Cognitive Functioning in a Pilot Sample of Childhood Cancer Patients in Egypt

Abstract A subset of cancer survivors experience cognitive deficits that can last for many years after the completion of chemotherapy. The etiology of this problem is largely unknown, so the present study aimed to assess cognitive functioning in childhood patients with cancer and to investigate the proposed disposing factors including variables related to disease, treatment, and some socio-demographic characteristics. In a case control study parents of 67 cancer patients aged 8-12 years, completed the parent proxy report of PedsQL™ 3.0 Cognitive Functioning Scale (Arabic versions), as well as a separate sheet for socio-demographic data. Control group consisted of 37 healthy subjects from the same age group were subjected to the same methodology for comparison. All patients under the study have successfully accomplished their treatment protocol and were in complete remission during the evaluation. Hematological malignancies represented 70.1% of the patients sample, with the highest proportion for ALL (52.2%). Brain tumors represented 40% of the solid malignancies (29.9% of the study patients). Cognitive functioning score was significantly lower in the solid group (69.6±37.3) compared to the hematologic group (85.1±22.2) (t = 2.1, p =0.038). Cognitive functioning score was also lower in solid group versus control subjects (p =0.047), while it showed no significant difference between hematological malignancies and control group. Older age at diagnosis, urban residence, illiterate mothers, higher duration of treatment as well as long duration of hospital admission were associated with a lower cognitive score in the solid tumors group compared to hematological group

A Worksite Health Education Workshop as Empowerment Intervention for Health Promotion in the National Research Centre of Egypt

AIM: The study aimed to assess worksite health education workshops as a successful tool for health promotion of employees.MATERIAL AND METHODS: A one day workshop was held for individuals engaged in research activities in the National research Centre of Egypt at the worksite. Its main objective was to highlight the nature, causes, symptoms and management of job stress. Participants were asked to fill a personality assessment sheet, a self-reported questionnaire for job satisfaction. Other questionnaires for assessment of falsification of type and some socio-demographic data were filled by the attendants. A concise survey was introduced at the end of the workshop for feedback collection.RESULTS: Attendants of the workshop were 36 subjects mainly females (94.4%). Mean age was 40.5 years with 63.9% of participants at their postdoctoral studies stage. Participants were at midway in the scale of job satisfaction (3.3) and did not suffer from falsification (0.3). The feedback survey score (11.5) showed great acceptance for the intervention. Special interest in the topic of stress was reported by 35.1% of attendants who found it the best item in the workshop and the interactive manipulation came next as declared by 18.9% of the participants. CONCLUSION: Worksite health education workshops seem to be a successful practice for empowerment in the Egyptian workplace

Stunting and its Determinants among Governmental Primary School Children in Egypt: A School-based Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, stunting among children is a major public health concern. It affects all aspects of children’s lives; its effects are not constrained to physical wellbeing but reach out to mental, social, and spiritual wellbeing. AIM: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of stunting in some of the Egyptian governmental primary school children and its nutritional and socioeconomic determinants. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on primary school children aged 6–12 years. General demographic, socioeconomic, and anthropometric data, as well as dietary pattern, were collected. RESULTS: Out of 1740 children, 7.8% were stunted. Not eating eggs and dairy products had the most profound effect on stunting in children (p < 0.001). Not having meals on time, skipping breakfast, and having <3 meals per day were predictors of stunting (p = 0.003, p = 0.00, and p = 0.008, respectively). Mother’s education (p = 0.005) followed by family income (p = 0.007) was the most affecting social factors. CONCLUSION: There are many nutritional factors associated with stunting as skipping breakfast, not having meals on time, and having <3 meals per day. Scarcity in nutritive foods as eggs and dairy products and increased soft drink intake can lead to stunting. There are many enabling social factors for stunting as mother’s education and family income. However, the effects of these factors can be modified by health awareness

Vulnerability and Weaknesses of Eating Habits of Overweight School Children as an Entry Risk for COVID-19

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, overweight among children becomes an alarming problem and a health concern. Obesity is a factor in disease severity of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) having the greatest impact on patients. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight in some of the Egyptian governmental primary school children, its nutritional and socioeconomic determinants. Special focus was directed to identify the current dietary practices including risky nutritional habits of overweight children as a weak point leading to increasing their vulnerability to catching COVID-19 infection. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on primary school children aged 6–12 years. General demographic data, socioeconomic data, dietary pattern, intake of a diversity of nutrient-rich food versus calorie-dense food, and anthropometrical data were collected. RESULTS: Of 1600 child, there were 8% overweight who are considered at risk of COVID-19 infection. Considering the weekly share of the stomach, only one-third of the food consumed by overweight children is nutrient-rich, with high consumption of French fries and Candies (once per day among 95% and 78 % of overweight children, respectively). Moreover, 90% of them consume sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) more than once per day. The majority of overweight children belonged to small, middle- income families, and had illiterate or read and write mothers. CONCLUSION: Overweight children eat narrow diversity of nutrient-rich food that includes vegetables, fruits, protein, and dairy products. They eat more calorie-dense foods, every day. The increase of family income increased the likelihood of having overweight children with a high intake of SSB, candies, and chips; consumption of snacks between meals and before sleep. Protective predictors against overweight were highly educated mothers, taking breakfast before school, having dinner, and taking meals on time. RECOMMENDATION: Nutritional behavioral education aiming at choosing nutritious and varied options of food that is effective for improving children’s nutritional status is the key to decreasing vulnerability toward COVID 19

Academic Achievement and Psychosocial Profile of Egyptian Primary School Children in South Sinai

BACKGROUND: Population of South Sinai has suffered from negligence for many years. Solving educational problems of this population is the main concern nowadays.AIM: To assess academic achievement in primary school children in South Sinai in relation to intelligence and psychosocial profile.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted on 407 Bedouin and urban students randomly selected from twelve public primary schools in six cities in South Sinai. Intelligence was assessed using Goodenough-Harris test. The midyear Arabic language and Arithmetic scores were used to assess academic achievement. The teachers completed a Pediatric-Symptom Checklist for evaluation of children behaviour.RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in academic achievement (P < 0.001), total psychosocial scores, (P < 0.05), and externalization (P < 0.05) was found between urban and Bedouin students with significant gender differences (P < 0.05). Highly significant positive correlations were observed between IQ percentile and mid-year Arabic language scores and Arithmetic scores (P < 0.001), and significant negative correlations with the total score of PSCL and its subscale scores (externalising, inattention, and internalising behaviour) (P < 0.001) among the students.CONCLUSION: Comorbid academic and psychosocial dysfunction in primary school children were observed in South Sinai. A national strategy to minimise the educational gap between Bedouin and urban areas should be implemented

Zeinab M. Monir; Abla G Khalifa; Fawzya Hassaballa; Sawsan Tawfeek; Mohamed Abdelmonem, Moönes Abu Shady and Manal Mansour. Eating Behavior and Problems in Egyptian Adolescents; Relation to Dietary Intake

Abstract: Objective of this study is to examine the presence of disordered eating (ED) behavior among Egyptian adolescent boys and girls and detect the influence of obesity, body image, depression, somatic symptoms, binging and weight teasing by peers and family members as well as assessing dietary intake of macronutrients and micronutrients and its correlation to obesity and eating disorder. Subjects and Methods: The sample consisted of 1124 adolescents (642 girls & 482 boys) aged from 14-17 years, divided according to their BMI into four groups. The questionnaires used were EAT, ACDI, body image, and teasing, 24hr-dietary recall. and sociodemographic data were collected. Results: we found that 25.5% & 38.6% of boys and girls reported ED that was significantly correlated to body image, bad eating habits, depression and somatic symptoms. ED is more prevalent among overweight-obese adolescents of high social class. Adolescents have deficient intake of vitamin A, calcium, thiamine and niacin; girls are more deficient in iron and boys are deficient in vitamin C. On assessing weight teasing by peers and family member by weight status and ED after adjustment for socioeconomic standard; there was statistically significant association with obesity in girls & boys. Conclusion: Social back ground, obesity, negative body image , depression and teasing are the main risk factors for developing ED. Early detection and intervention for ED by biological and psychological approaches, treatment of overweight and obesity using family based treatment; early detection of depression and encouraging sports practice are recommended

National screening for developmental delays and their determinants among Egyptian school age children: A step towards implementing life skills programs.

AimThis study aimed to estimate the national prevalence of developmental delays (DDs) and their determinants among Egyptian children aged 6 to 12 years. Such estimation is a prerequisite step toward the application of Life Skill Education (LSE) programs that will potentiate children's future capabilities.MethodsVineland Adaptive Behavior Scales" was used as a reliable and diagnostic test for DDs screening during this national cross sectional study. Gross motor (GM), fine motor (FM), daily living skills, communication, and socialization skills were assessed. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with DDs. The Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with a 95% Confidence Interval was estimated to indicate the strength of association. A p-value of ResultsOut of the 20324 surveyed school-aged children, 7.4% were found to have at least one delay. Communication deficits were the most common (6.4%) followed by delay in daily living skills (2.0%). The final model of logistic regression had a good fit for seven variables out of the sociodemographic, epidemiological characteristics, maternal and perinatal problems that were associated with a higher likelihood of at least one DD: Children suffering from any convulsions (AOR = 4.32; 95% CI: 3.18-5.88), male gender (AOR = 1.86; 95% CI: 1.65-2.09), birth weight less than 2.5 kg (AOR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.40-2.24), history of maternal health problem during pregnancy (AOR = 1.64; 95% CI:1.34-2.01), children staying in an incubator for more than two days (AOR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.29-1.91), having less educated fathers (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.24-1.95) and belonging to the middle social class (AOR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.24-1.58).ConclusionThe identified types and determinants for each DD are allowing for the implementation of tailored programs for school children's life skills promotion for achieving the most sustainable effects on children's biological and psychological health and well-being