Addressing the changing sources of health information in Iran

Following the entrance of new technologies in health information era, this study aimed to assess changes in health information sources of Iranian people during past decade. Totally 3000 people were asked about their main sources of health information. They were selected as two community-based samples of 1500 people of more than 18-years-old in two different periods of time in August 2002 and August 2010 from the same locations in Tehran, the capital of Iran. Data analyzed based on age group, sex, educational level and household income in two different periods of time using Chi-square. Odds ratios associated with each basic characteristic were calculated using logistic regression. Most common sources of health information in 2002 were radio and television [17.7%], caregivers [14.9%] and internet [14.2%] and in 2010 were radio and television [19.3%], internet [19.3%] and caregivers [15.8%] [P < 0.001]. In 2010, young adults female used television and radio and male used internet as the main source of health information [P = 0.003]. In moderate educational level women got their health information from radio and television and caregivers; while men used radio and television and internet as main source of health information [P = 0.005].Highly educated women and men mainly got their health information from internet and radio and television [P > 0.05]. Although during 8 years of study radio and television remained as main source of health information but there is an increasing tendency to use internet especially in men. Policymakers should revise their broadcasting strategies based on people demand

[Bacterial agents in patients with conjunctivitis in Labbafinejad hospital in 2006]

Conjunctivitis, one of the most prevalent eye complications, is usually self limited but may result in optical disorders. Classification is based on the cause including bacterial, viral, fungal, allergic or chemical. Considering antimicrobial resistance, determining the exact cause may lead to improved medical therapy. In this descriptive-analytic survey, 92 patients with conjunctivitis, who attended Shaheed Labbafi Nezhad medical center were enrolled. Samples were accurately collected by the physician working in the center and were transported in a sterile condition to the Laboratory of Pediatric Infectious Research Center of Mofid hospital. Determination of mycobacteria, aerobic and anaerobic bacteria was accomplished using standard methods. Data was analyzed using SPSS 13. Samples were obtained from 49 men [61.4%] and 43 women [38.6%], [median age 36.2]. 85% of patients with bacterial conjunctivitis had mucoplurant discharge as a main symptom. 45[58.5%] cultures were positive. Aerobic organisms were isolated from 40 patients [57.1%] and anaerobic ones from 5 [7.1%], of which 4 were mixed with aerobes. No mycobacterium was found. The most common aerobic organism cultured was staphylococcus epidermidis [30%] and the other aerobic ones were: Staphylococcus aureus [12.9%], E coli [7.1%], Bacillus cereus [5.7%], Moraxella catarrhalis [4.3%], Diphteroid [4.3%], Acientobacter baumanii [2.9%], Citrobacter fraundii [2.9%], Staphylococcus oricularis [1.4%], Streptococcus viridans [1.4%], Bacillus subtilis [1.4%], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [1.4%], and Proteus mirabilis [1.4%]. Anaerobic organisms cultured were Peptostreptococcus [4.3%] and Bacteroides fragilis [2.9%]. Since various organisms are responsible for bacterial conjunctivitis, therapeutic strategies should be based on the results of microbiological investigations