Background and Objectives

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious and widespread problem worldwide. IPV can seriously influence the physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health of women as well as the welfare of their children. In the Middle East, IPV is pervasive and widely acceptable. The present study was done to determine the prevalence and correlates of IPV among women attending different primary health centers in the Aljouf region, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 403 Saudi women attending different primary health centers in the Aljouf region, Saudi Arabia. A structured anonymous questionnaire was distributed to the targeted population during a face-to-face interview. Data analysis was done using the SPSS program, version 24.

Results

The present study showed that 30.3% of the participants had been exposed to IPV over the last year. Concerning the types of violence, the present study revealed that emotional violence is the highest followed by physical and then sexual violence representing 92.6%, 67.2%, and 44.3%, respectively. The significant predictors of IPV were women with one to three children (OR = 7.322, p-value = 0.006), women with four children or more (OR = 13.463, p-value = 0.006), and women married to husbands with aggressive behavior (OR = 98.703, p-value < 0.001). Not taking the approval on marriage was significantly associated with more exposure to violence (OR = 3.190, p-value = 0.042). In addition, husband smoking status was a significant predictor for IPV (OR = 2.774, p-value = 0.012). However, women married to alcoholic drinkers had a significantly …

Depression affects about 3.8% of the world’s population. Although marriage may contribute to subjective well-being, some marital variables could increase women’s risk for depression. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and their correlates among married females attending primary healthcare facilities. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a purposive sample of 371 married women at the primary healthcare centers, Assiut Governorate, Upper Egypt. In this study, an interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and marital satisfaction using the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale (EMS). Standardized measurements of weight and height were performed. According to the PHQ-9 diagnostic criteria, the prevalence of depressive symptoms among the studied married females was 30.2%. The significant predictors of depressive symptoms were advanced husbands’ ages, living with an extended family, exposure to spousal verbal violence, high body weight, and low marital satisfaction levels. Approximately one-third of married Egyptian women experienced depressive symptoms. In addition to high body weight, some social and marital factors contributed to the increase in women’s vulnerability to depressive symptoms. Egyptian primary healthcare physicians should be trained to identify females with depressive symptoms and refer them to specialists if need be. To combat depression in women, it may be helpful to construct qualified marital counseling centers. This may improve marital satisfaction …

Objectives

To explore Knowledge, attitudes and counselling practices of HCPs regarding SHS exposure among pregnant women and children in Egypt.

Methods

Survey of HCPs working in public maternal and child health clinics in Assiut city, Egypt. Descriptive and regression analyses were performed.

Results

367 HCPs participated in the study, 12% of whom were smokers. The majority were nurses (45%). A considerable proportion of HCPs reported being exposed to SHS in the workplace (70%) and home (52%). About half HCP reported high SHS risk awareness (56%), supportive attitude towards preventing SHS exposure (53%), and having good counselling practice regarding SHS exposure (52%). Being a GP and serving urban communities were significantly associated with high risk awareness. Being female, serving rural communities and not being exposed to SHS at home were significantly associated with self-reported supportive attitudes and good counselling practice.

Conclusion

HCPs’ awareness, attitudes and practice regarding the risks of SHS to pregnant women and children in Egypt should be improved. Training for HCPs and enforcement of smoke free polices are needed to improve awareness and facilitate changes in social norms.

Objective:

The objective of this review was to identify, appraise, and synthesize the evidence related to experiences and views of parents, children, and professionals on the prevention of second-hand smoke exposure to women and children in Middle Eastern countries.

Introduction:

Second-hand smoke exposure is a major health concern. It is problematic during pregnancy because of potential adverse reproductive effects and poor fetal outcomes. Childhood second-hand smoke exposure is linked to increased morbidity and mortality. Smoking prevalence is high among men in Middle Eastern countries and, as a result, large numbers of non-smoking men, women, and children are exposed to second-hand smoke daily.

Inclusion criteria:

Studies were considered for inclusion if they explored experiences and views on the prevention of second-hand smoke exposure among women and children in homes, workplaces …