Prevalence and risk factors of disabilities among Egyptian preschool children: a community-based population study.

BACKGROUND: Child disability has significant implications on their well-being and healthcare systems. AIM: This survey aimed to assess the magnitude of seven types of disability among Egyptian children aged 1 < 6 years and their socio-demographic, epidemiological, and perinatal predictors. METHODS: A national population-based cross-sectional household survey targeting 21,316 children from eight governorates was conducted. The screening questionnaire was derived from the WHO ten-question survey tool validated for identifying seven disability categories. RESULTS: The percentage of children with at least one disability was 8.1% as follows: speech/communication (4.4%), Mobility/physical (2.5%), Seizures (2.2%), Comprehension (1.7%), Intellectual impairment (1.4%), Visual (0.3%) and Hearing (0.2%). Age was not found to affect the odds of disability except for visual disability (significantly increased with age (AOR = 1.4, 95% CI:1.1-1.7). Male sex also increased the odds of all disabilities except visual, hearing, and seizures. Convulsions after birth significantly increased the odds of disability as follows: hearing (AOR = 8.1, 95% CI: 2.2-30.5), intellectual impairment (AOR = 4.2, 95% CI: 2.5-6.9), and mobility/physical (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 2.3-5.0). Preterm delivery and being kept in an incubator for more than two days after birth increased the odds for visual disability (AOR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.1-12.1 & AOR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.7-7.9 respectively). Cyanosis increased the odds of seizures (AOR = 4.7, 95% CI: 2.2-10.3). Low birth weight also increased the odds for all disability domains except for visual and hearing. Maternal health problems during pregnancy increased the odds for all types of disability except hearing and seizures. Higher paternal education decreased the odds for all disabilities by at least 30% except for vision and hearing. CONCLUSION: The study found a high prevalence of disability among Egyptian children aged 1-6 years. It identified a number of modifiable risk factors for disability. The practice of early screening for disability is encouraged to provide early interventions when needed.

National screening for Egyptian children aged 1 year up to 12 years at high risk of Autism and its determinants: a step for determining what ASD surveillance needs.

This study aimed to provide a national estimate of the prevalence of the high risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their determinants. A national screening survey was conducted for 41,640 Egyptian children aged 1 to 12 years in two phases. Tools used were Vineland's Adaptive Behavior Scales, Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Gilliam Autism Rating scale, and Denver II Developmental screening test. The overall prevalence of children at high risk of ASD was 3.3% (95% CI:3.1%-3.5%). Children living without mothers in homes, suffered from convulsions (AOR = 3.67; 95%CI:2.8-4.8), a history of cyanosis after birth (AOR = 1.87; 95% CI:1.35-2.59) or history of LBW babies (AOR = 1.53; 95% CI:1.23-1.89) carried higher odds of being at high risk of ASD.

Enhancing the value of women's reproductive rights through community based interventions in upper Egypt governorates: a randomized interventional study.

BACKGROUND: In 2012, the WHO described the quality of health care as the route to equity and dignity for women and children. AIM OF THE WORK: To provide community based support and empowerment to women in childbearing period to seek optimal prenatal, natal and postnatal healthcare. Achieving this is anticipated to decrease maternal morbidity and mortality in Egypt. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An interventional study was conducted among women in childbearing period in the poorest two governorates of Upper Egypt. The study passed through three stages over three and a half years; pre-interventional assessment of awareness (n = 1000), educational interventions targeting the health providers and all women in childbearing period in their communities (n = 20,494), and post-intervention evaluation of change in awareness of their rights for prenatal, natal and postnatal care (no = 1150). RESULTS: The studied indicators relating to receiving care in pregnancy, labor, and puerperium have changed dramatically as a result of the study interventions. Results of the study showed that before interventions, the surveyed women had inaccurate knowledge regarding most of the items related to their rights. The percentages of women aware of their right to have pregnancy card increased and those who possessed a pregnancy card were doubled with a significant percent change of more than 25%. Some indicators showed more than 75% improvement, including; percent of surveyed women who knew that it's their right to follow up their pregnancy and to deliver with a specialized doctor, a trained nurse or at an equipped health facility, and those who knew their right to have at least two home preparations necessary for safe delivery at home. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: More work is needed in order to achieve the targeted reduction of maternal mortality. This could be achieved by ensuring accessible and high quality care provided by the governmental health facilities together with increasing the awareness of women regarding their rights in receiving such care.