[Individual factors predisposing HIV/AIDS high risk behaviors: a qualitative study]

To investigate the individual factors which lead to the occurrence of high risk behaviors among HIV/AIDS patients and vulnerable people. This was a qualitative study approach carried out in 10 month in two public counseling clinic in Tehran. Data were obtained from 102 in depth and semi-structured interviews. A convenience sample of HIV/AIDS patients, clients and specialist took part in the study. Interviews were transcripted and then open coding and axial coding were performed. In all 69 HIV/AIDS patients and 19 high risk clients, 6 family members and 8 experts were interviewed. The majority of participants were male and single. Sexual high risk behaviors and drug use were the commonest ways of HIV/AIDS transition. Individual factors predisposing HIV/AIDS high risk behaviors included: 1. Predisposing perceptions. 2.Personal factors. 3. Decision and will. The results indicated that the beliefs, decision and individual factors might be the most underlying contributing to high risk behaviors

[Evaluation of effectiveness of community based interventions on controlling diabetes mellitus in Tehran, 1382]

Background: diabetes Mellitus is a common chronic disease with severe of complications. Proper glycaemic control can prevent these compIications considerably. Evaluation of effectiveness of community based and patient centered interventions on glycaemic control, quality of life, patient satisfaction, patient knowledge and reported symptoms were the main aims of this research

Methods: in a clinical trial, patients referring to Iranian Diabetes Association, who were more than 18 years old, divided to intervention and control group randomly. After three months of general interventions in both groups, including diabetes education and specific interventions including telephone calls, continuous corresponding and sending educational issues. in intervention group, changes in variables were studied

Results: among 52 patients in each group, 17 were male and 42 had type 2 diabetes. The average age was 49 in intervention and 51 in control group. Two groups had no significant difference in age, sex, type of diabetes, treatment method and duration of diabetes, other diseases and education. Both groups showed significant improvement in glycaemic control. The mean reduction in HbA1c was 1.45 in intervention and 0.86 percent in control group; the difference is statistically significant [P= 0.02]. Patient satisfaction increased in both groups. The satisfaction is significantly higher in intervention group [P=0.000]. Knowledge has increased significantly in both groups; the difference in groups is not significant. The improvement in Quality of Life was just significant in intervention group. The reported sign and symptoms have not changed in both groups

Conclusion: community based and patient centered interventions with emphasis on continuous education and support can improve glycemic control, quality of life, patient satisfaction and patient knowledge in diabetes mellitus