Prevalence and risk factors of obesity and overweight among children in Duhok, Kurdistan region, Iraq

There has been a rapid increase in the prevalence of obesity and overweight among children in several developing countries, having resulted in an increase of potentially severe medical and psychological complications, in addition of being a risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality in adulthood. Despite that, few studies have been conducted in Iraq in general and Kurdistan Region in specific. The aim of this study is to compute the prevalence of obesity and overweight in children in Duhok city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and to assess factors leading to these conditions. A cross-sectional community based study design was adopted for this study which was performed during a 4 month period in 2006. Body mass index [BMI] cut-off points defining obesity and overweight were applied. A total of 820 children in the age group of 2-8 years were included from thirty administrative sectors of Duhok city chosen randomly by multistage cluster sampling. Information about risk factors was obtained by direct interview of parents. The present study shows that the prevalence of overweight [BMI >/= 85[th] percentile for age] and obesity [BMI >/= 95[th] percentile for age] were 8.3% and 7.9%, respectively. Significant association was found between obesity/overweight status and the following factors: number of main meals and snacks per day, frequency of consumption of fried foods, fatty dairy products, soft drinks, sweets and meat, low level of physical activity and parental overweight status. No significant associations were found, however, with parental level of education, socio-economic status, and main type of feeding during infancy. Authors recommend that more attention should be paid by health authorities to this important health problem including the endorsement of a well designed preventive program

Patient satisfaction in Duhok, Kurdistan region of Iraq: family medicine center vs. primary health care centers

Family Medicine came to the fore as a specialty in Kurdistan Region of Iraq in 2006; however, no study to date has been done to evaluate its acceptance among the general population. The aim of this study is to compare patient satisfaction at the first family medicine center in Duhok with that at two traditional primary health care centers in the same city quarter. A modified SERVQUAL survey of 16 questions with single-option variables in a three-point Likert scale was used to identify patient satisfaction at Zanest Family Medicine Center compared to Barzan Primary Health Care Center as well as Shahidan Primary Health Care Center in a four week period during August 2008. The study showed significant higher patient satisfaction at the family medicine center in all five SERVQUAL dimensions: tangibles, reliability. Responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. However, in the dimension responsiveness, the statistical difference was barely reached. There was a trend observed that older, less educated, and male patients were more satisfied than younger, higher educated, and female patients, yet without statistical significance. Patients are satisfied with the first Family Medicine Center in Duhok compared to that provided by traditional PHCCs. This finding may forecast a greater future acceptance of similar services. The researchers recommended a wider adoption of family medicine services by all traditional PHCCs