Iranian Journal of Epidemiology
Year:2009 | Volume:5 | Issue:1|Papers Count:11

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the geographical distribution of Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH) in Iran using Geographic Information System Methods: The incidence of Congenital Hypothyroidism in each city and province calculated based on national CH screening program and then the map of its distribution was depicted. The spatial distribution of CH was assessed in each city by employing binominal test and Hotspot Analysis. The map of distribution of CH was drawn by ArcGlS version 9.2 software.Results: The national incidence of CH (including both transient and permanent types) has been estimated 2.2/1000 in screened new borne babies. The distribution of CH seems more or less equally around the country and its spatial variation was not statistically significant. We did not find any specific CH Hot Spot in Iran. Conclusions: We did not find any particular explanation for high incidence of CH is Iran geographically; therefore other explanations for such a high risk in screened neonates should be investigated including the nonenvironmental factors and factors related to quality of screening program in Iran.

Background & Objectives: In fact, economic growth, income inequality and health are integrated issues. Economic growth along with increasing income lead to individuals' health promotion and public health and has a positive impact on it, but if there is inappropriate policy to redistribute of these resources, it would have reverse effects. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between economic growth and ecological income inequality indices with health in Iran from 1978 to 2006.Methods: An ecological study was designed and relevant data were gathered from the statistics center of Iran and Iran Central Bank. Results: The correlation between Gini coefficient and health indices was statistically significant (P<0.01). The association between economic growth and mortality rate of children under five years index (P<0.01) and with life expectancy (P<0.05) were statistically significant as well.Conclusions: Economic development and decreasing income inequality should be considered as important determinant factors to have better health in Iranian society.

Background & Objectives: Observational studies are not often reported in detail and clear enough, so that assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of these studies is not straightforward. To improve the reporting of observational studies, a checklist of items called 'Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology' (STROBE) was developed by some experts in October 2007. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of reporting of observational studies before STROBE statement. Methods: We included randomly sixty cohort studies published in six important international journals until October 2007. Then, we used STROBE checklist to assess the strengths and weaknesses of these included studies. Results: On average, more than 81% (95% CI: 77%-87%) of included studies pointed to 43 items of aim of this study. The most reported (100%) items were "scientific background" and "rationale for the investigation" and the less reported (30%) item was "flow chart". Conclusions: Although, the quality of reported cohort studies' results was acceptable, the type of study, journal and date of publication could influence on the quality of observational studies.

Background & Objectives: vaccination is one of the most important indexes for disease prevention program. Therefore this study conducted to assess the coverage of vaccination program to identify the delay or disruption of program in 2005 year. Methods: Health profiles (vaccination card) of children between 15-26 months assessed. We did interview with their mothers as well. This survey was conducted in rural and urban area in southern Khorasan province in Iran during 2005. Results: The coverage of children and mother's vaccination were 96.7% and 71.1 % respectively. The study findings showed that inadequate information about the arrangement of dosage, distance to health centre and feeling the necessity of vaccination were most factors for incomplete converge of vaccination program.Conclusions: Based on study findings educational program to increase mothers awareness is recommended.

Background and objectives:" Although in many developed and developing countries, self care is the most important part of primary care; in Iran it has not been supported as well as its values. The aim of this study was to assess the views of general people living in south of Tehran about self care. Methods: This was a population based study in which 1200 individuals aged 15 years and over were interviewed using cluster sampling. A structured interview questionnaire which including 5 sections on regarding demographic characteristics, views on general health, views on self care knowledge, interest and practice, views on barrier and enabler factors for self care, and views on sources of information was used. Content validity and cronbach's alpha coefficient was used for its validity and reliability. Data were analyzed through spss version 11. Results: The mean age of participants was 27.9±5.2 years. Six hundred and fifty eight respondents (55%) stated they were not knowledgeable on self care, 986 (82%) and 1035 (86%), were interested and self rated themselves active regarding healthy life style, respectively. In practice, only fifty three participants (4%) were actually active in eating ³7 glasses of water daily, 31 (3%) stated they ate more than five portions of fruits daily and 51 (4%) did physical activity more than 3 hours weekly.Conclusions: The findings of this study have highlighted the significant role of information in doing self care activities.

Background and objectives: People with thalessemia and chronic renal failure on maintenance hemodialysis are prone to blood-born infections, especially hepatitis C due to the long-term transfusion. Recently, hepatitis C has been one of the main health concerns in these patients. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C and its risk factors in these groups of patients in Kerman province of Iran. Methods: HCY RNA in blood sample of 384 patients (203 hemodialysis cases and 181 thalassemia cases) was evaluated. Results: One hundred thirty (130) out of 384 were infected by HCY. Infected male was predominant (83%). Conclusions: It seems that the frequency of hepatitis C infection in Kerman is higher than the other provinces of Iran. Therefore more attention should be paid to screen of blood before transfusing for these group of patients.

Background and obiectives: Iranian family physician care program as a new program has begun since 2005 to deliver a better service particularly in primary health care. The objective this survey was to evaluate the impact of this program on family planning in Sari city between 2003-2007. Methods: This survey was conducted among all women 15-49 years who married. Required data were collected from health files. The pattern of time trend evaluated and relevant indices compared before and after the family physician program. Results: The application of condom, hormone injection, vasectomy and total modern contraceptives increased but employing the methods of tubectomy, IUD, OCP, Norplant and traditional method were descending. This variability for condom, tubectomy arid traditional methods were statistically significant (p<0.05). However for other methods were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Difference of contraceptive using rates in pre and post of the application of program for condom, hormone injection, tubectomy and OCP were statistically significant (p<0.05) and for others were not statistically significant (p>0.05).Conclusions: It seems relatively success of family physician program on family planning in Mazandaran province however more human resource should be allocated to family planning.

Sample size estimation is one of the crucial issues in the research methodology in medical sciences. It is an important issue for not only researchers but also readers of medical papers; their frequent questions show how much they need to simple but accurate information. This paper presents the basic concepts of sample size calculation, and simplifies complicated issues using concrete examples to clarify the concept of sample size estimation for none-professional readers in statistics. The paper starts with explaining the basic concepts of sample size calculation such as effect size, confidence interval and confidence coefficient, statistical errors, and assumptions in sample size calculation. Then, it presents the common formulae in the sample size calculation to estimate a mean, a proportion, to compare two means and to compare two proportions.