A review of methods to estimate the visibility factor for bias correction in network scale-up studies / 한국역학회지

Network scale-up is an indirect size estimation method, in which participants are questioned on sensitive behaviors of their social network members. Therefore, the visibility of the behavior affects the replies and estimates. Many attempts to estimate visibility have been made. The aims of this study were to review the main methods used to address visibility and to provide a summary of reported visibility factors (VFs) across populations. We systematically searched relevant databases and Google. In total, 15 studies and reports that calculated VFs were found. VF calculation studies have been applied in 9 countries, mostly in East Asia and Eastern Europe. The methods applied were expert opinion, comparison of NSU with another method, the game of contacts, social respect, and the coming-out rate. The VF has been calculated for heavy drug users, people who inject drugs (PWID), female sex workers (FSWs) and their clients, male who have sex with male (MSM), alcohol and methamphetamine users, and those who have experienced extra-/pre-marital sex and abortion. The VF varied from 1.4% in Japan to 52.0% in China for MSM; from 34.0% in Ukraine to 111.0% in China for FSWs; and from 12.0% among Iranian students to 57.0% in Ukraine for PWID. Our review revealed that VF estimates were heterogeneous, and were not available for most settings, in particular the Middle East and North Africa region, except Iran. More concrete methodologies to estimate the VF are required.

A review of methods to estimate the visibility factor for bias correction in network scale-up studies / 한국역학회지

Network scale-up is an indirect size estimation method, in which participants are questioned on sensitive behaviors of their social network members. Therefore, the visibility of the behavior affects the replies and estimates. Many attempts to estimate visibility have been made. The aims of this study were to review the main methods used to address visibility and to provide a summary of reported visibility factors (VFs) across populations. We systematically searched relevant databases and Google. In total, 15 studies and reports that calculated VFs were found. VF calculation studies have been applied in 9 countries, mostly in East Asia and Eastern Europe. The methods applied were expert opinion, comparison of NSU with another method, the game of contacts, social respect, and the coming-out rate. The VF has been calculated for heavy drug users, people who inject drugs (PWID), female sex workers (FSWs) and their clients, male who have sex with male (MSM), alcohol and methamphetamine users, and those who have experienced extra-/pre-marital sex and abortion. The VF varied from 1.4% in Japan to 52.0% in China for MSM; from 34.0% in Ukraine to 111.0% in China for FSWs; and from 12.0% among Iranian students to 57.0% in Ukraine for PWID. Our review revealed that VF estimates were heterogeneous, and were not available for most settings, in particular the Middle East and North Africa region, except Iran. More concrete methodologies to estimate the VF are required.

A review of methods to estimate the visibility factor for bias correction in network scale-up studies / 한국역학회지

Network scale-up is an indirect size estimation method, in which participants are questioned on sensitive behaviors of their social network members. Therefore, the visibility of the behavior affects the replies and estimates. Many attempts to estimate visibility have been made. The aims of this study were to review the main methods used to address visibility and to provide a summary of reported visibility factors (VFs) across populations. We systematically searched relevant databases and Google. In total, 15 studies and reports that calculated VFs were found. VF calculation studies have been applied in 9 countries, mostly in East Asia and Eastern Europe. The methods applied were expert opinion, comparison of NSU with another method, the game of contacts, social respect, and the coming-out rate. The VF has been calculated for heavy drug users, people who inject drugs (PWID), female sex workers (FSWs) and their clients, male who have sex with male (MSM), alcohol and methamphetamine users, and those who have experienced extra-/pre-marital sex and abortion. The VF varied from 1.4% in Japan to 52.0% in China for MSM; from 34.0% in Ukraine to 111.0% in China for FSWs; and from 12.0% among Iranian students to 57.0% in Ukraine for PWID. Our review revealed that VF estimates were heterogeneous, and were not available for most settings, in particular the Middle East and North Africa region, except Iran. More concrete methodologies to estimate the VF are required.

Impact of HIV status notification on risk behaviors among men who inject drugs in kermanshah, west of Iran

Background: It is unclear whether knowing of current HIV status is associated with change injecting behaviors among people who inject drugs [PWID] in Iran. The objective of the prese study was to determine whether awareness of HIV positive status is associated with a reductn in injecting risk behaviors, after matching for socio-demographic characteristics

Methods: Five hundred male PWID were recruited in 2014 from two drop-in centers [DICs] Kermanshah west of Iran

Trained interviewers collected data on socio-demograp characteristics, HIV testing and drug-related risk behaviors over the last month prior to intervi using a structured questionnaire

Our primary exposure of interest was awareness of HIV sts used to group participants into three categories: positive, negative, unaware. We u coarsened exact matching to make the three groups statistically equivalent based on age, pi of residence, education and income, and then compared them regarding the proportior borrowing, lending and reuse of syringes

Results: Matched sample [n=320] had a mean age +/- standard deviation [SD] of 33.5 +/-7J Overall, 25% [95% Cl: 14%, 32%] of participants reported [borrowing a syringe] in the month and 15% [95% Cl: 7%, 22%] of them reported [lending a used syringe] to others ii past month. In comparison to PWID who were unaware of their HIV status, those knew were HIV positive [OR 1.68, CI95%1.32-2.81] or negative [OR 1.54; 95% Cl: 1.28, 2.71] both more likely to report borrowing syringes in past month

Conclusions: PWID WHO know they are positive for H//V are more likely to borrow are person's syringe, to report reuse of their own used syringes and less likely to report lending syringes to others. Strategies to scale up HIV testing and counseling for PWID, whicl increase awareness of HIV status, may decrease injecting related the risk behaviors

Trends of obesity in Iranian adults from 1990s to late 2000s; a systematic review and meta-analysis

Obesity is currently emerging as a global epidemic, affecting 10% of adult population worldwide. The primary objective of the current systematic review is to describe the trend of overall prevalence of obesity in Iranian women and men through a meta-analysis. We searched the medical literature published from 1990 to 2007 in Medline [PubMed], EMBASE database, and the Iranian digital library. All published reports of research projects, papers in relevant congresses, unpublished crude data analysis, proceedings, books and dissertations were reviewed. Data from eligible papers that fulfilled the qualification criteria entered meta-analysis [Random Model]. Data from 209,166 individuals were analyzed. The overall prevalence of obesity in adults was 18.5% [95%CI: 15.1-21.8], respectively. The prevalence of obesity in men and women was 12.9% [95%CI: 10.9-14.9] and 26.2% [95%CI: 21.3-30.5], respectively. The trend of obesity was similar in both genders; women had almost a constantly higher risk of obesity than men during the recent two decades. Data from 209,166 individuals were analyzed. The overall prevalence of obesity in adults was 18.5% [95%CI: 15.1-21.8], respectively. The prevalence of obesity in men and women was 12.9% [95%CI: 10.9-14.9] and 26.2% [95%CI: 21.3-30.5], respectively. The trend of obesity was similar in both genders; women had almost a constantly higher risk of obesity than men during the recent two decades

Knowledge and practice of Iranians toward colorectal cancer, and barriers to screening

Colorectal cancer [CRC] is the third most common malignancy in Iran. Limited data are available on knowledge and barriers in regard to CRC and screening tests in Iran. The aim of the study was to characterize knowledge, practice, and barriers toward CRC and its screening tests among an Iranian at risk population. This cross sectional study was conducted with participation of 200 individuals of both genders aged 50 years or older in a teaching hospital in Tehran, Iran. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews. A questionnaire containing demographics; knowledge about CRC and screening tests; screening practice; and reasons for not being screened was administered. The reliability alpha for knowledge items was 0.52. The age of the participants ranged from 50 to 83 years [mean 60.13]. Overall, 11% of the respondents reported prior screening by either fecal occult blood test [6.5%] or colonoscopy [4.5%]. The majority of individuals had poor knowledge although respondents with prior screening obtained slightly higher score in comparison with nonparticipants in screening [26.74 vs. 23.24; P<0.05]. Four commonly cited reasons for not having CRC tests were "doctor did not recommend the test," "did not think it was needed," "never think of the test," and "no symptoms/problems" which were reported by 29%, 26%, 20%, and 17% of the participants, respectively. It is necessary to design appropriate educational interventions to increase the general population's knowledge about CRC and screening before implementing preventive programs in Iran

Evaluation of tuberculosis situation in economic cooperation countries in 2009; achievement and gaps toward millennium development goals

Evaluating the tuberculosis [TB] status of the Economic Cooperation Organization [ECO] member countries relation to goal 6-c of the third millennium, which includes that TB incidence, prevalence, and death rates should be halved by 2015, compared with their level in 1990. In 2009, we have critically reviewed the countries' Millennium Development Goals [MDGs] reports and extracted the data from the surveillance system and published and unpublished data. The main stakeholders, from both governmental and international organizations in the country have been visited and interviewed by the research team as part of the data validation process. The TB incidence is very heterogeneous among ECO countries, which differ from 21.7 in Iran to 230.7 per 100,000 in Tajikistan. TB incidence [per 100,000] is more than 100 in six countries and is from 50 to 100 in two countries and is less than 30 in two countries. Only in two countries the crude death rate [CDR] is higher than 70%. In seven countries the death rate is higher than 10 per 100,000. Two countries are among the 20 top world countries with the highest tuberculosis burden. There are some signs and signals indicating the bad condition of an ECO member including: incidence of more than 50 per 100000, CDR of less than 70%, death rate more than 10 per 100,000, and rating two member countries among 20 top countries with the highest burden in the world. Iran and Turkey could achieve MDGs by 2015, but if other countries do not prepare urgent intervention programs, they will not be able to fulfill the goals

HIV/AIDS situation in economic cooperation countries; achievement and gaps toward millennium development goals

Objective: Evaluating the status of the ECO member countries in relation to HIV/AIDS [goal 6-a] which includes the main targets for global HIV/AIDS control

Materials and methods: In 2009, we have critically reviewed the countries' MDG reports and extracted the data on each MDG's indicator by year to explore the trend. In the next phase, the main stakeholders, from both governmental and international organizations in the country have been visited and interviewed [individually and in group] by the research team as part of the data validation process

Results: The most important issue in ECO countries is lack of accurate data about HIV/AIDS. From all countries four of them are facing concentrated epidemics in IDUs. ECO countries are categorized into three groups; countries in which HIV prevalence had remained less than 0.1 percent during 2001 to 2008 [Only country is within this group] , countries in which prevalence had reached 0.1 percent during 2001 to 2008 [5 countries are in this group] and countries in which prevalence had reached 0.2 percent or more during 2001 to 2008. Three countries are in latter group. There is no valid data about people's awareness, condom usage during last sexual intercourse, and antiretroviral treatment. Existing data indicates inappropriateness of these indicators in all countries of the region

Conclusion: An efficient surveillance system in needed to illustrate an exact picture of HIV/AIDS in all countries. This study shows that though the epidemics has started lately in member countries compared with other parts of the world, no proper intervention has been adopted for controlling the epidemics yet. Moreover, in those countries which AIDS epidemics are concentrated among drug users, harm reduction activities are necessary to control the problem. Increasing the coverage of antiretroviral treatment and awareness of general and high risk population could help countries to achieve HIV/AIDS indicators

digital stereomicroscopic study of the furcation wall thickness of mesiobuccal roots of maxillary first and second molars

This study aimed to compare the thickness of the mesiobuccal furcal canal watts of first and second maxillary motes. This study was performed on total of 30 first and second extracted molar teeth [15 each]. The mesiobuccal roots of each tooth were separated at the cement-enamel junction [CEJ] level and embedded in acrylic resin. The embedded roots were cut horizontally at two and four mm below the CEJ using a 0.20 mm blade [overall three sections CEJ, two and four mm below]. Next, photographs of all the horizontal sections were taken using a digital stereomicroscope with identical magnifications [x20]. Using the photographs, two independent observers measured and recorded the minimal thickness from the canal wall of the first mesiobuccal [MB1] and the second mesiobuccal [MB2] canals to the furcation area. Data analysis was performed by repeating the measurement Analysis of Variance. The analysis was completed by making paired comparisons using the Bonferroni alpha adjustment method. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. In maxillary first molars, the mean [ +/- SD] thickness of the canal furcal wall MB1 in three sections were significantly higher than thickness of the canal furcal wall in MB2 [P<0.05]. However there was no statistical difference between the mean [ +/- SD] thickness of the canal furcal wall in the three sections [CEJ, 2 and 4 mm below] of maxillary second molars MB1 and MB2 canals. Only the maxillary first molars demonstrated significantly lower furcal canal wall thickness [FCWT] values in the MB2 canals. Maxillary second molars MB canals did not demonstrate Statistical difference in FCWT values

[ epidemiological model [Markov Chain] of cardiovascular disease in Iran]

To propose a model to estimate the incidence of acute cardiac disease and its complications in Iran. The Markov Chain Model used to consider all probable outcomes of acute cardiac events in individuals over 40 years old in Iran. We estimated the model parameters using systematic reviews and experts opinions. The conceptual framework was validated and finalized by the expert panel. Annual ischemic heart disease mortality in population over 40 years old is 14 per 1000 and the ischemic patients who need outpatient care are around 2, 935, 000 individuals. The number of beds estimated to be necessary in emergency wards and intensive cardiac care units for whole country are estimated 23520 and 14280 respectively. The estimation number of beds needed to service patients who have undergone a surgical intervention is 8540. The number of cardiac specialist for only outpatients' services is 2240 for whole country. This model may help health policy makers to make evidence based decisions for improving medical education and better treatment as well as estimating the trend of cardiovascular diseases in Iran