Showing 11 results for Aflatoonian
Mr Aflatoonian,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (21 2007)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Drug abuse and addiction is one of the four major crises in the world. The first step in combating any disease or social problem is proper organization. The aim of this case-control study was comparing the distribution of blood groups between healthy blood donors and clients of drug rehabilitation clinics in the city of Bam.
Methods: In this case-control study, cases were 249 drug users attending the city's rehabilitation clinic. Controls included 360 healthy blood donors at the headquarters of the Blood Transfusion Organization in Bam. We extracted and analyzed data on demographic characteristics, blood group and RH, using the software package SPSS.
Results: This study showed that the AB blood type is more common in drug addicts than in healthy blood donors.
Conclusions: Many studies have reported that an association between ABO blood groups/ RH and various health outcomes such as infections and non-infectious diseases as well as mental and social problems. Our study showed that there is a significant relationship between drug addiction, AB blood type, and negative RH. It therefore seems that genes play a role in the tendency towards addiction. This investigation may be valuable in the sense that it may prompt further research in fields such as genetic, immunology and other related disciplines.
I Sharifi, F Zamani, Mr Aflatoonian, Ar Fekri,
Volume 4, Issue 1 (22 2008)
Abstract
Background & objective: In Iran, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) as a health problem is increasing and presenting two epidemiological forms Zoonotic CL (ZCL) and anthroponotic CL (ACL). The objective of the present study was to introduce the CL epidemic in Baft district, Kerman province.
Methods: This study was conducted in 3 villages Soltanabad, Vakilabad and Shahmaran as a census between spring and autumn of 1998 in Orzoeihe region, Baft district. Various epidemiological aspects of this epidemic including prevalence and related demographic factors, diagnosis by direct smears, identification of the causative species by immunological and biological methods were determined.
Results: Population of the 3 villages was 13721 mean 21.8±13.9 years, 50.7% males and 49.3% females.. The prevalence rate of 12.3% with mean age of 16.3±12.1 years were infected. Most of the cases were in 10-20 years of age and in Soltanabad (30.6%). The mean number of lesions was 2.58, majority with ≥2 lesions, frequently located on the legs and hands. No previous history of CL scar were observed. All 100 IFAT, 30 ELISA tests and 18 inoculated mice showed L.major as the overall causative agent.
Conclusions: This is the first epidemic of CL occurred in the southern villages of Baft district with high severity in all age and sex groups in a new agricultural region. Probably the source of infection was the new comers who arrived the region from endemic areas for agricultural purposes and infecting the gerbils. Thus, this new agricultural development has created an extraordinary suitable condition for propagation of rodents and sand fly populations, then the occurrence of the new epidemic in rural residence, consequently.
R Abbasi, Mr Aflatoonian , B Aflatoonian , L Ranjbar ,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (11 2010)
Abstract
Background & Objective: Population-based unit research in urban areas utilze possible commmunity-based researches in oder to empower people to have a healthy life. In order to achive this goal this study carried out to prirotise the common health problems from the point of view of experts and habitants in Kerman population-based research center in 2007.
Methods: Cluster sampling was employed and an standard questionnaire was completed by participants.
Results: A population with total of 1289 persons from 324 family were included in this survey. The mean of age 26.8 ± 19.2. Fifty one percent were male and 15.7% had college education, 3.8% were illiterate, 35.8% were housewife or unemployed. Near seven percent had at least a chronic disease in their family. Most complaint of health environment were shooting garbage and stray dogs (48.7% and 42.5%). Unemployment and inflation were most worrying issues from people point of view (85% and 24%).
Conclusions: It is concluded that to allow people to participate in decision making for any health promotion program is very important and it should be taken into account by health policy makers.
Mr Aflatoonian, I Sharifi, L Ranjbar,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (22 2010)
Abstract
Background & objectives: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an endemic disease in district of Bam. It has created considerable concerns by people and health authorities. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of the earthquake and costs of prevention on CL prevalence after earthquake
Methods: This research is based on a natural intervention, in which the information related to the costs and prevalence of CL were collected and analyzed three years after the earthquake (2006-2008) and then compared with similar data three years before the earthquake (2000-2002) as control group.
Results: the earthquake increased the CL prevalence approximately 5.2 fold, although the cost of prevention had no significant effect on control of disease. The average cost of prevention was determined to be two US dollars per capita during the years after the earthquake. It figures up an overall estimation of 600000 US dollars for the three years after the earthquake. Meanwhile the cost of prevention before the earthquake was determined less than 5% comparing to after earthquake.
Conclusions: The findings of this cost-analysis showed that the current and conventional methods of CL prevention seem not useful. It could be concluded that current preventive measures such as spraying and impregnated bed nets particularly in natural disasters would have no effect on control of disease. Further researches are needed to find out the best method of prevention of CL disease. At present, it seems that early case-finding and prompt treatment of cases would be a proper method to control anthropometric CL .
Mr Aflatoonian, I Sharifi,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (11 2011)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one the major health problem in tropical and sub– tropical countries. Bam district in Iran is an old focus of anthroponotic CL (ACL). The aim of this survey was to assess the prevalence rate of CL by case– finding, treatment of cases and training of primary school children in the city and suburb of Bam in 2010.
Methods: All school children in three levels (18501 children) were included. Children were physically examined for presence of sores or scars. Suspected cases were referred to the center for cutaneous leishmaniasis control (CCLC) for diagnosis and the CL positive children were treated, accordingly. School children were trained and also educational and informative pamphlets were given to their parents.
Results: After initial physical examination ,117 suspected school children (6.9%) were referred to the CCLC and 48 children (28 per 10000) diagnosed as CL patients, comprising of 19 females (39.5%) and 29 males (60.5%). Fifteen (31.2%) school children were identified as lupoid leishmaniasis, failure to treatment or non – healing cases.
Conclusion: The prevalence rate was decreased about 18– fold as compared to the previous investigation in 2005. Establishment of the CCLC, active case– finding and subsequent treatment, seem to be a successful model for controlling CL in the endemic countries.
Mr Aflatoonian, I Sharifi, A Nadim, B Aflatoonian,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (3-2014)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Bam is one of the old CL centers and this study aimed to determine and compare the period prevalence among its population and housing units in two periods of 1990-92 and 2010-2012.
Methods: In this descriptive–analytical study, data were collected in the questionnaires through door-to-door visits environmental hygiene, and inquiring the history of the CL disease. A questionnaire was completed for each household, the data were analyzed using SPSS software and t- and X2 tests. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The prevalence rates in the periods 1998-1999 and 2010-2012 were 10.3% and 2.1%, in the study population and 33.6% and 5.5% in the residential units in the period of the last 3 years, respectively with a very significant difference (P<0.0001). The environmental hygiene of the houses in terms of vector breeding was significantly lower in the period 1990-1992 than 2010-2012 (P<0.0001). The mean score of environmental hygiene was 11.5 and 16.6 out of 20 during the two periods, respectively.
Conclusion: According to the results of this study, urban CL is extremely reflective of the environmental changes and probably the best preventive measure is to improve the environmental hygienic conditions in and around the households. Public participation and commitment of the health authorities in this regard could be an important measure for planning preventive programs.
M Baniasadi, Mr Aflatoonian, R Rooholamini, B Aflatoonian, R Abbasi,
Volume 10, Issue 1 (Vol 10, No 1 2014)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Numerous factors are effective in the improvement of patients undergoing surgery in terms of preventing relapse or need for repeated treatment during 6 months after the surgery. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting improvement of patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer using a logistic regression model.
Methods: In this study information of 150 patients were extracted from the surgical records of patients underwent surgery at the Cancer Institute of Tehran Imam Khomeini Hospital. Data were analyzed through SPSS software and using logistic regression models .
Results: Of 150 studied patients, 18 patients (12%) were not fully recovered while 132 (88%) had complete remission. The mean age of the patients was 43 ± 7.5 years, 92.8% were married, and 87.3% had children. According to the results, the odds of non recovery increased by 1.26 times with each one-year increase in age, 5.3 times with each one lymph node involvement, and 8.67 times in the case of metastasis. Other variables, such as marital status, number of children, tumor size, and location of the metastasis showed no significant relationship.
Conclusion : The Results showed that age at diagnosis, due to its relationship with metastases and number of involved lymph nodes can be directly or indirectly affect the outcome. Therefore, increasing the women's awareness about breast cancer seems to be necessary for early diagnosis which requires planning a sufficient screening program by health policy makers of the country.
Mr Aflatoonian, M Khalili, M Rahanjam, B Aflatoonian,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (Vol 11, No.4, Winter 2016 2016)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Q fever is a zoonosis with a worldwide distribution; this disease is a public health concern in many countries. The aim of this study was to determine the association between risk factors with Q fever seropositivity among veterinarians and vet staff in Southern Khorasan.
Methods: Questionnaires were prepared and 92 blood samples were obtained from all veterinary staff in the South Khorasan (East of Iran). The serum samples were tested with an indirect ELISA kit (anti body phase II); then, SPSS version 19.0 was employed to analyze the data using descriptive statistics and a confidence interval of 95%, chi-square test, and logistic regression.
Results: The results showed that 50 serum samples (54.35%) were positive and the results of data analysis with logistic regression indicated an association between seropositivity and contact with animal secretions and abortive materials. There was no correlation between seroprevalence and age, gender, work experience, education, use of unpasteurized dairy products, knowledge of disease, and clinical findings.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study showed a high seropositivity rate among vet staff which indicates that further attention should be paid to this disease in these groups.
Mr Aflatoonian, I Sharifi, Mr Shirzadi, B Aflatoonian,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (Vol 12, No.1 2016)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is restricted to humans; thus, prompt diagnosis and early treatment are significant measures to control the disease. This study was conducted to determine the effect of direct active case- detection and early treatment on the control of ACL in Bam District.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study was performed based on intervention and nonintervention. After the 2003 earthquake, an equipped treatment center was established to actively detect CL cases following the CL epidemic. This intervention was carried out in 2007 and the suspected cases were referred to the center for diagnosis and treatment Another comparable CL treatment center was selected as the control in Kerman. The recorded data of the patients were analyzed with statistical tests at p<0.05.
Results: The incidence rate steadily increased to 30% from 2003 to 2007 whereas the incidence gradually decreased to 1% after the intervention. However, by contrast, the incidence rate increased significantly in the control area. The treatment failure and relapse rate of ACL showed no significant difference with the control group before and after the intervention. The effectiveness of the intervention was calculated to be 85%.
Conclusion: Active case-detection and early treatment of ACL could be an effective measure in controlling ACL, particularly during epidemics. Lessons learned from the 2003 Bam earthquake could be used as a suitable model for ACL endemic areas, nationally and globally.
Mr Aflatoonian, I Sharifi, M Zeinali, M Bamorovat, B Aflatoonian,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (Vol 12, No 2 2016)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a public health problem in Iran and Kerman Province which is expanding to new foci. This study was conducted to estimate the incidence of CL by a simple and cost – effective method in a major focus of CL in the city of Kerman, southeastern Iran.
Methods: A combination of two longitudinal and cross – sectional studies was performed. First, the frequency of referred patients to the CL treatment clinic in 2009-2014 was assessed. Then, four highly infected zones consisting of 800 households in the city were selected. In addition, the relative proportions of referred and non – referred subjects were assessed. Eventually, the incidence of CL was calculated by dividing the number of CL cases over the total at risk population for the corresponding period (2009-2014).
Results: The mean annual incidence was 175 per 100000 (943 patients) in the city of Kerman, while it was 500 per 100000 people (0.5%) in the new foci. The highest CL infection was observed among the <25-year-old individuals but there was no significant difference between the sexes.
Conclusion:The incidence rate probably increased significantly following the 2003 Bam earthquake because of the migration of CL patients to southern, eastern, and northeastern areas of the city of Kerman. Since only 50% of the cases were passively referred to the CL treatment clinic, health authorities should actively detect CL cases by house – to – house visit for effective treatment strategies.
Mr Aflatoonian, A Nadim, I Sharifi, M Bamorevat, S Tajik, M Hashemian, R Abasi Rayeni, R Shabanzadeh, B Aflatoonian,
Volume 15, Issue 3 (Vol.15, No.3 2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the health problems in Iran, especially in Kerman Province. The aim of this study was to determine the morbidity rate of CL in two new foci in the east and southeast of Kerman.
Methods: At the end of 2017, demographic data were obtained from the health centers of Kerman. Using cluster sampling, 800 households (40 clusters of 20 households) were studied in Allahabad (southeast) and Sarasiab (east), Keramn. From each subject, data were collected regarding age, sex, number and location of the ulcer(s), scarring, and time and place of infection. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: The prevalence of CL was 9.6 in Allahabad and 42.8 in Sarasiab and the incidence (new cases) was 3.2 and 3.8, respectively. The highest rate of infection was found in Allahabad in the age group under 6 years old and in the Sarasiab was over 40 years old. There was a significant difference in nationality and local transmission between the rwo regions (P <0.001).
Conclusion: The ratio of the prevalence to incidence in two regions showed that the focus in the east of Kerman was almost 12 years old, whilst a new focus is developing in the southeast. It is suggested that the health centers in the city of Kerman provide a regular program including active case- detection and free-of-charge treatment of patients in the aforementioned areas until complete recovery to achieve disease control.
