Background and Purpose— In-hospital stroke is associated with slower access to thrombolysis than community-occurring stroke. It has been suggested that lack of knowledge regarding appropriate stroke response among hospital staff may contribute to delays in referral, assessment, and treatment of in-hospital stroke. Method— A survey was conducted among hospital ward staff members using the Stroke Awareness Questionnaire, which was adapted for use among hospital staff to assess their knowledge of stroke symptoms, acute treatments, and hospital protocols for treatment of stroke. Results— Ninety-six staff members were interviewed, 81% of whom were clinical staff (medical, nursing, allied health professionals). Ninety-two percent of staff could name ≥3 stroke symptoms. Only 49% of staff were aware of thrombolysis treatment, and only 48% could identify the time window for thrombolysis administration, with staff from stroke-related specialties likely to name thrombolysis as an acute treatment for stroke (71%; odds ratio =3.36, 95% confidence interval 1.17–9.61) and identify the correct treatment window (71%; odds ratio =3.55, 95% confidence interval 1.24–10.16). Only 52% of staff on general wards were aware of an in-hospital stroke protocol. Conclusions— Hospital staff had adequate knowledge of stroke signs and symptoms; however, there was low awareness of thrombolysis therapy and its correct treatment time window among hospital staff. Targeted educational programmes among hospital staff regarding stroke are required to optimize acute stroke care.

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Introduction: Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is the third major contributor to human mortality and morbidity outside of malaria and schistosomiasis. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the prevalence of Entamoeba spp. among outpatients of two teaching hospitals in Duhok city who agreed to participate in the study from April 2021 to March 2022 to assess the impact of associated risk variables on the infection rate. Methodology: Stool specimens were collected from outpatients suffering from diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms in two teaching hospitals: Azadi and Heevi Pediatric in Duhok city, Kurdistan Region- Iraq. The collected stool specimens were examined macroscopically, followed by microscopic examination using the direct wet mount and zinc sulfate flotation methods, respectively. Result: Infection with Entamoeba species was recorded in 21.68% (562/2592) of the analyzed specimens. Males had a significantly higher infection rate than females (67.43% vs. 32.56%). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.000). The highest rate was seen in the age group 1–10 years (p < 0.001). Lower levels of education, low incomes, eating unwashed fruits and vegetables, drinking well water, eating frequently outside of homes, not using antidiarrheal medications and living in overcrowded families were risk factors that showed high levels of infection (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The present study concluded that improving living conditions, providing clean water, and promoting health education programs are essential to reduce the rate of this disease among the population.