|
From the
Editor
..........................................................................................................................
A. Abyad, MD,
MPH, MBA, AGSF, AFCHSE (Chief Editor)
Address correspondence
to:
A. Abyad, MD, MPH, MBA, AGSF, AFCHSE (Editor)
Abyad Medical Center & Middle East Longevity
Institute
Azmi Street, Abdo Center, 2nd Floor
PO BOX 618, Tripoli LEBANON
Tel & Fax: 961 6 443684/5/6
Email: aabyad@cyberia.net.lb
Web: www.amc-lb.com
In this issue we have a number of papers with
important issues affecting family health, and
the community. A paper from Turkey looked at
Enuresis Nocturna (EN) associated with symptoms
of upper airway obstruction was frequently observed
in various studies. This study was conducted
on 2314 students between 6-14 years age, from
3 primary schools. The questionnaires, questioning
EN and the symptoms of upper airway obstruction,
were distributed to students to be filled by
parents. The mean age of 2314 study participants
(1123 male, 1191 female) was 9.21 ± 2.08
(6-14 years). When students were evaluated as
groups with EN and without EN, statistically
significant difference was detected between
groups regarding upper airway obstruction symptoms
(breathing problem while sleeping, sleep apnea
syndrome, sleeping with open mouth and snoring)
(respectively p=0.002, p=0.036, p<0.001,
p<0.001). The authors concluded that, EN
could accompany with upper airway obstruction
symptoms as it was detected in this study. Thus,
taking a detailed medical history and physical
examination at the primary care centers is significant.
A descriptive cross sectional study from Sri
Lanka looked at referral communications. A self
administered questionnaire based on the data
gathered in earlier qualitative, explorative
research was prepared to gather data. A postal
survey was conducted among Specialists Island
wide. A total of 1100 specialists were included
in the study and the response rate was 20%.
Although specialists expect a referral letter
from general practitioners they receive one
only around 50% of the occasions. They were
not happy with the quality of letters and expected
a comprehensive referral letter. The authors
concluded that specialists have positive attitude
towards their professional relationship with
GPs and they should be made aware of this and
try to enhance their communication with specialists.
There should be rectifiable measures in the systems
which facilitate coordination and communication
between the two parties and then the referral
process will become meaningful and beneficial
to all the stakeholders.
A paper from Bagdad looked at determinants
affecting the current choice of family planning
methods used by women. The study was conducted
on a convenient sample including (400) women
who attended 3 family planning clinics. An interview
was conducted by the investigator on determinants
of the current choice of family planning method
, the reasons for this choice and persons who
participated in choosing the method . This study
showed that the oral contraceptive pills were
the most preferable (65.3 %) followed by intrauterine
device (19.8 %),
hormone injection (10.8 %) then condom (4.3
%). The study found that the doctor was the
main person who participates in determining
the current family planning method choice. The
authors recommend to increase knowledge of both
partners to choose appropriate and suitable
method
for them through increasing the role of mass
media and preparing family doctors to offer
family planning services and to involve husbands
in family planning counseling sessions after
communication with their wives to decide the
suitable method for them
A paper from Gaza looked at the profile of
scabies in children in sector Gaza. All patients
who were seen in the outpatient clinic in Jordanian
hospital in Gaza were examined for scabies.
Patients were divided into three age groups:
group I: 0-4 years, group II: 4-8 years and
group III: 8-14 years. A total of 5430 children
were seen in outpatient clinic for various diseases
and conditions during study period. 145 cases
of scabies were reported with 98 males and 47
females. The authors concluded that scabies
is a common disease among children in Gaza.
Major contributing factors to this disease are:
crowding, poor hygiene, scarce water supplies
and low socio-economic class.
An editorial from Iraq addressed the problem
of children who are caught in the upheaval of
the Middle East. The authors started by quoting
that ‘Making peace is harder than making
war’. He added that he is writing this
editorial because ‘ I am brimming over
and writing is the only way to let it out. It
comes fast and furious .I write for the helpless
innocent children who did not have the right
to chose the accident of their place birth and
when I was not really thinking about it ,the
sensations aligned themselves the hands and
feet worked together and I found that the clutch
engaged, and I had slipped into writing gear
without really paying attention .like the athletes
on the most difficult challenges, using the
proprioception of the whole body to excel, pushing
through the pain to where the body feeling becomes
pleasure, I ought to take the writing past the
point of pain to satisfaction.
A paper from Jordan looked at the efficacy
of Sodium Stibogluconate intramuscular injections
in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis,
safety and side effects. A total 43 patient
were seen over a period of 12 months. All cases
were seen at Prince Rashed Military Hospital
in the north of Jordan. The diagnosis of localized
cutaneous leishmania was made on clinical grounds
proved by leishmania smear or skin biopsy. The
finding revealed a total of 23 patients were
males and 20 were females (16 of them were 14
years and below). The age group ranged from
2-72 years. One patient (2.3%) had resistant
infection to sodium stibogluconate; and an admission
was for one patient (2, 3%) for a few days because
of a picture of Hepatotoxicity. 42 patients
showed improvement of the lesion (98%); improvement
is defined when the lesion flattens and ulceration
disappears. The authors concluded that many
cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis are seen in
Jordan causing cosmetic problem. Early introduction
of systemic anti-leishmania agent is recommended.
Sodium stibogluconate is an effective way to
decrease scarring and dispigmentation, with
minimum side effect.
Our CME section provides a review of various
forms of research misconduct and provides a
good checklist for authors and potential authors.
..........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
|
