title: Environmental characteristics and prevalence of birth defects among children in post-war Iraq: implications for policies on rebuilding the Iraqi education system.
abstract: This article explores the relationship between the prevalence of 'birth defects' and environmental characteristics, and considers implications for targeting resources to establish the educational inclusion of children affected. A household survey in four governorates across Iraq in 2010, conducted under the auspices of CARA, achieved interviews with 6032 households and collected data on more than 10,000 children and young people. Analyses suggested an association between reported presence of potential sources of contamination in local environments from human and domestic waste, and to some extent from naturally occurring contaminants and the detritus of warfare, with higher numbers of resident children having 'birth defects'. Children living in Basra were found to be most significantly impacted. This finding adds to a growing literature on associations between potential sources of environmental contaminants and impact on the health of children living in affected localities,
authors.affiliation: School of Education, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. alison.alborz@manchester.ac.uk
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alborz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D057191:Capacity Building; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D047830:Gulf War; D006306:Health Surveys; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007493:Iraq / Q000453:epidemiology; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012574:Schools / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology