This study was performed on 1350 school children from 9 different villages in Sharkia Governorate to investigate the real situation of endemicity of fascioliasis in the area. Stool examination using modified Kato thick smear method was performed to detect Fasciola infection and other parasites. Those with negative stool samples were examined serologically by ELISA test to detect anti-Fasciola I...

BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis C virus infection and its sequela are major health problems facing the Egyptian community. The high prevalence and spread rates of the disease require serious actions to stop or decrease these rates. Determination of HCV genotypes and subgenotypes adds significant knowledge about the epidemiology of the disease, and provides an added value in the decision making pro...

BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis and soil transmitted infection is a major health problem of children from rural areas of developing countries including Yemen. In an attempt to reduce this burden, the Ministry of Public Health and Population in Yemen established in 2002 a programme for Schistosomal, soil transmitted infection control that aimed to reduce morbidity and prevalence rates of Schistosomia...

In June, 2003, Egypt's hospital-based electronic disease surveillance system began to record increased cases of acute febrile illness from governorates in the Nile Delta. In response to a request for assistance from the Egyptian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 (NAMRU-3) provided assistance in identifying the cause and extent...

OBJECTIVE To assess the contamination level of total and faecal coliforms in water wells and distribution networks, and their association with human health in Gaza Governorate, Gaza Strip. METHODS Data were obtained from the Palestinian Ministry of Health on contamination of total and faecal coliforms in water wells and distribution networks, and on the incidence of water-related diseases in ...

BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis is a serious public health problem in Yemen. OBJECTIVES This study was designed to identify clinical and epidemiological features of leishmaniasis in Yemen. METHODS The study was conducted at the Regional Leishmaniasis Control Center in central Yemen. Data sourced from the medical records of 152 patients with confirmed active leishmaniasis, managed during April-Augu...

UNLABELLED In Jordan, despite being one of the most modern countries in the Middle East, postnatal care services are still under-utilized by rural Jordanian mothers. The purpose of this study is to explore, analyse and critique the postnatal cultural health beliefs, knowledge and practices of rural Jordanian mothers. DESIGN a critical ethnographic approach was used to critically investigate t...

BACKGROUND Glues are strong, liquid adhesive derived from animal tissues. It has been shown that glue sniffing is associated with demyelinating polyneuropathy. The low molecular weight agents which cause occupational lung disease have generally included the isocyanates exposure to which could result in asthma among workers. Toluene is also used widely in glue and adhesive industry and household...

BACKGROUND Epidemiology continues to be an important research tool in the study of epilepsy and related disorders, providing a better understanding of the frequency, causes, and natural history of the disorder. OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of epilepsy in Al-Quseir, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt, and its magnitude of treatment gap. METHODS The study was part of a door-to-door study, inc...

This study aims to understand the spatial distribution of organic carbon and its sequestration potential in Tunisian soils. Soil organic carbon (SOC) stock was estimated in the 0-30 cm and to 0-100 cm soil depth for Tunisia using maps of soils and of the departments, combined with results from a soil database. The original soil classification was simplified to nine soils. Tunisia contains 24 go...