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Introduction Antenatal Care (ANC) is crucial for preventing maternal morbidity and death. WHO guidelines published in 2016 recommended that women should attend eight ANC visits as a minimum throughout pregnancy. This research aims at boosting pregnant women satisfaction with the ANC in a public health care facility and thus their willingness to comply with treatment and care. Objectives of this study were to assess the current state of ANC visits system inside Alexandria Main University Hospital (AMUH) and to examine the outcome of appointment scheduling approach on waiting time and utilization of ANC.Methods A prospective survey with pre & post intervention (quasi-experimental study). The study took place between Jan 2023 and April 2023. All expectant mothers who showed up for their regularly scheduled antenatal appointment were advised and invited to take part in the study. The study enrolled pregnant females who were eligible and gave their verbal consent. Pregnant women seeking emergency medical attention and pregnant women who refused to participate in the study were among the exclusion criteria. A purposive sampling technique was used to enroll pregnant women. When they arrived at the clinic, pregnant women who were eligible for the study were recognized and given counseling regarding the study’s goals and the extent of their participation. Prior to enrollment in the study, oral informed permission was obtained from each participant.Results The findings of the study imply that patient experience is a crucial factor in and of itself, and that it may significantly influence utilization patterns.Discussion By practically applying QI tools a sound effective outcomes can be reached. However, patient engagement & effective communication with stakeholders are cornerstones for sustainability of any project and to ensure continuous commitment and leadership support.

Abstract Background Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) are widespread, treatable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) of global significance, affecting millions annually. Left untreated, they pose significant risks, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and complications during pregnancy. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends annual chlamydial screening for sexually active women to address these risks. Responding to this global challenge, the World Health Organization (WHO) has formulated a global health sector strategy on sexually transmitted infections, outlining priority actions to strengthen STI responses in countries. However, STI epidemiological studies encounter challenges in developing nations like Egypt due to socio-cultural factors, poverty, and limited diagnostic facilities. In Egypt, STI diagnosis primarily relies on clinical presentations, lacking structured screening programs for CT and NG. This study’s main objective is to estimate the prevalence of Chlamydial and gonorrheal infections, advocating for supportive STI strategies in Egypt. Additionally, the study aims to provide a foundation for national prevalence estimates of CT and NG infections. Methods A cross-sectional study encompassed five antenatal clinics in different regions of Egypt. A total of 1040 pregnant women attending these clinics were consecutively sampled. Data collection involved structured questionnaires, and urine samples were subjected to the GeneXpert CT/NG qualitative real-time PCR test. Results The prevalence of CT infections was 0.29% (95% CI, 0.10–0.86%), with no detected NG infections. The three CT-positive cases were distributed across different recruitment centers, with no statistically significant differences observed between infected and non-infected participants. Notably, 40.3% of recruited women reported gynecological symptoms, primarily discharge. Additionally, 9.6% had undergone previous testing for sexually transmitted infections, with 8.2% receiving positive results. Conclusions This study provides valuable data on the prevalence of CT and NG infections among pregnant women attending ANC clinics in Egypt. The findings underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance, routine screening, and targeted interventions to ensure the reproductive health and well-being of pregnant women and their infants. Further research is warranted to explore the broader implications of STIs in different populations and to inform evidence-based guidelines for screening and management in diverse settings. Trial registration: IRB no.: 17,400,017; WHO ERC Protocol Id. A66005.

Background: The key method to let people follow a healthier lifestyle and to prevent chronic non-communicable diseases is health promotion. Students in the medical field have to play a crucial role as in restoring and promoting health. Objective(s): The present study was carried out to assess health promoting lifestyle and self-efficacy among fourth grade medical students at Alexandria Faculty of Medicine, as well as to identify factors affecting their lifestyle in health promotion. Methods: A cross-sectional survey on 609 undergraduate fourth year medical students at Alexandria Faculty of Medicine during the academic year 2018-2019 was carried out. Participants were interviewed at the time they attended Community Medicine Department according to the faculty schedule. General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) and Health-Promotion Lifestyle Profile (HPLP II) questionnaires were the research tools used to identify student’s health promoting lifestyle and their self-efficacy status. Results: More than half of the studied medical students (57%) showed good self-efficacy. The mean score for health promoting lifestyle profile was 2.4 ± 0.36 out of 4. The highest mean scores were for interpersonal relationships and spiritual growth domains. However, the lowest mean scores were for physical activity and health responsibility domains. Having a good self-efficacy perception, being free from psychiatric diseases, as well as practicing regular physical exercise were significant predictors of a promoting lifestyle among the studied medical students. Conclusion: More than half of the studied students had good general self-efficacy status. The highest mean scores of health promoting lifestyle domains were for interpersonal relationships and spiritual growth domains. Therefore, creating supportive educational environment that values healthy lifestyle and its vital link to student performance is needed.

Objective. This study aims to assess the impact of re-establishing apical patency on the quantity of debris extruded through the apex after three supplementary retreatment files (TruNatomy (TRN), WaveOne Gold (WOG), and XP endo Finisher R (XPFR)). Materials and Methods. Eighty single-rooted mandibular premolars were prepared with ProTaper Universal rotary systems (PTU) up to F3 and obturated. The samples were divided into two main groups according to the presence or absence of the apical patency (n = 40), GI with apical patency and GII without apical patency. Based on the file system, which was adopted to eliminate the previous filling, each group had four subgroups (n = 10). In GI PTUR and GII PTUR, ProTaper Universal retreatment files (PTUR) were utilized only to remove the most primary filling material (control groups). In the other groups (PTUR) used, it was first followed by supplementary files. The quantity of debris extruded by different retreatment file systems was determined and compared to the corresponding control group with or without apical patency. Data were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA with a post hoc Tukey’s multiple comparison test at a 5% significance level. Results. There was a statistically significant difference among the control and experimental groups. XPFR had the least quantity of extruded debris. Apical patency did not affect the debris extrusion. Conclusion. All tested files led to a significant apical debris extrusion regardless of apical patency.

Purpose: To evaluate strain around resilient stud and bar attachments for inclined implants supporting mandibular overdentures during loading and dislodging. Materials and Methods: A mandibular edentulous model was printed using the laser sintering technique. Two vertical implants and two 30-degree distally inclined implants were placed in canine and premolar areas, respectively. Overdentures were attached to the implants with either a resilient stud (Locator, group 1) or a bar/clip (group 2) attachment. Three strain gauges were mounted at the buccal, lingual, and proximal surfaces of each implant. Microstrains were registered during vertical loading and dislodging force applications and compared between attachments (resilient stud and bar) and implant positions (vertical and inclined). Results: For canine implants, bar overdentures recorded significantly higher microstrains than Locator overdentures during vertical loading. For premolar (inclined) implants, Locator overdentures recorded significantly higher microstrains than bar overdentures during vertical dislodging. For both groups (during loading) and the bar overdenture group (during dislodging), canine (vertical) implants showed significantly higher microstrains than premolar (inclined) implants. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, canine (vertical) implants may be at risk of increased stresses during loading if bar attachments are used for vertical and inclined implants supporting mandibular overdentures, and premolar (inclined) implants may be at risk of increased stresses during dislodging if Locator attachments are used. For both attachments, canine implants showed significantly higher microstrains than premolar implants during loading and dislodging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Study aims to determine the bacterial profile associated with bacterial meningitis, their antimicrobial resistance pattern providing antimicrobial stewardship guidance and improving the efficacy of empirical treatment. Methods: Four years caseseries retrospective study (December 2019-December 2023), of positive CSF cultures in 432 patients of various age groups and departments in Ain Shams University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt were analyzed. Results: Predominance of Gram-negative bacteria constituting 79.1%, while 19.6% were attributed to gram-positive in bacterial meningitis. Notably, Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) had the highest prevalence at 34%, followed by Acinetobacter species (spp) at 19.6%. Whereas, Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumonia) exhibited a lower prevalence of 1.8%. The age group >16-50 years demonstrated the highest prevalence at 26.6%, followed by infants aged 2 months to <1 year, with a prevalence of 23.3%. Antimicrobial resistance was predominantly against ceftriaxone 89%, and ampicillin 87.9%. Conversely, pathogens exhibited greater sensitivity to tobramycin (46.2%) and gentamicin (43.1%) than other antimicrobials. Multidrug resistance was identified in 53.5% of Gram-negative bacteria. These results highlight Gram-negative bacteria role in meningitis. Conclusion: This study revealed significant changes in meningitis bacterial profiles, highlighting the importance of reinforcing antimicrobial stewardship efforts to effectively combat the evolving landscape of bacterial meningitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]