[ prevalence of visual problems in school children, Shiraz, Iran]

Refractive errors [myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism] could lead to an impaired quality of life affect a large proportion of the population worldwide, irrespective of age, sex and ethnic group. Such refractive errors can be easily diagnosed, measured and corrected with spectacles or other refractive corrections to attain normal vision. Since there is paucity of information in school children in Iran we aimed to investigate the distribution pattern of refractive status and prevalence of refractive errors in school-age children in Shiraz. A random sampling strategy in geographically defined clusters was used to identify children aged 6-15 years in Shiraz between 2008-2209. We carried out a school survey and actual eye examinations, including visual acuity measurements, stereopsis examination, anterior segment and eyeball movements, fundus examinations, and cycloplegic retinoscopy with 1% cyclopentolate. Of 3065 selected individuals, 2683 were participated in the study [response rate 86.6%]. According to cycloplegic refraction, 4.85% [95% [CI], 3.52 to 6.16] of the primary and middle school students were myopic and 4.64% [95% CI, 3.52 to 6.19] were hyperopic. For high school students, these rates were 22.19 and 11.4% respectively. Myopia and hyperopia were shown to be correlated with age. Prevalence of anisometropia, amblyopia and strabismus were 2.51%, 2.31[95%CI 1.51-3.11] and 1.83% [95%CI 1.15-2.50]. Compared to other published reports, the rate of myopia in the school children of Shiraz seems relatively high

[Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in health center of Mashad, 2007]

Exclusive breast-feeding during the first 6 months of life is the best type of nutrition for the infants in terms of fulfilling their its physical and emotional needs. The incidence of many kinds of infection decreases with breast-feeding. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of exclusive breast-feeding infants aged less than 6 months in Mash'had and to look at some factors that affect breastfeeding. This population-based survey used a stratified cluster sampling method to draw 30 clusters containing a total of 1450 infants aged 7-12 months. Data collection was performed using both questionnaires and interviews with mothers. Exclusive breast-feeding was defined as nursing through the first 6 months of life without any other food intake except drugs and vitamin supplements. The study achieved a response rate of 87.4% in mothers; 51.2% of the infants were male and the remaining 48.8% [618] were female. The overall prevalence of exclusive breast-feeding during the first 6 months was 56.4% with [95% CI: 49.7%-63.2%]. The figure was 57.2% [95% CI: 49.9%-64.4%] for boys and 55.7% [95% CI: 48.7%-62.6%] for girls. In this survey, 91.7% of the infants [95% CI: 88.7%-94.7%] had received breast-feeding immediately after birth. In multiple logistic regression analysis, the mother's age, her awareness of the adequacy of her milk, and advice from others to use formulas were the factors that had a significant relationship with breast-feeding in the first 6 months. Almost 43% of infants had received alternative nutrition such as family food or formula. Considering the important effect of breast-feeding, provision of educational programs by the Health Ministry to raise the mothers' awareness of breast feeding can be a priority in children's health