ObjectivesTo estimate the magnitude of anaemia, iron deficiency (ID), iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and to explore epidemiological features of ID and feeding practices among infants aged 12 months in Qatar.SettingWell baby clinics in 14 randomly selected primary healthcare centres covering all geographical areas on the national level.ParticipantsThree hundred and six (163 male and 143 female) infants of all nationalities were enrolled. Mothers were asked to complete a predesigned interview questionnaire and infants were blood tested for anaemia, ID and IDA.Outcome measuresCut-off point used to diagnose anaemia was haemoglobin <11.1 g/dL, and to diagnose ID, serum ferritin <6 ug/L with normal C reactive protein.ResultsPrevalence of anaemia was 23.5%, ID was 9.2% and IDA was 7.8%. ID was more prevalent among non-Qatari infants compared with Qatari (10.9% vs1.7%, p=0.029), more prevalent among infants born to housewives and to families of low income (p≤0.05). With regard to feeding practice, ID was higher in infants who continued breastfeeding until the age of 1 year and among those who never took infant formula milk (p≤0.05). Mothers who received infant feeding counselling had less ID occurrence among their infants compared with their counterparts who did not receive such counselling (4.2%vs13.4%, p=0.005).ConclusionAlthough ID and IDA among infants in Qatar are less prevalent compared with many developing countries, still further efforts are needed for improvement towards more developed countries. Efforts should be contextualised and should target the key epidemiological features with special emphasis on infant feeding and infant feeding counselling to mothers.

Introduction: Vaccination is considered one of the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions of the 20 th century. In 2017, Qatar's Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI) provided vaccination services against a comprehensive list of 15 vaccine-preventable diseases. Objectives: To assess the performance of Qatar's national immunization system, identify possible gaps by determining the national vaccination coverage rates, and benchmark these rates against regional and global figures. Methods: The data utilized herein were retrieved from the vaccination coverage estimates generated by the World Health Organization and United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund. Relevant local, regional, and global vaccination coverage figures were manually extracted and then analyzed for six vaccines (DTP3, Pol3, MCV2, HepB, PCV3, and RotaC) in 2017. Percentages and proportions were compared using the Chi-squared test. Results: Vaccination coverage levels in Qatar have surpassed the optimal level of 90% for all vaccines. Compared with international figures, the national coverage exceeds the relevant benchmarks. For DTP3 and Pol3, Qatar achieved 97% coverage compared with 99% coverage in Jordan and 85% coverage globally. For MCV2, Qatar achieved 93% coverage compared with 99% coverage in Jordan and 67% coverage globally. For RotaC, Qatar achieved 97% coverage compared with 96% coverage in Jordan and 28% coverage globally. For HepB, Qatar achieved 97% coverage compared with 43% coverage globally. Conclusions: Compared with the international benchmarks of major vaccines, the vaccination coverage rates in Qatar are high. However, challenges for maintaining high coverage, such as cultural and language barriers, should be addressed.

Background: female infertility is a multifactorial condition constituting a worldwide public health problem. Although many potential risk factors of female infertility can be preventable, there is no much attention directed toward preconception care. Aim: to explore the risk profile of infertility among Qatari women and compare risk factors distribution among primary vs. secondary infertility. Methodology: A hospital-based case control study was conducted from September 17th, 2017- February 10th, 2018. Cases (n=136) were enrolled from infertility clinics and controls (pregnant women, n=272), were enrolled from antenatal clinic, Women Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation. Interview questionnaire was utilized to collect data about sociodemographic, history of marriage, lifestyle, menstrual, obstetric, gynaecological, medical, medication, surgical, birth-control, sexual and family, depression screening using PHQ-2 score, and anthropometric measurements. Logistic regression was used to identify the associated factors to infertility. Statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: 43 primary and 93 secondary infertility cases were included. Risk factors were age>35 years (OR=3.7), second-hand smoking (OR=2.44), steady weight gain (OR=4.65), recent weight gain (OR=4.87), menstrual cycle irregularities (OR=4.20), fallopian tube blockage (OR=5.45), and symptoms suggestive of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including chronic lower abdominal/pelvic pain (OR=3.46), abnormal vaginal discharge (OR=3.32) and dyspareunia (OR=7.04). Predictive factors for secondary infertility were; longer time from previous conception (OR=5.8), history of stillbirth (OR=2.63) or miscarriage (OR=2.11) and postpartum infection (OR=3.75). Protective factors were higher education level (OR=0.44), higher income (OR=0.17), and awareness of fertility window (OR=0.33) Conclusion: awareness, prevention, and early management of modifiable risk factors is important for women at pre/post-conception periods.