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.

Keywords:

• birth defect
• disability
• environment
• armed conflict
• Iraq

Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge the pivotal role played by Kate Robertson at the Council for the Assistance of Refugee Academics (CARA) in coordinating the activities of UK academics and Iraqi research group who conducted the study on which this paper is based. I would like to thank the families who participated in the survey and the many stakeholders who gave their views and experiences. I am grateful for the dedication of the Iraqi fieldworkers and their team leaders who conducted household interviews in challenging circumstances. I am also indebted to my colleagues Dr. Susie Miles from the University of Manchester, and Professor Roger Slee from the Institute of Education, University College London, for their support during this study. Finally, I am grateful to UNICEF and AusAID for the opportunity to conduct this research and contribute to this important redevelopment work.