Evaluation of the newborn screening program for congenital hypothyroidism in Alexandria 2000-2003

The Newborn Screening Program for Congenital Hypothyroidism started in Alexandria in October 2000. The aim of this study was to evaluate the program in terms of coverage, performance of providers, effectiveness of detecting cases and knowledge of mothers about newborn screening. The computer data base in Alexandria Health Directorate were reviewed from October 2000 to December 2003.A structured interview questionnaire with mothers [during their infants' BCG vaccination] to test their orientation and knowledge about newborn screening. An observation checklist was used to assess nurses' performance during sample collection. Records of the pediatric clinic [where positive cases were treated] were reviewed for screening results Focus group discussions were conducted with health care providers. The mean percentage of coverage was 63.58% with 268747 live births and 170881 screened infants. The total positive cases were 70 with 43 true. positive cases. The positive predictive value in the 3 years was 61.4%, and the incidence of primary [CH] among screened infants was 1:3974. False positive rate among screened infants was 0.016%. 40.5% of mothers had good knowledge about newborn screening. The Knowledge of primary health care physicians about the screening program was good but most of them felt that they were not involved in the program. The knowledge of nurses about [CH] was not satisfactory; their attitude towards infection control measures was not good. The screening program of [CH] in Alexandria has been established and became a routine part of primary health care activities, the screening of other diseases rather than [CH] should follow. Efforts are needed to improve different aspects of the program

Women's perception and experience of menopause: a community-based study in Alexandria, Egypt

To determine symptoms, perceptions and practices after natural menopause by women aged 50-59 years, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 450 women from Alexandria. The most frequently recalled symptoms were tiredness [96.0%], headache [95.1%], hot flushes [90.7%], skin wrinkles [90.7%] and decreased sexual desire [89.1%]. About 91% of women had never heard about hormone replacement therapy; 42.7% would expose their body to the sun; 12.4% were moderately active the year before menopause. Multiple regression analysis indicated that women's knowledge about menopause was related to marital status, education and employment status; practices were related to pattern of menopause, age of menopause and income

Reproductive tract infections among married women in Upper Egypt

In a house-to-house survey using cluster sampling, 1344 married women from urban and rural areas of Upper Egypt [Minia, Assiut and Sohag] were interviewed and examined to study the magnitude and determinants of reproductive tract infections. Overall prevalence was found to be 52.8%, with the most prevalent forms being Candida albicans [28.0%], Trichomonas vaginalis [8.7%], Aspergillus species [7.4%], streptococci [4.6%] and Chlamydia trachomatis [4.2%]. Multivariate analysis identified certain groups of women at high risk of developing reproductive tract infections [those currently using an intrauterine device, those who regularly practised internal vaginal washing]. Discriminant analysis showed that symptoms were of low discriminating value. There is a great need to increase community and women's understanding of reproductive tract infections

Reproductive health of married adolescent women in squatter areas in Alexandria, Egypt

Through a house-to-house survey, 455 married adolescent women [< 20 years] and 455 married women aged 20-45 years from squatter areas in Alexandria were interviewed. Determinants of early marriage were consanguinity, illiteracy and unawareness of reproductive health. Of the currently pregnant adolescents, 22% were receiving antenatal care compared with 40% of the older women. Family planning methods were currently being used by 39% of the adolescents and 63% of the older wives. Determinants of non-use were: adolescence, illiteracy and previous miscarriage/stillbirth. There is a need to increase public awareness of reproductive health and change the behaviour of both groups of women in this under-privileged sector