Assessment of women's perspectives and experiences of childbirth and postnatal care using Q-methodology

To complement standard measures of maternity care outcomes, an assessment of women's satisfaction with care is needed. The aim of this study was to elicit the perspectives and experiences of Iraqi women about childbirth and postnatal care services. The study participants were a sample of 37 women of different educational and socioeconomic status who had given birth during the previous 6 months. Q-methodology was used for data collection and analysis. Three distinct viewpoints and experiences of childbirth and postnatal care services were identified: a general perception of poor childbirth and postnatal care with lack of appropriate interpersonal care and support; a high satisfaction and positive experience with childbirth and postnatal care services among the confident and well-supported women; and poor satisfaction with the childbirth and postnatal care services in terms of meeting traditional cultural practices. Needs assessment around providers' skills and attitudes and the wider sociocultural environment of childbirth and postnatal care is necessary in Iraq

Correlation between constituents, physico-chemical properties of locally formulated chlorpyrifos as 48% EC and its insecticidal efficiency against cotton leaf worm

Many trials were carried out for formulation of the organophosphorous insecticide, chlorypyrifos, as emulsifiable concentrate [EC] 48% by using local raw materials and products which are: solvent [xylene], co-solvent [n-butanol and dimethyl formamide] and many surfactants which used as emulsifiers, wetting and spreading agents. It was found that only four formulas [CP23, CP24, CP32 and CP33] passed successfully through the physico-chemical properties according to the world recommendation which are: emulsion stability test, foam test, free acidity or alkalinity, flash point, cold test and accelerated storage. This study also included the comparison between the locally formulated chlorpyrifos against commercial formulation [pestiban] under recommended field dilution rate through: 1-Physico-chemical properties [surface tension viscosity, pH and electrical conductivity] 2- Insecticidal efficiency against cotton leaf worm infested cotton plant 3- Deposit and residue of chlorpyrifos on treated cotton leaves. Results obtained indicated that all locally formulated and commercial chlorpyrifos showed good insecticidal efficiency against cotton leaf worm according to the Ministry of Agriculture recommendations but the locally formulated were the best than the commercial one, where deposit on treated plant leaves increased by decreasing surface tension, decreasing pH value with increasing electrical conductivity and increasing viscosity of spray solution, then due to increasing its insecticidal efficiency

Epidemiology of Kawasaki disease in Qatar [an Arabian gulf country]

Case records were reviewed retrospectively of 49 patients admitted between January 1992 and December 2002 to evaluate the epidemiologic pattern of Kawasaki disease [KD] in Qatar. Ages ranged from three months to nine years with a median of 28 months and a male/female ratio of 2.3:1. During the eleven years, the annual incidence varied from 2.5/100,000 to 20/100,000 and appears to be increasing. Most cases occurred in the cooler season [January-May] affecting predominantly males and children under five years of age with no apparent predilection for any section of the ethnically varied population

Quinine therapy in severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria during pregnancy in Sudan

A prospective study was carried out in an area of unstable malaria transmission in central Sudan to determine the efficacy and toxicity of quinine in pregnancy. Thirty-three pregnant women with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria at mean 28.8 weeks gestational age were treated with quinine for 7 days. The mean body temperature on presentation for 3 patients who delivered prematurely was significantly higher than for those who delivered at term [39.2 +/- 0.7 degrees C versus 38.7 +/- 1.3 degrees C]. There were no significant difference between the 2 groups in other clinical or biochemical parameters. There were no clinically detectable congenital malformations and no auditory, visual or other neurological deficits in the babies at birth or 6 months later. Quinine may be safe in the treatment of severe falciparum malaria during pregnancy

survey of erythrodermain in Iraqi patients

A total of 30 patients with erythroderma were included in this study. In the adult group [16 patients] the main aetiological factors were: psoriasis 8 [50%], congenital icthyosiform erythroaderma 2 [12.5%], drugs 2 [12.5%], undetermined 2 [12.5%] other causes were lichen planus and internal malignancy 1 [6.25%] for each. In the childhood group [14 patients] the main etiological factors were; congenital icthyosiform erythroderma 5 [35.5%], infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis 4 [28.5%], psoriasis 3 [21.2%]. Others like staphylococcal scaled skin syndrome and Kwashiorker 1 [7.1%] for each. A special form of generalized pustular psoriasis was seen among patients of Samarra city which commonly causes erythrodermic picture affecting young adults and even might affect children. Histopathological examination on 12 skin biopsies was diagnostic of the underlying cause in 6[50%] of cases, and non-specific [chronic dermatitis like picture] in the others 6 patients