Journal of Ideas in Health

Artificial intelligence in the Iraqi health system: challenges, opportunities, and pathways towards universal health coverage

Saad Ahmed Ali Jadoo — 2025-08-31

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly recognized as a transformative tool in healthcare management. In Iraq, the potential of AI remains underexplored due to systemic, infrastructural, and professional challenges. This narrative review explores the challenges, problems, and potential solutions of using AI to manage and control Iraq’s health system, with a particular focus on universal health coverage (UHC).

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2015 and 2025, complemented by WHO and Iraqi Ministry of Health reports.

Results: The findings highlight barriers including capacity building, availability and accessibility of data, professional preparedness, and legal frameworks. Recent innovations and policy initiatives demonstrate opportunities for integration of AI to strengthen health service delivery and monitoring.

Conclusion: AI adoption in Iraq requires multi-level reforms involving workforce training, legal regulation, robust digital infrastructure, and alignment with UHC objectives. These measures can enhance equity, efficiency, and resilience in Iraq’s health system.

Efficacy of vitamin B6 plus magnesium in enhancing cognitive and language functions in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder and well-controlled epilepsy: a double-blind placebo-controlled study

Baha Alosy — 2025-08-31

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children often involves deficits in communication, social interaction, and behavioral regulation. Emerging evidence suggests that vitamin B6 and magnesium supplementation may aid in alleviating these symptoms. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of vitamin B6 plus magnesium in improving social, nonverbal communication, speech, and language skills in preschool children with ASD and well-controlled epilepsy.

Methods: A double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted involving 50 children under 14 years diagnosed with ASD based on CARS-2 criteria. Participants were randomly assigned to either receive vitamin B6 plus magnesium (n=25) or a placebo (n=25) for 120 days. Clinical outcomes were evaluated weekly and analyzed using SPSS v19.

Results: The intervention group showed significant improvement in social skills (Mean = 11.10, SD = 0.47, p = 0.0103), nonverbal communication (Mean = 10.67, SD = 0.59, p = 0.0024), and speech and language skills (Mean = 10.87, SD = 0.47, p = 0.0030) compared to the placebo group.

Conclusion: Vitamin B6 plus magnesium significantly improves cognitive and language functions in children with ASD and well-controlled epilepsy.

Visual rating of GCA and MTA scoring with deep white matter hyperintensities in relation to age and cognitive value

Ruaa Salman — 2025-08-31

Background: The cognitive dysfunction disorders are nowadays represented great health, social, and economic burden globally. Magnetic resonance imaging plays a major role in the evaluation of these disorders. This study aims to assess the relationship between the visual rating scale of global cerebral atrophy (GCA) & medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) scoring with age, white matter hyper-intensities, and cognitive value.

Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out from 1st of November 2022 to 28th of February 2023 at the Magnetic Resonance Imaging unit of the Radiology department in Baghdad Teaching Hospital at Medical Complex in Baghdad city, Iraq. Sixty patients aged over 45 years with suspected cognitive abnormalities were included, while younger patients, those with territorial infarction, watershed infarction, or unwillingness to participate were excluded. Data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic factors, chronic illnesses, cognitive status, MRI findings, and visual rating scales (Fazekas, Global Cortical Atrophy [GCA], and Medial Temporal Lobe Atrophy [MTA]). MRI was performed using a 1.5T Philips Achieva Nova scanner, and cognitive assessment was conducted with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Results: The mean age of participants was 62.4 ± 8.8 years, with males slightly predominating (55%). Chronic diseases were common, particularly hypertension (57.2%). Cognitive assessment revealed 51.7% with normal cognition, 18.3% with mild cognitive impairment, and 30% with dementia. Higher Fazekas, GCA, and MTA scores were significantly associated with dementia (p<0.05). MTA scores were significantly elevated in Alzheimer’s disease (p<0.001), while vascular etiologies were strongly associated with higher GCA, Fazekas, and MTA scores (p<0.05). Non-strategic lacunar ischemia showed higher Fazekas scores compared to strategic types (p=0.006). Increasing age was significantly linked to dementia, vascular pathology, and higher atrophy scores.

Conclusion: These findings suggest a strong correlation between structural brain changes observed on MRI and cognitive decline, highlighting the importance of visual rating scales in clinical assessment.

Enhancing neglected tropical diseases awareness through climate change communication in rural Nigeria

Andrew Ngene — 2025-08-31

Background: Climate change, no doubt, acts as a catalyst for the spread of infectious diseases in Nigeria’s rural communities by altering the habitats of vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies to raise awareness about NTDs in the context of climate change among rural communities.

Methods: The study adopted the convergent parallel mixed research design method. It was 2025 research carried out in six states of North Central, Nigeria plus the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. A four-point Likert scale questionnaire was used as instrument in the collection of quantitative data from 365 respondents in the communities. While interview guide was used as the instrument to collect data from 21 key informants comprising of community leaders, health care givers, and policy makers. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.

Results: Participants from 18 to 56 years and above took part in the study. They constitute 168 male and 197 female. Those with secondary school education were more than those without education, and those with primary school certificates. Findings revealed that participants in the study understood adverse variation in climate connects to disease and public health problems. In addition, participants in the study unanimously agreed (with a mean score of 3.00 and above) that combating NTDs require a participatory approach, which must involve all relevant stakeholders.

Conclusion: Empirical studies on NTDs in Nigeria and other endemic regions show that regardless of government and health institutions efforts toward the mitigation of NTDs, awareness is still a challenge. Therefore, increased sensitization and public involvement are essential policy priorities to sustain progress in NTDs elimination in Nigeria’s rural communities.

Ectoparasites and Hemoparasites of the Silvery Mole Rats (Heliophobius Argentiocinereus Emini) In Morogoro Region, Tanzania

Debora Shija — 2025-08-31

Background: The silvery mole rat (Heliophobius Argentiocinereus Emini) is a subterranean rodent widely distributed across Sub-Saharan Africa and exploited as a protein source in some communities. Despite this, limited data exist on ectoparasite and hemoparasite infections in this species in Tanzania. This study aims to determine the prevalence of hemoparasites in silvery mole rats and to identify their potential arthropod vectors in the Morogoro region of Tanzania.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mvomero and Morogoro districts, Tanzania, between March and June 2023. A total of 137 silvery mole rats were captured through manual excavation. Ectoparasites were collected from animal fur and identified morphologically using taxonomic keys. Blood samples were obtained directly from the heart, and smears were prepared, stained with Giemsa, and microscopically examined for hemoparasites. Statistical analysis was performed to assess associations between host factors, ectoparasite infestation, and hemoparasite infection.

Results: Of the 137 captured mole rats, 65% (n=89) were females and 86.7% (n=120) were adults. The overall prevalence of ectoparasitism was 71.5% (98/137). A total of 1,503 ectoparasites were recovered, dominated by Androlaelaps spp. (93.15%, n=1400), followed by Echinolaelaps echidinus (6.19%, n=93), and Haemaphysalis spp. ticks (0.67%, n=10). Hemoparasites were detected in 29.2% (40/137) of hosts, including Anaplasma spp. (25.5%) and Babesia spp. (16.8%). Coinfections with both parasites occurred in 13.1% of individuals. Adult mole rats had significantly higher odds of hemoparasite infection (OR = 3.23, 95% CI: 1.15–9.11, p = 0.04). Tick infestation was strongly associated with Babesia spp. (χ² = 11.91, OR = 15.56, p < 0.001) and Anaplasma spp. (χ² = 5.82, OR = 8.3, p = 0.01).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates a high prevalence of ectoparasites and hemoparasites among silvery mole rats in the Morogoro region. The dominance of mite infestations and significant associations between ticks and blood parasites highlight the potential role of mole rats as reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens. Further molecular studies are warranted to characterize these parasites and evaluate their public health implications.