Women health in poor urban settings in Alexandria

The aim of this paper is to investigate women health and status as well as to study gender gap in three poor urban settings in Alexandria. Poor families were identified and invited to participate in the study through the help of local informants. The study included 172 families, 53 from Abu- Kir, 57 from El-Dahreya and 62 from Wadi El-Kamar area. An interviewing questionnaire was used to collect data form the wives as well as their husbands about household family members. Wives and husbands who participated in the study were clinically examined. Their weight and height were measured. For those who accepted to participate, stool, urine and blood analyses were performed. Female to male comparison as well as sex ratio of some parameters were used to investigate gender gap. Results showed that females were the head of the family in 19.8% of the families. In 18% of the families, wives participated in the family income. Illiteracy represented 94.2% among females aged 45+ years, and unemployment was 97.4%. The rate of ill health increased with age from 36% for girls to 90% among older women [45+] compared to 71% among older males. Cardiovascular and orthopedic disorders represented the most reported problems among older females and males. Diarrhea and ARI episodes were rather more frequent among females than among males. About 60% of examined women suffered from obesity, 45% had gynecological problems, 38% had parasitic infections in stool, and 45% had anemia. Female to male sex ratio was low for <6 and 60+ years old. In conclusion, poor women suffer from high burden of socio-economic disadvantage, gender inequality and ill-health

study on health services provided by student health insurance in some preparatory school clinics in Alexandria

This study assesses resources and services provided by school clinics during scholastic year 1993-1994. In addition, it examines student utilization of clinics, and their opinion and suggestions to improve the clinic services. Twelve preparatory school clinics were selected randomly. Interviews were conducted with school physicians and students. Four checklists were prepared for the necessary items of clinic resources. Results indicated that 75% of physicians were general practitioners half of them had poor knowledge regarding preventive aspect of their job responsibilities. All or most items of facilities for health education were lacking in the studied clinics. All school clinics provide curative services and 11 out of 12 carried out comprehensive school examination for their students. Screening and nutrition supervision were provided only in two clinics. It appeared that 76.6% of students visited the clinic during the scholastic year 1993-1994. A significant relation was found between students scholastic year and their visit of the clinic. It was found that 42.7% of students complained of absence of some drugs, while 24.7% of students suggested that coordination between time scheduled for visiting the clinic and class schedule is required. However, 66.4% of students expressed that student health insurance is better than the previous school health services

Study of some health problems among school aged swimming pool swimmers

One hundred school aged swimmers were selected, interviewed and examined for symptoms and signs of infection and/or irritation. Stool and urine samples as well as swimming pool water, floor water and articles swab samples were collected from analysis and/or culture. From the results obtained, it was concluded that chemical irritation of the mucous membranes and skin due to hyperchlorination of the pool water was the most common striking health problem. With proper maintenance and obey of the health instructions swimming pool will be quite safe when used. Therefore, the followings were recommended: Proper adjustment of chlorination of the pool water, strict application of the pool health instructions by all swimmers, health education of swimmers and parents about the importance of changing the unhealthful practices, periodic chemical and microbial analysis of the pool water and its surroundings to make sure that it is safe and nonhazardous