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Background: Pain is the most incapacitating symptom of knee osteoarthritis (OA), with intermittent and/or continuous nature as described by the patients. Accuracy of pain assessment tools across different cultures is important. This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the Intermittent and Constant OsteoArthritis Pain (ICOAP) measure into Arabic (ICOAP-Ar) and evaluate its psychometric properties in patients with knee OA., Methods: The ICOAP was cross-culturally adapted following the recommended guidelines from English. Knee OA patients from outpatient clinics were recruited to assess the structural (confirmatory factor analysis) and construct validity (Spearman's correlation coefficient - rho) to assess the relationship between the ICOAP-Ar and the pain and symptoms subscales of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), in addition to internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha and the corrected item-total correlation). A week later, test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)) was evaluated. Following four weeks of physical therapy treatment, the ICOAP-Ar responsiveness was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve., Results: Ninety-seven participants were recruited (age = 52.97 ± 9.9). A model with single pain construct showed acceptable fit (Comparative fit index = 0.92). The ICOAP-Ar total and subscales had a strong to moderate negative correlation with the KOOS pain and symptoms domains, respectively. The ICOAP-Ar total and subscales demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (α = 0.86-0.93). The ICCs were excellent (ICCs = 0.89-0.92) with acceptable corrected item total correlations (rho = 0.53-0.87) for the ICOAP-Ar items. The ICOAP-Ar responsiveness was good with moderate effect size (ES = 0.51-0.65) and large standardized response mean (SRM = 0.86-0.99). A cut-off point of 51.1/100 was determined with moderate accuracy (Area under the curve = 0.81, sensitivity = 85%, specificity = 71%). No floor or ceiling effects were found., Conclusions: The ICOAP-Ar exhibited good validity, reliability, and responsiveness after physical therapy treatment for knee OA, which renders it reliable for evaluating knee OA pain in clinical and research settings., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Egypt has the world's highest prevalence of infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma. The high HCV prevalence is largely attributed to the parenteral antischistosomal therapy (PAT) campaigns conducted from the 1950s through the 1980s; however, the primary modes of transmission in the post-PAT period are not well known. In this study we examined the associations between HCV prevalence and exposures to risk factors, including PAT, in a high HCV prevalence population., Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, we examined the associations between demographic characteristics and risk factors for HCV transmission and HCV positivity prevalence among a sample of Egyptian residents. Data were collected through an interview-administered survey, and the association estimates were determined using χ (2) and logistic regression., Results: The highest HCV positivity prevalence was observed in cohorts born before 1960, and declined precipitously thereafter; whereas the proportion of subjects reporting PAT remained relatively stable. Being male, having a rural residence, and having received PAT were all associated with HCV positivity; however, PAT alone could not account for the high prevalence of HCV., Conclusions: In Egypt, PAT and other transmission factors yet to be identified, as well as cohorts born before the 1960s and infected with HCV, are most likely the main contributors to the current HCV endemic.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most fatal malignancies, is particularly prevalent in Egypt, where we previously found deficiencies in knowledge concerning HCC and its risk factors. Hepatitis B and C viral infections are highly prevalent in Egypt, pesticides are very commonly used, and diets are often contaminated by aflatoxin, especially in rural areas., Methods: We conducted a study to pilot test a health education intervention addressing HCC, its risk factors, and its main modes of prevention. It included four health education modules: HCC, hepatitis viruses, pesticides and aflatoxin. We used a pre- and post-intervention set of questionnaires to assess knowledge gained by the participants., Results: A total of 25 participants from a village in the Nile Delta area attended the health education session and completed the questionnaires. The education intervention significantly increased the participants' knowledge on HCC and its risk factors, particularly regarding the use of pesticides at home and aflatoxin contaminated foods (both p < 0.05). Overall, there was a 12% increase in the number of participants who believed that HCC could be prevented, and they reported their intention to practice prevention for HCC risk factors., Conclusions: We found that the education intervention we pilot tested was feasible and proved effective in increasing participants' knowledge. Future efforts should focus on implementing targeted education programs in high-risk populations in Egypt.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most fatal types of malignancy, is increasing worldwide, and particularly in Egypt where there is a confluence of its contributing factors, including high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, widespread use of pesticides, and diets that are contaminated by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in rural areas. We investigated knowledge, attitudes, and prevention practices related to HCV infection and pesticides use in rural Egypt, where over half of the population resides and agriculture is the predominant occupation., Methods: From two rural villages we recruited 67 residents aged 18-80 years, who completed a 40-item survey that included questions about demographics, knowledge of and protective measures relevant to pesticides use in the home and in agriculture, awareness and perceptions of HCV infection and its treatment and prevention., Results: Among the 67 study participants, gender distribution was equal, the mean age was 47.2, and one third never attended school. More than 50% reported using pesticides at home, but fewer reported having some knowledge about its health effects. Twelve participants were agricultural workers, and 11 of them applied pesticides in the field and knew about their toxicity; however only one person was correctly using the appropriate protective equipment. Among all the participants, 52 did not know what causes HCV infection, and 42 of those who knew it was a virus mentioned incorrect modes of transmission; and 30 did not know the disease manifestations., Conclusion: In rural Egypt, there is a significant lack of knowledge of HCV infection and its transmission mode and limited use of protective measures against pesticides despite familiarity with these chemicals.