Showing 33 results for Miri
Z Mohtasham Amiri, S Reza Zadeh Sadeghi, F Khatibi Bane,
Volume 1, Issue 3 (25 2006)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Ecstasy is a methamphetamine derivative becoming increasingly popular throughout the world, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Iran, situated between eastern and western societies, can serve as a significant source of information on ecstasy use and on the users' profile. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of ecstasy use and high-risk behavior among high school students in Lahidjan.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of a representative sample drawn from high school students of Lahidjan in 2005, using multi-stage stratified random sampling. The study questionnaire was administered to 2345 students in grades 8 through 12. The questionnaire was adapted from that used in "Monitoring the future" projects in the United States and ESPAD (The European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs). It included questions on demographic characteristics, family profile, social contacts, school life and the use of drugs. Data analysis was done with the SPSS software (version11.5), using χ2 tests and logistic regression methods.
Results: Of the 2345 students selected for the study, 2328 (92%) responded. Of these, 1327 (57.8%) were males and 970 (42.2%) were females. Lifetime prevalence of ecstasy use was 2.4% (55 students) 31 subjects had used ecstasy within the past month and 24 students reported using the substance in the preceding year. Ninety-two subjects (4.2%) had experience with other drugs. In χ2 tests, ecstasy use was significantly associated with gender, use of other substances, cigarette smoking, partying with friends, family structure and poor school performance in the past. There was no association with age, type of school (private or public) or the family's education level.
In logistic regression, factors influencing ecstasy use were the use of other drugs, cigarette smoking and partying with friends (p< 0.0001).
Conclusions: Ecstasy use appears to be a serious problem in high schools. Whatever the causes behind the rise in ecstasy use, personalized and informative educational interventions should be organized in all schools.
Azizi A, Amirian F, Amirian M,
Volume 4, Issue 3 (20 2009)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: The youth group is more prone to HIV infection. Education is a cornerstone to prevention. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of peer education and traditional lectureship and distribution of pamphlet on high school students.
Methods: 1500 female high school students, third graders, were selected based on stratified random sampling studying in 21 high schools in Kermanshah. In each high school, 73 third grades were selected as the sample of the study. We designed a questionnaire as an assessment tool for interventions. Peer education was done by 502 students, and AIDS awareness pamphlet was distributed on 500 students, and the rest of students were attended a one-day workshop which was ran by a female physician in their high school.
Results: The mean average age was 16.78 (SD= ± 0.7) years. The mean scores of pretest and post-test in each groups were statistically significant different (P=0.0001). Mean score of difference in workshop by female physician was greater than peer education group, 10.7 and 8.8, respectively. The group whome received their knowledge about AIDS by pamphlet obtained the least mean score than other groups and this was statistically significant (P=0.0001).
Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that educating students by general practitioners is more effective way to increase students’ knowledge about prevention of AIDS.
Aa Ramezani, M Miri, M Hanafi, H Zangooi,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (20 2009)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: vaccination is one of the most important index for disease prevention program. Therefore this study conducted to assess the coverage of vaccination program to identify the delay or disruption of program in 2005 year.
Methods: Health profiles (vaccination card) of children between 15-26 months assessed. We did interview with their mothers as well. This survey was conducted in rural and urban area in southern Khorasan province in Iran during 2005.
Results: The coverage of children and mother's vaccination were 96.7% and 71.1% respectively. The study findings showed that inadequate information about the arrangement of dosage, distance to health centre and feeling the necessity of vaccination were most factors for incomplete converge of vaccination program.
Conclusions: Based on study findings educational program to increase mothers awareness is recommended.
M Khatami, A Ziaie, S Aghamiri, A Ardalan, E Ahmadnejad,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (20 2010)
Abstract
Background & Objective: First aid education constitutes a major priority area for the Iranian Red Crescent. The present study assessed the student volunteers' knowledge of first aid procedures and their attitudes concerning strategies for community education.
Methods: In this survey 5626 volunteers were selected based on a complex sampling design, in 5 different provinces of Iran.
Results: A total of 3581 students (63.7%) had attended the Red Crescent's first aid training courses. The mean knowledge score of the sample was 9.36 out of a maximum of 18 (CI 95%= 9.29-9.43), with only 674 subjects (11.9%) showing a high level of knowledge. Having training prior attending in this course and higher education were statistically significant related with their knowledge score (p<0.05). The mean score of their attitude was 33.60 out of a maximum of 45 (95% CI = 33.41-33.79), and only it was found to be related to previous training (p = 0.04).
Conclusion: IRCS should expand its first aid training for young volunteers. This health educational programs should be supported by multidisciplinary work by governmental organizations such as ministry of education.
A Khorshidi, K Sayemiri,
Volume 6, Issue 4 (16 2011)
Abstract
Background and objective: Participation of community-based services in the National Tuberculosis Control Programme is (NTCP) necessary to identify and treat all patients with tuberculosis (TB). We developed a novel model to encourage family members and relative to participate in the RNTCP in Darahshar city.
Methods: This community-based intervention was included of two groups of community (relatives of patients and schools). They were trained to identify and refer of patients to allocated health centers. Case finding indices were compared initially and one year intervention. The exponential distribution and logarithmic of incidence were used to compare the incidence of tuberculosis after the intervention with other cities of the province.
Results: The incidence of smear positive cases increased from 5.1/100,000 to 35.2/100,000
(p <001). There was a statistically significant difference between incidence of smear positive cases in Darehshar city and other cities in Ilam province (p <001). During the intervention, 408 suspected patients was identified, it showed about 297 percent increased in case finding (cases in the previous year of the intervention were 137 cases) (p <001).
Conclusion: It seems that community-based intervention could be an effective method to enhance of identify and control of patients with tuberculosis.
Ar Bahonar, K Amiri, Hd Akbarin, N Rasoli Beirami, Hr Amiri, F Imani Tabar, Sh Khajeh Nasiri , S Arab Zadeh, V Iranian Veterinary Organization, As Makenali,
Volume 8, Issue 4 (9 2013)
Abstract
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.
A Khorshidi, K Sayehmiri, M Babanejad,
Volume 9, Issue 3 (2-2014)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Suicide has been recognized as a public health concern in all communities. Several factors are contributing to its incidence in developed and developing countries. Purpose of this study is to investigate seasonal patterns of suicide in Ilam province western Iran.
Methods: Data were recruited from a systematic registry of Ilam province between available from 2001–2009. Overall, 3873 suicides were recorded. According to month and season of suicide, data were analyzed using chi-square test and logistic regression.
Results: Among suicide attempters, a peak of suicide occurrence was observed in summer, especially in August. In general, 16% of suicides were completed. The risk of death (OR)due to suicide was significantly greater in winter and March compared to other seasons and months, respectively.
Conclusion: Suicide occurrence varies by month and season and seasonal-related factors such as psychological, environmental and social aspects should be considered for any prevention programs and strategies.
T Amiri Parsa, M Khademosharie, Mr Hamedinia, Ms Azarnive,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (3-2014)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Obesity is associated with increased resistance to insulin, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, and cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate some factors associated with overweight and obesity among normal, overweight, and obese women aged 30 to 50 years from Sabzevar.
Methods: A questionnaire with 56 questions was prepared. The Beck questionnaire was used to measure the physical activity level. Weight, height, and waist circumference of the participants were measured using standard methods. Overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m2), obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m) and abdominal obesity (WHR ≥0.85) were also evaluated. MANOVA, Tukey post-hoc test, Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients, Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square test were used for the statistical analysis of test variables. P ≤0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The results showed that 22.5% of women had normal weight, 42.4 percent were overweight, 31.6 percent were obese, and only 3.5 percent of women were underweight.
Conclusion: Our results showed that the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 74% in women living in Sabzevar, indicating the necessity of using educational methods to familiarize people, especially women, with weight control issues and prevention of obesity. The findings revealed that age, number of children, number of pregnancies, age at menarche, number of family members, working with the computer, and high-fat meals may increase the risk of obesity. Lifestyle modification and physical activity, as the most affordable and safest methods of preventing obesity, require more attention.
Mr Miri, Aa Ramazani, Gh Sharifzadeh, M Bahlgerdi,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (3-2014)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Smoking is a global problem and is the most important cause of death due to non- communicable diseases. This study was conducted to evaluate smoking and its correlates in male students in South Khorasan.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was undertaken in South Khorasan on high school male students. A sample of 2371 cases was selected through cluster multi stage sampling. The data was collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS software using chi-square and logistic regression tests.
Results: The prevalence of smoking was 12.3 per cent (285 cases).The most important motivating factors for smoking for the first time were curiosity, joy. The most important predictors of smoking were hookah consumption, the presence of a smoker in or outside the living place, and a negative attitude to smoking. Working father and education regarding smoking risks were preventive factors.
Conclusion: Special education and public awareness about the risks of smoking and establishment of consultation centers for adolescents can be major steps toward the prevention and control of smoking among students.
H Esmaielzadeh, M Asadi, N Miri, M Keramatkar,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (Vol 10, No.3 2014)
Abstract
Background & Objectives : Health risk behaviors in adolescence, such as alcohol consumption and smoking, can affect both short-term and long-term health. The aim of study was to estimate the prevalence of health risk behaviors among high school students of Qazvin.
Methods : The target population of this descriptive study was all high school students of Qazvin who were enrolled in the 1390-91 academic year. The sample group included 160) 239 girls, 271 boys) students that were selected by randomly multistage sampling. The assessment instrument was the Youth Risk Behaviors Surveillance System (YRBSS) Questionnaire.
Results: Findings indicated that use of hookah was the most popular in girls and boys (59%) as compared with cigarette smoking (32.7%), drug use (7.3%), and alcohol consumption (16.7%). The prevalence of physical violence in and outside the school in one year, carrying weapons to school in a month, cigarette smoking in the school in one month, smoking hookah, and alcohol and opioid use during one month were more frequently observed in boys than girls. The use of the seat belt was more common among girls than boys, and the total prevalence of using the seat belt was 23.7%.
Conclusion : Given the high prevalence of high risk behaviors among high school students, it is necessary to develop a high risk behaviors surveillance system and use the obtained information to devise preventive measures at the individual, school, and family levels.
K Sayehmiri, M Azami, S Nikpey, M Borji, F Sayehmiri ,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (Vol 11, No 3 2015)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: In this regard, in addition to reducing exposure, the most effective way to prevent hepatitis B is vaccination. The coverage of hepatitis B vaccination in the Iranian Health Personnel is reportedly different in various studies and there is not an overall estimate of it. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the immune response to hepatitis B vaccine among Iranian Health Personnel using the meta-analysis method.
Methods: This study was a systematic review of the Iranian databases, including Magiran, Iran Medex, IRANDOC, SID, MEDLIB and international databases, including Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect and the Google Scholar search engine without any time limit to 2015 using standard Persian and English keywords. Searches were conducted by two researchers independently. Meta-analysis was performed using STATA, version 11.1 to combine data through Random Effects Model.
Results: We evaluated 6311 subjects in 21 studies. The history of injection and complete coverage of hepatitis B vaccination in the Health Personnel was 86.9% (CI: 95%, 83-90.7) and 70.3% (CI: 95%, 65.6-75), respectively. The minimum and maximum vaccination coverage were related to the North (52.7%) and West of Iran (87.2%), respectively.
Conclusion: The coverage of hepatitis B vaccination in Iranian Health Personnel is less than European countries, which requires new management strategies and policies to maximize hepatitis B vaccination in high risk professional groups.
K Etemad, A Heidari, K Nadafi, Mh Panahi, E Ahmadnejad, Sh Malekafzali, M Najmi, E Idani, H Amiri, Z Khorami, N Rajaee Behbahani , F Davoodi, S Taravatmanesh, A Malekifar, M Nejatifar, M Lotfi,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (Vol 12, No.1 2016)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Ahvaz has become one of the most polluted cities in the world. Only on 11 November 2013, over one thousand residents in Khuzestan Province attended the nearest health center with severe symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and high blood pressure. During a week, more than 7 thousand patients were registered with this syndrome. This study was conducted to investigate the evidence for the confirmation of an epidemic in acute respiratory syndrome among the residents of Ahwaz in November 2013.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the data of the use of drugs related to acute respiratory attacks from November 2008 to 2013 in Ahvaz. Then, we conducted a descriptive study on the general population. The sample size was 120 and the study participants included different segments of the general population. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire and the data were analyzed using SPSS.18.
Results: The use of the respiratory drugs increased from 2008 to 2013. The drug consumption was markedly higher in November 2013. In the study of the general population, 93% of the participants declared that they had never seen a similar event, and 92.5% mentioned that they had never heard of a similar occurrence.
Conclusion: Due to the significant increase in respiratory medicine in November 2013 and the unexpected nature of the event, an epidemic seems to be obvious.
F Bagheri Amiri , Ar Bahonar, E Mostafavi, Ma Mansournia, N Rasouli , Mh Fallah Mehrabadi, D Abdollahi, Sholepash,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (Vol 12, No.1 2016)
Abstract
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.
Z Boluki , A Bahonar, K Amiri, H Akbarin, H Sharifi, A Akbari Sari, R Partovi,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (Vol.12, No.4 2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Brucellosis in livestock has led to a significant reduction in the economic capital in Iran. Estimation of the economic losses due to this disease helps to highlight the importance of the disease and makes it easy to justify brucellosis control programs.
Methods: Estimation was done based on the data received from the Iran Veterinary Organization and statistics book of the Iranian Ministry of Agriculture. Economic Loss was estimated assuming the equality of the incidence of the disease in total livestock population with its incidence in tested livestock. The direct costs of culled brucella positive animals, reduced milk production, reduced weight of animal, abortion, and reduced fertility were calculated based on the price of the animal or the product in each year. Due to inflation, the costs were adjusted using the discount rate. Therefore, the losses were compared in each year.
Results: The maximum loss due to brucellosis in the studied period occurred in 2014. Comparison of the losses due to bovine and ovine brucellosis showed that the total economic loss in the sheep and goat population was 5.53 times greater than the loss in the cattle population. Estimation of total economic loss in 12 years of the study was 8,129,116 million IRR (1 USD≅35000 IRR).
Conclusion: More serious attention should be paid to animal brucellosis from both health and economic points of view. Prevention from massive economic losses and human brucellosis control and eradication will not be possible without controlling the disease in the animal population.
A Doosti Irani , F Bagheri Amiri , R Khajehkazemi, E Mostafavi,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (Vol 13, No 1, Spring 2017)
Abstract
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.
Me Motlagh, F Torkastani, H Ashrafian Amiri , Sm Rabiee, L Radpooyan, Sd Nasrollahpour Shirvani , Z Hassanzadeh Rostami ,
Volume 13, Issue 4 (VOl 13, No.4, Winter 2018)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Satisfaction of health care recipients is always considered by policy makers and implementers as an indicator of measuring the quality and determining the effectiveness of services. This study aimed to determine the satisfaction of mothers from first level of Iranian network system.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the incidence of maternal mortality in six provinces of Iran in 2015. Twenty-four public health centers were randomly stratified and selected. In each center, 15 to 20 mothers who were covered by prenatal care were examined. The data were collected through a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity and reliability were confirmed, interviews with mothers, and their medical records. SPSS version 17 was used for analysis. P values less than 0.05 were considered significant.
Results: Of 2722 mothers participating in the study, 2187 (80.3%) were satisfied with the condition and facilities of health units and service providers and 535 (19.7%) were dissatisfied. The highest level of satisfaction in mothers was observed in the areas of behavior, complete services, training of health professionals, and adequacy of pharmaceutical products while the lowest level of satisfaction was related to the adequacy of the medical education and the distance between the health unit and home. There was a significant relationship between 16 demographic variables and maternal satisfaction (P<0.05).
Conclusion: This study showed that about one fifth of pregnant mothers are still not satisfied with the first level of network systems in Iran and many factors have an impact on their satisfaction. It is recommended to design and implement interventional programs to increase their satisfaction.
S Setareh, M Zahiri Esfahani , M Zare Bandamiri , A Raeesi, R Abbasi,
Volume 14, Issue 1 (Vol 14, No 1, 2018)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the world and the fourth most common cancer in Iran. It is very important to predict the cancer outcome and its basic clinical data. Due to to the high rate of colon cancer and the benefits of data mining to predict survival, the aim of this study was to survey two widely used machine learning algorithms, Bagging and Support Vector Machines (SVM), to predict the outcome of colon cancer patients.
Methods: The population of this study was 567 patients with stage 1-4 of colon cancer in Namazi Radiotherapy Center, Shiraz in 2006-2011. Three hundred and thirty eight patients were alive and 229 patients were dead. We used the Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Bagging methods in order to predict the survival of patients with colon cancer. The Weka software ver 3.6.10 was used for data analysis.
Results: The performance of two algorithms was determined using the confusion matrix. The accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity of the SVM was 84.48%, 81%, and 87%, and the accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity of Bagging was 83.95%, 78%, and 88%, respectively.
Conclusion: The results showed both algorithms have a high performance in survival prediction of patients with colon cancer but the Support Vector Machines has a higher accuracy.
Gh Moradi, S Vahedi, Kh Rahmani, M Zeinali, E Mostafavi, H Erfani, F Bonakdar, Mkh Ghanbari, B Amiri, E Ghaderi, Mm Gouya,
Volume 15, Issue 2 (Vol.15, No.2 2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Iran has long been considered to be one of the countries in the world with endemic brucellosis. The aim of this study was to review the surveillance system of brucellosis in Iran.
Methods: Data of this study were obtained from the surveillance system of the Center for Communicable Disease Control, the review of records, documents, books and published articles and also interviews with process owners and experts of brucellosis surveillance in 2017-2019.
Results: In the current surveillance system in Iran, all patients with brucellosis will undergo standard treatment for at least 2 months. The patient identified at each site, private or public sector, reports to the health center of the city. After reporting cases to higher levels, city health center carried out required epidemiologic investigation in the place of reported case in collaboration with its environmental levels. Finally, the individual assessment form, epidemiologic investigation form, for reported case is completed and registered in national surveillance database.
Conclusion: Although integration of the brucellosis surveillance program into the health system of the country and reporting and treatment of human cases in accordance with the country's protocol in recent years is well executed, brucellosis control in Iran requires the one health approach. Accordingly, it can be concluded that despite the decrease in the number of brucellosis cases in recent years, the weakness in livestock surveillance has led to many fluctuations in the health system's success in providing surveillance for human cases of brucellosis.
F Amiri , H Sharifi, E Ghorbani , Fs Mirrashidi, M Mirzaee, N Nasiri,
Volume 15, Issue 2 (Vol.15, No.2 2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Congenital hypothyroidism is one of the reasons for mental retardation and premature death of infants. Since identification of the determinants of hypothyroidism plays a significant role in its prevention, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism and to investigate its determinants in newborn infants.
Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of the data of the neonatal congenital hypothyroidism screening program. Hypothyroidism was diagnosed based on the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) level in the heel prick blood samples on the third to fifth day of life. The data of infants born in Jiroft hospitals were collected from Jiroft Health Center and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Poisson regression test.
Results: In this study, 4998 newborns (2450, 49.02% female, 2548, 98 / 50% male) were investigated. The study samples were newborns born from March to March 2016. The prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism was 1 in 135 live births. The prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism was higher in babies born by cesarean section (IRR = 2.2, 95% CI =1.1-4.1), newborns admitted to the NICU (IRR = 4.6, 95% CI=2.4-8.9), and babies with high birth weight (IRR = 5.3, 95% CI =3.5-8.1).
Conclusion: The prevalence of hypothyroidism was higher in this study compared to other studies. Its prevalence was higher in males than in females. Genetic and environmental differences may explain this difference. The prevalence of hypothyroidism was higher in infants born through cesarean section and newborns hospitalized in NICU.
Gh Moradi, Kh Rahmani, P Hemati, H Akbari, F Rezaei, M Dadras, B Amiri, H Erfani, M Soroush, S Darvishi, J Soltani, T Mokhtari Azad , Mm Gouya,
Volume 15, Issue 2 (Vol.15, No.2 2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Iran, like most other countries in the world, is always threatened with global epidemics and pandemics of influenza. The purpose of this study was to review the influenza surveillance system in Iran.
Methods: Data of this study were obtained from the surveillance system of the Center for Communicable Disease Control, the review of records, documents, books and published articles and also interviews with process owners and experts of influenza surveillance in 2017-2019.
Results: Influenza surveillance in Iran Currently, a combination of surveillance methods, including caring for patients, laboratory care, hospital care and surveillance of respiratory disease epidemics and also border surveillance. Reporting of human influenza outbreaks, as well as suspected avian flu as main notifiable diseases carried out through telephone. For each suspect case, in addition to taking and sending a sample to diagnose and also detect subtypes of the virus, medical treatment is immediately initiated and tracking of possible contacts is also done.
Conclusion: Although there is currently good coherence in the surveillance of influenza in Iran, but based on concerns about the emergence of influenza pandemics in the future, and considering the possible genetic variation of the flu viruses, the tracking of the flu virus circulation along with updating surveillance system especially emphasizing methods and formulas for rapid identification of disease outbreaks, as well as providing better health care and treatment is essential.
