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Defensive medicine has two forms: positive (assurance behavior) or negative (avoidance behavior), depending on the clinical situation. Defensive medicine minimizes the risk of litigation and tends to vary between surgical and non-surgical specialties due to the nature of the risks involved and the potential for litigation. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and patterns of defensive medicine practice among Egyptian physicians, compare surgical versus non-surgical specialties, and examine their correlation with medico-legal complaints and occupational determinants. This cross-sectional study was conducted among physicians from surgical and non-surgical specialties working in different Egyptian hospitals. A self-administered online questionnaire was distributed using the snowball sampling technique. The Defensive Medicine Behavior Scale (DMBS) was used to assess the practice of defensive medicine. A sample of 210 physicians with a mean age of 39 ± 7 years was included; 51.4% held the highest qualification of M.D. or Ph.D., with an equal sex distribution (1:1). There was a high level of defensive medicine practice in both surgical and non-surgical specialties: 41.7% and 39.5%, respectively. However, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P-value >0.05). Regression analysis showed that working at university hospitals and having workplace insurance coverage for medico-legal claims were associated with fewer positive defensive medicine practices. Conversely, concerns about the financial implications of medico-legal claims and negative reactions from patients or families were associated with a greater prevalence of positive defensive medicine practices. Despite the high prevalence of defensive medicine practices, no statistically significant differences were observed between the surgical and non-surgical groups regarding overall engagement in defensive medicine.

Social stigma associated with infectious diseases existed throughout the history of pandemics due to fears of contagion and death. This study aims to assess social and self-stigma resulting from COVID-19 infection and other associated factors in Egypt during the pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 533 adult Egyptians via an online questionnaire. The questionnaire included social stigma toward current and recovered COVID-19 patients and the negative self-image of being a COVID-19 patient. The mean calculated overall COVID-19-related stigma score for the studied sample was 4.7±3.1. The highest reported stigma category was mild stigma: Social stigma towards current COVID-19 patients (88.2%), Social stigma toward recovered COVID-19 patients (64.2%), Negative self-image for being a COVID-19 patient; perceived self-stigma (71.6%) and total stigma score (88.2%) respectively. The overall stigma score was negatively associated with a higher level of education and getting information from healthcare workers and positively associated with getting information from social networks. Social and self-stigma related to COVID-19 infection was mild from the Egyptian perspective but found in a large proportion of the population and mainly affected by getting information from healthcare workers or through social media and being more among those with lower education levels. The study recommends more legislative control on social media for disseminating health-related information and conducting awareness campaigns to counteract these adverse effects.

Recent Mpox outbreaks in non-endemic countries have highlighted the importance of global health preparedness. Combined national survey and pooled analysis were conducted to assess the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare workers (HCWs) toward Mpox in Egypt and the Arab region. An online survey was distributed to HCWs in Egypt, and a literature search of PubMed and other sources was performed to identify relevant studies from Arab countries. Descriptive statistics were utilized for all variables, with chi-square and t-tests used for comparisons. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed, with heterogeneity assessed using the I 2 statistic. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore factors of heterogeneity. A total of 399 eligible HCWs from various Egyptian health facilities were included. The mean age of participants was 35.6 ± 7.1 years; the majority were female, married, pharmacists, and had at least five years of experience. The survey revealed that only 37.6% of Egyptian HCWs had good knowledge of Mpox, while 97.9% held positive attitudes. The meta-analysis of 30 studies from Arab countries including both HCWs and the general population, showed a pooled proportion of 35% (95% CI: 31%–39%) for good knowledge and 48% (95% CI: 37%–59%) for positive attitude. A higher positive attitude was significantly associated with female gender and HCWs. Significant knowledge gaps regarding Mpox exist among HCWs in Egypt and the wider Arab region, despite generally positive attitudes. This underscores an urgent need to update medical curricula, implement continuous educational programs and launch nationwide awareness campaigns.

Even with the mild form of COVID-19, people need to practice the proper preventive measures to achieve health, safety and control spread of infection. Few studies assessed sound disinfection and rehabilitative knowledge. This study aims to assess the self-reported, knowledge of specific disinfection measures among post-recovery COVID-19 patients and identifying the most requested knowledge items regarding the prevention and post COVID rehabilitation measures. This is an exploratory cross-sectional study using an electronically open survey. A pre-tested e-questionnaire was employed for data assembling. The sample size was calculated and a total of 417 people completed the questionnaire. Knowledge score was calculated for preventive and disinfection measures during and after COVID 19 infection. It comprised three sections: socio-demographics, study participants' knowledge regarding precautions, disinfection, and rehabilitation measures, as well as sources of knowledge about COVID-19. All participants infected with COVID-19 (82%) reported self-isolation for ten days after confirming the infection, with only 18% required hospitalization. Regarding the information needed by the participants, the highest requests were for the rehabilitation information after COVID-19 and preventive measures. Females under 30 years old and those with a college education or higher were significantly more likely to request rehabilitation information after COVID-19 (P-value 0.05). Nevertheless, males were significantly more interested in information regarding preventive measures; They were over 30 years old and had education below university (P-value 0.05). Participants (above 30 years old) had significantly higher knowledge of preventive and disinfection measures during and after COVID-19 infection (P = 0.030). After the COVID-19 experience, most participants demonstrated a great desire for rehabilitation information and proper preventive measures. This paves the way for delivering self-management and rehabilitation knowledge and emphasizing the significance of various prevention modalities.

Background Interprofessional Education (IPE) is essential in improving patient outcomes by promoting teamwork and collaboration among healthcare professionals. This study aimed to assess the impact of IPE on developing clinical competencies and collaborative practices in Egyptian intensive care units (ICUs). The core modules focused on managing antibiotic resistance, venous thromboembolism (VTE), and mechanical ventilation (MV), chosen for their high prevalence in Egyptian ICUs and significant impact on patient outcomes. Methods The IPE program was implemented across seven governorates, involving 16 hospitals and multidisciplinary ICU teams. It was conducted in two consecutive four-month waves, each covering the three core modules. Participants included physicians, clinical pharmacists, and ICU nurses. To enhance efficacy, a blended learning approach combined virtual webinars, case-based discussions, and in-person workshops. Data collection included pre- and post-tests, a post-training satisfaction survey, and the Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS) to assess competency improvements. Results The IPE program included 157 participants, with 79 in wave 1 and 78 in wave 2. Physicians were mostly male (47.2%) and older (> 40 years), while clinical pharmacists and ICU nurses were younger and predominantly female (89.6% and 75.7%, respectively). For exam performance, clinical pharmacists had the highest excellence rate (22.4%), while ICU nurses had the highest failure rate (40.5%). Post-training, interprofessional competence improved significantly, with physicians showing the greatest competency gains ( p  < 0.05) and clinical pharmacists playing a key role in antibiotic resistance management ( p  = 0.029). Overall satisfaction was high across modules, increasing from 79.8% in Module 1 to 90.5% in Module 3. Higher satisfaction was observed among females (up to 89.5%), participants aged 30–40 (92.6% in Module 2), and those who received sufficient program information ( p  = 0.011), with lecturers median score rated consistently 5.0, while material satisfaction median score varied (4.0–4.8). Conclusions The IPE program improved interprofessional collaboration and clinical competency, despite challenges such as participant dropout, scheduling conflicts, and engagement in virtual sessions. By addressing issues like antimicrobial resistance and critical care management, it provides a practical model for improving healthcare outcomes, particularly in resource-limited settings. This program is a preliminary step, with plans to expand to more hospitals in Egypt and conduct further research on its long-term impact on patient outcomes and potential for replication in healthcare systems worldwide. Clinical trial number Not applicable.

Background Knowing what to eat and realizing the significance of healthful eating habits are among the important steps to promoting eating behavior. The current study aims to assess the nutrition knowledge (NK) among a convenient sample in four different countries, determine the association between different demographic factors and NK, and investigate the need for future interventions on nutrition in the four selected countries. Methods A cross-sectional multi-national survey study among a convenient sample of 8,191 subjects from Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan who undertook surveys between January 2019 and January 2020. A pre-tested interview questionnaire was utilized for data collection from study participants. It included three sections: i) Sociodemographic characteristics:. ii). Section two included twenty-one questions related to NK.. iii). Section three included one question about NK sources. Results About three-quarters showed inadequate nutrition knowledge (73.1%). Youth (15–24 yrs.) were more dependent on social media, with 87% using it as a primary source of NK, while adults (≥ 25 yrs.) demonstrated that 43% of them used social media. In contrast, TV was more prominent among them, with participants’ characteristics such as living with parents, body mass index, and country of residence showing no association with NK. However, female sex, education, and reading nutrition articles are significantly correlated with adequate knowledge ( p  < 0.001). Significant predictors of satisfactory knowledge were age, sex, education, living with parents, and reading nutrition articles. Conclusion The study revealed low levels of NK indicating an urgent need to implement educational programs to promote nutrition knowledge. As NK is a modifiable determinant of diet intake and can positively impact the need for developing strategies in counselling and raising awareness among the general population to improve their health status.

The perspectives of healthcare professionals on antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs) should be explored. Any antibiotic stewardship strategy must be individualized based on patient needs, prescription habits, and local resources. The current study aimed to explore the perspectives of healthcare providers on antibiotics stewardship and their awareness of these perspectives. Furthermore, potential barriers to the application of ASPs should be identified and addressed. This exploratory cross-sectional study utilized a qualitative method to evaluate critical care physicians, pediatricians, and clinical pharmacists (n = 43). The mean age of the physicians was 32 ± 1.5 years. Among them, approximately two-thirds (66%) were women. A thematic content analysis was performed to examine the responses of the participants and to prioritize the recommendations for and barriers to the implementation of ASPs from the perspective of healthcare providers. According to the interviewees, the primary obstacles include lack of time in implementation and monitoring and lack of awareness of the need for ASPs. All respondents recommended the implementation of supervised and continuous trainings. In conclusion, the abovementioned barriers must be adequately addressed to facilitate the implementation of ASPs.

Dengue fever is considered as an emerging disease in Afghanistan. Since the first outbreak was reported in 2019, other outbreaks have been reported in the following years. The current study aims to describe the epidemiological features and clinical manifestations of suspected and confirmed cases of dengue fever detected by the National Disease Surveillance and Response (NDSR) Department of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) during 2021 and 2022 to prevent further spread and minimize its impact on the country’s health system and on the limited number of health workers. Through a retrospective analysis of historical data related to suspected dengue fever cases in Afghanistan detected by the National Disease Surveillance and Response Department during 2021 and 2022, several variables were identified, including demographic characteristics, clinical features, clinical management, the outcome of infection, laboratory data, and epidemiological factors. All statistical analyses were developed using Microsoft 365 (Excel). The mean age of the 1977 reported suspected dengue fever cases was 30.4 ± 14.9 years, with males 70.7%. The epidemic curve showed a steep rise in cases in 2022, starting from week 39, with a peak reached in week 45, which was higher than that observed in 2021. The majority of cases (97.9%) were reported from Nangarhar Province, east of the country. Regarding symptoms, fever, headache, and muscle pain were expressed in nearly all cases. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was positive in 379 cases out of 497 cases (76.3%). For the management of cases, 97.6% received antipyretics. Less than 5% of cases were admitted to health care units, with death reported in only two cases (case fatality rate of 0.1%). The number of suspected cases of dengue fever reported in Afghanistan was increasing. The trends for 2021 and 2022 followed almost the same pattern, with a higher peak in 2022. Understanding the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of dengue fever cases is fundamental for preparedness for upcoming seasons.

Background The Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP)-Family Planning Sector (FPS) has a strong management information system (MIS) that allows the flow of data from MOHP-FP clinics, health districts, and governorates up to the central level. Yet, family planning (FP) quarterly reports issued at the central level are presented as database/spreadsheet software documents. These data are not used to provide indicators or information that aid in decision-making or the tracking of FP services over time. The objective of the study is to organize data in the database, develop key performance indicators, and design FP reports and policy briefs. Methods The study is operations research that is driven by published data derived from MOHP-FP sector-head, and 2014 service statistics quarterly hardcopy reports. The information was entered into an excel program, and 15 key performance indicators (KPIs) were calculated and used to rank Egypt’s 27 governorates. We developed an annual FP report form, settled tables, and colored graphs that are liable to rank the governorates from best to least favorable. Results The quarterly data sheets issued by the MOHP-FP sector were organized for the quarters, and one annual sheet was developed with the organization of Egypt’s Governorates into 4 specific regions, with each governorate having a fixed position in all reports. The key performance indicators were as follows: percent of clients aged 35 and up; percent of clients with fewer than three children; proportion of current FP users by method; percent of clients reported as first-time clients; percent of clients defined as new clients (non-FP users and FP discontinuers); and contraceptive coverage rate, i.e., percent coverage of married women of reproductive age with dispensed FP methods expressed as couple years. Conclusion MOHP-FP sector service statistics data could be used for the development of fifteen key performance indicators. Having those indicators at governorate, district, and central levels in quarterly and annual reports and their communication with decision-makers at all levels and their tracking overtime will guide them to timely decision-making for improving performance in FP services at all levels.

Background Violence against women is a worldwide problem that affects different social and economic classes, and this violence has almost increased with pandemics as the COVID-19 pandemic. The present survey aimed to assess the prevalence of violence against women in Egypt during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify the relationship between sociodemographic factors and violence exposure. A total of 509 women were recruited using a self-completion e-form questionnaire. Results The prevalence of violence experienced by women was (43.8%); the most common type was the emotional representing (96.0%) of exposed women, while sexual violence was the least common (13.5%). Violence exposure was affected significantly by residence governorates, husbands’ working status, reduced husbands’ working hours, and history of violence exposure. Conclusions Violence against women in Egypt was increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, which raises the need for a strong and urgent anti-violence program to control this problem.