Hind Khattab

A community study of gynecological and related morbidities in rural Egypt.

This study assesses the prevalence of gynecological and related morbidity conditions in a rural Egyptian community. A medical examination was conducted on a sample of 509 ever-married, nonpregnant women. For gynecological morbidities, genital prolapse was diagnosed in 56 percent, reproductive tract infections in 52 percent, and abnormal cervical cell changes in 11 percent of the women. For related morbidities, anemia was present in 63 percent of the women, followed by obesity (43 percent), hypertension (18 percent), and urinary tract infection (14 percent). Regression analysis of risk factors demonstrated the contribution of social conditions and medical factors to these diseases. Reproductive tract infections were shown to occur more frequently with uterovaginal prolapse, IUD use, presence of husband (regular sexual activity), and unhygienic behavior. Genital prolapse increased with age and number of deliveries. Age, recent pregnancy, education, socioeconomic class, and workload showed significant associations with related morbidity conditions. This evidence challenges national health programs to go beyond safe motherhood, child survival, and family planning in its services to women, and to consider the social context of health as well.

Women's health problems in the Arab World: a holistic policy perspective

The paper reviews key health problems of women in the Arab World. It relies on data and information from international yearbooks, regional data bases, and small scale field studies. The relevant context in which women live; of lingering illiteracy rates, lack of access to cash income, and increasing poverty is described. Reproductive health is reviewed within this context pointing to trends of delayed marriage and declining fertility in some countries while other countries maintain high levels. Similar variability is observed in contraceptive use rates and the interaction of contraception and health is discussed. Evidence points to high levels of reproductive morbidity. The socio‐cultural context is found particularly relevant to pregnancy and childbirth, seen as natural processes by women, to experiences of menopause, and to violence against women, particularly female circumcision. A holistic policy perspective is suggested to address these problems.