O Garkaz, Hr Mehryar, Hr Khalkhali, Sh Salari Lak ,
Volume 16, Issue 2 (8-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Traffic accidents are a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide. This study was conducted to determine the days of disability and severity of injuries caused by traffic accidents in patients admitted to Imam Khomeini Hospital, Urmia in 2016.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 1705 traffic accident victims admitted to Imam Khomeini Hospital, Urmia in 2016. Data were collected using a checklist containing demographic information, accident, severity of injury, and days of disability along with a telephone follow-up after 3 months upon return to work or school. The ISS (Injury Severity Score) was categorized from 1 to 6 according to the experts’ opinions.
Results: The results showed that 1231 subjects (72.1%) were male and the mean and SD age of the participants was 33.63 (30.00) years. Moreover, 77 (0.04%) of the subjects died and 593 (42.5%) resumed a normal life after two months. The mean time to resuming a normal life was 86.78 (24.104) days. Most of the subjects had mild limb injury, while the majority of the deaths had life-threatening injuries.
Conclusion: In this study, most of the victims were male, married, young, and concerned about financial compensation. The majority of the deceased had life-threatening injuries requiring vital measures to return to work quickly.
Z Shateri Amiri , Ss Hoseini, L Jarahi,
Volume 16, Issue 2 (8-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Clinical trials are used extensively in the compilation of systematic review studies and clinical guidelines. Critical appraisal of articles is a part of systematic review writing and also effective in citation. This study aimed to evaluate quality of randomized clinical trial articles of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences with consideration report of randomized, blindness, and allocation concealment methods in them.
Methods: In this study, all randomized clinical trials with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences affiliation indexed in PubMed by 2018 were evaluated.
Results: Of 257 eligible articles, dentistry (n=44 , 17.1%) , obstetrics and gynecology (n=28 , 10.9%) and internal medicine (n=23 , 8.9%) had the highest relative frequency of published randomized clinical trial articles. Eithy-three articles (32.3%) reported the randomization method and most of them (86.9%) used simple randomization. Blinding was done in 138 papers (53.7%) with double blinding being the most common (70.2%). Only three articles (1.2%) reported allocation concealment.
Conclusion: The report of "random allocation and randomization" in articles was far less than acceptable. It may seem that there may be different biases in the methodology. Upholding the principles of scientific writing and avoiding errors and biases increase the validity of the scientific articles and citation, which is one of the criteria of the scientific ranking of top universities.
Hr Bahrami Taghanaki , E Mosa Farkhani , R Eftekhari Gol , P Bahrami Taghanaki , S Bokaei, A Taghipour, B Beygi,
Volume 16, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Diabetes is considered as one of the most common endocrine disorders worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with diabetic complications.
Methods: A case-control study was performed on the data of 70089 diabetic patients (4622 cases and 53613 controls) extracted from the SINA Electronic Health Record (SinaEHR®) in a population covered by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in 2018. The effect of independent variables on the likelihood of diabetic complications was investigated using single-variable and multivariate logistic regression models with the control of the potential confounding effects.
Results: Using the multivariate logistic regression, the odds of developing diabetic complications were 0.35 (0.31-0.38) for living in the city, 0.73(0.67-0.79) for living in the suburbs and 0.31(0.28-0.33) for living in rural areas relative to the metropolises, 0.84 (0.78-0.91) for illiterate subjects, 0.70 (0.66-0.75) for physical activity, 1.51(1.34-1.71) for stage 1 hypertension and 1.87 (1.43-2.44) for stage 2 hypertension relative to normal blood pressure, 0.79(0.74-0.85) for uncontrolled low density lipoprotein and 1.42(1.33-1.51) for uncontrolled hemoglobin A1C.
Conclusion: Various risk factors were identified to increase the odds ratio of diabetic complications. The most important risk factors were uncontrolled glycosylated hemoglobin and stage 1 and 2 hypertension. Control of these factors can reduce the chance of diabetic complications in diabetic patients.
R Moradzadeh, M Jamalian, M Zamanian,
Volume 16, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
COVID-19 has now turned into a global crisis affecting all sections of economy and investment. Many interventions have been applied to control the COVID-19 epidemic. It seems that these measures and plans need to be assessed in the coming weeks and months to determine whether or not they have been effective. Each of these interventions started in their appropriate time during the epidemic; some of them are still in progress and some have been lifted. Nevertheless, improved public knowledge, attitude, and practice has played the most important role in controlling the COVID-19 epidemic. Future studies should take into account such interventions.
E Ghaderi, J Hassanzadeh, A Rezaianzadeh, M Nasehi, H Barati, Mr Bazrafshan , F Mazooji, M Ghorbanian, N Ghavidel, S Razi,
Volume 16, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: A great number of tuberculosis (TB) patients present to the private sector to receive care; therefore, integrating TB control programs into private sector activities can enhance the control of TB. The Public-Private Mix (PPM) program is suggested by the World Health Organization to engage the private sector in TB control programs. In this study, a plan designed for PPM was piloted Karaj, Alborz Province, Iran.
Methods: In this community trial, pre-intervention assessment covered 18 months prior to the study. The intervention was a PPM package that was integrated into the health system by Karaj County Health Center. Then, three-month post-intervention data were collected. Analysis was performed with the SPSS 16 software using chi-square test.
Results: After the intervention, there was an increase of 40.7% in suspected cases of TB per month and an increase of 101.7% in smear positive TB cases diagnosed by Karaj laboratories. The ratio of smear positive cases to all suspected TB patients was 4.57% before and 6.56% after the intervention. The percentage of three sputum sample positive patients was 75.5% and 89.9% before and after the intervention, respectively.
Conclusion: The developed PPM program markedly improved the case detection; therefore, it is suggested to fix the potential defects of the program and implement it in all parts of the country.
H Soori, T Yousefinezhadi,
Volume 16, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) has the third highest road traffic fatality rate in the world. This article evaluates the epidemiology of road injuries and some of its main control factors in Iran and compares them with other countries of the EMR.
Methods: This study was conducted to analyze and compare traffic injuries resulting in mortality using secondary data. Data from 175 countries and 19 members of the EMR were analyzed in this study. A review study was designed to provide policy options to improve the status of the measures.
Results: Mortality from traffic injuries in the region according to road users was 39% for four-wheelers, 34% for pedestrians, 15% for two-wheelers, 2% for cyclists and 10% for other users. The traffic-related mortality rate was higher for users of four-wheel motorcycles and pedestrians in the EMR compared to the global average. Moreover, deaths from traffic injuries in users of four-wheel vehicles and two-wheelers in Iran were higher than the regional average.
Conclusion: Although Iran and EMR member states have implemented some important preventive measures recommended by the World Health Organization, significant efforts are still needed to optimize the enforcement of existing road safety laws. Sufficient attention should be paid to the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists that comprise about 50% of all road traffic fatality.
F Najafi, Gh Moradi, M Mohamadi Bolbanabad , S Rezaei, R Safari Faramani , B Karami Matin , B Piroozi, S Darvishi, T Mohamadi, Sh Amiri Hoseini, B Zarei, A Azadnia,
Volume 16, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: On 12 November 2017, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 on the Richter scale occurred in Kermanshah Province. Explaining the challenges and needs of the victims in such circumstances can be an important source of information for future planning and better management of such conditions. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explain the challenges and needs of the earthquake victims.
Methods: This study was a qualitative study. Twenty-nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with managers, policymakers, and health and emergency relief providers in earthquake areas, and 10 focused group discussions were held with earthquake victims from December to February 2016. The data were analyzed using conventional content analysis.
Results: The needs and challenges in Kermanshah earthquake were classified into three periods after the earthquake: 1. Challenges and needs in the first few days with three sub-categories including management, rescue services, and urgent care, 2- Challenges and needs in the first few weeks after the earthquake with three sub-categories including housing and emergency assistance, public health services, and access to health care; and 3. Needs and challenges in several months after the earthquake with four sub-categories including economic, social, infrastructural and health service needs.
Conclusion: Lack of unity of command was the main challenge in this earthquake. Another point was the health needs of victim earthquakes over time. Therefore, dispatching of aid forces to the affected areas during natural disasters should be based on planning and needs.
M Karami, A Doosty Irani, Sj Battaei, L Rafati, M Javaheri, M Kheir Andish , M Farhadi, M Hashemi, K Mozafari, A Akhlagh, M Shojaeian, Ar Maleki, R Rostam Abadi , Sh Torkshavand, M Khodabakhshi,
Volume 16, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Water and foodborne diseases are major causes of mortality worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting an gastroenteritis outbreak in Hamadan county in summer of 2019.
Methods: This study was performed based on the outbreak investigation process. After producing hypotheses based on preliminary field studies, a case-control study was conducted on 45 cases and 45 controls to investigate the factors associated with the outbreak. New cases of the disease were included according to the case definition. A logistic regression model was used to investigate potential risk factors.
Results: A total of 171 people were affected in this outbreak from 25 June 2019 to 01 July 2019. The at-risk population in this outbreak was 3410 individuals. The attack rate was 5.1%. Abdominal pain, vomiting, and nausea were the most common symptoms with a prevalence of 77.8%, 73.3% and 68.9%, respectively. The results of the case-control study showed that the consumption of tap and spring/well water increased the odds of disease by 4.63 and 4.13 times compared to boiled water, although these relationships were not statistically significant. The odds of diseases were significantly lower in people aged 30-45 years and 46-85 years compared people aged 15 years old and younger.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the outbreak was related to contaminated water consumption. Therefore, regular monitoring of drinking water status is very important for the local health system.
H Soori, T Yousefinezhadi,
Volume 16, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Violence and aggressive behaviors are major risk factors for traffic accidents. The drivers' attitudes and behaviors can also be influenced by personality traits. The purpose of this research was to identify the relationship between violent behaviors in driving and personality traits.
Methods: In this study, a 20-item researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data related to violence and the revised 60-item Neo Personality Inventory was used to collect data about personality traits including extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness. Psychometric evaluation was performed for data collection tools from September to January 2018. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric statistical analysis including Mann-Whitney and Kruskal were used to analyze the data.
Results: In this study, 87.3% of the participants were male and 12.7% were female. The mean age of the participants was 42 years. The dominant personality trait was conscientiousness among the drivers (30.2%). The results showed a significant correlation between the degree of violence and neuroticism (P= 0.02). Based on regression analysis, 19% of violence could be explained based on the personality trait.
Conclusion: Neuroticism can potentially indicate driving behavior and the degree of violence. Therefore, it is essential to predict the drivers’ behaviors to improve road safety. It can provide useful information regarding road safety interventions for road users to target drivers who are more exposed to undesirable driving behaviors.
F Varse, Sh Rimaz, Y Moradi,
Volume 16, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Randomized clinical trials are the gold standard for evaluating the effectiveness and safety of medical interventions. Some unpredictable challenges may affect the results of these studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the challenges of clinical trial studies in different stages including design, conduct, analysis, and reporting.
Methods: This study was a qualitative study using content analysis performed from 2017 to 2019. The study population included 13 clinical trial experts who were selected through purposeful sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with all subjects. Data saturation was achieved after 13 interviews.
Results: Among the 4 steps of design, conduct, analysis, and reporting, the majority of the challenges were related to conducing randomized clinical trials. Lack of knowledge of researchers, subjects, sponsors and physicians and supervisory and ethical challenges were the main challenges related to performing these studies. Poor design and lack of clinical equipoise were considered as the main challenges in the design step. Inappropriate analytical methods due to the absence of statistician in these studies were considered as the most common challenge related to analysis. Finally, lack of familiarity with international guidelines was the most important challenge in reporting.
Conclusion: There are many challenges in different steps of clinical trial studies. Therefore, additional education sessions focusing on the related guidelines and standards as well as GCP workshops for researchers can be helpful.
R Bayrami, R Latifnejad Roudsari ,
Volume 16, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The results of cohort studies could be used in evidence-based medicine in case they have a good quality and robust methodology. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the quality of cohort studies investigating preconception risk factors of gestational diabetes.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the cohort studies investigating the preconception risk factors of gestational diabetes during 2008-2018 indexed in PubMed, Scopus and Science Direct were searched. Keywords used for search included cohort study, pre pregnancy, preconception, risk factor and gestational diabetes. Out of 312 retrieved articles, 26 were critically appraised using the STROBE checklist. The maximum and minimum score that each article could obtain was 34 and 0, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.
Results: Of 26 articles that were reviewed, the overall agreement rate with STROBE was 78.8%. Of these, 18 articles (69/23%) were rated as moderate and eight articles (30.76%) were graded as good quality. The method and result sections were the weakest parts of the published articles.
Conclusion: The quality of the reported cohort studies investigating preconception risk factors of gestational diabetes is not optimal. It is recommended that chief editors, reviewers, and authors as well as obstetricians and midwives use the STROBE criteria to appraise articles critically, before using their findings in clinical practice.
F Tanhaye Reshvanloo , S Sedaghatee, H Kareshki, T Saeidi Rezvani ,
Volume 16, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The widespread use of the Internet has created new issues in the field of psychological studies. One of these emerging constructs is Internet anxiety. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the construct validity of the Internet Anxiety Scale in students.
Methods: In a descriptive, validation study, 206 and 289 students from Farhangian University Branches of Mashhad were selected through multi-stage sampling and completed the Internet Anxiety Scale and Internet Self-efficacy scale, respectively. Internal consistency, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, criterion and constructive validity were evaluated using SPSS.25 and AMOS.24 software.
Results: The results showed that the scale had a two-factor structure with an explained variance of 55.82%. Confirmatory factor analysis was confirmed. The scale had good construct reliability. The divergent validity confirmed in relation to Internet self-efficacy (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in age (P>0.05). Gender differences were significant for fear of negative evaluation (F=6.53, P<0.01) and internet anxiety score (F=7.22, P<0.01), and girls had higher mean scores. Differences were significant according to field (P <0.01) and Science and Foreign Language students had the lowest and the highest mean score, respectively (21.37 and 27.05).
Conclusion: It seems that the Internet Anxiety Scale has a good reliability and validity in students.
A Arshadi, P Yavari, Mh Elyasi, A Abadi, A Kolahi,
Volume 16, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Studies investigating life skills and general health have mainly focused on some skills or parts of health. In this study, ten components of skills and three components of general health were examined in patients presenting to veterans’ health and counseling centers in Tehran and the relationship between each skill and multiple levels of general health was assessed.
Methods: this cross-sectional study was performed on 600 randomly selected service users. Data were collected using two standard questionnaires and analyzed using t-test, one-way ANOVA, Tukey post hoc and multivariate regression. Lisrel-8 path analysis and software were used to investigate the causal relationships between variables and the way a skill affected general health.
Results: The highest mean scores of skills were related to emotion management, critical thinking, social support and creative thinking, decision making, stress management, self-awareness, empathy and effective communication and problem solving. The results of path analysis showed a strong link between overall life skills and general health. The effect of skills on social performance was more than other components of health.
Conclusion: The contribution of emotion management, creative thinking, effective communication, and stress management skills to the prediction of general health was more than other life skills. Considering the importance of general health, it is recommended that educational programs be implemented with focus on these population subgroups to improve their skills and general health level.
Z Naghibifar, S Eskandari, M Sajjadipour, A Kavousi, K Etemad,
Volume 16, Issue 4 (3-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Immune deficiency syndrome is an epidemic disease. During immunodeficiency caused by HIV, infections such as tuberculosis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C may occur. Given that the transmission of these infections is similar to that of HIV, the risk of HIV infection with these infections is high. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of common HIV infections and the related risk factors in HIV positive individuals.
Method:This study was conducted as a retrospective cohort study performed on 3047 HIV patients at Imam Khomeini Counseling Center in Tehran who have been admitted in 2004 -2018.Required data were extracted from patient records and entered into Excel software. For data analysis, SPSS version 21 was used.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 44.24 ± 9.46 years and 77.3% of them were male. Of them, 98 (3.2%) were co-infected with hepatitis B, 961 (31.5%) were co-infected with hepatitis C, and 415 (13.6%) were co-infected with tuberculosis. According to the results, hepatitis B and hepatitis C had a significant association with age, marital status, gender, education, prison history, history of injection, history of addiction, and needle sharing.
Conclusion: Due to the common route of HIV transmission and these infections, there is the possibility of co-infection. The demographic variables and behavioral factors are the most effective risk factors for developing co-infections.
Mt Shakeri , R Yousefi, M Gholian Aval , M Salari, M Amini, A Hamedi,
Volume 16, Issue 4 (3-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Investigation of child mortality is one of the most important strategies for improving children's health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the age distribution, trends, and projections of mortality in children under 5 years old in Khorasan Razavi province.
Methods: The study population included under-5 mortality data from Khorasan Razavi Province during 2012-2017 extracted from the Causes and Mortality Classification System of Vice-Chancellery of Health, Mashhad University as well as five universities and faculties. Cause of mortality was classified according to the ICD10 codes. Data were controlled using the ANACod software. Descriptive statistics methods and autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) modeling were applied to explore the mortality trend during the time of study using the Minitab.15 and STATA16.
Results: According to the results, the highest mortality rate for children under five was in 2014 and the lowest in 2017. Using the differencing method, the data were stabilized. Finally, the ARIMA model (1,1,2) was identified as a suitable model using the MINITAB software.
Conclusion: The mortality rate of children under five has declined sharply in the last four years in Khorasan Razavi Province. It is predicted that this reduction will continue according to fitted model. However, we are still far from mortality rates in developed and some developing countries; therefore, efforts should be made to reduce the under-five mortality rate by increasing the level of health services, the awareness level of families, and improving maternal and childbirth care.
Z Rahimi, H Esmaily, A Taghipour, E Mosa Farkhani , J Jamali,
Volume 16, Issue 4 (3-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Psychological distress is one of the minor psychiatric disorders that can be used as a predictor of serious mental illnesses such as depressive and anxiety disorders. These disorders are predictors of death from cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancer. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of psychological distress and its related factors.
Methods: This descriptive- analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018. The study population included 1103945 subjects aged 18-65 years old that presented to the health centers of Khorasan Razavi. In this study, demographic checklists and the six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-6) were used.
Results: The prevalence of psychological distress was 10.10%. The mean age of the subjects was 35.99 ± 10.46 years old, 62.10% were female, 86% were married, and 78.90% had a high school education or less. The response rate was 98.6%. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant relationship between psychological distress and age, gender, marital status, education, location, and occupation.
Conclusion: In this study, the prevalence of psychological distress was low. According to the odds ratio (OR), divorced women, illiterate women, housewives, and big city dwellers were high-risk groups for psychological distress. Considering the relatively large sample size, it is necessary to develop appropriate strategies for prevention and treatment, and training of these groups.
K Sharifolkashani, P Yavari, , R Shekarriz, F Tajdini, N Aghili,
Volume 16, Issue 4 (3-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Correct and timely detection of the outbreaks of diseases with a short incubation period is of great importance in the health system. The aim of this study was to determine the detection of dysentery outbreaks using the cumulative sum method.
Methods: This time series study was conducted using the data of the National Surveillance System between 2014 and 2017. The outbreak alert threshold of each season and province was determined separately using the average of three years (1393 to 1395) in the same season and province. The dysentery outbreak in each season was exclusively predicted for Isfahan, Khuzestan, and Hamadan provinces in 2017 using the CUSUM method.
Results: In Isfahan Province, the outbreak alert was higher in the spring and summer and lower in the autumn and winter using the current method compared to the CUSUM method. For Khuzestan Province, the current outbreak alert was significantly higher in all seasons compared to the CUSUM method, while the current outbreak alert was lower than the alert predicted by the CUSUM method in Hamadan Province in all the seasons.
Conclusion: Compared to constant threshold-based methods, using the CUSUM method seems to be a better way for reporting outbreaks, especially in areas with a high incidence.
P Khashayar, A Keshtkar, A Ostovar, B Larijani, H Johansson, N Harvey, M Lorentzon, U Mc Closkey , J A Kanis,
Volume 16, Issue 4 (3-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to adopt and calibrate the fracture risk assessment algorithm FRAX® for the Iranian population and to provide the required guidance on how to apply it in clinical practice.
Methods: The age-specific ten-year probability of major osteoporotic fractures was calculated in women with an average BMI to determine the fracture probability at two potential intervention thresholds. The first threshold was the age-specific fracture probability associated with a femoral neck T-score of -2.5 SD and the other was age-specific fracture probability in women with a history of fracture without BMD. Current Iranian guidelines were used to define these thresholds. The effect of adding BMD values to the assessment of these thresholds was also evaluated separately.
Results: Similar to women with a previous fracture, the 10-year probability of a major osteoporotic fracture increased from 4.9% at the age of 50 years to 17% at the age of 80 years. When using a BMD T-score of ≤−2.5 SD as the intervention threshold, the FRAX probability was twice as high in women aged 50 years as in women of the same age with an average BMD and no risk factor. The FRAX probability increased with age but a T-score of -2.5 SD was actually protective after 80 years or age.
Conclusion: Intervention thresholds based on BMD alone cannot effectively identify high-risk women for fracture, particularly in advanced ages. Using fracture probability based on ‘fracture threshold’ can help to improve the identification of these women.
M Piri, Aa Haghdioost, F Gadari, M Moradi, M Karamouzian, H Sharifi,
Volume 16, Issue 4 (3-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: At present, investigation of extensive contact of tuberculosis (TB) patients’ families is not a routine part of TB control efforts in most countries. This study was conducted to evaluate the effective contacts of TB cases to assess the potential risk of transmission and its determinants in their families.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, registered TB cases in Kerman, Iran provided information about their family size and type and frequency of unprotected effective contacts with their families from 2014 to 2015. The unprotected effective contact was defined using the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) classification (2005) based on the close, frequent, and long-term contact of TB cases. The demographic variables and the frequency of effective contact were analyzed using a logistic regression model with Stata version 12 with 95% confidence intervals.
Results: Overall, among 407 contacts of 74 TB cases, 73% had effective contacts. Having an effective contact was significantly higher among females (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)=5.1; 95% CI:1.9-13.7); those with a lower education level (AOR=4.0; 95% CI: 1.4-15.1), lower income (AOR=7.7; 95% CI: 2.2-27.0), and a house size ≤80 m2 (AOR=16.6; 95% CI: 5.1-54.3); Afghan patients (AOR=30.2; 95% CI: 3.4-272.1); and those living in the rural areas (AOR=4.9; 95% CI: 1.8-21.9).
Conclusion: It seems that unprotected effective contact with the family members is high among TB patients, which can be a serious concern for the control of TB in this area. Reducing these unprotected effective contacts through educating patients and their families besides screening of the family members can help the health sector to decrease the burden of TB in Iran.
K Mirzaie, Ah Shushtari, S Bokaie, Mh Fallah Mehrabadi , Sm Peighambari ,
Volume 16, Issue 4 (3-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Avian influenza (AI) is one of the most important respiratory diseases in the poultry industry that causes huge economic impacts and plays an important role in public health. H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus (H9N2 AIV) has a broad circulation and causes endemic infections in the poultry industry of the country.
Methods: A cohort study was conducted from July 2016 to November 2017 in broiler chicken farms of Qazvin Province, Iran to detect H9N2 AIV infection determinants in broiler chicken farms.
Results: Sixteen out of 34 units that were included in the study had positive PCR results. Some variables such as “type of fence around the unit”, “biosecurity”, “cooling system status”, “mean maternal antibody titers”, “location height”, “proximity to public traffic lanes” and “number of units within a radius of 1 km” had significant effects on the infection occurrence in poultry units according to univariate statistical analyses (P<0.05). However, only two of them (“biosecurity” and “cooling system status”) were statistically significant in multi-variable analyses (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Biosecurity measures should be implemented more seriously and strictly in broiler farms to reduce the impact of H9N2 AIV infection.
