BACKGROUND: Vaccine hesitancy is a worldwide issue. To intensify our efforts to find a solution to this problem, we need to comprehend its magnitude and underlying causes. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of influenza vaccine hesitancy and the reasons for it among healthcare workers (HCWs) and mothers of preschool children attending Zagazig Maternal and Child Healthcare (MCH) Center, Sharqia Governorate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Zagazig MCH Center involving 77 HCWs and 210 mothers of preschool children. Two validated questionnaires (one for HCWs and one for mothers of preschool children) were used to collect data on hesitancy to influenza vaccine. Data analysis perfomed using SPSS v 25.0. For quantitative variables, statistical significance was determined using t-test, whereas Chi-square test was employed for quantitative variables. Poisson regression model was used to determine the independent predictors of influenza vaccine hesitancy. P < 0.05 was used as a level of statistical significance. RESULTS: The prevalence of hesitancy to the influenza vaccine was 46.8% among HCWs and 54.3% among mothers of preschool children. Fear of side effects (42.9%) and doubt in the usefulness of the vaccine (42.1%) were the most frequent barriers. Hesitancy was significantly more prevalent in the negative-attitude HCWs (62.0%) than positive-attitude HCWs (18.5%). According to Poisson regression analysis, the age of the index child, the mothers’ source of information, and the frequency of vaccination were the critical indicators of influenza vaccine hesitancy in the studied mothers. CONCLUSION: Influenza vaccine hesitancy among the studied sample is high (46.8% among HCWs, and 54.3% among mothers of preschool children). Periodic health education campaigns to increase awareness and change the negative attitude about the influenza vaccine are recommended.

Background: Patient safety (PS) has been identified as a significant healthcare challenge. A good safety attitude helps healthcare workers (HCWs) to decrease medical errors.Aim: This study aimed to assess the PS attitude and identify its determinants among HCWs.Setting: This study was conducted in Sharqia Governorate at different levels of health care.Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study that involved240 HCWs selected after using a multistage cluster sampling technique from Sharqia Governorate.In ordertto assess the respondents’ attitudes towards PS, the modified Chinese Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (CSAQ) was used.Results: The scale with the highest percentage of positive responses, on average, was safety climate (49.59%). The study found a statistically significant association between the level of health care and mean scores of ‘teamwork climate, perception of management, job satisfaction, working conditions, and stress recognition’ and the overall CSAQ score. In regression analysis, the highest degree of education and job type were significant predictors of PS attitude among the HCWs under study (p = 0.031 and 0.011, respectively).Conclusion: According to the study’s findings, PS is low among HCWs in both healthcare units and hospitals, with a significantly higher score among hospital workers than among primary care workers. All PS composites need improvement starting with regular assessment of PS culture along with continuous monitoring.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown had a significant effect on people’s lifestyles and dietary habits resulting in a possible negative health impact, particularly for patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The objective of the study was to assess the changes in dietary habits and lifestyle and how these relate to glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), who attended Zagazig Diabetes Clinic, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 402 patients with T2D were included in this cross-sectional study. A semistructured questionnaire was used to collect information on socioeconomic status, dietary habits, lifestyle changes, and previous medical history. Weight and height were also measured, and hemoglobin A1C levels before and after lockdown were compared. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS. To determine statistical significance, Chi-square test was used for categorical variables whereas, paired t-test or McN-Nemar test, as appropriate, was used to compare change in HbA1c before and after lockdown. Ordinal logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with weight change, whereas binary logistic regression was used to determine factors related with glycemic control. RESULTS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, 43.8% of the studied groups consumed more than their usual diet with an increase in fruits, vegetables, and immunity-boosting food; 57% depended on home-cooked food, 48.3% did not practice exercise. About 57% reported to have gained weight, 70.9% suffered from mental stress, and 66.7% reported inadequate sleep. Collectively, there was a statistically significant decrease in the percentage of good glycemic control in the studied groups (28.1% vs. 15.9%) before and after the COVID-19 lockdown, respectively (P < 0.001). Weight gain, physical inactivity, mental stress, and inadequate sleep were significantly associated with poor glycemic control. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the lifestyle and dietary habits of the studied groups. Therefore, it is very important to ensure better diabetes management in this critical period.

Background: Intestinal Parasitic Infections (IPIs) are major public health problems, mainly affecting school children. One of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations is to control the transmission of IPIs and the modification of possible risk factors. Objectives: To estimate the frequency and risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections among primary school children in Al Qurain district, Sharkia Governorate. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted on 320 primary school children. Participants’ data regarding socio-demographic characteristics, behavioral health habits, and complaints assessment questions were collected via semi-structured questionnaire. Stool samples were collected from students by the aid of their mothers and examined in the family medicine center. Results: The study revealed that one third (35%) of studied children had a parasitic infection. The highest percentage (44.4%) of infected children had E.histolytica.Children aged 9-12 years, with low mothers’ and fathers’ education, large family size, and low social class are more likely to had IPIs. The study found a statistically significant association between all behavioral health habits, all clinical manifestations, and parasitic infection. Conclusion: The results of the study reflect a relatively high prevalence rate of parasitic infections demands improved health education on regular hand washing, usage of toilet paper, washing fruits and vegetables, not eating outdoors, and avoid walking barefoot. Keywords: Hand washing, Rural, Stool analysis, Urban.

BACKGROUND: Egypt has adopted exceptional preventive measures to control COVID-19. People's knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward the health problem influences their compliance with preventive strategies. OBJECTIVE: The research assesses the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding COVID-19 among the general population in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was performed between May 28, and June 11, 2020. The respondents were invited to fulfill and submit an online survey portal created by Google Forms. The knowledge questionnaire included 13 items relating to symptoms, transmission, and preventive measures of the disease. The participants’ attitudes and practices included questions about trust in winning the fight against COVID-19 and the appropriate hand washing measures. RESULTS: The mean knowledge score was 11.16, and the correct response rate for the knowledge questionnaire was 85.8%. More than half of the participants were confident that Egypt will win the fight. Most of them practice appropriate hand washing measures. The average knowledge score was significantly lower among older, low education, rural, non-workers, and low socioeconomic groups. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the COVID-19 knowledge score (OR: 0.72-1.16, P<0.001) was significantly linked to a reduced probability of non-optimistic attitudes and unhealthy practices regarding COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the participants had a high level of knowledge, sound practices, and were not optimistic concerning COVID-19. More effort is needed to focus the health education strategies on the low-knowledge groups reported in the study. Keywords Hand washing, Mask, Pandemic, Prevention