Realizing the Prospects of the Demographic Dividend in Selected Arab Countries

Background: For most Arab countries, the coming ten years will reveal a real challenge with their changing age structure. Currently, a demographic window of opportunity is unlocked in many of those countries with the increase in the fraction of population in the working-age. Hence, the study investigates the relation between population growth and dependency ratio as demographic indicators and the per capita growth domestic product (GDP). Methods: A  time-series analysis  model  was developed for  Egypt and Morocco versus the Republic of Korea as an economically empowered country that had the same initial conditions in the early sixties. Data exploited are drawn from the World Bank and OECD databases. We adopt an income per capita growth model to analyze the role of demographic factors, mainly working-age share. Results There is a significant relationship between GDP per capita and the proportion of working age population. A significant long-run association between dependency ratio and per capita GDP is confirmed. The reduction of dependency load contributes to GDP per capita growth throughout the study duration by an annual rate of about 9 and 2 percent in Egypt and Morocco, respectively. Conclusion: The decline in the dependency ratio, or alternatively, the raise in the working age population has a favorable impact on economic growth. The paper presents supporting evidence to scale up the effect of age structure alteration and to realize the demographic dividend in the studied countries

NPC POPLINE: A Tool for Population and Reproductive Health Evidence-Based Decisions in Egypt

BACKGROUND: Population and Reproductive Health Research (PRHR) should have a crucial role in the policy process in Egypt, providing the evidence for problem identification, priority setting, laying out the alternatives, monitoring and evaluation of implemented evidence-based decisions. Minimally, the practice of evidence-based population and reproductive health requires the access and visibility of such information. AIM: In response to the current situation, the Egyptian National Population Council in collaboration with the Information and Decision Support Centre of the Egyptian Cabinet developed the first online bilingual PRHR database entitled "NPC POPLINE" aiming at providing a tool for evidence-based decisions in the field of population and reproductive health in Egypt METHODS: NPC POPLINE is operated by the electronic Library Information System using MARC21 format. Data was collected from all research centres and institutions conducting PRHR in Egypt; the Egyptian Universities Library Consortium and the international POPLINE database by using structured data collection forms. RESULTS: NPC POPLINE combines a unique coverage in terms of language (English and Arabic); subject (population and reproductive health) and publication type (peer-reviewed research and grey literature), in addition to the marked search flexibility and the availability of different formats to display the search results. CONCLUSION: NPC POPLINE goes beyond the definition of an advanced search engine; it can be used to perform bibliometric studies to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative aspects of PRHR conducted in Egypt. Further studies should be initiated to assess the alignment of the database content to the national and international priorities regarding population and reproductive health

A multi-sectoral intervention model to scale up family planning services utilization at the primary health care level: evidence from a priority district, Fayoum governorate, Egypt

Background: Egypt is one of the most populous countries in the Middle East and Africa. Evidence from developing countries revealed that increasing family planning use is associated with substantial declines in fertility and population growth. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of implementing a multisectoral intervention model on the family planning utilization at the Primary Health Care (PHC) level in a priority district, Fayoum governorate, Egypt.  Methods: A quasi-experimental design was conducted from July 2016 to September 2016. The model targeted 10 PHC units out of 23 at Tamia district, with two types of interventions; health sector and non-health sector related interventions carried out in the intervention units and their catchment areas. The family planning utilization of the intervention units (n=10) was compared to the control units (n=13). Additionally, the overall family planning utilization at the district level was measured.  Results: Following the implementation of the interventions, the overall family planning utilization at the district level showed a significant increase in mean ± Standard Error of the Mean (SEM) of new family planning clients (44.4±11.0vs. 63.3±13.8; P= 0.006) recording 43% change. The mean ± SEM of intrauterine devices dispensed from the intervention units significantly increased by 391% (3.5±1.0 vs. 17.2±3.3; P=0.002). Findings from the control units didn't reveal significant increase regarding the dispense of any family planning method.  Conclusion: Mobilizing and optimizing resources use, empowering district authorities and strengthening collaboration across sectors were key drivers of the success of this model in scaling up family planning services utilization.  &nbsp

Ecological Study to Set Alternative Strategies for Reducing Child Mortality

Background:  Infant and child mortality are indicators of population wellbeing. Although, Child mortality rates are declining in Egypt, national averages mask regional disparities. For that, identification and quantification of factors contributing to mortality, at the local level, through ecological correlation studies could provide a guide to more focused public health interventions for reducing mortality. The study aims to improve child health and decrease child mortality rate through recognizing ecological/environmental factors predicting child mortality among municipalities in Giza governorate. Methodology: Ecological, cross sectional study, adopting the municipalities (n=215) as unit of analysis, was conducted to examine associations between child mortality and some human development indicators. Results: High negative significant correlation between U5MR and   access to water (r=-0.966) was found. Access to sanitation and access to electricity are negatively correlated with U5MR with r=-0.955 and - 0.905 respectively. The results with IMR were similar to that with U5MR. An increase in one percentage access of household to safe water predict 1.05and 0.78 fewer U5MR and IMR (R2=0.97 and 0.98; P≤0.001) respectively. U5MR and IMR decrease, significantly, by 0.82 and 0.61deaths, respectively, with increase access to sanitation by 1%. Conclusion: Access to safe water and sanitation are strong predictors of U5MR and IMR. Increase coverage of households by safe water has the largest impact in reduction of children mortality rate. For that, the study recommends advocacy to ensure coverage of household with safe water and sanitation system

Risk Factors of Antibiotics Self-medication Practices among University Students in Cairo, Egypt

BACKGROUND: Self-medication is a practice with major global implications, especially with antibiotics intake. Self-medication among future health-care professionals could affect their way in prescribing medication in the future. AIM: This study was conducted to estimate the magnitude and the determinants of antibiotics self-medication practices and to describe the pattern of antibiotics abuse among undergraduate university students. METHODS: A cross-section study was conducted among 563 medical students from public and private universities in Cairo, Egypt, using a questionnaire. RESULTS: About 77.7% of the students used antibiotics without prescriptions with no statistical differences by age, sex, residence, or type of universities. More than half of the students (51.7%) do not know the effect of antibiotics abuse on microbial resistance. Most self-treated antibiotics were used to manage gastroenteritis symptoms (70%), respiratory symptoms (63%), and dental infections (36%), other causes such as headache or prophylactic reasons (21%). About 91.7% of the self-medicated students reported access to antibiotics from the pharmacy without a prescription and 71% of them mentioned discontinuation of a course of antibiotics at least once during the last year. About 81% of the students who do not know the effect of antibiotic abuse are self-medicated versus 75% of their counterpart who know and this difference is statistically significant. The multivariate analysis identified the residence as an independent predictor of their knowledge (area of residence = 1.6, 95% confidence interval [1.1–2.3]). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics among university students in Cairo is high. Our findings highlight the urgent need for tailored interventions to control this practice