Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is influencing all segments of society, including youth. Although the physical complaints in the time of COVID-19 are broadly-studied, a paucity of research targeted psychological ones on the precious youth population. This study aimed to describe the real-time state of Egyptian youth’s psychiatric morbidity, dietary changes, and coping methods during this pandemic and explore probable factors influencing them. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey among 447 Egyptian participants aged 14–24 years. Sociodemographic data, dietary habits, and coping methods during COVID-19 were collected. The Arabic versions of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were used to assess depression, anxiety and insomnia, respectively. Results Overall, 80.5%, 74.0%, and 73.8% of the participants had different grades of depression, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms. 37.4% gained weight. Emotional and night eating emerged as new habits during the pandemic among 17.9% and 29.3% of the participants, respectively. Each of depression, anxiety, and insomnia was significantly associated with each other, female gender and having a COVID-19 infected relative. Adolescents had significantly higher scores of depression and anxiety. Those with a history of physical illness had significantly higher scores of anxiety and insomnia. Bodyweight and dietary changes were significantly associated with depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Participants reported various positive and negative coping methods. Conclusion Psychiatric morbidity and dietary changes are evident in young people during COVID-19 pandemic. Psychological well-being and dietary habits are important but often overlooked components of youth well-being especially in challenging times. Depression, anxiety, and insomnia were almost always present and dietary changes were significantly associated with the presence of them.

Background Pneumonia among under-five children constitutes a major public health concern. Studies examining risk factors for pneumonia in Egypt are limited. Aim To identify risk factors of pneumonia among under-five children in Alexandria, Egypt. Methods An observational case-control study was conducted over a 5-month period (September 2017–January 2018) in three main pediatric hospitals in Alexandria. A predesigned questionnaire was used to interview 660 mothers of under-five children (330 pneumonia cases and 330 control). The questionnaire included potential risk factors for pneumonia which were categorized into child-related factors, socio-demographic factors, and environmental factors. Results The mean age of the children was 23.14 ± 18.61 months with a range of 1–59 months. Nearly two-thirds (58.5%) were boys. Nine factors were found to be independently associated with pneumonia: age ≤ 12 months (OR = 1.925; 95% CI, 1.356–2.733; P < 0.001), male gender (OR = 1.646; 95% CI, 1.162–2.332; P = 0.005), birth order ≥ 4 (OR = 2.154; 95% CI, 1.282–3.617; P = 0.004), low birth weight (OR = 2.562; 95% CI, 1.718–3.821; P < 0.001), prematurity (OR = 2.019; 95% CI, 1.154–3.531; P = 0.014), place of delivery either at home (OR = 5.669; 95% CI, 1.063–30.237; P = 0.042) or at a public hospital (OR = 1.616; 95% CI, 1.131–2.310; P = 0.008), presence of concomitant illness (OR = 1.902; 95% CI, 1.043–3.469; P = 0.036), poor home aeration (OR = 3.586; 95% CI, 1.971–6.522; P < 0.001), and exposure to outdoor air pollution (OR = 2.403; 95% CI, 1.417–4.076; P = 0.001). Conclusion Several risk factors were significantly related to pneumonia among under-five children. Identifying such factors is important for developing interventions to reduce pneumonia burden among under-five in Egypt.

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.

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Children with cerebral palsy (CP) are at a greater risk of respiratory complications from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, this study aimed to assess parental COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (VH) among parents of CP children in Egypt, using the Arabic version of the Parental Attitude about Childhood Vaccination (PACV) questionnaire. This cross-sectional survey study was conducted at the outpatient clinics of two hospitals in Cairo, Egypt. Parents of children with CP were recruited using a simple random sampling technique. A total of 321 parents were enrolled; more than half of them were mothers of the children (61.37%); and the majority were Egyptians (87.23%) and living in urban areas (84.42%). Nearly 70% of the parents were hesitant to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to their children. A multiple linear regression model revealed that the PACV mean scores were lower among the following categories: (1) parents who could pay back loans, compared to those who could not pay back loans and who reported insufficient income (β = −2.39, p = 0.030); (2) non-Egyptian parents (β = −1.54, p = 0.002); (3) those who were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 themselves or had the intention to receive the complete COVID-19 vaccination (β = −6.28, p < 0.001); (4) those who had the intention to give the COVID-19 vaccination to their children (β = −3.04, p < 0.001); and (5) parents whose children received routine vaccines (β = −2.86, p < 0.045). After adjusting for other covariates, particularly the parental COVID-19 vaccine status (β = −6.28, p < 0.001) and parents who experienced a COVID-19-related death in the family (β = −1.75, p < 0.001), the PACV mean score decreased significantly. However, higher mean PACV scores were reported among parents who had a COVID-19 infection (β = 2.72, p < 0.001) or who were not sure (β = 2.76, p < 0.001). Our findings suggest the need to increase COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among parents of vulnerable children to reduce the negative consequences of COVID-19.