Background Acne vulgaris is the most common dermatoses affecting adolescents with significant impact on their quality of life (QoL). The current study aimed to estimate the prevalence of acne, severity, and its impact on QoL and self-esteem among Egyptian adolescents. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 787 students were selected using multistage stratified random sampling from 12 secondary schools in Alexandria, Egypt. Data was collected using a self-reported questionnaire, and clinical examination was performed. Severity of acne and its impact on QoL and self-esteem were assessed using the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS), Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI), and Coopersmith self-esteem scale, respectively. Results Prevalence of self-reported acne was 34.7%. Females significantly reported acne more frequently than males (39.1% vs. 30.3%, p = 0.009). Prevalence of clinically confirmed acne was 24.4%, with higher rates among females (28.6%) than males (20.2%, p = 0.006). The majority of students had mild acne (75.5%). CADI showed that 11.4% had severe disability. A significant medium positive correlation between GAGS and CADI was found (r = 0.338, p < 0.01). Among acne group, low self-esteem was more prevalent among females (67.0%) than males (45.0%, p = 0.004). Conclusions Acne is a common problem among Egyptian school-aged adolescents with higher prevalence and impact in females. Our findings should alert health professionals and school authorities to timely identify, manage, and educate adolescents with acne.

Background: Today developed and developing countries are facing the problem posed by street children. The continuous and unrestrained exposure to the street and its associated lifestyles makes these children vulnerable to a range of health, social, and other problems. Objective: The aim of the present work was to assess the profile of street children and their living condition from different aspects, in addition to assessment of some psychological disorders among them. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 street boys present at El-Horreya institute for Children Community Development, which is a non-governmental organization in Alexandria. An equal control group of 50 school boys were selected at random from the first and second grades of one governmental boys preparatory school of the Middle District of Alexandria. Every child was subjected to an interviewing questionnaire. The Arabic version of Revised Ontario Child Health study scale, children Depression Inventory and the Cooper-Smith Self-Esteem Inventory, were used to identify children with conduct disorder, depression, and assess self-esteem, respectively. Anthropometric measurements including weight and height were measured for each street child and BMI was calculated. Results: The present study revealed that more than half of street children (58.0%) came from large size families, about three-quarters (72.0%) reported insufficient income, most of them had low educated parents and unskilled fathers, 80.0% reported not living with both parents before coming to the institute, and 91.2% reported bad inter-parental relationship. Family history of drug abuse, alcohol intake, smoking, and imprison were significantly higher among street children compared to school children (p<0.001). The present study showed that 74.0% of street children were smokers, 22.0% reported drug abuse, and 90.0% were dropped out of school. Family violence, beating, and beating without reason significantly increase the risk of being a street child (OR= 31.90, 2.0, and 44.58, respectively). The risk of conduct disorder, depression, and low-self esteem were significantly more among street children compared to school children (OR= 44.59, 14.64, and 9.66, respectively). The main cause of leaving home was beating, 80.0% lived in street after leaving home, 72.0% their main source of living was begging, and most of them faced problems in the street especially with the police. The results revealed that 92.0% were satisfied with the institute and 86.0% prefer to stay in the institute than returning to the street. Recommendations: planning programs to prevent, protect, and rehabilitate street children are essential.

Women comprise 20% of world’s billion smokers. Especially troubling is raising prevalence of tobacco use among girls. In fact, it is expected that 20% of women in developing/developed countries will be smokers by 2025. This study analytically compares knowledge, attitudes, and practices of tobacco use, by gender, among 4 sub-populations in Alexandria, Egypt. Methods: A cross sectional approach was used for 4 subgroups (high school students, university students, shopping malls/clubs’ attendees, employees of health-related facilities), 1000 each (total sample size = 4000). A modified version of WHO questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: Smoking prevalence was generally higher among males (29%-44%) compared to females (2% - 9%) in the studied groups. Cafeterias were preferable smoking places for both genders, especially among high school/university students. Most smokers in the 4 subgroups reported that most or all their friends were smokers. Mean knowledge scores were found to be higher among male employees/high school students, compared to females in the same sub-groups. Mean attitude scores towards smoking were higher among females (i.e. against smoking) in the 4 sub-samples. Conclusion & Recommendations: Tobacco use among males is generally higher among males, but females seem to be catching up. Social gatherings seem to attract many youngsters, of both genders, to smoke in public, especially waterpipe (which is a growing epidemic of tobacco use in our communities). Mass community- and gender-based health awareness campaigns are needed, using different channels, including school-based health education interventions, at the earliest age possible

A multistage, stratified random sample of 1312 students [aged 6-10 years] was selected from the five regions in Kuwait. Parents were interviewed and weight, height and urine analysis of the children were taken. Blood pressure was measured on at least three separate occasions. The overall prevalence of hypertension [average systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure > 95th percentile for age and sex] was 5.1%. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, certain groups of Kuwaiti schoolchildren were much more likely to develop hypertension. They included children whose parents were consanguineous, children with a family history of hypertension and obese children

Background & Objective(s): Obesity remains a public health challenge, particularly in developing countries. Research has denoted the relation between obesity and some female general and reproductive health problems including hypertension, diabetes, infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects and cesarean section. The high prevalence rates of obesity in developing countries may reflect lack of adequate knowledge about obesity. The aim of the present work was to estimate the prevalence rate of obesity among female university students and assess their knowledge regarding obesity and its adverse effects on reproductive health. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 female university students attending the Outpatient Clinics affiliated to Alexandria University. Students were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Students' knowledge about obesity, its risk factors and adverse effects was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Weight and height were measured for each student and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Results: The present study revealed that 31.5% of the studied students were overweight and 11% were obese (grade I). The mean BMI was 25.13 ± 3.63 kg/m 2. About one quarter (24%) had poor knowledge about the effect of obesity on reproductive health, as 85% considered oocyte development and maturation better in obese females and 71% reported that obesity reduced the risk of developing early menopause. A notable percentage of them did not know that obesity increased the risk of still birth (28%) and miscarriage (24.2%). Conclusion: Prevalence rate of overweight and obesity among sampled female university students in Alexandria was high and a considerable proportion lacked knowledge about the effect of overweight/obesity on their reproductive health.