Aims: The present study aims at assessing mothers’ knowledge of breastfeeding in Kirkuk governorate,
besides determining the relationship between mothers’ knowledge and some of their demographic
attributes.
Methodolgy: A descriptive study was used the assessment approach and applied on mothers in Kirkuk
governorate from January 15th 2011 to July 25th
, 2011. Non-probability sampling a convenience sample of
(72) mothers, attending pediatric general hospital in Kirkuk governorate for following up the health status
of their children, was selected for the purpose of the study. A questionnaire was developed for the
purpose of the study. It was comprised of two parts; the first part includes the mothers' demographic
attributes and the second part assessed the knowledge of breastfeeding with (20) True or False questions.
A pilot study was carried out for the period of January 15th to 25th, 2011 to determine the questionnaire
reliability through the use of (Test – Retest). A panel of (8) experts was involved in the determination of the
questionnaire content validity. Data were analyzed through the application of descriptive statistical data
analysis approach (frequency and percentage), and inferential data analysis approach (chi-square).
Results: The study findings revealed that more than half (58.3%) of mothers were young, (45.8%) of them
had completed primary school, more than two-third (84.7%) of them were housewife mothers, (61.1%) of
them have lived inside Kirkuk city, also (61.1) of mothers have more than one children, (63.9%) of them
were regularly visited primary health care center during antenatal period and only (40.3%) of them have
received antenatal orientation about breastfeeding. According to the level of knowledge of breastfeeding,
(66.7%) of mothers answered correctly all questions about breastfeeding, and there was a highly significant
relationship between health education during antenatal period and mothers’ knowledge of breastfeeding.
Recommendations: The study findings highlight the need for excessive health education about
breastfeeding during antenatal period and advice the mothers to comply with recommended visits during
pregnancy period.
Objective: To study the protective eff ects of cinnamic acid on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. Materials and methods. Forty adult male mice were randomLy divided into fi ve groups, control group, an induction group received 3% DSS in drinking water for 7 consecutive days. Two treatment groups received oral suspension of cinnamic acid 50 and 25 mg/kg, respectively and 3% DSS in drinking water, for 7 consecutive days. The fi nal group received oral suspension of cinnamic acid 50 mg/kg for the latter 7 days without DSS in drinking water. All the animals were euthanized on day eight. The colon of animals was extracted and divided into two sections, the middle was homogenized and biochemically analy
... Show MoreConstruction is a hazardous industry with a high number of injuries. Prior research found that many industry injuries can be prevented by implementing an effective safety plan if prepared and maintained by qualified safety personnel. However, there are no specific guidelines on how to select qualified construction safety personnel and what criteria should be used to select an individual for a safety position in the United States (US) construction industry. To fill this gap in knowledge, the study goal was to identify the desired qualifications of safety personnel in the US construction industry. To achieve the study goal, the Delphi technique was used as the main methodology for determining the desired qualifications for constructio
... Show MoreThis study is carried out to investigate the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) infections in cattle using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting IS1111A transposase gene. A total of 130 lactating cows were randomly selected from different areas in Wasit province, Iraq and subjected to blood and milk sampling during the period extended between November 2018 and May 2019. ELISA and PCR tests revealed that 16.15% and 10% of the animals studied were respectively positive. Significant correlations (P<0.05) were detected between the positive results and clinical data. Two positive PCR products were analyzed phylogenetically, named as C. burnetii IQ-No.5 and C. burnet
... Show MoreCollagen triple helix repeat containing-1 (CTHRC1) is an essential marker for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), but its relationship with pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and inflammatory markers has been scantily covered in extant literature. To evaluate the level of CTHRC1 protein in the sera of 100 RA patients and 25 control and compare levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 10 (IL-10), RA disease activity (DAS28), and inflammatory factors. Higher significant serum levels of CTHRC1 (29.367 ng/ml), TNF-α (63.488 pg/ml), and IL-10 (67.1 pg/ml) were found in patient sera as compared to that in control sera (CTHRC1 = 15.732 ng/ml, TNF-α = 33.788 pg/ml, and IL-10 = 25.122 pg/ml). There was no significant correlati
... Show MoreQ fever is an infectious disease of animals and humans, caused by globally distributed C. burnetii. In Iraq, there are no previous studies associated with the detection of the organism in cattle. An overall of 130 lactating cows were submitted to direct collection of milk samples. Initially, the samples of milk were tested using the molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting three genes (16S rRNA, IS1111a transposase, and htpB). However, positive results (18.46%; 24/130) were detected only with the 16s rRNA gene. Concerning risk factors, the highest prevalence of C. burnetii was showed in the district of Badra (42.86%), whereas the lowest - in Al-Numaniyah and Al-Suwaira districts (P=0.025). There was no significant v
... Show MoreTicks (Acari: Ixodidae) are ectoparasites that infest livestock in every geographic region of the world and are vectors of several viral, bacterial, and protozoan pathogens to both animals and humans. There is little information is available is about tick presence in Buffalo Bubalus bubalis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Artiodactyla, Bovidae) in Iraq. The current study determined the species of ticks parasitizing Buffalo in some central and southern regions included: Baghdad (Al Fathelia), Karbala (Al-Hussainia), Wasit (Kut and Al-Suwairah), Al-Qadisia (Al- Diwaniyah, Al- Saniya, Al-Mihnawea, and Afak), Thi Qar (Al-Nasiriyah and Al-chibayish), Missan (Amara and Qalaat Salih) and Basrah (Al-Haretha, Al-Madena and Al-Deer). A total of 150 Buffal
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