Rubella serology in pregnant women attending health centres of Tehran University of Medical Sciences

This study was performed in 2003-05 to determine the serological status of a sample of pregnant women as a preliminary study for the rubella vaccination programme. Out of 965 pregnant women attending health centres affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences for prenatal care, the estimated rubella immunity rate was 91.1% [95% CI: 89.3%-92.9%] and the nonimmunity rate was 8.9% [95% CI: 7.1%-10.7%]. The rubella immunity rate differed in different areas of Tehran but not significantly so. However, there was a significant difference in the level of rubella immunity by the number of persons per household and by age, but no significant relationship with economic status, occupation or level of education

survey about knowledge and attitudes of people towards violence against women in community/ family settings

In this article a very brief history of violence against women in domestic settings is developed. On the whole, 18 Focus group discussion [FGD] [including 4 pilot FGDs], were conducted in southern part of Teheran Capital of Iran among different groups of people [literate, illiterate, married, unmarried, male, female]. Further, 30 individual interviews conducted with violence and family affaire experts such as police, forensic medicine experts, psychologists, social-workers, authorities, judges, and sociologists. Findings demonstrated a very traditional problem-solving approach to violence and violence-based issues. Moreover, violence is sometimes justified by natural superiority of men to women. It is also considered as a necessity for some purposes and therefore, it is accepted and may continue to exist among families and community for coming years. Public and private spheres are almost genderly divided and formal institutions and organizations are tried to be kept away from family violence related issues. This is mainly because of a belief that domestic violence belongs to private sphere rather than public one