Classification of death rate due to women's cancers in different countries

The two most frequently diagnosed cancers among women worldwide are breast and cervical cancers. The objective of the present study was to classify the different countries based on the death rates from sex specific cancers. In this cross-sectional study, we used dataset regarding death rate from breast, cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancers in 190 countries worldwide reported by World Health Organization. Normal mixture models were fitted with different numbers of components to these data. The model's parameters estimated using the EM algorithm. Then, appropriate number of components was determined and was selected the best-fit model using the BIC criteria. Next, model-based clustering was used to allocate the world countries into different clusters based on the distribution of women's cancers. The MIXMOD program using MATLAB software was used for data analysis. The best model selected with four components. Then, countries were allocated into four clusters including 43 [23%] in the first cluster, 28 [14%] in the second cluster, 75 [39%] in the third cluster, and 44 [24%] in the fourth cluster. Most countries in South America were to the first cluster. In addition, most countries in Africa, Central, and Southeast Asia were located to the third cluster. Furthermore, the fourth cluster consisted of Pacific continent, North America and European countries. Considering the benefits of clustering based on normal mixture models, it seems that can be applied this method in wide variety of medical and public heath contexts

Cardiovascular disease risk factors, metabolic syndrome and obesity in an Iranian population

As part of the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program, we evaluated the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in Iranians with generalized and abdominal obesity. We carried out a crosssectional study on 3694 participants aged >/= 19 years. Overall, 36.6% of men and 35.9% of women were overweight; 11.2% of men and 28.1% of women were obese. Mean body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC] and waist/hip ratio [WHR] increased with age up to 65 years. Total serum cholesterol, triglycerides and 2-hour post-load plasma glucose increased with BMI, WC and WHR in both sexes. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 19.8% in females with normal BMI, 48.1% in overweight females and 63.2% in obese females. In males, corresponding values were 3.7%, 18.0% and 40.1%

Tobacco smoking and oral cancer: a meta-analysis

Several epidemiological studies suggest that tobacco smoking increases the risk of oral cancer. No systematic review, however, has been reported to examine how consistent the evidence is across the studies. We undertook a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies investigating the magnitude relationship between tobacco smoking and oral cancer. Primary studies were identified through a computerized literature search of Medline. Articles abstracted were all epidemiological studies published as original articles in English during 1990-2007 provided the summary estimates of odds ratios [OR] of tobacco smoking for oral cancer compared to that of non-smokers. A total of 15 case-control studies were used for this meta-analysis. Summary of OR was calculated based on random effects model. The combined odds ratio for tobacco smoking related to oral cancer was 4.65 [95%CI, 3.19-6.77]. Also, the highest combined odds ratio was belong to America continents [OR= 7.65; 95%CI, 5.11-11.45] and the lowest was in Asia [OR= 1.88; 95%CI, 0.95-3.71]. There was heterogeneity in the pooled OR estimate across the studies. Our results clearly indicate that tobacco smokers are at increased risk of oral cancer. The cancer risk can be reduced by controlling of tobacco smoking in different countries

Association between alcohol consumption and gastric cancer: a meta-analysis

Gastric cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer. As conflicting studies have recently been published, we aimed to evaluate the magnitude of the epidemiological evi- dence for an association between alcohol consumption and gastric cancer. This study is a meta-analysis of case-control studies which have been performed during 1989 to 2007. We systematically reviewed the literature on the association between alcohol consump- tion and gastric cancer. Published case-control studies were identified in Pub Med and reference lists. Random effects meta-analysis was used to pool effects from twenty studies. The odds ratio [OR] for the overall association between alcohol and gastric cancer was 1.77 [95%CI: 1.46-2.15]. The pooled OR for alcohol consumption related to gastric cancer for men was 2.17 [95%CI: 1.67-2.83]. The odds ratio of beer or liquor was 1.16 which is not statistically related to gastric cancer risk [P > 0.05]. Whereas, the odds ratio of vodka, wine and other types of alcohol intake related to gastric cancer were respectively 3.26, 1.69, and 1.77 [P < 0.01]. Overall, based on the results of pooled analysis, it is reassuring that this meta-analysis shows a direct effect of alcohol associated with gastric cancer. Knowledge on the level of exposure to different alcohol constituents provides a deeper understanding of the real role of alcohol on cancer risk and ultimately allows the design of safer beverages

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B in Nahavand, Islamic Republic of Iran

We determined the seroprevalence of hepatitis B in Nahavand in a sample of 1824 subjects > 5 years in 2002. Face- to- face interviews were conducted and blood samples taken. The association between risk factor and hepatitis B was assessed using logistic regression. The prevalence of HbsAg positive cases was 2.3%, and HBcAb and HBsAb were isolated in 7.8% and 11.6% of the participants respectively; 11.9% were positive for both HBcAb and HBsAb. History of surgery and imprisonment were the major risk factors for infection with odds ratios of 2.14 [95% CI: 1.22- 3.05] and 3.57 [95% CI: 1.68- 5.4] respectively

model of bus drivers' diseases: risk factors and bus accidents

Bus accident is a major health problem for bus drivers. To identify the risk factors involved in bus accidents and to design a model showing the relation between the risk factors and bus driver's health status, 219 bus drivers who worked for travel agencies in two areas of west and central Iran were enrolled into this study. We used a questionnaire to gather information regarding both the bus drivers' health status and bus accident. The most prevalent health problems among bus drivers were musculoskeletal disorders, ulcer, hyperacidity, obesity, hypertension and diabetes. There was a significant [p<0.05] correlation between the chance of bus accidents and occurrence of low back pain, leg pain, neck pain, hypertension and migraine. Based on the results of this study we suggest a model that can be used to design a prevention plan in making bus transportation safer. In light of this study, more comprehensive studies can be planned for the safety of traveling by bus, in Iran. Bus driver's health status is a determinant factor in the incidence of accidents