Chronic diseases among older people in Amirkola, northern Islamic Republic of Iran

This descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken to describe the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors in elderly people in Amirkola, Islamic Republic of Iran. A total of 1019 people aged 60+ years were assessed using a standard questionnaire and a review of medical records. The most common chronic diseases were cardiovascular disease [29.5%], digestive disorders [28.5%], hypertension [23.6%] and diabetes mellitus [23.5%], while 44.4% of subjects were overweight or obese. Overall, 83.0% of the sample reported at least 1 chronic disease and 64% had 2 or more diseases. In age-adjusted logistic regression analysis, hypertension [OR 3.94, 95% CI: 2.87-5.40] and diabetes mellitus [OR 1.83,95% Cl: 1.32-2.55] were associated with cardiovascular disease, but sex, smoking, overweight and lack of walking were not. The study provides valuable data for planning appropriate health services for elderly people in this area of the Islamic Republic of Iran

[Assessment of referral system in health care delivery center of Paeengatab [Babol, 2003]]

Since equal distribution of health services is impossible in different levels of health network, small centers should refer patients to upper level for special services and if it doesn't be according to referral system, causes crowding and insufficiency of health services in upper levels and leads to uselessness of medical services in small centers. This study was done to assess the function of referral system in Babol health care delivery network. This cross-sectional study was performed in Paeengatab health center during autumn 2003. All referred patients to upper levels were included in this study. Data was collected by interviewing with patients and referral forms and then were analyzed. From 445 forms, 200 had complete data. Most referred patients were female [73%] and were at the age of 20-29 [42%]. Most people [58.2%] were referred for paraclinical services [Sonography and laboratory] and the most referred cases were the patients with gynecological and obstetric disorders [18.6%]. Shahid Beheshti, Yahyanejad and Amirkola hospitals accepted the most referred patients, respectively. The feedback rate from hospital to health centers was zero. Referral system is only being performed as one way from health centers to hospitals and there is no feedback, since, gynecological and obstetric disorders make the largest number of referred patients, it is necessary to increase health and treatment services in rural health centers in order to decrease the number of patients who referred to hospitals