Attitudes towards induced abortion among gynecologists in Kurdistan region of Iraq.

BACKGROUND: Unsafe abortion is a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality in countries where induced abortion is restricted. In Kurdistan Region of Iraq, induced abortion is strictly forbidden except for life-threatening situations, increasing the risk of seeking unsafe abortions. Attitudes among healthcare professionals who directly encounter cases and consequences of induced abortion can be studied to improve women's access to safe abortion. This study aimed to examine attitudes towards induced abortion among gynecologists in Kurdistan Region of Iraq. METHODS: This cross-sectional facility-based study was conducted in the first quarter of 2022 in Kurdistan Region of Iraq in the cities of Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok. Convenient sampling was used to invite 330 gynecologists to participate, with 171 ultimately completing the questionnaire, giving a response rate of 53%. Questionaries using the Taylor and Whitehead abortion attitude scale were sent in person or digitally. The data was then analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests to determine the independence of attitudes and associations between attitudes and sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: Among 171 gynecologists, 25% of the gynecologists agreed that induced abortion is unacceptable under any circumstances. Most (71%) disagreed that a woman has the right to choose to have an induced abortion. Around 51% considered induced abortion murder, and 41% agreed that induced abortion goes against all morals. Around 57% disagreed with the legalization of induced abortion, while 43% agreed. Gynecologists who were unmarried (P = 0.025), under the age of 40 (P = 0.044), and with less than 10 years of clinical experience (P = 0.043) were more likely to support the legalization of induced abortion in Kurdistan Region. None of the variables was found to be independently associated with attitudes towards abortion legalization. CONCLUSIONS: Despite some younger gynecologists having more favorable attitudes towards induced abortion, most gynecologists in Kurdistan Region had less favorable views. Most gynecologists were willing to provide post-abortion care regardless of their legal status. We recommend conducting more studies to investigate the consequences of current abortion legislation among women in need of induced abortion in Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Barriers and facilitators influencing access to and utilization of primary healthcare services in Kurdistan-region, Iraq: a cross-sectional study.

The primary healthcare (PHC) idea is intended to become the first line of interaction for members of the public with care needs, as well as a system that views health as a complete state of being rather than only a state of wellbeing. This study aimed to examine the barriers and facilitators influencing the access and utilization of PHC services in Erbil governorate, Kurdistan-region, Iraq, through assessing populations' practice, and satisfaction. Also, explore the relationship between the socioeconomic, demographic, and cultural characteristics of the study population and utilization of PHC services. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire-based survey was used for data collection. Totally, 2400 individuals have been selected in 6 different districts and the centre of Erbil through the multi-cluster random sampling method. The χ2 test was used for categorical variables, and a one-way ANOVA was used for numerical variables. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The main reason for utilizing PHC centres was preventive purpose (68.1%), then poverty was the second reason (11.33%), and the participants reported that during the presence of urgent cases when they cannot use other health facilities, they use PHC centres (9%). In terms of barriers for utilizing and visiting PHC centres, the participated people stated that most of them, due to inadequate services, did not use and visit PHC centres (83.21%); the second reason was the presence of chronic diseases such as hypertension, which makes them visit private clinics (7.79%) and generally, (31.4%) of the participants were satisfied with the health services nearby. Conclusion: In conclusion, it appears that many people visit PHC facilities, but most of them only do so as a preventative measure, and very few go there to obtain basic medical treatment. Most patients go to private clinics and/or hospitals since those facilities have better access to specialists, better quality and quantity of medications, and laboratory testing. Additionally, combining and strengthening service quality aspects that prioritize a patient-centred environment and an effective service delivery system is a key strategy for the health sector to increase patient satisfaction.

People with diabetes adherence to drug, dietary, and lifestyle changes in Erbil city, Iraq.

BACKGROUND: Since diabetes has serious complications that might result in life-long handicaps or even death, it is vital to ensure that people have reasonable control of the disease, which is eventually by good adherence to drugs, diet, and a good lifestyle. People non-adherence to any part of the therapy program for diabetes might result in worsening the condition. This study aimed to evaluate the compliance of people with diabetes to drug, diet, and lifestyle changes in Erbil city, Iraq. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of 288 people with diabetes visiting Layla Qasim Health Center for people with diabetes in Erbil city, Iraq. Data were collected by interviewing the participants and filling out a questionnaire. The survey demonstrated the socio-demographic status, history, information about the participant's condition, frequency of self-monitoring, medication use, the impact of the surroundings and people's concerns, diet, and lifestyle of the participants. RESULTS: Of 202 participants responded to the questionnaire, 56.9% were female. The mean age was 52.53 ± 13.882 years. 85.6% of the participants were taking the medication regularly, and 78.8% of the participants followed a recommended diet by their doctors. Only 56.4% were exercising, with a majority being male, 70.1%.A strong association was found between gender and doing exercise, educational level and taking the medication regularly, duration of the disease, and following the recommended diet. CONCLUSIONS: The adherence to taking the medication regularly is high, in which single most important cause is following up with their doctors. In contrast, adherence to lifestyle recommendations was suboptimal and essential in managing diabetes. Another reason is that educational level plays a role in understanding the importance of following the recommended lifestyle by the doctor.