Background:Poisoning is a critical global health issue and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children. The severity of poisoning depends on the type and quantity of the toxic substance ingested. Effective management requires adequate knowledge, particularly among nursing students who will be future healthcare providers.Objective:This study aims to evaluate the level of knowledge among nursing students regarding the management of pediatric poisoning at the University of Basrah.Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the College of Nursing, University of Basrah, from November 12, 2023, to March 18, 2024. A total of 200 third- and fourth-year nursing students were selected using a non-probability sampling technique. Data were collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire, which assessed socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge about poisoning, and therapeutic interventions. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.Results:The findings revealed that 70% of nursing students demonstrated poor knowledge regarding pediatric poisoning and its management. Among the participants, 77.5% were female, and 91.5% lacked prior information on poisoning. The results highlight a significant gap in knowledge related to recognizing and managing poisoning cases in children.Conclusion:The study identified a deficiency in nursing students' understanding of pediatric poisoning, emphasizing the need for enhanced educational interventions. Integrating poisoning management topics into nursing curricula may improve students' preparedness and competence in handling such cases.Recommendations:It is recommended that the Council of College Deans incorporate pediatric poisoning topics into the nursing curriculum to enhance student knowledge and clinical preparedness.

Background: The hospital admission of a child can be a distressing event for parents, particularly for mother. This stress subsequently impacts the child's course of treatment. This study set out to evaluate the degree of anxiety and sadness among mothers whose children were hospitalized in Duhok City.Methods: The research was done using a descriptive cross-sectional study design. A non-probability convenience sample of 100 mothers that their children were hospitalized at the medical ward at Heevi Pediatric Teaching Hospital. Data were taken by using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scales, and data collection took place from 5th of January, to 15th of March 2024.Results: The study found that the mean age of the mothers was 29.38 and married for less than 5 years, 34% were illiterate, 85% were housewives the mean of 3.03 had more than 3 children, and half of them were lives in urban area. Regarding the children’s data, the mean age of children was 1.85, majority of them were male, hospitalized for <5 days, and majority of children hospitalized for the 1st time. Responses from the mothers on anxiety and depression scales revealed that (43%) had mild depression. Also the large number of mothers (35%) had mild anxiety.Conclusions: The current study found the significant presence of symptoms of anxiety and depression, in order to assist these mothers and address their psychological disorders, the study brought attention to the necessity of integrating mental health services within hospitals.

Background: The perimenopausal period means the transition from reproductive to non-reproductive life. This period represents a critical life stage encompassing a range of physiological and psychosocial changes, these changes are not life-threatening, but may reduce quality of life considerably.Objective: To evaluate the self-efficacy of Middle Eastern women in promoting health during perimenopausal period.Methods: A descriptive and analytic (cross sectional) study, conducted at six Arabic countries includes (Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Yamane, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia) These countries were chosen by lottery, Non probability (purposive sample) consist of (200) women, the questionnaire was designed in a Google Form, and the questionnaire link was sent to women, which were selected according to inclusion criteria that are women in perimenopausal period, and they are attended primary healthcare centers for any consultation.Results: the results of the study shows that 18.5% of perimenopausal women have a high level of self-efficacy , while 73.5% of them shows moderate level (Mean ± SD= 25.61 ± 3.468) and 8% have a low level during perimenopausal period . There is high significant difference in self-efficacy level with regard to women’s marital status at p-value= .001 for separated women (M±SD= 30.00±.000).The average age of women is 52±7 years, 49% of them seen within age group of 45 – 55 years old. 81.5% of women are married. The nationality of women distributed from various countries: Iraq (32%), Lebanon (10.5%), Jordan (12%), Yemen (11.5%), Egypt (27%), and Saudi Arabia (7%).Conclusions: Empowering and enhancing self-efficacy can help perimenopauseal women in the Middle East live long and healthy lives. Assessment and evaluation of Middle East women’s needs by health care provider and encouraging them to focus on healthy nutrition, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and establishing supportive social relationships can enable them to adapt to the demands of menopause.

Background: This article aims to provide a comprehensive narrative review of hemodialysis patients' spiritual well-being and quality of life, addressing the research question of whether spiritual well-being influences quality of life and health outcomes.Methods: A rigorous narrative review study and comprehensive electronic database search on spiritual well-being in hemodialysis patients were meticulously conducted. The review included a wide range of patients undergoing hemodialysis, and articles published in English from January 2013 to January 2024 were meticulously searched using specific keywords. Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, Scientific Information Database (SID), and Google Scholar were exhaustively utilized. The researchers conducted thorough article extraction and review, and the final related articles were selected and evaluated using a meticulously prepared checklist.Results: The database search yielded 33 published articles, out of which 12 were selected for final evaluation. The spiritual well-being of patients undergoing hemodialysis was categorized into religious and existential well-being. Religious well-being encompasses aspects related to faith, belief, and religious practices. In contrast, existential well-being includes aspects related to the meaning and purpose of life, personal growth, and self-actualization. These categories further encompass socio-cultural, psychological, individualistic, and material world-oriented aspects.Conclusions: The literature highlights that spiritual well-being positively influences health and quality of life. Incorporating spiritual well-being assessments and spiritual care into clinical practice can enhance treatment quality and health outcomes, particularly for hemodialysis patients, significantly improving their lives.

Objective: The study assessed nurses' knowledge regarding children's safety following cardiac catheterization procedures.Methodology: A descriptive design involving a purposive sample of 60 nurses from the Shaheed Al-Muhrab Center for Cardiac Surgery was employed. The study used a questionnaire to evaluate nurses' knowledge about child safety after cardiac catheterization alongside their sociodemographic data. Data collection occurred between September 7, 2022, and May 15, 2023, utilizing self-administered questionnaires and direct observation. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics with SPSS software.Results: The study found that 75% of the nurses demonstrated good knowledge regarding child safety after cardiac catheterization. Additionally, there was a statistically significant association between nurses’ sociodemographic characteristics and their knowledge, with a significance level of p=0.05.Conclusion: The findings suggest that although a majority of nurses possess good knowledge, there is a need for ongoing education and regular updates to ensure that all nurses reach an adequate level of knowledge about child safety post-cardiac catheterization.Recommendations: It is recommended that nurses undergo continuous training sessions focused on child safety post-cardiac catheterization and that their knowledge is periodically evaluated.

Background: Scientific evidence suggests that Body Mass Index (BMI) significantly impacts menstrual cycle regularity among adolescent girls.Objectives: This study aims to assess the BMI of adolescent girls attending secondary schools in Baghdad and to explore the influence of BMI on their menstrual patterns.Methodology: A descriptive-analytical study was conducted from March 6 to June 8, 2022, involving a purposive sample of 150 adolescent girls from three secondary schools in Baghdad. Data were collected through structured interviews using a questionnaire. The questionnaire covered demographic information, BMI, dietary habits, menstrual patterns, and symptoms of menstrual disorders. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.Results: The findings revealed that 66.66% of the participants had a normal BMI (18.5–25 kg/m²), with 73.3% reporting menarche between the ages of 11 and 13. Most girls (63.33%) had regular menstrual cycles, while 36.66% experienced frequent periods. The most common menstrual disorder was moderate dysmenorrhea, reported by 48% of the participants. Common symptoms included abdominal pain, fatigue, and menorrhagia.Conclusion: The majority of adolescent girls in this study had a normal BMI and demonstrated awareness of menstrual disorders and associated symptoms.

Backgrounds and objectives: Hemodialysis is a crucial therapy for patients with end-stage renal disease, with arteriovenous (AV) fistulas being commonly utilized due to their durability and lower infection risk. Proper care and maintenance of AV fistulas are essential for their long-term functionality and efficacy in facilitating hemodialysis. This study assessed the knowledge and self-care practices related to AV fistula among hemodialysis patients.Methods: A quantitative, descriptive study design was adopted in Hawler Teaching Hospitals, Erbil City, Iraq. There were 112 patients interviewed from September 2023 to January 2024 by using a semi-structured questionnaire multiple-choice and three-point Likert scale to collect clinical and demographical data of patients to assess knowledge and practice, respectively.Results: The results of the study showed that the majority (48.2%) of the patients had inadequate knowledge, 31.3% had moderately adequate knowledge, and 20.5% had adequate knowledge regarding self-care of AV fistula.  The majority (85.7%) of the patients had moderate self-reported practice, 14.3 % had poor self-reported self-care regarding AV fistula self-care, and none had good self-reported practice. A significant relationship was found between knowledge and practice of self-care of AV fistula with level of education, which was statistically significant at (p< .05).Conclusion: The study findings highlight inadequate knowledge and suboptimal self-care practices among hemodialysis patients, particularly those undergoing dialysis for one to two years. This underscores the critical need for patient education and support improvements to enhance AV fistula care and optimize patient outcomes.

Background: The widespread use of electronic games has significantly impacted children, influencing various psychological, social, and physical aspects of their development. This study aims to assess the prevalence of electronic gaming addiction among secondary school children and explore its relationship with demographic factors.Objective: To evaluate the extent of electronic gaming addiction in secondary school children and examine how demographic variables such as age, gender, and parental education levels correlate with addiction levels.Study Design: A cross-sectional descriptive quantitative design was employed. The study was conducted between September 1, 2022, and February 1, 2023, in Al Najaf Al-Ashraf City, Iraq. A sample of 960 students aged 15-19 years was selected from 32 schools, with 30 randomly chosen from each school.Setting: The study was conducted across 16 preparatory and 16 secondary schools in eight Al Najaf Al-Ashraf City districts.Results: The findings revealed a moderate level of electronic gaming addiction among secondary school children. A significant relationship was observed between electronic gaming addiction and certain socio-demographic factors, including age and maternal presence, with older children and those whose mothers were alive showing higher addiction levels. Other demographic variables, such as parental education, gender, and sibling number, did not show a significant relationship with addiction.Conclusion: The study concludes that electronic gaming addiction among secondary school children is moderately prevalent and is influenced by specific demographic factors. The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions, including promoting alternative pastimes and encouraging physical activity to mitigate the effects of prolonged gaming.

Background: Family planning services are a critical component of global health systems and are recognized as one of the most cost-effective strategies for preventing maternal mortality. However, many women of reproductive age worldwide lack access to these services, leading to millions of unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions. This study aims to explore the association between women’s sociodemographic factors and their choice of contraceptive methods in Kirkuk City, Iraq.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the family planning units of 10 Primary Health Care Facilities and Azadi Teaching Hospital in Kirkuk, Iraq. The study utilized a convenience sample of 500 married women. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from November 1st, 2023, to January 1st, 2024.Results: Most participants (25.6%) were aged 30-35, 32.2% had a bachelor's degree, 81% resided in urban areas, and 53.2% were homemakers. Contraceptive use was reported by 74.6% of participants, with the most commonly used methods being condoms (21.0%), natural withdrawal (16.0%), intrauterine devices (12.6%), and combination oral contraceptives (10.2%). Significant associations were found between contraceptive method choice and sociodemographic factors such as family income, number of family members, husband's education, and employment (p<0.001). However, no significant associations were observed for age (p=0.122), residence (p=0.414), religion (p=0.122), or women’s education (p=0.943).Conclusion: This study highlights the influence of socioeconomic and familial factors on women’s contraceptive choices in Kirkuk, Iraq. While income, family size, husband’s education, and employment significantly impacted contraceptive use, factors such as age, residence, religion, and women’s education did not. To enhance the effectiveness of family planning initiatives, it is crucial to incorporate socioeconomic, familial, and individual factors, ensuring that women have access to a variety of contraceptive options that meet their specific needs.

Background: Preoperative fear is a common and neutral response of human beings as expecting surgery even if the surgery is significantly needed. Several factors cause preoperative stress or anxiety, which affects the physical and psychological health of people. This study aims to measure the possible reasons for preoperative anxiety and the severity of psychological stress of women prior to cesarean section. The descriptive and comparative study design was used in a convenience sample of 120 pregnant women before cesarean section. The women were selected from the Al-Zahra Teaching Hospital in Al-Najaf province. The psychological stress level was measured using a brief measure of the emotional preoperative stress scale. The study findings show that the level of psychological stress of women before cesarean delivery ranged from mild (56%) to moderate (43%). The study highlighted the importance of considering the increase in psychological stress levels for women prior to cesarean section and the need for more research into interventions that can reduce psychological stress. Psychological stress during pregnancy negatively affects the health of women and their fetuses. Many antianxiety medications are contraindicated for pregnant women; therefore, it is recommended that people use a stress management intervention before any surgery to reduce surgery-related psychological stress.