Iranian Journal of

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Background & Objectives: Recognition of epidemiology of acute myocardial infraction (AMI) in every region could be a need for design the programs for prevention of AMI. In this study we assessed the epidemiology of changes in AMI from 2002-2006 in Birjand(east of Iran).
Methods: All of the patients which hospitalized by AMI diagnosis from 2002-2006 years, included in this study. We compared mean of age, gender, location of living, medications used, condition at discharge and cardiac risk factors in this period.
Results: From 1233 patients, 880 were male (71.4%). Overall, mean age of patients was 62/2±12/8 years and in five years was increased (from 61.7±13/2 in 2002 to 63.5±12/4 in 2006 & p=0.37). The most risk factors in patients were: Hypertension (HTN) (34/8%) ,cigarette smoking (32/1%) & dyslipidemia (24%). These risk factors did not show any significantly changes during 5 years. But the the prevalence of HTN (30/9% in 2002 to 38% in 2006, p=0/62) and DM (15/5% in 2002 to 21% in 2006, p=0/23) raised. Cardiac drugs use tended to increase during 5 years, however only this increase about STK & Statin was statistically significant. The hospital mortality rate was decreased in 5 years (11.3%) but it was not statistically significant (p= 0.48).
Conclusions: Regarding the accelerating the rate of AMI, designing an appropriate prograrme for prevention and modifying cardiac risk factors is recommended.

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Background and Objectives: Preterm birth (PTB) is a major clinical problem which is known to be associated with perinatal mortality and morbidity. The aim of the present study is to identify risk factors associated with PTB in Birjand, Iran.
Methods: One hundred and thirty premature (<37 week) and 130 term newborns were enrolled in this case-control study. It was conducted in Birjand Hospitals during the year 2007. Potential risk factors such as type of delivery, maternal disease, placenta problems, previous history of abortion in mothers, maternal addiction, prenatal care were identified from medical files.
Results: Previous of premature labor (OR=4.68), cesarean section (OR=3.34), pre-eclampsia (OR=7.72), premature rupture of memberanes (OR=11.3), inadequate prenatal care (<4 one) (OR=4.15), and placenta previa (OR=8.96) were found to be risk factors for preterm birth. Polyhydramnios, previous abortion and cervical incompetent with prematurity were not shown to be risk factors for preterm birth.
Conclusion: These findings reinforce the need for control of risk factors of prematurity for better out come.

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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.

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  Background & Objectives : Migraine is the most common type of headache in children. Over 30% of patients have disabilities, so early detection and timely treatment is necessary to prevent attacks, increase learning, and prevent absenteeism. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of migraine in children.

  Methods: In this cross - sectional study with two-stage stratified random cluster sampling the International Headache Society (IHS) for migraine diagnosis and (PedMIDAS) questionnaire were completed through interviews with the students’ parents. Data was analyzed with SPSS software and chi-square test.

  Results : Of 1117 children with a mean age of 41.1 ± 9 years, 551 (49.3) were female and 556 (50.7) were male of whom 185 (56.16%) had a headache and 40 (2.16%) had migraine. Most of the time, the pain started on the first day of the week with a moderate intensity. Aggravating factors were physical activity and stress, and alleviating factors were sleeping and resting. The pain was bilateral and was accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The mean number of headache attacks in the past three months was 8.85± 7.65 which lasted for a mean duration of 6.38 ± 8.02 hours with a mean interval of 24.70± 26.21days.

  The frequency of migraine in children by age and sex were not significantly different. More than of the children had a positive family history but were not visited by the doctor. About 79.37% of the students had first degree disability, %54.10 had second degree disability, %9.05 had third degree disability, and % 1.04 had fourth degree disability.

  Conclusion: Given the increasing prevalence of migraine with age and the risk of chronic diseases and individual and social impairment, it is important to prevent headache attacks through early identification and moderation of the aggravating factors and education of non-medical preventive methods.