Obesity is an important pediatric health problem associated with risk of complications in childhood and increased morbidity and mortality throughout adult life. The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased, and the prevention and treatment of obesity have emerged as an important focus of pediatric research and clinical care. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of obesity among preparatory school pupils in Assiut District which lies in the mid of upper Egypt and its possible risk factors. A cross sectional study was conducted among preparatory school pupils (1048) in Assiut District. A questionnaire was fulfilled by the participants. Calculation of weight categories was done using body mass index (BMI). The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 19.9% and 19.1% respectively. Low level of maternal education, rural residence, and low socioeconomic status were significantly associted with obesity. In conclusion, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among preparatory school children in Assiut District is high synchronizing with the global rate. Obesity became a serious and increasing health problem in Egypt like the rest of the world. Strategies to manage and prevent further spread of this pandemic should be undertaken.

Background: There is some evidence that university students are at higher risk of depression; but rates have been found to vary widely across different countries, and there have been few surveys in representative samples. This study was carried out to assess the reliability of the Arabic-language Zagazig Depression Scale (ZDS) in a sample of Egyptian university students and to use the ZDS to assess the prevalence of depression. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 988 undergraduate students from Assiut University, Egypt (response rate, 82.3%). Prevalence of depressive symptoms was assessed using the ZDS, a self-report Arabic-language version of the Hamilton Rating Scale, modeled on the Carroll Rating Scale for Depression. Results: Participants had a mean ZDS score of 17.8 (±9.0) out of a possible maximum score of 46. Using the recommended cutoffs for the ZDS, 37.6% of the students were found to have at least moderate depression, with 71% exceeding the cutoff for mild depression. The internal consistency of the ZDS was excellent (Cronbach α = 0.904), as was the split-half correlation coefficient. Conclusion: This survey revealed a worryingly high rate of depressive symptoms in a representative sample of Egyptian university students. The ZDS is a reliable and acceptable tool for assessing mental health in a university population. Crown Copyright © 2011 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Background It is thought that depressive disorders will be the second leading cause of disability worldwide by 2020. Recently, there is a steady increase in the number of university students diagnosed and treated as depression patients. It can be assumed that depression is a serious mental health problem for university students because it affects all age groups of the students either younger or older equally. The current study aims to establish the reliability and validity of the Zagazig Depression scale in a UK sample. Methods The study was a cross-sectional online survey. A sample of 133 out of 275 undergraduate students from a range of UK Universities in the academic year 2008-2009, aged 20.3 ± 6.3 years old were recruited. A modified back translated version of Zagazig Depression scale was used. In order to validate the Zagazig Depression scale, participants were asked to complete the Patient Health Questionnaire. Statistical analysis includes Kappa analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, Spearman’s correlation analysis, and Confirmatory Factor analysis. Results Using the recommended cut-off of Zagazig Depression scale for possible minor depression it was found that 30.3% of the students have depression and higher percentage was identified according to the Patient Health Questionnaire (37.4%). Females were more depressed. The mean ZDS score was 8.3 ± 4.2. Rates of depression increase as students get older. The reliability of The ZDS was satisfactory (Cronbach's alpha was .894). For validity, ZDS score was strongly associated with PHQ, with no significant difference (pvalue > 0.05), with strong positive correlation (r = +.8, p-value 0.01). Conclusion The strong, significant correlation between the PHQ and ZDS, along with high internal consistency of the ZDS as a whole provides evidence that ZDS is a reliable measure of depressive symptoms and is promising for the use of the translated ZDS in a large-scale cross-culture study.

Background Worldwide population surveys show that prevalence of mental disorders in developing countries was as common as in industrialized countries. College life is an important stage in every person’s life; unfortunately, it may be the time to experience depression for the first time. Latterly, there has been a steady increase in the number of university students diagnosed and treated as depressed patients. This paper presents the results of a study carried out on a representative sample of undergraduate students of an Egyptian University, which aimed to study the relationship between social factors and the occurrence of depression. It was assumed that the poorer the socio-economic background the higher the rates of depression.

Introduction: Health-related quality of life (HRQL) has become an increasingly important issue in the management of asthma and it is now often used to evaluate the effectiveness of antiasthma drugs. The healthcare should not only focus on the patient's survival or quantity of life, but also on the quality of the extended life. Objective: to assess impairment in quality of life (QOL) in asthmatic children and to determine the influencing factors. Methods: Study of 230 outpatients with a wide range of asthma severity, aged 7-18 years, who were undergoing regular checkups in chest outpatient clinic in school health service, Assiut, compared with another 272 non asthmatic patients as a control group. Two questionnaires were used for each patient; asthma questionnaire to identify the signs and symptoms of asthma, other associated allergic diseases, its effect on life style of the patient and possible risk factors. Another one was to assess QOL using the Arabic version of St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Results: Bronchial asthma affected boys more than girls (62.2%and37.8%respectively). The mean age of asthmatic children was9.1±2.1years. Co morbid Conditions as eczema, allergic conjunctivitis, and allergic rhinitis were highly significant associated with asthmatic patients. About 40% diagnosed as uncontrolled asthma category based on their night awakenings alone, more than70%of the children based solely on their activity limitation and26.5% based solely on their daytime symptoms. Severe asthma reported in 98(42.6%) asthmatic children. Asthma affects quality of life of patient. There were significant differences between the two groups as regard Symptom, Activity, Impact and Total score (all P0.0001) of St George's score. There was a negative correlation between overall asthma severity and quality-of-life score. Also, presence of allergic rhinitis, was strongly and negatively associated with the overall SGQLQ score (p=0.038). Also, Lower QoL was associated with school absences, younger females with asthma seemed to have lower quality of life compared to younger males with asthma (10 years) and among patients associated with poorer adherence to treatment. Asthma affected all life style of the majority of patients (> 60-80%) as, Physical exercise limitation, Sleep disturbance, feel tired, Emotional function and School activities limitation. CONCLUSIONS: Bronchial asthma significantly affect QOL of children, so reduce asthma severity and improve asthma symptom attempts to improve their QOL.

Introduction; The link existing between the upper and lower airways has been observed repeatedly in the past, but the concept of united airways disease (UAD) is a matter of recent years. Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is also associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis. Aim of work is to assess the frequency and coexistence of rhinitis, eczema and conjunctivitis in asthmatic school children. Methods; All asthmatic patients(230) consecutively recruited in the specialist pediatric asthma out-patient clinic in school health service during 12 months, compared with another 272 non asthmatic patients attended at the same period in anther out clinics, as control group. A questionnaire was used for each patient to identify the signs and symptoms of asthma and other associated allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, eczema or conjunctivitis. Answers were collected under supervision. Each patient was submitted to a physical examination. Results; Bronchial asthma affected boys more than girls (62.2%and37.8respectively) and those lived in rural areas (62.2%) more than urban (37.8%).In the first decade, asthma affected both boys and girls equally, boys were more affected in age 11-15 years while affected more females above age 15.Among females, asthma was common in age less than 10 years (43.7%), while in males it was common between 11-15 years; the difference is statistically significant. About half of cases(124 patients,53.9%);the age of onset of asthma in both sex is before age of five with mean 5.1 years ±3.5.However,there is no statically significant difference between the age of onset of bronchial asthma and gender. Nocturnal asthma symptoms were present in 69.6% of total children. Seasonal exacerbations of asthma were worse in the winter, while perennial asthma reported in only 9.1% of patients. Other allergies as eczema, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis were highly significant associated with asthmatic patients compared to control group. Sixty percent of subjects with asthma suffered from rhinitis, 29.1%and15.7%associated with allergic Conjunctivitis and allergic dermatitis respectively. There were statistically significant associations occurred between the symptoms of asthma and rhinitis (OR= 2.8; 95% CI= 2.6 to 5.6; p 0.001), asthma and eczema (OR= 2.1; 95% CI=1.2 to 3.7; p0.001) and asthma and Allergic conjunctivitis (OR= 2.9; 95% CI= 1.8 to 4.7; p0.001). There was a significant association between allergic rhinitis and Allergic conjunctivitis (36.7%) among cases and it is known as rhino conjunctivitis.