Work profile and associated health hazards among nursing students at Mansoura University, Egypt

Nursing students are increasingly undertaking paid term-time employment to finance their living expenses and studies. The objectives of this study are to estimate its prevalence, factors associated, and possible health hazards. A cross-sectional study was conducted of nursing students using a questionnaire that included sociodemographic and employment data, reasons for working, possible health hazards in the workplace, and perceived effects on academic performance. The prevalence of student paid employment was found to be 23.3%. Being male and belonging to a low social class were independently associated with the likelihood of working while studying. Financial support was the main reason for student employment. Workplace hazards included noise, temperature extremes and psychosocial stressors. Sleep disorders were the most frequent health effects followed by musculoskeletal complaints. Nursing students are at risk from many deleterious health effects which are not covered by occupational health and safety programmes

Les étudiants en soins infirmiers sont de plus en plus nombreux à avoir un activité rémunérée durant l'année universitaire dans le but de subvenir à leurs besoins et de financer leurs études. La présente étude a pour objectif d'estimer la prévalence de ce type d'activité, les facteurs et les risques sanitaires qui y sont associés. Une étude transversale a été conduite auprès d'étudiants en soins infirmiers à l'aide d'un questionnaire incluant des données socio-démographiques et sur l'emploi, les raisons de travailler, les risques sanitaires possibles sur le lieu de travail, et les conséquences perçues sur les performances universitaires. La prévalence des emplois étudiants rémunérés a été estimée à 23,3%. Le fait d'être de sexe masculin et l'appartenance à une classe sociale basse avaient une association indépendante avec la probabilité de travailler pendant les études. Un besoin de soutien financier était la raison principale de l'emploi étudiant. Les risques sur le lieu de travail incluaient le bruit, des températures extrêmes et des facteurs de stress psychologiques. Les conséquences sur la santé les plus fréquentes étaient des troubles du sommeil, suivis par des douleurs musculosquelettiques. Les étudiants en soins infirmiers sont exposés à des risques nocifs pour la santé qui ne sont pas pris en compte par les programmes de santé et de sécurité au travail

Developing a culturally valid and reliable quality of life questionnaire for diabetes mellitus

The aim of this study was to design a culturally adapted questionnaire for studying quality of life [QOL] among type 1 and 2 adult diabetes patients in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The 41 items on the questionnaire were based on qualitative research and covered general and health-related QOL. In a descriptive survey, 104 patients completed the questionnaire; 68 [65.4%] were female. Mean age was 50.5 years [standard deviation 12.8]. Most patients [86.5%] had type 2 diabetes. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the questionnaire was 0.98. The questionnaire successfully distinguished the lower QOL of patients suffering from pain in the limbs, loss of appetite, fatigue, constipation and itching. The questionnaire could determine both general and health-related QOL

Psychological aspects of orthognathic surgery and its effect on quality of life in Egyptian patients

A study was made of 120 patients aged 11-33 years who underwent various types of orthognathic surgery in a Cairo hospital between 1998 and 2004. Patients answered a standardized questionnaire to identify motives for seeking surgery, the degree of satisfaction with the outcome and its effect on quality of life. Preoperatively, aesthetic reasons were the primary motive for seeking surgery in 95% of patients. Postoperatively, 85% of the patients were positive about the outcome of surgery as well as its effect on their quality of life. Postoperative improvement of facial aesthetics of the patients was associated with improvement of their quality of life in all aspects tested

Women's empowerment and health: the role of institutions of power in Pakistan

Women's right to health has been reiterated many times. However, there are social and cultural barriers in developing countries that hinder their empowerment. Women's low status, deprivation of education and lack of control over their own lives and bodies have a negative impact on their health status and that of their families. This paper discusses women's empowerment and health within the framework of the 4 institutions of power in a society-family, community, health care systems and the state-with special reference to the situation in Pakistan. It concludes that to improve women's health status, concerted efforts are needed by all these institutions of power to work towards gender equality and the greater empowerment of women

Condom use among males [15-49 years] in Lower Egypt: knowledge, attitudes and patterns of use

We conducted a cross-sectional study on a randomly selected sample of 2304 males aged 15-49 years from 4 governorates in Lower Egypt to assess their condom use and knowledge and attitudes towards condom use. Condoms were considered an effective method of contraception and prevention of transmission of sexually transmitted infections [STIs] by 60.5% and 60.0% respectively. Only 23.9% had ever used condoms, mainly for contraception, but 26.8% would consider using them in the future. A quarter reported knowing how to use condoms properly. Obstacles to condom use included perceived lack of need [75.7%], rejection by partner [57.6%] and hazards of condoms [31.9%]. The majority knew about HIV/AIDS [90.8%] but a few felt at risk of STIs [11.2%] or HIV infection [10.3%]

Family planning and unmet need among Iraqi Kurds

This study in Dohuk district of Kurdistan region, northern Iraq, in 2003 estimated the prevalence of contraceptive use and unmet need, and investigated associated knowledge, attitudes and practices. With multi-stage sampling, 800 married women aged 15-49 years were interviewed. Current prevalence of contraceptive use [any method] among 668 non-pregnant women was 60.6%: use of modern methods was 26.5% and traditional methods was 34.1%. Among all respondents, current unmet need for any contraception was 29.3% [most commonly among women of low socioeconomic status] and that for modern [effective] contraception was 28.5% [most commonly among women of high socioeconomic status]. A comprehensive and decentralized family planning programme needs to be implemented in the region

Utilization of family planning services by married Sudanese women of reproductive age

To explore differences in utilization of family planning services and predisposing factors, we surveyed 601 women from urban and rural areas of Khartoum state. About half were using modern family planning techniques; there were no significant differences in utilization rates between urban and rural settings. Contraceptive pills were the most frequently used modern method [47.7%] followed by intrauterine devices [10.2%] and injections [7.5%]. Breastfeeding was used by around 33% of both groups. The rhythm method and withdrawal were more often used by urban women [22.2% and 8.6% respectively] than rural women [16.1% and 3.6% respectively]. Use of male methods [condom; sterilization] was extremely low. Socioeconomic status, knowledge and education level were the most important determinants of using modern methods

Fertility and its relationship with sociocultural factors in Kuwaiti society

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of some sociocultural variables on the fertility of Kuwaiti women. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 7749 married women [aged 15'78 years] selected randomly from 10 primary health care clinics in Kuwait. The fertility rate was 3.58 live births per woman. Fertility was higher among Sunni Muslim women, those of Bedouin ethnicity, and those in a consanguineous marriage [P < 0.001]. There was a significant negative relationship between fertility and respondents' educational level, occupation, age at marriage, socioeconomic status and type of marriage [consanguineous or not]. There was a positive relationship between fertility and the respondents' age and the family income

Quality of life of patients with schizophrenia 2

We studied quality of life in 211 patients with schizophrenia from 2 outpatient clinics in Irbid, Jordan and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, using the self-reporting questionnaire SRQ-24 and the modified version of the schizophrenia quality of life scale. Sex, marital status, employment, education, nonpsychotic symptoms and psychotic symptoms were examined. Approximately 27% had good quality of life, 19.4% thought their general health was excellent or very good and about 30% said they had achieved their expectations. There was no significant relationship between sex and marital status and quality of life but employment and education were significantly related. Patients with less severe psychotic and non-psychotic symptoms were also found to have better quality of life

Reproductive health knowledge, attitudes and practices of Iranian college students

To study reproductive health knowledge, attitudes and practices of youth in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1111 university students completed a questionnaire with 43 closed questions. The overall mean knowledge score was 54%. Knowledge of males and females, and of married and single students, was similar. Of 664 students answering questions about reproductive health behaviour, 54 [8%] reported having sexual intercourse before marriage; 16% of males and 0.6% of females; 48% of them had used condoms. The majority of students believed that the risk of AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections was moderate but that youth had a low ability to practise healthy behaviour. The majority believed in the benefits of reproductive health knowledge for youth but felt that services were inadequate

Domestic violence: a cross-sectional study in an Iranian city

To determine the prevalence of domestic physical violence against women and its associated factors in Sanandaj city, Islamic Republic of Iran, a random sample of 1000 married women completed a questionnaire. Of the respondents, 15% had been assaulted by their husbands at least once in the previous year and 38% at some time during the marriage. Economic problems were the most frequent cause of domestic quarrels. There was a significant association between husbands' educational level and violence against wives. Physical violence against housewives was significantly more frequent than against employed women. Husband's job was also significantly associated with violence. The existence of a child or daughter in the family was associated with less domestic physical violence against women

Couples' attitudes to the husband 's presence in the delivery room during childbirth

We determined the attitudes of men and women in the Islamic Republic of Iran to the husband's presence in the delivery room. We randomly selected 150 couples awaiting delivery in 2002 and interviewed them with a st and ardized questionnaire. Mean ages and st and ard deviations [SD] of women and men were 26 [SD 4] and 30 [SD 5] years respectively. Most had high school diplomas or higher. Most women [58.1%] were employed and most men [77.6%] had non-educational jobs. Mean attitude scores were 100 [SD 15] for women and 97 [SD 16.5] for men. Attitude scores were significantly related to age, job and education [P < 0.0001]. Most women [88.4%], men [82.1%] and couples [76.9%] had positive attitudes to the husband's presence in the delivery room. Providing facilities to accommodate husband's and training for their presence in the delivery room is recommended

Incidence of neural tube defects among neonates at King Hussein Medical Centre, Jordan

Neural tube defects [NTDs] are important factors in fetal and infant mortality. There have been no studies on the incidence of NTDs in Jordan. A one-year prospective study was therefore conducted in King Hussein Medical Centre neonatal unit [April 2002-April 2003] to determine the incidence of NTDs among Jordanian neonates. All liveborn babies, both term and preterm, were assessed for NTDs. Mothers of babies with NTDs were interviewed postnatally regarding antenatal care and family history of NTDs. Of 5088 live births, 33 had NTDs, giving an incidence of 6.5/1000 live births. None of the women with affected babies had a history of NTDs and all had received antenatal care, but none had taken folate supplementation. The majority of the women had not had a diagnosis before the birth, despite having had ultrasound scans throughout their pregnancies