The use of antibiotics without prescription (self-medication) is growing globally and is associated with increased bacterial resistance, ineffective treatment and adverse reactions. This study aimed at assessing the practice of antibiotic self-medication in the Iraqi population. A cross-sectional study design was adopted in this work. The sample was comprised of 303 staff members from the non-medical colleges in Iraq. An online questionnaire was distributed between the 29th of June to the 14th of September 2021 to collect data including socio-demographic characteristics and questions about antibiotic self-medication. Most of the participants had a university degree and a moderate monthly income. The majority (88%) have practiced self-medication at least once before. A “simple” condition and convenience were the main motivators behind self-medication, which was mainly used for sore throat, fever and cough. Own experience was the most reported determining factor for selecting an antibiotic, and community pharmacies were the main source for obtaining the antibiotics. About 40% of the participants admitted to switching the antibiotic or changing its dose during the treatment course. Self-medication with antibiotics is a major issue in our community and measures have to be taken to reduce its impact on public health through the development of bacterial resistance.
Background: Gingivitis is one of the most common and widely spread oral diseases in adolescents after dental caries occur in both developed and developing countries. Dental plaque is the main etiological factor of gingivitis. Another oral problem is enamel defect. The aim of this study was to estimate the oral hygiene (dental plaque), and determine the prevalence and severity of gingivitis and enamel defects among 16-17 years old secondary school female students in urban areas of Kirkuk city/Iraq. Materials and methods: A representative sample included in this study consisted of 750 secondary school female students distributed into 387 for the age sixteen and 363 for the age seventeen, they were selected randomly from different female secon
... Show MoreBackground: Water-pipe can be defined as a single or multi stemmed device that used to vaporize and smoke flavored tobacco whose smoke is passed via water vase before inhalation. Water-pipe smokers are at risk of exposure to many toxic chemicals that are not filtered by water, as well as risk of infectious diseases when the mouth piece of the water-pipe is shared. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of water pipe on the oral health. Materials and Methods: Sixty persons were included in this study aged between 22 and 23 years. Forty persons were coffee shop workers for at least five years, half of them were water-pipe smokers (active smokers) and the other weren’t smokers (passive smoker), the last group was the co
... Show MoreBACKGROUND: In pregnancy, several physiological changes occur that lead to decrease in the level of hemoglobin. Anemia during pregnancy is a major public health concern in underdeveloped nations, with a high rate of morbidity and death among pregnant women. Inadequate prenatal care, a lack of information about the nutritional requirements of pregnant women, and general low socioeconomic circumstances all contribute to these high rates of morbidity and death. As pregnant women’s and husbands’ education levels increased, the frequency and severity of anemia decreased in the investigated community of pregnant women. AIM: This study aims to find out the level of knowledge about anemia in pregnancy among adult females attending pr
... Show MoreBackground Depression is one of the most common medical illnesses worldwide. Medical students during their training will be subjected to many stressors, both mentally and emotionally. Objectives Assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms among medical students and to identify any association between depressive symptoms and some socio-demographic factors.
BACKGROUND: In pregnancy, several physiological changes occur that lead to decrease in the level of hemoglobin. Anemia during pregnancy is a major public health concern in underdeveloped nations, with a high rate of morbidity and death among pregnant women. Inadequate prenatal care, a lack of information about the nutritional requirements of pregnant women, and general low socioeconomic circumstances all contribute to these high rates of morbidity and death. As pregnant women’s and husbands’ education levels increased, the frequency and severity of anemia decreased in the investigated community of pregnant women. AIM: This study aims to find out the level of knowledge about anemia in pregnancy among adult females attending pr
... Show MoreBackground: Background: Diabetes mellitus is a life-threatening disease. Global prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing rapidly providing a worrying indication and major threat to global health unless interventions are created through community awareness and knowledge regarding different aspect of DM.
Aims: To assess the level of awareness regarding diabetes risk factors, prevention and management among community members in Baqubah city and to identify any association between awareness level and some variables.
Methods: Across sectional study was carried out from the 1st of January - 30th of November 2019 in all primary health care centers (six centers) in center of Baqubah city. A convenien
... Show MoreAbortion is categorized as the termination of conception caused by the failure or removal of the embryo from the uterus before the conclusion of pregnancy. Microorganisms and genetic factors are two of the many factors associated with abortion. Cytomegalovirus is a widespread congenital virus infection pathogen that affects a wide variety of people. The prothrombin gene is one of the essential causes that trigger blood clotting and the function of abortion women, therefore the aim of the study is to detect and associate Cytomegalovirus and prothrombin gene mutation (Gene ID: 14061 in NCBI) with abortion through genetic and immunological methods. Five ml of whole blood was collected from an intravenous puncture and divided into two tubes,
... Show MoreBackground: Although they are not life threatening, dental caries and periodontal disease are the most predominant and widely spread oral diseases throughout the world. Another most common dental problem seen in children is dental trauma. The aims of the study included the investigation of the prevalence and severity of dental caries, gingivitis and dental plaque in relation to gender, furthermore, the prevalence and severity of the traumatized anterior teeth were assessed. Materials and Methods: This oral health survey was conducted among primary school children aged 9 years old in Al-Diwaniyah city in Iraq. The total sample composed of 600 child (320 males and 280 females) selected randomly from different school in Al-Diwaniyah city. Dia
... Show MoreEmotions are part of the personality of the individual and affect many different aspects of the personality, and it is an important element of social and psychological adaptation, especially if it is within the limits of nature, and if the methods used to express them are appropriate and moderate.
Submission is one of the characteristics that express the way an individual relies upon in dealing with others and in dealing with matters of life. An individual who complies with instructions and orders and abides by them, and performs what is required of him without hesitation or delay. Adolescence is an important and accurate stage in the constructive development of an individual and in his psychological and social life.
The
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