ABSTRACT
Retinoblastoma [RB] is the most common primary intraocular cancer of childhood. There is no published report on this affliction at our center as a referral center in southern Iran. This study aimed to perform a 15 years epidemiological assessment of RB, in Fars Province, Southern Iran. We retrospectively analyzed medical records of all patients with RB diagnosed in Khalili Hospital affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Shiraz, Southern Iran. All available pathologic slides were reviewed and staging of tumors were revised using the TNM classification of 2008. Sixty-seven patients were enrolled in this study [46.3% females and 53.7% males]. Among the cases, 71.6% had unilateral and 28.8% bilateral RB. The mean age of symptom presentation and diagnosis were 20.5 +/- 16.5 and 26.3 +/- 20.1 months, respectively, which were significantly lower in bilateral cases. Leukocoria was the most common presenting symptom [56.7%], followed by strabismus [10.4%]. The result of histopathological review showed that RB in 70% of patients was at T1, T2 and T3 stage, but 30% were at T4 stage. Demographic and clinical variables of RB under the present study are comparable with published reports but our patients were diagnosed at the later stage, leading to poorer prognosis. It is necessary to expand the existing organizations into a comprehensive population-based registry system to obtain a clearer picture of the epidemiology of RB in our region
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Male , Retinal Neoplasms , EpidemiologyABSTRACT
Anemia is one of the most common public health problems especially in developing countries. We investigated the prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency anemia and related risk factors in adolescent school girls in Kavar urban area in southern Iran. A total of 363 adolescent school girls were evaluated by a cross sectional study. Socioeconomic demographic and related risk factors were obtained by a questionnaire. Hematological parameters and serum iron indices were measured. There were 21 cases of anemia [5.8%], 31 [8.5%] iron deficiency and 6 [1.7%] iron deficiency anemia. Most of anemic girls [85.7%] had mild anemia. MCV, TIBC, age, and BMI had statistically significant relationship with hemoglobin. Only parasites infestation in the last three months had a 6.83 times more risk of anemia than those without this history [95% CI, 1.66-28.11]. The prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency anemia in this study were substantially less than what reported in many other regions of Iran as well as other developing countries. It seems that related implemented strategies in the recent years have been successful. More especial attention to prevention of parasite infestation should be considered in this area
ABSTRACT
Dental students are at high risk for occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens [including HBV, HCV and AIDS] via sharps and needle stick injuries [NSIs]. The aim of this study was to evaluate sharps and needle stick injuries among dental students and students' practice regarding protective strategies against blood borne pathogens. This cross-sectional study was performed on 137 dental students during clinical training setting at Shiraz/Iran dental school in 2004. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data gathering and completed by 137 [50.4%female and 49.6%male] students. From 137 students, 73.7.% reported at least one NSI that most commonly [53%] had occurred in the patient room .From all, 85% had information about standard precautions and 94.9% had been vaccinated against hepatitis B. Mean score of practice in protection strategies against blood borne pathogens was 14.3 [of 25]. Females' practice in regard to protection strategies was significantly better in comparison to males [P<0.01]. These data confirm that dental students have a high rate of NSIs and attention should be directed to increase their knowledge about standard protective strategies against blood borne pathogens