Background Vaccines remain one of the most effective methods to control infectious diseases; however, COVID-19 vaccines are challenging and novel. Vaccine support is still substantial in general, although vaccination fear has increased dramatically in recent decades. This is the first study aimed to determine the fear of the COVID-19 vaccination and the role of factors and reasons associated with fear in the Iraqi Kurdistan region. Results A total of 1188 participants responded to the questionnaire about their fears of the COVID-19 vaccine. The majority of participants had a medium level of fear (56.7%). Fear was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with major demographic characteristics, social media use (51.8%), and losing family members, while other variables (previous seasonal influenza vaccine, previous infection, chronic medical diseases) show no relationship. Fear of side effects such as blood clotting was reported by the majority (45.03%) and indicated positive relation (p < 0.016). On the other hand, a high proportion, 39.9% and 34.01%, were afraid of AstraZeneca and Pfizer (p < 0.001), respectively; however, only about 4.63% had fear of Sinopharm. Conclusions The fear of COVID-19 vaccination was widespread in the Iraqi Kurdistan region. In this way, fear was related to significant variables. To reduce the fear of vaccines and increase public acceptance, authorities and the Ministry of Health should initiate a public awareness campaign. As a result, the public health crisis will significantly improve.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with a variety of psychiatric symptoms. However, COVID-19’s association with psychiatric symptoms after the acute illness phase is not fully understood. Thus, this study sought to examine symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety and associated factors in the period following COVID-19 infection. A cross-sectional study design was conducted in three governorates of the Iraqi Kurdistan region. Face-to-face interviews were held between the period of 15 September and 20 December 2021 with both those who had been infected with COVID-19 and those who had not. Depression symptomology was assessed using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire and levels of anxiety were measured using the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale. A total of 727 participants were recruited. The bulk of the respondents (n = 454) reported having a past COVID-19 infection, of whom a considerable proportion (82%) had mild–moderate symptoms. More than half of the infected respondents (53.3%) stated they were treated at home. The mean score of generalized anxiety was higher among the infected group compared to the non-infected group t(725) = 2.538, p = 0.011. Factors such as older age, female gender, unemployment, previous psychological problems, and diabetes mellitus were strongly associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety post-COVID-19 infection. Additionally, anxiety was associated with a longer duration of post-COVID symptoms. The majority of the study population had mild to moderate levels of post-COVID-19 depression and anxiety. Psychological education and interventions are required to reduce the psychological burden of post-COVID-19 symptoms among the general population.

Background: Over the past decade, significant gains have been made in the implementation of malaria preventive measures in sub-Saharan Africa, including the distribution of insecticide treated nets (ITNs). These have been shown to cause a reduction in the incidence of malaria and other mosquito borne diseases. Knowledge, attitude and practices of the use of ITNs were critically evaluated in Aba, south eastern Nigeria from February to July, 2013. Methods & Materials: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four communities in Aba. A total of 500 household heads or their representatives were surveyed using a pre-tested structural questionnaire administered through house-to-house interview. Results: Out of the 500 respondents interviewed, 460 (92.0%) associated malaria with mosquito bites. On home management practices used to prevent mosquito bites, 299 (59.8%) use ITNs, 100 (20.0%) use insecticide sprays, 45 (9.0%) use window/door nets while 32 (6.4%) use repellants. The use of ITNs based on age showed that people between ages 26 and above had the highest percentage (51.8%), while ages 15-20 had the least (9.3%). Based on levels of education, 179 (66.5%) of those with tertiary education use ITNs, 65 (21.0%) of those with secondary education and only 3 (1.0%) of the illiterate group use ITNs. Conclusion: Despite increased access to this intervention over time, the use of ITNs still remains low. There is a need therefore to create more awareness of the anti-malarial significance of ITNs, through intensified health education programmes.

About 60% of the world population relies on herbal medicine, and 80% depend almost entirely on it for their primary healthcare. Many of these herbs are rich in phytochemicals, thus valuable as potential sources of drugs. Amaranthus spinosus is a vegetable and ornamental plant used in African folklore to treat several illnesses. This study aimed to investigate the antiepileptic potential of the methanol leaf extract of Amaranthus spinosus in albino mice. Preliminary phytochemical screening and acute toxicity studies were conducted using standard methods. Anticonvulsant studies were conducted using chemo-shock models (pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) - and strychnine (STR)-induced seizures) in mice. Phytochemical screening has revealed the presence of terpenoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, anthraquinones, carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, and flavonoids. Additionally, the acute toxicity studies of the extract revealed that the extract is safe in mice at 2000 mg/kg. The extract at 400 and 800 mg/kg produced a significant (p<0.05) delay in the mean onset of seizures, decreased the duration of seizures induced by PTZ in a dose-dependent manner, and protected the mice. The extract showed insignificant protection against strychnine-induced seizures in mice. This could serve as a scientific basis for further evaluation of the plant’s potential in managing epilepsy, which can lead to the discovery of an effective antiepileptic agent with fewer side effects.

Background: Communities around the world have expressed concern about the safety and side effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. The adverse effects of the Covid-19 vaccines played a critical role in public trust in the vaccines. The current study aimed to provide evidence on the side effects of the BNT163b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech®); ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AstraZeneca®); BBIBP-CorVvaccine (Sinopharm®) COVID-19 vaccines.  Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was performed from April 26th, 2021, to June 3rd, 2021. Convenience sampling was used to select respondents; face validity was performed to the mandatory multiple-choice items questionnaire to cover the respondent’s demographic characteristics, coronavirus-19 related anamneses, and the side effect duration of coronavirus-19 vaccines, the data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. Results: The 588 participants enrolled in the current study. ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine received 49.7%, followed by BNT163b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and BBIBP-CorV (39.5% and 10.9%). The most common complaint was headache (61.2%), followed by vaccine injection site discomfort (58.8%), fatigue (49.7%), fever (48.3%), muscle discomfort (42.9%), and approximately (10.5% and 10.2%) had injection site swelling and nausea, respectively. Most of those surveyed had post-vaccine symptoms for one to two days (25.2%), (41%), and only a small percentage (3.7%) experienced them for over one month. ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine handled 53% of the side effects, followed by BNT163b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (42%) and BBIBP-CorV vaccines (5%). Conclusion: Prevalence of various local and systemic vaccines side effects, such as headache, fever, and pain at the injection site, was observed. Almost all participants had mild symptoms and were well-tolerated .AstraZeneca® vaccine has the most side effects, followed by the Pfizer® vaccine, and the Sinopharm® vaccine has the least. More independent studies on vaccination safety and public awareness are critical to improving public trust in vaccines. Keywords: COVID-19; Vaccines; Side effects; Prevalence; Cross-sectional design.