Measuring unintended pregnancies in postpartum Iranian women: validation of the London measure of unplanned pregnancy

Research suggests a relatively sizable rate of unintended pregnancies in some subgroups of Iranian women, but there is no concise, standard scale to measure the pregnancy intention of Iranian women. Therefore, the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy [LMUP] were investigated. The Persian version of the LMUP was tested on randomly selected married women aged 15-49 years in the city of Ajabshir, East Azerbaijan province, north-west of Islamic Republic of Iran. The scale's face validity and internal consistency was examined and its construct validity was tested by exploratory factor analysis. The internal consistency of the scale was acceptable [Cronbach alpha coefficient 0.87]. Structural indicators of the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure [0.85] and Bartlett test of sphericity [P < 0.001] verified interpretability of the exploratory factor analysis output. Applicability of the Persian version of the LMUP is accepted. Further investigation is needed to understand cultural norms that might influence Iranian women's responses to queries about pregnancy intentions

[Pattern of age distribution of different cancers in east Azerbaijan province, Iran]

Cancer is a major public health problem in many countries of the world and the third leading cause of death in developing countries. The most frequently diagnosed cancers in females and males are breast and lung cancers respectively. The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of age distribution and the frequency of different cancers in East Azerbaijan province during the year 2009. This descriptive analytic study was performed by community based method on 5455 new cancer cases obtained from cancer registries in East Azerbaijan province in 2009. Characteristics of all registered cancers [including age, sex, and etc] were collected in a form. Then data were summarized and coded using the International Classification of Disease [ICD]. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. The 95% confidence interval of the study Variables were calculated using Excel software. Among 5455 cases, 3189 ones [58.5%] were males and 2256 ones [41.4%] were females. Mean age of cancer incidence was 57.3 +/- 18.5 years. About 47.8% of malignancies occurred in ages over 60 years and 52.2% below 60 years. Among men, 57.8% of all cancers occurred in the age group of 60-70 years but in women 53.5% of them occurred in the age group of 50-60 years. Mean age at diagnosis was significantly higher [P<0.001] among males [60 years, 95%CI: 59.7-60.9] than females [53 years, 95% CI: 52.2-53.8]. The 10 most common cancers among males and females were stomach [15.5%] and breast [20.9%] cancers respectively. More than half of all registered cancers in the province were in the age group of above 60 years. Stomach and breast cancers are the most common malignancies of this region and occur most frequently during the 7th and 5th decades of life respectively. Comprehensive and complementary studies for recognizing relevant factors are among the priorities of health system research in this province

[Establishment and integration of a visceral leishmaniasis surveillance system in the primary health care system and its evaluation, Meshkin-Shahr District, Iran]

Visceral leishmaniasis is a systemic parasitic disease with a high fatality rate in under-5-year-old children. The disease is endemic in some parts of Iran, particularly in the north-west region. In 2001 a visceral leishmaniasis [VL] surveillance system was established for children aged>/=12 years in the primary health system in Meshkin-Shahr District, Ardebil Province, situated in the north-west of Islamic Republic of Iran. All cases with clinical signs and symptoms of VL and confirmed positive by the direct agglutination test [DAT] were referred for physical examination and treatment. The mean annual incidence of VL decreased significantly from 1.88 per 1000 children before [1985-2000], to 0.77 per 1000 child population after [2001-07], the intervention. In the control area with no surveillance, it increased from 0.11 to 0.23 per 1000. Early detection of VL using serological tests and timely treatment of cases can decrease the mortality and morbidity rates of VL in endemic areas

[Screening for congenital hypothyroidism in East Azerbaijan province, IRAN]

Congenital hypothyroidism [CH] is one of the most common preventable causes of mental retardation throughout the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of CH among newborns of East Azerbaijan province in 2009-2010. This descriptive analytic study was performed by using census cross- sectional method on 62459 neonates in East Azerbaijan province from 21[st] March 2009 to 20[th] March 2010. Blood samples were taken within the 3[rd] -5[th] days of life by lancet sticking of neonatal heel and transferred to filter papers for measuring TSH level. In the case of TSH >/= 5mu/l, additional confirmation tests were done and confirmed cases based on serum confirmation test [TSH>10 mu/l or T4<6.5mg/dl] underwent treatment according to the national guidelines. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. The recall rate was 2.5%. Total number of patients was 94, including 55 males [58.5%] and 39 females [41.5%]. Prevalence in males, females and overall was respectively 1:588, 1:769 and 1:666, with no significant difference. Seasonal prevalence was respectively 1:833, 1:943, 1:492 and 1:588 that shows no significant difference among four seasons. The highest prevalence was in Tabriz [27.7%] and the lowest in Azarshahr [0%] and Kaleibar [0%]. Mean maternal age of affected neonates was 26.22 +/- 6.2 years. Mean neonate's weight was 3500 +/- 652 grams. In 76% of neonates time of sampling was in the 3[rd] -5[th] days of life and in 89% of them test result was announced before 13[th] day. Mean treatment onset based on neonate's age was 2.7 +/- 1 day. In 97.5% of screened neonates TSH level was less than 5 mu/l. The prevalence of CH in East Azerbaijan province is significantly higher than national and worldwide levels that requires continuation and reinforcement of neonatal screening programs. On the other hand, comprehensive and complementary studies for recognizing relevant factors are among priorities of health system research in this province

Monitoring and enforcement of the salt iodization programme in Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran: a successful experience

After a successful programme to prevent iodine deficiency disorders in the Islamic Republic of Iran in the 1990s and early 2000s, evidence emerged that urine iodine levels in the population were falling. This paper reviews efforts to monitor and enforce the iodization of salt production and shows the resulting improvements in iodization levels of factory- table salt and in urine iodine concentrations of primary-school children in East Azerbaijan province. Reaching targets for elimination of iodine deficiency disorders requires efficient monitoring of the population's iodine levels combined with monitoring of the iodine content of table salt and enforcement of iodization regulations

Integrated visceral leishmaniasis surveillance system in primary care for children in Meshkin-Shahr district, north-western Islamic Republic of Iran

In 2001 a visceral leishmaniasis [VL] surveillance system was set up for children aged

Fauna and checklist of mosquitoes [Diptera: Culicidae] of east Azerbaijan province, northwestern Iran

In order to study the mosquito [Diptera: Culicidae] fauna of East Azerbaijan Province, some samplings were carried out by dipping method for the larvae and hand catch, night biting catch, total catch, and shelter pit collection as well as using window trap for the adults during June, July, and August 2004 plus July and August 2005. In total, 1305 adult mosquitoes and 603 larvae were collected. Seven genera and 15 species were identified in the province including; Anopheles claviger, An. hyrcanus, An. maculipennis s.l., An. pseudopictus, An. sacharovi, An. superpictus, Aedes vexans, Coquillettidia richiardii, Cx. pipiens, Cx. theileri, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, Culiseta longiareolata, Cs. subochrea, Ochlerotatus caspius s.l., and Uranotaenia unguiculata. An. maculipennis complex, Cx. pipiens, and Cx. theileri were the most prevalent and widely distributed species. An. pseudopictus, Ae. vexans, and Cq. richiardii are reported for the first time in East Azerbaijan Province and a checklist for the mosquitoes of the province is also presented. Among the mosquitoes of the province, there are many potential vectors of human and domesticated animal pathogens that their ecology needs to be studied extensively

[Effect of adenotonsillectomy on serum IgA, IgM, IgG levels in patients under 15 years]

Introduction: Surgical removal of adenoid and tonsils is the most common operation in ENT HandN surgery that principally is operated on patients under 15 years. These tissues are arranged as mucosal defense system that is first defense against different organisms and their Ig[s] productions are quite known. Then, this surgery may have an effect on serum Ig[s] levels

Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine whether adenotonsillectomy actually affected on serum Ig[s] levels

Materials and Methods: This study was an experimental-like type that investigated 300 patients under 15 years at Amiral Momenin Hospital in Rasht that needed these operations. Serum Ig[s] levels were measured immediately before and one month after operation. Ig[s] of serum were measured with SRID [Single Radiation Immune Diffusion]. Adenoid and tonsils were removed with curette and adenotome and incision blunt dissection snare respectively

Results: Serum IgG levels of all patients were the same pre and post-operations. Preoperative serum IgM levels of 289 cases were normal, but 278 ones had normally postoperative levels. In 11 patients, serum IgM levels decreased post operation in 11 patients. IgM levels that were low preoperations in 4 patients were changed to normal levels postoperatively. In 296 patients, serum IgA levels were normal pre and post-operation. In 2 of 4 patients, IgA levels reached normal range postoperatively

Conclusion: Adenotonsillectomy has no significant effect on serum Ig[s] levels