Showing 6 results for Ardalan
K Holakouie Naeini , A Ardalan , M Mahmoudi , A Motevallian , Y Yahyapour ,
Volume 4, Issue 1 (2 2006)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women, both in Iran and worldwide. The wide variation in breast cancer incidence in different geographical areas calls for studies to clarify the role of potential risk factors. In this study we looked at some factors that could be involved in the pathogenesis of breast cancer.
Material and Methods: This matched case-control study was carried out in the summer of 2004, and it drew on data recorded in Babol (Caspian) Cancer Registry. We investigated 250 biopsy-proven cases of breast cancer, together with 500 controls chosen from the neighbors of cases. We matched the subjects with regard to age (with 3 years intervals). Crude and adjusted odds ratios and relevant 95% confidence intervals were calculated through conditional logistic regression, using STATA 8.0.
Results: This study involved 250 incident cases of breast cancer and 500 age-matched controls. The mean age of the cases was 48.7 (±11.37) years with 48, 22 and 80 years as median, min. and max. values, respectively. Mean age in the controls was 48.0 (±11.46) years with 47.5, 19 and 77 years as median, min. and max. values, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, the following variables were found to be risk factors: university education (OR=5.89, 95%CI: 1.73-20.09), menopause (OR=3.98, 95%CI: 2.29-6.91), induced abortion (OR=1.56, 95%CI: 1.02-2.22), BMI (OR=1.02, 95%CI: 1.01-1.03) and longer duration of breast feeding was determined as protective factor against breast cancer (OR=0.995, 95%CI: 0.990-0.999).
Conclusion: Modifiable risk factors should be considered in the community-based preventive interventions. The following areas could serve as topics for community education in Mazandaran: the role of high BMI and induced abortion in increasing the chance of breast cancer and also the protective role of breast feeding on this issue.
A Ardalan , K Holakouie Naieni , M Mahmoudi , R Majdzadeh , P Derakhshandeh Peykar ,
Volume 4, Issue 2 (3 2006)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Limitations of the traditional methods for assessing G*E interaction- including case-control studies- led to development of several non-traditional approaches. This study aims to assess the interaction between the genetic background (history of breast cancer in first degree relatives) and environmental influences (reproductive/menstrual factors) in patients with breast cancer we also compare the statistical efficiency and power of case-control and case-only designs in this setting.
Materials and Methods: In a matched case-control study in Mazandaran province (Iran), 250 incident biopsy-proven cases of breast cancer and 250 age-matched neighbor controls were interviewed. History of breast cancer in mother and/or sister(s) was taken as a surrogate measure of genetic predisposition, while age at first birth, parity, breast feeding, age at menarche and irregular menstruation were considered as relevant environmental factors. For the matched case-control design, we used a conditional logistic regression model to examine main effects and the G*E interaction. In the case-only design, logistic regression analysis was applied to obtain an estimate of G*E interaction, after checking for the independence assumption. We also calculated the power for detecting the interaction by matched case-control and case-only analyses.
Results: Age at first delivery did not meet the assumption of independence (p=0.02), and so was not included in the case-only analysis. No statistically significant interaction effect was seen in the case-control analysis, while case-only analysis showed significant negative interaction between disease in first-degree relatives on the one hand and parity and breast feeding on the other. We also detected a significant positive interaction between genetic predisposition and age at menarche. All the estimated 95% confidence intervals for OR in G*E interactions were narrower in the case-only analysis. For all factors, the power for detecting G*E interaction was greater in the case-only analysis compared to the case-control analysis, with ratios ranging from 1.08 to 2.23.
Conclusion: The case-only design is more efficient and powerful than the case-control design for detecting gene-environment interaction under the assumption of independence. Baseline disease risk, interactions and independent effects should be considered in using the control data for checking the assumption of independence. Considering the existence of another explanatory variable, eg. a mutant gene which may have passed unnoticed, would be the safest approach in a case-only study.
H.r Gilasi , K Holakouie Naieni , M.r Zafarghandi , M Mahmoudi , M Ghanei , M.r Soroush , A Dowlatyari , A Ardalan ,
Volume 4, Issue 3 (3 2006)
Abstract
Background and Aim: In breach of all international conventions, Iraq frequently used chemical weapons against both military and civilian targets in its 8-year war with Iran. The most frequently used agent was sulfur mustard. The effects of mustard gas may be divided into early and late categories. Late lesions, due to the agent's mutagenic and carcinogenic potential, are mainly the results of its action on intracellular particles, probably nucleic acids. Although the occurrence of cancer has been proved following long-term exposure, the presence of a carcinogenic effect in acute, short-term contact is still in doubt.
Materials and Methods: To determine the relationship between cancer and acute exposure to mustard gas, a historical cohort study was carried out in Isfahan province, involving 500 chemically-injured soldiers with at least one episode of exposure to mustard gas. The incidence of cancer and the death rates in these subjects were compared with similar rates from i) 500 unexposed soldiers in the same area and ii) nationwide figures.
Results: All the subjects were male. The mean age in the exposed and unexposed groups were 41(±10.8), and 40(±7.6) years respectively. Within the exposed group, the mean age at first exposure was 24.1(±13) years the mean age at first injury in the unexposed group was 23(±11) years. Eighty-one percent of the cases lived in cities and 19% in rural areas. For 395 persons (84.5%) in the exposed group, education was at high school level or below. Within the same group, 481 subjects (96.2%) were married. Sixty-three people (12.6%) were servicemen and 366 (73.2%) had civilian jobs. Three cases of cancer were observed in those exposed to mustard gas. No cases occurred in the unexposed group. Ten people in exposed group and 7 in the unexposed group were dead at the time of the study. Relative risks for cancer and death were estimated at 4.02 (CI 95% = 0.45-36.1) and 1.44 (CI 95% = 0.54-3.81) respectively.
Conclusion: The results failed to show a statistically significant relationship between cancer incidence and acute exposure to sulfur mustard.
F Ramezanzadeh, F Haghollahi, M Shariat, M Mahmood Arabi, H Hosseini, M Jaafar Abadi, M.a Motlagh, G Ardalan, A Vasigh, F Sohani,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (27 2010)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Despite the fact that the proportion of youth population is very high in Iran, there is no well designed, comprehensive reproductive health program for the youth. This prompted the health planners to evaluate all the existing centers that deliver reproductive health services to the youth in the country in order to identify the weaknesses and strengths of the services and the centers.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive analytic study was conducted from March 2006 to March 2007, in coordination with the Vice-chancellor for Health of Universities of Medical Sciences, through Offices for Health of the Youth and Schools (OHYS). Five health centers, namely, Tehran, Semnan, Bam, Chabahar, and Fassa Health Centers (the only centers delivering reproductive health services to the youth) were included in the study. They were assessed for structure and physical facilities, job satisfaction of the personnel, satisfaction of the youth consulting them, and the services (including consultative services) delivered. The data were gathered through questionnaires using a checklist and analyzed by the SPSS-13 software.
Results: The health center personnel thought that the quality of services delivered at the centers was low. They also believed that the physical facilities, including equipment in the clinical examination room, furniture, cleanliness of the premises, and entertainment facilities, were not of an acceptable standard. About 64% of the personnel of the health centers personnel expressed job satisfaction. On the other hand, 39% of the young people consulting the centers expressed full, and 54% relative, satisfaction with the services they were receiving the remaining 7% were not content at all. The highest rate of satisfaction was with the psychologist, physician, and midwife, so that 95% of the clients recommended the centers to other young people seeking reproductive health services. Finally, the clients said that in most of the centers paramedical personnel, including nutrition officers (50%) and midwives with a Master's degree (17.5%), were insufficient.
Conclusion: It is suggested that a comprehensive service package be developed to be used in all the health centers, rather than each center deliver services based on the existing facilities and individual preferences. Such a package should be based on the national reproductive health programs (according to the medical education curricula). Intersectoral collaboration (particularly from the Ministry of Education and cultural organizations) is also very essential.
Tahereh Pashaie, Abbas Rahimi, Asou Ardalan, Fereshteh Majlesi,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (13 2012)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons.The World Health Organization has estimated that 100 to 140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the adverse consequences of FGM. Two of the major incentives for FGM are traditions and social pressure, and the practice is mostly carried out by traditional circumcisers. Not only FGM has no health benefits for girls and women, but it has immediate and long-term complications. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of female genital mutilation and factors associated with it among women consulting health centers in Ravansar City, Iran
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 348 women consulting 5 health centers in Ravansar City, Iran. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and SPSS.16 was used for data analysis.
Results: The prevalence of FGM was 55.7% and the mean age of the women undergoing FGM was 9.2±14.2 years. The prevalence increased with age. Almost in all cases the operation had been performed by traditional local circumcisers. The data also showed that 96.2% of the mothers and 87.6% of the sisters of the subjects had also been mutilated. There were statistically significant associations between FGM and several independent variables as follows: the mutilated women's age (0.001) and education level (p<0.001) their mothers' education level (p=0.006) and their awareness of, and attitude towards, mutilation (p<0.001).
Conclusion: FGM is prevalent among Ravansar women. Religious leaders and health personnel should attempt to discourage FGM. Promoting public awareness of FGM and its undesirable consequences is essential. Research shows that if a community itself decides to abandon FGM, the practice can be eliminated rapidly.
Marjan Hossein Pour, Shahrzad Nematollahi, Mohammad Shekari, Abdolhossein Madani, Ali Akbarisari, Ali Ardalan, Elham Torabi, Hossein Shabkhiz, Kourosh Holakoie Naieni,
Volume 13, Issue 4 (3-2016)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Nowadays, in health promotion and disease prevention great emphasis is put on participatory community-based approaches. These approaches are considered as the main strategy of health promotion by using multiple interventions. Community assessment is a participatory research approach in which problems prioritization and resource distribution are done using information collected in a region aiming at promoting health of the community.
Materials and Methods: In this applied research community assessment was made in the Chahestaniha region in the City of BandarAbbas with the objective of identifying and prioritizing the main problems. The assessment consisted of eight phases, namely, the formation of a community assessment team, Primary and secondary data collection, data analysis and interpretation, combining district-level health statistics with community assessment data, reporting to the community, prioritizing health problems, and prepared a community assessment document. In the eighth phase, after considering all risk factors that cause high prevalence of Children head lice, the action plan was designed and implemented to solve the problems.
Results: The Chahestaniha community assessment led to identifying 52 problems. The priority problems were classified. High prevalence of lice on children’s head was chosen as the top major problem to be solved, an action plan for solving it was developed and implemented.
Conclusion: The full cycle of community assessment methodology can be applied, with only some small changes, in most communities with different sizes, cultures, traditions and social habits. The method can obtain participation of the people in conducting the study and implementing interventions.
