ABSTRACT
Respiratory tract infections are very common among the Hajj pilgrims. Some preventive measures including Influenza vaccination, using face mask and salt water gargling have been considered to control these infections and the reports show conflicting results about the effects of each one of these measures. This study is trying to assess the effects of these recommendations on respiratory tract infections. According to nested case-control design, in a cohort consisting of 338 Iranian pilgrims, the outcome examined, was all types of respiratory tract infections other than common colds. With occurrence of any patient in convoy, data collection form was completed for that person. On the same day, two people were randomly selected as control group from among pilgrims who have not affected so far. During Hajj, 32 pilgrims [9.5%] were affected by respiratory tract infections other than common colds. In univariable logistic regression analysis, salt water gargling [OR = 2.4, P = 0.08], existence of other patient in the room [OR = 2.14, P = 0.19], age over 60 years [OR = 1.84, P = 0.15] and the education more than or equal to 3 years [OR = 1.93, P = 0.16] were effective in the respiratory tract infections [P < 0.2]. However, multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that none of the above mentioned factors are significantly associated with these infections. This study showed that measures such as seasonal influenza vaccination, use of face masks and personal prayer carpet have no effect on the incidence of respiratory tract infections. However, washing throat and mouth with salt water can be considered the most effective preventive measures
ABSTRACT
Cancer is the third leading cause of death in Iran, and its trend is increasing in recent years. National reports state that cancer registries in Shahroud district had 204% coverage in 2008. This study investigated cancer situation in Shahroud with complete details between 2000-2010. Data was obtained from national cancer registry software and analyzed after removing the repeated records. World standard population and direct standardization method was used to calculate Age Standardized incidence Rates [ASRs]. Annual percentage changes calculated using Jointpoint software and Poisson regression model was performed to calculate cancer incidence trends. A total of 2240 cancer cases were identified, 1234 [55.1%] in man and 1006 [44.9%] in woman. The mean age was 61.6 years [Confidence Interval, CI 95%: 60.9- 62.3]. ASRs of total cancers was 95.4 [CI 95%: 89.2-101.6] per 100, 000; this rate was 114.8 [CI 95%: 107.9-121.6] for men and 105.2 [CI 95%: 100.6 -109.8] for women. The average annual increase in ASR was 12.4%, which could not be attributed only to improve reporting. Gastric cancer is the most common cancer in men, and breast cancer is most common in women. Cancer incidence rate has increased significantly in Shahroud in recent years. A portion of this increase can be attributed to increased incidence of cancers, especially cancers of colorectal, gastric, breast, and skin