Abstract

KNOWLEDGE OF PARAMEDICAL STAFF REGARDING DRUG ADDICTION IN BAGHDAD CITY/ IRAQ

Shymaa H. Najm* and Dr. Atta. Abd Al-Hussein Mousa

Abstract

Background: Addiction is one of the complicated problems in Iraqi young population. The social and cultural dimensions of this social disease are less considered. So considering socio-cultural and environmental resources, this study investigated the substructures of addiction according to the viewpoints of paramedical staff of Baghdad, Iraq in 2015-2016. Objectives: To determine the level and to determine association of different demographic variables with Knowledge paramedical staff Regarding Drug addiction. Subject and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Baghdad on health personnel for the period from 1 June 2016 to 30 September 2016. The sample included 510 health professionals. There are 9 sectors in center of Baghdad, 5 0f them in Al- Kurkh side of the city and 4 in Al-Russafa side. The sample was selected from 49 primary health care centers and 8 public hospitals through a multi-stage sample Using a simple random sampling technique. The information was collected through the design of a questionnaire whose stability and reliability were determined. Data analysis was done using descriptive and indicative descriptive statistical methods. Results: The results of the study showed that 21.8% of the health staff in the age group (40-44) were the majority of the study sample for males (51.2%) and about (85.9%) of the married while the majority (87.1% Of the city's population. The educational level was the majority of graduates of medical institutes (62.4%). No significant association was found between level of education and knowledge about drug addiction for paramedical staff. No significant association had been found between gender, marital status, and residence with knowledge about drug addiction for paramedical staff. Conclusions: The studied sample of paramedical staff had good and acceptable score for knowledge toward drug addiction and concerning preventive measures regarding drug addiction the studied sample had good knowledge score.

Keywords: Knowledge, Drug Addiction, Paramedical Staff.