Perception of genital prolapse: a hospital-based study in Alexandria (Part II).

Genital prolapse is a common health problem, understanding women's perceptions and beliefs may illuminate our understanding of their health seeking behavior which form a first step in any effort to improve their health. The present study was designed to investigate the perception of genital prolapse among women attending the outpatient clinic in El-Shatby Maternity University Hospital in Alexandria. Data was collected from a sample of 291 women who had any form of genital prolapse. Women's knowledge about risk factors for genital prolapse, women's beliefs related to genital prolapse as well as their beliefs about assistance at delivery (beliefs were assessed through the Health Belief Model) were measured for women who knew that they were suffering of genital prolapse (n = 40). The results revealed that more than two thirds of cases (70.4%) had poor (36.4%) or fair knowledge (34%) and only 29.6% had satisfactory knowledge. The majority of women having positive perception to diagnosis and symptoms for genital prolapse had high perception of "susceptibility" to and "severity" of complications of genital prolapse (97.5% and 85% respectively). More than two thirds (67.5%) had high scores of "perceived benefits" of treatment and medical advice, while nearly one third (32.5%) scored moderate. The majority of women (82.5%) had either moderate scores (55%) or high scores (27.5%) of perceived barriers to compliance to medical instructions or recommended surgery. About two thirds of cases (65.6%) sought medical care later than one year of perception of symptoms. Women's knowledge and degree of genital prolapse were directly related to women's report of symptoms characteristic of prolapse, while the level of education was inversely related. Health education for women on different aspects of reproduction using appropriate materials is highly recommended.

Health locus of control beliefs among school children.

The purpose of the present study is to measure Children Health Locus of control (CHLC) beliefs among school children using the scale developed by Abdel-Gawwad et al. (1999) to test the differences of the beliefs by children's some sociodemographic characteristics and Body Mass Index (BMI). A cross sectional study design was applied using a stratified random sample of 1500 pupils from the final two grades of primary and all grades of the preparatory schools. The scale consisted of 25 statements with a 4-point Likert format. Body mass index was also calculated. From data analysis 15% of the pupils were obese. The mean score of internality increase with increasing age also powerful others' mean score increase with increasing age till the age of 11 - < 12 years and decrease again till the age14 - < 15 years. Chance's mean score decreases with increasing age till the age 14 - < 15 years. Self blame and fate subscales showed irregular decrease with increasing age. Girls had significantly higher mean score of fate subscale than boys (F = 10.67, p < 0.01). Boys had significantly higher mean score of total CHLC scale than girls (12.68, p < 0.01). Obese pupils had significantly higher mean scores of internality and total CHLC scale than non obese pupils (t = 2.58, 2.02, p < 0.05, respectively). Obese pupils had significantly lower mean scores of powerful others, chance and self blame (t = 2.09, 16.51, 2.00, p < 0.05, 0.01, 0.05, respectively). Total CHLC mean scores increased with increasing mother's education (F = 8.99, p < 0.01). Chance mean score decreased with increasing mother's education (F = 11.43, p < 0.01). Total CHLC mean scores increased with increasing father's education (F = 7.6, p < 0.01). Powerful others mean score decreased with increasing father's education (F = 4.42, p < 0.01). Pupils from private schools had higher mean scores of chance and total CHLC (t = 7.0, 7.26, p < 0.01, respectively). They also had lower powerful others and fate mean scores (t = 4.19, 3.17, p < 0.01, respectively). Measuring CHLC beliefs to plan health education programs according CHLC scores is highly recommended.