Unit, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, North West University-Mafikeng, P.O. Box X2046, Mmabatho, 2735, Republic of South Africa.Journal Article20160705BACKGROUND: In Malawi, women’s postpartum care services often remain underutilized despite the efforts of the government to promote the use of maternal healthcare. Consequently, maternal mortality and morbidity are persistently high.<br />AIM: The aim of the study is to examine the factors associated with women’s use of postpartum care services in urban areas as compared with the rural areas in Malawi.<br />MATERILAS AND METHODS: The study used data of 2010 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey. A two-staged approach was used in data analysis where the logistic regression and multinomial regression methods were used to identify first the determinants of use and second to classify the determinants associated with timing of women’s use of postpartum care service in the country.<br />RESULTS: Of the 13776 women that constituted the sample, 7018 (50.9%) reported to use postpartum care services. Caesarean delivery in both urban [odds ratio (OR)=3.98; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.27– 6.98] and rural settings (OR=3.56; 95% CI: 2.91–4.36) greatly increased women’s likelihood of using postpartum care. On the contrary, problems of availability of health services decreased women’s likelihood of using postpartum care services in both urban (OR=0.75; 95% CI: 0.57–0.97) and rural settings (OR=0.87; 95% CI: 0.80–0.93). Further, pregnancy complications, lower levels of women’s education, difficulties to access available healthcare facilities and low media exposure were significantly associated with women’s delay in using postpartum care services in rural Malawi compared with their counterparts who used the services within 24 h after childbirth.<br />CONCLUSION: In both urban and rural settings, women’s use of postnatal care services remains low. The influence of low socioeconomic and service quality factors was prominent in rural areas more than in urban areas. This information is significant to health policy stakeholders to understand ways which can be adopted in order to enhance quality and use of postnatal care services. Therefore, there is need to promote women-centred and community-based awareness in order to enhance the use of postnatal care in urban and rural areas, if maternal health outcomes are to improve in Malawi.https://epx.journals.ekb.eg/article_7003_fac967897e159331a1395306b36f1dca.pdfEgyptian Public Health AssociationJournal of Egyptian Public Health Association0013-244692120170301Pattern and outcome of pediatric head injuries in the Suez Canal Region: A follow-up study1117700410.21608/EPX.2018.6647ENHodaAtwaDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Suez, EgyptNouranAbdAllahDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Suez, EgyptHebaAbd El GawadPediatric Department of Ministry of Health Hospital, IsmailiaJournal Article20161117BACKGROUND: A significant number of children sustain a head injury every year. Despite this, few studies in Egypt have provided detailed information about these injuries.<br />AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology and outcome of head injury among children presenting to the emergency department in the Suez Canal University Hospital.<br />MATERILAS AND METHODS: A clinical follow-up study including 70 patients, aged 18 years or less, who presented to the emergency department, with head injuries, in the period from March 2014 to February 2015. Patients were grouped according to their ages into three subgroups: <2, 2–5, and >5 years old. Collected data included patients’ demographics, causes, severity, timing of injuries, and the eventual outcome after a follow-up period of 3 months. Severity of head injury was based on the general level of consciousness using the Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale. The functional outcome at final follow-up was assessed using the King’s Outcome Scale for Childhood Head Injury.<br />RESULTS: Male-to-female ratio was 1.4 : 1. The highest incidence was in the age group of 2–5 years. The main causes were traffic injury and falls (35.7% for each), followed by home injuries (21%) and sport-related injuries (7%). Regarding the severity of injury, 81% of children had mild injury, 13% had moderate injury, and 6% had severe injury. Concussion was the commonest type of head injury (56%), followed by skull fractures (23%). The functional outcome was assessed at the time of discharge, and 3 months later. Good recovery was achieved in 91% of children; moderate disability was present in 7% of children; and less than 2% of children showed sustained severe disability.<br />CONCLUSION: Children aged 5 years or less comprised 75% of children who presented to the hospital following head injury. Falls and road traffic accidents were the commonest causes of injury. Most injuries were of mild severity, and concussion was the commonest encountered type of injury. Assessment of functional outcome showed good recovery in most children. Enforcement of strict effective regulations and observing safety measures during driving by authorities is needed to reduce traffic accidents. Health education programs for parents about careful supervision and first aid should be provided to help prevent child head injury and its disastrous consequencest.https://epx.journals.ekb.eg/article_7004_590c2ac0819100dddca54080c843e7be.pdfEgyptian Public Health AssociationJournal of Egyptian Public Health Association0013-244692120170301Association of video gaming with some risky behaviors of secondary school adolescents in Abha, Southwestern Saudi Arabia1828700610.21608/EPX.2018.6646ENNabilAwadallaDepartment of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Daqahlia, Egypt.& Department of Family and Community Medicine ,MuathHadramMedical Intern, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi ArabiaAliAlshahraniMedical Intern, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi ArabiaYahyaHadramMedical Intern, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi ArabiaJournal Article20160817AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the patterns of video gaming among secondary school adolescents and to investigate their association with some risky behaviors.<br />MATERIALS AND METHOS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 336 students randomly selected from secondary schools in Abha City, Saudi Arabia, during the academic year 2015–2016. A predesigned self-report questionnaire was used to assess students’ sociodemographic data, pattern, motivators and drawbacks of video gaming, previous academic year grades, history of violent acts, road traffic accidents (RTA), and violation of traffic rules. Weight and height were measured for every participant and BMI was calculated.<br />RESULTS: About 80% of students played video games and 76% owned a video game machine. The median onset of video gaming was 10 years. The most important motivator for video gaming was ‘give a chance for fun and excitement’ (93.7%), followed by ‘give a chance to get rid of the boredom and leisure’ (92.3%). The most frequently reported social drawbacks were interfering with sleep time (69%), physical activity (64%), and meal time (59%). BMI was not significantly associated with the pattern of video game playing (P>0.05). Academic performance was significantly lower among students who used to game in cybercafes (P=0.001). Prevalence of tobacco smoking and some risky behaviors such as traffic rule violations, significant RTA, and violence were significantly more encountered among those preferring race and drift games (P<0.05) and used to game in cybercafes (P<0.05).<br />CONCLUSION: Video gaming among secondary school students in Abha, Saudi Arabia, is relatively high. Some risky behaviors such as smoking, violence, significant RTA, and violation of traffic rules were significantly associated with race and drift playing and gaming in cybercafes. School-based educational programs for both adolescents and their parents should be provided to gain skills about effective time management, avoid over-gaming, risky games and gaming in cybercafes. Legal restriction on importing and selling risky video games should be considered by the government.https://epx.journals.ekb.eg/article_7006_a44172ca7353edd40b9dc318e47dca13.pdfEgyptian Public Health AssociationJournal of Egyptian Public Health Association0013-244692120170301Eating attitudes and barriers to healthy eating and physical activity among a sample of university students in Egypt2935700710.21608/EPX.2018.6650ENLamyaaEl-BagouryDepartment of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, EgyptAzzaHassanDepartment of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, EgyptHasnaaAbouSeifDepartment of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, EgyptJournal Article20161119BACKGROUND: More students are concerned about their body shape and have a desire to have a lower BMI. As a consequence, many of them have disordered eating attitudes (DEAs) and engage themselves in unhealthy weight control behaviors.<br />AIM: To measure the frequency of DEAs among Ain Shams University students and to identify the barriers to healthy eating and physical activity among them.<br />Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on a sample of 445 students in Ain Shams University from different faculties using a self-reported questionnaire. The weight and height were measured and the BMI was calculated. The eating attitudes were measured using the Eating Attitudes Test-26 questionnaire.<br />RESULTS: The students’ age ranged between 17 and 26 years with a mean of 20.3±1.5 years, 40.7% of them were men and 59.3% women. The majority of students (50.8%) had normal BMI, and about 39% were overweight and obese. The frequency of DEAs was 73.3%. There was no significant relation between the presence of DEAs and personal data of students such as age, sex, faculty, and BMI. Lack of time was the most highlighted barrier to both physical activity and healthy eating.<br />CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence rate of obesity and DEA that necessitates a lot of efforts to help the youth control their body weights and correct unhealthy behaviors by overcoming barriers against healthy behaviors.https://epx.journals.ekb.eg/article_7007_d76d8d0605228e5e8698a02024426bfa.pdfEgyptian Public Health AssociationJournal of Egyptian Public Health Association0013-244692120170301University Students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards the National Premarital Screening Program of Saudi Arabia3643700810.21608/EPX.2018.6648ENMaryamMelaibariDepartment of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaSireenShilbayehDepartment of Pharmaceutical Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaAbdulghaniKabliDepartment of Medical Education, College of Medicine, Taif University, Taif City, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaJournal Article20161012BACKGROUND: There is an elevated rate of hereditary hemoglobinopathies in Arab populations. To address this, the Saudi government has implemented a mandatory premarital screening (PMS) program. Nevertheless, reports have shown that 48% of genetically incompatible partners have decided to marry. To address this, more information is needed on people's beliefs on these issues.<br />AIM: To investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Taif University students toward the national PMS program.<br />Materials and Methods: Using a questionnaire, a cross-sectional study was conducted during April-May 2016 on a random sample of university students in Taif City. It was administered electronically and primarily distributed through the social media.<br />RESULTS: Most participants (97.4%) were aware that genes may transmit hereditary diseases and had heard about the PMS program. Most participants who partook in the PMS justified it based on preventing disease transmission to their offspring and ensuring their partner's health. A fair number (82.9%) were willing to change their decision to marry in the case of receiving incompatible results. Moreover, the majority of the participants (91.8%) demanded the implementation of a law that prohibits incompatible marriages.<br />CONCLUSION: Most Taif University students have a generally positive attitude and good intended practices toward PMS. However, targeted educational programs about the importance of PMS are strongly recommended to eliminate all factors that may affect the success of the PMS program.https://epx.journals.ekb.eg/article_7008_cc31abe58d92ca21f59c4a5bf23a884b.pdfEgyptian Public Health AssociationJournal of Egyptian Public Health Association0013-244692120170301Bioremediation of oil-contaminated water by bacterial consortium immobilized on environment-friendly biocarriers4451700910.21608/EPX.2018.6649ENFaragSamhanWater Pollution Research Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt.MohamedElliethyWater Pollution Research Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt.BahaaHemdanWater Pollution Research Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt.MarwaYoussefWater Pollution Research Department, National Research Centre, Giza, EgyptGamilaEl-TaweelWater Pollution Research Department, National Research Centre, Giza, EgyptJournal Article20161005BACKGROUND: Accidental oil spill in the Nile River represents a public health concern in Egypt. Bioremediation of oil-contaminated water is efficiently competitive and economically effective compared with mechanical and chemical methods.<br />AIM: The current study aimed to; i) assess using environment-friendly materials as carriers for immobilizing oil-degrading bacteria and ii) evaluate applying these biocarriers for removal of oil from water in a batch experiment.<br />MATERILAS AND METHODS: Four bacterial strains Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Cronobacter sakazakii (recently named Enterobacter sakazakii), Klebsiella oxytoca and Bordetella bronchispetica were immobilized on grinded corn qgualh, Egyptian loofah, palm leaf raffia and sponge. Immobilizing bacterial consortium was carried out by incubating bacteria with carriers at 37°C with shaking at 120 rpm for three days. Biofilm formed on biocarriers was checked using scanning electron microscopy. Biocarriers with immobilized bacterial consortium were used for removal of oil. Experiments were carried out in flasks each containing 100 ml of mineral salt broth fortified with 1 g/l light crude oil. Flasks were incubated at 37°C with shaking at 120 rpm for nine weeks. Total viable bacterial count and oil and grease were determined weekly. RESULTS: Oil and grease measurements showed a significant removal that reached 68.3, 71.5, 77.7 and 81%for grinded corn qgualh, Egyptian loofah, palm leaf raffia and sponge respectively. Flasks inoculated with sponge biocarriers showed rapid oil removal compared with other biocarriers. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed a percentage removal that reached 87% for compounds C11 to C32 in case of sponge carrier.<br />CONCLUSION: Immobilizing bacteria on biocarriers showed a good biofilm formation. Immobilized bacterial consortium showed rapid and efficient oil removal in bioremediation processes. Sponge showed dense bacterial colonization and consequently biofilm formation compared with other biocarriers.https://epx.journals.ekb.eg/article_7009_563c59ec6b217ce8d64599070186dc59.pdfEgyptian Public Health AssociationJournal of Egyptian Public Health Association0013-244692120170301Quality of life and its association with insomnia and clinical variables in type 2 diabetes5259701110.21608/EPX.2018.6651ENAkhileshJainDepartments of Psychiatry, ESIC Model Hospital, Jaipur, IndiaRekhaSharmabOphthalmology, ESIC Model Hospital, Jaipur, IndiaNeelamYadavcMedicine, ESIC Model Hospital, Jaipur, IndiaPavanChaudharyMedicine, ESIC Model Hospital, Jaipur, IndiaGarimaJaincMedicine, ESIC Model Hospital, Jaipur, IndiaMukeshMaanjuDepartments of Psychiatry, ESIC Model Hospital, Jaipur, IndiaJournal Article20170314BACKGROUND: There is a significant increase in number of patients with type II diabetes, Quality of Life (QOL) has become a major concern. Insomnia associated with diabetes may also influence QOL in these patients.<br />AIM: This cross sectional comparative study aims to assess QOL and its determinants inpatients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). It also explored the prevalence and association of insomnia with QOL in T2DM patients.<br />METHODS AND METHODS: The sample size comprised of 50 patients with T2DM and equal number of healthy control. Socio demographic and disease characteristics were recorded on a specially designed Performa. QOL and insomnia were assessed on WHOQOL-BREEF and ISI, respectively.<br />RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 48.25 ± 19.05 years and the mean duration of illness was 5.64± 2.35 years. QOL was significantly impaired in all the four domains of WHOQOLBREF (p<0.05). Female genders, poor glycemic control, longer duration of disease, increased BMI were associated with poor QOL. Insomnia was more common in diabetics [Odds Ratio (95% C. I.=8.566 (3.321 to 22.094)] and had significant association with poor QOL.<br />CONCLUSION: QOL in patients with T2DM is impaired. Several disease characteristics have negative influence on QOL in these patients. Frequent occurrence of insomnia may further deteriorate the QOL.It is important to understand risk factors associated with poor QOL to formulate appropriate treatment strategy.https://epx.journals.ekb.eg/article_7011_129f666f8904b55934e35887ec3de2ab.pdf