• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권sup3호
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• pp.213-218
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• 2016

Cancer is a major health problem in the Arab region including Iraq. An adequate database is essential for effective cancer control strategies. Such a database may be provided through cancer registration but supportive household surveys may be useful. This article reports selected results on the feasibility of household surveys to support and validate cancer registration in Basrah governorate - southern Iraq. A large scale multi-stage cluster sample household survey was carried out in Basrah during 2013. It covered 6,999 households and involved gathering data on demographic characteristics and both incident cancer cases and cancer-related deaths among members of these households during a three-year recall period (2010-2012). The data obtained yielded an average annual incidence rate of 91 per 100,000 population (age-standardized incidence rate of 148.8 /100,000) and cancer specific mortality rate of 68 per 100,000 population (age-standardized mortality rate of 126.3/100,000). The results showed an overall pattern of cancer similar to that reported according to cancer registration but the household survey results were consistently higher than those of the cancer registration by a margin of approximately 20- 30% with respect to incident cancer and about 70 % with respect to cancer-specific mortality. Household surveys on cancer, while costly and time consuming, are a very useful additional source of information on cancer at the population level. They can be performed for specific purposes with effective resource mobilization.

• 셀메드
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.5.1-5.8
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• 2022

Ābzan(sitz bath or hydration therapy) is one of the important and widely practised methods of regimenal therapy used for local evacuation or diversion of morbid humours described for various diseases in Unani system of medicine. Itis a type of bath in which hips and buttocks are immersed in water, either plain or medicated for therapeutic effects. Thus, it serves as an important and effective external mode of treatment. It has been successfully practised by Greeko-Arab physicians in the management of almost all types of gynaecological disorders like genital prolapse, leucorrhoea, pruritus vulvae, menstrual disorders, infertility, pelvic inflammatory diseases etc, but its efficacy has been proved in very few gynaecological diseases only. Hence, there is a need for systemic review to investigate the effectiveness of sitz bath in gynaecological disorders to generate scientific based evidence for the clinician as well as for common public. Based on the available literature, this review article suggests that the sitz bath has a scientific evidence-based effect in treating gynaecological diseases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권5호
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• pp.1819-1822
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• 2012

Background: In the United Arab Emirates (UAE) tobacco use is rampant. A less reported, yet widely used form of smoking native to UAE is midwakh or dhokha. The aim of the study is to assess the acute effects of smoking dokha (Arabian pipe) on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems among male university students in the UAE. Method: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 97 male volunteers aged more than 17 years. Blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate of each participant, were measured before and immediately after smoking. A self administered questionnaire was used to collect personal details and data about smoking pattern. Results: Mean increases in systolic blood pressures ($12{\pm}1$ mmHg), heart rates ($20{\pm}2$ bpm) and respiratory rates ($4{\pm}1$ breaths/min) were observed (p < 0.001). A mean decrease in diastolic blood pressures ($1{\pm}1$ mmHg) was observed (p = 0.483). Conclusion: Smoking dokha has a significant acute effect on systolic blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate. Anti smoking campaigns must address the ill effects of this form of smoking. Results from the study warrant further research into this method of smoking which is becoming more popular.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제3권3호
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• pp.209-215
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• 2012

Objectives: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare providers related to occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens were assessed in a tertiary-care hospital in Middle East. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken using a self-administered questionnaire based on 3 paired (infectivity known vs. not known-suspected) case studies. Only 17 out of 230 respondents had an exposure in the 12 months prior to the survey and of these, only 2 had complied fully with the hospital's exposure reporting policy. Results: In the paired case studies, the theoretical responses of participating health professionals showed a greater preference for initiating self-directed treatment with antivirals or immunisation rather than complying with the hospital protocol, when the patient was known to be infected. The differences in practice when exposed to a patient with suspected blood pathogens compared to patient known to be infected was statistically significant (p < 0.001) in all 3 paired cases. Failure to test an infected patient's blood meant that an adequate risk assessment and appropriate secondary prevention could not be performed, and reflected the unwillingness to report the occupational exposure. Conclusion: Therefore, the study demonstrated that healthcare providers opted to treat themselves when exposed to patient with infectious disease, rather than comply with the hospital reporting and assessment protocol.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.163-167
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• 2015

Background: Cancer is a major health problem at global level. It is increasingly registered in Iraq and Basrah but the epidemiological situation, though becoming better documented, is still questionable regarding the adequacy of data. Objective: The study aimed to measure the incidence of cancer in Basrah. Materials and Methods: The results presented in this paper are part of a large household survey carried out in Basrah governorate-southern Iraq over a 12 month period (January to December 2013). It involved a detailed interview with adult respondents from each and every household enrolled in the study during a three-year recall period about the incidence of cancer. A total of 6,999 households were covered yielding 40,684 persons. Results: The total number of new cancer cases reported over the three- year recall period (2010-2012) was 112. The average annual incidence rate of all cancers was 91.8 per 100,000 population with a higher rate for females (109.7) compared to males (74.3) The overall age standardized rate was 150.7 per 100,000. The highest incidence rate was recorded for the Southern part of the governorate (Abul-Khasib and Fao ) at 138.8 per 100,000 and the lowest was for East of Basrah (Shatt-Arab District) at 78.0 per 100,000. With respect to cancer types, the main cancers were those of breast, lung, larynx-pharynx, leukaemia, colon-rectum and urinary bladder. These six cancers accounted for 51.5% of all reported cases. Other important cancers were those of brain, bones, pancreas and liver, accounting for a further 17.9%. Conclusions: The pattern of cancer in Basrah is generally similar to the pattern at the national level in terms of age, sex and topography but the incidence rate according to the present household survey is higher than any previously reported figures. Household surveys for cancer seem feasible albeit difficult and costly.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.93-108
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• 2022

Adequate nutrition in early life is proposed to shape a child's future health by launching the growth trajectory in the proper direction, which helps to avoid negative metabolic programming effects. Protein intake during infancy and early childhood is of great importance, as it plays a key role in infant metabolic programming and the future risk of obesity. Breastfeeding provides the best nutrition in early life, with many benefits tailored for the baby, including the appropriate quantity and quality of proteins. Considering the high prevalence of childhood, and subsequent adult, obesity in the region, a virtual Middle East expert consensus meeting was held to discuss an effective approach for managing childhood obesity. Leading pediatric experts from Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates participated in the meeting. The experts discussed, debated, and agreed on certain directions, including the importance of educating parents, endorsing breastfeeding, and ensuring optimum quantity and quality intake of proteins in early life. This expert consensus may serve as the starting point for healthcare professionals in the region who are interested in shaping a healthy future for the generations to come.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권15호
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• pp.6375-6379
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• 2015

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide, with about 500,000 new cases and 270,000 deaths each year. Globally, it is estimated that over one million women currently have cervical cancer, most of whom have not been diagnosed, or have no access to treatment that could cure them or prolong their lives. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE) cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women. Materials and Methods: A population-based cross-sectional retrospective survey of cervical smear abnormalities was conducted in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE, from January 2013 to December 2013 by collecting consecutive liquid-based cytology samples from the Department of Pathology at the SKMC Hospital in Abu Dhabi city. Results: The total number of women screened for cervical cancer for the year 2013 at SKMC was 4,593, with 225 (4.89%) abnormal smears. The majority of the abnormal smear results were atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) 114 (2.48%). This study showed 60% increase in the rate of abnormal cervical smears in the UAE over the last 10 years. In this study the highest incidence of high grade abnormalities were seen in women above the age of 61years (1.73%), this might be due to the fact that this group of women missed the chance of screening of cervical cancer earlier in their lives or could be explained by the well-known second peak of HPV infection seen in many prevalence studies. Conclusions: We conclude that the rate of abnormal cervical smear in the screened Abu Dhabi women is not different from the rate in developed countries. A notable increase in both low and high grade abnormalities has occurred within the last decade.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.61-73
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• 2014

Presented are guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) which is the most common food allergy in infants. It manifests through a variety of symptoms that place a burden on both the infant and their caregivers. The guidelines were formulated by evaluation of existing evidence-based guidelines, literature evidence and expert clinical experience. The guidelines set out practical recommendations and include algorithms for the prevention and treatment of CMPA. For infants at risk of allergy, appropriate prevention diets are suggested. Breastfeeding is the best method for prevention; however, a partially hydrolyzed formula should be used in infants unable to be breastfed. In infants with suspected CMPA, guidelines are presented for the appropriate diagnostic workup and subsequent appropriate elimination diet for treatment. Exclusive breastfeeding and maternal dietary allergen avoidance are the best treatment. In infants not exclusively breastfed, an extensively hydrolyzed formula should be used with amino acid formula recommended if the symptoms are life-threatening or do not resolve after extensively hydrolyzed formula. Adherence to these guidelines should assist healthcare practitioners in optimizing their approach to the management of CMPA and decrease the burden on infants and their caregivers.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제49권6호
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• pp.386-393
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• 2016

Objectives: General practitioners (GPs) retention in rural and underserved areas highly effects on accessibility of healthcare facilities across the country. Education seems to be a critical factor that affects GPs retention. Thus, the present study aimed at inquiry into medical education challenges that limit their retention in rural and underserved areas. Methods: A qualitative approach was applied for the aim of this study. Data were gathered via 28 semi-structured interviews with experts at different levels of Iran's health system as well as GPs who retained and refused to retain working in rural settings. Interviews mainly were performed face-to-face and in some cases via telephone during 2015 and then coded and analyzed using content analysis approach. Results: Iran's medical education is faced with several challenges that were categorized in four main themes including student selection, medical students' perception about their field of study, education setting and approach, curriculum of medical education. According to experts this challenges could results in making GP graduates disinterested for practicing in rural and underserved areas. Conclusions: Challenges that were found could have negative effects on retention. Modification in student's perception about rural practice could be done via changing education setting and approach and curriculum. These modifications could improve GPs retention in rural and underserved areas.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권9호
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• pp.4251-4257
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• 2016

Background: Testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers among young men between ages 20-34 in countries with high or very high levels of the Human Development Index (HDI). This study investigated the incidence and mortality of prostate cancer and the relationship with the HDI and its dimensions in Asia in 2012. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted based on data from the world data of cancer and the World Bank (including the HDI and its components). Standardized incidence and mortality rates of testicular cancer were calculated for Asian countries. Correlations between incidence and/ormortality rates, and the HDI and its components were assessed with the use of the correlation test, using SPSS software. Results: There was a total of 14902 incidences and 5832 death were recorded in Asian countries in 2012. Among the Asian countries, the five countries with the highest standardized incidence rates of testicular cancer were Israel, Georgia, Turkey, Lebanon and Kazakhstan and the five countries with the highest standardized mortality rates were Turkey, Georgia, Jordan, Cambodia and the Syrian Arab Republic. A positive correlation of 0.382 was observed between the standardized incidence rates of testicular cancer and the HDI (p=0.009). Also a negative correlation of 0.298 between the standardized mortality rate of testicular cancer and the Human Development Index was noted although this relation was statistically non-significant (p=0.052). Conclusions: There is a positive correlation between HDI and the standardized incidence rate of testicular cancer and negative correlation with standardized mortality rate.