Prevalence and associated factors of genital and sexually transmitted infections in married women of Iran

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of genital and sexually transmitted infections and its related factors in married women in Iran

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 4 274 married women living in urban and rural areas of the Zanjan province from 2012 to 2013. We used stratified cluster sampling to select the participants. Data collection included demographic characteristics, reproductive status, and cervical cytology results

Results: The prevalence of lower genital infections and sexually transmitted infections were 20.1% and 7.4%, respectively. The most common vaginal infection was bacterial vaginosis with a prevalence of 8.5%, and the most common sexually transmitted infection was Trichomonas vaginalis [1.4%]. The use of the intrauterine device [IUD] as a contraceptive, living in an urban area, and experiencing vaginal discharge were significantly related to genital tract and sexually transmitted infections

Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of genital infection among women living in Zanjab. Screening and treatment of genital infection are necessary to prevent adverse consequences in women who use an IUD or live in urban areas

Mothers' experiences of neonatal jaundice: a qualitative study

The importance of neonatal jaundice is not only for its social, economic, and psychological complications resulted from hospitalization of neonates in the hospital, but also for the permanent neurological handicaps and its consequent high morbidity. Since Iranian mothers have no, in spite of the importance of matter, appropriate approach in coping with their newborn jaundice, this study aimed to explore mother's experiences of neonatal jaundice.This qualitative study was carried out through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 14 mothers whose infants were hospitalized in one of the hospitals affiliated to Shahrood University of Medical Sciences with a diagnosis of neonatal jaundice. The participants were selected purposefully and the data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.Two main themes and several subthemes emerged from the data. The main themes were as follows: mothers' experiences of jaundice crises and its management, and mothers' present experiences after crisis of jaundice. First theme arranged into four subthemes and second theme was grouped into three subthemes.Mothers' and grandmothers' cultural and dietary beliefs have an important impact on mothers' health-seeking behavior. Educational programs about neonatal jaundice and its management through prenatal care consulting and mass media is recommended as an important priority for health system of country

Efficacy of harm reduction programs among patients of a smoking cessation clinic in Tehran, Iran

Background: Recently, harm reduction programs have been used to reduce mortality and morbidity among smokers. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of harm reduction programs on the smoking patterns of subjects who presented to a smoking cessa-tion clinic in Tehran, Iran

Methods: This observational study was conducted between September 2008-September 2009 on 132 patients who were unable to quit smoking. Patients were enrolled by the first come first service method. During the study period, subjects were assigned to either group or individual visits every 15 days in conjunction with the use of nicotine gum. The main objective of this study was to evaluate at the third and sixth months of follow-up: the number of smoked cigarettes, level of expired carbon monoxide [CO], and numbers of nicotine gum used. Data were analyzed by the Wilcoxon rank, Fisher's exact, and Pearson's chi-square tests and SPSS version 17 software

Results: A total of 87.1% of the subjects were males. We noted decreases in the number of cigarettes smoked daily and the level of expired CO, whereas the amount of nicotine gum used significantly increased during the time interval between the first session and the third and sixth month follow-up visits [p<0.001 for all variables]. During the follow up sessions, 64.4% of subjects reduced the number of cigarettes they smoked daily by at least 50% and 12.9% of subjects quit smoking

Conclusion: Behavioral and pharmacological therapy in harm reduction programs result in a decrease in the number of cigarettes smoked daily and a reduction in the amount of expired CO. Therefore, these methods can be beneficial in achieving complete smoking cessation

Pattern of smoking and nicotine dependence in patients with psychiatric disorders

Smoking prevalence is high among psychiatric patients. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of smoking, related factors and nicotine dependence in patients suffering from psychiatric disorders. This analytical descriptive study was performed on patients who had been hospitalized for at least 2 days in Razi Hospital during 2010. Data were collected via an interview and the obtained information was recorded in a questionnaire. Fagerstrom test was also used. After determining the prevalence of smoking in these patients, the related factors and nicotine dependence were also evaluated using multiple logistic regression test and SPSS software. A total of 78.4% of men and 36.2% of women in this study were smokers and 64.4% had high nicotine dependence. Final logistic regression models showed that smoking was related with advanced age, male sexuality, hookah consumption, and depression. High nicotine dependence was correlated with hookah consumption and history of suicide attempt. Prevalence of smoking is higher among psychiatric patients compared to the public. Adequate intervention and strategies are necessary in these patients to promote smoking cessation

effects of demographic factors and cigarette smoking status on drug treatment success rate in outpatient treatment and rehabilitation centers

This was an analytical historical cohort study based on an existing data base study conducted in different areas of Tehran. The present study determined the effect of demographic factors and cigarette smoking status on success rate of addiction treatment in outpatient treatment and rehabilitation clinics for substance abusers. We accomplished our study in outpatient clinics authorized by the "welfare organization," which included three governmental treatment centers and private centers among those located in 22 regions of Tehran. Data were collected using a checklist, which contained demographic characteristics, personal information and information about prevention, treatment and follow-up records of 1372 patients. Factors associated with addiction treatment success rate were reviewed using multiple logistic regression tests. Our study showed that addiction treatment was successful in only 258 cases [18.8%]. The final multiple regression model showed that single and married patients were 2.18 times [P=0.033] and 2.70 times more successful in quitting than divorced, or separated cases [P=0.005]. In addition, patients who lived in rental or mortgaged houses were 1.43 times more successful than homeowners [P=0.036]. More than 90% of participants in this study were daily smokers at the time of the study. Patients who did not have a history of smoking were 1.69 times more successful than ex-smokers [P=0.007]. Based on our study results only a few people were successful in addiction treatment; marital status, type of housing, residential status and smoking status were the most important factors associated with the outcome of addiction treatment

Factors associated with secondhand smoke exposure in infants

Determining the factors associated with secondhand smoke [SHS] exposure in children provides valuable information for smoking control strategies. This study aimed to assess factors related to SHS exposure in infants based on urinary cotinine measures. A cross-sectional analysis of the data that were collected as part of the randomized controlled trial was conducted. Participants were 130 smoking households with children under the age of 1 year attending a health care center in southern Tehran. Eligible parents consented to participate in this study and completed a questionnaire including demographic data, questions regarding smoking at home, smoking status and Fagerstrom test through face-to-face interview. The Infants' urinary cotinine level was measured using gas chromatography, adjusted with urinary creatinine level and reported as cotinine [ng]/ creatinine [mg]. Factors related to infants' SHS exposure were assessed using the multivariate logistic regression model based on standard cut-point [30 ng of urinary cotinine/mg creatinine]. The final multivariate logistic regression model showed that social status [p=0.002], home smoking restriction [p=0.05] and the infant's age [p=0.01] were associated with the infants' SHS exposure determined based on urinary cotinine levels. These results support the influence of social status, home smoking restriction and infant's age on the exposure of infants to SHS