Iranian Journal of

Background and Objectives: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is one of major contagious animal. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the determinants associated with FMD occurrence in farms.

Methods: A case- control study was carried out in cattle farms.  The cases were farms with new reports of FMD and controls were units without any report of FMD in last 6 month. For assessing the risk factors, a researcher- made questionnaire was used. Statistical analyses were done with SPSS version 16 using the logistic regression test.

Results: Purchase of new livestock [OR: 14.69 (CI95%: 4.29, 50.36)] and passing migratory livestock [OR: 13.32 (CI 95%: 1.74, 101.87) were identified as the risk factors of the disease. Visiting the farm by the vaccinator in last 2 weeks [OR: 0.17 (CI 95%: 0.05, 0.63)] and buying new livestock from the same village/ city where the farm is located [OR: 0.16 (CI 95%: 0.04, 0.58)] were considered as protective factors.

Conclusion: Considering the role of infected livestock in the country, the most important steps for effective preventation are: areadherence to biosecurity as well as quarantining new purchased animals, and informing and training farmers to not purchase new animals from farms that are located in the infected areas and around the times of outbreak.

Background and Objectives: Internet addiction is a social-physiological event with emotional disturbance, depression, and disruption of social relationships. In addition, Internet addiction has a negative effect on the efficacy of the affected people. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Internet addiction in students and graduates of medical sciences.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the sideline of epidemiology, microbiology and pediatric diseases congresses from May to October 2013. The participants included the students and graduates of epidemiology, clinical sciences, and other basic sciences from all medical universities of throughout Iran. The Young’s addiction questionnaire was used to assess Internet addiction.

Results: One hundred and thirty one students and graduates with a mean age 36.1 (±8.4) years participated in this study. The prevalence of mild and moderate Internet addiction was 61.83% (95% CI: 40.53, 70.26) and 26.95% (95% CI: 26.95, 33.56), respectively. None of the participants suffered from severe Internet addiction.

Conclusion: Severe Internet addiction was not observed in our study. However, a high proportion of the participants had mild and moderate Internet addiction. Therefore, many participants may be at risk of severe addiction. It seems that planning for preventive measures, especially in academic groups, is necessary.