BackgroundSince last 100 years, immunization rate is one of the best public health outcome and service indicators. However, the immunization system is still imperfect; there are many countries that still have unvaccinated children. Parental decisions regarding immunization are very important to improve immunization rate. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between parental knowledge-practice (KP) regarding immunization with family and immunization providers’ factors.MethodsThis is a prospective cross-sectional study design. Immunization knowledge and practices among 528 Iraqi parents were evaluated through validated questionnaire. Familial data and immunization provider’s characteristics were collected from parents through interview.ResultsMore than half of respondents/study population (66.1%) have adequate knowledge- practice scores. Significant associations were noted for knowledge-practice groups with father’s education level, mother’s education level, mother’s age at delivery, number of preschool children, parents gender, family income, provider types, and birth place (p < 0.05).ConclusionImmunization campaigns and awareness are required to improve parents’ knowledge and practice regarding immunization. The study results reinforce recommendations for use of educational programmes to improve the immunization knowledge and practice.

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Aim To test the reliability and validity of the translated version of the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) questionnaire on immunization among Arabic parents. Method A cross-sectional prospective survey was carried out among 53 parents to obtain demographic data of immunized children. Other data were collected using translated KAP immunization questionnaires consisting of ten questions related to knowledge and ten questions related to attitude and practice. Descriptive statistics were used, and reliability was tested for internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Results Employing the recommended scoring method, the mean±standard deviation of the KAP scores was 13.226± 3.01. Good internal consistency was found (Cronbach's alpha=0.735); the test-retest reliability value was 0.812 (p< 0.001). For validity, known-groups validity was used, and three pharmacist specialists judged the face and content validity of the questionnaire. The level of immunization knowledge among parents was positively associated with the attitude and practices of immunization. Conclusion The study concluded that the translated KAP immunization questionnaire appears to be reliable and valid for measuring the knowledge, attitude and practices among Arab parents and that it can be used in future research.

The present investigation was undertaken with the objective of developing fast dissolving film(s) of a tricyclic antidepressant drug amitriptyline hydrochloride in order to improve its bioavailability, optimize its therapeutic action especially when used to treat major depression and to enhance the compliance for the developmentally disable, mentally ill, elderly and pediatric patients. , the study based on cross over design using experimental animals (rabbits). The pharmacokinetic results revealed that the fast dissolving films has higher peak blood concentration (C max , 0.927µg/ml) within shorter time (T max, 2 hours), indicating rapid absorption and faster onset of action with acceptable bioavailability value. These findings suggest that the fast dissolving film containing amitriptyline hydrochloride is expected to become one of choices for the treatment of acute depression.

Deficiencies in knowledge about immunization among parents often leads to poor uptake or errors in immunization dosage and timing. The aims of this study were to determine Iraqi parents' views of barriers to immunization and beliefs about ways to promote immunization. A questionnaire survey was carried out among 528 Iraqi parents with children who had incomplete immunization status. The main barriers to immunization agreed by the parents were lack of vaccine availability (51.5% of parents) and parents' lack of education (42.4%), while 88.4% of parents thought that lack of funding was not an important barrier. More than 60% of the parents suggested promoting childhood immunization via the media, and 77.5% thought that an increase in funding would not remove barriers to childhood immunization. Better vaccine availability in public health clinics and improving parents' literacy might enhance immunization uptake in Iraq. Opinions des parents iraquiens sur les obstacles à la vaccination infantileRÉSUMÉ Des connaissances insuffisantes en matière de vaccination chez les parents entraînent souvent une utilisation médiocre de la vaccination ou des erreurs dans les doses de vaccins et le calendrier d'administration. La présente étude visait à déterminer les opinions des parents iraquiens en ce qui concerne les obstacles à la vaccination et leurs croyances sur les méthodes de promotion de la vaccination. Une enquête par questionnaire a été menée auprès de 528 parents iraquiens ayant un enfant dont le statut vaccinal n'était pas à jour. Les principaux obstacles à la vaccination selon les parents étaient l'absence de disponibilité des vaccins (51,5 % des parents) et la faiblesse du niveau d'études des parents (42,4 %). En outre, ils étaient 88,4 % à penser que l'insuffisance des financements n'était pas un frein important. Plus de 60 % des parents ont suggéré de promouvoir la vaccination infantile dans les médias, mais 77,5 % pensaient qu'une augmentation du financement ne permettrait pas d'éliminer les obstacles à la vaccination infantile. Améliorer la disponibilité des vaccins dans les établissements de soins publics ainsi que le niveau d'instruction des parents pourrait contribuer à accroître le recours à la vaccination en Iraq.