Transfusion transmitted diseases among blood donors of Basra blood bank

The aim of this work is to estimate the prevalence of transfusion transmitted diseases in blood donors of Basra blood bank, with special entity of AID'S hepatitis B and C, and syphilis. A retrospective record based study involved the records of Basra blood bank for the years 2006, 2006, and 2008. The reported results of the serological screening tests of the blood donors for HIV and HCV, HBV, and Venereal Disease Reference Laboratory [VDRL[for the diagnosis of syphilis were analyzed. The study showed that the highest number of donors was in the year 2007 with the predominance of males than females for the three studied years, the overall prevalence of HBsAg was 0.22%, of HCV was 0.08% and of VDRL was 0.05%. The difference of prevalence of transfusion transmitted diseases among different age groups was statistically significant [p<0.01], where the prevalence of hepatitis B was highest at the two age extremes [<20 years and >/= 50 years], for hepatitis C the highest prevalence was at the age groups between 40-49 years and for syphilis, the highest prevalence was at the age groups between 20-29 years. The prevalence of hepatitis B and syphilis was higher among males while the prevalence of hepatitis C was higher among females [50.0%] with no significant difference [p>0.05]. The difference of prevalence of transfusion transmitted diseases by place of residence was statistically highly significant [p<0.001], where the prevalence of hepatitis B was higher among rural donors, while the prevalence of hepatitis C and syphilis was higher among urban donors. Blood is still one of the main sources of transmission of infections; and hepatitis B, hepatitis C viruses and syphilis are prevalent among donors except HIV virus which is not detected among studied donors

Breast cancer and selected lifestyle variables: a case-control study

To determine the association between selected lifestyle risk factors and breast cancer. Al-Sadar Teaching Hospital and the Oncology Centre, University of Basrah. Case control study. One hundred and thirty-four women with histologically proven breast cancer were included in the study. The controls were 269 women who were apparently healthy and without any evidence of breast cancer. Cases and controls were group matched for age and place of residence. The study lasted from 1st of January to 30th of October 2006. Special questionnaire was designed for the study. In the study, the following factors had significant association with the risk of breast cancer: level of education, early menarche, older age at the birth of the first child, abstinence of breast feeding, lack of consumption of fruits and vegetables and consumption of animal fat. The study recommends early detection of breast cancer within the framework of a comprehensive cancer control program, encourage breast feeding for a period of 1-2 years, promotion of healthy diet, low animal fat intake, low carbohydrate and increase intake of fruit and vegetable and promotion of physical activity program

Falls among elderly people in Basrah

To estimate the incidence of falls among elderly and to study its determinants. This is a cross-sectional, household survey carried out in two areas in Basrah Governorate [namely Hay-Al Khalig "A1" and Shatt-Al Arab "A2"] for the period 1998-2000, involving elderly people [60 years and above]. The study involved 240 elderly from A1 and 211 from A2, special questionnaire used and filled by one of the investigators. The overall incidence of falls was 223.9/1000/year, with a higher incidence in A2 [270/1000/year] than A1 [183/1000]/year]. The incidence in females was nearly twice that of males [M: F ratio 1: 1.9], and was increasing with age. About one-third [34.0%] of falls needed medical intervention and [14.0%] required hospital admission. Nearly [13%] of falls associated with fractures at different sites, which was increasing with age. A significant inverse relationship was found between functional ability and the incidence of falls. Visual problem contributed to 30.7% of falls. Abnormal gait and balance significantly predisposed to falls. The prevalence of fear of fells was higher among females than males and was increasing with age. The results of this study indicate that, the incidence of falls among elderly in Basrah was relatively high, particularly among elderly females [286.9/1000/year], therefore, prevention of falls in elderly should be urgently adopted to control the increasing burden of the age-related fractures or other injuries

Functional ability of elderly people in Basrah/Iraq

This is a cross-sectional household survey, carried out in two areas in Basrah Governorate [namely Hay-Al- Kahlig "Al" and Shatt- Al Arab "A2"], to study the functional ability [Personal Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living] of elderly people and to study the factors affecting it [age, sex, health problem and it's duration, previous occupation, perceived health and Moral index. The study involved elderly people [60 years and above], 240 elderly individuals from "Al" and 211 elderly individuals from "A2". Special questionnaire was used and filled by one of the authors. The study showed that only one-third of the studied elderly were completely independent, the other two-thirds admitted having different degrees of dependency, with a significantly higher rates among females. Functional ability was significantly and inversely related to age. Functional disability, was higher among those who were skilled workers and housewives. CVA was the most disabling illness, followed by heart failure and hypertension. The duration of the health problem was significantly and inversely related to functional ability. The presence of functional disability showed a significant association with poor health perception and bad Moral index. The elderly had more difficulties in performing instrumental activities of daily living [I-ADL] than personal activities of daily living [P-ADL]. The study recommended modification of risk factors and may have association with functional ability