kufa Journal for Nursing sciences

Objective: The aim of the study is to determine health care awareness at the patients toward diabetic foot.
Methodology: A descriptive study was carried out in Al- Hila teaching hospital for the period of 2/7/2010 to 2/7/2011. A purposive (non-probability) sample of (200) patients. Questionnaire was constructed for the purpose of the study. Data were collected through the application of the questionnaire and interview technique. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistical approach (frequency & percentage) and inferential statistical approach (Pearson correlation and mean of score) by using of SPSS version 16.0.
Results: The study results indicated that the range of age was between (47-56) year and most of them were male, married and employed, secondary graduate they live in urban, barely sufficient of monthly income and the majority were smoking. There is moderate health care awareness of diabetic complications toward diabetic foot.
Recommendation: The study recommended that educational programs should be constructed or designed for patients toward health care awareness for newly diagnosis with diabetic, need for specialized nurses in the diabetic center and stops or reduce smoking and periodic foot exam in diabetic patient and healthy people.

Background: As this study was conducted by using a new strategy for the first time at Oman Nursing Institute, as one of the institutes that works under the umbrella of Directorate General Education & Training DGET at Ministry of health in Oman. Using of the teaching methods that provide matching between theory and clinical have a vital role in improve the students educational level.
Objectives: this study is to know the effect of Problem based Learning nursing and lecture based learning on Nursing students at Oman Nursing Institute.
Methodology: the sample were Year Two student (Adult Health Nursing). They were divided in to two groups LBL group, who receive lectures only as teaching method while the PBL group who were divided into small groups in class room, and teacher guide a discussion of between student about case study and questions related to the same scenario. The students should prepare for next lecture to discuss the subject, and the teacher is considered as a facilitator to control the discussion between the students in their groups and to direct the student to the right answer.
Results: A pretest and posttest was done to know the difference in the students' answers for both groups. Also the students opinion in both groups regarding PBL as a new method was assessed. Analysis was done through inferential statistical approach (Pearson correlation and mean of score) by using of SPSS version 17.0. In the pretest, there was no difference between both groups. While in posttest, PBL group response was higher than LBL group.
Conclusion: it was found that PBL method as the best method in teaching nursing students. For that teacher need to be given continuing education program about PBL

Objectives: Evaluation of nursing staff practices throughout hemodialysis treatment for patients in hemodialysis units and to determine the relationship between nurses’ practices and their demographical characteristics.
Methodology: A descriptive study was carried out at hemodialysis units of Baghdad teaching hospitals started of December 25th, 2011 until May, 9th, 2012. Non-probability (purposive sample) of (30) nurses, who were working in hemodialysis units, were selected in Baghdad teaching hospitals. The data were collected through the use of constructed questionnaire, which consist of two parts (1) Demographic data of that consist 10-items and (2) Nurses’ practices that consist of 25 items, by means of direct interview technique and visualization of the nurses. Reliability of the questionnaire was determined through a pilot study and the validity through a panel of (9) experts. Descriptive statistical analysis procedures (frequency, percentage, mean of score) and inferential statistical analysis procedures (person correlation coefficient, contingency coefficient) were used for the data analysis.
Results: The findings of the study indicated that there was a deficit in the nurses’ practice that should be applied to the patient throughout hemodialysis treatment. No significant relationship was found between nurses’ practice and their gender, level of education, years of experience in hemodialysis units, while significant relationship was found between nurses’ practice and their marital status.
Recommendations: The study recommended that the importance of employing Academic nurse in Hemodialysis units, a booklet should be designated and distributed to all nurses who were working in hemodialysis units including the standard actions that should be applied and followed to care for patients in hemodialysis units, and an educational program should be designated to the nurses who were working in hemodialysis units including the standard actions that should be applied to care for patients in hemodialysis units

Background: Dental Caries is common disease of the oral cavity with a high prevalence and most common health problem.
Objectives: This study aims to identify the impact of an Oral educational program on female secondary school students toward dental caries.
Methodology: A quasi-experimental quantitative study designed was carried out at Akhxtar and Shoxan female secondary schools in Erbil city, in first of July 2009 to end of September 2010. The sample consists of (600) females students in pretest and (300) in posttest. Results: According to the result there was significant differences between student's knowledge and practices, with their No. of Grade but no significant differences with ( age, crowding house, father's occupation, and mothers occupation).
Conclusion: The present study shows the student's knowledge and practice were improved after implementation the oral educational program. Recommendations: Depending on the results it's recommended that the program could be implemented to all the students in secondary schools to improve their knowledge and practices toward dental caries

Background: Improving infant and young child feeding practices in children birth–23 months of age is therefore critical to improved nutrition, health, development of children and, ultimately and impact child survival.
Objectives: The main objective is to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers concerning infant and young child feeding, and to use the results as baseline for nutritional intervention programs in the future.
Methodology: A survey study was carried out in (13) Primary Health Care centers in Erbil city to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers concerning infant and young child feeding, and to use the results as a baseline for nutritional intervention programs in the future in a period of 2nd of January 2008 to 30th of September 2009. Purposive (nonprobability) sample of 1000 (mother-child pairs) were selected.
Results: The results of present study shows that the mothers have efficient practices and attitudes toward breast, formula and complementary feeding. Infant and young child feeding indicators concerning early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding were poor, among mothers attending PHC centers in Erbil.
Conclusion: Majority of surveyed infant and young child’s feeding pattern was mixture feeding, or mixture and complementary feeding. And the feeding indicators were low among mothers in Erbil city, the investigators decided to construct an educational health program to be implemented by nurses in Primary Health Care centers in Erbil city for improving mothers knowledge, attitudes and practices of infant and young child feeding.
Recommendations: The study recommended to revitalizing and expanding the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative and Establishing of breastfeeding intervention programs for protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding.

Background: Anxiety reflects the psychological and physical states required to deal with an emergency. It is also a normal way of reacting to a number of demanding situations. Anxiety disorder: refers to a group of conditions the affected person experiences persistent anxiety that they cannot dismiss and it interferes with their daily activities.
Objectives: the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of anxiety among nurses at teaching hospitals in Erbil city and determine the association between socio-demographic characteristics and anxiety.
Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted between (26th June -25th Augest 2011) in (4) teaching hospitals in Erbil city. A sample of (160 nurses) were selected to participate in the study, a questionnaire was applied which was composed of two parts (socio-demographic information and Zung anxiety scale). Zung self-rating anxiety scale used which includes 20 questions and each question has 4 responses that are ranked as 0 to 4 and the client selects one response that is more suitable with his emotional state. The final score was classified according to Zung score key as; 20-44 normal range, 45-59 mild to moderate anxiety level, 60-74 marked to severe anxiety level and 75-80 extreme anxiety level. SPSS (version 19) was used to analyze the data.
Result: the study result revealed that (1 8.1%) of nurses had anxiety, among them 15% had mild to moderate anxiety, 3.1% had severe anxiety. There is no statistically significant relationship between anxiety among nurses and Socio-demographic data of the study sample; we also find that anxiety is more in Maternity Hospital nurses and more common in female nurses.
Conclusion: There were high levels of anxiety among nurses in teaching hospitals, which necessitate attention to their work environment, especially those who work in maternity hospitals.

Objectives: The study aimed to determine the relationship between creativity and personality traits (The ability to withstand ambiguity; independence in judgment and thinking; Flexibility in thinking; Originality of thinking; reflective thinking; The ability to exchange and openness to experience.
Methodology: The study was conducted on students of high school (grades: V, VI) of sections of scientific and literary in the schools of outstanding city of Mosul. Study sample was selected at random, "and a volume of (120) students (50%) males and ( 50%) females.
Results: The results showed that there is a strong correlation between the overall degree of creativity and all the scales sub-scale of personality traits. Results also showed a strong correlation between fluency ability of a creative mind and the ability to tolerate ambiguity, and reflective thinking and the ability to cash, and openness to experience. A weak correlation between fluency and the flexibility of thinking. And did not show a correlation between fluency and between independence in thinking and originality of thinking. Recommendation and
Conclusions: Creative thinking is one of the significant mental faculties related to cognitive achievement, and there is no correlation between creative thinking and skilled performance, this study was conducted on the school of cities, future studies to examine the difference between urban and rural schools are necessary. Develop some kind of scientific tests that can measure the creativity of students in various disciplines.

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a wide spread disease in our society, moreover it plays an important role in causation of abortion in pregnant women.
Objectives: The present study was carried out to evaluate the role of Heat Shock Protein-70 (HSP-70) in the immune response against infection with Toxoplasma Gondi among women with abortion.
Methodology: The present study was carried out on (35) women, all of them having abortion and proved by confirmatory tests that they have an active form of toxoplasma infection. It also included twenty apparently healthy women as a control group. The patients were between 15 to 50 years of age, blood samples were collected of them during the period between May 2010 to May 2011. The Cytokines that were measured among studied groups by ELISA technique included HSP-70,Interleukin-10(IL10), Gamma Interferon (IFNγ) and Interleukin-12(IL-12), thereafter cytokines were premeasured after receiving complete course of treatment.
Results: The study showed a high significant increase in serum level of HSP-70 in patients with IgM seropositivity (4.138pg/ml) when compared with serum levels in control and post treated groups (1.990pg/ml, 1.015pg/ml) respectively. It was also found that there was a concomitant increase in serum level of HSP-70 and serum level of both IFNγ and IL-12 in the early stage of acute infection (19.023, 81.292) respectively

Background: Health education is the profession of educating people about health. The WHO defined health education as comprising of consciously constructed opportunities for learning involving some of communication designed to improve health literacy , including improving knowledge and developing life skills which are conductive to individual and community health. Health education begins with people.
Objectives: The study aimed to identify nurse's knowledge about health education in Primary Health Centers and to identify the effect of variables on their knowledge.
Methodology: A descriptive study was carried out to assess the role of nurses in primary health care centers in Erbil city; in 20-1-2011 to 20 -5-2011. One hundred nurses were included in the study. The questionnaire was designed which consisted of: socio demographic characteristics for study sample, and questions related to knowledge about health education and nurses roles. The total sample of the study was 100 nurses.
Results: of the results indicate that most nurses have good knowledge about health education but they don't practice their role in primary health centers because there is not good program about health education.
Conclusion: The conclusion of this study indicates that most of the study sample has good knowledge about health education because most of them have long employment and gained good experiences but some variables like address and sex does not effect on their knowledge.
Recommendations: Health education should be done for clients in all primary health centers by nurses depending on priority needs, trained nurses, and good cooperation with ministry of health.

Methodology: The study was conducted in Al-Najaf and Al-Kufa City that follow to Al-Najaf Governorate and it carried out of a tested some of WHO drinking water parameter for installation of a new approach Chlorine injection system (CL2 injector) in the drinking water network of Al-NAJAF Governorate that working as re disinfecting drinking water and control the defect or leakage of the network, the finally resulted was a good and excellent mixing way for disinfection. These mixing are doing by using CL2 injector that separating of continuous chlorination system that was used in many developed countries and installed on the pointed pollution (pollutant focus) of the drinking water network of present water treatment plant, this mixing way considered a new approach and never using like it. The determination of the installation site (pollutant focus) was made by two parameter: 1-Bacteriological examination (M.P.N). 2- Chemical examination (CL2). The CL2 injection system must be installed locally in the all district that giving positive bacteriological results.
Results: the study was found a 25 district with positive results through comparison with Iraqi and WHO standard. the study finding is indicating a clear defect in a present drinking water treatment plant and its distribution system.
Conclusion: T-test and Pearson correlation was applied and giving significant statistical differences that’s confirming study aims. The correlation between CL2 and bacteriological examination was showed a highly significant difference (p>0.001).
Recommendations: The study recommended of Improvement of drinking water network of al-Najaf governorate by installation of Chlorine Injection System Technology (Cl2 Injector) in all locations (neighborhoods) that gave positive bacteriological results. Establishing emergency program that deals quickly with the bacteriological drinking water contamination when confirmed in any part of community water system

Background: Infectious diseases, or communicable diseases comprise clinically evident illness, characteristic medical signs and/or symptoms of disease resulting from the infection, presence and growth of pathogenic biological agents in an individual host organism. In certain cases, infectious diseases may be asymptomatic. School health programs could not be fully implemented without having staff, teachers, and parent's cooperation and involvement.
Objectives: The study aimed to identify the knowledge and attitude of teacher science regarding communicable disease.
Methodology: A descriptive study was carried out; one hundred and six of teachers were involved in some of the primary schools in Erbil city. The study began in Feb. 20, 2011, through Apr 20, 2011. Questionnaire was designed for data collection which was consisted of two main parts: socio demographic characteristics and knowledge and attitudes about communicable disease.
Results: The findings of the study revealed that the majority of the teachers responses regarding knowledge about communicable disease were very poor and deteriorating,
Conclusion: The study concluded that the majority of the teacher's needs continuing education programs about common communicable disease in Kurdistan and ways of prevention them.

Background: The researcher apply a descriptive study to determine the nurses' knowledge about the care provided to patient with myocardial infarction.
Objectives: Aim of the study is determinate the nurses' knowledge about care provided to Acute MI patients.
Methodology: The study was performed in Al-Najaf Health Directorate; between (December 2010- April 2011), in Al-Sadder Medical City - in CCU, ICU and ED and Medical Wards, AL-Haqeem General Hospital CCU and ED. The Sample of the study included (19 subjects) of nursing staff used to work at the above units. The study sample: A randomized (simple random sample) of the study consists of (38) nurses choose purposively who are working in Al-Saddar Medical City and AL-Haqeem General Hospital Coronary care unit & Emergency department (38 nurse). Data collection: The data, which were collected in the two hospitals for the period of 10 December 2010 to 15 April 2011, include in sequence: (1) demographic characteristic, which includes 8 variables ( age, the gender, place of work, duration of employment, training session, level of education, number of employers, time of work.) (2) the questionnaire about acute myocardial infarction was presented to the nurses to fill in during the period of 15 February to 2 March. Data analysis: the data was analyzed through the application of descriptive statistical analysis that include (frequency, and Percentages [%]), and the application of inferential statistical analysis that included (chi-square the person correlation coefficient, Mean of scores [MS], and Standard Deviation. [S.D]).
Results: The result of the study showed that the nursing care did not reach the desired level due to the deficiency in the level of knowledge and practice of the nursing staff and its effect on the type of nursing care. Based on the research of the study.
Recommendation: Based on the above results, this study recommends the necessity for a specialized nursing care when dealing with such disease and the importance of the continuous development of the nursing care through a well prepared educational programs.

Objectives: to study the impact of increased thyroid secretion on levels of serum cholesterol and albumin in serum women.
Methodology: a study in applied AL-Sader educational hospital for the period of March 2011 to August 2011, including the study the measuring of concentration of cholesterol and albumin in serum blood of (53) women patients of hyperthyroidism. The researcher used statistical analysis of data.
Results: the search results showed significant decrease in the rate of albumin concentration compared to control group (p < 0.001). And a decrease in cholesterol concentration compared with the control group (p < 0.001).
Recommendations: the study recommends compensation decrease blood cholesterol and with increased thyroid secretion by addressing the complementary and healthy food appropriate for each situation

Background: Methotrexate is one of the most effective and commonly used medicines to treat various forms of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions. It is known as a disease-modifying ant rheumatic drug (DMARD) because it not only decreases the pain and swelling of arthritis but also can reduce damage to joints and the risks of long-term disability.
Methodology: Twenty eight male rats, were taken of the research center in the College of Medicine at the University of Kufa. These animals were equally divided into four groups, Each of 7 rats, the first group received distilled water added equivalent fluid (corn oil, NaOH and citric acid) and served as control. The second group received methotrexate at dose of 2.5 mg/BW orally twice daily by gavage, the third group received methotrexate and vitamin A at doses of 2.5 mg /BW + 50000 IU respectively orally twice daily by gavage and the forth group received methotrexate and glutamine at dose 2.5 mg/BW + 500 mg /BW twice daily respectively. All groups dosing for period 30 days. At the end of the experiment, all rats were anesthetized using ether and drawn blood 4ml of heart using a 23-gauge needle syringe then killed and take piece of liver and placed in formalin 10 % for histopath examination. The blood placed in centrifuge 3000/minute for 10 minutes to obtain serum for analyzing liver function test (alkaline phosphatase, aspartate amino transferees (AST) and alanine amino transfers (ALT) measurements and bilirubin).
Result: In animal treatment with methotrexate only and those treated with MTX and Vitamin A and glutamine there was no significant difference in serum ALT, serum AST and Bilirubin when compared with control group but ALP elevated in MTX with vitamin A treated rats and no significant difference in MTX and MTX+ glutamine treated groups but showed amyloid changes liver and congestion in methotrexate treatment rat compared with control and no damage in liver of MTX with vitamin A and glutamine treated groups.
Conclusion: liver enzymes could be normal despite histopath change in methotrexate treated animals

Background: The study revealed the Percentage of human infection with intestinal parasites in (246) patients came to AL Sadder general hospital & AL-Monadhara general hospital in Najaf Governorate between January 2011 to December 2011. The total number of I intestinal parasitic was 124 (85.4%) which included: 61 (88%) of Amoebiasis cases, 42 (73.6%) of Giardiasis cases, 21 (35%) of Ascariasis Cases. The infection was generalized and not related to age group, sex occupation or socioeconomic state.

Objective: The aim of present statistical study resumption to appear extent prevalence of burn in children under 15 years in Mosul city.
Methodology: The sample was collecting of review the register for burn unit in AL-Jaumhory Teaching Hospital through 2 years (2009, 2010). It registry (580) burn case. Where (163) male, and (162) female with ages ranged between (1 - 15) years old for period of 1/11/2009 to 15/12/2010.
Results: Resulting appearance high burn percentage at patient aged between (1-5) years, its percentage were (69%), while in male is more than female with percentage (53%). Scalding the main causes of burn with percentage (67%), while flame with percentage (32%). Lower limbs more than another part of the body were (32%), while duration of stay in burn unit (1–5) day were (59%). Death of children of them (10%).
Recommendation: The study recommended that health education in schools, as a compulsory subject, concerning burn. Of course, the results of such a programmed could only be evaluated in the very long run. pediatric and family doctors have a privileged position to influence mothers and families and try to motivate them. Written information (leaflets booklets) could be prepared and distribution to families.

Objective: The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effectiveness of the instructional intervention about management of long –term complications for type II diabetes mellitus (comparative Study).
Methodology: A descriptive study was carried out at National Center for Diabetes Mellitus/ Almustansria University started. Non-probability (purposive sample) of (60) diabetes mellitus type II, who visit National Center for Diabetes Mellitus/ Almustansria University. The study group received the instructional intervention. The data are collected through the use of constructed questionnaire, which consists of two parts. part 1: consists about demographic characteristics, part 2: consists of (5) items about Knowledge and management on the long-term complications for patients with diabetes mellitus type II, first item: consists of (7) items about Knowledge to patient\'s about the complications involving the cardiovascular system, second item: consists of (9) items about Knowledge to patient\'s about the complications involving the urinary system, third item: consists of (7)items about Knowledge to patient\'s about the complications involving the eye disease, fourth item: consists of (10) items about Knowledge to patient\'s about the complications involving the nervous system, fifth item: consists of (9) items about Knowledge to patient\'s about the complications involving the foot problems. first item: consists of (10) items about management to patient\'s about the complications involving the cardiovascular system, second item: consists of (7) items about management to patient\'s about the complications involving the urinary system, third item: consists of (8) items about management to patient\'s about the complications involving the eye disease, fourth item: consists of (7) items about management to patient\'s about the complications involving the nervous system, fifth item: consists of (15) items about management to patient\'s about the complications involving the foot problems.
Results: The findings of the study indicate that the patient’s knowledge and management regarding long-term complications is low and poor before the implementation of the instructional intervention but after the implementation of the instructional intervention the knowledge and management of diabetes mellitus type II greatly improved.
Recommendations: The study recommended that the diabetes centers in Iraq should include instructional intervention about knowledge and management of diabetes mellitus type II for long-term complications to increase awareness of diabetic patients regarding knowledge and management for diabetes mellitus type II for long-term complications.

Objectives: This study aims to assess the factors contributing to prostate cancer in the province of Baghdad, and determine the relationship between these factors and demographic characteristics of patients with prostate cancer.
Methodology: A descriptive study was adopted for the period of October 2011 to March 2011 to assess the factors contributing to prostate cancer in the province of Baghdad The study was conducted in a hospital surgery specialist Teaching Hospital, Radiation and Nuclear Medicine in Baghdad and the research sample included 40 patients with prostate cancer Where data was collected after it has been building of questionnaire by the researcher related to the purposes of the study and is composed of (5) parts, the first part included user demographics and contains (5) items and basic components of the study is located (4) main parts and falls below it (27) sub-paragraph has been determine the credibility of the content of the form through (9) of experts with competence and stability by calculating the correlation coefficient (Pearson), which was the value of acceptable statistically (r: 0.88) and data was collected in a direct interview, then the data were analyzed through the application of descriptive analysis (frequency, percentage) as well as deductive analysis of the data (arithmetic mean and weighted Pearson correlation coefficient) using statistical bag of Social Sciences (SPSS) V. 16.
Results: The study showed that the majority of people with age is more than 60 years and they know how to read and write, most of whom are married and monthly income is barely enough.
Recommendations: The study recommended the need for periodic examination of patients with prostate cancer and the establishment of specialty centers for cancer of the prostate in Iraq.

Objective: to assess of women patients practices toward recurrence urinary tract infection (UTI).
Methodology: A descriptive study was carried out at three Hospitals (Al-Kadhimia, Al-Yarmok, and Surgical Specialist Teaching Hospital) in Baghdad city in the beginning of Feb., 2008 to the end of April 2009. The Questionnaire was designated into two parts; the first part consisted of demographic data and the second part related to women patients’ practices toward recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) concerning hygiene, fluid intake, voiding habits, and therapy. The researcher used appropriate statistical methods in data analysis which included descriptive and inferential data analysis.
Results: the findings of the study indicated that the women patients’ practices related hygiene, voiding habits, fluid intake, and therapy were poor and unsatisfactory.
Recommendation: A manual booklet should be prepared in the clinic consultation of urinary system disease including all practices needed for women patients with recurrent (UTI) lead them to live as a normal.