Search

Background: Supported by evidence-based literature, hand hygiene (HH) is one of the cost-effective and simple preventive measures against COVID-19. The phenomenon is least reported in the developing world. Methods: We therefore were interested in assessing whether the COVID-19 had influenced knowledge and practice of HH and to highlight the determinants of HH among mothers of children under five years of age. This was a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional predictive analysis. Four hundred and seventeen mothers of children under five years of age visiting a public healthcare institute were targeted for data collection by using a pre-validated, structured questionnaire. Data were coded and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26. Followed by the descriptive analysis, the binary logistic regression was used to find the predictors of knowledge, attitude, and practices toward HH. Although adequate insight into HH was reported, certain areas of misconceptions were also observed. Results: Educational level was significantly associated with knowledge, attitude, and practice items and the Jonckheere-Terpstra test revealed a moderate positive trend (τ = 0.3 – 0.5) toward higher education. The binary logistic regression model had eight independent variables and all predictors were statistically significant (χ2 = 18.5, p < 0.001, DF =4). The strongest predictor of knowledge, attitude, and practice was education with significant OR of 2.5, 1.6, and 1.5, respectively. The study managed to highlight good HH among mothers, however; certain limitations were observed. Such limitations are related to a lack of health literacy that needs to be addressed as early as possible. Adequate HH ensures exceptional preventive measures against COVID-19 that provides a surety of an ailment-free environment. Conclusion: We urge the healthcare professionals and policymakers to target improving health literacy of the masses and to disseminate HH-related information that will help in management of infectious diseases such as COVID-19.

Background: Irrational use of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance against uropathogens is a global catastrophe. Consequently, it is necessary to identify the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of uropathogens while managing Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). Also, recognizing the susceptibility pattern of the uropathogens is essential for empirical antibiotic therapy. The current study aims to establish the bacterial profile and the antibiotic susceptibility pattern isolated from UTI patients in the northern Balochistan part of Pakistan. Methods: The study was carried out between January 2022 and December 2022. Clean catch midstream urine samples were collected. The isolation and antibiotic susceptibility procedures were performed through standard guidelines for microbiological techniques. One thousand forty-eight samples were collected and produced positive bacterial culture. The SPSS v 26 was used for data coding and descriptive statistics were applied accordingly. Results: Four hundred and forty patients (72%) were between 28 -37 years old; males contribute to (61.3%) of all samples. Microbiological cultures were found in 1048 patients with Escherichia coli being the dominant pathogen (1018, 97.1%) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (202, 19.3%). The susceptibility pattern of our study revealed that Cefixime, Norfloxacin, and Nalidixic acid were the antibiotics with the highest resistance rates in bacterial uropathogens, at 100%, 94.0% and 93.7%, respectively. Meropenem, Amikacin, Tazobactam, Fosfomycin and Vancomycin were antibiotics with sensitivity rates exceeding 90%. Conclusion: The bacterial isolates identified in the current study reported high resistance to Cefixime, Norfloxacin and Nalidixic acid (predominantly for Escherichia Coli). This leaves clinicians with very limited options of drugs for the treatment of UTIs. Increased resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics in UTIs warrants strict surveillance and monitoring of antibiotic use in the community.

Background: Despite their adverse impacts on human health, energy drinks (EDs) are becoming more and more popular, especially among young adults, due in part to the advertisement campaigns of manufacturing companies. This study aims at assessing the consumption practice of EDs among students at non-medical colleges along with their knowledge about EDs. Methods: The study design was cross-sectional in which an online questionnaire was distributed among students at non-medical colleges at the University of Mosul. The questionnaire included questions about knowledge and the practice of consumption of EDs in participants. The collected data were analyzed and presented as frequencies and percentages, in addition to assessing the correlation between knowledge and various characteristics of the students. Results: A total of 1039 students completed the questionnaire, more than one-third were in the 4th year. More than 80% of the participants knew what EDs were but only 30% were knowledgeable about their ingredients. Although the majority were aware that EDs have negative effects, only 45% knew that EDs cause insomnia. More than 70% of the students did not drink EDs, and among those who admitted drinking, one-third declared consuming 1-3 times monthly and more than two-thirds preferred sugar containing products. Helping to study was the main motive behind drinking as reported by the students while disliking EDs was the main reason given by those students who do not consume EDs. Gender, weekly income and being a consumer of EDs were found to have significant effects on the knowledge of the students. Conclusions: The level of knowledge was found to be low, which necessitates increasing the awareness of the public through official campaigns and warning labels on EDs.

Background: Early identification of cognitive weakening in previously undetected cases could help deal by starting programs for rehabilitation. Aim: The aim of this survey was to evaluate the prevalence and degree of cognitive impairment among adults of rural area in Nineveh, Iraq. Method: A cross-sectional study with convenient sampling technique was conducted to enroll subjects from a rural area in Nineveh. Cognitive function was examined in all the patients by the Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) is a screening tool for the cognitive state. A total of 213 agreed to participate in the survey with a mean age of 52.1 ± 11.8 years and higher percentage of participants were with primary level of education 125 (58.7%). Results: The mean score for the cognitive function examination was 18.85 ± 4.55 with significant differences were found between cognitive function and educational level, employment, and monthly income. Cognitive score was negatively correlated with age of participants (r= - 0.128, p value = 0.031). Although it was not significantly associated with level of education but around 43% of the study population suffered from mild cognitive impairment to dementia. Conclusion: The study concludes that there have been strong calls for program from the Ministry of Health to improve dementia care and support for societies with dementia and their occupations that will stay a life of that means and dignity. Efforts to make societies greater cognitively functioned, as well as, actively attractive patients will improve cost, the sustainable, treatment and care methods for diseases and quality of life.

The use of antibiotics without prescription (self-medication) is growing globally and is associated with increased bacterial resistance, ineffective treatment and adverse reactions. This study aimed at assessing the practice of antibiotic self-medication in the Iraqi population. A cross-sectional study design was adopted in this work. The sample was comprised of 303 staff members from the non-medical colleges in Iraq. An online questionnaire was distributed between the 29th of June to the 14th of September 2021 to collect data including socio-demographic characteristics and questions about antibiotic self-medication. Most of the participants had a university degree and a moderate monthly income. The majority (88%) have practiced self-medication at least once before. A “simple” condition and convenience were the main motivators behind self-medication, which was mainly used for sore throat, fever and cough. Own experience was the most reported determining factor for selecting an antibiotic, and community pharmacies were the main source for obtaining the antibiotics. About 40% of the participants admitted to switching the antibiotic or changing its dose during the treatment course. Self-medication with antibiotics is a major issue in our community and measures have to be taken to reduce its impact on public health through the development of bacterial resistance.

Introduction: Working in cement industry exposes the workers to various hazards that could be in some cases life threatening. One such threat is cement dust which can predispose to oxidative stress. This study is a part of larger project to investigate the negative impacts of cement dust and it specifically aims at determining the parameters of oxidative stress in people working in cement plants in comparison to apparently healthy controls. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study design was adopted in this work. Four cement factories in Nineveh Governorate in Iraq were included in the study for the period from December 2019 to March 2020. Ninety-seven non-smoking healthy workers were compared with 97 apparently healthy controls. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the two groups. Results: Significantly higher MDA mean (6.49 1.75 nmol/ml) was found in the workers group as compared to the controls (4.85 ? 1.36 nmol/ml) with a P-value of less than 0.001. Conversely, TAC was significantly higher in the control group (16.63 ? 2.99 U/ml) than in the workers (13.12 ? 2.85 U/ml) and the P-value was also less than 0.001. Conclusion: Cement dust exposure can predispose to oxidative stress by raising MDA and decreasing TAC exposing the workers to the damaging effects of free radicals.