Career in pediatrics as a specialty among students in two Iraqi medical colleges

Limited knowledge is present on career in pediatrics among Iraqi medical students. The objective of this study was to figure out how pediatrics is popular among Iraqi medical students to be pursued as a future career as well as to define factors associated with the decline to pursue such specialty, if any. During the academic year 2010-2011, a questionnaire survey was employed to the final-year students from two medical colleges in Baghdad. The questionnaire included the variables of participant's gender, the option to participate in the study, the intention to pursue pediatrics career and, finally the reason stand behind rejecting that career, if any. Descriptive statistics was used to address data. Three hundred and thirty five students were asked to participate in this study and 271 have proved to take part in it with a response of 81%. Pediatrics was chosen as a career in 42.1% of the participants while 57.9% rejected it. Males were more attracted to pediatrics than females with a rejection percentage of 41.5% compared with 5 8.5% for females. Among factors stand behind not to pursue pediatrics were lacking of intellectual interest [79.6%] and deficient pediatric clinical training and skills [10.2%]. Other factors such as sparse promotional academic opportunities, lacking of anticipated higher financial rewards, and unfavorable prestige were at low percentages [5.1%, 3.2%, and 1.9% respectively]. In comparison with previous Iraqi studies, medical students were more enthusiastic towards pursing pediatrics as a career. This trend is anticipated to ensure the adequacy of pediatricians' workforce and healthcare. It should be continuously promoted necessitating the attention of policy makers and medical educators

Neonatal surgical emergencies in Iraq

Neonatal surgical emergencies [NSEs] yield deep concerns the aim of this study is to the families, pediatricians, and pediatric surgeons to identify the magnitude and pattern of neonatal surgical emergencies in Iraq. We studied the medical records of neonatal surgical emergencies admitted to the Department of Pediatric Surgery/Children's Welfare Hospital/Baghdad during the period of 1st January to 31st December 2006. The collected data involved clinical presentation, operative diagnosis, postoperative complications, duration of hospital stay, and final outcome. Data were addressed as percentages. Out of 310 total pediatric surgical emergencies admitted during the study period, 135 [43.5%] were neonates. Males were 57.8% and 42.2% females with a male to female ratio of 1.4:1. Predominance of cases was represented by tracheo-esophageal fistula/atresia [28.8%], imperforated anus/rectovesical or rectovaginal fistula [22.2%], and pyloric stenosis [10.4%]. Intestinal obstruction was the leading clinical presentation [58.5%] followed by shortness of breath and frothy mouth secretions during feeding [33.3%], visible abdominal mass [6.6%], and acute abdomen [1.4%]. Postoperative complications occurred in 56.3% of neonates as pneumonia [31.6%], sepsis [24.8%], and respiratory failure [23.7%]. Operative mortality was 30.4% due to respiratory failure [48.7%], overwhelming sepsis [43.7%] and cardiac arrest during anesthesia [7.3%]. Neonatal surgical emergencies represented a significant health threat and were characterized by high morbidity and mortality. Departments of pediatric surgery must receive ample support to properly deal with these emergencies

Evaluation of Iraqi medical students views on pediatrics

To evaluate Iraqi undergraduate medical students views on pediatrics. A questionnaire survey recruited undergraduate 6[th] year medical students of Al-Kindy College of Medicine, Baghdad University, in July 2007. The collected data represented their views on pediatrics in terms of their willingness to be pediatricians in the future and their satisfaction with pediatric theoretical and clinical teaching curricula emphasizing exactly the main items that werent fulfilled adequately. We analyzed the data statistically using Chi- square. Out of 107 students recruited in the study, 98 accepted to participate in the questionnaire survey with a respondent rate of 91.6%. Willingness to become a pediatrician was stated in 24.5% of respondents [18.4% males vs. 6.1% females] [p>0.05]. Overall, 58.2% of respondents [44.9%] males vs. 13.3% females] [p> 0.05] weren 't satisfied with the theoretical curriculum and stated that items of infectious diseases [60.2%], nutrition [56.1%], poisoning [51.0%], and vaccination [46.9%] preponderantly weren't satisfied. On the other hand, 70.4% of respondents [54.1% males vs. 16.3% females] [p>0.05] weren't satisfied with the clinical curriculum and stated that items of history taking [49.0%], general appearance [45.9%], vital signs [45.9%], and anthropometric measurements [42.8%] predominately weren 't satisfied. The low enthusiasm of Iraqi medical students towards pediatrics highlights the need to consider modulating medical teaching programs to promote medical knowledge and essential clinical skills of medical students on one hand and suit the basic needs of the community on the other hand

Ear, nose and throat [E.N.T] diseases in children: patterns and risk factors

Ear, nose, and throat [E.N.T] diseases are common in children. Early diagnosis and proper management are essential to ensure adequate growth and development. To determine patterns of E.N.T diseases in children and define risk factors affecting them. A Cross- sectional study of 264 children under the age of 12 years attended E.N.T clinic/ Al-Kindy Teaching Hospital/ Baghdad from the period of 1/10/2006 to 28/2/2007. We analyzed the following data: age, gender, residence, family size, socio-economic status, parental educational level, family history of atopy, presence of smoking, state of vaccination, presence of anemia or any concomitant chronic illness, and final diagnosis. Statistical analysis was done through Chi-Square. Males outnumbered females [48.1% vs. 51.9%] [P>0.05].The encountered prevalent E.N.T problems included those of pharynx and tonsils [41.7%], nose [18.6%], ear [16.3%], larynx [6.8%], adenoids [6.0%], sinuses [5.3%], and miscellaneous disorders [5.3%]. Overall, infections were the predominant [57.9%] followed by foreign bodies impaction [11.7%] and allergy [6.0%]. Statistical analysis revealed that crowding, low socio-economic status, poor parental educational level, smoking, and anemia were statistically significant risk factors [P<0.05]. Pediatricians and E.N.T specialists share a combined responsibility in managing properly the commonest pediatric E.N.T problems. Enhancement of educational and preventive programs targeting the relevant risk factors is suggested