Showing 28 results for Children
Tayebe Khazaie, Mohammad Dehghany, Gholamreza Sharifzadeh, Hamidreza Reyasie, J Phani, H Usefi,
Volume 10, Issue 1 (6-2014)
Abstract
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.
S Zare Delavar , E Bakhshi, F Soleimani, A Biglarian,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (9-2014)
Abstract
Background & Objectives : The identification of risk factors and their interactions is important in medical studies. The aim of this study was to identify the interaction of risk factors of cerebral palsy in 1-6 years-old children with classification regression methods.
Methods : The data of this cross-sectional study which was conducted on 225 children aged 1-6 years was collected during 2008- 2009. Classification regression methods (classification and regression tree (CART), adapting boosting (AdaBoost), bagging, and C4.5 algorithm) were used to identify interactions between risk factors. Data analysis was carried out with R3.0.1 software.
Results : The identified interactions of the factors by a) the AdaBoost method were (consanguinity: sex, previous pregnancies: vaginal delivery, consanguinity: sex: preterm, history of the disease: preterm: asphyxia, consanguinity: sex: asphyxia, history of the disease: sex: small size relative to gestational age, neonatal infection: asphyxia: small size relative to gestational age, history of the disease: sex: asphyxia, preterm: asphyxia: vaginal delivery) by b) the bagging method were (consanguinity: asphyxia, consanguinity: preterm: asphyxia), by c) the C4.5 algorithm were (asphyxia: preterm, asphyxia: consanguinity: history of the disease: preterm), and by d) the CART method were (asphyxia: consanguinity). The sensitivity and specificity of the AdaBoost method was better than other methods (0.941±0.029 and 0.951±0.030, respectively).
Conclusion : The AdaBoost method could better recognize and model potential interactions between risk factors of cerebral palsy.
M Vameghi, M Dejman, H Rafiey, P Roshanfekr, As Forouzan, Ar Shoghli, A Mirzazadeh,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (6-2015)
Abstract
Background & Objectives : Children who work or live on the street are one of key populations at risk for HIV and hard to reach for study or providing services. Here, as a methodological paper, we present the methods and steps of a rapid assessment and response (RARE) project conducted among street children in Tehran.
Methods : We applied a mixture of qualitative (literature review, focus group discussion, in-depth interview) and quantitative (structure interview) methods to collect data from key informants in non-governmental and governmental agencies as well as street children. We applied targeted sampling to recruit key informants and time location sampling to recruit street children.
Results: The study was conducted in eight steps to recognize the involved stakeholders, define target population (street children) and to guide on how to approach them (steps 1 to 2: Initial Consultation, Study Area Profile), to map the venues and gathering spots and ethnographic findings crucial for further recruitment into surveys (steps 3 to 5: Contextual Assessment, Population and Setting Assessment, Health Issues Assessment), assess the risk behaviors (step 6: Assessment Behavior Risk and Health), evaluate the response (step 7: Intervention Assessment), and develop an operational plan for improving the services (step 8: Developing an Action Plan).
Conclusion: RARE is a participatory mix research method with sufficient flexibility to study complex health problems such as stigmatized HIV risk behaviors among high risk and hard to reach populations and also to assess the health sector response.
N Vahabi, F Zayeri, E Fazeli Moghadam , M Safari, F Ebrahimzadeh,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (11-2015)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Disorders of height and weight growth are the most important health disorders affecting children younger than two in developing societies. Failure to treat these disorders can lead to the increased mortality and mental, emotional or physical disability. The objective of this study was to investigate the growth trends of children and the factors affecting it.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on 2030 children younger than two in Khorramabad, Iran who were selected using stratified and cluster sampling. Based on household records, the weight growth trend was recorded as a four-level variable (decline, stagnation, slowness and desirable) and the the height growth trend was recorded as a three-level variable (stagnation, slowness and desirable); finally, the data were modeled using a longitudinal marginal model and the SAS software version 9.2.
Results: The incidence of at least one decline in the weight growth curve and one stagnation in the height growth curve was 14.2% and 10.4%, respectively. The child’s age and the maternal educational level had a significant effect on the growth trends. However, the sex, parity and the exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months had no significant relationship with the growth trends.
Conclusion: Given the results and the relatively high prevalence of growth disorders among children, it seems that increasing the awareness of low literate women about feeding of the children is the most important approach to manage growth disorders. Additionally, health-care professionals should mostly focus on monitoring the growth of children older than 12 months.
A Nikfarjam, Ar Shamshiri, Z Hasanpour, M Khalili,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (3-2016)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Children immunization program is one of the most successful and most cost-effective public health interventions and medical programs. The study was designed and conducted in order to assess the vaccination coverage in areas covered by Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS).
Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study of children aged 24 months to 6 years living in urban areas and high-risk and marginal areas covered by TUMS. Six hundred and thirty children were sampled in 90 clusters in urban areas and cluster sampling as probability proportional to size sampling was performed in high risk areas and a sample size of 768 children was determined. The questionnaires were completed by interview.
Results: In high risk 750 children (97.7%, 95% CI: 96.32-98.60%) and 616 children (97.8%, 95% CI: 96.3-98.78%) in urban areas had complete immunization histories. Furthermore, 98.4% of the Iranian children and 95.0% of foreign children (P=0.019) in marginal areas and 98.1% of the Iranian children and 92.1% of the foreign children (P=0.046) in urban areas had complete immunization histories.Ignorance of immunization program (%50) was addressed as the main reason for incomplete immunization.
Conclusion: Universal mass vaccination coverage of the children and equal coverage in marginal and urban areas indicated the success of the authorities in the implementation of this program. Organizing training courses for mothers on the immunization program, providing the required facilities and services, monitoring and supervision of vaccination and also considering the immunization status of foreign children seem to be essential in maintaining and improving the existing status.
M Karami, Sm Zahraei, Mm Gouya,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (2-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The Haemophilus influenzae (Hib) conjugate vaccine (HibCV) using a pentavalent formulation was introduced to the Iranian routine immunization program from November 2014. Iran is preparing to include Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV), as well. Measuring and monitoring the impact of HibCV and PCV are necessary to provide evidence for introduction and sustained administration of this vaccine.
Methods: We addressed the possibility of implementing the "3-tiered approach to IB VPD surveillance" as proposed by the World Health Organization using a feasibility study. Expert opinions were asked to address published literature regarding the study design and methods of measuring the impact of newly introduced vaccines.
Results: There are different methods and study designs to measure the impact of new vaccines, including population based active surveillance systems and vaccine effectiveness studies. The results of the feasibility study and expert opinions highlighted the superiority of a sentinel hospital-based surveillance system in Iran.
Conclusion: It is necessary to conduct some systematic reviews and meta-analyses to provide evidence for the trend of Hib and Streptococcus pneumonia related diseases, i.e. invasive bacterial diseases including meningitis, pneumonia, and sepsis. To monitor indirect effects of the PCV vaccine, implementing periodic surveys on the prevalence of nasopharyngeal carriers are recommended.
A Alipour, Sa Ghadiri, L Khazaei,
Volume 14, Issue 2 (9-2018)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The cause of death in children under one year can be an important tool for designing prevention strategies and reducing the mortality rate. The aim of this study was to estimate the number of deaths in children under one year using the Mr. Murray’s estimation index in Mazandaran Province, and to compare this estimation with reported cases of civil registration organization.
Methods: All deaths of children under one year between 2011 to 2014 registered in hospitals across Mazandaran Province were included in this study. The cause of death as coded in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) was converted to Murray classification. The coefficients in each of the Murray levels were used to estimate actual death cases. We compared this estimation with the number of deaths that is reported annually by civil registration organization.
Results: Seven hundred and sixty four deaths occurred in this period. The leading causes of death in children under one year were conditions of the perinatal period, congenital anomalies and chromosomal disorders, respiratory diseases, and diseases of the cardiovascular system. The Murray method estimated 1711 deaths for the entire Province.
Conclusion: the Murray method predicted that from 2011 to 2014, 390-445 children under one year died in Mazandaran Province annually. There is a controversy between the estimates obtained in this study and the number of deaths reported by the civil registration organization, which may indicate a defect in a complete registration of deaths by this organization.
Am Mosadeghrad, A Pour Reza , N Abolhasan Beigi Galezan , Sh Shahebrahimi,
Volume 14, Issue 4 (3-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Human Development Index (HDI) is an important indicator of a country’s development. On the other hand, mortality indicators are the most important indicators of the health of a society. This study aimed to examine the association between HDI and maternal, neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality rates in Iran between 2005 and 2016.
Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted using data collected from Iran Statistics Center, World Health Organization, and United Nations Development Program. SPSS software version 22 was used for data analysis. Pearson correlation test was applied to examine the correlation between HDI and mortality rates. Regression analysis was used to measure the effect of HDI on mortality rates.
Results: HDI increased from 0.690 in 2005 to 0.774 in 2016 (12% rise). Maternal, neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality rates decreased by 26, 41, 52, and 42% in 2016 compared to 2005, respectively. HDI had a significant indirect association with maternal (-0.973), neonatal (-0.983), infant (-0.739), and under-five mortality (-0.987). An increase of 0.01 in HDI reduced 1 maternal death per 100,000 births. An increase of 0.014, 0.009, and 0.008 in HDI decreased one neonatal, infant, and under-five death per 1000 births.
Conclusion: The results showed that increased HDI correlated with decreased mortality rates. Therefore, policy-makers should pay more attention to socio
H Tekeh, H Ansari, , N Noori, K Tirgarfakheri, F Zare,
Volume 15, Issue 2 (9-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of birth defect that accounts for 25% of all congenital anomalies. This study was conducted to identify the risk factors od congenital heart disease in southeast Iran.
Methods: In this case-control study, 353 cases were selected from children aged 0 to 59 months who suffered from congenital heart disease and were referred to the Children’s Heart Clinic of Zahedan. Moreover, 353 controls were selected from healthy children aged 0 to 59 months who presented to health centers in Sistan and Baluchistan Province. The cases and controls were matched for age, sex and place of residence. The data were collected using interviews with children’s mothers and analyzed using independent t-test, chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression models.
Results: This study showed that the lack of folic acid consumption in pregnancy (OR =11.8), mot using multivitamins during pregnancy (OR = 4.1), history of CHD in first-degree relatives of parents (OR=3.4), history of abortion (OR =3.4), presence of telecommunication rig in the vicinity of the house (OR=3) and exposure to secondhand smoke (OR=2.9) significantly increased the chance of a CHD (P <0.05).
Conclusion: Effective planning, emphasis on the use of supplements during pregnancy, and improved awareness of the society, especially high risk women, can be helpful in decreasing CHD in this region. Providing education regarding preventive factors seems to be necessary for health and medical workers to control risk factors and reduce costs associated with CHD.
Mahbuobeh Hojati, Neda Yaqoubieh, Jalal Karimi, Mansour Firouzbakht, Omid Iravani,
Volume 18, Issue 3 (12-2022)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: childhood is the most dangerous period of the life of humans. So, investigating the causes of children's death and preventing them has an essential role in the health and productivity of the family and society. This study aims to investigate the epidemiological factors related to the mortality of under-five years in Isfahan province.
Methods: In this cross-sectional-analytical and retrospective study, the files of 194 children under five years (109 boys and 85 girls) who were referred to Isfahan Legal Medicine Center between 2017 and 2021; were investigated and the causes of death and their demographic and clinical characteristics were extracted. The obtained data were analyzed using the Chi square statistical test and Fisher’s exact test.
Results: In terms of the distribution, unnatural causes of death was, 30.4% died due to domestic incidents, 22.7% died due to chronic diseases, 21.1% died due to vehicle accidents, 17.5% died due to acute diseases, 2.1% Death due to asphyxia, 1.3% death due to sudden death syndrome and 1.3% death due to various causes. There is a statistically significant difference between the cause of death and age group, place of death, disease history and year of death (P<0.05), but there is no statistically significant difference between the cause of death and gender and nationality (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Considering the ability to take preventive measures against child deaths and its trend in the country, it is necessary to make future policies to promote legal investigations to ensure children's health and safety.
Yaser Mesri, Mina Pakkhesal, Aliakbar Naghavialhosseini, Fatemeh Mirzaei, Abdolhalim Rajabi,
Volume 18, Issue 4 (3-2023)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health and the significance of oral health, this study aims to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental care utilization among children.
Methods: This retrospective study utilized available data from the archives of the dental clinic at Gorgan Pediatric Hospital in 2022. Information regarding demographic characteristics and the types of received services were collected and entered to SPSS version 26 statistical analysis software. The chi-square test was used to compare the annual differences in the frequency of different service types, and the Cochrane-Armitage test was employed to examine the linear trend of changes in each service.
Results: A total of 24,185 different dental services were received by children aged between 2 and 14 years old referred to dental clinic of Taleghani Children Hospital from March 2020 to February 2022. Comparing the frequency of dental services in 2021 to that of 2020 revealed a 31% decrease in the total number of services. The types of services utilized during the first year of the pandemic exhibited significant changes compared to the pre-pandemic year. This included an increase in tooth extraction (P = 0.001) and a reduction in restorations (P = 0.000). Additionally, a noticeable increase in pulp treatment (P = 0.003) was observed, particularly in the second year of the pandemic.
Conclusion: The frequency of dental care utilization, types of services received, and insurance utilization underwent significant changes during the pandemic. It is crucial to plan for future required treatments and establish infrastructures to address similar pandemics.
Tina Fallah, Ameneh Elikaei, Roxana Mansour Ghanaie, Abdollah Karimi, Iraj Sedighi, Marjan Tariverdi, Arezu Amirali, Tayebe Nazari, Negin Nahanmoghadam, Alireza Nateghian, Seyed Hamidreza Monavari, Seyed Mohsen Zahraei, Sussan Mahmoudi, Masoud Alebouyeh,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (6-2023)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Identification of rotavirus genotypes in children is clinically important. This study aimed to determine the spectrum of rotavirus genotypes and assess their correlation with demographic variables and clinical manifestations in hospitalized children.
Methods: To determine rotavirus genotypes, rotavirus positive stool samples of symptomatic children were included in the study between December 2019 and March 2020. RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis for VP7 and VP4 genes were performed following standard protocols. Genotypes were determined using specific primers. Validation of results was done through sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 20 and GraphPad version 9.5.0.
Results: Among the infected patients, three genotypes emerged as dominant in the studied population. The study demonstrated a significant correlation between genotype frequency and seasonal variations (p-value=0.0077), as well as between genotypes, hospitalization, and severity of diarrhea. While significantly more types of rotavirus group A were identified with increasing age, no correlation was observed between the genotypes and gender (p-value=0.473). Furthermore, there was no significant association between genotype, dehydration rates, and the presence or absence of fever.
Conclusion: This study revealed a relatively high diversity of rotavirus genotypes in children. The findings suggest the need for further research to validate the identified correlations between certain genotypes and age groups, seasonal variations, clinical symptoms, and the efficacy of available vaccines.
Elahe Faghihifar, Marjan Ajami, Sareh Shakerian,
Volume 19, Issue 4 (3-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Childhood obesity has become a global challenge today. Many studies have shown the relationship between obesity and socioeconomic factors. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate socio-economic inequalities with nutritional patterns and obesity in children.
Methods: This study was conducted using the structural analysis methodology on 80 children from 6 to 13 years old, selected randomly from those referred to the health assessment centers of Sonqor and Kolyai, Iran. The body mass index was calculated using the standard method. Nutritional patterns were measured using the 24-hour food recall questionnaire, and socioeconomic status was assessed using related standard questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SPSS 24 and AMOS 24 software.
Results: The results showed that 28.75% of the subjects were obese or overweight. The structural analysis showed that the socioeconomic variable directly affected the nutritional pattern and body mass (-0.43) with an impact coefficient of as much as 0.65. The nutritional pattern variable affected BMI with an impact factor (-0.74). The bootstrap test results indicated that the significant effect of socio-economic status on BMI is mediated by nutritional pattern (-0.48). Prediction values show two economic-social and nutritional pattern variables predicted 0.16 and 0.29 BMI changes, respectively.
Conclusion: The findings of this study showed the effect of socioeconomic status on nutritional patterns and body mass index in the research community. Today, The issue of increasing body mass in the world and our country is one of the most important social challenges. Considering the heterogeneous effects of socioeconomic status on nutritional patterns and body mass index, it is necessary to formulate and implement preventive policies according to the conditions of the communities to achieve effective results.
Ezzatolla Gharebagheri, Hojjat Zeraati, Saharnaz Nedjat, Habibeh Moradi, Akbar Fotouhi,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The removal of the free family planning program was implemented in Iran following the decrease in the fertility rate. This study evaluated the impact of this decision on couples' willingness to have children, the use of contraceptives, the increase in unwanted pregnancies and illegal abortions, especially in rural areas.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a descriptive-analytical approach, conducted in 2021 on 592 married women aged 10–54 in Miyaneh. Data were collected using a researcher-designed questionnaire through a multi-stage random sampling method and analyzed using logistic and Poisson regression models.
Results: The mean (± standard deviation) of number of children of couples was 2.15 ± 1.01. The level of education and age at marriage of women were identified as the variables affecting the number of live children born. The desire for children was significantly related to the number of live-born female children (OR = 0.23, CI 95%: 0.12, 0.44) and current male children (OR = 0.12, CI 95%: 0.05, 0.25). Unwanted pregnancies in the first half of 2021 were 2.3 times higher than in the same period in 2020.
Conclusion: The results showed that education and age at marriage significantly affect fertility patterns. Most couples consider two children ideal and do not wish to have any more. The removal of the family planning program led to increased unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions. Thus, revisiting population policies and improving access to family planning services is essential.
