Background and objective: Nurses have major role in prevention and management of hepatitis B. Aim of the study was to find out the effect of an educational program on nurse' knowledge and practices concerning hepatitis B virus. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in emergency hospitals, Erbil city, Iraq from 15th of January to 15th of June 2012 involving 50 nurses. Assessment of the knowledge and practices of nurses was carried out by using a questionnaire developed by the researchers. An educational program was designed, constructed and oriented in order to improve the nurses' knowledge and practices towards hepatitis B virus. Post-test was carried out after the educational program using the same (pre program) questionnaire. Results: The mean (±SD) score of pre test knowledge was 6.96±1.6, while the mean (±SD) score of post test knowledge was 8.4±1.5 (P<0.001). The educational program has significant effects on nurses' knowledge about main function of liver (P<0.001), complications of renal failure (P=0.002), and avoiding sharing needles and syringes (P=0.013). The post test means (±SD) scores for practices (47±2.46) were significantly higher than the pretest mean score (43.7±5.16). The educational program had effects on advising practice of hand washing before and after using gloves (P=0.01), using solution for hand washing (P=0.003), risk of contamination with patients' bloods and fluids (P=0.04), removing of gown and washing hands (P=0.012). Conclusion:The educational program played a significant role in some items which could raise the level of knowledge and practices toward prevention of hepatitis B virus.

Over the Counter (OTC) medications are defined as the medications available, and obtained without a physician prescription. Over the counter medications can be used with appropriate caution and proper dosages. However many do not know the dangers of misuse and continue to use OTC medications [1]. Before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) existed in the united states, all medications were allowed to be self-medicated; alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and opium were included in some OTC products without notification to users. For example, in the United States of America, products containing over 80 active ingredients of different therapeutic groups were switched from prescription-only to OTC Background and objectives: Use of over the counter (OTC) medications is an important area for research within different health care systems. It is also associated with increased risk of abuse and medication addiction. The need to avoid unnecessary exposure to medication is a concern among the health-care community, in which pharmacy staff plays first line of response and their knowledge is critical. In Kurdistan region of Iraq, other medical and to some extend non-medical staff also works in pharmacies which may affect their scientific understanding of medication. The current study aims to determine the knowledge of pharmacies staff regarding OTC medication use in Erbil city. Methods: Across-sectional study was conducted from 15th-October 2018 to 15th -October 2019. A sample of 187 pharmacies in Erbil city Centre was recruited through a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected through direct interview with participants, A questionnaire was used for interviewing the pharmacy staff about sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge regarding OTC medications. The validity and reliability of the instrument was checked. Data were analyzed by using the software system of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 23). Results: The total number of the studied sample was 187 medical and para-medical staff working in Erbil pharmacies. Their mean age + SD were 28.56 + 5.33 years, ranging from 18 to 45 years. Generally only quarter (25%) of the whole sample had good level of knowledge. less than one third (29.4%) of the sample knew the correct definition of the OTC. Only 28.3% of the sample thinks that the OTC medications mostly cause side effects. Good level of knowledge was significantly associated with being female, and being a graduate and with being a specialized pharmacist. Conclusion: There is a limited knowledge about OTC medications among staff working in pharmacies. However among other specialties (nurses and paramedic) specialist pharmacist had higher level of knowledge regarding OTC.

the Frommelt Attitudes toward Care of the Dying Scale (FATCOD) and demographics questionnaire designed and copyrighted by Katherine Frommlet in 1988. Results: The study indicated that there was positive attitude among study samples. Results showed that no significant relationship between attitudes score with gender, nurse education, and duration of service, while there was significant association between high attitudes score with older ages (P = 0.003). Conclusion: The nurse's attitudes toward dealing with dying cases were positive in the majority of related items, and there were no associations between gender, duration of experience, and level of education and their attitude, while it was found a significant association between ages and attitudes towards care of the dying. Keywords: Attitude, Care of Dying, Cardiac Centre. Salih A. Abdulla * Nazar Ali Sheren * Vian A. Naqshbandi ** Namir G. Al-Tawil *** Nurses' attitude toward the care …….

Background and objective: Healthy school environment is one of the main determinants of students' health in order to maximize the benefit from the educational programs. This study was aimed to assess the primary school environment in Erbil city. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 50 primary schools in Erbil city out of 242 schools through the academic year 2010-2011. Data were collected using a questionnaire constructed by the researchers which included general information, area around the school, school environment, class-room and school canteen. Results: Most of the primary schools were located near the main street, nearly all (98%) the streets leading to the schools were paved. In contrast, thirty one (62%) schools had been exposed to a pollution source, mainly noise (54.84%) and garbage (45.16%) pollution. The majority of the schools had standard school fencing, school yard, and garbage container, and only 8 (16%) of them had available/standard school ground. The study showed that nearly half of the schools had appropriate classrooms, lighting, and majority of them had adequate desks, appropriate blackboards and clean classrooms, while ventilation and age appropriate desks were partially available. The amount of chlorine in water was not tested. There is lack of materials in the first aid kits. Canteens were available, but not standard and the working staff did not have the health certificate. Conclusion: School environment in Erbil city is not optimum.

INTRODUCTIONWork-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are isolated or shared problems in the muscles, tendons, synovial membranes (joint tissue) nerves, fascia (connective tissue) and ligaments, with or without tissue degeneration. They are diagnosed by the occurrence of symptoms, along with or not, like: pain, numbness, feeling of heaviness and fatigue *1+. These injuries generally affect the superior limbs, scapular region around the shoulder and cervical region, but can also affect the inferior limbs and are frequent causes of temporary or permanent occupational disabilities. Injury caused by work-related musculoskeletal disorders arise from the extreme use of the musculoskeletal system and its inadequate recovery, and comprises clinical conditions. Workers are victims when they are submitted to poor work conditions *2+. The risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders is high among different healthcare professionals *3+. WMSDs happen in some careers, including nursing, Background and objective: The term musculoskeletal disorders includes a gamut of inflammatory and degenerative conditions that affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, peripheral nerves, and supporting blood vessels with consequent ache, pain or discomfort. The risk of musculoskeletal disorders is high among various healthcare professionals. This study investigated the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and risk factors among nurses in Erbil teaching hospitals. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Erbil city teaching hospitals in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. A total number of 256 nurses were selected as study samples through the use of non-probability convenience sampling method. The data were collected by a standardized questionnaire through the use of the interview (face to face) technique. Results: The previous 12-month prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among nurses was 67%. Lower back disorder was the most prevalent disorder compared to other body regions at 75% followed by 52% reported in one or both knees, and the lowest percentages (9%) reported in the upper back region. Conclusion: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are high among nurses. There was an association between the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, genders, and training program on preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. It is recommended that training programmes on prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders be implemented for all nurses.