The association between the severity of anemia and socio-demographic factors among children under five years of age in Kut City.

Background: Anemia is a public health issue that affects both industrialized and developing nations. Childhood anemia has severe consequences, including reduced growth, poor motor and cognitive development, and increased death and morbidity. Objective: This study aims to determine sociodemographic factors associated with the severity of anemia among under-five children in Kut City. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a convenience sample (non-probability) was conducted among 264 children admitted to hospitals in Kut City, from September 1st, 2022, to March 1st, 2023. Data were collected via questionnaires, and descriptive and inferential statistics were used to evaluate the data. Results: The total number of children participating in the study was 264, with 39.0% having mild anemia and 60.0% having moderate anemia, according to the World Health Organization classification of anemia. The results showed that the children most at risk of developing anemia were within 4 years of age and had a lower mean hemoglobin level than the rest of the age groups of the children participating in the study, compared to the mean+standard deviation (SD) (9.46+0.99). Boys are more affected than girls, and those who reside in rural areas have lower hemoglobin (HB) percentages with a mean+SD of (9.21+0.93). Unemployed mothers who read and write had the lowest HB percentage. In contrast, parents with primary education and government jobs have the lowest percentage of HB. Children of married mothers are more affected by anemia. Families with high overcrowding showed the lowest rate of HB. They experienced low socioeconomic status as a result. The degree of anemia was significantly correlated with the child's age, residence, mother's educational level, father's job, and socioeconomic position. Conclusion: This study concludes a significant association between the severity of anemia and sociodemographic factors, both unmodifiable (age) and modifiable (residence, mothers' education, fathers' jobs, and economic and social status). Children with modifiable risk factors need to have their anemia risk constantly evaluated.

The severity of pneumonia and its association with socio-demographic factors among children under five years old in Wasit governorate hospitals, Iraq.

Background: Pneumonia is the leading infectious cause of death among children under five globally. Objective: The study aims to determine socio-demographic factors associated with the severity of pneumonia among children under five in Wasit Governorate. Methods: A cross-sectional study and convenience sampling (non-probability) were conducted among 477 children admitted to Wasit governorate hospitals. This sample was distributed throughout five hospitals selected using convenience sampling techniques, including AL-Zahra Hospital, AL-Numaniyah General Hospital, AL-Karama Teaching Hospital, Martyr Fairouz General Hospital, and AL-Kut Gynecology Hospital. It was conducted from October 1st, 2022, to May 1st, 2023. Through questionnaires, data were collected and analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The results showed that the participants' distribution according to pneumonia severity was such that the majority of children (81%) included in the study suffered from pneumonia. 14% of children suffered from very severe pneumonia, and 5% suffered from severe pneumonia. The children at risk of developing pneumonia were within the age group of 1-11 months (55.6%), were male (60.6%), and resided in urban areas (63.7%). Both the mother and the father had completed their primary education (50.9% and 47.4%, respectively), and 99.4% and 97.5% of the mothers were married and housewives. More than half of the fathers, 59.5%, were self-employed, and 25.6% suffered from house overcrowding. In addition, 65% had low socioeconomic status. There was a significant relationship between pneumonia severity and the father's occupation and socioeconomic status. Conclusions: This study concludes that pneumonia was the most common diagnosis at admission. Among the risk factors studied, low socioeconomic status and the father's occupation were significant risk factors for pneumonia in children.

Colonoscopy Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme in Southern Iraq: Challenges, Knowledge Gaps and Future Potential.

Data on current colorectal cancer screening practices in Iraq are limited. This study aimed to better understand the current colorectal cancer screening practice and perceived barriers. The project also aimed to use UK expertise to introduce Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) in Basra, Iraq. The study consisted of two parts: A pre-visit online survey of clinicians to test the project's feasibility. A public survey was conducted to understand and gauge the general knowledge and perceived barriers to having colorectal cancer screening. The second phase included a short visit to Basra and the delivery of a multidisciplinary meeting for bowel screening colonoscopists. Fifty healthcare providers completed the survey. Basra has no established bowel cancer screening programme, let alone the country. Opportunistic colonoscopy surveillance is done on an ad hoc base. A total of 350 individuals completed the public survey. The survey showed that more than 50% of participants were not familiar with the concept of a BCSP and less than 25% were aware of "red flag" symptoms of bowel cancer. The short visit to Basra included a roundtable discussion and delivered a training workshop for screening colonoscopists using UK training materials in conjunction with the Iraqi Medical Association. Feedback from the course was extremely positive. Several potential barriers were identified to participate in BCSP. The study highlighted potential barriers, including a lack of public awareness and insufficient training resources to be addressed in future screening programmes. The study has identified several potential areas for future collaboration to support the development of a BCSP centre in Basra.

Whether Screening for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Patients With Psoriasis Is Necessary: A Pilot Quality Improvement Project.

Background Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is strongly associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Both conditions are associated with excess cardiovascular and liver-related morbidity and mortality. The severity of psoriasis correlates with the degree of liver inflammation and scarring, which can be further exacerbated by systemic immunomodulators such as methotrexate. Currently, no clinical pathway exists to screen psoriasis patients for NAFLD in our Trust. We aimed to develop a shared clinical pathway between our hepatology and dermatology departments to allow early identification and management of NAFLD in this patient group. Methods A multidisciplinary team was assembled to identify patient priorities, management goals, and screening criteria. We identified gaps in our service and reviewed current clinical best practice guidelines. A clinical pathway was developed using a process map and revised according to feedback received. We piloted this pathway on a prospective cohort of psoriasis patients identified by our dermatology department. Patients were invited for transient elastography if fatty liver was identified on an ultrasound scan. Baseline demographics, biochemistry and imaging results were collected and analysed. Results Of 57 psoriasis patients, 30 (52.6%) had sonographic evidence of hepatic steatosis. The median age was comparable between groups with 56 and 55 years in the psoriasis-NAFLD (Ps-NAFLD) and no-NAFLD groups respectively. There were more males in the Ps-NAFLDgroup (56.7%) compared to the no-NAFLD group (37%). Fifteen out of 30 patients were eligible for transient elastography (two were excluded due to body habitus). Seven (53.8%) patients had no-to-mild fibrosis indicated by liver stiffness measurement (LSM) ≤7kPa, while six (46.1%) had moderate-to-severe fibrosis. Three (23.0%) patients had scores suggestive of cirrhosis (LSM>13kPa). Conclusions The introduction of a new shared-care pathway at our Trust has resulted in a streamlined way in which psoriasis patients can be screened and treated for NAFLD.

The association of health behavioral risk factors with quality of life in northern Sweden-A cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that behavioral risk factors such as obesity, smoking, physical activity, diet, and excessive alcohol are linked to general health in northern Sweden. This study aimed to explore the joint relationship between these risk factors and the quality of life (QoL). METHODS: Data were collected from Sweden's national public health survey between February and May 2014 in the four northern counties in Sweden. QoL was assessed using the EuroQol (EQ-5D). Multivariable regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between five risk factors: BMI, physical activity, smoking status, fruit and vegetable intake, and alcohol consumption and QoL. RESULTS: Data from 17 138 complete questionnaires showed that individuals who were not obese, did at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily, consumed at least 3 portions of vegetable or fruits, were not smoking daily, and who did not report being drunk at least once every week were found to have better QoL (P < .005). The mean EQ-5D score ranged from 0.85 to 0.79. Approximately, two thirds of the studied population reported being physically active for at least 30 minutes every day and two fifths of them had a normal BMI. Only around 7% of the sample reported that they were eating the recommended daily level of fruits and vegetables. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study suggest that QoL has a significant relationship with lifestyle behaviors. This finding would emphasize the role of interventions to improve population health.

Label-Free Optical Detection of Mycotoxins Using Specific Aptamers Immobilized on Gold Nanostructures.

This work focuses on the development of the novel label-free optical apta-sensors for detection of mycotoxins. A highly sensitive analytical method of total internal reflection ellipsometry (TIRE) combined with Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) phenomenon in nano-structured gold films was exploited here for the first time for detection of aflatoxin B1 and M1 in direct assay with specific aptamers immobilized on the surface of gold. The achieved detection of low molecular weight molecules, such as aflatoxin B1 and M1, in a wide range of concentrations from 100 ng/mL down to 0.01 ng/mL is remarkable for the LSPR method. The study of binding kinetics of aflatoxin molecules to their respective aptamers using dynamic TIRE measurements yielded the values of affinity constants in the range of 10-8⁻10-7 mol, which is characteristic for highly specific aptamer/target interactions similar to that for monoclonal antibodies. The effect of aptamers' DNA chain length on their binding characteristics was analyzed.

Prevalence of hepatitis B seromarkers and hepatitis C antibodies in blood donors in Basra, Iraq.

BACKGROUND: Transfusion-caused hepatitis remains a major problem in Iraq. Therefore, testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and antibodies to hepatitis C antigen (anti-HCV) is a very important preventative measure. The objective of this study was to establish the prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus seromarkers among blood donors as a foundation for safe blood transfusion in Iraq. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the blood banks in Basra, Iraq from 1 January to 31 December 2013. Blood samples were collected and were tested for HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HCV using standard laboratory techniques. RESULTS: A total of 69 915 blood donors were enrolled for the study. A total of 1625 (2.3%) donors have shown serological evidence for hepatitis B virus infection; of those donors, 125 (0.2%) showed a positive test result for both anti-HBc and HBsAg while 1475 (2.1%) had positive anti-HBc results as the only positive test for HBV infection. There was no significant difference between males and females (p=0.28). The prevalence of anti-HCV was 0.1%. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first large population study of its kind in Basra, Iraq. The prevalence of hepatitis B and C among blood donors is very low in Basra. Around 2% of blood donors had anti-HBc as the only serological evidence of HBV infection. Inclusion of anti-HBc in routine screening of blood donors in Iraq should be encouraged.