ABSTRACT
In 2007 there was an epidemic of cholera in Iraq with 4667 cases. The first case in Baghdad was diagnosed on 19 September 2007 and the last case on 13 December 2007. In all, 136 cases were reported (2.9% of the country total) in 6 of the 13 districts of Baghdad. The median age of the cases was 11 years (range = 0.3-71 years). There were 3 deaths giving a case fatality rate of 2.2%. Bacteriological testing confirmed that the outbreak was caused by Vibrio cholerae O1, biotype El Tor, serotype Inaba. The strain was resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, but sensitive to tetracycline and chloramphenicol. Efforts are needed in Baghdad to establish safe drinking-water and proper sanitation as limited availabilty of tap-water and sewage contamination probably contributed to the spread of the disease.
Subject(s)
Cholera/epidemiology , Cholera/etiology , Disease Outbreaks/statistics & numerical data , Urban Health/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Carrier State/diagnosis , Carrier State/epidemiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Cholera/diagnosis , Cholera/prevention & control , Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control , Drug Resistance, Bacterial , Epidemiologic Studies , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Iraq/epidemiology , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Middle Aged , Risk Factors , Serotyping , Sewage/adverse effects , Sewage/microbiology , Vibrio cholerae O1 , Water Supply/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
This study aimed to build a baseline profile of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of Iraqis toward HIV/AIDS. Questionnaire interviews were conducted in 2006 with 335 people attending HIV testing centres in Baghdad. Most respondents (82.7%) had heard about AIDS, mainly from the mass media (71.0%), and 91.9% knew that AIDS is an infectious disease, most commonly via sexual relationships (74.9%). There was no association between knowledge level and acceptance of caring for an HIV-positive relative or marrying an HIV-positive partner, but there was a significant association between low knowledge level and negative attitudes towards sharing food, sitting on the bus and working at the same place with an HIV-positive individual.
Subject(s)
Attitude to Health , HIV Infections , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , AIDS Serodiagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Community Health Centers , Cross-Sectional Studies , Educational Status , Female , HIV Infections/epidemiology , HIV Infections/prevention & control , HIV Infections/transmission , Health Education , Humans , Iraq/epidemiology , Male , Mass Media , Middle Aged , Prejudice , Risk Factors , Stereotyping , Surveys and Questionnaires , Urban Health/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
This study aimed to build a baseline profile of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of Iraqis toward HIV/AIDS. Questionnaire interviews were conducted in 2006 with 335 people attending HIV testing centres in Baghdad. Most respondents [82.7%] had heard about AIDS, mainly from the mass media [71.0%], and 91.9% knew that AIDS is an infectious disease, most commonly via sexual relationships [74.9%]. There was no association between knowledge level and acceptance of caring for an HIV-positive relative or marrying an HIV-positive partner, but there was a significant association between low knowledge level and negative attitudes towards sharing food, sitting on the bus and working at the same place with an HIV-positive individual
Subject(s)
HIV , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Surveys and Questionnaires , Cross-Sectional Studies , Acquired Immunodeficiency SyndromeABSTRACT
In 2007 there was an epidemic of cholera in Iraq with 4667 cases. The first case in Baghdad was diagnosed on 19 September 2007 and the last case on 13 December 2007. In all, 136 cases were reported [2.9% of the country total] in 6 of the 13 districts of Baghdad. The median age of the cases was 11 years [range = 0.3-71 years]. There were 3 deaths giving a case fatality rate of 2.2%. Bacteriological testing confirmed that the outbreak was caused by Vibrio cholerae 01, biotype El Tor, serotype Inaba. The strain was resistant to trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole, but sensitive to tetracycline and chloramphenicol. Efforts are needed in Baghdad to establish safe drinking-water and proper sanitation as limited availabilty of tap-water and sewage contamination probably contributed to the spread of the disease