Journal of School of Public Health and

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Background and Aim: In the past few years publications in the field of medicine have increased considerably in Iran and knowledge production in this country shows the greatest growth rate in the entire Middle East region. Considering the fact that 12% of all faculty members in the health and medical sector in Iran are employed by Tehran University of Medical Sciences, this university is regarded as the country's leading research institution. This study is focused on the behavior of the researchers in this university in terms of collaboration in research and factors that affect such behavior.

Materials and Methods: Our samples included all research projects in Tehran University of Medical Sciences that had obtained grants from inside and outside the university in 2004, had registered their contracts, had been finished by the time of this study (October 2006- March 2007) and whose final reports had been submitted (315 projects). The data collecting forms were filled for 301 files. The researcher's questionnaire was sent to the principal investigators of the projects and eventually 208 questionnaires were collected. We used the SPSS software package and the usual statistical tests (frequency ratio, chi square, analysis of variance and multiple linear regression with the Enter method) to assess the factors affecting the participation scores of individuals. Based on the data gathered from the forms, we used the UNICET software to analyze the 'cooperation network' between project directors and their principal co-workers and the relationship between different sections of the university.

Results: Only in 2.2 percent of the projects whose contracts were arranged in 1383 there has been some cooperation between the project director/principal coworkers and non-academic organizations. This ratio reaches 2.5% for collaboration with other universities. Among all projects, health system research programs show a better status of collaboration. Linear regression analysis showed that another important factor affecting the participation score is the "method for choosing the research topic". University-affiliated research centers only collaborate with the Schools of Medicine and Public Health, while in the School of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine all projects are defined within the School's own structure, with virtually no collaboration with any other sections of the university.

Conclusion: The present study showed that research programs in this university include little collaboration with organizations outside the university or with other universities. Part of this is related to the current structure of the research sector in the country, which is largely financed by the government with hardly any participation by the private sector. Current potentials within the University make it possible to embark upon joint research initiatives with other academic institutions. As the possible effect of intervention on health system research has been shown, policies can be implemented to promote effective collaborative research at university and national level.

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Background and Aim: Cigarette smoking is a global problem, but is decreasing in most developed countries. Reports from the East Mediterranean show that unlike the 5 other WHO regions, cigarette smoking has not decreased in this particular zone. There is a vital need to address the problem, especially in the adolescent population. This qualitative study looks at the motives behind the smoking tendency in boys aged 13-15.

Materials and Methods: The study consisted of 6 focus group discussions performed in Tehran orientation (intermediate) schools participants were male students aged 13 to 15 years. Purposeful sampling was used to draw in participants who were willing and able to take part in the group discussions. Each group was composed of 6-8 students, whose voices were recorded to determine themes and subthemes.

Results: Family and social factors have a more prominent role in creating the smoking tendency compared to individual factors. The most important elements are family history of smoking, having friends who smoke, poor parental control, conflicts at home, divorced parents, failure to consult with parents, easy availability and relative cheapness of cigarettes, and lack of information.

Conclusion: Serious attention must be paid to the social and family factors in the initiation of the smoking habit. Social and political institutions must come up with effective programs to control the social and family factors that have a role in creating the smoking tendency.

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Background and Aim: The prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism (CH), one of the main causes of preventable mental handicap in neonates, is much higher in Iran than the global average.
The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) by using the screening program in Fars Province, Iran, during the period 2003-2006.

Methods and Materials: A case-control study was carried out, the samples being 126 cases and 401 controls. The neonates were those born between 2003 and 2006, under coverage of the National Congenital Hypothyroidism Program. The data were analyzed using the univariate and multivariate analysis tests.

Results: An increased risk for CH was detected in infants with consanguine parents, by a multivariate analysis test (odds ratio (OR) = 2.9, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.8-4.8). The test also confirmed previously reported statistically significant associations with additional birth defects OR = 2.2 (1-4.6), birth defects in first-degree relatives OR = 4.7 (1.6-4.8), female gender OR = 1.9 (1.1-3), and twin births. Although not significant, an increased risk for CH was observed among infants with gestational age<30 weeks (preterm delivery) (OR = 1.7(0.9-1.3)).

Conclusion: This study identified risk factors contributing to the etiology of CH. In particular, our results suggest a multifactorial origin of CH, in which both genetic and environmental factors play a role.

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Background and Aim: Experience at the national and international levels shows that internal evaluation, especially at the level of academic departments, can play a critical role in warranting having a university with high standards. The objectives of the present research project were to determine (a). the quality of the structural elements of the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department (EBD) School of Public Health,  Tehran University of Medical Sciences,  and (b). The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, on the basis of which action could be taken to improve the quality of activities in the Department.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with the collaboration of the head and faculty members, all of the students (residents, Ph.D. and M.S. students), and the graduates, of the EBD. Nine variables were studied, namely, 1). Aims and objectives 2). Organizational and management structure 3). Faculty members 4). Students 5). Teaching and learning process 6). Courses and curricula 7). Graduates 8). Research and educational facilities and equipment and 9). Research activities of the faculty members. First the initial weight of the 9 variables were  determined by opinion poll carried out among all the faculty members of EBD. Then unrelated data were identified through proper tests and omitted and the final weights extracted. The tools used to collect the data included interview, observation, and 7 self-prepared questionnaires and 2 check lists.

Results: The mean score for the 9 factors studied was 59.8%, the range being between 37.0% (for objectives and mission) and 72.0% (for graduates).

Conclusion: The graduate domain is one of the key areas in internal evaluation of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. On the other hand, the lower score for objective and aims domain implicates the need for future intervention in this domain.

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Introduction: Development of effective antiretroviral therapies (ART) has reduced mortality and increased life expectancy among individuals with HIV infection. Antiretroviral therapy regiments have improved symptoms and quality of life among these patients, whose sexual and reproductive needs, have, therefore, increased as well. In 2010, 20.8% of HIV-infected Iranians acquired the disease through sexual relations. The objective of this study was to define high-risk sexual behaviors among individuals infected with HIV referred to the Triangular Clinics of Universities of Medical Sciences in Tehran.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional interview-based survey included 400 HIV-positive individuals selected by consequential sampling.

Results: The majority (60%) of the subjects was males, and 44.2% of men and 51.3% of women with HIV were in the age group 34-25 years. On the whole, 15.6% of the women and 49.6% of the men had high-risk sexual behaviors after diagnosis of HIV infection. Further analysis of the data showed that 62.5%  of HIV-positive individuals were not aware of the risks of unsafe sexual relationship (using no condom) for HIV-positive transmission.. Based on the logistic regression module, it was found that factors strongly associated with high-risk sexual behavior were being male, being single, under high school diploma/graduate degree, alcohol intake and use of hormonal and permanent methods of family planning  (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The findings of this study confirm previous reports showing common high-risk sexual behaviour after diagnosis in HIV-positive populations. Providing suitable health services and advice on fertility and sexual health will result in no- or low-risk sexual life for couples.

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Background and Aim: Quality of life amongst people living with HIV/AIDS is affected by their experiences such as social isolation, stigmatization and discrimination. Physical, mental and social problems are common throughout their lives. Therefore, studying the quality of life of HIV-infected individuals are shortcomings in various cultural contexts. The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS in Iran. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. We used convenience sampling to recruit 300 HIV-infected adults attending the Imam Khomeini Hospital consultation center for clients with risky behaviors in Tehran. To collect the data we employed the World Health Organization Quality of life for HIV Brief version (WHOQOL-HIV BREF). T-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s coefficient and multiple regression were used for analysis. Results: The mean ±SD age of the respondents was 34.3±7.5 years. The majority of them were males (55%) and asymptomatic (51.7%). Among the domains of quality of life, Level of independence had the highest score (13.4±3.1), and environment (12.5±2.8) and psychological (12.5±3.1) domains had the lowest. Younger's, women and employed subjects reported better quality of life for different domains of quality of life (p<0.05). Conclusion: Psychological and environment domains in quality of life were found to be adversely affected by HIV. Accurate and culturally sensitive interventions are suggested to address the patients' psychological and environmental needs.

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Background and Aim: Child abuse is a social problem that affects the lives of children. The purpose of this study was to design a valid and reliable Persian questionnaire to measure the status of child abuse. Materials and Methods: Content validity was measured with search of relevant electronic databanks, preparation of the first draft of the questionnaire and determinant of its relevancy and clarity. Reliability was measured with Cronbach’s alpha, and repeatability was measured with intra cluster correlation through test-retest with two weeks interval. Results: The mean of clarity and relevancy of the tool were 80.36% and 92.5%, respectively, and rang of these two measure were 90.14 - 97.2, also. The average of intra cluster correlation (ICC) and Cronbach’s alpha were 0.95 and 0.92, respectively. Conclusion: The new tool has acceptable validity and reliability and is suitable for child abuse studies in Iran.