An An outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Erbil governorate of Iraqi Kurdistan Region in 2015.

Introduction: This study aimed to identify the sociodemographic factors associated with the occurrence of an outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Erbil governorate and to determine the geographical distribution and clinical pattern of the disease during this outbreak.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study involved 234 cutaneous leishmaniasis cases from Erbil governorate. A questionnaire completed in an interview provided data on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, risk factors, and preventive measures.

Major Determinants of Maternal Near-Miss and Mortality at the Maternity Teaching Hospital, Erbil city, Iraq.

Objectives: To find out the major determinants of maternal near-miss (NM)and maternal deaths (MDs) in Erbil city, Iraq, by comparative analysis of maternal NMs and MDs.

Methods: We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study in the Maternity Teaching Hospital in Erbil city from 1 June to 31 December 2013. All MDs and NMs that occurred in the hospital during the study period were included in the study.

Experimental Trial with a Heat-Shocked Protoscolex Extract as a Vaccine Candidate for Protection Against Hydatid Disease.

Objective: Cystic echinococcosis is distributed worldwide and is an important public health challenge in many countries. The present study was an experimental trial to use hydatid antigens derived from viable protoscoleces cultivated at 37 and 45°C for 4 h as a vaccine candidate for protection against hydatid infection.

Methods: Balb/c mice were immunized with hydatid antigens extracted from protoscoleces exposed to 37 and 45°C as well as partially purified hydatid antigens containing 30, 60, and 90 µg of heat shock protein 70 administered with or without an adjuvant.

Risky Driving Behaviours among Medical Students in Erbil, Iraq.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess risky driving behaviours among medical students in Erbil, Iraq, and to explore the relationship between risky driving behaviours and perceptions of risky driving.

Methods: This self-administered questionnaire-based survey was conducted from January to May 2014 among a random sample of 400 medical students at Hawler Medical University in Erbil. The questionnaire was designed to assess the frequency of engagement in 21 risky driving behaviours, the perceived risk of each behaviour and the preference for each behaviour as ranked on a 5-point scale.

A qualitative assessment of faculty perspectives of small group teaching experience in Iraq.

Background: Although medical colleges in Iraq started recently to increasingly use small group teaching approach, there is limited research on the challenges, opportunities and needs of small group teaching in Iraq particularly in Kurdistan Region. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the small group teaching experience in the 4(th) and 5(th) year of study in Hawler College of Medicine with a focus on characterizing the impressions of faculty members about how small group teaching is proceeding in the college.

Methods: A qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with 20 purposively selected faculty members was conducted.

Distribution of Chronotypes among a Sample of Iraqi Kurdish Medical Students.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of chronotypes in a sample of Iraqi Kurdish medical students.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Hawler Medical University College of Medicine in Erbil City, Iraq, between 1(st) January and 31(st) March 2013. A total of 580 students were given the reduced version of the Horne and Ostberg Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQr), a close-ended self-administered questionnaire.

Using Q-methodology to explore people's health seeking behavior and perception of the quality of primary care services.

Background: Information on health seeking behavior and beneficiaries' perception of the quality of primary care can help policy makers to set strategies to improve health system. With scarcity of research on this particular field in Iraqi Kurdistan region, we sought to explore the patterns of health seeking behavior and perception of the quality of primary care services of a sample of population.

Methods: This explorative study was carried out in Erbil governorate, Iraq.

Intimate partner violence against women in the Erbil city of the Kurdistan region, Iraq.

Background: Violence against women is a worldwide problem and serious human rights abuse that occurs among all social, cultural, economic and religious groups. There is a paucity of research on intimate partner violence against women in Iraq, particularly in the Kurdistan region. This study assessed the prevalence of emotional, physical and sexual intimate partner violence against women and the impact of physical violence in Erbil, the main city of the Iraqi Kurdistan region.

Female genital mutilation among Iraqi Kurdish women: a cross-sectional study from Erbil city.

Background: Iraqi Kurdistan region is one of the areas where female genital mutilation is reportedly widely practiced but inadequately studied. The aim of this study was to determine (i) the prevalence of female genital mutilation among Muslim Kurdish women in Erbil city, (ii) the patterns and types of female genital mutilation, (iii) the factors associated with this practice and (iv) women's knowledge and attitudes towards this practice.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the primary health care centers and the Maternity Teaching Hospital in Erbil city, involving 1987 women aged 15-49 years.

A qualitative assessment of the small group teaching at hawler college of medicine.

Context: Although the medical schools in Iraq recently started to increasingly use the small group teaching approach, only little is known about the students' perceptions toward this approach. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess small group teaching as a method of teaching at Hawler College of Medicine, from the students' perspectives.

Setting: This study was a qualitative study which was based on six focus group discussions which involved a sample of students from the three last years at the Hawler College of Medicine.

Post-conflict health reconstruction: where is the evidence?

In the context of the CARA Iraq Research Fellowship Programme, staff from Hawler Medical University in Erbil, Iraq and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the UK collaboratively conducted a multimodal research project analysing challenges and opportunities for reform of the primary care system in Iraq. Through a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods a range of challenges were identified, both in terms of services offered and the utilisation of those services. The collaborative study proved positive in terms of direct research outcomes, in boosting academia with skill development and use of new methodologies, and in reengaging displaced Iraqi academics.

The range and diversity of providers' viewpoints towards the Iraqi primary health care system: an exploration using Q-methodology.

Background: The increasingly recognized need for reorganizing the primary health care services in Iraq calls for a comprehensive assessment of the system to better understand its problems and needs for development. As part of such comprehensive assessment and due to the important role of primary health care providers in adopting any change, we ought to explore the range and diversity of viewpoints of primary health care providers towards the Iraqi primary health care system.

Methods: This explorative study was carried out in Erbil governorate, Iraq from May to July 2011.

Iraqi primary care system in Kurdistan region: providers' perspectives on problems and opportunities for improvement.

Background: As part of a comprehensive study on the primary health care system in Iraq, we sought to explore primary care providers' perspectives about the main problems influencing the provision of primary care services and opportunities to improve the system.

Methods: A qualitative study based on four focus groups involving 40 primary care providers from 12 primary health care centres was conducted in Erbil governorate in the Iraqi Kurdistan region between July and October 2010. A topic guide was used to lead discussions and covered questions on positive aspects of and current problems with the primary care system in addition to the priority needs for its improvement.

Teaching methods in Hawler College of Medicine in Iraq: a qualitative assessment from teachers' perspectives.

Background: Medical education in Iraq is poorly assessed and there is a general lack of documented knowledge about the challenges facing this field and the needs for its development. This study aimed to assess the existing teaching methods in the Hawler College of Medicine, Iraq from teaching staff perspectives and assess the knowledge of the teaching staff about student-centred learning.

Methods: A qualitative study based on a self-administered questionnaire survey of a purposive sample of 83 teaching staff in Hawler Medical University was conducted.

Birth defects in Iraq and the plausibility of environmental exposure: A review.

An increased prevalence of birth defects was allegedly reported in Iraq in the post 1991 Gulf War period, which was largely attributed to exposure to depleted uranium used in the war. This has encouraged further research on this particular topic. This paper reviews the published literature and provided evidence concerning birth defects in Iraq to elucidate possible environmental exposure.

A qualitative assessment of the Iraqi primary healthcare system.

With the limited availability of empirical and documented knowledge about the Iraqi primary healthcare (PHC) system, this study aimed to identify the main problems facing the Iraqi PHC system and the priorities for change. A qualitative study based on a self-administered questionnaire survey involving 46 primary care managers, public health professionals and academics was conducted in Erbil, Iraq. The questionnaire addressed participants' views on positive aspects, problems, priorities and barriers to change of the PHC system through seven open questions.

Iraqi health system in kurdistan region: medical professionals' perspectives on challenges and priorities for improvement.

Background: The views of medical professionals on efficiency of health system and needs for any changes are very critical and constitute a cornerstone for any health system improvement. This is particularly relevant to Iraqi Kurdistan case as the events of the last few decades have significantly devastated the national Iraqi health system while the necessity for adopting a new health care system is increasingly recognized since 2004. This study aims to examine the regional health system in Iraqi Kurdistan from medical professionals' perspectives and try to define its problems and priorities for improvement.

Landmine injuries at the Emergency Management Center in Erbil, Iraq.

Background: Landmines can cause death, injury and disability in addition to many indirect public health consequences. This study aimed at understanding the trends, demography and other epidemiological characteristics of hospitalized landmine injured patients in Erbil governorate.

Methods: The case records of landmine injured patients who had been admitted to the Emergency Management Centre in Erbil city from July 1998 to July 2007 were reviewed and descriptively analyzed.