Contraceptive use by Iranian women with hypertension, diabetes or obesity

Women with chronic medical conditions require careful contraceptive management. The aim of this cross-sectional study in Tehran was to determine the pattern of contraception use by women with diabetes, hypertension or obesity. A sample of 264 women aged 18-53 years old was recruited; 81 [30.7%] had diabetes type 2, 100 [37.9%] were obese/overweight [BMI > 25 kg/m 2] and 83 [31.5%] had hypertension. Across all 3 groups, the rate of use of contraceptive methods was significantly different before and after diagnosis. Before diagnosis of disease the most common method was hormonal contraception in all women [55.0%, 71.6% and 78.3% of diabetic, overweight and hypertensive women respectively], whereas after diagnosis coital withdrawal was the most common method in diabetic and obese/overweight women [.2% and 28.0% respectively] and almost the most common method for hypertensive women [35.4%]. Use of safe and modern methods of contraception in women with certain chronic medical conditions was low and needs more attention

[Mental illness stigma in city of Tehran, 2009]

The stigma associated with mental illness adds to the public health burden of mental illness itself. In general terms stigma is the status loss and discrimination triggered by negative stereotypes. To our knowledge, this is not any large scale study of knowledge of and attitudes towards mental illness in Iran. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and attitude of a community sample towards mental illness in city of Tehran. This cross-sectional study was conducted in city of Tehran between April and December 2009. By a multistage random sampling of household respondents, 800 subjects were recruited in the study. A modified version of the questionnaire developed for the "World Psychiatric Association Program to Reduce Stigma and Discrimination" was used. The method of collecting data was interview by trained interviewers. We used SPSS V.13 software for describing and analyzing data. Chi-square was used for subgroup analyses. The mean age of sample was 37.5 years [14.7 yrs] with 53.3% being males. Most of them [70%] mentioned that mental illness is treatable out of hospital and 74% of them believed patients with mental illness could have ordinary jobs. About 68% had a positive attitude towards friendly relationship with mental illness patients. About 52.5% of the subjects believed that people with mental illness are dangerous because of their violent behaviors. Only 17% of subjects were afraid of having conversation with a mentally ill person. Generally, socio-demographic variables were not associated with knowledge and attitudes of peoples towards mental illness strongly. There is not extensive stigmatization of mental illness in our sample. Compared to other similar studies, the views and attitudes of our sample towards mental illness were partially good and acceptable

[Nutritional supplement use among adults in different areas of west Tehran]

This study investigated the effects of frequent and current use of nutritional supplements in different sub-groups. Using a cross sectional descriptive study design, data was collected by nutrition experts, using a questionnaire, and a multistage sampling method. 1004 adults aged 18< years old, referring to 10 medical health centers in 7 areas of west in Tehran, were enrolled to participate in the study. Among 1004 adults [690 female and 314 male] 81.2% were free of any chronic disease, 42% had been using nutritional supplements in last 12 months, including multivitamin, mineral supplement or a combination of these. Nutrition supplement intake was more frequent in women [88.7%], than in men [11.3%] [significant difference]. There were significant differences between age groups, adults

[Composition of daily dietary fat intake in university student s' diet]

The present study is part of a comprehensive nutritional status assessment of "Iran University of Medical Science" [IUMS] students in Tehran. The objective of this part of study was to determine the status and composition of fat intake of these students. A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on 1000 students recruited in a multistage stratified sampling from six faculties of IUMS [faculties of medicine, paramedical sciences, nursing and midwifery, public health, rehabilitation, and management and medical informatics]. Data was collected using a standard 24-hours dietary recall method and analyzed with nutrition-specific software DFP [FP2, NIII] for assessing intake of nutrients and macronutrients including fats' composition and their comparison with Recommended Daily Allowance [RDA] and Dietary Reference Intakes [DRI] values. Statistical analysis was performed with t-test and chi-square using SPSS software. Mean daily energy intake was 1810 +/- 645 Kcal and mean total fat intake was 76 +/- 28 gr. Mean contribution of total fat to energy intake was 38% +/- 7%. Fat intake was higher than the recommended amounts and there was a significant difference between male and female students' mean fat intake [p<0.0001]. There was no significant difference between students resident in dormitory and other students in terms of mean fat intake. Assessment of intake fat composition revealed that the mean daily intake was 215 +/- 199 gr for cholesterol, 25 +/- 11 gr for saturated fats [with a contribution of 12% to total energy intake], 17 +/- 11 gr for poly-unsaturated fats, and 28 +/- 10 gr for mono-unsaturatedfats. Significant differences in mean cholesterol intake and mean saturated fat intake were seen between males and females, but these values were not significantly different for students resident in dormitory as compared with other students. The results showed the proportion of daily calorie derived from fats and the cholesterol and saturated fat intakes were higher than the recommended amounts. These would be risk factors for cardiovascular disease during the middle age. It is necessary to decrease the nutritional risk factors for cardiovascular diseases by modification of nutritional behavior and diet composition pattern in the young age group. The nutritional composition should also be improved through lowering of dietary fat intake and harmonizing the share of fats in energy production

[Vitreopapillary traction in non-arteritie anterior ischemic optic neuropathy]

To describe the association between optic disc traction and non-arthritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy [NAION].eighty three eyes of 83 patients with NAION were evaluated by optical coherence tomography [OCT] for detecting vitreous adhesion to the optic never head with separation form adjacent retina [partial posterior vitreous detachment]. Those who were negative for such adhesion underwent ultrasonography to detect complete PVD. Fifty male and 33 female subjects with mean age of 51.9 +/- 10yr were studied. Partial PVD with optic never head adhesion was found in 54 patients [65.1%] using OCT. Ultrasonography found complete PVD in all eyes with optically empty spaces in OCT. Vitreous traction on optic never head from PVD may play a causative role in some cases of NAION. This traction may impair vascular supply and axoplasmic flow leading to signs and symptoms of NAION

Evaluation of micronutrient intakes [vitamins and minerals] in university students

Prior investigators have emphasized on the key role of nutrition in preventing health disorders. This study is a part of an exhaustive research to assess nutritional status in Iran medical sciences university students. Indeed, we aimed to assess and evaluate daily nutrient intake among male and female university students. For this cross sectional study, 1000 university students were selected by multistage random sampling from six faculties of Medicine, Nursing and midwifery, Paramedical, Health, Management and medical information and Rehabilitation. Data were collected by 24-hour dietary [food] recall questionnaire and were analyzed using DFP [N3, FP2], and SPSS soft wares. The intake of vitamins and minerals were compared with RDA. Results showed that the mean intake of vitamins C, A, E, folic acid and panthetonic acid were lower than RDA measures and differed significantly between male and female subjects. The mean intake of minerals showed inadequate levels of Ca, Fe, Zn, Mg, K. It seems that daily dietary in medical university students has some insufficiency in vitamins E,C,A, folic acid and panthetonic acid and minerals calcium, magnesium, and iron [only in females]

[Normal exophthalmic values in children, teenagers, and adults of Tehran]

Purpose: to determine normal values of Hertel exophthalmometry in children, teenagers, and adults in Tehran

Methods: in a population-based epidemiological study, ocular protrusion was measured in 1063 randomly selected [stratified sampling method] normal subjects of Tehran. Hertel exophthalmometry was performed in all by a single oculoplastic surgeon. Subjects were divided into 3 age groups: children [6-12 years], teenagers [13- 19 years], and adults [20-70 years]. Data were analyzed using two-tailed paired t-test, independent sample t-test and linear regression test

Results: the age range was 6 to 70 years [mean 20.3 +/- 10 .9] and 601 [56.5%] were male. Mean absolute exophthalmic value was 14.2 +/- 1.8 mm in children, 15.2 +/- 1.9 mm in teenagers, and 14.7 +/- 2.3 mm in adults. Increase in age had a statistically significant effect on the exophthalmic value [r = +0.32 for children, +0.01 for teenagers, and -0.30 for adults; P<0.01]. Relative exophthalmic value was less than 2 mm in all subjects

Conclusion: the normal exophthalmic value had positive correlation with increase in age up to 20 years old and negative correlation thereafter. There was a positive correlation between the base and increase in age of all age groups