Changes in personality and mood profile of women with toxoplasmosis

Acquired T. gondii infection of immunocompetent patients may cause central nervous system manifestations [Gullain-Bare syndrome or brain abscess] and may be associated with psychiatric manifestation. Iraq is highly endemic with T. gondii, however, publications on psychiatric manifestation of T. gondii infection are scarce. To demonstrate psychiatric manifestations in women with Toxoplasmosis. A total of 68 toxoplasma positive pregnant women and 68 toxoplasma negative pregnant women were included in this study. It was conducted for the period of 5[th] Aug. 2008 to 28[th] Feb. 2009. ELISA was used to diagnose T. gondii. Questionnaire was used to diagnose personality type and depression was used. The diagnosis was according to ICD[10] and DSM-IV. Rates of pseudpsychopathic and limbic personality epilepsy syndrome were significantly high among toxoplasmosis positive pregnant women. Significant high rate of depression was associated with acquired T. gonii infection. These findings might provide evidence supporting role of T. gondii infection in the onset of some behavioral disorders

Low birth weight in western Iraq

In Iraq, several reports documented an increase in the prevalence of low birth weight [LBW] in the last 3 decades. This study was carried out to report on the rate of LBW in western Iraq during the period of widespread violence. All singleton live births in Al-Ramadi Maternity and Pediatrics hospital during the period of 1 st April to 1st October 2006, were included in the study. All the neonates were checked for birth weight and the expanded parelled was used to assess gestational age. Multiple logistic regressions was used to estimate odd ratio for LBW. A total of 400 singleton live birth were included in the study. Over all 31% of were LBW, and 67% of them were preterm. Maternal age, parties, education, lack of antenatal care and history of LBW and prematurity were risk factors. LBW and preterm birth neonates are still highly prevalent in Iraq and reflect the effect of sanctions, Gulf wars and widespread violence

Mental health of Iraqi adolescents

To estimate the prevalence of flourishing and the association of mental health status with the socio-demographic characteristics and conduct problems of adolescents. A total of 8807 adolescents were included in this study. Data were obtained from knowledge, attitudes and practices household survey carried out in 2004. Each adolescent was interviewed by a trained team and a specially designed questionnaire was filled. Emotional, psychological and social well-beings were assessed through a series of measurements. Conduct problems were measured by self-reporting of school skipping, smoking, alcohol drinking, inhalant use and arrestment. The prevalence of flourishing, moderate mental health status and languishing were 5.6%, 20.3% and 74.1%, respectively. The prevalence rates of school skipping, smoking, and other conduct problems [alcohol drinking, inhalant use, and arrestment] were 60.1%, 62.8% and 59.2%, respectively. Mental health was significantly associated with age, educational level, and various conduct problems [p<0.001]. No significant sex variation was demonstrated. Flourishing was significantly decreasing with advancing age [p<0.0001] and it was significantly lower among smokers [p<0.0001], and those with other conduct problems [p<0.0001]. The low rate of flourishing among adolescents was associated with a high rate of conduct problems which could be a psychological response to the stressful condition prevailing in the country during the last 3 decades