Dietary regimens for chronic hepatic diseases: advice and compliance

Background: Nutrition is coming to the fore as a major determinant of chronic diseases, and scientific evidence supports this view. The link between diet and chronic liver disease is an important area of study, as it could help reduce the suffering and the economic burden caused by liver disease. The study aimed to assess the current dietary guidelines of chronic hepatic disease patients and to determine their compliance and that of service providers to following these guidelines.Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in the inpatient section of one of Cairo’s University hospitals in Egypt for a duration of 12 months. Interviewing questionnaires were used to collect the required data from 60 patients and 20 service providers. The objective of the study was adequately explained to participants and their consensus was obtained with assured confidentiality.Results: The majority of patients (73.5%) received dietary advice from hospital physicians only or in conjunction with their private physician. The advice was given orally by 100% of hospital physicians though only by 21% of private physicians which could have negatively affected patients’ compliance. About 60 % of the patients claimed to be compliant with the dietary regimens prescribed. Non compliance was related to lack of supportive measures  52.2%) or to negative patient attitude (48.8%). Hospital meals were not satisfactory neither to the service providers nor to clients. Hospital physicians did not properly prescriberegimens for reasons related to insufficient knowledge (66.7%), patients' attitudes (20%) and patients’ overload (13.3%).Conclusions: A standardized comprehensive set of dietary guidelines for different liver disease patientsshould be developed and communicated to service providers so as to promote compliance amongst patients

Impact of Nutritional Health Education on Knowledge and Practices of Mothers of Anemic Children in El Othmanyia Village – Egypt

BACKGROUND: In Egypt, more than one in four children suffers from some degree of anemia. AIM: This study was carried out to assess and improve the nutritional knowledge and risky nutritional habits of the mothers of anemic children aged 2–12 years old in El Othmanyia village. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An interventional study was conducted among anemic children aged 2–12 years old and their mothers in El Othmanyia village, Egypt. The study passed through three stages over 1 and ½ years; pre-interventional assessment of awareness (n = 350), educational interventions targeting anemic children and their mothers, and post-interventional evaluation of change in awareness and practice. RESULTS: The mean knowledge % score of mothers increased significantly after the intervention (82.2 ± 14.2 vs. 6.3 ± 5.8, respectively). Furthermore, the mean hemoglobin of the studied children increased significantly after the intervention (11.1 ± 0.7 vs. 10.5 ± 0.7). The percent of children with anemia decreased significantly from 100% to 40.3% after the intervention (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The knowledge and practices of mothers are moving in a desirable direction after the health education intervention. Hence, nutrition education is an appropriate, effective, and sustainable approach to combat iron deficiency anemia. Recommendations: A multiple interventional strategies between different ministries to set policies and guidelines that support the healthy nutritional behavior among children are recommended. &nbsp

Improving utilization of rotavirus vaccination among children in Kuwait: an intervention study

Vaccination against rotavirus is an effective strategy to overcome the consequences of rotavirus infection. This study aims to raise the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of both parents or caregivers and healthcare providers towards the rotavirus vaccination. The design of the study was an interventional pre-test and post-test. The type of intervention used in this study is an educational intervention. The intervention consisted of a health education message delivered to the participants including both parents or caregivers and healthcare providers. It included three phases, the first one was carried out to assess the KAP of mothers and caregivers before the intervention, the second phase involved the evaluation of participants’ post-intervention, and the third phase involved the assessment of healthcare providers. The study used a survey to assess the demographics, KAP of the participants. The collected data was analyzed using the SPSS program. The overall KAP among mothers were high (11.6%). After the intervention, the level of KAP of mothers toward the rotavirus vaccine was improved significantly (p=0.0001). Also, after the health education message, the level of KAP of the healthcare providers was significantly improved (p=0.0001). The levels of KAP of mothers and healthcare providers were improved after the educational intervention and the health educational message, reflecting the important role of educational intervention in raising the awareness of both mothers and healthcare providers

Lifestyle determinants as predictor of severity of metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD)

Abstract Background Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a public health issue that can result in liver cirrhosis and its complications. Aim of work Assess the dietary pattern, physical activity, and sleep quality of MAFLD patients. Methods Cross-sectional study of 77 MAFLD patients being present in the outpatient clinic of Endemic Medicine Department at Cairo University Hospital. An interview questionnaire including sociodemographic, medical history, validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) were utilized to collect data. Results Among patients, 36%, 34%, and 30% had liver steatosis grades I (mild), II (moderate), and III (severe) respectively. Waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), daily caloric and carbohydrate intake, impaired sleep quality, and low physical activity were significantly linked with steatosis grades. The independent significant predictors for MAFLD severity were waist circumference (P = 0.011, OR 1.119), poor sleep quality (P = 0.038, OR 3.871), habitual sleep efficiency (OR 3.402, 95%CI 1.403–8.252), daytime dysfunction (OR 2.487, 95%CI 1.374–4.501), and physical activity (P = 0.027, OR 4.6). Conclusion Waist circumference, poor sleep quality, habitual sleep efficiency, daytime dysfunction, and low physical activity were the real marked predictors for MAFLD severity

Impact of Nutritional Health Education on Knowledge and Practices of Mothers of Anemic Children in El Othmanyia Village – Egypt

BACKGROUND: In Egypt, more than one in four children suffers from some degree of anemia.&#x0D; AIM: This study was carried out to assess and improve the nutritional knowledge and risky nutritional habits of the mothers of anemic children aged 2–12 years old in El Othmanyia village.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: An interventional study was conducted among anemic children aged 2–12 years old and their mothers in El Othmanyia village, Egypt. The study passed through three stages over 1 and ½ years; pre-interventional assessment of awareness (n = 350), educational interventions targeting anemic children and their mothers, and post-interventional evaluation of change in awareness and practice.&#x0D; RESULTS: The mean knowledge % score of mothers increased significantly after the intervention (82.2 ± 14.2 vs. 6.3 ± 5.8, respectively). Furthermore, the mean hemoglobin of the studied children increased significantly after the intervention (11.1 ± 0.7 vs. 10.5 ± 0.7). The percent of children with anemia decreased significantly from 100% to 40.3% after the intervention (p &lt; 0.001).&#x0D; CONCLUSION: The knowledge and practices of mothers are moving in a desirable direction after the health education intervention. Hence, nutrition education is an appropriate, effective, and sustainable approach to combat iron deficiency anemia. Recommendations: A multiple interventional strategies between different ministries to set policies and guidelines that support the healthy nutritional behavior among children are recommended.&#x0D;  </jats:p