ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: A total of 229 confirmed cholera cases were reported in Alborz Province during an outbreak that lasted from June 2011 to August 2011. This study aimed to identify potential sources of transmission in order to determine suitable interventions in similar outbreaks. In other words, the lessons learned from this retrospective study can be utilized to manage future similar outbreaks. METHODS: An age-matched and sex-matched case-control study was conducted during the outbreak. For each case, two control subjects were selected from the neighborhood. A case of cholera was defined as a bacteriologically confirmed case with signs and symptoms of cholera. This study was conducted from June 14, 2011 through August 23, 2011. The data were analyzed by calculating odds ratios (ORs) using the logistic regression method. RESULTS: In this outbreak, 229 confirmed cholera cases were diagnosed. The following risk factors were found to be associated with cholera: consumption of unrefrigerated leftover food (OR, 3.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.72 to 5.41), consumption of vegetables and fruits in the previous three days (OR, 2.75; 95% CI, 1.95 to 3.89), and a history of traveling in the previous five days (OR, 5.31; 95% CI, 2.21 to 9.72). CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of vegetables and fruits has remained an unresolved risk factor in cholera outbreaks in Iran in recent years. In order to reduce the risk of cholera, sanitary standards for fruits and vegetables should be observed at all points from production to consumption, the population should be educated regarding hygienic food storage during outbreaks, and sanitary standards should be maintained when traveling during cholera outbreaks.
Subject(s)
Case-Control Studies , Cholera , Disease Outbreaks , Food Storage , Fruit , Iran , Logistic Models , Methods , Odds Ratio , Residence Characteristics , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , VegetablesABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical efficacy of silymarin in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A randomized double blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 80 UC patients whose disease had been documented and were in remission state between September 2009 and October 2010. Patients were assigned to silymarin group (42 cases) and placebo group (38 cases) using a random number table. Either silymarin (140 mg) or placebo (lactose mono-hydrate, corn starch magnesium stearate) tablets were given once daily for 6 months along with their standard therapy. The efficacies were assessed by disease activity index (DAI), frequency difference of the disease flare-up, and paraclinical data.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ten patients (4 in the silymarin group due to nausea and 6 in the placebo group due to disease flare-up and abdominal pain) discontinued the study. An improvement in hemoglobin level (11.8±1.6 g/dL vs. 13.4±1.2 g/dL,P<0.05) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (23.7±11.5 mm/h vs.10.8±3.2 mm/h,P<0.05) was observed in the silymarin group but not in the placebo group. DAI significantly decreased in the silymarin group and reached from 11.3±3.5 to 10.7±2.8 (P<0.05). Thirty-five out of 38 patients in the silymarin group were in complete remission with no flare-up after 6 months as compared to 21 out of 32 patients in the placebo group (P=0.5000).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Silymarin as a natural supplement may be used in UC patients to maintain remission.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Colitis, Ulcerative , Drug Therapy , Double-Blind Method , Pilot Projects , Silymarin , Therapeutic UsesABSTRACT
There is an international emphasis on providing timely and high quality data to monitor progress of countries toward Millennium Development Goals. Iran's Multiple Indicator Demographic and Health Survey [IrMIDHS] aimed to provide valid information on population and health outcomes to monitor progress in achieving national priorities and health programs and to assist policy makers to design effective strategies for improving health outcomes and equity in access to care. A cross-sectional multi-stage stratified cluster-random survey is conducted through face-to-face household interviews. The sampling frame is developed using Iran's 2006 population and housing census. Provincial samples ranging are from a minimum of 400 households per province to 6400 households in Tehran province. Cluster size is 10 households. The target sample includes 3096 clusters: 2187 clusters in urban and 909 clusters in rural areas. IrMIDHS instruments include three questionnaires: Household questionnaire, women aged 15-54 questionnaire, children under five questionnaire, supervision and quality assessment checklists and data collection sheets and standard weight and height measurement tools for under-five children. A cascading decentralized training method is used for training data collection and supervision teams. Quality assurance procedures are defined for the five steps of conducting the survey including: Sampling, training data collection and training teams, survey implementation, data entry and analysis. A multi-layer supervision and monitoring procedure is established. All the questionnaires are double entered. IrMIDHS will provide valuable data for policymakers in Iran. Designing and implementation of the study involve contributions from academics as well as program managers and policy makers. The collaborative nature of the study may facilitate better usage of its results
ABSTRACT
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common, chronic disease worldwide. The weekly prevalence of reflux in developed countries is 10% to 48%. It has previously been reported as 5% in Asian countries, but new reports show a higher level in both Asian and Arab countries. In Iran, reflux has increased over the last two decades. There are few studies concerning the prevalence of reflux in Iran. This study aims to review reports about the prevalence of reflux in Iran, as it may be different in various parts of the country. By evaluation of the existing articles, this study will reach a general conclusion about the reflux prevalence in Iran. This was a qualitative, systematic review that estimated the prevalence rate of reflux in Iran. In August 2010, we reviewed all electronic database published studies that concerned the epidemiology of reflux prevalence in Iran by searching PubMed, Scientific Information Database [SID], Iran Medex, and Magiran. In our search, using specified key words and selection criteria, 15 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. According to the results, the data related to the estimated prevalence in Iran have a wide range. The weekly prevalence rate of 21.2% in the Tehran study is the best estimate for reflux in Iran. It seems that reflux is more common in Iran when compared to other Asian countries, and similar to reflux in Western countries. Due to the absence of comprehensive studies in Iran, we recommend that researchers conduct accurate, comprehensive, multi-dimensional studies in order to estimate reflux prevalence and its burden in Iran
ABSTRACT
ABO blood groups are associated with some important chronic diseases. Obesity as a major risk factor of chronic non-communicable diseases is rising rapidly in Iran as well as in developing countries. Understanding the risks for obesity is important for its control. This study seeks to determine if there is any association between ABO blood groups and body mass index [BMI]. Weight, height and blood groups were determined for participants of the Golestan Cohort Study in order to find any association between ABO blood groups and BMI. Prevalences of overweight and obesity in participants [mean age: 52.1 +/- 8.0 years] were 33.9 and 25.4, respectively. Mean weight and BMI were significantly higher in blood group A, females and those of Turkman ethnicity. After adjustments for age, sex and ethnicity, there was no association noted between VMI and ABO blood group. The prevalence of obesity and overweight in Iran is high, as seen in developing countries. There is no association between BMI and ABO blood groups in the Golestan cohort population, but Turkman ethnicity and female gender are associated with higher BMI