Rural Areas Of Egypt Research Articles

Efficient portable thermoelectric refrigerator developed with a temperature control system mode at best COP for different seasons and conditions of the year

ABSTRACT Global energy scarcity and pollution resulting from excessive energy consumption are among the most important causes of global warming, in addition to using Freon, which poses a danger to the environment. This led to searching for sustainable alternatives that use less energy to alleviate environmental difficulties and are eco-friendly. The portable thermoelectric refrigerator was developed to control the temperature required in different seasons of the year, for those who live in rural areas in Egypt (such as deserts). The main control unit has five modes (Economic, Minimum, Medium, Fast and Fast not Economic) based on the best coefficient of performance (COP) and minimum energy. The results showed the highest COP, for the economic mode with an 8°C difference in temperature, and the lowest COP with a 26.4°C difference in temperature for the fast not economic mode. On the other hand, the difference temperatures of 12.5°C,18.2°C and 23°C of the mode minimum, medium and, fast, respectively.

Rumi and Pasteurized Kareish Cheeses Are a Source of β-Lactam-Resistant Salmonella in the Nile Delta Region of Egypt: Insights into Their Incidence, AMR Pattern, Genotypic Determinants of Virulence and β-Lactam Resistance.

The spread of superbugs in dairy products can jeopardize global public health. To date, information on the incidence rates of virulent and β-lactams-resistant (BLR) Salmonella in cheeses from rural areas of Egypt has been lacking. Biochemical, serological, antibiotic susceptibility, and multiplex PCR (M-PCR) tests were performed to identify and characterize Salmonella isolates. In this study, 44 (15.71%) Salmonella isolates of eight different serotypes were recovered from 280 samples of Rumi and pasteurized Kariesh cheeses across the Nile Delta region of Egypt. The most predominant serotypes were S. Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis, and S. Infantis. The virulence genes (invA, stn, and hilA) were identified in all isolates. However, spvC was only detected in S. Typhimurium. The highest resistance was developed against Erythromycin and Clindamycin (90.91%), followed by Ceftazidime and Cephalothin (84.09%). Meropenem and colistin were the most effective antibiotics. A high proportion (79.55%) of multi-drug resistance (MDR) isolates carried narrow spectrum (NS), extended-spectrum (ES), and AmpC-BLR genes. The blaOXA-1, blaOXA-2, blaTEM-1, blaCTX-M, blaCMY-1, and blaCMY-2 BLR genes were positive in 37.04%, 29.63%, 25.93%, 14.81%, 37.04%, and 3.70% of isolates, respectively. In conclusion, a high prevalence of virulence and BLR genes harboring Salmonella strains in Egyptian cheeses is considered a great threat to public health.

The Robustness of Social Capital in The Wildlife Tourism Micro Entrepreneurship Arena

Purpose: Tourism plays an essential role in the country's economic development. Diversifying tourism products and services to meet the growing demand requires advanced business sector involvement. Due to geostrategic conditions, rural livelihood can be improved with the help of micro-entrepreneurship in the rural areas of Egypt. One of the fast-growing tourism in the country is supporting natural-based business such as wildlife truism micro-entrepreneurship, which provide the opportunity for people to participate in different types of entrepreneurship instead of working full-time or part-time in wildlife tourism entrepreneurship; people face many difficulties and hinders in small scale business based on nature. The main obstacle to micro-entrepreneurship is the need for social capital. Therefore, this study examines the role of social capital in wildlife tourism micro-entrepreneurship. Design/Methodology/ Approach: This quantitative approach is based on cross-sectional data. The study employed a survey questionnaire to collect the facts from the respondents doing micro-entrepreneurship in Egypt. The analysis used a convenience sampling method to get a quick response from the respondents. The sample size is 156 usable cases. Findings: The correlational and regression analysis show bonding social capital's positive and significant effect on wildlife tourism micro-entrepreneurship. On the other hand, bridging social capital has a significant negative impact on wildlife tourism micro-entrepreneurship. Research, practical and social implications: The study's findings would be beneficial to improve the economic conditions of Egypt, especially for the rural areas rich in natural resources, and people can have part-time or full-time opportunities for small-scale business or micro-entrepreneurship. This may bring economic prosperity and change people's livelihoods. Originality/ value: This study may be crucial to address the gaps in the empirical evaluation of Egyptian micro-entrepreneurship.

Evaluation of the rate and pattern of suicide attempts and deaths by self-poisoning among Egyptians before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Concerns about increased suicidal attempts, especially by self-poisoning as a consequence of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have been raised worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the rate and pattern of suicide attempts and deaths by self-poisoning among patients admitted to Tanta University Poisoning Control Center one year before and following COVID-19 pandemic declaration in Egypt. It was conducted on the medical records of 3,200 poisoned patients, from March 2019 to February 2021. Demographic, toxicological data and patients' outcomes were collected. During the pandemic year, 63.8% of total admitted patients alleged suicidal self-poisoning. Adults significantly decreased from 59% to 52.3%, while adolescents significantly increased from 34.6% to 41.7%. Monthly numbers of admitted suicidal self-poisoned patients significantly decreased during the lockdown but significantly increased from 7% to 26.5%, during the peak of the second wave of the pandemic as well as suicidal deaths (increased from 1.9% to 21.2%). Suicidal self-poisoning in females increased late in the pandemic year and suicidal self-poisoning deaths were significantly reported from rural areas (P=0.025). The delay time was significantly longer, length of hospital stay was significantly shorter, intensive care unit admission rates and suicidal deaths were significantly increased during the pandemic year (P<0.001, 0.026, <0.001, <0.001, respectively). Phosphides were the most commonly used poison for committing suicide and suicidal deaths during this year. Psychological support should be directed to females and adolescents, especially from rural areas in Egypt to help reduce suicidal attempts and deaths by self-poisoning during any future pandemics and lockdowns.

Effect of continued support and mother's counseling on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding in a rural area in Egypt

Effect of continued support and mother's counseling on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding in a rural area in Egypt

Seroprevalence, associated risk factors, and molecular detection of bovine brucellosis in rural areas of Egypt.

The study was carried out on six villages in northern Egypt to evaluate the epidemiological situation of bovine brucellosis among 989 unvaccinated household cattle by Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and indirect ELISA (iELISA) and to investigate the existence of Brucella DNA using real-time PCR in 100 milk and 100 sera from seropositive cattle and 50 sera from seronegative cattle. The overall seroprevalence was 20.7% and 23.7% by RBPT and iELISA, respectively. Based on the iELISA results, the seroprevalence was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the village II (34.7%) and cattle >7 years (30.1%). More males than females were non-significant seropositive (P=0.6). There was 95% agreement between RBPT and iELISA, although iELISA showed a higher positivity rate (23.7%, 95% CI: 0.21-0.26) than RBPT (20.7%, 95% CI: 0.18-0.24). DNA of Brucella was confirmed in 16 milk samples by IS711 qPCR from seropositive cattle, however, no Brucella DNA was detected in serum samples tested positive and negative. Brucella abortus was the only species detected based on the alkB gene. Prevalence is highly related to the sampling site and the age of the animals. In conclusion, although qPCR is more accurate and commonly used in the diagnosis of most infectious diseases but in this situation iELISA is preferred and recommended for continuous screening and animal movement restriction and vaccination protocols, especially in high-risk areas.

Association between diabetes-related distress and glycemic control in primary care patients with Type 2 diabetes during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Egypt.

Diabetes-related distress and glycemic control are of a particular concern to primary care physicians because of the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on diabetic patients' lifestyle, psychological well-being and healthcare access. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between diabetes-related distress and glycemic control in diabetic patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in primary care settings during the pandemic. This cross-sectional study was conducted at primary healthcare clinics in a rural area in Egypt among 430 patients with T2DM during the period from September 2020 to June 2021. All patients were interviewed for their sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics. Diabetes-related distress was measured by the problem areas in the diabetes scale (PAID), where a total score of ≥40 indicated a severe diabetes-related distress. The most recent glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) measurements were used to indicate the glycemic control. Quantile regression model (0.50 quantile) was used to perform the multivariate analysis to identify significant factors associated with HbA1c level. Most of the participants had a suboptimal glycemic control (92.3%), while 13.3% had severe diabetes-related distress. HbA1c level was significantly and positively correlated with the total PAID score and all its sub-domains. Multivariate quantile regression revealed that obesity, multi-morbidity, and severe diabetes-related distress were the only significant determinants of the HbA1c median level. Obese patients had significantly higher median HbA1c compared to patients who were not obese (coefficient = 0.25, P < 0.001). Patients with two or more comorbidities (i.e., multimorbidity) had a significantly higher median HbA1c than patients with single or no chronic comorbidities (coefficient = 0.41, P < 0.001). Severe diabetes-related distress was significantly associated with higher median HbA1c compared to nonsevere diabetes-related distress (coefficient = 0.20, P = 0.018). Diabetes-related distress had a significant association with HbA1c level. Family physicians should implement multifaceted programs to optimize diabetes control and reduce any associated distress.

Measuring the Determinant and results of Beneficiaries' Satisfaction in the Public Services to Build Effective Institutional Capacities in Rural Areas in Egypt (An Applied Study on Abu Hommos Health Units as an Example for Governmental Organizations in Rural Areas in Egypt)

Measuring the Determinant and results of Beneficiaries' Satisfaction in the Public Services to Build Effective Institutional Capacities in Rural Areas in Egypt (An Applied Study on Abu Hommos Health Units as an Example for Governmental Organizations in Rural Areas in Egypt)

Intense intrafamilial transmission of HBV in a rural area in Egypt is a probable cause of non-response to vaccination: A cross-sectional-seroprevalence-community-study.

Intense intrafamilial transmission of HBV in a rural area in Egypt is a probable cause of non-response to vaccination: A cross-sectional-seroprevalence-community-study.

Comparing Rapid Ag Test and PCR in SARS-CoV-2 Management in Rural Egypt

Like elsewhere around the globe, SARS-CoV-2 infection is spreading in rural Egypt. Due to high sensitivity and specificity, the gold standard of diagnostics is reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction PCR (RT-PCR). Rural areas without access to certified laboratories cannot take advantage of RT-PCR testing, and thus are dependent upon rapid antigen testing, a point-of-care test that requires less training and can produce results within 15 minutes. Rapid antigen testing can give an advantage to medical teams in rural settings by affording effective and early control of SARS-CoV-2 infection spread. We sought to assess the contribution of different COVID-19 testing procedures in rural Egypt. We conducted a prospective cohort study in a rural lab in Giza, Egypt. Approximately 223 individuals with potential SARS-CoV-2 infection were involved in the study during the pandemic peak in Giza, Egypt, from March 4 – May 30, 2021. Subjects were subjected to RT-PCR and rapid antigen testing, and the performance of each testing procedure was compared. Between March 4 – May 30, 2021, approximately 223 symptomatic individuals were included in this study. 190 patients (85.2%) were indicated as PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2, while 33 (14.8%) were PCR negative. In comparison, a rapid antigen test showed 178 out of 223 patients (79.8%) were indicated as positive, or 94% of the PCR-positive individuals. In Giza, a rural area of Egypt, RT-PCR had an optimal balance of sensitivity and specificity, however, the turnaround time was a limiting factor. Antigen testing, performed as a rapid point-of-care test, can play an effective role in rural outbreak control due to its ease of use and rapid results.

Prevalence and outcome of teenage pregnancy among attendants of labour room in Bassion general hospital-Egypt (cross section study)

ABSTRACT Background: Teenage pregnancy is a global serious public health and distressing social problem, its prevalence varies among countries and among cities of the same country. Teenage mothers are exposed to maternal morbidity and mortality than women in their twenties. Objective: to assess prevalence of teenage pregnancy and their perinatal outcomes & immediate postpartum complications. Methodology: A cross -sectional study was conducted at a hospital that provides medical services to a rural area in Egypt, for six months period, started from 1st December 2019 till 1st June 2020. All women consecutively recruited were either full or preterm, singleton or multiple pregnancy. They were admitted in active labour at the delivery ward of Bassion general hospital. All demographic, prenatal and postnatal data during study period were recorded and tabulated. Results: All pregnant women who were admitted in active labour within the chosen period were 848 women, 73.6% were adults (>19 years, mean 24.06years), 26.4% were teenagers (≤ 19 years, with a mean 17.5 years). Iron deficiency anemia was the most prevalent medical complication in the teenage group 54%, followed by pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) 21.4%, caesarean section rate was 47 % and perineal tears were recorded in 25.9 % of the teenage group. Most of them had 2nd and 3rd degree tears. 25.9% of the newborns were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), 4.9% due to prematurity, 4.5% due to prematurity and respiratory distress (RDs) and sepsis, 3.6% due to prematurity and RD, 1.3% due to RD ,0 4% due to meconium aspiration, 4.5% due to hyperbillirubinemia and 3.1% due to cyanosis. Conclusion: Teenage pregnancy is prevalent in this study sample in a rural area in Egypt and is associated with an increased risk of major degree perineal tear, PIH, preterm labour and iron deficiency anemia.

Closing Poverty-Based Excellence Gaps: Supports for Gifted Students From Low-Income Households as Correlates of Academic Achievement

Previous studies on poverty within the gifted population have shown that economically vulnerable gifted students are underrepresented in gifted programs. Moreover, the majority of published studies on this topic were conducted in Western cultures. We explored the psychological, cognitive, academic, social, and environmental supports for economically vulnerable students in the Arab culture. The sample consisted of 142 male and female students who were randomly selected from 10 middle schools in rural areas in Egypt. To assess the supports of gifted students, researchers developed a self-report questionnaire. Grade point average was used as an indicator of academic achievement. Results from cluster analysis showed that there were three profiles for low-income gifted students. Multiple regression analysis indicated that environmental, social, and psychological supports explained 44% of the variance in academic achievement. Environmental supports played the most effective role in predicting students’ academic achievement, followed by social and psychological supports.

Characteristics of Childhood Presumed Trematode-Induced Granulomatous Anterior Uveitis Using Ultrasound Biomicroscopy

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate the UBM characteristics of presumed trematode-induced granulomatous uveitis. Design Prospective case series. Methods Thirty patients who presented with anterior chamber (AC) granuloma were included. UBM Imaging included Cornea, iris, AC angle, posterior chamber, ciliary body, and vitreous base. Results Thirty eyes were included with a mean age of 12.4 ± 2.5 years. UBM findings were retrocrneal membrane (33%), sub conjunctival nodule (10%), AC granuloma (100%); peripheral anterior synechia, granuloma-like lesion in posterior chamber; ciliary body edema with localized granuloma at specific site (100%), cataract in 30% either localized or generalized, and dot or thread-like high reflection on vitreous base in (20%). Conclusion Presumed trematode-induced AC granuloma is common among children living in the rural areas of Egypt. UBM examinations can demonstrate various pathologic changes of anterior segment of the eye and provide objective evidence for the exact origin of those granulomas.

Pre-and post-treatment evaluation of intestinal inflammation in Giardia and Blastocystis infected children: a community-based study.

Giardia intestinalis and Blastocystis hominis cause frequent infections in children in developing countries. However, the role of intestinal inflammation in their pathogenesis is still poorly understood. Faecal calprotectin (FC) level is used as an indicator of intestinal inflammation and neutrophil migration in the intestinal tract. The present study aimed to evaluate intestinal inflammation by measuring FC level among children infected with either G. intestinalis or B. hominis before and after treatment. Stool samples were collected from 282 children inhabiting a rural area in Egypt and examined microscopically for intestinal parasites. FC level was estimated in a group of children infected with G. intestinalis (n = 12) or B. hominis (n = 12) before and 3weeks after receiving nitazoxanide (200mg twice daily for 3days) and compared to a control group (n = 18) of parasite-free children. Cases of mixed infection were excluded. Nitazoxanide cure rate was 83% in both infections with a remarkable reduction of infection intensity in uncured children. The difference in FC levels between infected children and controls was not statistically significant. Also, the difference between the pre- and post-treatment estimations was not statistically significant. Elevated levels were observed before treatment in three children (two infected with G. intestinalis and one with B. hominis) who displayed normal post-treatment levels. Although G. intestinalis and B. hominis infections appear to cause no remarkable intestinal inflammation, they may induce abnormally elevated FC levels in a subset of children.

Substance use disorder and risk behaviors among secondary school adolescents in a rural area in Egypt

Objective The aim was to sssess prevalence of substance use and the associated risky behaviors among adolescents. Background Adolescents often engage in risky behaviors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, using drugs, and early unprotected sex. When adolescents take one risk, they also tend to take other risks. Participants and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the context of time frame of 19 months. Sample size was 140 secondary schools adolescents, from two schools in a rural village academic year 2017–2018. Participants were randomly selected and assessed for substance use and risky behaviors using a predesigned questionnaire. Results Prevalence of substance use was 18.6%, and the most used substance was cannabis followed by bango and tramadol. Substance use was positively related to risk for use of unprescribed medications (P Conclusion Substance use was common among secondary school students in Egyptian villages. It was correlated to smoking, alcohol consumption, electronic devices' misuse, risky sexual acts, suicidal tendency, and risky driving. Moreover, substance use was inversely related to religious commitment and having hobbies.

The Impact of Microfinance on Poverty Reduction in Egypt: An Empirical Study

Microfinance became a critical aspect in the credit markets as an effective tool for poverty reduction and socioeconomic-development. Yet, the impact still questioned and varies from one country to another and from urban to rural areas. The aim of this paper is to examine the role of Egyptian microfinance on household income. A cross-sectional survey interviewed 780 from old and new clients in Greater Cairo and rural areas in Egypt. The stratified random method was used to collect the data from urban and rural districts. The finding of multinomial logistic reveals that Microfinance has positive impact on household income of women borrowers who spent three years in the scheme as compared to new borrowers who have not received treatment.

Parenting practices and oral health status in rural areas in Egypt: a household survey

BackgroundParenting practices influence children’s health and development. The present study assessed the association between parenting practices and oral health status of children living in rural areas in Egypt.MethodsA cross-sectional household survey including 190 households and 392 children was conducted from May 2019 to January 2020 in four villages in Egypt. Data were collected through clinical examination and interview-based questionnaires of children. Clinical examination assessed caries (DMFT and dft), oral hygiene and gingival condition. Parenting practices were assessed using the short version of the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (APQ) and oral health practices were assessed using the WHO questionnaire-child form. Four linear regression models were used to assess the relationship between four outcome variables (oral health indicators: (DMF, df, plaque and gingival indices) and parenting practices and oral health behaviors (exposure) after adjusting for potential confounders. Regression coefficients (B), 95% confidence intervals (CI) and model adjusted R2 were calculated.ResultsComplete questionnaires and clinical data were available for 392 children (response rate = 86.34%). The mean (SD) age = 9.93 (3.05) with 54.60% females. Most children (67.60%) had caries in their primary teeth, mean ± SD of df = 2.94 ± 3.10, while only 27.30% had caries in their permanent teeth, mean DMF ± SD = 0.57 ± 1.13. There was a statistically significant difference between parenting practices of both fathers and mothers (p < 0.001, < 0.001, < 0.001, 0.008 and < 0.001 for the five parenting constructs). The adjusted R2 of the models that included parenting practices (for DMF = 0.168, for df = 0.400, for plaque index = 0.061 and for gingival index = 0.090) were similar to the models that included oral health behaviors (for DMF = 0.197, for df = 0.421, for plaque index = 0.059 and for gingival index = 0.084).ConclusionThe association between oral health status and parenting practices which- although not statistically significant- was similar in impact to that between oral health behaviors and oral health status, highlighting the importance of parenting practices to oral health.

Revisiting the Epidemiology of Viral Hepatitis C in Rural Areas in Egypt: Results from a Screening Campaign

Abstract Background: Egypt has the highest known prevalence of HCV in the world, a problem which represents a major chal-lenge to healthcare policymakers in the country. Aim of Study: This study aimed to highlight on the prev-alence of HCV infection in rural areas of this country and to clarify the association between different risk factors and the prevalence of HCV infection. Material and Methods: A screening campaign was con-ducted in five villages present in rural Menoufia Governorate. Blood samples from consented participants were tested for HCV antibodies. For assessment of the contribution of different risk factors with hepatitis C infection, we interviewed partic-ipants to complete the study questionnaire. Results were tabulated and analyzed by suitable statistical tests to assess the prevalence of HCV infection in these areas and possible risk factors that are significantly associated with infection. Results: Out of 14000 participants, 14.8% (n=2071) of the screened sample tested positive for HCV antibodies. Various risk factors were significantly associated with higher risk for acquiring HCV including parenteral anti-schistosomaiasis therapy, invasive medical procedures and other important risk factors. Conclusion: One of each six in the population of rural Menoufia is seropositive for HCV. Our results thus confirm the severity of the current disease burden in the Nile Delta of Egypt. There are significant risk factors associated with HCV infection, suggesting the need for more strict infection control measures specially upon using invasive medical procedures.

Mapping and Quantifying the Human-Environment Interactions in Middle Egypt Using Machine Learning and Satellite Data Fusion Techniques

Population growth in rural areas of Egypt is rapidly transforming the landscape. New cities are appearing in desert areas while existing cities and villages within the Nile floodplain are growing and pushing agricultural areas into the desert. To enable control and planning of the urban transformation, these rapid changes need to be mapped with high precision and frequency. Urban detection in rural areas in optical remote sensing is problematic when urban structures are built using the same materials as their surroundings. To overcome this limitation, we propose a multi-temporal classification approach based on satellite data fusion and artificial neural networks. We applied the proposed methodology to data of the Egyptian regions of El-Minya and part of Asyut governorates collected from 1998 until 2015. The produced multi-temporal land cover maps capture the evolution of the area and improve the urban detection of the European Space Agency (ESA) Climate Change Initiative Sentinel-2 Prototype Land Cover 20 m map of Africa and the Global Human Settlements Layer from the Joint Research Center (JRC). The extension of urban and agricultural areas increased over 65 km2 and 200 km2, respectively, during the entire period, with an accelerated increase analysed during the last period (2010–2015). Finally, we identified the trends in urban population density as well as the relationship between farmed and built-up land.

The prevalence of bronchial asthma among primary school students in urban and rural areas

Background Asthma is a major public health problem worldwide with a dramatic increase witnessed during the past half century in the urbanized and industrialized regions of the world. Observations in the differences between the prevalence of allergic disease in urban and rural areas have been documented worldwide.Aim The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of bronchial asthma among primary school students in urban area (Alexandria) and rural area (Kafr El Sheik).Patients and methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 600 primary school students between 8 and 12 years of age. A total of 300 students were from three different schools in Alexandria and 300 students from three different schools from villages around Kafr El-Sheikh’s. The study was conducted by using a written International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood standardized questionnaire and a modified version of the Weil Corneil Medicine environmental survey questionnaire.Results There was no significant difference between the prevalence of wheezes in urban and rural areas. Some environmental risk factors were associated with increased prevalence of asthma as having wall-to-wall carpeting in the bedroom, synthetic mattresses and pillows, pets, pests, and having a smoker in the house.Conclusion The close proximity of the urban and rural areas in Egypt and the presence of the environmental factors that are considered as a risk factor for the development of bronchial asthma in both areas led to the absence of a significant difference in the prevalence of wheezes.