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From
the Editor
..........................................................................................................................
Abdul Abyad, MD, MPH,
MBA, AGSF, AFCHSE (Chief Editor)
Address correspondence to:
Abdul 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
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This is the fifth issue this year and it is a
back to back issue with the June issue. A good
variety of papers has been included. A paper from
Palestine looked at the effect of allergy on an
individual's quality of life and the extent to
which it may restrict daily activities is often
overlooked. The study sample consisted of around
1000 randomly selected students from all colleges
of the University. Allergic rhinitis prevalence
rate was 3.1%. The results confirmed the strong
relationship of Allergic Rhinitis and respiratory
infections and Asthma.
Low dose exposure to lead is a well-known risk
factor for spontaneous abortion in pregnancy and
neurological fetal damage may be encountered at
blood lead levels (BLL) as low as 5- 10 µg/dl.
A study from Iraq evaluated the problem of lead
exposure among (306) non-pregnant women in childbearing
age in the city of Mosul and investigated the
possible association with certain socio- demographic
and household characteristics. The study revealed
that lead exposure is still an important public
health problem in Mosul City and the major predictors
for high BLL(s) include the location of the household
in relation to traffic density and home characteristics
namely age of home and/ or presence of chipping
paint.
The etiological agents of Mastitis in Lactating
Women in Iran was studied in a number of 203 milk
samples taken from puerperal women hospitalized
in Tehran. Their finding showed that Staphylococcus
aureus and Coagulase negative Staphylococcus were
the major etiological agents of Mastitis in Iranian
Women.
A random controlled clinical trial was conducted
to quantify the effect of coded herbal formulation
SCAT with Qurs Bukhareen, Qurs Humma Jadeed and
Amodiaquine at endemic area of Bund Murad near
Hamdard University, Karachi and the urban population
of Karachi. The statistical analysis through chi-square
test (p< 0.05) significantly proved the SCAT
efficacy. From the statistical analysis of all
the variables it was conclusively proved that
SCAT has furnished overall good efficacy, more
suitable and superior for the prevention and treatment
of malaria. The clinical data generated, clearly
proved that SCAT is the drug of choice for malaria
especially caused by Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium
falciparum.
Prospective randomized controlled trial to assess
the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment of women
with symptoms of urinary tract infection but negative
urine dipstick testing was carried out in Jordan.
The authors concluded that although negative dipstick
test accurately predicted absence of infection
when standard microbiological definition was used
(negative predictive value 92%), it did not predict
response to antibiotic treatment.
A review from Saudia Arabia highlighted the importance
of continuous, flexible and practical form of
medical education. The studies demonstrated that
there is a very weak effect of formal CME activities
on physician's performance depending upon the
methods of those activities . The authors suggested
that learning should not be bound in boundaries
and it should be continuous, flexible and practical
(Continuous Professional Development-CPD), allowing
physicians to choose from a menu of learning formats
after having identified which style best suits
them .
A Cross-sectional survey about expectations and
satisfaction of patients was carried out using
a questionnaire in Bangladesh. The authors revealed
that 60% of patients were satisfied with the service
provided. The study reveals useful information
that will help physicians in Bangladesh as well
as in the region to be more patient friendly.
The paper for Focus on quality care, is about
a better community based education program in
Iraq. The author defined community based education
as a mean of implementing a community oriented
learning program (which is the type of training
that focuses on both population group and individuals
taking into consideration community health needs)
that consist as defined by ( WHO -1987) of learning
activities that take place within the community
where students, teachers members of community
and other sectors engage actively through this
educational experience, i.e. the learning activities
that take place in particular and community settings.
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