Showing 104 results for Hi
Z Mohtasham Amiri, S Reza Zadeh Sadeghi, F Khatibi Bane,
Volume 1, Issue 3 (2-2006)
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.
M Naghavi,
Volume 2, Issue 1 (3-2006)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Data on transitions in health status are among the most important types of information used for promotion of health and social development. Health transition comprises two elements: demographic and epidemiologic transition. This paper depicts the health transition in I.R. Iran over the last few decades.
Methods: We used demographic data gathered over the last 45 years in order to get an idea of the demographic transition. Several other sources were used to gather data on mortality and fertility patterns, occurrence of communicable and non-communicable diseases, etc to trace epidemiologic transition.
Results: Indices relating to mortality and fertility patterns have undergone marked changes parallel with rising income levels, urbanization, industrialization, and access to health care. Also notable are decreasing under-5 and maternal mortality rates, aging of the population, and a shift from communicable to non-communicable diseases.
Conclusions: Because of the uneven rate of social development, epidemiologic transition has followed varying patterns across different regions. It is crucial that these differences be taken account of in future health programs.
A Amirkhani, M Hakimnejad, Na Mozafari, M Asmar,
Volume 2, Issue 1 (3-2006)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Typhoid fever has been endemic in Iran throughout its history. This Study was conducted in response to the rising number of cases reported from Rasht (capital of Gilan province in northern Iran).
Methods: we performed a descriptive study on 2031 suspected cases referred to city's diagnostic laboratories in 2002 and 2003. A "definite" diagnosis was defined as Vidal test titers rising 80-fold or more over a period of one week, or a positive bacteriologic test. We completed questionnaires for the definite cases, and used the EPI-INFO computer package to analyze the data.
Results: The serologic prevalence was 3.94%, and 25% of the seropositive individuals had positive bacterial cultures. The geometric mean of the reciprocal titers (GMRT) was 1: 180. The prevalence was the same in both sexes and among all age groups. Factors showing a statistically significant relationship with prevalence include occupation (the greatest frequency was seen in housewives), education level, place of residence, and source of drinking water.
Conclusions: We conclude that high prevalence rates coupled with the ecological conditions in this area could favor the occurrence of salmonellosis outbreaks: the issue requires more extensive research for further clarification.
J Rafinejad, A Nourollahi, E Javadian, A Kazemnejad, Kh Shemshad,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (3-2006)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Pediculosis is a ubiquitous and contagious parasitic dermatosis. Throughout the world, infestation by the head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) is more common among schoolchildren, especially in those aged 6-11 years. This descriptive/analytical study was carried out in 2003 to determine the prevalence of pediculosis capitis and risk factors involved in the epidemiology of pediculosis in primary school pupils in Amlash, Gilan province.
Methods: The children were selected by cluster random sampling of schools and classes, and then examined for head lice using hair conditioners and a fine-toothed head lice comb. We screened a total of 4244 pupils from 95 primary schools. We used a comprehensive questionnaire to evaluate the effects of school type and location, education level, parent job, regular baths, number of persons sharing the same bed, combing frequency, host sensitivity, family size, hairstyle, gender, and hair length.
Results: Statistical analysis using χ2 tests showed that school type, school location, parent job, regular baths, number of person who share the same bed, frequency of combing, gender, host sensitivity, family size, and hairstyle are significantly associated with infestation. Infestation rate showed no correlations with hair color, season, age, or education level. Results showed that pediculosis is more prevalent in rural than in urban areas. The average rate of infestation for the area was 9.2%, indicating an epidemic situation by standard criteria.
Conclusions: The high prevalence of P. capitis infestation among these children was probably due to poor environmental hygiene and scarcity of water. Hygienic controls of schoolchildren by nurses are important for elimination of Pediculus humanus capitis. This is the first community-based study describing in detail the epidemiology of head louse infestation in the Amlash district of Gilan province in Iran and confirms that Pediculosis capitis is still a problem in many environments, particularly those with low life standards and poor health care.
A Fotouhi, M Khabazkhoob, H Hashemi, K Mohammad,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (9-2007)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Early detection can improve the outcome of visual impairment in children, and one method for early detection could be screening of pre-school children with visual acuity tests. The aim of this study was to determine the validity of these tests when they are used on children entering grade school.
Methods: For this cross-sectional study we drew 39 random clusters, comprising a total of 5721 school children. We then used 2158 student files to extract data on tests of vision performed by school health officers and compared these data with data generated by optometrists. Measurement of uncorrected visual acuity was done with the E Chart by both teachers and optometrists.
Results: The sensitivity and specificity of teacher-administered tests were 25.0% and 96.6%, yielding positive and negative predictive values of 13.4% and 98.4%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity rates did not show any significant difference between male and female populations (P=0.356, P=0.258), but the difference between specificity in urban and rural areas was significant (P<0.001).
Conclusions: Screening tests for visual impairment did not attain the desired level of sensitivity or specificity for case detection in school children. More accurate procedures are required to minimize the number of false negative results.
M Khabazkhoob, A Fotouhi, Mr Majdi, A Moradi, Z Haeri Kermani, M Seyed Nozadi,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (9-2007)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: To determine the risk factors for acute diarrhea disease in children.
Methods: This study involved 220 cases and 220 controls in Dr. Sheykh Hospital, a specialzed pediatric hospital in Mashhad. Cases were children seen in the emergency department with loose watery feces, diagnosed as acute diarrhea by the physician. The controls were selected from the same setting as the cases and included children with traumas, burns, acute respiratory complaints and other diseases.
Results: In univariate logistic regression, variables having a significant relationship with acute diarrhea disease included formula feeding in the first 6 months of life, antibiotic therapy over the preceding 15 days, mother's employment, mother's acquaintance with oral rehydration solutions, place of residence, and disruption in the water supply in the week before illness. We performed multiple logistic regression to examine the role of these variables as independent risk factors for acute diarrhea. Use of formulas before 6 months of age (OR=3.21, 95%CI: 1.77-5.79), and type of residence (OR=1.83, 95%CI: 1.24-2.71), and mother's employment (OR=2.48, 95%CI: 1.2-5.06) were the factors that remained in the multiple logistic model and had a significant relationship with the disease.
Conclusions: This study identified some environmental risk factors for acute diarrhea disease. High-risk groups and mothers of children under 5 years of age should be aware of these risk factors in order to prevent disease in their children. Prevention of acute diarrhea in children can significantly reduce the current burden on the health system.
R Chaman , M Yunesian , B Golestan , K Holakouie Naieni ,
Volume 3, Issue 3 (2-2008)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: A pregnancy can be considered high-risk if there are conditions that put the mother or the baby at higher-than-average risk of morbidity or mortality. Neonatal mortality rate is one of the most important indices of children's health status. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of high-risk states on neonatal mortality.
Methods: We performed a nested case-control study in the rural areas of Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad province. Within the study cohort, 97 cases and 97 controls were selected by a risk-set sampling method. Data were analyzed with univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression models.
Results: Neonatal mortality was shown to increase significantly in high-risk pregnancies. There were no substantial differences between crude odds ratios and those adjusted for the presence of other risk factors (crude odds ratio decreased from 5.5 to an adjusted figure of 3.25 for pregnancies with one risk factor and from 5.21 to adjusted level of 4.80 for pregnancies with more than one risk factor).
Conclusions: High-risk pregnancies need great attention in family health and prenatal care programs, especially in remote rural areas. Within our rural health network there are potential cohorts for use in nested case-control studies, especially in the evaluation of neonatal mortality risk factors.
L Koochmeshgi, T Hosseinzadeh Nik , Mj Kharazi Fard ,
Volume 3, Issue 3 (2-2008)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Malocclusion is not a disease but rather a set of dental deviations, which in some cases can influence quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of various dento–facial anomalies.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study in 2006 we assessed a sample of 600 randomly selected schoolchildren, with a mean age of 11.97 years, who were attending secondary school in various districts of Karaj. We used questionnaires to obtain information on extracted teeth, crowding, spacing, diastem, the severest disorders in anteriors (maxilla and mandible), overjet, negative overjet, open space between two jaws and antero-posterior molar relationship.
Results: Ninety-nine percent of children had no extracted teeth in maxillary anteriors, while 98.3% had no extracted teeth in mandibular anteriors. In 41.2% of the subjects there was no crowding, and 57.7% of the sample had no spacing. The mean diastem was 0.36 mm and the mean of the most severe disorders in anteriors was 1.08 mm in the maxilla and 0.78 mm in the mandible. Mean overjet was 1.98 mm, mean negative overjet 0.03 mm, and mean open space between two jaws was 0.28 mm. In 58.5% of the subjects the antero–posterior molar relationship was normal. The DIA ranged form 13 to 63, with a mean of 24.12.
Conclusions: This study indicates that over than one-third of the population needs different degrees of orthodontic treatment.
M Khabazkhoob , A Fotouhi , A Moradi, K Mohammad ,
Volume 3, Issue 3 (2-2008)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Malnutrition is widely regarded as one of the factors affecting quality of life. The adverse effects of malnutrition have been documented in various age groups. School problems, learning difficulties, humiliation and teasing from peers are some of the most common complications of obesity and excessive thinness. The goal of this study was to determine the BMI and some of the factors affecting it in the students of Dezfool.
Methods: In a cross-sectional study and using random cluster sampling, 5726 students from 39 clusters were selected and anthropometric measurements were performed in the schools and under standard conditions. Cases of obesity and thinness were identified using BMI percentiles for age and sex (NCHS). A Body Mass Index above the 95th and below the 5th percentile was defined as obesity and thinness respectively.
Results: This study involved the participation of 5508 students (96.2%). The prevalence of thinness was 33% (1716) with a 95% confidence interval of 27.3%-38.8%. The prevalence of obesity was 2.6% (157) with a 95% confidence interval of 1.7%-3.4%. There was no significant difference between the prevalence of obesity or thinness between the two sexes (P>0.05). The prevalence of obesity and thinness significantly increased and decreased respectively with aging (P<0.05).
Conclusions: Malnutrition among the students in Dezfool predominantly takes the form of thinness, while obesity is not a serious problem in this population overall, these findings indicate poor nutritional status. High-risk groups have been identified and they must become the target of interventions by the Health and Education Ministries.
R Sheikholeslam, M Naghavi, Z Abdollahi, M Zarati, S Vaseghi, F Sadeghi Ghotbabadi, F Kolahdooz, K Samadpour, M Minaei, S Arabshahi,
Volume 4, Issue 1 (4-2008)
Abstract
Background & Objective: Malnutrition is one of the main nutritional problems among children under 5 years especially in developing countries. The effects of malnutrition in this range of age group includes disorder of mental and physical growth and development, increase in the morbidity and mortality, decrease of the learning capacity. A detailed epidemiological picture of the prevalent malnutrition status among children under 5 years in different regions of Iran enables health policy makers to identify priorities, establish political commitment and design appropriate interventional programs to prevent and control malnutrition and improve nutritional status of children. To determine the prevalence rate of malnutrition among children under 5 years.
Methods: Demographic data, weight and height of 34200 Iranian children between 0-72 months old in 28 provinces of the country in 2005 year based on a cluster sampling were gathered. The subjects' weight and height were measured by trained staff. Prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting indicators was determined by measuring the weight and height of subjects in urban and rural areas. EPI6 statistical software, version b6/04, was used for all statistical analyses.
Results: 4.7% of the children aged less than five years suffered from stunting (95% CI: 4.5- 4.9%) The prevalence of this type of malnutrition among urban children is significantly less than rural children (95% CI: 3.1- 3.5% and 6.5-7.1% respectively). Meanwhile the prevalence of underweight was 5.2% in the country (95% CI: 5.1-5.4% while the prevalence of this type of malnutrition was significantly less among urban children than those in rural ones. Moreover, the prevalence of wasting was 3.7% (95%CI: 3.5-3.9%) and there was a significant difference in this regard between the urban and rural children. Thus this indicator was significantly higher among urban children than those in rural areas (95%CI: 3.8-4.3% and 3.0-3.5% respectively).
Conclusion: The results of the study show that the prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition was low among Iranian children under five years old. In comparison with previous studies, it is felt that there has been a prudent decrease in all malnutrition in all levels. However, there were significant differences in the prevalence of malnutrition in different provinces, which has resulted in the differences in their developmental stages as well. It appears that subjective strategies are required to improve the nutritional and health status among children under five in all provinces.
So Salek, S Salek, H Emami,
Volume 4, Issue 1 (4-2008)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Children are highly vulnerable to TB and childhood tuberculosis is a sign of TB transmission in community. This study aimed to determine the epidemiologic trend of this disease in Iranian children.
Method: A Trend Study was conducted to evaluate all Iranian patients aged below 14 who had been diagnosed with pulmonary or extrapulmonary TB from 1992 to 2005. Statistical relationships were tested using chi square tests (c²) and the software package SPSS (version 11.5).
Results: Out of the 6168 cases studied, 2528 (40.1%) were boys. Patients were assigned to three groups based on disease type: there were 1812 (29.4%) sputum- positive, 1920 (31.1%) sputum-negative, and 2449(39.7%) extrapulmonary cases.The incidence of sputum-positive TB declined from 0.8 per 100000 in 1992 to 0.2 per 100000 in 2005. A similar declining trend was observed for the overall TB incidence and in the incidence of sputum-negative and extrapulmonary cases. There was significant difference in TB incidence between girls and boys in the 10-14 year age group (P<0.001), but no sex difference was observed in 0-4y and 5-9y age groups.
Discussion: The incidence of sputum-positive TB decreased by 75 percent over the study period. This could be partly due to improvements in health status, better disease knowledge and the effects of Iran's National TB Control Program.
Conclusions: In children aged below 10 years, there was no significant difference in the incidence of tuberculosis between girls and boys. At puberty, the incidence of all types of TB was higher in girls. Based on these findings, further studies are needed to elucidate the gender distribution of childhood tuberculosis in Iran.
Mr Mohebbi, M Yunesian, K Nadafi, R ,
Volume 4, Issue 2 (9-2008)
Abstract
Background and objectives: The scattered state of villages both from their geographic aspect and the distance between residential units within a single village has made the task of supply, distribution and monitoring the quality of water a difficult one. Ideas of experienced people in the field of rural water quality control, has been obtained to reach gain a view on existing difficulties in supplying safe water to villages and the ways to overcome them.
Methods: Using a three-iteration Delphi procedure, consensus was built and measured among eleven managers and experts of rural water quality control. Given the large number of opinions and views ,the problems were discussed and were given priority according to the alphabetical order of the names of the participants.
Results: The difficulties were summarized as of being, the main source of water supply, economic, human resources , facilities, cultural and extra organization issues.
Conclusion: The cooperation rate was 100% in this study and most of the problems were concerning no credible financial support in supplying of costs for the maintenance facilities, upkeep of networks and the incorrect choice made in selecting of the water resource. We can overcome to these problems by implementing reforms, teaching, retraining, constant supervision and efficient management of the working staff , supervision of special operations projects including mending of breaks in pipelines and thus could lead to a more efficient distribution to the villages on time.
A Mirzazadeh, B Hajarizadeh, B Mesgarpour, A Golozar, K Holakouie Naieni,
Volume 4, Issue 3 (3-2009)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Recent reports indicated an increase in cutaneous Leishmaniosis (CL) cases. We designed the study in the context of community assessment process to identify and address the major public health related issues by explore the risk map of CL and assessing the environmental risk factors in Kerman.
Methods: All the registered CL in the only referral center for CL from 2002 to 2006, localized on Kerman digital map. The level of data dissemination was townships. Based on data from the national statistics organization, we determined the population and calculated the incidence of CL of each township. Secondly, the highest endemic townships were observed deeply with a specific checklist to determine the environmental risk factors.
Results: 771 cases were included. All the high endemic areas were located in the east part of Kerman. The eastern township, Sarasiyab, with 123 (15.9%) cases was the most infected region. The highest endemic townships were Sarasiyab, Emam and Sarbaz with 54.9, 52.8 and 51.2 cases per 10,000, respectively. Some minor endemic areas such as Shahab, Abouzar and Shahzadeh Mohammad (South and central regions) were going to be disappeared while Shariati, Naseriyeh-Seyedi (North and North-East regions) were the new high-risk townships (P<0.01).
Conclusions: the east and central part of Kerman, were always the high endemic regions. Some other new high-risk areas were also detected. The most environmental factors were the bare lands between the houses, ground passages and the timeworn architecture on the buildings.
Azizi A, Amirian F, Amirian M,
Volume 4, Issue 3 (3-2009)
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.
Shr Tabatabaee, O Fazalzadeh,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (9-2009)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Publication of scientific articles nowadays is one of the important indexes of knowledge production. This index plays a key role for ranking in academia. The aim of this study was to assess the how academic staff in Shiraz Medical Sciences University considered the principle of scientific writing.
Methods: In a cross-sectional study 200 published papers among 1104 paper registered to vice chancellor of research from 2002 to 2007 were selected with systematic random sampling method.
Results: Among 200 papers, 190 (95%) had corresponding author from faculty members. Twenty three percents (23%) of papers were in basic sciences field and 72% were in clinical field. In 19 (9.5%) of papers either an epidemiologists-biostatistician or social medicine specialists were coauthor. Forty five (22.5%) of published papers, consisted of descriptive studies and the rest were analytic studies. Maximum faults in descriptive studies were the missing of time interval stating (26%). In case-control studies, 59% of papers had not stated diagnosis criteria and disease definitions. In cohort studies and clinical trials, 90% and 85% of papers had not expressed the number of missed patients during study, respectively.
Conclusions: With regards to findings of this study, scientific writing and research methodology short course as continuing development professional for academic staff should be emphasized in academic institutes in Iran.
Keywords: Scientific writing, Journals, Shiraz,Iran
N Shams Alizadeh , Ar Delavari , A Sheirdel, B Mohsenpour , E Ghaderi,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (9-2009)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Measuring the quality of life is one of the important indicators in evaluating health. The chronic disease is a one of the main cause of reduction in quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life and its influential factors in 15-64 years old people in Kurdistan province, Iran.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study EUROHIS-QOL 8-item questionnaire was employed. Data was analyzed by SPSS statistical package.
Results: After adjusting the possible confounders, the mean score of quality of life was less in smoker 1.41 score versus non-smoker, in women 1.52 score versus men, in hypertension patients 1.41 score versus non-hypertension. The mean score of quality of life was reduced 0.05 per each year.
Conclusions: It is recommended to implement some interventions to manage properly current chronic diseases in order to increase the quality of life. It also seems that EUROHIS-QOL (8-item) is a suitable tool to measure the QOL in Iranian culture.
Aa Ramazani, Ss Raghebi, F Amirkhizi,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2010)
Abstract
Background & Objective: High prevalence of malnutrition and its relation with mental and physical health of children is one of the important health problems in developing countries. The aim of this survey was to assess the nutritional status and related factors in 0-24 month-old children in South Khorasan province in Iran 2006.
Methods: Seven hundred children of 0-24 month-old in South Khorasan province were included in this survey. A designed questionnaires and face-to-face interview with the mothers were used in order to obtain the required information . In addition, weight (Wt) and height (Ht) of the children were measured and compared with standard charts issued by the American National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). The nutritional status was determined based on weight for age (Wt/A), height for age (Ht/A), and weight for height (Wt/Ht) indices.
Results: Mean of children's age was 11.1 ± 7.8 month. Based on the Z-score, cut-off point under -2SD from median of the reference population (NCHS), 10.6% of the children were underweight (Wt/A), 5.3% stunted (Ht/A) and 11.6% wasted (Wt/Ht). A statistically significant relationship was found between indices of malnutrition and age and breastfeeding status of children. There was no association between gender and residence of children with their nutritional status.
Conclusion: With regard to prevalence of malnutrition in children, breastfeeding is highly recommended.
N Zare, M Sayadi, E Rezaeyan Fard, H Ghaem,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (6-2010)
Abstract
Background & objectives: statistical modeling explicates the observed changes in data by means of mathematics equations. In cases that dependent variable is count, Poisson model is applied. If Poisson model is not applicable in a specific situation, it is better to apply the generalized Poisson model. So, our emphasis in this study is to notice the data structure, introducing the generalized Poisson regression model and its application in estimates of effective factors coefficients on the number of children and comparing it with Poisson regression model results.
Methods: Besides introducing Poisson regression model, we introduced its application in fertility data analysis. A sample of 1019 women in rural areas of Fars was selected by cross sectional and stratified sampling methods. The number of children of family was determined as a count response variable for model validation.
Results: The sample mean and sample variance of the response variable Y, the number of children, are respectively 4.3 and 8.3 (over-dispersion). Log-likelihood was -1950.93 for Poisson regression and -1946.93 for generalized Poisson regression model.
Conclusions: The results revealed that this data have over-dispersion. According to selection criteria, the suitable model for this data analysis was generalized Poisson regression model. It can estimate effective factors coefficients on the number of children exactly.
Aa Yekta, C Dehghani, H Ostadi Moghaddam, J Heravian, E Jafarzadehpur, A Azimi, R Yekta, A Javaherforoshzadeh, M Pedramfar, B Rezvan, N Kiasatfard, M Khabazkhoob,
Volume 6, Issue 3 (12-2010)
Abstract
Background & Objective: Refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism) could lead to an impaired quality of life affect a large proportion of the population worldwide, irrespective of age, sex and ethnic group. Such refractive errors can be easily diagnosed, measured and corrected with spectacles or other refractive corrections to attain normal vision. Since there is paucity of information in school children in Iran we aimed to investigate the distribution pattern of refractive status and prevalence of refractive errors in school-age children in Shiraz
Methods: A random sampling strategy in geographically defined clusters was used to identify children aged 6-15 years in Shiraz between 2008-2209. We carried out a school survey and actual eye examinations, including visual acuity measurements, stereopsis examination, anterior segment and eyeball movements, fundus examinations, and cycloplegic retinoscopy with 1% cyclopentolate.
Results: Of 3065 selected individuals, 2683 were participated in the study (response rate 86.6%). According to cycloplegic refraction, 4.85% (95% (Cl), 3.52 to 6.16) of the primary and middle school students were myopic and 4.64% (95% Cl, 3.52 to 6.19) were hyperopic. For high school students, these rates were 22.19 and 11.4% respectively. Myopia and hyperopia were shown to be correlated with age. Prevalence of anisometropia, amblyopia and strabismus were 2.51%, 2.31(95%CI 1.51-3.11) and 1.83% (95%CI 1.15-2.50).
Conclusion: Compared to other published reports, the rate of myopia in the school children of Shiraz seems relatively high.
Aa Haghdoost, A Pourkhandani, Sh Motaghipisheh, B Farhoudi, N Fahimifar, B Sadeghirad ,
Volume 6, Issue 4 (3-2011)
Abstract
Background & Objective: the number of people with HIV/AIDS in Iran is increasing. Populations' knowledge and awareness are crucial steps to prevent HIV/AIDS epidemic. This systematic review aimed to assess the level of knowledge and attitude toward HIV/AIDS in Iranian population.
Methods: Reviewing related titles in national and international databanks resulted in 62 eligible studies published between 1998 and 2008. To explore the source(s) of heterogeneity, meta-regression model was used.
Results: Due to the methodological diversity of included studies (e.g. their sampling or data collection methods) pooled estimation of the results were hard to be applied. The mean for knowledge score among 24 eligible studies (including 24,011 individuals) varied between 14.7 and 84.0 out of 100. Among those 16 eligible studies (including 11,104 individuals), the reported mean for attitude varied between 32.6 and 78.4 out of 100.
Conclusion: In overall, it seems that the knowledge and attitude in Iranian population still need to be improved however, the results from our systematic review showed a considerable heterogeneity among the results that can be originated from the diversity of target populations and/or their methodology of included studies. Planning for further targeted programs and modifying public education for more effective schemes are necessary to be emphasized, as there was not a significant change in the level of knowledge or attitude based on the included studies.
