Predictors of transition in smoking stages in Iranian adolescents: latent transition analysis

This study determined the prevalence of smoking stages in adolescents, the probability of transition across stages and the personal and environmental predictors of transition. A school-based study was conducted in 2010-11 using a random sample of 5197 students [mean age 15.7 years] in Tabriz city. The students were evaluated twice, 12-months apart. The latent transition analysis model revealed 9 interpretable statuses for the measurement of smoking stages. Prevalence data showed that at the first and second assessments 75.1% and 66.8% of students respectively were in the committer stage, while 4.8% and 7.1% respectively were daily smokers. Over 12 months, 10.1% of the never smokers became experimenters and 1.7% became regular smokers, while 17.0% of experimenters became regular smokers. The analysis also showed factors associated with transitions in cigarette smoking stages. Although the prevalence of smoking was low in our adolescents, the rate of becoming a smoker over 1 year was high

Substance abuse in high school students in association with socio-demographic variables in Northwest of Iran

Substance abuse in adolescents and its often tragic consequences, including addiction, is one of the preventable major public health problems. The aims of this paper were to estimate the prevalence of substance abuse and to evaluate its some associated factors in adolescents of Tabriz City [northwest of Iran]. A self-administered questionnaire was completed in 4903 randomly selected students with mean age of 15.7 years old. The aim of the questionnaire was obtaining information on substance abuse, socio-economical information, cigarette smoking behavior, general risk taking behavior, self-esteem, attitude towards smoking and self-injury as well as demographical characteristics. Prevalence of substance abuse was 1.4% [95% CI: 1.1-1.7] which was different statistically significant between boys [2.4%] and girls [0.6%] [P<0.001]. Older age [OR=1.43], not living with parents [OR=2.34], having general risk taking behavior [OR=2.26], higher smoking stage [OR=2.39], lower self-esteem [OR=1.09] and positive attitude toward smoking [OR=1.08] were factors associated with student's ever use of substance. The result has shown low prevalence of substance abuse in Iranian adolescents. Our findings showed some associated factors such as lower self-esteem with adolescent's substance abuse

[Knowledge translation: a model for research utilization]

The present study was aimed to design a knowledge transfer model that would provide a conceptual framework for linking the different components of a knowledge translation cycle. Such a theoretical model will enable us to organize and evaluate the current situation and design further studies on the transfer of research generated knowledge. This research, performed in 2006-7 in Tehran University of Medical Sciences, utilized two district methodologies: the first part was a narrative review with the goal of identifying the existing knowledge transfer models; the second part included focus group discussions to find out the views and opinions of researchers and decision-makers concerning the factors that promote or hinder knowledge translation within the health system. The two studies have provided the input for designing a "Knowledge Translation Cycle" with five domains: Knowledge Creation, Knowledge Transfer, Research Utilization, Question Transfer, and the context of University. Within each domain, the model includes two components [with the exception of the university context]. This model offers a theoretical basis for identifying the basic requirements and the linking mechanisms for the translation of knowledge

Establishment of new evaluation and accreditation system for graduate medical education in Iran

Graduate Medical Education is one of the stage of the continuum of medical education in Iran. At present, near 5500 residents are being trained in 24 specialties and 21 subspecialties in 26 Universities of Medical Sciences. Based on a special Act of National Parliament in 1973, the Iranian Council for Graduate Medical Education is responsible for supervision on the quality of Graduate Medical Education. Despite significant activities in this field during last three decades, there has been no integrated effort for evaluation and accreditation of specialty education units, yet. In this regard, the Secretary of the Council appointed a committee for preliminary studies and presentation of new approaches. In this article, the authors first describe the details of the activities of this committee. Thereafter, challenges of Graduate Medical Education and relevant supervisory bodies have been discussed. In the end, activities for the establishment of new accreditation system of Graduate Medical Education in Iran have been described