Iranian Journal of Epidemiology
Year:2019 | Volume:15 | Issue:3|Papers Count:9

Background and Objectives: Anthropometric indices, especially weight, provide useful information for the care and treatment of newborn infants and can be used to identify infants at risk. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the mean weight, height and head circumference measurements of infants and some related factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the anthropometric indices (weight, height and head circumference), demographic characteristics, and delivery data of 1484 newborns in 2016 using multistage sampling. Moreover, the predictors of these indices were analyzed using a linear regression model. Results: The mean weight, height and head circumference of the newborn infants was 3185 ± 465 g, 49. 92 ± 2. 92 cm, and 34. 58 ± 2. 29 cm respectively, and 7% of newborns were low birth weight. The male newborns weighed 57. 29 g more than females on average at birth (p <0. 05). Besides, the height and head circumference of the male newborns were 0. 15 and 0. 10 cm larger than the female newborns respectively but the difference was not statistically significant. In addition to gender, gestational age at birth (week) and type of delivery correlated with all three anthropometric indices in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Identifying and controlling largely adjustable risk factors can make it possible to prevent low anthropometric parameters, particularly low birth weight.

Background and Objectives: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the health problems in Iran, especially in Kerman Province. The aim of this study was to determine the morbidity rate of CL in two new foci in the east and southeast of Kerman. Methods: At the end of 2017, demographic data were obtained from the health centers of Kerman. Using cluster sampling, 800 households (40 clusters of 20 households) were studied in Allahabad (southeast) and Sarasiab (east), Keramn. From each subject, data were collected regarding age, sex, number and location of the ulcer(s), scarring, and time and place of infection. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The prevalence of CL was 9. 6 in Allahabad and 42. 8 in Sarasiab and the incidence (new cases) was 3. 2 and 3. 8, respectively. The highest rate of infection was found in Allahabad in the age group under 6 years old and in the Sarasiab was over 40 years old. There was a significant difference in nationality and local transmission between the rwo regions (P <0. 001). Conclusion: The ratio of the prevalence to incidence in two regions showed that the focus in the east of Kerman was almost 12 years old, whilst a new focus is developing in the southeast. It is suggested that the health centers in the city of Kerman provide a regular program including active case-detection and free-of-charge treatment of patients in the aforementioned areas until complete recovery to achieve disease control.

Background and Objectives: Iran has carried out a series of surveys based on the Global school-based student health survey (GSHS) referred to as the CASPIAN. The aim of this paper was to compare the methodology and tools of CASPIAN surveys and to propose recommendations and suggestions for future implementations. Methods: The data of this systematic review study were gathered from the World Health Organization (WHO) documentations, international databases including Pubmed, EMBASE, Scopus, GoogleScholar, and ScienceDirect, and national databases including Magiran, SID, and Irandoc. The search was conducted in both English and Persian (for the time period from 2003 to 2018). The time and place of the study, target population, questionnaire(s), sample size, and sampling method were compared between the surveys. Results: Five rounds of CASPIAN survey were conducted in Iran from 2003 to 2015. The surveys had two sets of questionnaires for students and parents. In all five rounds, sampling methods and questionnaires were similar in the core and differed in some details that were added selectively in each round. The questionnaires were designed based on the GSHS and the WHO stepwise approach to non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS) programs. Conclusion: Considering the small variation in each series and compliance with the global model, it is suggested that the next CASPIAN survey be conducted according to the previous series in accordance with the standards presented in the global model in recent years in a reasonable interval from the 2015 survey.

Background and Objectives: Burns are tragic events with considerable mortality rates. This study was conducted to analyze the spatial pattern of burns and identify the factors associated with the burn injuries in Mashhad, Iran. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in patients hospitalized in Imam Reza Hospital Burn Center, Mashhad, which is the only referral burn center in the northeast of Iran. Spatial generalized linear models (Poisson and negative binomial) were used to model the association between socio-economic characteristics and the incidence of burn injury. Results: A total of 1044 acute burn patients (69. 9% male, 30. 1% female) were reviewed. Most of the burned patients were in the age group 20-29 years (41. 4%). The most common cause of burn injury was flame (64. 6%). The local test of spatial autocorrelation confirmed that the burns had cluster pattern in the central areas of the city and the worn-out urban texture was at higher risk of burns. The results of model showed that the percentage of worn-out urban texture (IRR =1. 007; 95%CI 1. 005-1. 008), literacy (IRR =0. 98; 95% CI 0. 95-0. 99), percentage of employed women (IRR =0. 96; 95%CI 0. 92-0. 99), unemployment rate (IRR =0. 92; 95%CI 0. 85-0. 99) and percentage of margination (IRR =1. 006; 95%CI 1. 005-1. 008) were associated with burns. Conclusion: Based on the findings, socio-economic and environmental characteristics are associated with the incidence of burn injuries in different areas. The results of this study could be used to design burn prevention strategies, especially in the high-risk areas and groups.

Background and Objectives: Lifestyle is a way that a person chooses throughout life and is an indicator that can affect physical and mental health. This study was conducted to determine the lifestyle of people in Rasht and its predictive factors. Methods: This analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted in 1000 residents of 5 districts of Rasht. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and the Behavioral Health Questionnaire. SPSS software version 20 was used to analyze the data. Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t-test and linear regression were applied. Results: The result showed that 50. 3% of the participants were male and 49. 7% were female. According to lifestyle, the rate of using alcohol, physical activity, breakfast, red meat, fruits, salt, and ready meal was 13. 4%, 54. 3%, 95. 6%, 87. 7%, 98. 4%, 59. 6%, and 45. 9%, respectively. The majority of the research units (70. 1%) never smoked. The mean sleep time was 7. 45 ± 63/1 hours. Conclusion: Based on the results, promotion of nutritional knowledge, increased awareness of the disadvantages of smoking, availability of healthy food at a reasonable price, and physical activity are important factors for lifestyle improvement.

Background and Objectives: Low fertility reduces the workforce and causes population aging. Hence, childbearing and its determinants are important issues in demographic policies. This study was conducted to explain the causes of single child according to women’ s views. Methods: This qualitative study was the second part of a sequential explanatory study carried out using a conventional content analysis approach and inductive reasoning. The research population comprised married women aged 15-49 years old living in Babol who had one child and did not intend to have any pregnancies in the future. The subjects were selected via a target-based sampling method. After receiving written consent, semistructured interviews were conducted. Data saturation was achieved after 13 interviews. Results: The findings showed that single child was affected by the media and social patterns associated with their own priorities. Uncertainty about the future and marital conflicts boosted having only one child. In fact, there were issues that forced women to accept "single child” in spite of "single child complaints" and try to a find a meaning for life with only one child. Conclusion: Apart from economic issues, there are many social issues involved in child-rearing, and demographic policy-makers should consider these issues in order to achieve their desired demographic goals.

Background and Objectives: Nowadays, despite several global initiatives, the use of doping agents has become a problem in athletic societies. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the prevalence, attitude and tendency toward the use of performance-enhancing supplements among athletes in North Khorasan Province. Methods: The statistical population of this cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study was all athletes of North Khorasan Province. Demographic characteristics and data related to doping agents were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was approved by doping experts and its reliability was calculated by Cronbach's alpha. The questionnaires were then distributed using stratified random sampling and 436 questionnaires were collected. Data were analyzed using SPSS software at P<0. 05. Results: The findings showed that 39. 2% of the subjects used at least one of the agents for doping. The most common agents were vitamin and protein supplements (36%), minerals (28. 7%) and drugs (21. 3%). Also, there was a significant negative correlation between the prevalence of using doping agents and age, sport background, and educational level. In addition, attitude and tendency toward the use of doping agents were higher in weightlifters, body builders, and footballers compared to other athletes. Furthermore, knowledge of athletes, awareness about side effects, and the overall awareness of athletes toward performance-enhancing supplements was low. Conclusion: It is necessary to develop comprehensive educational programs to raise the knowledge and awareness of athletes and coaches toward the use of performance-enhancing supplements in North Khorasan Province.

Background and Objectives: To provide an overview of the national program of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever surveillance in Iran, its current achievements, and challenges. Methods: In this mixed method study, the relevant reports, documents, and guidelines, as well as published literature and surveillance data were gathered and critically reviewed. The opinions of the key informants at local and governmental levels were assessed through structured interviews. Results: The program was integrated into Iran’ s primary healthcare (PHC) network in 1999. The involved organizations include CDC, medical universities, Pasteur Institute of Iran (PII), and Veterinary Organization. Case finding is based on standard definitions of suspected, probable, and confirmed cases. Laboratory confirmation is necessary for diagnosis and is provided within 48 hours after receipt of the specimen by the National Reference Laboratory of PII. CCHF treatment is primarily supportive. Antiviral therapy with ribavirin is also considered. Both therapeutic services are free. Education mainly focuses on high-risk groups and healthcare workers. Major achievements of the program include rapid diagnosis and treatment of cases, prevention of nosocomial transmission, identification of high-risk provinces and major transmission routes, improved outbreak preparedness, development of laboratory tests for detection of other arboviruses, and reduction of CCHF case fatality rate. Conclusion: Program implementation has had a positive impact on early detection and proper control of annual outbreaks. However, some aspects of the program still need improvement, including promotion of the general and high-risk populations’ awareness and regional collaborations (especially among neighboring countries) for infection control in humans, livestock, and vectors.