Journal of Ideas in Health (JIDHealth)
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knowledge and attitude of Iraqi women in reproductive age group about risk factors in pregnancy
Get PDFImproved knowledge among women about maternal risk factors significantly reduced the likelihood of adverse events in pregnancy and childbirth. This study aimed to explore Iraqi women\u27s knowledge and attitudes about maternal risk factors in pregnancy. A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted from 01 January to 31 March 2019 among women of the reproductive age (15-49 years). A convenient sampling technique using a semi-structured questionnaire was recruited to interview the sample. SPSS version 16.0 was used to analyze the data. Descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square test) were used to present data with the significance level considered at <0.05. Data of 250 women underwent final analysis. The mean age of respondents was 27.76 (±6.3 years). Most of the respondents (79.9%) correctly knew the maternal risk factors in pregnancy. A large percentage of women knew that poor nutrition, anemia (95.6%), smoking and passive smoke (95.6%), and obesity (85.2%) during pregnancy are risk factors affecting the fetus’ health. However, about 40.0% of women thought there was no harm during pregnancy, and therefore there was no need for medical check-ups regularly. In bivariate analysis, there was a significant association between knowledge and level of education. The higher the level of education, the greater the women\u27s knowledge about risk factors such as malnutrition and anemia (P=<0.001), obesity (P=0.04), diabetes (P=0.002), repeated urinary tract infection (P=0.017), Rh incompatibility (<0.001), history of previous cesarean section (P=0.010), smoking and passive smoking (P=0.014) and evidence of bleeding (P=0.001). In conclusion, Iraqi pregnant women demonstrated a good level of knowledge about the risk factors during the pregnancy
Prevalence of text neck syndrome among Iraqi medical students: a cross-sectional study
Get PDFBackground: Excessive use of portable electronic devices causes neck flexion and the emergence of text neck syndrome (TNS). This study aims to explore the prevalence of TNS among medical students during the COVID-19 lockdown in Iraq.
Methods: A prospective cross-sectional web-based study was conducted from 1st to 20th March 2021 at the faculty of medicine, Diyala University, Iraq. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among the medical students using Google Form through social media (WhatsApp group). The semi-structured questionnaire included the sociodemographic, the valid smartphone addiction scale-short version (SAS-SV), and the neck disability index (NDI). Univariate, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression were used to analyze the data. SPSS version 16. The statistical significance is considered at less than 0.05.
Results: Out of 273 medical students included in the study, 59.3% were males, unmarried (88.3%), and from the 1st year (21.6%). The mean age of students was 21.27 ± 1.74 years. The prevalence of text neck syndrome was 64.5%. About two-thirds (61.5%) of students were addicted to their smartphones and used them more than five h/daily (63.7%). Factors associated with neck disability were the students who did not warm up neck muscles before using the smartphone (OR = 8.796, 95% CI: 1.724 to 24.884), addicted to the smartphone (OR = 6.803, 95% CI: 3.455 to 13.397), experienced increase in daily hours using the smartphone during the COVID-19 related quarantine (OR = 5.370, 95% CI: 2.523 to 11.427), maintained smartphone use five hours and more daily (OR = 2.818, 95% CI: 1.422 to 5.587), had neck pain (OR = 2.876, 95% CI: 1.356 to 6.098), the female gender (OR = 2.756, 95% CI: 1.221 to 6.221), and those who did not have a frequent break when using the smartphone (OR = 2.693, 95% CI: 1.329 to 5.454).
Conclusion: In conclusion, the prevalence of neck disability was high among the surveyed medical students. Addiction and excessive smartphone use with a lack of attention to warm up the neck muscles before usage was the most prominent predictors of neck disability
Impact of family structure and sociodemographic characteristics on parents headed families in Ramadi City, Iraq
Get PDFBackground: Several factors in the family profile contribute significantly to determining the effective policy when heading the family. This study aims to evaluate the sociodemographic and economic burdens on parents-headed families in Ramadi City, west of Iraq.
Methods: A prospective cross-sectional household-based survey was conducted from 1st to 28th February 2019 among Iraqi people residents in Ramadi city, Anbar province. A multistage sampling technique was recruited to identify the eligible sample. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview (face-to-face) the respondents. Data from 267 households have undergone univariate and bivariate analyses. Multiple logistic regression, odds ratio (OR), and confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated to explore the predicting variables. The statistically significant is considered at less than 0.05.
Results: The mean age of respondents was 43.88 (± 12.1) years (range: 25 to 69 years). Out of the total surveyed people, 52.8% were young (less than 44 years), male-headed families (59.6%), low educated level (65.5%), unemployed (52.4%), married (67.4%) and headed big families of seven members and above (43.1%). History of chronic diseases and smoking habits was positive among 46.4% and 45.7% of respondents, respectively. Findings of the binary logistic regressions showed that history of smoking (OR = 7.201, 95% CI: 3.254 to15.936), families of 7 members and above (OR = 6.239, 95% CI: 2.938 to 13.250), unhappy (OR = 5.237, 95% CI: 2.140 to 12.818), aged 44 years and above (OR = 3.518, 95% CI: 1.581 to 7.829), being single (unmarried, divorced, widow) (OR = 2.697, 95% CI: 1.230 to 5.914), and had a monthly income of less than USD400 (OR = 2.333, 95% CI: 1.112 to 4.859) are significantly associated with female-headed family.
Conclusion: Priority must be given to some elements such as genetic, physical differences, biopsychosocial factors, and the economic situation when discussing parents\u27 behavior in heading the family
What textual copying does not count as plagiarism? Elaborate examples and problem-solving
Get PDFScientists are motivated to publish original and high-quality articles. The only right way to accomplish that is through a long and daunting academic career. Sometimes illegal shortcuts and tortuous methods are attempted by some people. Bolstered with elaborate examples and problem-solving, this treatise explains the legal ways of textual copying and proper referencing techniques. Moreover, it teaches how to steer away from copyright violations. In addition, it warns off all forms of literary theft and the catastrophic consequences of research misconduct
Effects of cigarette smoking on the response of hypertensive patients to beta-adrenergic antagonists: a narrative review
Get PDFCigarette smoking is one of the hypertension risk factors which can adversely affect the quality of life. This review aimed to provide a brief overview of the link between smoking and hypertension. At the same time, raising questions about how smoking interacts with beta-adrenergic antagonists that are used as antihypertensive drugs. By searching for relevant studies through multiple search engines, there is inconsistent evidence about the effect of smoking on high blood pressure. Mainly attributed to the availability of numerous confounding factors. However, cigarette smoking cannot be ignored because smoking exerts dual effects on hypertension as a disease and the treatment with antihypertensive drugs, particularly beta-adrenergic antagonists. The potential drug interaction can occur through pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics mechanisms resulting in influencing the efficacy of these drugs. It is necessary to have dosage modifications according to the patient\u27s smoking status, whether in hospitals or outpatient clinics
Effect of risk factors on the outcomes of COVID-19-infected intensive care patients: a single-center retrospective study
Get PDFBackground: To date, little attention has been paid to the impact of risk factors on the outcome of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study was performed to examine the effects of risk factors on death among COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the ICU.
Methods: From April 2020 to November 2020, data on 141 COVID-19-infected intensive care patients at 7 Air Force Hospital, Kanpur, were retrospectively retrieved. All analyses were performed using SPSS statistical software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA, 15.0). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to identify independent risk factors. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Most of study population were males (69.5%) with mean age of 59.8 ± 17.5 years. Out of 141 patients, 60 (42.6%) patients had comorbidities and 81 (57.4%) patients had no comorbidities. ICU death rates were 46.1%. Bivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male sex (OR:0.45;95%CI:0.21-0.94), diabetes mellitus (OR:2.96; 95%CI:1.16-7.54), coronary artery disease (OR:2.48;95%CI:0.83-7.37), chronic kidney disease (OR:0.13,95% CI:0.02-1.12), patients with one (OR:1.25,95%CI:0.54-2.86) or more than two comorbidities (OR:1.95,95%CI:0.81-4.70), and who required high flow oxygen therapy (OR:13.30,95%CI:5.81-30.43), non-invasive (OR: 0.10,95% CI:0.02-0.45) and invasive ventilators (OR:0.04,95%CI:0.02-0.09) all were associated with higher ICU death rates. Multivariable logistic regression found following independent risk factors for death: patients with one comorbidity (OR:0.10;95%CI:0.02-0.66), non-invasive ventilator (OR:0.005;95%CI:0.000-0.091), and invasive ventilator (OR:0.003;95%CI:0.000-0.032).
Conclusion: Identification of risk factors is of utmost importance to reduce death in COVID-19 infected intensive care patients
Evaluation of biochemical parameters in acute myocardial infarction and angina patients
Get PDFBackground: Early and accurate detection of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is an important unmet clinical requirement. The present study sought to evaluate the levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), fasting lipid profile, random blood sugar, and serum creatinine in AMI patients compared to angina patients.
Methods: In a single-center, hospital-based, cross-sectional, observational, prospective study conducted at Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad, from October-2018 to September-2019. A total of 150 patients aged above 40 years with acute chest pain (within 2-6 hours) and who were clinically susceptive of AMI and angina were investigated. The patients were divided into group I (50 AMI patients) and group II (100 angina patients). Levels of all biochemical parameters of blood were assessed. The statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS statistical software, version 15. A student t-test was used to compare the continuous variables between the two groups.
Results: Out of 150 patients, higher male prevalence was found in both the groups (60% and 63%, respectively). Group I had higher levels of NTproBNP (2909±273pg/ml vs. 110±20.74pg/ml, P<0.01), cTnI (2.06±1.3ng/ml vs. 0.006±0.002ng/ml, P<0.01), and fasting lipid profile (total cholesterol:216±41.2mg/dl vs.201±32.5mg/dl, P<0.05, triglycerides:217.7±63.6 mg/dl vs. 175.3±48.8 mg/dl, P<0.01, low-density lipoprotein:141.7mg/dl±41.5 vs. 127.1±30.24 mg/dl, P<0.05, very low-density lipoprotein:43.4±12.8mg/dl vs. 35.1±9.8mg/dl, P<0.01) than group II, except low levels of high-density lipoprotein (31.2±3.83mg/dl vs. 38.9±4.32 mg/dl, P<0.01).
Conclusion: Assessment of NTproBNP, cTnI, and fasting lipid profile may aid in the early diagnosis of AMI and its management
Microparticles and D-dimers improve prediction of chemotherapy-associated thrombosis in cancer patients
Get PDFBackground: The cancer is associated with a state of hypercoagulability, which may be the cause of venous thromboembolism (VTE), representing an undeniable cause of morbidity and mortality. Our study aimed to investigate the role of hypercoagulability markers (D-dimers, microparticles, and V Leiden mutation) in predicting cancer-associated VTE.
Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among cancer patients who will receive chemotherapy in the Medical Oncology and Hematology departments of the EHU of Oran, Algeria from February 2013 to May 2015, followed by an observation period of two years. First, we evaluated the risk of cancer-related VTE by hypercoagulability parameters (D-dimers, microparticles, V Leiden mutation). In the second step, we tested the predictive value of the Khorana risk score (KRS) of cancer-related VTE. Then, we developed and tested the predictive value of an expanded score based on the addition of predictive biomarkers to the KRS parameters.
Results: A total of 165 patients were included in our study whose median age was 62 years. More than half were males (52.7%). After an observation period of 2 years, ten patients (6.0%) developed a VTE. Among the criteria studied, only the D-dimers and the microparticles were predictive of VTE in cancer. The positive predictive value (PPV) of the KRS was 13.6%, and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 97.9%. After adding two predictive biomarkers (D-dimers and microparticles), the expanded score had a better predictive value with a PPV of 23.5% and a VPN of 98.6%.
Conclusion: The addition of hypercoagulability biomarkers (microparticles and D-dimers) to the routine clinical and biological parameters of the KRS enhances the predictive potential of VTE risk in cancer
Racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 mortality in the United States
Get PDFBackground: Among COVID-19–associated deaths reported in the United States (U.S.), minority communities were disproportionately represented. The objective was to assess differences in mortality by race and ethnicity among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.
Methods: This is a retrospective case series study with information extracted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention between January 20 and December 29, 2020. Clinical and sociodemographic data were analyzed by race and ethnicity from non-hospitalized and hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Binary logistic models were fitted to evaluate factors associated with COVID-19-related mortality.
Results: A total of 434,076 patients with COVID-19 were characterized; 284,574 cases were Non-Hispanic White, 10,468 cases were Non-Hispanic Asian, and 949,022 cases were Non-Hispanic Black, and 89,407 cases were Hispanic/Latino. For non-hospitalized patients, Hispanic/Latino with pneumonia (OR 3.34, 95%CI: 1.70-6.58) and Non-Hispanic Asian with comorbidities (OR 3.88, 95%CI: 0.99-15.2) had the highest odds for mortality. For hospitalized patients, Non-Hispanic Black with comorbidities (OR 3.02, 95%CI: 2.24-4.08) and Non-Hispanic Asian and Non-Hispanic Black with pneumonia (OR 2.98, 95%CI: 2.09-4.26; and OR 2.97, 95%CI: 2.60-3.38, respectively) had the highest odds for mortality.
Conclusion: Racial/ethnic disparities in mortality persist among patients with COVID-19 in the U.S. These findings support the assertion that racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 in the U.S
Blood cholinesterase activities and oxidative stress status among farmworkers using pesticides in Duhok, KRG, Iraq
Get PDFBackground: The use of pesticides by farmworkers poses considerable health risks. This study was undertaken to examine plasma and erythrocyte cholinesterase activities, plasma oxidative biomarkers malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant status (TAS) among farmworkers using different pesticide products in Duhok, northern of Iraq.
Methods: This is a case-control study conducted between November 2021 to July 2022 on 92 male farmworkers who were exposed to pesticides in comparison with 44 non-exposed male subjects (control). The availability and uses of pesticides were obtained from 19 agrochemical shops and the farmworkers exposed to pesticides. Demographic data of pesticide-exposed farmworkers and their practice of pesticide applications were recorded. Plasma and erythrocyte cholinesterase activities and plasma MDA and TAS levels were determined in both groups.
Results: The farmworkers had a significant 10.0% increase in plasma MDA level, with no significant changes in blood cholinesterase activities or the TAS level. Odds and risk ratios of reduced plasma cholinesterase activity (20.0%) suggested an association of health risks in pesticide-exposed farmworkers. Most of the pesticide products (278) in use were insecticides (47.0%), which comprised mainly 26.0% pyrethroids and 3.0-7.0% anticholinesterase insecticides, among others. The majority of the farmworkers (51%) were merely aware of the general target use of the pesticide, and 75% had an exposure history of > 5 years. Pesticide application was mostly (50.0%) manual, and 54.0% used insufficient personal protection equipment; 32.0% ate and drank at work, 48.0% practiced disposal of empty pesticide containers by burning and/or burying them, whereas 25.0% dumped the containers indiscriminately, and 25% disposed them at garbage sites openly.
Conclusion: The farmworkers, with only a marginal increase in oxidative stress biomarker MDA, did not suffer from significant reductions in blood cholinesterase activities, although odds and risk ratios of reduced plasma cholinesterase activity suggested a health risk. Implementation of a national program is needed to measure pre-exposure blood cholinesterase activities in farmworkers