Background: During pregnancy many physiological, anatomical and biochemical changes take place that affect almost all body systems. In the oral pregnant women have serious changes such as more sever dental caries. This study was conducted to measure dental caries severity and selected salivary variables (salivary flow rate, PH and viscosity)and to find the relation of dental caries with these salivary variables. Subjects, materials and methods: The study group consisted of 60 pregnant women that were divided into three equal groups according to trimester (20 pregnant women in each trimester).They were selected randomly from the Maternal and Child Health Care Centers in Baghdad city, the age range was 20-25 years. In addition to 20 unmarried women as a control group and matched with age. Stimulated salivary samples were collected .Then salivary flow rate, pH and viscosity were measured. Dental caries severity was recorded by using Decay, Missing and Filled index (D1-4MFS) using the criteria described by Manjie et al, (1989). Plaque index system by Silness and Löe, (1964) was used for measuring dental plaque thickness. For measuring dental calculus the calculus index component of the periodontal diseases index (PDI) by Ramfjord (1959) was used. Results: Results of the current study revealed that dental caries parameter represented by (DMFT ,DMFS,DS and MS) were higher among pregnant than non –pregnant women with significant differences (p<0.05) for DMFT,DMFS and DS also all grades of lesion severity(D1-4)were higher among pregnant than non –pregnant women with nonsignificant differences(p>0.05).Almost all dental caries parameter were higher in the 2nd trimesters with highly significant difference (p<0.01) for D1,DS ,DMFS and DMFT among four groups . Concerning oral cleanliness both plaque and calculus indices recorded higher values among pregnant than non-pregnant with highly significant difference for both (p<0.01). Values were higher during 2nd trimester with high significant and non-significant differences among four groups .Regarding the relations of dental caries with oral cleanliness ,it was found that all dental caries parameters recorded positive correlations with both plaque and calculus indices with significant and highly significant relations Regarding salivary variables ,results revealed that salivary flow rate was higher among pregnant (especially in the 2nd trimester)than non-pregnant women but with non-significant difference (p>0.05).On the other hand salivary PH value was lower among pregnant than non-pregnant women with highly significant difference (p<0.01)among them. Salivary PH was lowest in the 2nd trimester with highly significant difference (p<0.01) among four groups .Also Salivary viscosity was higher among pregnant than non-pregnant women with highly significant difference (p<0.01) and it recorded higher mean value in the 3rd trimester with highly significant difference among four groups (p<0.01). Salivary PH recorded inverse relation with almost all dental caries parameters with significant relations with D4, MS and highly significant relations with DS,DMFS and DMFT ,while salivary flow rate and salivary viscosity revealed non-significant relations with dental caries parameters (p>0.05). Conclusion: Dental caries severity was higher among pregnant women probably due to the effect of pregnancy itself on oral hygiene (higher plaque and calculus indices) and salivary variables (increased salivary acidity and viscosity).Therefore, intensive education and preventive programs should be directed for pregnant women.
Introduction: Although it is discouraged, community pharmacy customers can obtain oral corticosteroids (OCSs) without prescriptions from some community pharmacies in Iraq. Medication abuse is defined as the use of medication for non-medical reasons. Objectives: The study aimed to determine demographics, beliefs, and perceptions associated with the abuse of oral corticosteroids for non-illness reasons among community pharmacy customers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in fall 2018 in four provinces in Iraq. Customers of 19 community pharmacies asking for OCSs for themselves without a prescription were administered a paper survey. This study used the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) to measure the relation
... Show MoreThis paper aims to examine the effects of the gender differences on learners‟ motivation in learning the four skills of English as a foreign language as well as to identify the proper types of motivation for males and females via a qualitative semi-structured interview. The findings showed that all the males have extrinsic motivation in all four skills. On the other hand, females differ among themselves in their motivation. In conclusion, it is also the teachers‟ responsibility to guide and direct their learners to achieve better outcomes in learning the four EFL skills.
Abstract
The research aims to examine the relationship between psychological flow, psychological well-being, and self-management among a sample of fine artists in the Makkah region and its governorates. The research also aims to examine the mean group differences in psychological flow, psychological well-being, and self-management due to demographic variables (sex and years of practicing arts). The sample consists of (110) male and female fine artists. The descriptive correlational approach was performed to collect the data by using the psychological flow scale developed by Payne et al (2011), which was translated by the researcher, the Oxford happiness questionnaire developed by Hills and Argyle (2002), it has t
... Show MoreBackground Parkinson’s disease (PD) is currently the fastest-growing neurological disorder in the world. Patients with PD face numerous challenges in managing their chronic condition, particularly in countries with scarce healthcare infrastructure. Objective This qualitative study aimed to delve into neurologists’ perspectives on challenges and gaps in the Iraqi healthcare system that influence the management of PD, as well as strategies to mitigate these obstacles. Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted with neurologists from five different Iraqi provinces, working in both hospitals and private neurology clinics, between November 2024 and January 2025. A thematic analysis approach was employed to identify the main challenge
... Show MoreEnvironmental Tax is deemed as one of the most important tools that can be used to eliminate the problem of oil –based environment pollution resulted out of oil products processes and this has been significantly approved by the experience in those leading countries in the field of protecting the environment against pollution whereas oil-producing countries which are rather awkward in maintaining the environment such as Iraq , suffer from notorious environmental effects pertaining to oil product processes.
The problem of the research is represented the increased and constant rise in the volume of the environmental pollutants resulted from the processes managed by the intern
... Show MoreIn The Name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful
It is no secret to everyone that the endowment is an important nucleus for the prosperity of Islamic civilization, especially in the fields of education, health, economy, and defensive military actions that fall within the door of jihad, and so on. Al-Ashraf, Qom Al-Quds, Cairo, and other parts of the Islamic world. What we will see in the research.