Impact of hypertension education on treatment compliance among hypertensive patients in Baghdad 2017.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of short education session on drug compliance on hypertensive patients visiting primary healthcare centres. METHODS: The interventional study was conducted from January to May, 2017, at 10 primary healthcare centres that were selected through multi-stage random sampling from those functioning under the Baghdad/Al-Rusafa Health Directorate, Baghdad, Iraq. Those included were patients aged 20-79 years diagnosed with hypertension with a history of at least one year. The subjects were divided into two intervention, and control groups. After baseline interviews regarding compliance with medical treatment. In each visit, 3-4 patients were selected, and were exposed to the education session about the risks of untreated hypertension, and they were given an appointment for one month later to measure their compliance rate. In the control group, the compliance rate was measured twice within a month. Data was analysed using SPSS 24. RESULTS: Of the 600 subjects, there were 300(50%) in each of the two groups. The compliance rate increased significantly within the intervention group (p=0.0001) and also in comparison with the controls (p=0.0001). Apart from medicines per day, all other factors showed non-significant association with compliance rate. CONCLUSIONS: The health education session caused significant improvement in the rate of compliance with drug regimen in hypertensive patients.

Maternal obesity and its relation with the cesarean section: a hospital based cross sectional study in Iraq.

BACKGROUND: Obesity during pregnancy is reported in approximately one in five pregnant women worldwide. It increases the risk of pregnancy complications many of which necessitate Cesarean section (CS). This study determines the association between obesity and type of delivery. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 404 pregnant women was carried out at Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. Women with hypertension, diabetes, preterm labor, fetal presentation other than cephalic presentation and multiple gestations were excluded from the study. BMI and past obstetric history were recorded. RESULTS: The overall rate of CS was 38%. The overall mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.0 ± 4.52 Kg/m2 and it was significantly higher among women who delivered by cesarean section. Significantly high rate of CS was found in primigravida and multigravida women with high BMI. Moreover, all obese multigravid women with history of previous CS were delivered by CS. The rate of CS was higher in women with primary level education when compared to women with secondary or tertiary education. CS was significantly lower in women with a previous history of abortion. CONCLUSION: Obese women with or without a previous history of CS are at a higher risk of having a CS and should therefore be considered as high risk and managed appropriately during pregnancy. Weight management prior to or during pregnancy could help reduce the need for CS.