ABSTRACT
Many reports demonstrated an increase in low birth weight in the past three decades. This work was carried out to study the prevalence of low birth weight and its determinants among neonates delivered in Baghdad, Iraq. A total of 400 singleton newborns delivered at two hospitals in Baghdad city during 15[th] June to I5[th] Nov. 2003 were included in the study. Half of the neonates were born with low birth weight. Out of the low birth weight neonates, there were 83% preterm neonates. Prevalence of low birth weight neonates was significantly associated with maternal age, age at marriage, parity, and anaemia. This study indicates that the most appropriate approach for prevention low birth weight and prematurity in newborns is through improvement of nutritional status and health services
ABSTRACT
Adolescents with type 1 diabetes are faced with a complex set of challenges [developmental changes and demands of the disease]. This study was carried out to assess the role of psychological, behavioral and social concern among Iraqi adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Adolescents with type 1 diabetes were enrolled in the study from different diabetic centers in Baghdad from 1[st] June to 21[st] Dec. 2000. Each participant was interviewed individually. Full information including age, sex, duration, sport activity, frequent hospitalization, visits to diabetic clinic and educational level were included. Psychological burden was assessed by determination of social interaction, family interaction, mood, dissatisfaction with body image, emotions, stress and perception. Univariate analysis was used to examine which variables were associated significantly and dependently with psychosocial burden. A total of 160 adolescents with type 1 diabetes were included in the study. Their age was 15.1 +/- 2.3 years, 53.8% of them were females. 76.9% of the adolescents reported a history of frequent hospitalization. Psychosocial burden was significantly associated with age and sport activity. The findings point to importance of psychosocial factors in management of diabetes. More research in this area is needed to develop psychosocial intervention program and to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of these approaches