Iranian Journal of Epidemiology

Using Bayesian Multilevel Modeling for Determining the Relationship between Shift work and Blood Pressure during a Retrospective longitudinal Study

A Kazemnejad

Background and Objectives: Since there is inconsistency reports in relationship between shift work (SW) and blood pressure (BP), therefore we aimed to show any association between SW and BP by using of Bayesian Multilevel Modeling, which is a reliable method for this type of analysis.
Methods: The profiles of 4145 workers in Polydactyl Iran Corporation were examined in historical cohort between 1996 until 2008. All relevant analysis was performed by Win Bugs software.
Results: Approximately 98 percent of study population was male. Of total 1886 (45.5%), 307(7.4%), 1952 (47.1%) of participation were day worker, two rotation shift worker and three rotation shift worker respectively. After controlling confounding factors, there was no significant relationship with Systolic BP (P=0.911) and Diastolic BP (P=0.278).
Conclusion: In general, the results of our historical cohort study do not support a relationship between SW and BP. We suggest multi center and prospective cohort studies with controlling more confounding factors in this area.

Estimating of Population Attributable Fraction of Unauthorized Speeding and Overtaking on Rural Roads of Iran

H Soori

Background & Objectives: In the chain of vehicles, human and environment, the human factors are the most complex element in the causes of road traffic injuries (RTIs). Unauthorized speeding and overtaking are considered as the main human factors resulting RTIs. This study estimated the population attributablefraction of two human factors, the most common risk factors of rural roads, of RTIs.
Methods: To calculate the population attributable risk, the prevalence of unauthorized speeding and overtaking registered in Police data was employed. Effect size related to odds ratio was employed using Logistic regression. Joint effect of related risk factors also calculated and reported. Dasta were taken from national traffic police using the KAM 114 froms.
Results: The percentage of population attributable risk of unauthorized speeding for deaths at crash scene was 20.9 and for injured cases was 16.6. These values were 13.5 and 13.4 for unauthorized overtaking respectively. Corresponding for joint effects the population attributable risk was 31.6 for deaths and 27.8 for injuries.
Conclusion: The results illustrate the importance of speed control and unauthorized overtaking as a priority of RTIs in Iran. It is recommended that related laws and legislations should be pursued more seriously, and followed by more effectively.

Problematic Cyberspace Use and Risk of Depression Disorder Incidence among Adolescents in Yazd

E Masoudnia

Background & Objectives: The etiology of adolescent’s depression is very complex one of variables that has been paid more attention in recent years is using modern communication technology particularly internet. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between problematic cyberspace use and adolescent's depression disorder in Yazd city.
Methods: A total of 535 (218 male and 317 female) high school students were recruited. Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and Child Depression Inventory (CDI) were used to evaluate the presence and severity of problematic internet use and also depression.
Results: Approximately twenty-two percent adolescents (21.7%) met the criteria for problematic cyberspace use. The presence of problematic cyberspace use was significantly associated withdepression, generally (P < 0.01) and its components: Sadness/Somatic Worries (P < 0.01) Negative Self-Image/ pessimism (P < 0.01) self-blame (P < 0.01) lethargy (P < 0.01) and isolation (P < 0.01). Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis showed that problematic cyber use, explained for 23.7% of the variance of depression.
Conclusion: Problematic cyber use is a powerful risk factor for adolescent's mood health and increase the risk of depression disorder among adolescents. Therefore, in order to prevention of negative effects of problematic cyber use on adolescents mood health, behavioral and cognitive interventions to change cyberspace use pattern is seems necessary.

Outbreak Investigation of Brucellosis in an Industrial Dairy Cattle Farm in Isfahan Province-Iran

AR Bahonar

Background & Objectives: Prevention and control of brucellosis in animals is the main route of its prevention in human. After detecting a brucellosis outbreak in an industrial dairy cattle farm in Isfahan province in Iran, an epidemiological investigation was carried out to determine prevalence of seropositive cows and incidence rate inorder to eliminate positive couws.
Methods: This study was carried out to determine abortion rates in caws. RBPT, SAT and 2ME serologic tests were used for detecting infected cows and Brucella agar for isolation of bacteria. Data analysis was performed by Chi-square test and calculation of cumulative incidence ratio.
Results: Of total 1395 female cows above 4 months age, 706 infected animals were found during investigation (March-December 2011). Incidence of abortion in infected cows was significantly higher than no infected (34% versus 14%, P<0.05). Culture for 47 milk samples was positive for brucella out of 100 milk samples.
Conclusion: Attention to using reduce dose of RB51 vaccine, controlling of import animal in farm besides biosecurity are the main factors for prevention of similar outbreaks in dairy farms.

Current Evidence on the Adverse Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate used in Bread Processing on Human Health: A Systematic Review

M Yunesian

Background & Objectives: In the last decade, there have been some claims about hazards of Sodium bicarbonate in bread, in public and scientific sites. Currently, the use of sodium bicarbonate in bread processing is forbidden in Iran. Therefore, the present study sought to assess the current evidence on the adverse effects of sodium bicarbonate use from oral route on public health.
Methods: Different databases, including Scopus, Pubmed, and Ovid were searched for hazards of sodium bicarbonate in baking.
Results: Based on this systematic review, there was no study showing any adverse effects of Sodium bicarbonate when used in producing bread. However, we found many studies about the use and medical application of it. The reported adverse effects mostly included gastrointestinal and electrolytes implications at medical doses which are significantly higher than those used in bakery, or some complications due to accidental or excessive oral ingestion of sodium bicarbonate.
Conclusion: Not only was there no evidence on the adverse effects of sodium bicarbonate on public health, but at medical doses, many useful effects were also reported in clinical trial studies. Therefore, it is assumed that the use of Sodium bicarbonate at normal doses does not have any adverse effects on human and can be used for bakery in Iran.

To Identify Self-medication Practice among Medical Students of Tehran University of Medical Science

A Ghiasi

Background & Objectives: There is increasing evidence that self-medication is a widely prevalent practice in many developing countries. It seems a special significance issues among medical students as they are the future medical practitioners. The objective of this study was to assess the level of self-medication and its related factors amongst medical students in Tehran University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among the 600 students of Tehran University of medical science in 2011 year.
Results: The frequency of self-medication in students was 35.7 percent. This was more common in females rather than males. Some reasons for seeking self-medication included Previous illness experience (51/9%), easily access to medications (28/5%) and feeling not important of illness (22/9%).
Conclusion: Our study shows that self-medication is common among medical students in Tehran. In this situation, it is necessary for faculties to create awareness and educate theses students regarding advantages and disadvantages of self-medication.

Investigation of Frequency and Risk Factors of Macrosomia in Infants of Asali Hospital of Khoramabad City

M Mardani

Background & Objectives: Macrosomia is a term applied to newborns with a birth weight more than of 4000 gr which cause different maternal and neonatal complications. Several risk factors has been known for macrosomia. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the frequency and evaluate of risk factors of macrosomia in Asalian hospital of Khorramabad in 2010.
Methods: This study was undertaken in Khorramabad, Iran. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire containing 10 variables as the risk factors of macrosomia. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software.
Results: 59 cases of macrosomia were found in 500 living births, and the frequency of macrosomia was 11.8%. Also, 69.5% of the neonates were male and 30.5% were female. Maternal risk factors were mother's age at pregnancy, mother's obesity (BMI>=30), weight gain more than 18 kg during pregnancy, history of diabetes mellitus, history of macrosomia, prolonged gestational age, and multiparity (parity>=5). There was no significant relationship between mother's job and macrosomia.
Conclusion: The prevalence of macrosomia in Khorramabad was high (11.8%). Preventing pregnancy in mothers over 35 years of age by contraception ways, preventing maternal obesity before pregnancy, and control of blood glucose during pregnancy by suitable diet and insulin therapy are recommended to prevent macrosomia.

Epidemiology of Scorpionism in southwest, Iran, 2008

M Entezariasl

Background & Objectives: The scorpionism is one of the important public health problem in several parts of the world becauseeither incidence or severity of envenomations is high and managed with difficulty by health services. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and demographic information among humans stung by scorpion in Ramhormoz, Iran.
Methods: In this analytic-descriptive study relevant information were gathered from Imam Khomeini hospital in Ramhormoz, from April 2007 to April 2008.
Results: There were 3799 scorpion victims, 56% were from rural areas. Approximately 20 percent of the sting cases occurred in the month of July (the height temperature in this region). Near 50 percent of victims were between 11-30 years. Most of the stings were seen in exposed extremities (78.4%) mainly in the lower limbs (40.5%). Stings mainly occurred at night between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m (44.3%). The scorpions’ spices were, 53.9% yellow, 12.5% black and 34.6% unknown colors, respectively. The median time from sting to admission to the emergency room (patient delay) was 1.5 hour.
Conclusion: It is suggested that informing people with educational campaign about the importance of receiving prompt attention following a scorpion sting has potential value in reducing complications in the emergency room. We would advise that public awareness and physician readiness combined with the availability of effective antivenom significantly reduced lethality in this region.