Egyptian Public Health Association
Journal of Egyptian Public Health Association
0013-2446
2090-262X
92
3
2017
09
01
Injured coliforms in swimming pools : How big a threat?
137
143
EN
Mahmoud
Ghanem
Department of Microbiology, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
Laila
El-Attar
Department of Microbiology, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
Amira
Amine
Department of Microbiology, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
1.10.21608/EPX.2018.16147
Background: A swimming pool is an important leisure facility, but it can harbor injured cells creating potential health hazards. Disinfection of swimming pools can cause bacterial injury, when cells are exposed to a suboptimal concentration of disinfectants. Possible pathogenic bacteria can enter into an injured state, for example, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp, and Enterococcus faecalis. Injured bacteria can retain their pathogenicity and virulence and they may recover causing diseases.<br />Aim: To assess the presence of injured coliforms in swimming pools based on differential plating media.<br />Materials and Methods: This study compared the difference in recovery of coliforms between two differential media, one designed for recovery of injured coliforms (HiCrome ECC selective agar and the other is CHROMagar ECC). A total of 120 samples were collected from 10 semi-public swimming pools with sporadic distribution around Alexandria, Egypt, and included in this study. Five pools were used for swim training, 4 were used for both training and recreational swimming and one was used for children only.<br />Results: The recovery medium (HiCrome ECC selective agar) detected 1.47 and 2.54 times total coliforms and E. coli, respectively, as CHROMagar ECC. The compliance of samples per fresh water swimming pool Egyptian standard in total coliforms and E. coli fell from 54.10% when examined by CHROMagar ECC medium to 35% by HiCrome ECC selective medium.<br />Conclusion: The current findings may not be universal to all swimming pools but may be applicable to ones where the physicochemical properties of their water induce coliform injury. Results suggest that the use of media that detect injured yet viable coliforms will give a more sensitive and representative guidance about the quality of examined water and will assist in the treatment and decontamination of swimming pools.
Bacteria,coliforms,injured,swimming pools
https://epx.journals.ekb.eg/article_16391.html
https://epx.journals.ekb.eg/article_16391_f2a2bbedc56a3ef55aff6bdd9d407b8b.pdf
Egyptian Public Health Association
Journal of Egyptian Public Health Association
0013-2446
2090-262X
92
3
2017
09
01
Adverse health effects among nurses and clinical pharmacists handling antineoplastic drugs: Adherence to exposure control methods
144
155
EN
Noha
Elshaer
Industrial Medicine and Occupational Health, Department of Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
2.10.21608/EPX.2018.16148
Background: Chronic exposure to antineoplastic drugs (ADs) may result in reproductive, liver, renal, lung, and cardiac toxicity. Moreover, bone marrow suppression, mucosal ulcers, and cancer may develop. In developing countries, adverse health effects owing to occupational exposure to ADs and adherence to safe handling guidelines are not well documented.<br />Aim: This study was conducted to determine the health effect of occupational exposure to ADs and evaluate adherence to control methods.<br />Materials and Methods: A comparative cross-sectional approach was adopted. ADs-exposed nurses and clinical pharmacists (n=54) were compared with nonexposed group (n=54). Self-reported clinical manifestations. and use of exposure controls were reported via an interview questionnaire. Blood samples were collected for complete blood count and liver and kidney function tests.<br />Results: Significantly higher rate of impaired fertility (31%) and oral ulcers (36.36%) were reported by ADs-exposed nurses and clinical pharmacists compared with nonexposed group (3.8 and 7.4%, respectively; P=0.01 and P=0.00, respectively). Moreover, ADs-exposed group had significantly lower mean white blood cell count (6518±2064.79/μl) and significantly higher mean creatinine level (056±0.13 mg/dl) compared with nonexposed group (7307±2001.4/μl and 0.51±0.12 mg/dl, respectively; t=2.02, P=0.04; and P=0.04, respectively). Inadequate controls were reported, mainly lack of medical surveillance (100%), lack of training (69.1%), insufficient handling practices, and low usage of personal protective equipment, particularly among nurses.<br />Conclusion: The study highlighted chronic adverse effects associated with occupational exposure to ADs and inadequate implementation of exposure control methods. Findings necessitate raising awareness among ADs-exposed nurses and clinical pharmacists to introduce engineering controls, conduct hazard awareness training, initiate medical surveillance program, and ensure adherence to safe handling practices.
Adverse effects,antineoplastic agents,clinical pharmacists,hazard control,Nurses
https://epx.journals.ekb.eg/article_16392.html
https://epx.journals.ekb.eg/article_16392_a01694a4376f3a6ef082b735bbfbcb08.pdf
Egyptian Public Health Association
Journal of Egyptian Public Health Association
0013-2446
2090-262X
92
3
2017
12
01
Screening of malnutrition and its correlates among a sample of rural elderly in Qalyobeya Governorate, Egypt
156
166
EN
Rasha
El-Desouky
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
Hala
Abed
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
3.10.21608/EPX.2018.16149
Background: Malnutrition is a multifactorial problem that contributes to many health problems, as a cause or as a consequence. In elderly, it is a major health problem as it leads to progressive decline in physical and cognitive health, increased utilization of health services, and increased mortality.<br />Aim: To screen the elderly persons for malnutrition and to detect the underlying factors of this problem.<br />Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 320 elderly persons. A structured interview questionnaire sheet was used. It included sociodemographic data; anthropometric measurement; the Mini-Nutritional Assessment-Short Form in its Arabic version; and physical, psychosocial, and cognitive risk factors of malnutrition.<br />Results: Overall, 35% of the participants were malnourished and 38.4% were at risk of malnutrition. There were significant associations between malnutrition or being at risk of malnutrition and all the studied sociodemographic characteristics (P<0.05) except tobacco smoking (P=0.39). Moreover, significant association (P<0.05) was detected between malnutrition and lack of physical exercise, oral and gastrointestinal tract problems, chronic pain, physical dependency, number of chronic diseases, and number of drugs taken regularly. Social isolation, insomnia, special senses problems, and depression were the significant psychosocial and cognitive risk factors.<br />Conclusion: Malnutrition or being at risk of malnutrition is prevalent among the rural elderly persons in Qalyobeya Governorate. The underlying factors were sociodemographic factors, lack of physical exercise, morbidities, and some psychological and cognitive factors. It is recommended that nutritional assessment should be included in any designed geriatric healthcare and health appraisal for the elderly.
Malnutrition,rural elderly,Screening,underlying factors
https://epx.journals.ekb.eg/article_16394.html
https://epx.journals.ekb.eg/article_16394_67d53e8a84bea03e1427af901f984a4d.pdf
Egyptian Public Health Association
Journal of Egyptian Public Health Association
0013-2446
2090-262X
92
3
2017
12
01
Pattern and correlates of tobacco smoking among mentally ill male patients in El-Mamoura Psychiatric Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt
167
176
EN
Mervat
Abu Nazel
Mental Health, Department of Family Health, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt
Heba
Elkady
Geriatric Health, Department of Family Health, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt
Sherif
Abd Allah
El-Mamoura Hospital for Psychiatry and Addiction, Ministry of Health, Alexandria, Egypt
Riham
Ibrahim
El-Mamoura Hospital for Psychiatry and Addiction, Ministry of Health, Alexandria, Egypt
4.10.21608/EPX.2018.16150
Background: Despite widespread concern in public health regarding the increasing prevalence and burden of smoking and mental disorders, little is known about the double burden of these problems in Arab countries.<br />Aim: To describe pattern and identify determinants of smoking among mentally ill male patients in El-Mamoura Psychiatric Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt.<br />Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 randomly selected adult male outpatients receiving formal diagnosis of one or more mental disorders according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV criteria by a senior psychiatrist. A predesigned structured interviewing questionnaire and an Arabic translation of Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence were used to collect data.<br />Results: The study indicated that 68.7% of patients were current daily smokers and 58.2% of them were high nicotine dependent. Smoking was significantly associated with single and dual diagnoses of schizophrenia spectrum disorder and bipolar disorder (odds ratio=2, 3.1, 3.9, respectively).<br />Conclusion: Professionals working with people with mental disorders should be trained in raising awareness of smoking health outcomes and provision of counseling quit services.
Egypt,Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence,Mental Illness,pattern of tobacco smoking,shisha smoking,smoking quit motivators and barriers
https://epx.journals.ekb.eg/article_16397.html
https://epx.journals.ekb.eg/article_16397_09078f560897c8c143a536b770e58cd3.pdf
Egyptian Public Health Association
Journal of Egyptian Public Health Association
0013-2446
2090-262X
92
3
2017
12
01
Bacteriological assessment of some vegetables and ready-to-eat salads in Alexandria, Egypt
177
187
EN
Amani
Abaza
Department of Microbiology, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
5.10.21608/EPX.2018.16151
Background: Fresh vegetables and ready-to-eat salads (RTES) are essential components of human diet. Despite their benefits, they remain a major public health concern, because they have been implicated in foodborne illness outbreaks in numerous countries.<br />Aim: The present study aimed to assess the bacteriological quality of some fresh vegetables and RTES in Alexandria, Egypt.<br />Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 121 samples of vegetables and RTES that were randomly purchased from different markets, restaurants, and street vendors in three districts in Alexandria. All samples were subjected to heterotrophic plate count using pour plate method; detection and enumeration of total coliforms, fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli by multiple tube dilution method; and isolation and detection of Salmonella spp. using standard microbiological methods.<br />Results: The aerobic colony count (ACC) for the 71 tested fresh vegetable samples ranged from 2.0 to 10.4 log CFU/g. Green pepper had the highest ACC mean value (8.4 log CFU/g), whereas lettuce showed the lowest ACC mean (5.1 log CFU/g). Fecal coliforms were detected in 90.1% of tested vegetable samples and 66% of the examined RTES samples. Of the 22 street-vended RTES samples, 18.2% were significantly unsatisfactory regarding E. coli. Salmonella spp. was not detected in any of the examined samples.<br />Conclusion: All examined samples were contaminated and yielded growth of aerobic mesophilic bacteria with varying densities. According to the Public Health Laboratories guidelines, only street-vended RTES samples yielded unsatisfactory levels of E. coli, which indicates the need for close supervision and regular inspection of hygienic practices and preparation methods of street-vended salads.
Aerobic colony count,aerobic mesophilic bacteria,fecal coliforms,Microbiological quality,pathogenic organisms,ready-to-eat salads,Total Coliforms,vegetables
https://epx.journals.ekb.eg/article_16400.html
https://epx.journals.ekb.eg/article_16400_f4132c7af63b48651559843cacc5eb8c.pdf
Egyptian Public Health Association
Journal of Egyptian Public Health Association
0013-2446
2090-262X
92
3
2017
12
01
Prematurity is a significant predictor of worse outcomes in viral bronchiolitis: A comparative study in infancy
188
194
EN
Noussa
El Basha
Departments of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Huda
Marzouk
Departments of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
May
Sherif
Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Amani
El Kholy
Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
6.10.21608/EPX.2018.16152
Background: The rate of admissions to hospital with bronchiolitis has increased over the past years. The reasons for this are likely to be multifactorial including improved survival of preterm infants.<br />Aim: To assess the severity of viral bronchiolitis in preterm compared with term infants admitted at a tertiary hospital in Cairo, Egypt, based on the outcome.<br />Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted throughout a 3-year period from September 2011 to October 2014. It included 153 infants, 74 healthy preterm and 79 healthy term infants, admitted with clinical diagnosis of bronchiolitis at a tertiary hospital in Cairo, Egypt. Bronchiolitis severity score (BSS) was recorded, and nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained from each patient at the time of presentation. Viruses were identified using reverse transcription PCR. The clinical course and patient’s outcome were recorded.<br />Results: This study recorded a significantly more severe BSS for preterm compared with term infants. The preterm group had an increased mean length of hospital stay and oxygen therapy and were more likely to need ICU admission and mechanical ventilation compared with the term group. The mean ±SD BSS for infections with human metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza 3 was more significantly severe in preterm compared with term infants. Bacterial co-infection was significantly correlated with severity scoring in both groups..<br />Conclusion: Prematurity significantly affects the severity of bronchiolitis, and this underscores the importance of early categorization of these infants as a high-risk group on their first visit. Physician should be aware that their illness runs a more severe course, even if they have no underlying disorders.
bronchiolitis,Preterm,severity,viruses
https://epx.journals.ekb.eg/article_16404.html
https://epx.journals.ekb.eg/article_16404_ac1c2909b931964c2eb96fc2f1ca5c41.pdf
Egyptian Public Health Association
Journal of Egyptian Public Health Association
0013-2446
2090-262X
92
3
2017
12
01
Work-related and ergonomic risk factors associated with low back pain among bus drivers
195
201
EN
Sally
Hakim
Department of Community Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Amira
Mohsen
Department of Community Medicine, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
7.10.21608/EPX.2018.16153
Background: Low back pain (LBP) is the commonest form of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, which cause huge economic losses to individuals as well as to the community. Bus drivers have been found to be at an increased risk of LBP owing to several factors associated with physical and occupational circumstances. There is scant knowledge on the problems of LBP among bus drivers in Egypt.<br />Aim: To identify the prevalence of LBP among bus drivers and to determine the ergonomic and occupational risk factors associated with this problem.<br />Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study including 180 public bus drivers who were interviewed using a questionnaire containing items on some sociodemographic, ergonomic, and occupational characteristics. Lifestyle risk factors such as BMI and history of tobacco smoking were also included in the questionnaire.<br />Results: The prevalence of LBP was high (73.9%). LBP was significantly associated with work duration of more than 10 years, working more than 8 h/day and more number of accidents while driving the bus in the previous year. Regarding ergonomic risk factors, those complaining of uncomfortable seat and steering wheels showed significantly higher prevalence of LBP.<br />Conclusion: Public bus drivers in this study experienced high prevalence of LBP, which was associated with long duration of work, driving for more than 8 h daily and uncomfortable seat and steering wheels. Ergonomic and occupational risk factors associated with LBP can be modified by proper organizational strategies and health plans. Therefore, assessment of the sitting biomechanics and regular maintenance of buses are recommended to prevent any adverse health effects.
Bus drivers,Low back pain,occupational risk factors
https://epx.journals.ekb.eg/article_16405.html
https://epx.journals.ekb.eg/article_16405_1f201799e997e633f9efbafbd6980144.pdf