The present

There is a need for the implementation of a multidisciplinary program using the One Health approach to effectively control and prevent EC.

Background: Thalassemia is a major health problem in Jordan that requires extensive attention and management. Aim of the study: to assess the current knowledge and care practices of mothers of thalassemia children about thalassemia. Design: A descriptive design was used. Subjects: A purposive sample of mothers with thalassemic children (45 mothers) was used. Tools: A structured questionnaire to assessed demographic data, knowledge, and care practices of mothers regarding thalassemia. Results:The majority of mothers had low levels of knowledge regarding thalassemia and the majority practiced the administration of Desferal tablets incorrectly. No significant association was found between knowledge and care practices of mothers and their socio-demographic characteristics. Conclusion: Jordanian mothers of thalassemic children do not have adequate knowledge on thalassemia and their practice towards their children in dealing with thalassemia was very poor. Recommendations: Health education programs on knowledge and care practices about thalassemia be introduced for mothers of thalassemic children in every public hospital in Jordan.

Abstract:The objective of this case control study is to identify the relationship between intestinal parasitic infection and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) among Sudanese patients. Method: Two hundred patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and were attended Health Facilities at Khartoum State were enrolled, together with 99 apparently healthy controls. Patients were classified into three groups (IBS-all types, IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), and IBS with constipation (IBS-C)). Stool specimens were collected form study population and all were subjected to microscopic examination following wet saline preparation, formal-ether concentration technique, Z. N stain, and in vitro cultivation in Locke egg medium. Results: Intestinal parasites were detected in 32% (64/200) of IBS-all types; and in 16.2% (16/99) of control group (P. value 0.005). For patients, 20 (10%) were positive for the Entamoeba cyst, 3 (1.5%) Giardia lamblia cysts, and 41 (20.5%) were positive for Blastocystis hominis cyst. For control, Entamoeba species were detected in 10 (10.1%), G. lambelia one case (1.1%), and B. hominis in 5 (5.2%). Blastocystis hominis was significantly prevalent among IBS-all types than the control group (P. value 0.02). It is more frequent among patients with IBS-D than those with IBS-C (P. value 0.001). Conclusion: This study concluded that, there is a statistical association between presence of intestinal parasites and IBS on study population. Blastocystis hominis was found more frequently detected parasite, and it was found significantly associated with IBS-diarrhea.

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