Risk factors of acute respiratory infection among hospital listed children in Basrah: the results of a case control study

A case control study was carried out to investigate the role of selected presumed risk factors in the occurrence of acute respiratory infection [ARI] among hospitalised children below five years in Basrah City, south of Iraq. Controls were children of similar age range attending for routine immunization schedule. The main factors which were found to be associated with significant risk of ARI were parental illiteracy, presence of a sibling with ARI during the month prior to admission of the child, admission of a sibling below five years, use of kerosene for cooking and mother's employment. Father's smoking, crowding and use of kerosene for heating were not to be significantly associated with ARI among children

Risk factors of acute respiratory infection among hospitalised children in Basrah: a case control study

A case control study was carried out to investigate the role of selected presumed risk factors in the occurrence of acute respiratory infection [ARI] among hospitalised children below the age of five years in Basrah, Iraq. Controls were children of similar age range attending for routine immunisation schedule. The main factors which ere found to be associated with significant risk of ARI were: parental illiteracy, presence of a sibling with ARI during the month prior to admission of the child, admission of a sibling below the age of five years to hospital for ARI during the previous year, use of kerosene for cooking and mother's employment. Father's smoking, crowding and use of kerosene for heating were not found to be significantly associated with ARI among children

Primary health care: concepts and practices among rural health doctors in Southern Iraq

A study was carried out to elucidate the concepts of primary health care [PHC] as perceived by doctors working in rural health centres in three governorates in southern Iraq. Relevant practices were also enquired about. it was shown that concepts and practices of these doctors with respect to primary care fall short of the expectations of health care planners and medical educationalists in Iraq. The study also highlighted the lack of appropriate and adequate use of available statistical and demographic data. Innovative and corrective approaches in undergraduate and in service training are urgently required