Egyptian Medical Students Research Articles

Knowledge and Attitude of Egyptian Medical Students toward Pursuing a Career in Forensic Medicine

Knowledge and Attitude of Egyptian Medical Students toward Pursuing a Career in Forensic Medicine

Prevalence and characteristics of headache among medical students in Egypt: a multicentric cross-sectional study

BackgroundHeadaches are one of the most common neurological disorders, ranging in severity from mild discomfort to a severe, debilitating condition. Headaches are particularly prevalent among medical students, which can be...

Advancing Medical Education Using Virtual and Augmented Reality in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic and Critical Review

This review critically examines the integration of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in medical training across Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), offering a novel perspective by combining quantitative analysis with qualitative insights from medical students in Egypt and Ghana. Through a systematic review process, 17 peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2023 were analysed. Altogether, these studies involved a total of 887 participants. The analysis reveals a growing interest in VR and AR applications for medical training in LMICs with a peak in published articles in 2023, indicating an expanding research landscape. A unique contribution of this review is the integration of feedback from 35 medical students assessed through questionnaires, which demonstrates the perceived effectiveness of immersive technologies over traditional 2D illustrations in understanding complex medical concepts. Key findings highlight that VR and AR technologies in medical training within LMICs predominantly focus on surgical skills. The majority of studies focus on enhancing surgical training, particularly general surgery. This emphasis reflects the technology’s strong alignment with the needs of LMICs, where surgical skills training is often a priority. Despite the promising applications and expanding interest in VR and AR, significant challenges such as accessibility and device limitations remain, demonstrating the need for ongoing research and integration with traditional methods to fully leverage these technologies for effective medical education. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of existing VR and AR applications, their evaluation methodologies, and student perspectives to address educational challenges and enhance healthcare outcomes in LMICs.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of Egyptian medical students towards healthcare workers’ recommended vaccines: a nationwide cross-sectional survey

BackgroundVaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) is pivotal in decreasing the incidence of contagious infections in hospital settings. In this study, we assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding HCWs’ recommended vaccines among medical students and interns in Egypt.MethodsA multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured, pilot-tested, and self-administered questionnaire among Egyptian medical students and interns. We invited 1332 participants to our survey using a systematic random sampling that included participants across nine medical schools in Egypt during the 2021–2022 academic year.ResultsOut of 1332 participants, 1141 completed our questionnaire with a response rate of 85.7%. Overall, 43% of the participants had intermediate knowledge (knew 2–3 HCWs’ recommended vaccines). Furthermore, 36.7% had received a booster dose of at least one of the HCWs’ recommended vaccines over the last 10 years, with only 6.1% having received all recommended vaccines. Hepatitis B vaccine was the most widely known (71%) and received (66.7%). Interns were more likely to know, receive, and recommend HCWs’ recommended vaccines. The majority (> 90%) agreed that vaccination is beneficial and safe, with a median score of eight (interquartile range [IQR: Q25-Q75]: 7–9) out of ten for vaccine efficacy and eight (IQR: 7–8) for safety. However, the median score for hesitancy was five (IQR: 2–7). The most common influential and limiting factors for vaccination were scientific facts (60.1%) and fear of vaccine side effects (44.9%).ConclusionAlthough medical students in Egypt have good knowledge of and attitudes towards vaccination, there is a gap in their practices. Interventions are needed to improve vaccination uptake among medical students in Egypt.

Fibromyalgia and Depression in Egyptian Medical Students: A Cross-sectional Study of Impact on Physical Functional Status

Fibromyalgia and Depression in Egyptian Medical Students: A Cross-sectional Study of Impact on Physical Functional Status

Factors influencing stress and resilience among Egyptian medical students: a multi-centric cross-sectional study

BackgroundPsychological stress is a common psychological comorbidity among medical students and worsens their quality of life. Psychological resilience is thought to have a protective role against stress. However, evidence regarding the prevalence of stress and resilience alongside their associated factors is scarce, especially in the Middle East. This is the first multicenter, cross-sectional study to investigate resilience and stress among Egyptian medical students.MethodsThe current cross-sectional study was conducted on 2465 university students in seven public universities in Egypt. The universities were selected using the simple randomization method. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire consisting of four parts: demographic data, socioeconomic tool represented in the Family Affluence Scale (FAS), the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Data was analyzed in SPSS version 26 software.ResultsThe majority of the students were stressed (86.5%), most of whom had severe stress (48.9%). Most of the students had low resilience (49.9%), while only 3.2% had high resilience. In the logistic regression analysis, being a female, living alone, spending long hours on social media, and thinking of suicide or leaving medicine were associated with being stressed and having low resilience. Medical students with low resilience were significantly more liable to stress [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.667, confidence interval (CI): 2.709–4.965, P = 0.000], and vice versa [AOR = 3.709, CI: 2.746–5.009, P = 0.000]. Interestingly, high socioeconomic status showed a significant association with high resilience (P = 0.004); nonetheless, it was not associated with stress (P = 0.993). Academic grades were not associated with both the level of stress and resilience. Aging, being in clinical or academic stages, smoking, having a chronic disease, and being financially-supported are neither associated with stress nor resilience.ConclusionsThe present study revealed that Egyptian medical students had low resilience and high stress, with a significant relationship between both of them. Further investigations via longitudinal study design to understand the resilience-stress relationship are recommended. Developing and implementing resilience-improving strategies in medical schools is highly recommended to decrease the prevalence of stress and its subsequent burdens.

Exploring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder prevalence and its relation to video game addiction among Egyptian medical students: A cross-sectional study

Background/ObjectivesAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) imposes hidden public health problems that should be addressed. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of ADHD and to explore the association between video game addiction & other predictors and ADHD among medical university students in Egypt. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using a self-administered questionnaire between July and November 2023. ADHD was assessed by the Adult ADHD Self-Reporting Scale (ASRS). A seven-item Game Addiction Scale (GAS-7) was used to determine the level of game addiction. ResultsWe studied 1765 medical students with a mean age of 20.2 ± 1.2 years. The majority of them are females (67.8%). This study found a high rate of probable ADHD (35%) among Egyptian medical students. ADHD was associated with female sex and lower academic performance. Video game addiction prevalence was 24.7%, more common in younger students. ConclusionIn conclusion, this study found a high prevalence of probable ADHD and video game addiction among Egyptian medical students. Increased awareness and targeted interventions are needed to support medical students with ADHD and address video game addiction.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Headache Among Medical Students in Egypt: A Multicentric Cross Sectional Study (P11-12.010)

Prevalence and Characteristics of Headache Among Medical Students in Egypt: A Multicentric Cross Sectional Study (P11-12.010)

Cyberchondria and smartphone addiction: A correlation survey among undergraduate medical students in Egypt

BackgroundThere is an increase in smartphone usage globally. Cyberchondria (CYB) is characterized by excessive Internet searches for health information. Smartphone addiction is constantly rising among medical students together with CYB as a collateral emerging risk, yet there is limited research available on the topic.MethodsThis cross-sectional study explores the rising phenomenon of smartphone addiction and its potential role in CYB among medical students in seven Egyptian universities. A total of 1435 medical students participated in completing online questionnaires that assessed smartphone addiction and CYB using the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) and Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS-12). Multivariable regression analysis was applied to assess predictors of smartphone addiction and CYB.ResultsBased on the used scales, 57.6% of students were suffering from smartphone addiction, and 85.8% exhibited a moderate degree of CYB. There was a significant positive correlation between smartphone addiction scores and CYB (p < 0.05). The multivariable regression models revealed that four factors including using Facebook, using WhatsApp, increasing time spent on the Internet per day, and a higher CYB score increase the probability of smartphone addiction. The factors that increase the probability of CYB are using Facebook, an increase in the frequency of Internet searches, a higher degree of worry about one’s health or a family member’s health, and being a smartphone addict.ConclusionSmartphone addiction among undergraduate medical students is prevalent. Social media use, time spent online, and smartphone addiction were linked with the risk of CYB. Regular physical activity decreases the probability of smartphone addiction. Awareness programs and increased mental and physical activities are required to help reduce smartphone addiction among youth.

Usage and attitude of medical students towards mobile medical applications during and after COVID-19 lockdown: repeated cross-sectional study

BackgroundCOVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift toward e-learning, particularly in medical education. Mobile medical applications (apps) have become integral tools for e-learning due to the prevalence of smartphones among medical students. Therefore, we aim to assess the usage and attitude of undergraduate Egyptian medical students towards mobile medical apps during and after the COVID-19 lockdown.MethodsThis is a two-phase repeated cross-sectional study using an online, pilot-tested, and self-administered survey conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Egypt. Phase 1 was during the academic year 2019–2020 (during lockdown), and phase 2 was during the academic year 2021–2022 (after lockdown). Out of the 4800-target population for each phase, a sample size of 140 medical students was randomly selected from each study year, resulting in a total sample size of 840 students for all six academic and clinical years for each phase.ResultsA total of 566 students in phase 1 and 616 students in phase 2 responded to the survey, with response rates of 67.62% and 73.33%, respectively. In phase 1, 55.7% of students reported using medical apps, with no significant difference between males and females (60.1% vs. 53.8%; p = 0.17) or between academic and clinical years (56.3% vs. 54.7%; p = 0.7). In phase 2, the percentage increased to 70.9%, with a significant difference between males and females (80% vs. 62.9%; p < 0.001) and between academic and clinical years (79.8% vs. 63%; p < 0.001). Medical dictionaries were the most commonly used apps, whereas medical calculators were the least common in both phases. Regarding their attitude, most students (65.1% and 73.9% in phases 1 and 2, respectively) expressed confidence in using medical apps, while 81.3% in phase 1 and 88.1% in phase 2 agreed that using medical apps is a flexible method of learning. Lack of knowledge regarding which app to download was the most reported cause of limitation in medical app usage by 37.8% of the students in phase 1 and 40% in phase 2.ConclusionOur study revealed that the COVID-19 lockdown led to a significant increase in the use of mobile medical apps among Egyptian medical students. Despite the positive attitude of students towards these apps, multiple challenges still need to be addressed to ensure their optimal utilization in medical education.

Challenges and Expectations of First Year International Medical Students in Egypt

Challenges and Expectations of First Year International Medical Students in Egypt

Perception of social accountability among medical students in Egypt.

Assessment of the perceived SA for medical students in Beni-Suef University, Egypt. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 6 months among medical students at faculty of medicine, Beni-Suef University through an online survey using google form. For data collection, an English validated questionnaire developed in partnership by the International Federation of Medical Students Association (IFMSA) and the Training for Health Equity Network (THEnet) was used. Students' mean SA score was 17.3±7.1. Perceived SA scores ranged from 18 to 26 for 40.9% of participants, while 38.9% of them had scores ranging from (9-17), indicating that the faculty is doing well, However, there is a need to identify areas of weakness and advocate for strategies to improve SA among students. Furthermore, there were statistically significant differences in age, gender, residence, and academic year across students with different scores. Although half of the medical students of Beni-Suef university had acceptable SA, but there are areas for improvement and weakness to fix within the faculty.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in Egyptian medical students and how it relates to their academic performance.

The neurobehavioral disorder, known as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is characterized by impulsivity, hyperactivity, and a lack of focus. In addition, it is connected to poor academic performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of ADHD and its effect on their academic performance among medical students. This web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students of four medical colleges during December 2021 and April 2022. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire comprising Wender Utah Rating Scale and adult ADHD Self-Report Scale [ASRS]. The link to Google Form survey was distributed to students through academic emails and WhatsApp. Data analyzed using SPSS; Chisquare test or Fisher's exact test as appropriate, were used to determine statistical significance. A total of 990 students filled online questionnaire; 54.7% were females.. The estimated prevalence of ADHD in Egyptian medical students was 11%. Students who had childhood ADHD were significantly linked with the present ADHD (r = 0.54, P < 0.001). There was a negative correlation between the ASRS score for ADHD and students' GPA (r = 0.2, P < 0.001). No statistically significant association was observed between ADHD and sex, type of university, and academic level. of the students. ADHD is prevalent among medical students. Since most of our students with adult ADHD also had preexisting childhood ADHD, it is crucial that the primary care services, especially school health services, have appropriate standards for the early identification and management of ADHD. Health authorities should conduct a comprehensive health education campaign to raise public awareness of ADHD and its risk factors, the clinical picture, and the burden.

Perception of Climate Change at Ain Shams Medical Campus: A Survey of Egyptian Medical Students

Perception of Climate Change at Ain Shams Medical Campus: A Survey of Egyptian Medical Students

Prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, and its associated risk factors among medical students: a nation-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common digestive problem in adults particularly medical students, who are one of the most vulnerable groups. Many variables, including lifestyle changes and psychological stress, increase the prevalence of GERD among undergraduate medical students. Therefore, this study aims to assess the prevalence, and risk factors of GERD, and its relationship with perceived stress among medical students in Egypt.MethodsIn November and December of 2022, a cross-sectional descriptive study with an analytical component was carried out among medical students from six different universities. An online self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaire included data on sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors, lifestyle, the Arabic version of GerdQ, and the Arabic version of Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).ResultsThe questionnaire was filled out by 964 medical students, the majority of whom were female (64%). Overall, 17.1% of participants reported symptoms of GERD. Logistic regression showed that smoking, high perceived stress, and a family history of GERD were the independent predictors of having GERD symptoms, with odds ratios of 4.1, 3.9, and 2.2, respectively.ConclusionGERD is a frequent condition among Egyptian medical students, affecting around one-fifth of them. In the fight against GERD, university-based smoking cessation and stress management programs may be influential.

Neurosurgical Summer Course for Overseas Students: A Step toward Better Dialogue with the Future Working Teams.

The 12-year collaboration between Greifswald and Cairo Universities in Neurosurgery has recently reached stable steps in post-graduate education represented in the bi-institutional fellowship of Neuro-endoscopy. We present our new experience of upgrading the level of bi-institutional collaboration to serve for highly skilled undergraduate training. we started a summer school program for the Egyptian medical students, with the target of allowing better orientation with the specialty Results: 10 candidates (6 males and 4 females) were selected to participate in the program. All candidates successfully finished the summer school and stated they would recommend this activity to their colleagues. We recommend the summer school activities either within the host university or abroad in a collaborate university to the students that would be preselected to fit in the planned program. It is our opinion this would assist the young generations in choosing the suitable career and help in improving the quality of the working teams in Neurosurgery in the future.

Migraine among Egyptian medical students: prevalence, disability and psychological distress-cross sectional study

BackgroundMigraine is one of the most prevalent and disabling primary headache disorders. Migraine has many triggers factors as stress and irregular sleep pattern. Medical study in Egypt is so stressful with great psychological and physical burden; hence medical students are vulnerable to migraine. This study aims to determine the prevalence, characteristics, degree of disability, and psychological stress associated with migraine among medical students at different Egyptian universities.ResultsThe overall prevalence of migraine was 17.27%, more in female (76.86%) than male. Sleeping disturbance and stress were the most common triggering factors associated with migraine (94.4%, 81.4% respectively). The majority of students with migraine (89.65%) had high psychological distress as measured by Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) with moderate to severe disorder, while 76.8% had moderate to severe disability as assessed by Migraine Disability Assessment Score (MIDAS). Female gender was a potential predictor associated with higher psychological distress. There is negative correlation between degree of disability and academic performance.ConclusionMigraine is prevalent among medical students, with female predominance. It is associated with high level of psychological stress, moderate to severe disability, and negative impact on lifestyle and academic performance of the students.

Assessing awareness and attitude of Egyptian medical students towards emergency medicine as a specialty and career choice: A single-institutional study.

Emergency medicine (EM) was formally recognized as a specialty in Egypt in 2002. Many institutions of higher education do not yet have an operational academic department of emergency medicine. This study attempts to quantify the awareness and attitude of Ain Shams University medical students towards emergency medicine as both a specialty and a career. A paper-based survey was delivered to undergraduate medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt between December 2021 and April 2022. The survey was designed to assess awareness towards the scope of practice of emergency physicians as well as general attitude toward emergency medicine as a specialty and career choice. A total of 391 students and interns/house officers participated in this study. 53.2% of participants were females and the mean age was 21.65 ± 2.25 years. Only 30 participants (7.7%) were classified as having "Excellent knowledge" of emergency medicine, 92 (23.5%) as "Good knowledge", 158 "40.4%" as "Fair knowledge" and 111 (28.4%) as "Poor knowledge". The difference in scores between academic years was not statistically significant (p=0.239). 91.8% of respondents favored the creation of student interest groups in EM and 40% of respondents found it difficult to reach information regarding EM. Our study demonstrates a lack of awareness and knowledge towards emergency medicine as a specialty across all academic years at our institution. Formal recognition of EM as a specialty doesn't guarantee widespread knowledge among medical students, particularly at institutions without academic EM departments.

Middle Finger Length: A Predictor of Stature and Gender in a Sample of Egyptian Medical Students - Faculty of Medicine-Ain Shams University

Middle Finger Length: A Predictor of Stature and Gender in a Sample of Egyptian Medical Students - Faculty of Medicine-Ain Shams University

Global health-based virtual exchange to improve intercultural competency in students: Long-lasting impacts and areas for improvement.

As public health expands its role in global settings, the need to develop intercultural competency for public health students also grows. One initiative being applied to promote global awareness is the use of virtual exchange (VE) programs. VE programs promote collaborative online international learning (COIL) and allow students from different countries to connect and work together on projects related to their field of study; however, there is little research around the long-term impacts of these programs. Undergraduate pre-health students from the United States who participated in a VE program a year prior were interviewed about their experiences engaging with undergraduate medical students in Egypt. They were asked if the experience impacted their current behaviors, skills, or knowledge, and what improvements could be made to the program. Mezirow's Transformative Learning Theory (TLT) served as the theoretical framework, grounding interview instrument development and directed content analysis procedures. Researchers also engaged in inductive analysis to capture other salient themes. Ten students were interviewed with a majority engaging in either of the two final stages of Mezirow's TLT: "building of self-confidence and self-competence" (60%) and "reintegration" (50%). Other salient themes found were intercultural interactions, VE appreciation, and VE improvements. When describing their experience in one word, students overwhelmingly provided words with positive connotations (80%), with the negative responses being explained by the structure and presentation of the VE. Students were able to apply lessons they learned during the VE within a 1-year follow-up period. This is beneficial, as health professionals require intercultural competency to promote and provide improved health outcomes. Results from this study indicate the need for structure when conducting a VE, addressing the need to increase the number of direct interactions and thereby promoting more intercultural exchanges. Likewise, the interviews demonstrated that changes in course instruction need to be implemented gradually to allow for students to adjust to unfamiliar teaching methods.