Antihypertensive drugs used by hypertensive patients in the provincial cities of Isfahan, Najaf Abad and Arek

Hypertension is the most prevalent chronic disease encountered by physicians. Its prevalence has been reported at 18% in Isfahan province. Hypertension control decreases the risk of stroke and coronary events by 50% and 15%, respectively. According to the World Health Organization [WHO], the rate of blood pressure control stands at 12.5%. Effective hypertension control requires measures such as screening, diagnosis, lifestyle improvement, and drug therapy. The type of drug regimen prescribed to the hypertensive patient is of key importance in achieving optimal control. The present study was performed to determine the type of drugs used by hypertensive patients in urban and rural areas of the provincial cities of Isfahan, Najaf-Abad and Arak. This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in the provincial cities of Isfahan, Najaf-Abad and Arak in 2000-2001, as part of Isfahan Healthy Heart Program [IHHP]. Cluster sampling method was used to select 10674 individuals from the urban and rural areas of the said provincial cities. The patients had systolic or diastolic blood pressure readings of >/= 140 and >/= 90, respectively, or received antihypertensive medications. Data were entered into the EPI5 software and analyzed with t-test using SPSS. A total of 2015 hypertensive individuals [18.9%] were identified. Awareness of being hypertensive and rate of treatment and control of hypertension measured 47%, 23% and 9% respectively. Of 670 patients under treatment, 527 had been treated with one drug type, 133 with two drug types with 35 different combinations, and 30 used three drug types with 25 different combinations. Among single-drug regimens, beta-blockers were the most common choice [23%] and atenolol and methyldopa were the most frequently prescribed drugs, respectively. The frequency of diuretics use was 0.9%. Inappropriate combinations such as atenolol and propranolol were seen among two- and three-drug regimens [nine patients]. Drug regimens used by many hypertensive patients are not consistent with standard protocols; these regimens are ineffective in blood pressure control and lead to increased side-effects and subsequently patient noncompliance. Thus, education of physicians and other healthcare providers on hypertension and antihypertensive treatment is essential

KAP study on smoking in Iranian medical doctors

Smoking is one of the major health problems worldwide and health politicians, especially medical doctors can play a key role in preventing and controlling of this global epidemic among their patients. To evaluate the physicians knowledge, attitude and practice [KAP] towards smoking. This was a descriptive analytical study in which the target population included all general physicians employed in state-run or private sectors. A total of 5140 GPs in 20 provinces of the country were randomly chosen based on available information from health care organization. Data were collected using questionnaires completed by educated questioners. The prevalence of smoking among general physicians was 7.43% [9.7% in males and 0.8% in females]. Regular smoking was found in 1.79% of women and 10.37% of men and the average of cigarettes used by smokers was 6.6 per day. The average age to start smoking was 23.04 +/- 5.7 years. Most doctors [90%] believed in necessity of education to quit smoking manners. Although the prevalence of smoking among GPs found to be less than the general population, regarding the important of their roles, inclusion of extra educational sessions on tobacco control and prevention methods in universities seems to be of prime necessity. This will eventually cause a decrease in prevalence of smoking among this important shell of the society