Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de santé de la Méditerranée orientale = al-Majallah al-ṣiḥḥīyah li-sharq al-mutawassiṭ
-
East. Mediterr. Health J. · Sep 2008
Teaching biostatistics and epidemiology in a postgraduate medical institution: are we going in the right direction?
We examined the attitude and knowledge of 40 supervisors and trainees as well as the impact of workshops on statistical thinking and analytical processes in a medical facility in Pakistan: 45% thought that statistics and epidemiology should be left to professional statisticians; 86% of the trainees and 58% of the supervisors, however, thought that statistics should be taught as a full-time subject. The majority of trainees (86%) were dissatisfied with the workshops compared to 33% of supervisors. Our findings indicate an urgent need to revise our approach to teaching statistics and epidemiology.
-
East. Mediterr. Health J. · Jul 2008
Safety of patient meals in 2 hospitals in Alexandria, Egypt before and after training of food handlers.
We assessed the food safety knowledge and food handling practices of 23 food handlers in 2 hospitals in Alexandria, Egypt [Gamal Abdel Nasser (GAN) and Medical Research Institute (MRI)] before and after a food safety training programme, and also the bacteriological quality of patient meals and kitchen equipment. There was a significant improvement in all knowledge-associated parameters except for personal hygiene in GAN. ⋯ The bacteriological quality of most patient meals and food preparation surfaces and utensils improved after training. The bacteriological quality of patients' meals served in GAN was generally better than that in MRI.
-
East. Mediterr. Health J. · Jul 2008
Smoking habits among university students in Jordan: prevalence and associated factors.
Questionnaires were completed by 712 university students in north Jordan to estimate their prevalence of smoking. The reported prevalence of current smoking was 35.0% (56.9% for males and 11.4% for females). About 80% were cigarettes smokers. ⋯ Male sex, higher income, lower academic attainment and higher number of friends or family members who smoke were associated with increased prevalence of smoking. Those in the faculty of religion and law were less likely to smoke compared to those in other faculties. The results suggest that policy-makers need to initiate antismoking programmes in Jordanian universities.
-
East. Mediterr. Health J. · May 2008
Attitudes of dental students towards using computers in education--a mixed design study.
This mixed design study explored attitudes of dental students towards use of computers. It employed quantitative analyses of a questionnaire answered by 979 students and qualitative analysis of suggestions by a subgroup of 339. ⋯ Qualitative analysis of students' suggestions confirmed these findings and brought up new issues such as the need for establishing a website for the faculty. The results indicate that careful planning is needed to improve students' skills and incorporate computer applications in educational curricula.
-
This study aimed to estimate the rate of and risk factors for nosocomial pneumonia of patients admitted to hospitals in Taif, Saudi Arabia. A case-control study was conducted of 211 discharged patients with confirmed pneumonia and 633 controls without pneumonia and a review was made of hospital records during 1999-2003. Multiple logistic regression showed that duration of hospital stay, unit of admission, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, coma, nasogastric tube, endotracheal tube, debilitating diseases and mechanical ventilation were independently associated with increased risk of pneumonia. The mean incidence of overall nosocomial infection in the period 1999-2003 was 3 per 100 discharged patients, while the mean incidence of nosocomial pneumonia was 0.88.