High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria UniversityJournal of High Institute of Public Health2357-060145120150401Effect of Two Carotenoids (Lycopene and β-Carotene) Supplementation on Hyperlipidemia and Lipid Peroxidation in Experimental Albino Rats172026210.21608/jhiph.2015.20262ENSalem SalemFaculty of Specific Education, Fayoum University, EgyptJournal Article20181202<strong>Background:</strong> Carotenoids have been known to have important beneficial properties for human health and gained importance in recent years.
<strong>Objectives:</strong> The present study aimed to investigate the effect of supplementation with two carotenoids (Lycopene and β-Carotene) separately or in combination, on lipid peroxidation and some endogenous antioxidants in addition to their effect on serum levels of lipoproteins in male rats.
<strong>Methods:</strong> Thirty male Sprague-Dawley Albino rats, were randomly divided into 5 groups, normal control group fed on standard diet, 4 groups were divided to positive control group fed on high fat and cholesterol diet only, and the remaining 3 groups were fed on high fat and cholesterol diets supplemented with single antioxidant Lycopene 350mg/kg diet, β-carotene 350mg/kg diet, or mixture of Lycopene and β-carotene, for 4 weeks. The following parameters were measured, serum total cholesterol (TC), HDL, LDL, serum triglyceride (TG) levels, blood and liver glutathione (GSH), and livers malondialdhyde (MDA).
<strong>Results:</strong> Supplementation of High Fat Diet (HFD) with lycopene (HFD+ LYC), β-Carotene (HFD+ B-car) and their mixture (HFD+ (LYC+ B-car)) produced a significant reduction of Serum TC, LDL and TG levels, and a significant elevation of serum HDL levels. The supplementation of lycopene, β-carotene or their mixture resulted in a significant reduction of liver MDA, and a significant elevation of liver and blood glutathione (GSH), in comparison with the levels of HFD group.
<strong>Conclusion:</strong> These findings suggest that lycopene and ß-carotene supplementation, altered the pro-oxidation and anti-oxidation balance and suppressed oxidative stress by modulating endogenously the antioxidant system and cholesterol metabolism.High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria UniversityJournal of High Institute of Public Health2357-060145120150401Staphylococcus Aureus Carriage among Healthcare Workers in Burn and Surgical Critical Care Units in Menoufia University Hospital, Egypt8152026310.21608/jhiph.2015.20263ENEman SalemDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Menoufia University, Menoufia, EgyptEman El-MasryDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Menoufia, EgyptMervat El-DalatonyDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt0000-0002-2399-439XJournal Article20181202<strong>Objectives:</strong> This study aimed to investigate<em> Staphylococcal aureus (S. aureus) </em>carriage among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Burn and Surgical Critical Care Units in Menoufia University Hospital, Egypt, following an outbreak of <em>S. aureus</em> wound infection in patients.
<strong>Methods:</strong> The study involved 60 HCWs. They were 9 Doctors (15.0%) and 51 nurses and workers (85.0%). Each participant completed a questionnaire that covered demographic data, smoking habits, risk factors of <em>S. aureus</em> colonization and general infection control procedures. To detect <em>S. aureus</em> colonization, both nasal and hand swabs were collected from HCWs. Testing for sensitivity to methicillin was performed by cefoxitin disc diffusion method (30μg).
<strong>Results:</strong> <em>S. aureus</em> was isolated from 53.3% of HCWs and 68.8% of them were colonized with MRSA strains. The overall <em>MRSA</em> carriage rate was 36.7%. MRSA was confined only in Surgical intensive care units (ICUs). <em>MRSA</em> isolates were sensitive to amikacin, chloramphenicol, vancomycin and ceftriaxone. There was no correlation between infection control training, antibiotic intake in the preceding month, duration of work, diabetes mellitus and smoking of HCWs and carriage rate of <em>MRSA</em> (P >0.5).
<strong>Conclusion:</strong> HCWs who had contact with patients were at risk of acquisition and colonization with S. aureus and antimicrobial resistant bacteria especially <em>MRSA</em>. Training of HCWs on hygienic measures especially proper hand hygiene is the key to overcome <em>S. aureus</em> infection in Surgical ICUs and Burn Units.High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria UniversityJournal of High Institute of Public Health2357-060145120150401Utilization of Analgesics among Adults in Alexandria16242026410.21608/jhiph.2015.20264ENEngy HusseinPharmacist, Alexandria, EgyptZahira GadDepartment of Epidemiology, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, EgyptIman WahdanDepartment of Epidemiology, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, EgyptJournal Article20181202<strong>Background: </strong>Rational use of medicine can be defined as receiving medications appropriate to the clinical needs, in doses that meet the individual requirements and for an adequate period of time. Relieving or treating pain is one of the most common reasons for using analgesics. It has been reported that non-prescribed and improperly used analgesics has reached worrisome levels.
<strong>Objectives: </strong>The aim of the present study wasto assess the magnitude and to determine the pattern of analgesics utilization among adults in Alexandria, to identify the factors associated with frequent analgesics use and misuse, and to investigate the adults' knowledge concerning analgesics use.
<strong>Methods: </strong>The study was conducted using a cross-sectional approach. It included 607 adults attending 30 private pharmacies in the 8 districts of Alexandria. A predesigned structured interviewing questionnaire was used to collect data from the adults attending the selected pharmacies.
<strong>Results: </strong>More than three quarters of the adults (82%) reported taking one or more analgesics. Nearly two-thirds (64.1%) used to take only one analgesic, while 29.9% used to take two analgesics and 6% used to take three or more analgesics. There was a statistically significant association between age, gender, hyperacidity and analgesics use. Paracetamol was used by more than one quarter (27.5%) of analgesic users, while non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were used by 86.6% of them. More than one third (37.3%) of the studied adults were considered frequent analgesic users, while about 16.5% were misusers.
<strong>Conclusion:</strong> Utilization of analgesics was widely prevalent among adults in Alexandria, and it is the responsibility of Ministry of Health and Population, universities, physicians and pharmacists to rationalize the use of analgesics.High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria UniversityJournal of High Institute of Public Health2357-060145120150401Anemia among Secondary School Students in El-Kharga Oasis, New Valley, Egypt25312026510.21608/jhiph.2015.20265ENAyiat MouselhyFellow of Epidemiology, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt,Iman WahdanDepartment of Epidemiology, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, EgyptAli HasabDepartment of Epidemiology, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt,Ezzat AminDepartment of Nutrition, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt.Journal Article20181202<strong> </strong><br /> <strong>Background: </strong>Anemia constitutes a problem of serious public health significance, given its impact on psychological and physical development, behavior and work performance.<br /> <strong>Objectives:</strong> The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of anemia, its extent and determinants among secondary school students in El-Kharga, and to identify the effects of anemia on students’ performance.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> The study was conducted using a cross-sectional approach. It included 330 secondary school students allocated to different schools according to the number of secondary school students attending each school. A predesigned structured interviewing questionnaire was used to collect data from the students. Anthropometric measurements (weight and height), body mass index and laboratory investigations were done. School records were reviewed for the grades of the previous exams.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> The prevalence of anemia among secondary school adolescents in El-Kharga was 51.8%. Infection with parasites, total energy calories, plant protein, total carbohydrate and iron from plant origin were significantly higher among anemic school students than among normal students. The logistic regression model showed that only those who were infected with parasites had a higher significant risk of anemia and plant protein had a protective effect compared to relevant categories. Anemic students had more than four and half times less scholastic achievements than the normal students.<br /> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The prevalence of anemia among school adolescents in El-Kharga indicates a public health problem based on the WHO epidemiological criteria for diagnosis of anemiaHigh Institute of Public Health, Alexandria UniversityJournal of High Institute of Public Health2357-060145120150401Dietary Carcinogens and Anticancer Effect of Bioactive Food Components32412026610.21608/jhiph.2015.20266ENNeveen AgamyFood Analysis, Nutrition Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria, EgyptJournal Article20181202Nutrition plays a crucial role in the prevention of chronic diseases, as most of them can be related to diet. Diet is an important factor in determining cancer incidence in many countries and regions. Diet can have both positive and negative effects on carcinogenesis. Dietary carcinogens represent 30 to 35% of cancer causes. Several substances in diet such as mycotoxins, heterocyclic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, N-nitroso compounds and acrylamide have been associated with increased risk of cancer. Diet also contains bioactive food components (BFC) which prevent cancer development. Their beneficial effects could be either maintenance or promotion of a state of well being or health and/or a reduction of cancer risk. Research on BFC continues to evolve albeit with shared challenges among scientists in the field of cancer treatment and prevention. Certain compounds such as phytochemicals and probiotics have cancer preventing properties. Awareness of the importance of consumption of functional foods or BFC as well as the importance of the whole diet rather than the isolated compounds as a cancer-preventive strategy for the general public should be promoted.