The effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) are less studied especially on neonates. This study evaluates the clinical and biochemical effects in neonates exposed to ETS during pregnancy. Two hundred pregnant women asked to complete the questioners about their ETS. Ninety from them were enrolled in biochemical assays as two groups according to ETS. The cotinine level determined in saliva and serum of mothers to confirm their tobacco exposure. The routine tracheal suction from the fetus was used to determine the level of neuron specific enolase (NSE), soluble E-cadherin, sApo-1/Fas, nitric oxide (NO) and cotinine. In clinical assessment, the percent of full term babies in nonexposed group (72 %) are higher compared to exposed group (67 %). Apgar score at the first min, admission to intensive care unit (ICU) and morbidity during the first month shows statistical significance increase in exposed compared to non-exposed group (p = 0.03, 0.05, 0.01, respectively). The new born weight in exposed group significantly decreased compared to non-exposed group (2,850 g ± 3.74 vs 2,967.67 g ± 3.34; p = 0.02). In biochemical assessment, NSE and sE-cadherin significantly increased, while NO significantly decreased (p = 0.000) in exposed compared to non-exposed group. There is a positive correlation between level of cotinine and both NSE, sE-cadherin (r = 0.7, 0.9; p = 0.000, 0.006, respectively). To our knowledge, this is the first study link between prenatal tobacco exposure (PTE) and biochemical parameters measured in tracheal suction. PTE will lead to decrease in birth weight most probably by decreasing NO, sFas, and increasing sE-cadherin. While, increased morbidity of neonates in the exposed group could be attributed to cessation of breast feeding and its complication and increased NSE in the studied markers.

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Family planning (FP) is critical for the health of women and their families, and it can accelerate a country's progress toward reducing poverty and achieving development goals. FP is an important component of primary health care, maternal and child health. It is the means of planning families that want space according to choice and time to fit in with life decisions. Aim: This study aimed to assess satisfaction level of women attending Maternal and Child Health (MCH) centers with FP services. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. A total sample of 569 women was interviewed at four MCH centers covers Assiut city. Results: The findings revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 29.38± 6.13, 72.2 % of them were from urban areas and 47.3 % currently use a contraceptive method. A high satisfaction level with family planning services was noticed. Conclusion: significantly, the majorities of the clients was satisfied with the provided skills and counseling. It was approved that the most of MCH centers have good quality level in health services and facilities. Recommendation: Family planning providers require training to strengthen their communication skills so that they can meet their client's individual needs.

Background & Objective(s): The present study aimed to assess women's knowledge and attitude towards ODS (obstetric danger signs) among pregnant women in Upper Egypt and improve women's knowledge through the implementation of an educational program. Methods: a quasi-experimental study was conducted among 300 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics. Data collection was done using structured questionnaires which were distributed to the participants during face to face interview with the researchers. An educational program was implemented to enhance women's knowledge of ODS. Data analysis was done using the SPSS program, version (24). Results: A total of 300 pregnant women were enrolled in the present study. Socio-demographic factors such as increased age, higher educational level, rural residence, and larger family size were shown to significantly influence knowledge about obstetric danger signs. Furthermore, antenatal and obstetric risk factors such as high parity, more number of antenatal visits, history of abortion or medical disease and previous exposure to ODS were shown to be significantly associated with more knowledge about ODS. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the significant predictors that influence the participants' knowledge were women's education and the number of antenatal visits. Most of the study participants had a positive attitude towards ODS (82.3%). The overall knowledge score was increased significantly after the implementation of the educational program from 9.4±4.97 to 27.93±4.4. Conclusion: The study revealed that most of the study participants had a positive attitude towards ODS. The implementation of an education program had a positive effect on increasing women's knowledge about ODS. Health care providers should educate the women about ODS during their antenatal visits as they are the primary source of women's knowledge.

Background: Breast feeding is a basic practice in Egypt but the importance of giving colostrum milk is still poorly known because cultural variations. Aim to assess knowledge and practices among immediate post partum women about Colostrum. Research design: descriptive study design was used to achieve the objective of this study. Subjects and methods: 350 women immediately after birth who met the criteria of selection that were involved in the study at Women's Health Hospital, Assuit University. A structured interview questionnaire developed to assess knowledge and practices of women about colostrum milk. Results: Most of women had not knowledge about the importance of colostrum. Unsatisfactory level of knowledge (82.6%) toward colostrum feeding reported by the studied women. Also poor practices of post partum mothers (58.6%) for feeding colostrum to their newborn were presented by the studied mothers. Conclusion: Most of women unsatisfactory level of knowledge about the importance of colostrum and more than fifth percent of them had poor practices; toward colostrum feeding. Recommendations: Improving Knowledge and Practices of women toward colostrum feeding, through arranged educational programs, health care providers should focus special attention for pregnant women in discussing colostrum feeding in the antenatal care follow up visits.