Socioeconomic inequality and child maltreatment in Iranian schoolchildren

Socioeconomic inequality and child maltreatment have not been studied using the concentration index as an indicator of inequality. The study aimed to assess the association of child maltreatment with socioeconomic status among schoolchildren in Qazvin province, Islamic Republic of Iran. In this cross-sectional study a questionnaire based on the ISPCAN Child Maltreatment Screening Tool–Children's Version and the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire was filled by 1028 children aged 9–14 years, selected through multistage stratified random sampling. The concentration indices for economic inequality were –0.086 for any type of child maltreatment and –0.155, –0.098 and –0.139 for the physical, psychological and neglect subtypes of maltreatment respectively. The number of children and the economic status of the family also showed a significant association with child maltreatment in all 3 subtypes. Appropriate planning for effective interventions for at-risk children of lower socioeconomic status should be considered by the relevant decision-makers

[Association between bacterial vaginosis and preterm delivery and birth weight in infants]

Background: Preterm birth and low birth weight are important causes of mortality in infants

Objective: This study aimed to determine the relationship between bacterial vaginosis, low birth weight, and PROM

Methods: This analytical study was performed on vaginal discharge of 751 pregnant women within the weeks 23-26 of gestation in Qazvin health centers during 2008-2009. Cluster sampling was the method used in our study. Samples were analyzed according to Nugent criteria and the data evaluated with chi-square test

Findings: Results showed that 734 [97.7%] of specimens were negative for bacterial vaginosis and 17 [2.3%] cases positive. Migration of a number of study population made it impossible to check the delivery status. Of 697 patients with negative bacterial vaginosis, 72 [10.3%] had PROM while in other group there were four cases [23.5%] with PROM however, the difference was found to be insignificant, statistically

Conclusion: Based on results found through this study, No significant difference was found between bacterial vaginosis, preterm delivery, and LBW

[ survey on professional skills among general practitioners of Health Service Centers in Qazvin Province]

In the art of medicine, besides learning of background science, having professional skills is essential for a physician. Some studies show a feeling of dissatisfaction associated with learning professional skills in medicine graduates. This study was performed to assess the professional skills in general practitioners of health service centers in Qazvin province. In this descriptive study performed in 2008, the professional skills of all general practitioners working in Health Centers of Qazvin Province [I.R.Iran] including 33 medical, management and communicational skills were assessed through self-assessment method. The results were statistically analyzed, through chi square test and Phi, Cramer's V, comparison between two proportions, and contingency coefficient. P values less than 0.05 were considered as significant. Findings: Of 33 target skills in 91 general practitioners including 36 males and 55 females, lack of desirable professional skills in 16 items was found in at least half of the physicians. The skill of urinary catheterization in male and female patients, by male or female physicians, both showed significant difference [P=0.000]. The relationship between the gender of physician and the skills of management of a normal vaginal delivery showed a significant difference [P=0.044] whereas such relationship between the gender and management of post delivery complications demonstrated an insignificant difference, statistically. Regarding the results, revision in the contents of clinical educational courses and based on real need, increasing skills training, collecting and strict execution of "Log Book" in all clinical internship courses, establishment of "OSCE" method for assessment of skills in intern trainees, and designation of re-educative workshops for training skills in graduate physicians, are suggested

[Screening of congenital hypothyroidism in Qazvin province [2006-2008]]

Congenital hypothyroidism [CH] is one of the most common endocrine disorders in children and a preventable cause of mental retardation. Treatment with thyroid hormones must be initiated before the fourth week after birth to avoid irreversible CH complications. Study conducted to determine the prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism in newborns in Qazvin province in 2006 to 2008. This cross-sectional study was conducted based on data collected through the Neonatal CH Screening Project in Qazvin Province during two years between March 2006 and March 2008. All newborns in rural and urban areas were screened at the third to fifth days of their lives. TSH concentration was tested by filter paper and ELISA. A total of 33488 neonates were screened. The coverage rates of screening in the first and second years and also the recall rates during the same period were 84%, 95%, 2.6%, and 3.2%, respectively. The incidence rate of hypothyroidism was one per 446 newborns [0.22%] in the first year and one per 447 newborns [0.22%] in second year. Among the neonates with hypothyroidism, 40%, 26.7%, and 33.3% were found to have TSH levels of 5-9.9, 10-19.9 and values > 20 mU/L, respectively. The Neonatal Screening Program for CH was shown to have a high caliber to be implemented as the first screening test for newborns at a nationwide level. This could provide a basis for better understanding and timely detection of CH and other metabolic diseases in the country

Serum level of anti-hepatitis B surface antigen 6-8 years after hepatitis B vaccination at birth

The duration of protection after hepatitis B vaccination in children is unknown. We determined the serum level of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen [anti-HBsAg] in 273 randomly selected 7-9-year-old schoolchildren from Zanjan City, Islamic Republic of Iran, who had been fully vaccinated against hepatitis B starting at birth. Titres