Door-to-Door Survey of Major Neurological Disorders in Al Kharga District, New Valley, Egypt: Methodological Aspects

Abstract

Epidemiology of neurological disorders is still lacking in Egypt. The door-to-door method is the most suitable one to screen neurological disorders in our country. Over a 4-year period (June 1, 2005 to May 31, 2009), screening and examination had been carried out to ascertain the incidence and prevalence rate of epilepsy, stroke, cerebral palsy and Bell’s palsy, as well as the prevalence of dementia, extrapyramidal syndromes, muscle and neuromuscular disorders, cerebellar ataxia and primary nocturnal enuresis among the urban and rural population of Al Kharga District, New Valley, Egypt. A total of 62,583 people were screened by 3 neurologists in a door-to-door manner, including every door, using a standardized Arabic questionnaire to detect any patient with a neurological disorder. This was a project study of neurological disorders including 3 stages: first stage (June 1, 2005 to May 31, 2006) for data collection, designing a standardized questionnaire and screening; second stage (June 1, 2006 to May 31, 2008) for case ascertainment, classification of neurological disorders and investigations, and third stage (June 1, 2007 to May 31, 2009) for data entry and statistical analysis. The results of this study revealed that the total prevalence rate of neurological disorders in Al Kharga District, New Valley was 2.4/100 with no significant difference among both sexes. The highest prevalence rate was recorded among elderly people (60+ years; 9.25%) and among children (≤18 years; 2.9%).

Neurological Diseases Among Geriatric Population of Arar City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Cross Sectional Study.

“…For example, in Thugbah community in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, Al Rajeh et al, reported overall prevalence rate of neurological diseases 13.1% which is more than our figure [12]. In Al Kharga District, New Valley, Egypt, the results revealed that the total prevalence rate of neurological disorders among elderly people (60+ years) was 9.25% with no significant difference among both sexes [8].…”

“…Among the urban and rural population of Al Kharga District, New Valley, Egypt, the results revealed that the total prevalence rate of neurological disorders in Al Kharga District, New Valley was 2.4% with no significant difference among both sexes. The highest prevalence rate was recorded among elderly people (60+ years; 9.25%) [8]. In a study conducted in in Fayoum, Egypt, stroke was found in 2.8% of the studied elderly; 2.0% of males and 0.8% of females, headache was found in 58.4%; 31% of males and 27.4% of females [9].…”

Prevalence of Dementia in Al Kharga District, New Valley Governorate, Egypt

“…This study was a part of an extended work project, conducted during the period from April 1, 2005 to the end of July 2008, designed to study the epidemiology of major neurological disorders, including dementia, in Al Kharga district, New Valley Governorate, Egypt [5]. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of all types of dementia and their possible risk factors.…”

Children with disabling chronic conditions in the Western health subdistrict of Cape Town, South Africa: Estimating numbers and service gaps

“…a perception that it is useless to offer care or education to a disabled child; or a desire to avoid the stigma of taking a disabled child into public areas such as a school or hospital. [14] Other practical reasons, such as lack of adequate transport or finances to reach a hospital, may prevent disabled children from accessing care or schools. The number of children who are cared for in their homes or use community-based services is unknown -they were not counted in this study.…”