Epidemiology and Health System Journal
Year:2020 | Volume:7 | Issue:4|Papers Count:8

Dear Editor We have witnessed many advances in all fields of science over the years, especially in the field of health. However, various facts can be obtained in times of adversity. Although programs usually work well until a crisis occurs, they do not well continue during the crises. In addition, there are some experiences in every crisis although they are insufficiently used in future plans. Accordingly, we frequently experience various problems in face of similar crises. The outbreak of coronavirus is considered as one of these crises...

Background and aims: Parasitic infections, especially opportunistic parasites, can cause serious problems for immunocompromised patients. In this regard, this study aimed to evaluate parasitic infections in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy after referring to Kashani hospital of Shahrekord from January to May 2018. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 750 stool samples were collected from 250 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (three fecal samples from each patient) and sent to the Parasitology Laboratory of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences. All samples were examined macroscopically and microscopically through the direct method and a specific acid-fast staining method. To confirm the microscopic results, DNA was extracted from isolated parasites and amplification was performed by the polymerase chain reaction with the specific primers on positive samples. Results: In this study, 106 (42. 4%) and 144 (57. 6%) patients were males and females, respectively. In addition, 187 (74. 8%) and 63 (25. 2%) of them were living in urban and rural areas, respectively. In terms of the education level, most patients had a low level of literacy. Further, 12 (4. 8%) patients were infected with intestinal parasites that including, 7 (2. 8%), and 5 (2%) samples were infected with Blastocystis hominis and Giardia lamblia, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that B. hominis and G. lamblia are the most prevalent parasites in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Although the prevalence of intestinal parasites in cancer patients was low, these findings should not be contrary to the need for healthcare regarding the prevention of parasitic infections in cancer patients.

Background and aims: This study aimed at analyzing the epidemiological features and complications of different types of maxillofacial traumas in patients who referred to Alzahra hospital, Isfahan during 2005-2019. Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study included all patients with maxillofacial traumas who had been admitted to Alzahra hospital from March 1, 2005 to February 31, 2019. Several parameters were registered, consisting of patients’ demographic information, and time, location and the etiology of the accident, and clinical details related to injury and treatment procedures were recorded as well. Finally, the data were analyzed using chi-square and Fisher exact tests, and P < 0. 05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 1677 documents of traumatized patients were evaluated, including 79. 66% men (n=1336) and 20. 33% women (n=341). The statistical difference between the number of male and female patients was significant (P < 0. 001) and maxillofacial traumas were more prevalent in the third decade of life (35. 4%). Eventually, the highest number of referents was from Isfahan province (79. 2%). Conclusion: In general, traumatic accidents related to face and jaws are more prevalent in 21-30-yearold male patients mostly due to driving accidents, and driving accidents with vehicles was the most frequent cause of trauma.

Background and aims: Suicide is one of the most important complications of the industrialized world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of suicide attempt and suicide deaths in the population covered by Dezful University of Medical Sciences (DUMS). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the registered data of 3958 suicide attempts and 205 suicide deaths in Dezful from 2012 to 2018 were used. Gender, suicide method, residence, marital status, age, and education were used as the explanatory variables. The chi-square test was used to determine the relationship between qualitative variables in SPSS 22. 0. A simple time series chart for suicide cases was drawn using the simple time series plot. Results: A total of 3958 suicide attempts and 205 suicide deaths were recorded in the study population. The suicide trend during 2012-2018 years was declining. Most of the suicides cases were female (60. 1%), used drugs (65. 3%), lived in cities (51. 8%), were in the age group of 15-24 years (49. 6%), and were middle school educated (26. 8%). Drug abuse was reported more frequently than other methods (P≥ 0. 001). Conclusion: In this study, most of the suicide cases were females, married persons, adolescents, middle school educated persons, and drug users. It is suggested that the cultural, social, and economic problems of the families, especially women, be considered important and the families and the vulnerable groups receive the appropriate training.

Background and aims: Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is an inherited disorder of blood clotting in humans. The prevalence of VWD is different among various populations. The prevalence of this disorder in women with menorrhagia is less reported in Asia and Iran. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of VWD in women of reproductive age with heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB). Materials and Methods: A total of 160 women in the reproductive age group (15-45 years) with HMB who referred to the hematology clinic of Kashan Shahid Beheshti hospital during 2019 participated in this cross-sectional study. Demographic characteristics, clinical testing, and physician-reported problems of each participate including age, menstrual cycle length, uterine myoma, and polyp were collected using a questionnaire, sonography, and physical examination of women by a physician. The laboratory tests included hemoglobin (Hb), ferritin, iron, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). Results: Fifteen patients (9. 3%) with severe menstrual bleeding had VWD with a mean age of 34. 60± 6. 85 years. The frequency of the uterine fibroid (myoma) in women with VWD was significantly higher than that in patients without VWD (P=0. 03). The mean ferritin level among 15 women with VWD and 145 women without VWD was 23± 4. 28 ug/dL and 30. 68± 4. 46 ug/dL, respectively (P=0. 001). The mean serum iron in total participants was 35. 3± 11. 48 ug/dL and VWD patients had a lower iron level compared to those without VWD (P=0. 001). There was not a significant difference in TIBC level between women with and without VWD (P=0. 6). Conclusion: Based on the results, 9. 3% of women of reproductive age with HMB in Kashan, Iran, had VWD, which is lower compared to other regions of Asia.

Background and aims: Self-medication, as the most common method of self-care, is one of the major problems in treatment in many countries in the world. The present study was designed to determine the prevalence of self-medication and identify the factors associated with casual medication use among students of Larestan University of Medical Sciences in Iran in 2020. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study conducted in 2020. The study was conducted at Larestan University of Medical Sciences and 147 students entered the study through convenience sampling. The data collection tool was a researcher-made self-treatment questionnaire. After collecting the data, the SPSS software version 25. 0 was used to analyze the data. Fisher’ s exact test, independent t test, and chi-square test were used to investigate the relationship between the variables. A P value of less than 0. 05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of self-medication was 62. 5%. The most common sources of self-medication were pharmacies and previous prescriptions. The most common illnesses treated with over-thecounter medications include colds, headaches, and digestive problems. The most important over-thecounter medications include painkillers, anti-colds, antibiotics, iron pills, calcium supplements, and antihistamines. A comparison of students’ attitudes towards medication showed that attitudes “ I feel my problem has been treated with over-the-counter medications” and “ I feel I have enough information about diseases and how to treat them” (the group who did have self-medication and the group who did not have self-medication) had a significant difference between the two groups (P<0. 05). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed a high prevalence of self-medication among students. We recommend holding special training classes for the communities in order to provide information about the irreparable effects of self-medication and create new policies for prescribing and delivering medicine.

Background and aims: Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common problems that women experience. Dysmenorrhea brings about psychological problems for women and adversely affects their performance. Therefore, providing, maintaining, and promoting the health of women is an important goal. The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between general health and Dysmenorrhea in students of Shahrekord University in 2018. Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, 245 female students were selected by random cluster sampling method from Shahrekord University in 2018. Data were collected using the GHQ28, visual analogue scale (VAS), and a reliable and valid questionnaire designed by the researchers to determine menstrual pattern. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and independent samples t test. Results: The mean age at menarche was 13. 5 years. Dysmenorrhea was observed in 82. 8% of students. The severity of pain was measured by the VAS scale, indicating that 22. 3% of the participants had severe menstrual pain. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea in participants with a family history of Dysmenorrhea was greater and statistically significant. The result of the t-test showed that there is a relationship between dysmenorrhea and the general health of the participants (P=0. 036). There was also a significant relationship between menstrual cycle regularity and physical characteristics of the participants (P=0. 019). Significant relationships were also found regarding the interval between menstrual cycles and physical symptoms (P=0. 026), and depression and general health (P=0. 0001). Conclusion: Due to the importance of dysmenorrhea and its high prevalence among female students, it is important to provide education and control on this disorder to improve the quality of life of women. It is also beneficial to create counseling centers to raise awareness of the psychological health of female students suffering from dysmenorrhea.

Background and aims: Patient information leaflets (PILs) are the best form of written information transfer. The aim of this study was to investigate the sources of drug information and the reading rate of PILs among medical sciences students. Methods: Three hundred students were entered in this cross-sectional study via simple random sampling at the Faculty of Paramedical, Nursing and Midwifery of Guilan University of Medical Sciences in 2018. Results: The participants considered the physician as the most reliable source for receiving drug information. Pharmacists, PILs, and the Internet were mentioned as the next sources, respectively. About 15. 3% of people always read PILs. Students used PILs along with other sources of drug information. Conclusion: The type of medication and the individuals’ need for the type of information, along with the structure and presentation of the materials in the PILs, are all contributing factors.