Background: Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are among the most commonly encountered major public health problems, with a higher prevalence of lower RTIs among children and more generally the poor. The present study aimed to describe the pattern of respiratory tract infections in Egyptian children aged under 5 years and explore possible associations between socio-demographics and nutritional status and types of RTIs. Methods: Over 6 months beginning in September 2018 (including one winter season), a cross-sectional, observational, epidemiological study was conducted on a sample of patients with upper and lower RTIs diagnosed clinically and/or radiologically in the outpatient clinics at Cairo University Children’s Hospital in Egypt. An interview questionnaire was employed to collect socio-demographic and nutritional data. Heights/lengths and weights were measured and analyzed using the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Anthro Plus [Computer Program]. Patients with pneumonia (n = 28) were compared to 97 healthy children of the same age and sex. Results: The total number of children diagnosed with upper and lower respiratory infections was 611. Malnutrition was present in 12.4% of all children with upper and lower RTIs. Lower RTI and malnutrition were substantially more prevalent among children aged under 2 years (p = 0.048 and p < 0.001, respectively). The strongest predictor of lower RTI was a younger age (OR 0.797, CI 0.713–0.89, p < 0.001). Conclusion: At our center, approximately one-third of infections in under-fives were lower RTI. Malnutrition was one of the significant risk factors for lower RTI in children below 2 years. The nutritional status of infants and young children should be improved by encouraging exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life and strengthening the healthcare and nutritional counseling available for vulnerable children, particularly in rural regions.

Background: Many of the pediatric health care workers (HCWs) suffered from sleep disturbance, anxiety, and potential stress disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic. Work-related stress is a potential cause of concern in HCWs and is associated with decreased job satisfaction, anxiety, depression, medical errors, and near misses. This study aims to investigate the various psychological consequences on medical personnel working in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design and methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on a convenient sample of doctors and nurses working in NICU in pediatric hospitals at Cairo University teaching hospitals, Egypt. Two anonymous self-administered validated questionnaires were used to assess the level of stress, and the COVID-19 Rapid Quantitative Assessment Tool to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perception about COVID-19. Results: Among 96 participants, 66.7% were nurses, and 33.3% were physicians, 79.2% of the participants showed a reasonably safe level of stress. The mean work stress score was 43.89 ± 5.77. The mean score for commonly experienced stress symptoms was 7.53 ± 4.54, median 7, IQR (4, 10). Females and physicians were found to be with a statistically significantly higher median score of commonly experienced stress symptoms than males ( p-value < 0.001 and 0.028 simultaneously). Conclusion: While such descriptive research provides valuable information on the scope of the problem, a strong theoretical framework is required to interpret these findings appropriately and develop preventive and therapeutic strategies. Particular attention should be warranted to the mental health well-being of women treating patients with COVID-19.

Background: Medication-overuse headache (MOH) is a secondary headache disorder often underrecognized in low- and middle-income countries. This study provides the first real-world data on MOH prevalence and clinical characteristics from a tertiary care center in Egypt. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 patients with primary headaches recruited from the Headache Unit and general outpatient clinics. Patients were classified according to ICHD-3 criteria as MOH or non-MOH. Clinical characteristics, risk factors, medication use, disability using the validated Arabic version of Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire (MIDAS) and Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), quality of life using Arabic version of Short-Form 12 Health Survey (SF-12), and psychiatric comorbidity were assessed. Results: The prevalence of MOH was 65.8%. Chronic migraine was the most common underlying primary headache (80.5%). MOH patients were predominantly female (86.1%) and older, and were less educated than non-MOH patients. Risk factors significantly associated with MOH included insomnia (38% vs. 17.1%), musculoskeletal pain/fibromyalgia (43% vs. 19.5%), and physical inactivity (89.9% vs. 75.6%). The most overused medications were ergot derivatives (88.5%) and triptans (59.3%). MOH patients reported significantly higher headache frequency (mean 24.4 ± 7.1 vs. 11.2 ± 7.6 days/month, p < 0.001), greater disability (MIDAS mean 46.5 ± 28.9 vs. 19.3 ± 22.9, p < 0.001), and poorer quality of life (PCS 43 vs. 49.4; MCS 35 vs. 44, p < 0.01). Depression, anxiety, and stress scores were also significantly higher among MOH patients. Conclusions: MOH is alarmingly prevalent among Egyptian tertiary care patients, especially women with chronic migraine, emphasizing the need for national strategies on over-the-counter analgesic control and structured withdrawal programs.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the extent of Egyptians’ awareness regarding the relationship between nutrition and cardiovascular health. AIM: This study seeks to evaluate people’s awareness through an online cross-sectional survey to determine the knowledge gaps. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey using a convenience sampling technique. The participation required being an adult Egyptian (≥18 years old). A pre-tested electronic-questionnaire included three sections: Socio-demographic data, a self-reported history of chronic and cardiac diseases, and 15 questions addressing dietary risk factors and protective factors. Six hundred and thirty-two participants completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean age was 28 ± 8 years. More than 80% of the participants were males. Of 632 participants, 233 had poor awareness. The median knowledge percent score was 62 with interquartile range (52, 71). About 85.4% of the participants were ready to change their eating habits and follow a healthy diet to maintain their health. The participants were interested in knowing more about healthy food and how to prepare healthy balanced meals (71.7% and 62.2%, respectively). Females, university-educated, employed, and Upper Egypt residents demonstrated deep awareness (p-value = 0.02, 0.011, 0.05, and 0.012, respectively). Intriguingly, friends and social media were the primary sources of nutritional knowledge. CONCLUSION: The participants’ knowledge is poor regarding the relation between nutrition and cardiovascular health. This study emphasizes the urgent need to raise public awareness as a precaution against cardiovascular diseases.