IRAQI JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE

Background and Aim: Globally, the use of Electronic cigarette increase mainly among youth and adults, since electronic cigarettes smoking marketed as an effective way to quit tobacco smoking and safer than traditional cigarette smoking. However, they still a potential cause for many health hazards. The aim of this study was to collect baseline data for this important health problem to establish preventive and control measures. Methodology: A cross sectional study conducted from December 2020 to April 2021. Data were collected from 624 of students of medical colleges at Baghdad (Baghdad, Al-Kindy, Al-Mustansiriyah and Al-Nahrian Universities) by using self- administrated questionnaire. Chi square test was used to assess the association between qualitative variables. Results: The prevalence of using of electronic cigarette was 84 (13.5%) of study participants and 54 (64.3%) of them were smoking vape daily. Electronic cigarette use was significantly (<0.001) associated with gender among males 80 (22.7%) and family history of using electronic cigarette 49 (33.8%). About their awareness, 303 (48.5%) of them think that electronic cigarette was not safe, 239 (38.3%) of them think that it was addictive and 220 (35.3%) of them thinking that electronic cigarette is not an effective method for smoking cessation. The highest use rate of vape smoking was seen in participants who think that vape are absolutely safe (52.9%) and it was highly significant (P < 0.001), in those who think that the electronic cigarette is an effective method for smoking cessation (42.6%), it was highly significant (P < 0.001), and in those who think that vaping is addictive but less than cigarette (38.3%) and it was highly significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Prevalence of current using electronic cigarette was 84 (13.5%) among students of medical colleges at Baghdad, and they have inadequate awareness about the health effects associated with using electronic cigarette. Enhance more educational programs for them to participate for planning of preventive and control measures. Key Words: Prevalence, Awareness ,Vape

Abstract Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top ten causes of mortality in the world. Globally, in 2017, there were an estimated 558 000 new cases of Rifampicin Resistant Tuberculosis (RR-TB). WHO endorsed the Gene Xpert MTB/RIF assay, which is a fast and automatic molecular system that detects both Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA and RifampicinResistance (RR). Researches established that RR can be a substitute marker for MDR-TB. Aim: Assessment of rifampicin mono-resistance situation in tuberculous Iraqi patients. Methodology: Descriptive cross sectional study was applied to include all tuberculosis patients attended The National Center for Chest and Respiratory Diseases in Baghdad from 1st October 2020 to 31st March 2021. The data were collected by a structured questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS-28 statistical software. Data included Gene/xpert results for rifampicin resistance, socio-demographic characteristics of the sample, and history of previous anti-TB treatment. Results: Among 300 tuberculous participants in the study, 85 (28.3%) were previously treated and 215 (71.7%) were a new diagnosed cases. From the 85 previously treated patients, 22 (25.9%) were rifampicin resistant and among 215 newly diagnosed tuberculous patients, 13(6%) of them were rifampicin resistant. The peak resistance (27.1%) was in age group 30-39year. 26.7% of the patients referred to the center from other governorates, were rifampicin resistant. 12.7% of the patients with crowding index ≥4, were rifampicin resistance. 46.7% of those patients referred from the prisons were rifampicin resistant. All of the MDR-contact, 35% of the failure in treatment, 24.5% of the relapsed cases and 20% of the lost to follow up cases, were rifampicin resistant. Conclusion: There was an increase in the prevalence of rifampicin resistance among the previously treated tuberculous patients. MDR contact, prisoners and failure in treatment considered highly associated factors with rifampicin resistance necessitating a continuous screening for those categories and enhancement the use of Gene/xpert in the primary diagnoses of tuberculosis to be taken into consideration. Key words: Tuberculosis, rifampicin resistance, Gene/xpert.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease affecting joints that is chronic and disables the movement of patients with increasing pain and decreasing their quality of life with age. Available treatments are only symptomatic with no cure. Recent methods for managing osteoarthritis involve using pharmacological, non-pharmacological treatments or both for improving physical function in patients and alleviating pain. Clinical trials were conducted to reveal the extent of benefits obtained from different nutraceuticals and food supplements, such as collagen with growing use and fairly good results in the treatment of osteoarthritis. The goal of this study is to review the current information about the rational use of collagen in osteoarthritis
Keywords: Osteoarthritis; Collagen; Native Collagen ;Collagen Hydrolysate;Undenatured Collagen.

Background: Patient satisfaction is an expression of the gap between the expected and perceived characteristics of a service and is considered an important measure of health care quality by offering information on the provider’s success at meeting clients’ expectations. Objectives: To measure the level of satisfaction among patients attending the Baghdad Teaching Hospital and Al-Shu’la General Hospital, compare it between the two hospitals and between different wards, and investigate any associations between socioeconomic factors and the level of patients \'satisfaction. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study done in two hospitals in Baghdad city; Baghdad Teaching Hospital and AlShu’la General Hospital, targeting patients attending these hospitals, both inpatients and different outpatient departments, during the period from the1st of February to the 31st of July, 2020. The data were collected from patients using an already prepared questionnaire formulated to investigate the level of satisfaction in five domains: nursing, doctors, health facility, drug related information, and billing information, filled via direct doctor to patient interview. Results: A total sample of 173 patients were interviewed; 106 (61.3%) from Baghdad Teaching Hospital and 67 (38.7%) from Al-ShulaGeneralHospital, with a mean of 41.4± 16.7 years. Patients’ satisfaction scores were higher in Baghdad Teaching Hospital(57.5%) compared to Al-Shula General Hospital (42.5%), and the highest satisfaction scores were with the drug related information (67.6%), followed by the billing process (59%), the health facility (56.6%) ,nursing (56.1) and doctors (48%) ,and satisfaction regarding health facility was significantly higher in AlShu’la General Hospital, while satisfaction regarding the billing process was significantly higher in Baghdad Teaching Hospital. Age and gender were not associated with satisfaction levels, while educational level was associated with satisfaction about nursing and doctor (highest in primary and lowest in secondary education) and employed patients had higher satisfaction about doctors. Conclusion: Total satisfaction in both hospitals was better for inpatients than outpatients. Satisfaction was better in surgery and gynecology and obstetrics compared to medicine and minor surgical branches.
Keywords; Patient satisfaction, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Al-Shu’la General Hospital.

Background: Nocturnal enuresis is a common problem occurring among children living in Iraq. A problem that need to be studied thoroughly. Objectives: To study the distribution and associated factors of nocturnal enuretic children Methods: The data for the current descriptive study had been collected for attendant cases to the Urology consultation room at Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital through direct interview with the parents of children. The Study duration started from February 1st , 2020 to the end of June 30th 2020. Results: 372 patients had participated in this study, the percentage of nocturnal enuresis between boys was 51.1% and in girls was 48.9%. It was found that nocturnal enuresis occurs in families with low socioeconomic status. The result revealed a higher increase in those residents of rural area (67.2%) and more in children with history of urinary tract infection (74.7%). Most of the children with enuresis (80.6%) had constipation and 83.3% had family history of enuresis (54.8% sister, 40% brother and 5.2% cousin). Conclusion: The occurrence of nocturnal enuresis between boys and girls did not show great difference. Nocturnal enuresis occurs more in families with low socioeconomic status, rural area, with increment of family members. Constipation and urinary tract infection occur more with nocturnal enuresis.
Key Words: Nocturnal enuresis, Chidren.

Background: In recent years, the globe has seen a rapid proliferation of the vital technology known as the smartphone. Although all age groups—children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly—need to use it on a daily basis for a variety of functions, it has long-term negative effects on their health. Objectives: To determine the proportion of children who use smartphones and relationship with demographic variables, and the impact of smart phone use on the social, psychological and behavioral aspects of children. Subjects and methods: The study targeted parents with children younger than 10 years in Baghdad city. A self-reported questionnaires were distributed among 200 parents that were conveniency selected throughout the period of 10th January to 25th May 2022. Results: 90.3% of children were found to use smart phone devices with boy predominance (66%); mean age 7±1.63 Years. A 37.6% of children have their own devices. Most parents (88.6%) supervise on their children while they are on the devices. Most children were normal, the remaining 12%, 7%, 6%, 3% open minded, nervous, audacious, and isolated, consequently. Fifty-eight of parents noticed variation in children's behaviors before and after using smartphone. Psychological effects detected in 17% of children. 46% of both girls & boys smart phone have effects on their study. Approximately 10% have problems in growth processes, and lost regular meals (64%). Conclusions: The majority of parents notice differences in their child's behaviors after using smart phones.
Key words: smartphone, children less than 10 years, Social, Psychological &Behavioral complications