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Introduction: Self-medication is increasingly being a common practice worldwide more so amongst the medical students. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of self-medication among the medical students and to describe the self-reported practice and pattern of medication by undergraduate medical students at Al-Iraqia University in Baghdad city. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional survey. Out of 440 students enrolled, 400 (>90%) responded. The data was collected using self-administrated pretested questionnaire and then analyzed using SPSS version 18.0. Results: During the last one year preceding the study, 85% of respondents using self-medication mostly among single students (98.2%), aged 20+ years old (56.5%), in fourth academic level (27.1%), living with their families (73.2%) and of non-sufficient income (54.7%). The main indication for seeking self-medication include headache as reported by 83.8% followed by cold and cough and fever 80.3% and pain elsewhere in body (70%). Drugs commonly used for self-medication included analgesics 89.4% and anti-pyretic 67.9%. Minor illness was the most common reason for self-medication (80.6%). 56.8% and 45% of respondents follow pharmacist and textbooks respectively as a source of information in practicing self-medication. Most of respondents practiced self-medication for themselves (57.9%) and for both; themselves and their family members (45%). Some level of awareness was reported among non-practiced self-medication students; 60% of them were afraid from risk of adverse reaction of drugs. Conclusion: Self-medication is broadly practiced among medical students in this College. Therefore, there is need to improve the medical educational program to raise the awareness level regarding the advantage and disadvantages of self-medication to ensure safe usage of drugs.

Background: With the steady increase in the number of old age people, the prevalence of chronic diseases, and the health expenditures, the importance of preventing malnutrition is becoming more critical than ever. This study aimed to assess malnutrition among the internally- displaced old age people in Iraq. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted between November 2016 and March 2017 at the Dream city camp for the internally - displaced persons in Tikrit city, Iraq. Data was collected using the valid (Arabic) version of the mini - nutritional assessment (MNA) questionnaire. The internally displaced persons (IDPs) interviewed, and the nutritional status assessed via the MNA, body mass index (BMI), mid-arm circumferences (MAC) and calf circumferences (CC) measures. Results: A total of 142 eligible old age persons, of which 40.2% were malnourished, and 35.2% were at risk of malnutrition. Among those with malnutrition, 40% were males, and 60% were females. Concerning comorbidity, 80% with positive malnutrition, had chronic diseases. DM reported a higher prevalence (46.5%) compared to other chronic diseases. Conclusion: The prevalence of malnutrition was high among the old age people resident at the displacement camp in Iraq. Both the deteriorating security situation and the lack of proper services have combined to exacerbate the nutritional status of older persons in displacement camps.

Objective: To determine academic clinicians' burnout level and the association between their burnout and socio-demographic characteristics. Methodology: This cross-sectional study surveyed 111 academic clinicians from six Medical Colleges in Baghdad City. A questionnaire was used between March and May 2022. The questionnaire consisted of an interface and two sections with a total number of 44 items. Results: Most academic clinicians were found to experience a moderate level of burnout (46.8%), and 39.6% of respondents experienced a high level of burnout, whereas only 13.5% experienced a low level of burnout. The number of monthly day-offs was the only factor significantly affecting the burnout score (p=0.004). Conclusion: Most academic clinicians experienced a moderate level of burnout with a negligible proportion of the high level of burnout.