kufa Journal for Nursing sciences

Objectives: The study aim to detect the genetic relationship between HLA-DQB1 alleles with Rheumatoid Arthritis and measurement level of Interleukin 17 and it is relationship with immune antibody that related with Rheumatoid arthritis.
Methodology: this study included 60 women have Rheumatoid arthritis whom visited Al-Sadder Medical City in Al Najaf Governorate from February 2015 to July 2015 , and confirmed the diagnosis by use specific antibody test related with disease include (Anti-CCP) Anti Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide, (RF) Rheumatoid Factor. This study included 60 women as healthy control group, and HLA-DQB1allele has been identified for both group by MR. Spot (SSO System). Interleukin 17 was detected in serum for both group by using ELISA Technique, this study designated as case control study and the results was analyzed by using statistical methods (SPSS version 20,t-test groups, Chi square test, persons correlation -r)
Results: the result of this study showed that frequency of HLA-DQB1*6 in patients group more frequent about 73.3% and showed (OR=3.85) that mean this allele represent as risk factor for women whose carried it that mean more susceptible for infected with Rheumatoid arthritis about 3.85 times, while in control group showed HLA-DQB1*3 more frequent (66.6%) that may as a protective factor from disease. This study showed increasing in level of Interleukin 17 in serum of women have Rheumatoid arthritis and that registered high significant differences (P<0.001) when compare with level in serum of control group. Moreover there is significant correlation between presence of (anti-CCP) Anti Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide and RF(Rheumatoid Factor) antibodies with increasing in level of Interleukin 17 in patient group.
Conclusions: this study concluded that important of detection HLA-DQB1*6 as a risk factor for disease and possible to prognostic for inducing disease for women have that allele. Using of Interleukin 17 test with Rheumatoid arthritis patients that may due to important role in progressive of disease and associated it with producing antibodies from Rheumatoid arthritis.

Backgrounds: Precaution and safety measures are important for the workers, whom are dealing and slaughtering chicken or meat,
Objectives: the objectives of this study is to identify knowledge and practices of workers regarding safety measures with slaughtering chicken, and identify association between some variables and safety measures.
Methods: A descriptive study was carried out on 100 workers in the poultry sectors and slaughtering shops, standard questionnaire was used for data collection, an approval was taken from nursing college, and administrative arrangements was done from general health directorate and municipality office in Erbil, the study began in 1st July- 2015 to December 31st -12-2015 , SPSS program was used for data analysis by using descriptive and inferential statistical.
Results: The study revealed that majority of sample study have poor knowledge and practices regarding safety measures used, and there is no significant association between most of demographic characteristics and safety measures, while there is significant association between years of experiences and safety measures used.
Conclusion: The study indicated that the majority of the workers have poor knowledge and practices about safety measures, and there was significant association between years of experiences and safety measures.
Recommendations: the study recommended to create program for training workers in poultry sectors by the cooperation with ministry of health and ministry of municipality to increase knowledge and risk perceptions and practices regarding safety measures use, monitoring and follow up the workplaces by the general directorate for health and municipality office, and regulation the working in this field by application laws and health certificate.

Background: skin prick test (SPT) and total serum IgE measurement are common tests used for allergy diagnosis.
Objective: the current study aimed to determine the association between elevated Total IgE levels and skin test reactivity in patients with symptoms of respiratory allergy.
Methodology : the study include 128 patients with symptoms of allergic asthma and or allergic rhinitis who attended to AAC In Al-Sader Medical City, skin prick test was done by using standard allergens extracts like house dust mites extracts, pollens of trees, grasses and weeds also extract for mold allergens. Also sera of patients analyzed for measurement total serum IgE.
Results: skin prick test was positive in 112 (87.5%) of patients to one allergen or more and (57.8%) of patients had high IgE levels (>190 IU/ml), 72(64%) out of 112 skin test positive patients had high IgE levels.
Conclusion: there is close association between reported allergic symptoms, skin test reactivity and elevated IgE levels, also skin test results correlate significantly with total IgE levels.
Recommendation: Total serum IgE measurement could be used as diagnostic marker to identify respiratory allergy and could be used as single cost effective test in cases when skin test not available or contraindicated, and so Respiratory allergy still could be diagnosed on the bases of clinical examination as there is significant association between symptoms and allergy tests positivity.

Objective: To assess the level of psychological parent burdens related to caring child with cerebral palsy. Identify the relationship between psychological burdens with some socio-demographic data.
Methodology: non- probability (purposive) sample of 100 cases selected of the families of children who have cerebral palsy and who are taking treatment in the rehabilitation centers in Baghdad City. The data collect in 16th February 2016 to 2th April 2016. A structured interviewing was conducted to collected information of parent by questionnaire was developed based on the study objectives such development was employed through review of literature and related studies and some international scales include: Caregiver Burden Scale by (Elmslht et al, 1996), Caregiver Burden Inventory by (Caserta, Lund & Wright, 1996), Zaria Burden Interview by (Boon Khan Sang et al, 2010), and the Multi-dimensional Caregiver Strain Index by ((MCSI) by (Stull, 1996). The data analyzed by using descriptive statistical measures and inferential statistical measures.
Results: The finding of the study have revealed that the majority of caregivers were mothers, most of the sample their age (20-39), most of the parent's lives together, they have low level of education, and they suffer in inadequate income, all the mothers were house wife, while most father were self employee and (30%) of them having moderate level of psychological burdens.
Conclusion: Significant association between caregiver (father and mother), occupation of parent & monthly income of family with psychological burden. There are no relationships between level of psychological burden of parents and age of child, duration of illness, level of disability, age of parent, marital status, and level of education, family size and number of children inflicted with same disease.
Recommendations: The study has recommended that rehabilitation centers should provide sufficient opportunities for repeated follow-up interviews which offer not only information on the children's disabilities but also psychological support for the parents; future research recommended Psycho-Social Intervention Programmed to reduce the parents burden of children with cerebral palsy.

Background: Type one diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition that may have an impact on health status affecting the whole of physical activities.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of diabetes type 1 on children and adolescent's physical status.
Patients and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted at Leila Qasim Center for Diabetes Care in Erbil City /Kurdistan Region-Iraq, started from 15th May. 2012 to 13th Aug. 2012. A reliable questionnaire (pedqlTM diabetes module version 3.0)(physical problem) was selected to assess the physical problem of children and adolescents complained of type I diabetes mellitus, and it was consisted of three main part which were concerned the socio-demographic characteristics, second information related signs and symptoms, and information related to physical problems, The validity of the tool was applied through 14 panel experts related to the specialty, correlation coefficient was used (r= 0.80), data were collected by direct interview technique; the data were analyzed through SPSS software (version 20), p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered as significant association.
Results: The finding of the study indicated that most of children and adolescents were female, mean of age were 11.80± 3.12 years, most of them were students, and at low socio economic status. The samples were complained of fatigue, thirst, frequent urination, unusual hunger, nocturnal enuresis, and also complained of retinopathy and nephropathy, but not complained of neuropathy.
Conclusion: Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes complained of physical problem such as fatigue, thirst and frequent urination, and it was affected on their physical status.
Recommendation: Health education can be an integral part of diabetes management in all diabetic clinics and hospitals rather than a set of instructions given once at the beginning of the follow up. Education needs to be supported by psychosocial and possibly family therapy interventions.

Background: Cholera is one of intestinal disease conceded life-threatening can spread rapidly of place to another and cause epidemic, affecting the population. The causative agent of cholera is gram-negative bacterium called Vibrio cholera. In 2015 Iraq was faced an outbreak of cholera .There are many activities for the control of cholera epidemic that provided by health control staff and laboratories staff which included measuring the ratio of chlorine in the water and the health control.
Objective: To evaluate the activities of health control staff and laboratories staff for the control of cholera epidemic in Al-Hilla city, and determine the relationship between the activities of staff with demographic variables
Methodology: descriptive study was conducted in primary health care centers of Al-Hilla city, in the period November 4th 2015 to March 10th 2016, the samples (simple random sample) collected at 20 centers for primary health care. The sample were collected through a structured interviewing questionnaire constructed with the staff of health control unit and laboratories through using the Likert scales three-level (always, sometimes, never) according to a national plan to control of cholera epidemic. Reliability of the questionnaire estimated through a pilot study and the validity through (14) experts. The data analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistical measures.
Result:
The findings of the study show that the majority (93.3%) of the health control staff are moderately active toward control of cholera. No significant relationship between the activities of health control staff and their demographic data at (P <0.05) except with their occupation, levels of education, and years of services, the study results indicate that there is a significant relationship. The activities of laboratory staff toward cholera control is moderate. No significant relationship between the activities of laboratory staff and their demographic data at (P <0.05).
Conclusion: most the staff of the health control units were men and the laboratories of primary health care centers do not investigate any sample, collect the samples and send it to laboratory of public health, This might delay the emergence of the results.
Recommendation: The study recommended increasing the focus on the importance of the activities for control the epidemic of cholera, especially the activities that provided by primary health care centers because it is the first line of defense and the closest to the community and the provision of materials for the investigation of samples in primary health care centers and out the results of the initial then sent it to the laboratory of public health for confirm .and the need to increase female staff work in health control units to deal with women when visiting homes or places for women, such as bathrooms in schools, Institutes and colleges.

Background: A patient medical record ( chart ) is a legal document which may be used in court as evidence, so it is important that every chart and record must have clear, simple and an accurate language.
Objective of study: The study aims to evaluating of nursing staffs documentation standard in medical and, finding out the association between nursing staffs documentation and sociodemographic characteristic of (age, gender, education level , and years of experience).
Methodology: A descriptive study was carried out to evaluation of nursing staffs' documentation standard related to nursing procedures in medical wards. A purposive sample of (71) nurses was selected from medical wards of hospitals (Al-Sadder Medical City, Al-Manathra General Hospital, Al-Forat General Hospital, Al-Haydaria General Hospital, Al-Sagaad General Hospital and Al-Hakeem General Hospital) in Al Najaf governorate, direct interviewing with participant. The data collection started from first of October 2014 to first of September 2015. The constructed instrument used is compromised of two sections: section one includes the nurses demographic characteristic, section two is the documentation tool which consists of 4 parts including (vital signs form, nursing observation flow sheet, intake-output fluid flow sheet and insulin chart).Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to analyze the data. Reliability of the instrument was done for the tool parts and flow sheets through test and retest, also a panel of experts determined the validity of the tool. data was analyzed by using descriptive and data
Result: The study showed that the majority of nurses were male, with age group (30-39), they graduated from the school of nursing (50.7%), they had (1-4) years of experience in medical wards (22.5%). Most of the study sample had sharing in training sessions related to documenting in nursing (80.3%).
Conclusion: Overall evaluation for the documentation of the nursing staffs is moderate.
Recommendations: the study recommended to
- Applying the modified documentation system to all Iraqi medical wards.
-Training sessions should be conducted for nurses to act as a unique challenge for showing the importance of documentation and documenting nursing activities.

Objective: The study aimed to find out the factors associated with hip fracture among elderly adults in Erbil City.
Methods: The present case-control study conducted among elderly participants in two governmental hospitals and Geriatric Home in Erbil City of Kurdistan Region of Iraq from 8th of March to 3rd of August 2016. The study participants included elderly with more than and equal to 60 years old, both genders, conscious, with hip fractured (50 for case group) and without hip fracture (50 for control group). The control was matched to cases in age, gender and falling cause of hip fracture. The Questioner was designed as a tool of data collection and consisted of two main parts, socio-demographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements and risk factors assessment of hip fracture. Data was collected through direct interview. The data was analyzed through using statistical application (SPSS V. 23) which included descriptive and inferential statistical analysis of frequency, percentage, odds ratio, confidence interval and Chi-square test.
Results: Most of the study sample in both case and control groups were illiterate, married, keeping house, from urban area. There is highly significant association between case-control groups regarding Osteoporosis, Arthritis, Sleep disturbance, Use of medication such as sedative-hypnotic, anxiolytic, anti-depressive, antihypertensive drugs, Stroke, Hypertension, knee osteoarthritis, history of hip fracture, Body Mass Index, Visual impairment, Lower limb dysfunction, Functional limitations, Low taking Milk and Calcium intake, low Sun exposure, Heavy Smoking, Eating fishless than twice a week, and Sports or physical exercise less than 4 times per a week. The Odds Ratio of all of above risk factors among study participants in both case and control groups is in increased associated risk with hip fracture among elderly adults starting from 11.385 to 2.447 times of risk.
Conclusions: The highest risk factors that associated with increasing occurrence of hip fracture are Osteoporosis and taking less than 1000 mg of milk and calcium in the food per day.
Recommendations: The study recommends beginning hip fracture prevention in early adult life, starting by assessing risk factors and working to keep them low.

Objective: To assess of healthy lifestyle and to find out the association between healthy lifestyle and socio-demographic characteristics among high school students.
Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted in (3) November 2015 to (9) May 2016 in the City of Al-Amara. A simple random sampling used to select 8 out of 17 high schools. A systematic random sampling was used to draw a sample (n =214) out of 2192 high schools females. The data was collected by interview method through the use of constructed questionnaires, which consist of two parts. Part one socio-demographic characteristic and part two which consist of 6 domains including: nutrition, physical activity, weight control, taking of vaccinations, stress management, and avoids infection with toxoplasmosis. The data analyzed through the use of the descriptive by Frequency, Percentage, Mean of Score and Standard deviation and inferential statistical analysis through Correlation Coefficient.
Results: The mean score of health lifestyle for preconception period among of the females it was moderate (2.25 ± 0.378) with the majority sample 131 (61.2%) in moderate level. Moreover, highly a significant associations were found between socio-demographic characteristics and aspects of preconception healthy lifestyle at (P< 0.01), except the some variables which showed non-significant association with aspects of preconception healthy lifestyle at (P: 0.05).
Conclusion: Female students considered at higher risk of developing unhealthy behaviors. Findings of the study showed more than two thirds of sample with in moderate level of health lifestyle. Furthermore, the results indicate that there was highly a significant association between some variables, except the age, type of family, father survival and job of father showed were non-significant association.
Recommendation: Schoolteachers and health service providers must be cooperation for spreading health behavior among students that these phase is important and called safe motherhood, by lay scientific posters, and holding parents meeting in order to illustrate the importance healthy lifestyle during the period of preconception Such as exercise constantly, weight control, eating fat-free healthy food to reduce life-threatening adverse outcomes of preconception.

Objective: The study aims to detect the effect of spinal versus general anesthesia on pulmonary function and find out the relationships between patients pulmonary functions post- surgery and their demographic and clinical characteristics.
Methodology: A comparative study design carried out through the present study in order to achieve the early stated aims. The study started in 21 December 2015 to 30 April 2016 The study conducted in Al-Sadder medical city. Quota sample of (100) patients were included in the present study, (50) patients received general anesthesia and (50) patients received spinal anesthesia. The patients demographic and clinical data collected through the utilization the semi-structured questionnaire and by means of interview technique with the subject, while the pulmonary functions test collected by using spirometer instrument. Data was analyzed by using descriptive statistic (percentage and Frequencies) and inferential (person s correlation coefficient, independent sample t-test, and paired t-test).
Results: shows that higher of patient are within the age interval about 39-47 years old %),equal ratio of gender are male (50%)and female, there are highly significant of body mass index is normal (70%), most of patient are non-smoker (47%), most of patient non-worker is, high ratio of operation in the lower of body, all of patient without respiratory disorder, more the patient without chronic disease, The study results indicate that there is a significant effect of the anesthesia on the patients pulmonary functions test and the general anesthesia is negatively affect the pulmonary functions more than the spinal anesthesia. In addition, that there is a high significant relationship between the pulmonary functions pre and post general anesthesia and high significant relation between the pulmonary functions pre and post spinal anesthesia and high significant relation between the pulmonary functions post-anesthesia and the types of anesthesia.
Conclusions: The study concluded that anesthesia has effect on pulmonary function.
Recommendations: The study recommended that breathing techniques should use for patients before anesthesia and smoking cessation before 4-8 weeks of surgery Studies should evaluate the clinical effects of different anesthesia regimes in patients with compromised lung function, and Reduction in FVC after surgery should influence the clinician decision at this time when choosing between general and spinal anesthesia depends on the particular clinical situation, possible other disorders, and the surgical demands.

Objective: To determine of anxiety level in patients with ischemic heart disease, and determine the association between socio-demographic characteristics and clinical characteristics with anxiety level.
Methodology: A descriptive design study was carried out during the period from 20th November, 2015 to 25th May, 2016. A random sample comprised of (123) Patients who were diagnosed with ischemic heart disease. The data were collected through the utilization of the developed questionnaire, and by means of structured interview technique. The study instrument was adopted and developed by the researcher for the purpose of the study. It was consisted of three parts: Part one socio-demographic characteristics. Part two of the questionnaire was clinical characteristics, and part three was to measure the anxiety level by using zung self- rating anxiety scale which include (20) question. The instrument used observes anxiety level as the following: Within normal range (20-44); Minimal to moderate anxiety (45-59); Marked to severe anxiety (60-74); and most extreme anxiety (75-80).The analysis of the data was used descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, and mean of score) and statistical inferential (multi Regression, ANOVA, and t- test) to find out association differences between study variables and anxiety level.
Results: The study findings indicated that there were the majority of participants have marked to severe anxiety= (60-74)in patients with ischemic heart disease at the study sample(58.5%)and show to the existence of statistically significant differences between the study variables with the anxiety level.
Conclusion: The study concluded that variables (age and duration of disease) have affected on the anxiety adversely. If the patient\'s age is advance the anxiety level will decrease, while if duration of disease was short time will lead to increase in the anxiety level.
Recommendation: Development and implementation of effective strategies in nursing for reducing anxiety level regarding healthy life styles and physical activity such as (relaxation exercises, deep breathing, bathing and muscle relaxation) depending on the identification level of anxiety preparation of appropriate and effective nursing management of patients with ischemic heart disease.

Objective: To determine the causing correlation of the cigarettes smoking (measured by cotinine level in the seminal plasma) on the immunologic inflammatory markers (PMN-elastase, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and leukocytospermia) in seminal fluid (SF) of unexplained infertile men.
Methodology: Two hundred-thirty six unexplained infertile men, one hundred fourteen smoking and ninety six non-smokers were included in the study. They were being found without evident cause for infertility after initial workups. Other ninety fertile healthy non-smokers men were enrolled in the study as a control group. Seminal immunologic inflammatory markers (PMN-elastase, pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-8 and IL-6, and leukocytospermia) were measured in seminal plasma (SP) of all participants. Cotinine level in SP was measured as well (by using ELISA), and correlated with inflammatory markers in all three hundred- twenty six specimens.
Results: The differences of seminal plasma inflammatory markers and cotinine level were significant between the three groups of the study, and significantly correlated (P<0.05) with inflammatory markers.
Conclusion: The resulted substantial negative impact on sperm motility and morphology, and the correlation of cotinine level with immunologic inflammatory markers in SP, strongly indicate the presence of immunologic reaction in genital tract of the smokers. That may lead to silent genital tract inflammation. Which is, may be, the main cause for their unexplained infertility.
Recommendation: It would be sensible to advise infertile men to abstain of smoking cigarettes.

Back ground: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is disease present in 2- 3% of the general population.
Mitral valve prolapse may be found with mitral regurgitation, bacterial endocarditis, congestive heart failure, and even sudden death. Mitral valve prolapse may be refer to as syndrome that present with symptoms palpitation or any other physical finding. The diagnosis of MVP can be confirmed by echocardiography
Objectives: We aimed from this study to test the possible use of electrocardiography as primary survey tool to diagnose patient with mitral valve prolapse.
Methodology: In this cross sectional study, we involve 75 patients with palpation and atypical chest pain. All these persons had been selected from those patients visit the internal medicine consult department and echocardiography unit in Al-Sadr medical city from January 2013 to January 2016. For all patient's data collected about age, sex, blood pressure, laboratory finding of lipid profile, electrocardiography and echocardiography.
Results: During period of this study which extends over 2 years, 75 patients of MVP enrolled in this screening research. Statistical analysis shows that sensitivity of electrocardiography as screening tool for diagnosis of MVP in a patient with atypical chest pain = 98.41, were its specificity = 90.9, positive predictive value = 98.41, negative predictive value = 90.9 so that as shown electrocardiography are highly specific and sensitive and this can use to diagnose MVP as it sensitive or exclude diagnosis of MVP as it specific.
Conclusion:
1. we found that T-wave inversion in lead 3 of ECG is unique change in ECG for mitral valve prolapse
2. we found that T-wave inversion in lead 3 of ECG highly reliable tool in make diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse as it sensitive test
3. we found this tool highly specific so can safely exclude diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse if test negative

Objective(s): The objective of the study to assess the head nurses performance regarding staff management at the units of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city hospitals.
Methodology: Analytic Cross-Sectional study was carried out throughout the present study to assess the head nurses performance regarding staff management at the units of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city hospitals. Quantitative research design was utilized to conduct the study. This study started from November 11th 2015 to July 2nd 2016. The target population for this study was all head nurses (n=86) included at previously mentioned setting (Al-Najaf AL-Ashraf City Hospitals). Through an extensive review of relevant literature, a questionnaire was constructed for the purpose of the study. The data was collected through the utilization of a developed questionnaire (Arabic version) and by means of interview with each head nurse included in the present study. The data collection process started from March. 20th, 2016 to April 21th, 2016. The statistical data analysis were conducted using the statistical package (SPSS).The conducted statistical analysis included analysis of variance (one way ANOVA), Cronbach Alpha to test the reliability of questionnaire (Internal consistency) and Pearson's correlation.
Results: The findings of the study found that the head nurses performance was good and there was no significant difference between demographic data and performance of the head nurse whereas there was significant correlation with level of education.
Conclusion: The study concluded the head nurses require a higher education level when nursing staff development is taken into consideration.
Recommendations: The study recommends that head nurses should be encouraged and motivated for the serious participation in training courses inside and outside of Iraq. Concentration on highly qualified nurses with minimum of baccalaureate degree graduates to fill the three nursing management levels.

Objective: To assess physical activity for breast cancer women and test it's relation with patients' socio-demographic characteristics, life style and reproductive factors.
Methods: a descriptive, retrospective study conducted on 159 women ages 20-79, with breast cancer, who were eligible for the study and attended Hiwa hospital from April 30th, 2014 to August, 2nd, 2015. A convenience (non-probability) was used. International physical activity questionnaire short form was used to assess physical activity prior 6 months of diagnosis. Physical activity score calculated as metabolic equivalent of task-minute per week (METs-min/week). Data was analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics through SPSS version 20.
Results: (61.6%) of participant were inactive, occupational activity was the accounted for (82.7 %) of total physical activity, physical activity scores decreased with increasing age ,body mass index (BMI), and increased with increased level of education, in single and unemployed (p < 0.05), while there was no difference in physical activity scores regarding lifestyle and reproductive factors (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Majority of participants were inactive, not meeting physical activity recommendation proposed for general adult population. Young, single, better educated, unemployed and normal weight they were more active physically.
Recommendation: Encourage and educate high risk group for breast cancer to be involve in high level of physical activity.

Objectives: This study investigated the maximum mouth opening and its correlation with age among male and female students of college of dentistry, Babylon University.
Patients and methods: A total of 317 students (140 males and 177 females) age ranged 20-25 years were recruited in this study. Each student was asked to open his/her mouth as wide as possible. The distance between the incise edge of upper right central incisor and the opposing tooth of the lower jaw was measured using a manual caliper.
Results: The maximum mouth opening was 58 mm ±7.21 and 42 mm ±6.98 for males and females, respectively. The maximum mouth opening of males is significantly larger than that of female (P= 0.000). For males the highest value of mouth opening was observed in the age 23 years and a negative and insignificant (P=0.472) correlation was seen in the ages (24 and 25 years). For females the maximum mouth opening was noticed in the age of 20 years and a significant decreased (P=0.000) of mouth opening was observed then after.
Conclusion: Males have wider mouth opening compared to females. Maximum mouth opening for males and females decreased with age. However, regardless the gender, non-specific correlation was observed between age and mouth opening.
Recommendation: Further study to clarify the effect of age on mouth opening and the correlation between mouth opening and body weight.

Background: Coping is the effort to prevent or reduce threat, harm, and loss, or to diminish associated distress. Other defines coping as a process-oriented which focuses on what the individual really thinks and acts in a specific stressful situation; Coping is influenced by the individual\'s appraisal of the real demands in the encounter and resources for managing them; There are no prior assumptions as to whether it is good or bad coping because coping is simply defined as a person\'s efforts to manage demands, whether the efforts are successful or not.
Objectives: The present study attempts to identify the ways and levels of coping used by nurses working at psychiatric wards in Baghdad psychiatric hospitals and to find out a relationship between the levels of coping and some demographic characteristics.
Methods: A descriptive study was carried out through the period from the September 14th to the December 18th of 2014. A purposive sample of 90 nurses who work in psychiatric wards of Baghdad psychiatric hospitals enrolled to achieve the study objectives: AlRashad: 56, Ibn Rushid: 26 and psychiatric ward at Baghdad hospital: 8. Brief COPE was used to determine the strategies applied by the nurses. This inventory was modified by Carver (1997) which contains 28 items. These items are divided in to 14 domains. Data were analyzed using the statistical analysis program of SPSS 19th version. Descriptive analysis: frequencies, percentages and distribution; inferential analysis: Chi2 and correlation coefficient were also applied.
Results: The results revealed that the levels of general coping was good (38.9%), medium (30.0%), and weak (31.1%) and the best level of coping was found in female nurses (24.4%), married nurses (32.2%), nurses with secondary level in nursing (24.4%), and having five years and less in psychiatric wards (23.3%).
Conclusion: the study concluded that when active coping increases, job stress decreases and support will decrease the Job stress experienced by the nurses.
Recommendations: The present study recommends that nurses working at psychiatric wards have to participate in special sessions regarding enhancement of coping skills to manage stress; and, confirm professional criteria of the relationship between nurses and other health team members during the time of working at these wards.