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Background: People with schizophrenia have a higher risk of mortality compared to the general population, which has not improved over time. The majority of premature deaths are due to comorbid physical diseases, driven by interrelated factors operating at the individual level, through health systems and influenced by social determinants of health. A holistic understanding of this problem and the causal pathways linking these factors together is lacking. Aims: This study aims to understand why the mortality gap between people with schizophrenia and the general population is not improving by developing a causal loop diagram (CLD), a systems thinking approach which enables empirical research and theoretical knowledge to be combined into a visual representation of causal relationships and feedback loops. Method: The CLD was constructed using published literature, including both quantitative and qualitative studies, to identify key variables and relationships, and refined through consultation with experts in the topic area. Results: A total of 21 variables and 68 connections were included in the CLD, with 23 distinct feedback loops identified. Stigma and social support had the most connections, while unemployment was involved in the greatest number of feedback loops. Most feedback mechanisms served to reinforce behavioural risk factors, inadequate healthcare and social disadvantage. Conclusions: The CLD has created a holistic and dynamic understanding of the causal pathways driving the mortality gap between people with schizophrenia and the general population, providing insights into why it has persisted over time. One of the key findings was the critical role of social determinants in shaping health outcomes, highlighting the need for person-centred models of care and multisectoral government action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Online teaching behavior and teachers' acceptance of it can have an impact, as its acceptance will play a vital role in the learning process. E-learning, distance education, and accredited courses previously were part of informal learning. However, it appears that it can gradually replace the formal education system. On the other hand, online courses eliminate practical components such as face-to-face training, and clinical and laboratory sessions; As a result, learners lose the opportunity to train, cooperate and build relationships. Objectives: This study aimed to describe the faculty members’ attitudes toward readiness to teach online at Iraqi universities, and to identify the relationship between some of the demographic factors (age, gender, and educational status) and their attitudes toward using online teaching. Methodology: A descriptive exploratory design was conducted, and an online questionnaire was administered to (99) nursing faculties from different Iraqi universities between 1st March and 20th May 2022. A standardized questionnaire was used to achieve objectives of the study. Permission was granted through informational consent to collect data from the participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics through SPSS program (V.24). Results: The descriptive data analysis revealed that the age range of the participants represented (48.5 %), (MS=2.1, SD= 0.89), is primarily between (36-45) years old. about half of participants (50.5%) had a Master of Science in Nursing degree (MS=2.15, SD=0.64). The inferential statistics revealed a substantial relationship between age of the participants and items related to utilizing various instructional techniques in an online setting (χ2 (2, N =99 = 26.562, p < 0.05), and managing course time with facilitation techniques (χ2 (2, N =99 = 25.098, p < 0.05). Additionally, a significant relationship was found between the gender of the participants and item related to communicating with students via email (χ2 (2, N =99 = 10.737, p < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant relationship was discovered between participants' educational level and items related to spending weekly hours to grade assignments (χ2 (2, N =99 = 21.889, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The development of creative teaching strategies and curricula that cater to the demands of tomorrow's nurses has become a problem for nursing education programs today, with the rapid changes in the methods of communication and information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The greatest protection against cervical cancer can be achieved through the combination of cervical screening via repeated Pap tests and HPV vaccination before first sexual intercourse. This study aimed to explore women's perceptions and experiences of Pap test and colposcopy examination to avoid advance stage of cervical cancer. Methods: An exploratory qualitative approach was carried out using face-to face semi-structured interviews with 22 women attending for their Pap test appointment or colposcopy examination in the main hospital in Kirkuk, Iraq. The study took place between October 2019 and March 2020. The collected data were analysed using inductive content analysis. Results: The findings revealed gap in knowledge regarding Pap test and colposcopy investigation among participants. Overall, three main categories emerged during data analyses namely, women's awareness of Pap test; challenges to access cervical screening and colposcopy services; women's views and suggestions to improve their access to cervical screening cervices. Conclusion: Currently, women living in Iraq have no access to regular cervical screening due to unavailability of the cervical screening programme in Iraq. This study provides evidence to develop strategies to enhance the existing cervical cancer prevention services. Health policy makers should consider the establishment of regular population based cervical screening. Health promotion efforts and interventions should focus on challenges and barriers influence the screening behavior among women living in Iraq. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The study estimated service coverage for severe mental disorders (psychosis, bipolar disorder and moderate-severe depression), globally and regionally, using data collected from the Mental Health Atlas 2017. Methods: Service coverage was defined as the proportion of people with a disorder contacting a mental health service among those estimated to have the disorder during a 12-month period. We drew upon 12-month service utilisation data from the Mental Health Atlas 2017. Expected prevalent cases of individual disorders were estimated using the disorder-specific prevalence rate estimates of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 and total population sizes. Methods for assessing the validity of country-reported service utilisation data were developed and applied. Outcomes: From 177 countries, 50 countries provided reliable service coverage estimates for psychosis, along with 56 countries for bipolar disorder, and 65 countries for depression. The mean service coverage for psychosis was lowest in low- [10.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.3–30.4)] and lower middle-income countries [21.5% (95% CI 11.9–35.7)] and highest in high-income countries [59.5% (95% CI 42.9–74.1)]. Service coverage for bipolar disorder ranged between 3.1% (95% CI 0.8–11.5) and 10.4% (95% CI 6.7–15.8). Mean service coverage for moderate-severe depression ranged between 2.9% (95% CI 1.3–6.3) for low-income countries and 31.1% (95% CI 18.3–47.6) for high-income countries. Interpretation: The reporting method utilised by the Mental Health Atlas appears to be reliable for psychosis but not for depression. This method of estimating service coverage provides progress in tracking an important indicator for mental health; however, it highlights that considerable work is needed to further develop global mental health information systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]