High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University
Journal of High Institute of Public Health
2357-0601
2357-061X
51
1
2021
04
01
Merits and Demerits of COVID-19 Vaccines
1
9
EN
Nessrin
A.
El-Nimr
Department of Epidemiology, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt
n.elnimr@alexu.edu.eg
10.21608/jhiph.2021.150582
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) continues to reshape the globe. It is more than a year since the virus first emerged, yet the vast majority of people are still vulnerable. The current response to the COVID-19 pandemic involves aggressive implementation of containment, suppression, and mitigation strategies causing devastating social, economic and political crises. The restrictions on our lives are the only thing holding the virus in check. The world cannot return to normal without safe and effective vaccines against COVID-19 along with a coordinated global vaccination program. Vaccines remain the safest, most cost-effective protection against disease. Unprecedented data sharing and collaborative team efforts are breaking down barriers in an attempt to reduce the time of vaccine development. An ideal COVID-19 vaccine should be safe, provide long-lasting protection, protect not only against disease but prevent virus transmission to others, be able to be produced quickly and in large quantities, be easily stored, transported and administered. The global COVID-19 vaccine pipeline is currently expanding on a daily basis. Multiple platforms are being used for producing vaccines at pandemic speed. Each platform has its own merits, demerits and challenges and it is unlikely that any single platform on its own will constitute a solution for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19,vaccines
https://jhiphalexu.journals.ekb.eg/article_150582.html
https://jhiphalexu.journals.ekb.eg/article_150582_55d44e4ff9a5a0cdb63f93db5d1bf43a.pdf
High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University
Journal of High Institute of Public Health
2357-0601
2357-061X
51
1
2021
04
01
Association of Parental, Child, and Environmental Factors with the Occurrence of Childhood Leukemia in Upper Egypt
10
18
EN
Talal
A.
Alburaiki
Ministry of Public Health and Population, Yemen
talalahmed2020@gmail.com
Ahmed
M.
Hany
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt
Khaled
F.
Riad
Department of Pediatric Oncology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Egypt
khaledfried@gmail.com
Doaa
M.
Osman
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt
doaamouhammed@yahoo.com
10.21608/jhiph.2021.158653
<strong>Background:</strong> Leukemia is the most common malignant tumor in children, responsible for nearly one-third of all childhood cancers. However, the exact risk factors of childhood leukemia are unknown.<br /> <strong>Objective(s):</strong> The aim of this study was to identify risk factors of leukemia among Upper Egyptian children.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> We conducted a case-control study in 2019. Cases included 170 children aged ≤18 years with a confirmed leukemia diagnosis at the South Egypt Cancer Institute. The controls included 170 children matched for age and sex, free from hematological problems, and diagnosed with a mild illness in a pediatric outpatient clinic. Data were collected from children’s parents using an interview questionnaire.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> The significant predictors for childhood leukemia were abnormal birth weight (4 kg) (OR = 2.89, 95% CI: 1.46–5.71) and childhood exposure to previous diagnostic radiation (OR = 3.95, 95% CI: 1.37–11.31). The risk increased if the father’s occupation was farming (OR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.04–4.40), household monthly income <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Abnormal birth weight, father’s occupation is farming, exposure to diagnostic radiation and pesticides, family history of leukemia or other cancers, and low income are risk factors for leukemia in Egyptian children.
Egypt,childhood leukemia,risk factors
https://jhiphalexu.journals.ekb.eg/article_158653.html
https://jhiphalexu.journals.ekb.eg/article_158653_e4f8cf6884489f71b5186f503df20e39.pdf
High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University
Journal of High Institute of Public Health
2357-0601
2357-061X
51
1
2021
04
01
Anxiety and Depression in Egyptian Patients with Acne Vulgaris
19
24
EN
Nora
N.
Hussien
Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
dr.nora_jana@yahoo.com
Afaf
M.
Eladl
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
afaf.eladl@yahoo.com
10.21608/jhiph.2021.159841
<strong>Background:</strong> Acne vulgaris is a prevalent skin condition that may affect the perception of body image and adversely affect social and psychological states. This disease has been associated with rates of depression, anxiety, failure to thrive at school and in social environments, suicidal ideation, and suicidal attempts that are higher than in individuals without this disease.<br /> <strong>Objective:</strong> To estimate the frequency of anxiety and depression in patients with acne vulgaris and determine the association between acne severity and anxiety and depression in those patients<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Zagazig University Hospital on 92 subjects (46 patients with acne and 46 individuals without acne); they were interviewed. The researcher used the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) to classify acne and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to determine anxiety and depression.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> In the acne group, 23.9% had anxiety and 13.1% had depression. In the control group, 6.5% had anxiety and 4.3% had depression; the difference was statistically significant. Of the acne group patients with severe acne, 66.7% had anxiety and 44.4% had depression. There was a significant correlation between the severity of acne evaluated by GAGS and HADS for anxiety (r = 0.712, p < 0.001) and GAGS and HADS for depression (r = 0.584, p < 0.001).<br /> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Acne vulgaris may be associated with depression and anxiety, with a linear relationship between its severity and the presence of depression and anxiety. Patients with acne vulgaris should undergo a continually psychiatric evaluation by their primary care physician to avoid the negative effects on their mental and social health.
Acne vulgaris,anxiety,depression
https://jhiphalexu.journals.ekb.eg/article_159841.html
https://jhiphalexu.journals.ekb.eg/article_159841_5b6a910ac6282c37675ab2c944c03c98.pdf
High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University
Journal of High Institute of Public Health
2357-0601
2357-061X
51
1
2021
04
01
COVID-19 Knowledge, Risk Perception, and Precautionary Behavior among Medical Students in Egypt
25
32
EN
Rasha
S.
Hussein
0000-0003-4139-2971
Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt
rasha_saad@med.asu.edu.eg
Ayat
F.
Manzour
Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt
ayatfaroukm@yahoo.com
Maha
M.
Wahdan
0000-0002-3798-9057
Department of Community, Environmental, and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt
drmaha_wahdan@med.asu.edu.eg
10.21608/jhiph.2021.161285
<strong>Background:</strong> During clinical training, medical students may have close contact with COVID-19-infected patients. Lack of proper knowledge about COVID-19 dynamics and prevention makes them more liable to infection.<br /> <strong>Objective:</strong> To evaluate the level of awareness, precautionary behavior, and risk perception regarding COVID-19 and identify the factors motivating and hindering medical students to take preventive measures.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> A cross-sectional research study was conducted using an online questionnaire of medical students at Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt between June 1 and June 30, 2020. The questionnaire design was based on a literature review mainly on the domains of the standard risk perception questionnaire.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> A total of 351 medical students (mean age of 21 ± 2 years) completed the questionnaire. Over 94% had a high level of knowledge, 96.9% scored at high level of practicing precautionary behavior, and 86.1% had a high level of risk perception. Precautionary behavior practices had significant negative correlation with the knowledge scores associated with COVID-19 and a significant positive correlation with risk perception score. There was a significant association between the precautionary behavior performance and risk perception levels (odds ratio = 4.14).<br /> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Most medical students showed a high degree of COVID-19-related awareness, precautionary behavior, and perception of risk.<br /> <strong>Recommendations: </strong>There were students who did not practice or that showed a low risk perception as well as reported hindering factors for not practicing precautionary behaviors. Therefore, intensification of health education sessions to support adherence to precautionary measures is still required.
COVID-19,Knowledge,Practice,Risk Perception,Medical students
https://jhiphalexu.journals.ekb.eg/article_161285.html
https://jhiphalexu.journals.ekb.eg/article_161285_520de43dea0ce4ff7ebce66ee747bcfa.pdf
High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University
Journal of High Institute of Public Health
2357-0601
2357-061X
51
1
2021
04
01
Patterns and Determinants of Utilization of Antenatal Care Services by Pregnant Women in Sohag, Upper Egypt
33
38
EN
Rasha
A.
Ali
Department of Public Health & Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Egypt
rashaali8155@gmail.com
Seham
A.
Abo-Kresha
Department of Public Health & Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Egypt
sehamghalib@yahoo.com
10.21608/jhiph.2021.163175
<strong>Background:</strong> The objective of antenatal care (ANC) services is to achieve a healthy pregnancy and clean and safe delivery and birth of a full-term healthy baby with further reduction of maternal and fetal mortality by providing comprehensive health care for women before and during pregnancy.<br /> <strong>Objective:</strong> The aim of this study is to determine the utilization pattern of ANC services and its determinants among pregnant women in Sohag Governorate.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> This cross-sectional study included 955 pregnant women in their third trimesters who attended eight randomly selected maternal and child health (MCH) and primary healthcare centers of Sohag Governorate for antenatal care services in a duration of 6 months. Socio-demographic data, ANC knowledge, and data on the adequacy of utilization of ANC services were collected using structured questionnaires.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> The mean knowledge score of the surveyed pregnant women was 3.1 ± 1.1, indicating fair knowledge. Overall, 76.5% of the surveyed women adequately utilized antenatal care services, and the predictors of proper utilization were urban residence, higher education and good knowledge regarding the importance of prenatal care services, and the utilization of the available services.<br /> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Most of the study participants exhibited fair knowledge and adequate utilization of antenatal care services. Moreover, urban residence, higher education, good knowledge regarding the importance of prenatal care services, and utilization of available services are among the important factors that influence the utilization of antenatal services.
Antenatal care utilization,Knowledge
https://jhiphalexu.journals.ekb.eg/article_163175.html
https://jhiphalexu.journals.ekb.eg/article_163175_5d1d29d6a92efc1851da5de9eaf4ecc6.pdf
High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University
Journal of High Institute of Public Health
2357-0601
2357-061X
51
1
2021
04
01
Pattern and Survival of Childhood Malignancies: A 10-Year Retrospective Study
39
46
EN
Ayat
Manzour
Department of Community, Environmental, and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt
ayatfaroukm@med.asu.edu.eg
Sara
M.
Makkeyah
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt
smakkeyah@hotmail.com
Mahmoud
M.
Shawiesh
Department of Pediatrics, Houtat Beni Tamim General Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Iman
A.
Ragab
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt
hragab68@hotmail.com
10.21608/jhiph.2021.163875
<strong>Background:</strong> Hematopoietic neoplasms constitute more than 40% of malignancies in children and represent a wide range of disorders, including acute leukemias and lymphomas. Childhood cancer is curable if diagnosed early, and the survival has improved dramatically over the last 20 years due to aggressive combined modality management.<br /> <strong>Objective:</strong> To estimate the proportion of hematologic malignancies, identify patient characteristics, and calculate the overall and event-free survival of childhood malignancies at the Pediatric Oncology Clinic, Ain Shams University Hospital.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> A total of 220 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 42 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 65 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and 29 patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL), registered at the Pediatric Oncology Clinic, Ain Shams University Children’s Hospital from January 2005 through December 2014, were included in the study. A checklist adapted from patients’ files contents was filled, and overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were studied.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> The most common type of hematologic malignancies among children was ALL (61.8%). Regardingpatients with ALL, the mean age at diagnosis was 6.1 ± 3.9 years, and the male : female ratio was 1.2:1. The 10-year OS was 85.3%, and the 10-year EFS was 80.4%. In the AML group, the OS was 78.8%, and the EFS was 74.4%. The OS and EFS of the patients with NHL were 89.1% and 84.6%, respectively. The 10-year OS and EFS for patients with HL were 88.9% and 75.9%, respectively.<br /> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The survival rates of ALL, AML, and NHL approach universal estimates. The survival rates of patients with HL was lower than international rates, which mandates the application of response-based therapy. The high survival rates of patients with AML was attributed to the definition of risk groups, which led to a more risk-adapted treatment.
Hematologic malignancy,Survival,Pediatric,Oncology,Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
https://jhiphalexu.journals.ekb.eg/article_163875.html
https://jhiphalexu.journals.ekb.eg/article_163875_127be3aa2c7971f3fd81fe6a846923cd.pdf