BackgroundMother and newborn skin-to-skin contact (SSC) after birth brings about numerous protective effects; however, it is an intervention that is underutilized in Iraq where a globally considerable rate of maternal and child death has been reported. The present study was conducted in order to assess the effects of SCC on initiation of breastfeeding, newborn temperature, and duration of the third stage of labor.MethodsA quasi-experimental study was conducted on 108 healthy women and their neonates (56 in the intervention group who received SSC and 52 in the routine care group) at Hawler maternity teaching hospital of Erbil, Iraq from February to May, 2017. Data were collected via structured interviews and the LATCH scale to document breastfeeding sessions.ResultsThe mean age of the mothers in the SSC and routine care groups were 26.29 ± 6.13 (M ± SD) and 26.02 ± 5.94 (M ± SD) respectively. Based on the LATCH scores, 48% of mothers who received SSC and 46% with routine care had successful breastfeeding. Newborns who received SSC initiated breastfeeding within 2.41 ± 1.38 (M ± SD) minutes after birth; however, newborns who received routine care started breastfeeding in 5.48 ± 5.7 (M ± SD) minutes. Duration of the third stage of labor in mothers who practiced SSC after birth was 6 ± 1.7 min, compared to 8.02 ± 3.6 min for mothers who were provided with routine care (p <  0.001). Moreover, the prevalence of hypothermia in the newborns who received SSC and routine care was 2 and 42% respectively. Results remained unchanged after using regression modelling to adjust for potential factors and background characteristics.ConclusionSkin-to-skin contact provides an appropriate and affordable yet high quality alternative to technology. It is easily implemented, even in small hospitals of very low-income countries, and has the potential to save newborns’ and mothers’ lives. It is necessary to prioritize training of health providers to implement essential newborn care including SSC. Community engagement is also needed to ensure that all women and their families understand the benefits of SSC and early initiation of breastfeeding.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03548389.

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Insufficient knowledge, attitudes, and practices about the family planning and, more important, methods for family planning lead to increased number of unwanted pregnancies. The study aims at finding out the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding family planning among two groups of women residing in two different areas (urban and rural) in Erbil city, Iraqi Kurdistan region. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out during the period from November 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010. A convenience sample of 700 married women was taken from two different areas of Erbil. Results: A considerable proportion of women were unfamiliar with the term family planning, while high level of knowledge was found regarding types of contraceptives, ideal period between consecutive pregnancies, and the ideal age of pregnancy and labor. Most of the women had a positive attitude toward family planning, and knew at least one benefit of family planning to mothers and/or children. The study revealed limited effect of health education channels on the knowledge of women about family planning. The intra-uterine device and the withdrawal methods were the most popular family planning methods used among the study sample. Majority of families in both groups are currently using family planning. Conclusion: A considerable proportion of women were unfamiliar with the term family planning. Most of the women had a positive attitude toward family planning. Appropriate approaches to be used to convince the policy makers about the importance of family planning.

Background and objective: : Leukemia is a significant public health and life-threatening problem for pediatric cancer patients. Adolescents leukemic may face long periods of treatment; may describe the irritability, fatigue, bone pain, mouth ulcer, alopecia, and loss of appetite. The aim of the study was to assess the common physical problems among leukemic adolescent patients undergoing chemotherapy, and identify the association between their socio-demographic characteristics with physical problem. Methods: A descriptive study was carried out in Nanakali Hospital for Blood Diseases / Erbil city from the period of /1 st Nov. /2010 to/ 1 st of Feb. /2011/. Eighty adolescent who are receiving chemotherapy in face to face interview, were selected regarding the study. Results:The study shows that there were highly significant associations between sociodemographic characteristics with some of physical problems such as pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, and oral ulcer (mucositis). Conclusion:The study shows that there were significant association between adolescent patient and some physical problems. The study recommends giving more support and attention by medical and nursing staff manage to reduce their physical problems.