ABSTRACT
In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated H. pylori seroprevalence and the relevant factors in 1518 people aged > /= 6 years from the general population of Nahavand, western Islamic Republic of Iran. Questionnaires covering sociodemographic variables were completed by interview. Blood samples were taken from each individual. Sera were tested for anti-H. pylori IgG using commercial enzyme immunoassay. Overall, seroprevalence of H. pylori was high, 71.0% [95% CI: 69.0%-73.0%]. There was a gradual increase with age. Based on multivariate adjustment, only female sex and age could be considered risk factors
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Helicobacter Infections/immunology , Helicobacter Infections/blood , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Cross-Sectional Studies , Population , Surveys and Questionnaires , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Risk Factors , Age Factors , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
Counselling of patients with viral hepatitis is often limited to discussions about how the virus is transmitted. The aim of the present study was to document the principal concerns of patients suffering from chronic hepatitis B and C infection. The most common volunteered concerns were infecting family members [80.6%], infecting others [66.7%], side-effects of treatment [50.0%], disease progression to cirrhosis [44.4%], loss of employment [41.7%], liver transplantation [36.1%], social stigma [36.1%], change in lifestyle [33.3%], development of liver cancer [25%], costs and money [22.2%], fear of disease [5.6%] and psychological disease [5.6%]. Health care providers who focus counseling efforts exclusively on viral transmission are unlikely to address other important concerns
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Male , Hepatitis C, Chronic/psychology , Employment , Counseling , Patients/psychologyABSTRACT
This study investigated the frequency of Escherichia coli, Shigella and Salmonella species in stool specimens from patients with diarrhoea presenting to health centres in Hamedan province, Islamic Republic of Iran. From 144 samples, Shigella strains were isolated in 17 cases [11.8%]: 10 Sh. flexneri, 3 Sh. sonnei, 2 Sh. boydii and 2 untyped strains. No Salmonella strains were isolated. Using molecular diagnostic methods, diarrheogenic E. coli were detected in 37 cases [25.7%], the majority were enterotoxigenic [ETEC] [22 cases] and Shiga toxin- producing [STEC] strains [15 cases]. In 14 cases [9.7%] there was co- infection
Subject(s)
Humans , Diarrhea/diagnosis , Escherichia coli , Shigella , Salmonella typhi , Feces/analysis , Culture Media/microbiology , Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
We determined the seroprevalence of hepatitis B in Nahavand in a sample of 1824 subjects > 5 years in 2002. Face- to- face interviews were conducted and blood samples taken. The association between risk factor and hepatitis B was assessed using logistic regression. The prevalence of HbsAg positive cases was 2.3%, and HBcAb and HBsAb were isolated in 7.8% and 11.6% of the participants respectively; 11.9% were positive for both HBcAb and HBsAb. History of surgery and imprisonment were the major risk factors for infection with odds ratios of 2.14 [95% CI: 1.22- 3.05] and 3.57 [95% CI: 1.68- 5.4] respectively