Effectiveness of First-Aid and Basic Life Support Intervention Program on School Health Advisors

Background: school environment is the best expected setting for emergency instances that deserves first aid measures. Aim: The aim of the present study is to assess the effect of an intervention program regarding first-aid (FA) and basic life support (BLS) on the knowledge and practice of school health advisors. Methods: A quazi-experimental research design was conducted on 168 randomly selected female participants who were working in different governmental primary, preparatory and secondary schools in Unaizah city, Qassim Province, KSA. Knowledge and practice of the studied participants were tested before applying a program for FA and BLS using an interview questionnaire. Immediately after the program application, their knowledge and practice were retested using the same questionnaire and a gain after 6 months interval. Results: The findings revealed that 44.1% of the study sample had secondary education. Only 22% among the study group were previously attended training about FA and BLS. The study participants, generally, had poor knowledge and incorrect situational practice in the pretest. A statistically significant improvement was shown in the knowledge and practice at post and follow-up tests. Conclusion: First aid and basic life support intervention program showed a significant effect in the form of a remarkable increase in the participants’ level of knowledge and practice. Recommendation: Training programs about FA and BLS should be adopted as an element of the services offered to school health advisors and updated at regular intervals. Keywords: first aid, basic life support, school health advisor, an intervention program

Parents’ Intentions and Associated Factors to Vaccinating Their Children Aged 12–17 Years with COVID-19 Vaccines: A Cross Sectional Study

No available vaccine against COVID-19 had yet been proven for 12–17-year-olds in Egypt during the study period. This is the first study to assess Egyptian parents’ intentions and associated factors in relation to vaccinating their children with COVID-19 vaccines. A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire was conducted between 17 October and 17 November 2021, via social media platforms. The target group was parents with children aged 12–17 years. Parents’ intention to vaccinate their children and factors associated with vaccinating their children, reasons for not intending to vaccinate their children, and circumstances whereby the parents would change their mind were recorded. Among the 1458 parents recruited, 65.6% were planning to vaccinate their children. The main concerns were fear of the vaccine’s side-effects (68.3%) and conspiracy theories (18%). The factors associated with parents’ intention to vaccinate their children were mother’s older age (40–49 years: aOR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.05–1.99; ≥50 years: aOR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.16–3.75), high family income (aOR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.41–2.79), and children with a history of chronic conditions (aOR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.25–3.25), while higher mother’s education level was negatively associated (aOR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.27, 0.64). A comprehensive health education program regarding vaccinating children with COVID-19 vaccines is highly recommended for parents, particularly for young and highly educated mothers, to enhance children vaccination rate when the vaccine becomes available

Chlorpyrifos Exposure and Respiratory Health among Adolescent Agricultural Workers

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a commonly used organophosphate insecticide (OP). In adults, exposure to OPs has been inconsistently associated with reduced lung function. OP exposure and lung function has not been assessed in adolescents. The objective of this study was to assess CPF exposure and lung function among Egyptian adolescents. We conducted a 10-month study of male adolescent pesticide applicators (n = 38) and non-applicators of similar age (n = 24). Urinary 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TPCy), a CPF-specific metabolite, was analyzed in specimens collected throughout the study. Spirometry was performed twice after pesticide application: day 146, when TCPy levels were elevated and day 269, when TCPy levels were near baseline. Applicators had higher levels of TCPy (mean cumulative TCPy day 146 = 33,217.6; standard deviation (SD) = 49,179.3) than non-applicators (mean cumulative TCPy day 146 = 3290.8; SD = 3994.9). Compared with non-applicators, applicators had higher odds of reporting wheeze, odds ratio = 3.41 (95% CI: 0.70; 17.41). Cumulative urinary TCPy was inversely associated with spirometric measurements at day 146, but not at day 269. Although generally non-significant, results were consistent with an inverse association between exposure to CPF and lung function