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From
the Editor
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In this issue a number of papers from the region
addressed various issues. Helvaci,M.R et al
tried to understand whether or not there is
a chronic inflammatory background of autoimmune
thyroiditis (AT) on vascular endothelium in
sickle cell diseases (SCDs). All patients with
the SCDs and age and sex-matched controls were
studied. The study included 428 patients with
the SCDs (220 males) and 414 controls (213 males).
Mean ages of the SCDs patients were similar
in males and females (30.6 versus 30.1 years,
respectively, p>0.05). Both smoking (24.0%
versus 6.2%) and alcohol (5.0% versus 0.4%)
were significantly higher in males with the
SCDs (p<0.001 for both). Although AT was
diagnosed in 7.2% of the control cases (26 females
and 4 males), this ratio was only 0.7% (just
in 3 males) in the SCDs patients (p<0.001).
On the other hand, transfused red blood cell
units in their lives (47.6 versus 28.4, p=0.000),
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (25.4%
versus 7.2%, p<0.001), ileus (7.2% versus
1.4%, p<0.001), cirrhosis (7.2% versus 1.9%,
p<0.001), leg ulcers (20.0% versus 7.2%,
p<0.001), digital clubbing (14.0% versus
6.2%, p<0.001), coronary artery disease (18.1%
versus 12.9%, p<0.05), chronic renal disease
(10.4% versus 6.2%, p<0.05), and stroke (12.2%
versus 7.6%, p<0.05) were all higher in males
with the SCDs. The authors concluded that SCDs
are severe inflammatory processes on vascular
endothelium at the capillary level, terminating
with an accelerated atherosclerosis induced
end-organ failures and a shortened survival
in both genders. Beside that, SCDs may cause
moderate to severe immunosuppression by several
mechanisms that may be the cause of significantly
reduced prevalence of AT in SCDs.
Raof A.M conducted a descriptive study to determine
parental hesitancy toward vaccination inside
Erbil city; Iraq, and to find associations between
the parents’ position towards vaccination
and the outcome of immunization. The data were
collected through a self-administered questionnaire.
It included two sections: The first section
related to the demographic characteristics of
clients. The Parent Attitudes Childhood Vaccines
(PACV) questionnaire, used as a second part
to detect parents those who have concerns about
vaccination. Parental position in respect to
immunization of their child revealed that 65.3%
were unquestioning acceptor, 20.6% were cautious
acceptor, 9.9% were hesitant, 3.5% were late
or selective vaccinator and only 0.7% was refusal.
Immunization behaviors of parents among different
groups showed that, 20.9% postponed their child
vaccination for causes other than sickness or
sensitivity, while 73% provided immunization
in time. More than two third (65.9%) were completely
sure that, it’s a good idea to follow the
schedule of immunization for their child and
only 26.6% were not sure. The current study
showed parents had some positive aspects related
to vaccination and defect in some domains were
recognized. Identifying these parents is important
in order to implement the necessary measures
to maintain and improve the vaccines intake.
Raof A.M conducted a descriptive study to determine
parental hesitancy toward vaccination inside
Erbil city; Iraq, and to find associations between
the parents’ position towards vaccination
and the outcome of immunization. The data were
collected through a self-administered questionnaire.
It included two sections: The first section
related to the demographic characteristics of
clients. The Parent Attitudes Childhood Vaccines
(PACV) questionnaire, used as a second part
to detect parents those who have concerns about
vaccination. Parental position in respect to
immunization of their child revealed that 65.3%
were unquestioning acceptor, 20.6% were cautious
acceptor, 9.9% were hesitant, 3.5% were late
or selective vaccinator and only 0.7% was refusal.
Immunization behaviors of parents among different
groups showed that, 20.9% postponed their child
vaccination for causes other than sickness or
sensitivity, while 73% provided immunization
in time. More than two third (65.9%) were completely
sure that, it’s a good idea to follow the
schedule of immunization for their child and
only 26.6% were not sure. The current study
showed parents had some positive aspects related
to vaccination and defect in some domains were
recognized. Identifying these parents is important
in order to implement the necessary measures
to maintain and improve the vaccines intake.
Desouky ES et al, carried a cross-sectional
study to know the magnitude of knowledge and
attitude of Saudi medical and non-medical students
towards FM specialty. Medical students showed
a significant higher percent of students who
saw that FM specialty has an essential social
function, has a pleasant working environment,
has a high social status, is an attractive option
for a medical students, is an interesting specialty
from a research perspective, and is an important
specialty in: disease prevention/Health promotion,
family-focused health care, bio-psychosocial
focus of health care, collaboration with other
sectors, team work, bioethics, and urgent care.
Only 6% of medical students chose FM as a future
career, and the most common factor influencing
the specialty preferences was the good working
condition and the quality of life. Female students
and older grades showed a significant higher
percent of choosing FM as a future career. For
all participants, the study reflects the bad
reputation about FM specialty regarding its
status within the medical profession, scientific
prestige and salary. The authors concluded that
Medical students had better knowledge and perception
of family medicine compared to non-medical students,
but they had low interest in choosing it as
a future career.
Naseer Muhammad, Musarrat Shaheen, Muhammad
Khalil Ur Rahman, Faiza Rahman, and Fazal Haleem
reviewed the relationship between teachers’
behavior and corporal punishment: Lessons, implications,
and recommendations in KPK district, Pakistan.
They found that male teachers show more positive
behavior than female teachers towards corporal
punishment which implies that female teachers
should be appointed at the primary school level
in preference to men who engage in corporal
punishment, in order to provide a healthy and
free from corporal punishment learning environment
for students.
Chief Editor:
A. Abyad
MD, MPH, AGSF, AFCHSE
Email: aabyad@cyberia.net.lb
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