viewpoints of general physicians toward continuing medical education programs implementation status and the participants motivation

Acquainting the viewpoints of Continuing Medical Education [CME] programs' participants concerning different aspects of these programs is of special importance. The aim of this study was to determine the status of CME programs' implementation from general physicians' viewpoints and their motivation for participating in these programs. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 150 general physicians were randomly selected among CME programs' participants in Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences from October 2004 to March 2005. The data gathering tool was a self-administered questionnaire including a list of items regarding CME programs' features, their optimum status and the participants' motivations. The analysis and comparisons were made using chi2 by SPSS software. The main motivation for participating in CME programs was achieving points in 60% of respondents and in 28% of them, was restoring the previous knowledge and acquiring new information. Fifty six and a half percent believed that it was better to hold the programs in successive days, and the mean of the number of favorable days was 2.3 +/- 0.93 days. Sixty four percent identified the last three days of the week as the most suitable days for holding these programs. Eighty nine percent of them, described general physicians' needs assessment as a suitable means for selecting the topics, and 58% stated a combination of correspondence and attendance methods as an appropriate educational method. The programs' levels were evaluated poor by 14%, average by 66%, and satisfactory by 20%. Internal medicine was identified as the most important need by 60% and 56.5% requested Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation workshop. Most general physicians participated in CME programs with non-scientific motivations and the programs' level in some cases was not according to their expectations. Planning CME programs based on general physicians' needs and situations may lead to enhancing their motivations and promoting these programs

[Clinical and Para clinical Findings of leptospirosis in Mazandaran, June-September 2004]

Leptospirosis is an uncommon widespread spirochetal zoonoses caused by the members of the genus leptospira. Human disease is acquired by coming into contact with urine or tissues of infected animals, or through contaminated water and soil, thus is an occupational disease particularly in farmers, slaughterhouse workers and fishermen. The goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical and Paraclinical findings of leptospirosis cases in Mazandaran. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, patients with high suspicion to leptospirosis presenting to Imam Khomeini and Razi hospitals of Sari and Qaemshahr from June to September 2004 with positive serology finding [MAT] were enrolled. Demographic, clinical and Paraclinical data for each patient were recorded. From 63 patients suspicious for leptospirosis, 36 had positive serologic test. The mean age of the positive patients [25 male, 11 female] was 34.2 +/- 13.77 [range 14-64 years old]. Most cases [86.1%] were farmers and 83.4% villagers. 55.6% of the patients presented in July. Fever and chills were the main complaints in 42.9% of the cases and fever, weakness, headache, anorexia and mialgia were seen in 96.6%, 96.6%, 93.1%, 89.7% and 85% respectively. Thrombocytopenia and leucopenia were noticed in 45.7% and 33.4% of the patients respectively. AST and ALT in 51.7% and 55.2% of patients were above the normal upper limit. Weil's syndrome and ileus occurred in 7 [19.5%] and one [2.8%] cases respectively. The classic history of fever, weakness, headache, anorexia and mialgia in villagers and farmers in warm months should raise the possibility of leptospirosis

[Evaluation of mental health in athletic and nonathletic students]

Although there are many studies on the relationship between mental health and exercise, it is not clear how exercise improves the mental health of students regularly engaged in non professinal athletic activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the level of mental health in athletic and nonathletic students of Mazandaran Medical University using Scl-90-R questionnaire [Symptom check list-90-Revised]. A historical cohort study was designed and all athletic students at Mazandaran Medical University [with at least 2 years physical activity] and nonathletic students matched for age, sex, marital status, educational course, semester, job and dwelling completed the Scl-90-R questionnaire and other demographic questions. The data were analyzed using SPSS release 10 and statistical analytic tests. Seventy athletic [34.3% female] and 70 nonathletic students [control] were enrolled in the study. The mean score for each dimension according to the Scl-90-R questionnaire in athletic group was less than the control, but the difference was only statistically significant for depression [p=0.047] and paranoid thinking [p=0.012]. In comparison of general scales [Global Severity Index, PST Positive Symptom Test PST and Positive Symptom Distress Index PSDI], the level of mental health of athletic group was better than nonathletic group [p=0.00]. Physical activities have a positive effect on mental health, especially in students who are engaged in regular physical activity