The objective of this study is to find out the prevalence and determinants of self-medication among college students in Baghdad, Iraq. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Al-Mustansiriyah and Al-Nahrain universities, Baghdad, from January to April 2015. A multistage random sampling technique was adopted to collect data from 1435 college students using a questionnaire form. The mean age of the joining students was 19.8 years. Females form 53% of the sample. Self-medications use was prevalent among 92.4% of students. Antipyretics and antibiotics were the most used medicines. Self-medication was higher among urban residents (OR= 7.99, P < 0.001). Students living with their families practiced self-medication more than others (OR= 2.501, P = 0.037). Students at health-related colleges showed greater resilience to self-medication (OR=0.455, P = 0.001). Despite free access to healthcare institutions, nine out of ten college students from Baghdad universities have practiced self-medication. Education of students about the safe use of medications and supervision of pharmacies are effective ways to control this malpractice.

AimHighlight the socio-economic determinants of smoking among Iraqi adults aged (18+) years.MethodThe study is derived from Non-Communicable Diseases Risk Factors STEPS survey Iraq 2015. A cross-sectional survey conducted among households from 15 Iraqi governorates. Nainawa, Salahaddin and Al-Anbar were excluded for unstable conditions. Multi-stage cluster sampling technique used to include 4120 Iraqi adults. Interviews started from the first week of November for 20 days using Arabic and Kurdish translated versions of STEPS questionnaire, at last 4071 valid questionnaire forms were gathered.ResultsAmong men, smoking rates decline with age, 18–39 years (OR: 1.74; 95%CI: 1.22–2.47) and 40–59 years (OR: 1.69; 95%CI: 1.18–2.44) compared to elderly. They also decline as education level increased, No schooling (OR: 2.74; 95%CI: 1.75–4.31), Less than primary school (OR: 2.46; 95%CI: 1.68–3.62), Primary school (OR: 2.15; 95%CI: 1.51–3.05) and Secondary school (OR: 1.99; 95%CI: 1.33–2.99). They were higher among non-governmental (OR: 1.58; 95%CI: 1.03–2.44) and self-employee (OR: 1.4; 95%CI: 1.06–1.84).The lowest smoking rates were found among women aged 18–39 years (OR: 0.34; 95%CI: 0.14–0.86). While the highest rates were found among self-employed women (OR: 5.3; 95%CI: 1.12–25.06).ConclusionsTobacco smoking was higher among men aged less than 40 years, low educated as well as non-governmental and self-employed people. While it was higher among elderly and self-employed women.

Background: Alcohol consumption is a well-known public health problem, especially among university students. It was poorly studied in Middle East, especially in Iraq, due to religious and social taboos. This study conducted to throw a light on the prevalence of Alcohol consumption among university students in Baghdad. Subjects and methods: A survey conducted in three universities (Baghdad, Al-Mustansiriyah and Al-Nahrain) from Baghdad city, in the duration between January and May 2015.A semi-structured questionnaire form used to collect the data from 1435 university students. The sample selected by multistage random sampling technique with probability proportion to size. Results: The average age (range) of the studied sample was 19.8 (18 - 24) years; more than a half of them were females 760 (53%). Alcohol consumption was reported by 9.7% (95%CI: 8.2% - 11.2%) of the participants (19.7% males vs. 0.8% females). Heavy Alcohol consumption was reported by 12.2% of consumers. Male students living out of their families or relatives and those of medical group colleges found to be risk factors for Alcohol consumption (PR= 2.65, 95% CI: 1.72 - 4.1) and (PR= 2.72, 95%CI: 1.48 - 5.01) respectively. No significant relations showed between demographic characters of female students and Alcohol consumption. Conclusions: Usage of Alcohol was relatively prevalent among university students in Baghdad, in spite of religious and social barriers in Iraq. Family and college staff supervision and education of the students with meetings targeting health risks and sequels of Alcohol hazardous consumption are the effective ways to control this practice.

Background: Early smoking considered as a major challenge for health promoters, as well it is socially not acceptable, thus interventions must tackle childhood starts of smoking. Aim: Assessing the knowledge and attitude of preliminary students towards tobacco use.  Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted among 2195, 5th grade students from 30 preliminary schools in Baghdad (15 from each side Karkh & Rusafa) during November 2014. They were selected by multistage sampling technique. Results:  Participated students age ranged between (10-13) years and (51.9%) of them were girls, (54.3%) of their parents were nonsmoker while the rest reported that both or one of them are smokers, direct and indirect risks of cigarette  smoking were known by (82.4%) and (66.2%) respectively, and (70.8%) of students’ families were found to wear their kids from smoking hazards, while more than (50%) of them have received health education massages from their teachers. Sitting near smoker person was not in favor of (86.2%) of the participants, as (51.4%) considered it religiously inconvenient and (34.6%) considered smoking as a sign of no self-confidence. At last, (73.7%) of the surveyed students agreed with smoking prohibition in public places while (25.8%) opposed that. Conclusion: In spite of the high percentage of students’ parents were smokers; nevertheless, risks of smoking are well known by the surveyed students and they showed positive attitudes toward smoking prohibition in public places. Parental advising for quit smoking and urging teachers to educate their students about smoking hazards are thought to be the right action.