ABSTRACT
In recent years, many Iranians have made educational travel to countries to study in the field of medical sciences. Considering the different educational systems and lack of comprehensive exams in some countries, the present study was attempted. To determine the success rate in basic medical sciences national exam of graduates and students applying for transfer to Iran. In this descriptive study 2621 students from Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Romania, Belarus, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Philippine, who participated in the medical basic sciences national exam during 1998 to 2008, were evaluated and the success rate calculated. The highest and lowest success rates for countries with more than 100 participants were 48.6% and 27.4% for Armenia and Romania, respectively. Regarding the countries with less than 100 participants, the highest and lowest success rates were 55.6% for Belarus and 8% for Kazakhstan. Based on the field of study, the lowest success rate was associated with pharmacy [15.8%] and the highest with dentistry [38.9%]. The success rates obtained for students from different countries evaluated were much lower than those for domestic students. The reason for this difference is likely due to inappropriate style of national exam with the training methods used for these students or the students' poor educational performance to successfully pass the national medical exam
ABSTRACT
Hepatitis B virus [HBV] is transmitted from various ways including mother to fetus. The rate of transmission from mother to fetus will also increase if both HBsAg and HBeAg are positive. To determine the prevalence of HBsAg carriers in pregnant women in Qazvin. A cross- sectional study was carried out on pregnant women were visited in prenatal clinic of Kosar hospital and private clinics during 2000-2001, and referred to Qazvin transfusion center for laboratory examination. Blood samples were taken from all cases and analyzed for detection of HBsAg by ELISA. In case of positive test for HBsAg, the serum sample was assayed for presence of HBeAg. A questionnaire was used to collect other information. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher exact test. Study group consisted of 323 pregnant women, among them, eleven [3.4%] were HBsAg+ with no positive result for HBeAg. Positive HBsAg showed a significant relationship with hepatitis history [p<0.001], history of hepatitis in relatives [p=0.033], background diseases [p=0.028], and the history of addiction in partner [p=0.034]. No significant relationship was found with other risk factors such as [history of abortion, dental operations, transfusion, traveling aboard, first pregnancy, contraception, and second marriage]. In cases of significant risk factors [history of hepatitis in pregnant women or their relatives, background diseases, and the presence of addiction in partners], screening test has special necessity. We recommend retesting of high risk pregnant women in their 3rd semester whose primary tests are negative.