The objective of this study is to find out the prevalence and determinants of self-medication among college students in Baghdad, Iraq. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Al-Mustansiriyah and Al-Nahrain universities, Baghdad, from January to April 2015. A multistage random sampling technique was adopted to collect data from 1435 college students using a questionnaire form. The mean age of the joining students was 19.8 years. Females form 53% of the sample. Self-medications use was prevalent among 92.4% of students. Antipyretics and antibiotics were the most used medicines. Self-medication was higher among urban residents (OR= 7.99, P < 0.001). Students living with their families practiced self-medication more than others (OR= 2.501, P = 0.037). Students at health-related colleges showed greater resilience to self-medication (OR=0.455, P = 0.001). Despite free access to healthcare institutions, nine out of ten college students from Baghdad universities have practiced self-medication. Education of students about the safe use of medications and supervision of pharmacies are effective ways to control this malpractice.

Cabergoline's common brand name (Dostinex) is a long-acting dopamine receptor agonist, blocks prolactin secretion from the pituitary gland. It is used in Inhibition of physiological lactation, hyperprolactinaemia-associated disorders as polycystic ovarian syndrome, pituitary adenoma, and in Parkinson's disease; adjunct to levodopa treatment in Parkinson's disease. Common side effects of cabergoline; nausea, stomach upset, vomiting, constipation, heartburn, dizziness, tiredness, numbness, burning, and tingling in the hands, arms, legs, or feet.This report of two cases, take cabergoline showed a reduction in weight, resuming steady ovulation and regular menstruation after cabergoline treatment, with a possible side effect that these two cases developed follicular cyst following cabergoline treatment.

Background: Alcohol consumption is a well-known public health problem, especially among university students. It was poorly studied in Middle East, especially in Iraq, due to religious and social taboos. This study conducted to throw a light on the prevalence of Alcohol consumption among university students in Baghdad. Subjects and methods: A survey conducted in three universities (Baghdad, Al-Mustansiriyah and Al-Nahrain) from Baghdad city, in the duration between January and May 2015.A semi-structured questionnaire form used to collect the data from 1435 university students. The sample selected by multistage random sampling technique with probability proportion to size. Results: The average age (range) of the studied sample was 19.8 (18 - 24) years; more than a half of them were females 760 (53%). Alcohol consumption was reported by 9.7% (95%CI: 8.2% - 11.2%) of the participants (19.7% males vs. 0.8% females). Heavy Alcohol consumption was reported by 12.2% of consumers. Male students living out of their families or relatives and those of medical group colleges found to be risk factors for Alcohol consumption (PR= 2.65, 95% CI: 1.72 - 4.1) and (PR= 2.72, 95%CI: 1.48 - 5.01) respectively. No significant relations showed between demographic characters of female students and Alcohol consumption. Conclusions: Usage of Alcohol was relatively prevalent among university students in Baghdad, in spite of religious and social barriers in Iraq. Family and college staff supervision and education of the students with meetings targeting health risks and sequels of Alcohol hazardous consumption are the effective ways to control this practice.

Background: Assessment of the nutritional status of children is a rising concern all over the world. Since school health services play an important role in the development of every child, so assessment of nutritional status of this segment of the population is essential. The term malnutrition "refers to both undernutrition and overnutrition". Malnutrition has various forms including both macro and micronutrient deficiencies affect a large sector of the population which include; underweight, thinness, stunting, overweight and obesity according to WHO classification.