Feminine hygiene practices among female patients and nurses in Lebanon.

BACKGROUND: Inappropriate feminine hygiene practices are related to vulvovaginitis. We investigated the prevalence of personal hygiene habits among Lebanese women as well as their awareness of adequate practices. METHODS: Consists of a cross-sectional observational study. Female patients and nurses at Hotel-Dieu de France University Hospital in Beirut- Lebanon filled a questionnaire about their intimate hygiene habits and knowledge of proper practices. RESULTS: The study included 249 women. 21.3 % of the 136 nurses and 38.9 % of the 113 patients reported a history of vulvovaginitis. The majority of women took an intimate bath at least twice daily. 14 % of nurses and 17 % of patients douched.20. Seven percent of the nurses and 43.4 % of the patients used wet wipes. 1.5 % of nurses and 4.4 % of patients used feminine deodorant sprays. There was a significant lack of awareness mainly among patients about suitable hygiene practices as well for their adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Education provided by nurses, and other healthcare providers is essential to promote reproductive health among Lebanese women.

Prenatal diagnosis of main stem bronchial atresia using 3-dimensional ultrasonographic technologies.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this series was to report the contribution of 3-dimensional ultrasonographic (3DUS) technologies in performing the prenatal diagnosis of main stem bronchial atresia (BA). METHODS: We report 2 cases in which the prenatal diagnosis of main stem BA was performed using 3DUS technologies. Both fetuses presented with extremely enlarged hyperechoic right lungs, shifting the mediastinum to the left, associated with hydrops and polyhydramnios. A revision of the literature was made, focusing on the prenatal characteristics and perinatal prognosis of main stem BA. RESULTS: In the first case, a congenital type III cystic adenomatoid malformation was suspected initially, but a posterior 3DUS analysis on multiplanar imaging allowed identification of a dilated right bronchus, and a right main stem BA was confirmed at autopsy. In the second case, volume contrast imaging was used during fetal scanning, which also allowed identification of the right main bronchial dilatation. In reviewing the literature, we found a tendency for main stem BA to be more severe than lobar and segmental atresias. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional ultrasonographic technologies may improve the pre-natal diagnosis of main stem BA.