Iraqi Governorates Research Articles

Injuries Reported by Selected Health Facilities During the Arbaeenia Mass Gathering at Babel Governorate, Iraq, 2014: Retrospective Records Analysis.

BackgroundArbaeenia is the largest religious mass gathering in Iraq. The conditions associated with mass gatherings result in high rates of injury. There have been no prior studies on injuries during the Arbaeenia mass gathering.ObjectiveThis study describes the injuries observed during the Arbaeenia mass gathering in Babel Governorate in Iraq between November 24 and December 14, 2014.MethodsThe study was conducted in Babel Governorate at the emergency departments of six public hospitals and two major temporary medical units that were located along the three roads connecting the Middle and Southern Iraqi governorates. We used the Iraq Injury Surveillance System modified form to collect information on injured patients treated in the selected facilities. Data on fatal injuries was obtained from the coroner’s office. The following data were collected from the patients: demographics, outcome of injury, place and time of occurrence, mode of evacuation and medical care before arriving at the hospital, duration of travel from place of occurrence to hospital, disposition of non-fatal injury, cause and mode of injury, and whether the injury occurred in connection with the Arbaeenia mass gathering.ResultsInformation was collected on 1564 injury cases, of which 73 were fatal. About half of the reported nonfatal injuries, 687/1404 (48.9%), and a quarter of fatalities, 18/73 (25%) were related to the Arbaeenia mass gathering (P<.001). Most of the reported injuries were unintentional, 1341/1404 (95.51%), occurred on the street, 864/1323 (65.6%), occurred during the daytime 1103/1174 (93.95 %). Most of those injured were evacuated by means other than ambulance 1107/1206 (91.79%) and did not receive pre-hospital medical care 788/1163 (67.7%). Minor injuries 400/1546 (25.9%) and traffic accidents 394/1546 (25.5%) were the most common types of injuries, followed by falls 270/1546 (17.5%). Among fatal injuries, traffic accidents 38/73 (52%) and violence 18/73 (25%) were the leading causes of death. Mass gathering injuries were more likely to occur among individuals aged 21-40 years (odds ratio [OR] 3.5; 95% CI 2.7-4.5) and >41 years (OR 7.6; 95% CI 5.4-10.6) versus those <21 years; more likely to be unintentional than assault (OR 5.3; 95% CI 1.8-15.5); more likely to happen on the street versus at home (OR 37.7; 95% CI 22.4-63.6); less likely to happen at night than during the day (OR 0.2; 95% CI 0.1-0.4); and less likely to result in hospital admission (OR 0.5; 95% CI 0.3-0.7).ConclusionsThe study shows that most injuries were minor, unintentional, and nonfatal, and most people with injuries had limited access to ambulance transportation and did not require hospitalization.

Hygienic Practices of Street Food Vendors and Schools in Some Iraqi Governorates

“The study was conducted during the period from December 2018 to May 2019, to asses hygiene practice in schools and street food venders inside two Iraqi cities (Babylon and Thiqar). The Codex code for practice of general principles on food hygiene, observations and other relevant documents to provide information that may clarify certain misconceptions on hygienic practices related to street food venders. 110 street food vendors and schools were studied in all Babylon and Thiqar. Specially designed questionnaire form was used, allowed fast data collection. Many noncompliance was found in the hygienic practices and requirement, personal hygiene, hygiene of equipment, food preparation and food service. Babylon Governorates in term of hygiene of equipment and food preparation generally showed higher conformity than in Thiqar Governorates. The level of fulfillment of the hygienic requirements was most strongly influenced by the type of schools and street food vendor in both section of personal hygiene and hygiene of equipment and food preparation and serving for Babylon and Thiqar. The results of this work should not discourage to eat street food, but to minimize food poisoning risk, support the reasonable choice of eating-places according to basic food hygiene knowledge.”

Noncommunicable Disease Emergencies During Arbaeenia Mass Gathering at Public Hospitals in Karbala, Najaf, and Babel Governorates, Iraq, 2014: Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundArbaeenia is the largest religious mass gathering (MG) in Iraq where millions of people from Iraq and many other countries visit Karbala city, south Iraq. MGs are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality from different noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and asthma. There is a scarcity of publications that address MGs in Iraq.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the NCD emergencies in public hospitals in Karbala, Najaf, and Babel governorates in Iraq, during the Arbaeenia MG and assess predisposing factors for NCD emergencies.MethodsThe study was conducted from November 27 to December 16, 2014. Data were collected in the pre-event and during MG event from 7 selected hospitals. The pre-event data were collected from emergency room (ER) registers and logbooks, and the data on the MG event were collected daily through direct interview with patients and treating physicians using a structured questionnaire.ResultsIn total, 4425 NCD emergencies were recorded. Of these, 80.13% (3546/4425) were collected during the MG event. The NCD emergencies attended at ER hospitals during MG were severe hypertension (HT), diabetes (hyperglycemia), ischemic heart disease (IHD), asthma, and pulmonary edema. The load of NCD emergencies and the daily average emergencies increased 4-fold and 2-fold during the MG event, respectively. Most of the NCD emergencies were treated at ER departments, and a few were hospitalized. Intense physical activities and poor adherence to diet and medication were risk factors for IHD, severe HT, and hyperglycemic diabetes emergencies. Exposure to noxious gases or fumes and recent respiratory infections were risk factors for asthma emergencies.ConclusionsAs the pilgrims approached Karbala city during the Arbaeenia MG, the hospitals on the roads leading to the city experienced an increased load of patients because of different NCD emergencies. Although hospitals should be equipped with the necessary supplies, health education for pilgrims is mandatory, particularly on the factors that can exacerbate their diseases.

Classification of Iraqi governorates by using cluster analysis for 2016

يقاس تطور المجتمعات الإنسانية بمستوى النجاح الذي يحققه في مجال الصحة نظرا لارتباطه المباشر بحياة الإنسان. فإذا ما استطاع أي مجتمع الارتقاء بالمستوى الصحي لمواطنيه، فإنه سيحقق نجاحا بذات الدرجة في مجالات الحياة الأخرى، وإذا ما أخفق في هذا الجانب، سيصيبه الاخفاق في الجوانب الأخرى. لذا كان من الواجب البحث في هذا الموضوع المهم. هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى معرفة الاختلاف بين المحافظات العراقية، من حيث مستوى المؤشرات الصحية المقدمة للمواطن، بالإضافة إلى تحديد أي من المؤشرات التي ساهمت بدرجة كبيرة في هذا الاختلاف والتفاوت بين المحافظات. تم الحصول على البيانات من المجموعة الإحصائية السنوية لعام 2017 الصادرة عن الجهاز المركزي للإحصاء. وشملت الدراسة (13) محافظة عدا المحافظات الشمالية ومحافظة الموصل والانبار لعدم توفر البيانات الخاصة بهذه المحافظات و(25) متغيرا التي تمثل المؤشرات الصحية. وتم استخدام اسلوب التحليل العنقودي والمتمثلة بالطريقة الهرمية (الربط المنفرد) والطريقة غير الهرمية k- means)). وتوصل الباحث إلى أن محافظة بغداد هي الافضل في تقديم الخدمات الصحية للمواطن، إذ كانت المسافة بينها وبين بقية المحافظات تتراوح من 3.875 إلى 4.841، وأن محافظتي النجف والقادسية متقاربة في تقديم هذه الخدمات للمواطن، حيث كانت المسافة بينهما (0.411). وأن المحافظات تجمعت في ثلاثة عناقيد، الأول ضم المحافظات (كركوك، ديالى، بابل، كربلاء، واسط، صلاح الدين، النجف، القادسية، المثنى، ذي قار، ميسان) والثاني ضم محافظة البصرة فقط والثالث ضم محافظة بغداد فقط.

The epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks and its history in Iraq

Background and Aims:Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is reported in Iraq since 1937 and occurs as a devastating seasonal epidemic. This study intended to explore the epidemiology of FMD in Iraq during 2011-2016, through assessment of outbreak reports among cow, buffalo, and small ruminants (sheep and goat) in 15 Iraqi governorates except for Kurdistan region.Materials and Methods:The reported data regarding FMD cases were collected from veterinary hospitals in 15 Iraqi governorates and were analyzed.Results:The results revealed annual FMD outbreaks in cow, buffalo, and small ruminants in Iraqi governorates with variability in the numbers of the infected and dead animals. The total number of infected animals increased in 2016 compared to 2015 due to the illegal importation of FMD-infected cows at the end of 2015. The prevalence rates of FMD were 68.7%, 46.6%, and 30.3% in cattle, buffalo, and small ruminants, respectively, in 2016, while this was 18.4%, 19.9%, and 17.3%, respectively, in 2015.Conclusion:This study approved the reemergence and endemic nature of FMD in Iraqi livestock. Prompt procedures and a new future strategy need to be implemented to control the increasing incidences of FMD in Iraq.

Characteristics of Traffic Accidents in Baghdad

Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are events that suddenly, inadvertently and unexpectedly occur under unforeseen circumstances that involve at least one moving vehicle and result in one or more road users being killed or injured. Unfortunately, Iraqi governorates suffer from higher rates of traffic accident casualties compared with the rates of casualties from terrorist attacks; this situation reveals a serious and growing problem. Road traffic accidents are not easy to eradicate. However, their prevalence can be reduced to the barest minimum via periodic assessments of traffic accident characteristics and the most important aspects for road authorities to consider when designing and evaluating the performance of a road to improve traffic and road users’ safety.Therefore, the primary objective of this paper is to evaluate traffic accidents in Baghdad using a retrospective analysis of accidents that occurred from 2006–2016 taking into consideration the following parameters: the cause of the accident, the genders of the victims, the number and type of vehicles involved in the accident, the time of the accident, the severity of the accident, the type of accident and the age group of the driver(s). The data were been obtained from the Central Statistical Organization in the Ministry of Planning. The results reveal that 12,019 RTAs occurred in the city of Baghdad; on average, 1,092 RTAs occurred each year. Twenty-two percent of the RTAs resulted in death, 67% resulted in injury and 6% resulted in both deaths and injuries. Only 4% of the RTAs resulted in property damage without victims. To this end, Baghdad has the highest prevalence of RTAs of all Iraqi governorates. These results provide scientific evidence to mobilize road authorities to effectively and urgently develop adequate traffic strategies and policies to reduce the epidemic of RTAs in Baghdad as well as other Iraqi governorates.

بناء نموذج التقييم الجغرافي للتنمية البشرية في العراق

كشف نهج التنمية البشرية منذ إنطلاقه، عن الكثير من مواطن الضعف والخلل في مسارات التنمية والتطوير بشكل عام، وأخذت الدول وحكوماتها وبمساندة ومتابعة برنامج الأمم المتحدة الإنمائي تولي إهتماما أكثر بالموضوع من ذي قبل حتى أخذت تتنافس في تصدر المستويات الاقليمية والعالمية للتنمية من خلال قياس تلك العملية بدليل خاص أطلق عليه دليل التنمية البشرية، الذي يعتمد في الأساس على مجموعة من البيانات المتعلقة بالصحة والتعليم ودخل الفرد. وهكذا ظهر التباين الدولي والاقليمي وحتى المحلي في مستويات التنمية البشرية، وهو ما كان مدعاة لإهتمام الكثير من الإختصاصات العلمية ومنها الجغرافيا من خلال نظرتها المكانية للموضوع وأعطى دخول نظم المعلومات الجغرافية (GIS) وبقوة في البحث الجغرافي من خلال أدوات التحليل المكاني دافعا للجغرافيين لتناول موضوع التنمية بشكل عام، من هنا ينطلق البحث في تناول ومعالجة العديد من البيانات ذات الصلة من خلال بيئة نظم المعلومات الجغرافية وأدواتها التحليلية المتقدمة متمثلة بالنمذجة المكانية (Modeling) بهدف الكشف عن واقع التباين المكاني للتنمية البشرية في محافظات العراق وذلك من خلال دمج الكثير من المؤشرات ذات العلاقة التي تؤثر في مستويات تلك التنمية.

Optimal design parameters for hydraulic vertical flocculation in the package surface water treatment plant

After 2003, hundreds projects were completed to provide drinking water to rural areas in most governorates in Iraq. These projects consist of the package water treatment plant, which treats surface water from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. All the package water treatment plant contains a mechanical flocculators, which suffers from continuous faults and needs periodic maintenance and needs electric energy to operate, which leads to an increase in the cost of water production and lack of quality of water produced. In this project, the possibility of changing the type of flocculators from mechanic to hydraulic was tested for a 100 m3·h–1 package water treatment plant in the Al-Eskan water treatment project in the south of Diwaniyah city in Iraq. There are many challenges facing the design involving findings ways to improve the effi ciency of the flocculation system. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) package, ANSYS Fluent 16.1 software have been used to simulate turbulent fluid flow in hydraulic flocculators for Al-Eskan package water treatmen plants (EPWTP). The flocculator simulations in ANSYS Fluent are used to obtain turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate to determine the distance between baffles, the quantity of baffles, velocity gradient, residence time, and flocculation performance. The results obtained from ANSYS Fluent simulation are used in designing a hydraulic flocculator, so our finding can be utilized to validate the hydraulic flocculator model. The results confi rmed that the method used to design certain parameters of the tank are fairly accurate. Overall the design of the flocculation tank produced reasonable results which match expected results of hydraulic fl occulation tanks found in literature. The results of the report suggest that a height to baffl e spacing ratio of 22.5 creates intersecting energy dissipation regions that produce the greatest formation of fl ocs per reactor volume.

Effect of Radiation Therapy on the Health of Cancer Patients

This study investigates the effect of radiation therapy on the general health of cancer patients. This study was carried out through the knowledge and follow-up of the health status of a group of cancer patients to different hospitals in some governorates of Iraq. After monitoring the health of patients, it was found that most of them will suffer from hair loss, some suffer from vomiting and nausea, others suffer from diarrhea, some suffer from internal bowel damage as well as damage to the central nervous system as well as the effect of radiation in the damage of DNA of the cells of the human body. The ages studied are (10–20, 20–30, 30–40, 40–50, 50–60).

Molecular prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in sheep from Iraq.

Background:Tick-borne diseases are widely distributed among animal populations and are responsible for significant economic losses. However, little attention has been offered for screening such infections world widely. Anaplasma phagocytophilum is among those neglected tick-borne pathogens, particularly in the developing countries.Aim:This study was conducted to detect A. phagocytophilum infection among sheep in three governorates of Iraq (Babylon, Wasit, and Missan) and try to identify the potential tick vector responsible for A. phagocytophilum transmission among sheep in these analyzed regions.Methods:A total of 297 blood samples and 103 ticks were collected and examined for A. phagocytophilum by polymerase chain reaction using specific primers amplifying partial sequence for msp4 gene.Results:The results showed that about 14 out of 297 tested sheep were positive for A. phagocytophilum. There was no difference between A. phygocytophilum prevalence according to animal gender, age, and sampling period. Furthermore, our analysis showed that the main vectors of A. phagocytophilum: Ixodes scapularis, I. pacificus, or I. ricinus were not identified in three regions of Iraq (Rhipicephalus turanicus, Hyalomma anatolicum, and Hyalomma turanicum were identified).Conclusion:These results highlight the importance of the survey of the tick-borne bacterial infections in Iraq and in the Middle East region in general.

Trend of cholera in Iraq in the time of unrest

Background: Countries that are facing war disasters are prone to develop outbreak emergencies especially when this is associated with massive displacement of populations or refugees to overcrowded settings, and when the provision of safe water supply and sanitation is a challenge. Objective: To portray the trend of cholera in Iraq for the last 18 years. Methods: Records of cholera cases registered for the last 18 years were reviewed from the Department of Health Statistics of the Iraqi Ministry of Health and categorized according to the 18 Iraqi governorates; the total of each governorate was computed for the whole studied years and then summed to get the total for Iraq. Data were categorized by gender and age. Rates of occurrence were plotted against time (for the period from 2000 to 2017) to define the trend of the disease. Results: The trend of cholera in Iraq showed four peaks, in 2003, 2007, 2012, and 2015, females showed slightly more cases than males, with a higher incidence among adult age group, and more in the southern provinces. Conclusion: The epidemics of cholera in Iraq are getting progressively more frequent, with higher number of cases forming a real burden on the health system and a serious threat to the community. Efficient preventive health plans are needed to overcome this growing problem that may compromise the life of people.

Mapping Climate Changes in Iraq By Using Geographical Information System (GIS)

The Trapped sun’s thermal radiation in the earth’s atmosphere is known as the greenhouse effect. This process is considered very important since it keeps the earth warm and hence possible to live in. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) are considered very important contributors to the greenhouse effect. During the last two decades, the level of greenhouse gases has increased, which plays a major role in global warming and climate change. The Middle East is considered among the most affected areas by climate change. In the current study, Geographical Information System (GIS) has been used to create some temperature maps that could show the air temperature distribution and difference between two different periods of time (past and recent) in different stations that cover the Iraqi governorates. A spatial interpolation method has been used. This method considers known values of temperature at a given location (stations in the current study) to estimate a continuous surface map during a specific period of time. The results of this study showed no significant increase in the average air temperature values, however the area of high air temperature values is growing during the cold and hot months of the year.

Thermal characteristics and their impact on tourism in Iraq

Tourism is know as asset activities protied by in dividuals, travelers and resident in places out side the usual environment for aperiod not exceeding one year for resection, trade or other purpose. Classified Tourism to several patter including religious, recreational and the rapeution sports, etc. and Tourism is of great sign if icance in advancing economic and social environment forwards asit has become the activity of the fast growing markets and depend on the climate in the first place and the study relied style of analysis climate Date for dry temperature the feeling of perfect comfort classified province un comfortable cold winter an noving to the city of mousl, Rutba, Baghdad and given the symbol Dandis given the cities of Amara and Kut code c from the comfort of the third place, While the city of Basra are given the symbol A perfect comfort. And the southen areas attractive for Tourism in he winter especially the city of Basra is considerd The Northern regions, repellent for Tourism especially the city of mousl. Deduce the values of rates of comfort effective temperature by feeling annoying un comfort extreme heat in all of the month of June, July Augustin September in all the governora tes of Iraq. Especially in the Southeren provin while Rutba city is best cities in Iraq in terms of feeling comfort for years The ideal comfort confined values (15-20) to guide, the effective temperature (17- 25) and Applied the equation on the Iraqi Provineces of mosul, Baghdad, Rutba, Kut, Amarah, Basea for the period from 2000- 2010 and davis also used the modified equation that uses dry temperature and the number of hours of sun shine and relative humidity which give the tourist guide climate and applied for stations distributed across Iraq.

MODERN COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR ROLE IN IMPROVING AGRICULTUAL EXTENSION WORK IN MIDDLE IRAQE GOVERNORATES

The aim of this research to study the role of modern communication technologies in improving agricultural extension work in middle Iraqi governorates by providing infrastructure to use modern communication technologies in Agricultural extension work , support agricultural extension system to transform agricultural work to electronic government , electronic management of human resources , extension services introduced for the targeted people through internet and the contribution of modern communication technologies in improving agricultural work .The population of the research includes the middle region governorates numbered (8) governorates .Anbar and Tikret were excluded because of the security conditions in the time of data collection .Thus, the research society becomes (6) governorates .A random sample was taken from the governorates (67%) rate from (4) governorates ( Baghdad, Karbala , Babel , Dyala) .A random sample was taken in rate (40%) from agricultural extension agents distributed on the above mentioned governorates who numbered ( 135) out of (335) agricultural extension agents . In order to achieve the research objectives a questionnaire form designed to collect the data from agricultural extension agents .It includes (49) items in the field of modern communication technologies role .To analyses and introduce the results (SPSS) program used as well as the manual analyses .The following statistical methods were used : the frequencies , percentages , weighted average , weight percentage as well as (SPSS) program to measure Cronbach Coefficient .The results showed that if these technologies are available sufficiently it would lead to achieve the objectives .Also, the modern communication technologies are considered the widely applied methods in agricultural extension work .Also, there is agreement by the agricultural extension agents on the necessity of using modern communication technologies to develop agricultural extension work .Also, there is support from the agricultural extension system to transform agricultural extension work from traditional work to electronic government . This research concludes the necessity of providing modern technologies in all extension directories , centers , offices and farms in order to improve agriculture extension work in Iraq .Also, it recommends to establish wide information base related to extension work .Also, it recommends to invoke extension management to support the plans to modernize the communications methods that are used in extension work which fulfill the treatment of the huge amounts of available information for the agricultural extension product as well as making the necessary plans to rehabilitate and train the workers in the agricultural extension system to transform the traditional extension work to electronic government .

Using Artificial Neural Networks and SPI Measure Techniques to Forecast the Risk of Drought in Iraq and Its Impact on Environment

The world suffers from drought, which has a negative impact on human, economic, social, cultural and tourism fields. As science progressed and developed, several ways of reducing drought were found. This phenomenon is also called (aridity and infertility, and water retention), it means a severe shortage of water resources due to low precipitation and low rainfall over a specific normal period time, which are causing heavy losses in agricultural production, and the occurrence of disasters and human calamities such as starvation, and it is forcing some population to emigrate collectively. The artificial neural networks (ANN) and the Standard Rain Index (SPI) were used in the analysis of the rainfall for all Iraqi governorates for the period 1991-2016 monthly. This study shows that the best model of the neural network is [19-3-1] according to AIC to forecast the amount of rainfall, and that the Iraqi provinces over next 10 years are exposed to a different behavior of climate between moderate dry and average humidity, and increase the area of ​​desertification.

Among Brothers and Strangers: Identities in Displacement in Iraq

AbstractThrough analysis of primary qualitative data collected in Nineveh, Kirkuk, and Sulaimaniya Governorates in Iraq, this article seeks to explore the rapidly shifting and fragmenting identity dynamics at play in the emerging aftermath of ISIS and the impact that this conflict – and previous legacies of violence and repression – has had on relationships within and between groups, and between groups and the state. Communities increasingly position themselves against one another in relation to vindication of rights and protection. This zero‐sum stance comes from a history of mismanagement of communities and their respective grievances by the state and international partners. Formal acknowledgement of suffering across groups by the state may serve as a first step to break this cycle of negation toward one of inclusion, in the midst of mass displacement and emerging population returns.

The differences in sensitivity and specificity between three different kits for the detection Rotavirus

Rotavirus is the common key etiologic agents of attained diarrhea in infant, young children and neonatal calves globally. It is very important to early diagnose the disease in purpose of effective patient treatment. This study was conducted by using three different kits for detecting Rotavirus in calves in five Iraqi governorates (Al-qadissiya, Babel, Kerbala, Missan, Wassit). A total of 125 stool specimens were examined, they were collected from calves in the (period from November 2015 to February 2016). The ages ranged from 1 to 16 weeks. Stool samples were collected and examined using Chromatographic Immunoassay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Polymerase-chain reaction. The results obtained by chromatographic immunoassay were 44% positive, ELISA 42% positive, and 38% Polymerase-chain reaction positive. Chromatographic immunoassay was easy, simple, economic, and rapid and showed high sensitivity with accepted specificity while ELISA permit quantitative estimation of Rotavirus antigens. These results indicate that ELISA is as sensitive and specific assay as the chromatographic immunoassay, and it could be applied on a large scale for screening stool specimens in suspected rotavirus diarrhea. Conventional Polymerase-chain reaction demonstrated more sensitivity and highest specificity.

Among Brothers and Strangers: Identities in Displacement in Iraq

Through analysis of primary qualitative data collected in Nineveh, Kirkuk, and Sulaimaniya Governorates in Iraq, this paper seeks to highlight the rapidly shifting and fragmenting identity dynamics at play in the emerging aftermath of ISIS and the impact this, and previous legacies of violence and repression, has had on relationships within and between groups, and groups and the state. Communities increasingly position themselves against one another in relation to vindication of rights and protection. This zero-sum positioning comes from a history of mismanagement of communities and their respective grievances by the state and international partners. Formal acknowledgement of suffering across groups by the state may serve as a first step to break this cycle of negation toward one of inclusion, in the midst of mass displacement and emerging population returns.

Socio-economic determinants of smoking among Iraqi adults: Data from Non-Communicable Risk Factor STEPS survey 2015.

AimHighlight the socio-economic determinants of smoking among Iraqi adults aged (18+) years.MethodThe study is derived from Non-Communicable Diseases Risk Factors STEPS survey Iraq 2015. A cross-sectional survey conducted among households from 15 Iraqi governorates. Nainawa, Salahaddin and Al-Anbar were excluded for unstable conditions. Multi-stage cluster sampling technique used to include 4120 Iraqi adults. Interviews started from the first week of November for 20 days using Arabic and Kurdish translated versions of STEPS questionnaire, at last 4071 valid questionnaire forms were gathered.ResultsAmong men, smoking rates decline with age, 18–39 years (OR: 1.74; 95%CI: 1.22–2.47) and 40–59 years (OR: 1.69; 95%CI: 1.18–2.44) compared to elderly. They also decline as education level increased, No schooling (OR: 2.74; 95%CI: 1.75–4.31), Less than primary school (OR: 2.46; 95%CI: 1.68–3.62), Primary school (OR: 2.15; 95%CI: 1.51–3.05) and Secondary school (OR: 1.99; 95%CI: 1.33–2.99). They were higher among non-governmental (OR: 1.58; 95%CI: 1.03–2.44) and self-employee (OR: 1.4; 95%CI: 1.06–1.84).The lowest smoking rates were found among women aged 18–39 years (OR: 0.34; 95%CI: 0.14–0.86). While the highest rates were found among self-employed women (OR: 5.3; 95%CI: 1.12–25.06).ConclusionsTobacco smoking was higher among men aged less than 40 years, low educated as well as non-governmental and self-employed people. While it was higher among elderly and self-employed women.

Incidence of helminthiasis in humans in Iraq

BackgroundThe biggest problems facing the medical parasitologist are the problem of controlling the spread of human worms. This study aims to estimate the prevalence and infection intensity of soil-transmitting helminthes (STHs) and other helminthes in Iraqi governorates in 2016. MethodsThe data was obtained from Communicable Diseases Control Center through the period from January to Jun, 2016. ResultsThe results showed that individuals were infected with Ascariasis (40), (20), (6) (7) and 90 individuals infected with Hymenolepiasis. 78,486 individuals were infected with Enterobiasis, 7 cases were infected with Taenia solium. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that Enterobiasis is the most common helminthic disease in Iraq in 2016 followed by Hymenolepiasis and Ascariasis. Moreover, the prevalence of helminth infections was higher in patients with age group between-14 years who did not have awareness enough for personal hygiene.