ABSTRACT
Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition for which early diagnosis is critical to ensure timely intervention and improved outcomes. Health care professionals, particularly physicians and nurses, play a key role in the early identification and referral of children with ASD. However, limited data are available regarding ASD-related knowledge among health care workers in Iraq. Objective: This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge regarding ASD among health care professionals working in training hospitals in Al-Diwaniyah, Iraq, and to examine factors associated with knowledge levels. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 447 physicians and nurses working in two training hospitals in Al-Diwaniyah. Data were collected using a Sociodemographic Data Form and the Autism Spectrum Disorder Knowledge Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Pearson chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. Results: Overall, 49% of participants demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge regarding ASD, 37.6% had good knowledge, and 13.4% had low knowledge. Knowledge levels were significantly associated with age, gender, marital status, educational level, professional experience, job title, workplace, working pattern, and sources of information (p < 0.05). Younger participants, those with higher education, academic nurses, and health care workers employed at Al-Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital exhibited higher knowledge levels. The internet was the most frequently reported source of ASD-related information, while participation in formal continuing medical education was limited. Conclusion: Health care professionals in Al-Diwaniyah demonstrated a predominantly moderate level of knowledge regarding ASD. Strengthening structured, evidence-based in-service training programs and integrating ASD-focused content into continuing professional education may enhance early recognition and referral, ultimately improving outcome

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Hormonal Contraceptives are a widely used contraceptives methods for the prevention of pregnancy in women. It is associated with changes in Renal Biomarkers which results in chronic kidney disease, glomerular disease, hydronephrosis, Bilateral Pylonephtritis and Hypertention which are the major cause of premature death. We aim to determined renal markers changes In relation to duration of Injectable, Implanon and oral Contraceptives. A cross sectional case control study design was conducted on 225 hormonal contraceptive users and 225 women not on contraceptives (controls) serum levels of Urea, Creatinine, Uric acid were analyzed using standard enzymatic and calorimetric assay while Micro albumin was measured using immunoturbidimetric methord. Data generated were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23, and it was manufactured by IBM Corporation from United States in 2015. The level of statistical significant was set at p<0.05, T-test was used to compare means of two groups and one way Anova was used to compare means of more than two group followed by Duncan multiple range, which post-hoc test was also used to figure out exactly which group are different from each other. The women received injectable hormonal contraceptives there were not significantly (P>0.05) higher in urea and uric acid levels when compared with Implanon and significantly (P<0.05). Lower to those used oral contraceptives. All the contraceptives had not-significant effect on serum, urea and uric acid (F=7.912, P=0.001) (F=5.040. P=0.009). The women received injectable hormonal contraceptives were not significantly (P>0.05) higher in Creatinine, micro Albumin levels when compared with Implanon and not significantly (P>0.05) lower to those used oral contraceptives. All the contraceptives had not significant effect on Serum Creatinine and Micro albumin (F=0.001, P=0.999) (F=0.344, P=0.710) with Implanon having the least effect. Hormonal contraceptive are influenced by

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Introduction: Dyslipidemia is defined as a lipid metabolism disorder characterized by one of the main abnormalities in the lipid fraction being an increase in triglycerides. Hypertriglyceridemia occurs with the accumulation of visceral fat and in the blood due to a decrease in the enzyme lipoprotein lipase. The accumulation of visceral fat is the cause of central obesity. Central obesity can be seen by measuring waist circumference. Aims: To determine the relationship between waist circumference with triglyceride levels in the working population at El Tari Airport, Kupang. Method: The type of research carried out was analytical observational with a cross sectional method. The respondents for this research were 60 people consisting of 41 men and 19 women workers at El Tari Kupang Airport aged 18-59 years. Data were collected using interviews and waist circumference using metline and blood samples were taken to measure triglyceride levels. The statistical tests used were the Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test (p > 0.05) and the Pearson correlation test. Results: There were 68.3% of subjects with normal waist circumference, 31.7% with excessive waist circumference, 78.3% with normal triglyceride levels, 18.4% with slightly high triglyceride levels, and 3.3% with high triglyceride levels. The results showed that waist circumference had a positive relationship with triglyceride levels (r=0.446, p=0.000). Both showed a significant correlation with triglyceride levels (p<0.05). Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between waist circumference and triglyceride levels.

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Transportation deals with the movement of people and goods, using various means of locomotion (walking, bicycles, buses, trams, trains, ferries, taxis, motor cars, trucks, ships, aircraft, pipelines) on transport networks (roads, rails, waterways, airways) which have terminals (parking areas, depots, stations, ports and airports) and transfer points (bus stops, stations, goods yards). Most countries of the world seek to achieve equality in health needs of their growing population especially in the rural areas who are often at disadvantage for majority of the experienced health workers would be willing to live and work in the most populous part of the economy. Maternal mortality rate is highest in rural areas and poorer communities of the world. This paper is the first attempt to proposes a conceptual framework and describe the theoretical applied discrete-choice modeling of the probability of a specific event occurring based on various influencing factors affecting maternal healthcare services. The review of literature reveals that a large percentage of women in the rural areas assumed pregnancy and childbearing to be death zone for them due to inability to have free access and affordable means of transporting themselves to health centers and hospitals that will provide them with adequate medical care. Need to travel over a long distance to access maternity health services is one of the issues with high maternal mortality rate for the available means of transportation in such areas is always with high cost. The present study takes the approach of proposing a theoretical framework which can be applied to practical situations in address transport needs and challenges in maternal healthcare services by reviewing available literature. Such research approach is common, particularly when existing knowledge in the particular area is still somewhat narrow. The present study, hence, contributes to the advancement of the literature on transportation needs for the nonmetropoli

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Introduction: Modern lifestyles characterized by unhealthy diets and physical inactivity increase the risk of coronary heart disease. Atherosclerosis, the primary underlying cause, can be mitigated through non-pharmacological interventions. Although coriander and young coconut water have been shown to reduce cholesterol levels, their comparative effects on triglyceride levels remain unclear. Aims: This study aims to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of boiled coriander seed water and young coconut water in reducing triglyceride levels. Method: This study employed a quantitative quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design. The population comprised 484 educators and educational staff at Nusa Cendana University, with 48 participants selected through purposive sampling based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data analysis included paired t-tests to compare pretest and posttest values within groups, followed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests to compare posttest outcomes between groups. Results: In this study, the coriander seeds boiled water group showed a significant reduction in triglyceride levels from 139.5 mg/dL to 120.8 mg/dL (p=0.037) after 1 week of intervention. In contrast, the young coconut water group showed an insignificant decrease from 98 to 90 (p=0.386). The control group, without intervention, did not experience significant changes (p=0.75). These results show the potential of coriander seeds as a triglyceride lowering agent, while young coconut water shows more variable results. Conclusion: Boiled coriander seed water is more effective in reducing triglyceride levels than young coconut water.

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Introduction: Acne vulgaris is a common skin disorder frequently associated with Staphylococcus epidermidis, an aerobic bacterium. The increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance in S. epidermidis has encouraged the exploration of alternative therapies, including herbal medicines. Binahong leaves (Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis) are widely used in traditional medicine and have demonstrated potential antibacterial properties. Aims: To evaluate and analyze the gel formulation of binahong leaf extract (Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis) to identify a formulation with optimal physical characteristics and effective antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis. Method: The study employed a true experimental design with a post-test–only control group. Treatment groups received binahong leaf extract gel at concentrations of 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%. Clindamycin gel served as the positive control, while a gel base without extract was the negative control. Staphylococcus epidermidis was used as the test organism. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using the disc diffusion method, and data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: All gel formulations demonstrated acceptable physical characteristics. The inhibition zone diameters of binahong leaf extract gel against Staphylococcus epidermidis at concentrations of 40% (7.6 mm) and 60% (8.3 mm) were classified as moderate, whereas concentrations of 80% (10.86 mm) and 100% (12.80 mm) exhibited strong antibacterial activity. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences among treatment groups, with a p-value of < 0.05. Conclusion: Binahong leaf extract gel formulations at concentrations of 80% and 100% were identified as optimal, as they combined satisfactory physical properties with strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis.

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Introduction: Exercise is essential for maintaining physical fitness, and weight training is a popular form that can cause delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Although cold and warm water immersion are known to reduce DOMS, direct comparative studies are limited. This study compares their effectiveness in reducing calf muscle DOMS after weight training. Aims: This study aims to determine the comparative effectiveness of cold water immersion and warm water immersion on the intensity of delayed onset muscle soreness in the calf muscles following weight training. Method: This study employed a quantitative quasi-experimental design with a posttest-only three-group approach. A total of 36 participants were selected using total sampling. DOMS intensity was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) on the left calf at 24, 48, and 72 hours after weight training. Results: This study showed that warm water immersion significantly reduced VAS scores compared to cold water immersion (p = 0.006) and the control group (p = 0.032), while no significant difference was observed between cold water immersion and the control group (p = 0.605), indicating the superior effectiveness of warm water immersion. Conclusion: Warm water immersion is significantly more effective than cold water immersion and the control group in reducing calf muscle DOMS after weight training.