SELECTED MEASUREMENT OF POPULATION HEATH IN AL-NASSIRIYAH CITY

Abstract

A cross sectional study was carried out in Nassiriyah city, southern Iraq from 1^st of February to 20^th of  May 2007. The main objectives of the study were to describe selected variables related to fertility, morbidity, mortality, socio-demographic characters, utilization of prenatal care and immunization. The study included   264 families (1432) persons. The study was a household survey  done in  four different areas in Al-Nassiriyah  city (Hay Ur, Hay Al-muntazah, Hay Al-Iskan. Hay Sumer). These quarters are  located on both sides of Euphrates which traverse the city from north west to south east, and of different socioeconomic and demographic characterstic. Interviews were made to each family about the  age, sex, marital status, level of education,   no. of families in house, any death or birth in the last year, any current pregnancy with ascertainment of trimester, any acute illness during the 2 weeks prior to the day of interview & the action taken in response to such illness. Chronic conditions were also inquired about & the level of utilization of prenatal care by pregnant women & immunization by children aged under 2 years were explored. In the family(whether acute or chronic) & the action was taken by family. The result showed that the population is highly fertile (crude birth  rate = 41.2/1000) but suffer from high mortality ( crude death rate=25.1/1000).Also 17% reported to have acute illneses during a 2 weeks recall period & 8% had chronic diseases. Use of prenatal care was practice by 75% of pregnant women & 41.2% of children aged less than 2 years had complete immunization. Further 45% had partial immunization. Illiteracy is high and only 13%of the population are engaged in governmental jobs.