Background: Primary healthcare in Egypt has undergone significant reforms since the 1990s, including the pioneering Family Health Program (FHP). However, limited evaluation exists regarding the FHP's impact on enhancing the delivery of primary healthcare services. The primary objective of this study was to analyze and understand the efficiency and effectiveness of the FHP in altering the delivery of primary healthcare in Egypt. We aimed to outline the fundamental characteristics of the primary healthcare system, compare them between the conventional and the newly reformed FHP centers, and gauge the awareness level of these variances among key decision-makers, focusing specifically on Cairo, Egypt. Methods: This cross-sectional study employed a mixed methods approach to evaluate and compare the quality of care between conventional clinics and FHP clinics in Cairo using the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) tool. The study population consisted of healthcare providers and municipal health authorities in Cairo. A purposive sampling method was used to select 19 FHP clinics and 12 conventional clinics, representing 75% of the total government primary care clinics in Cairo. Surveys were conducted among healthcare providers at these clinics, and interviews were conducted with 8 carefully selected municipal health authorities in supervisory roles. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the survey responses. The chi-square (y2) test was employed to examine variations in scores between FHP and conventional clinics, with significance attributed to differences at the P < 0.05 level. Cronbach's alpha was used to assess the reliability of the scales used within each primary care dimension. Results: FHP clinics scored significantly higher on continuity of care (4.17 ± 0.37 vs. 3.68 ± 0.51, P = 0.05), family-centered approach (4.28 ± 0.59 vs. 2.97 ± 0.44, P = 0.01), and provider competency (4.29 ± 0.39 vs. 3.42 ± 0.99, P = 0.01) compared to conventional clinics. FHP clinics were more likely to offer domestic violence services (2.76 ± 1.49 vs. 1.80 ± 1.74, P = 0.02), tuberculosis treatment (2.73 ± 2.11 vs. 0.12 ± 0.34, P = 0.029), and prenatal care (4.75 ± 0.00 vs. 4.01 ± 1.56, P = 0.014). Conclusion: While FHP clinics demonstrate benefits in continuity, family-focus, and provider competency, quality improvements are still required in both conventional and FHP clinics to achieve comprehensive, continuous, integrated, and patient-centered primary healthcare aligned with community needs. Further evaluations are warranted given the continued expansion of the FHP program.
Hydrogels are hydrophilic biocompatible polymers that can be used as a drug delivery material in different medical branches, including vital pulp therapy. The aim of this study is to characterize the physical and biological properties of the newly developed formula as a candidate direct pulp-capping material. The hydrogel composite was prepared from natural and synthetic origins (polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), hyaluronic acid (HA), and sodium alginate (SA)) with the incorporation of bioactive Moringa. Different formulas of hydrogel containing different concentrations were evaluated for physicochemical (FTIR, XRD, SEM, degradation, and swelling), mechanical (viscosity, folding endurance, film thickness), and biological (antioxidant, antibacterial,
... Show MoreThe compressive residual stresses generated by shot peening, is increased in a direct proportional way with shot peening time (SPT). For each metal, there is an optimum shot peening time (O.S.T) which gives the optimum fatigue life. This paper experimentally studied to optimize shot peening time of aluminium alloy 6061-T651 as well as using of and analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Two types of fatigue test specimens’ configuration were used, one without notch (smooth) and the other with a notch radius (1,25mm), each type was shot peened at different time. The (O.S.T) was experimentally estimated to be 8 minutes reaching the surface stresses at maximum peak of -184.94 MPa.
A response surface methodology (RSM) is presen
... Show MoreThe presence of antibiotic residues such as ciprofloxacin (CIPR) in an aqueous environment is dangerous when their concentrations exceed the allowable. Therefore, eliminating these residues from the wastewater becomes an essential issue to prevent their harm. In this work, the potential of efficient adsorption of ciprofloxacin antibiotics was studied using eco-friendly ZSM-5 nanocrystals‑carbon composite (NZC). An inexpensive effective natural binder made of the sucrose-citric acid mixture was used for preparing NZC. The characterization methods revealed the successful preparation of NZC with a favorable surface area of 103.739 m2/g, and unique morphology and functional groups. Investigating the ability of NZC for adsorbing CIPR antibioti
... Show MoreDicephalus parapagus twinning (DPT) is the rarest conjoined twinning entity of all conjoined twins. The presence of DPT is always associated with mortality before or after delivery. Antenatal diagnosis is crucial for planning labor, assembling a team, and providing counseling. Case presentation: A 23-year-old patient (G2P1A0) at 21 weeks of pregnancy attended the ultrasound clinic for routine care. A monoamniotic-monochorionic pregnancy was observed; the twin fetuses had two heads but one body, which corresponded to dicephalus parapagus twinning. A detailed ultrasound and fetal echocardiography reveal one heart without congenital anomalies. The liver, kidneys, and bladder appeared to be normally developed. Fetal MRI and karyotyping wer
... Show MoreIn this study, a new class of polymeric nanocomposites was synthesized and characterized. One mole of dimethyl adipate and two moles of thiosemicarbazide in ethanol first reacted to form the compound [C1]. Compound [C1] then reacted with sodium hydroxide to produce compounds [C2]. Hydrazine hydrate reacted with compound [C2] to generate compound [C3]. Compound [C4] was synthesized from compound [C3] and maleic anhydride. A polymer [C5] is formed by the reaction of the compound [C4] with ammonium persulfate as an initiator. This polymer was then combined with nano: ZnNPs, AgNPs, SiNPs, or IONPs using a hotplate stirrer for 3 hours to produce nanocomposites [C6-C9]. FTIR, 1H-NMR, and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) were
... Show MoreAim of the study: Using surface roughness and tensile bond strength tests, the objective of this investigation was to ascertain the impact of laser surface modification on the binding strength of injectable thermoplastic acrylic denture base material to acrylic-based soft-liner material. Materials and methods: Acrylic base soft liner material was bonded to injectable thermoplastic acrylic resin (Deflex). Forty specimens were created (20 disc, 20 dumbbells) 10 of each specimen type as control specimens, and 10 were treated with nano pulse Nd: YAG laser. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and unpaired t-test (a=.05) and the roughness test was performed utilizing a double column universal test machine. Results: Compar
... Show MoreCr2O3 thin films have been prepared by spray pyrolysis on a glass substrate. Absorbance and transmittance spectra were recorded in the wavelength range (300-900) nm before and after annealing. The effects of annealing temperature on absorption coefficient, refractive index, extinction coefficient, real and imaginary parts of dielectric constant and optical conductivity were expected. It was found that all these parameters increase as the annealing temperature increased to 550°C.