Prevalence study of iodine deficiency disorders among high school girls in Shiraz Islamic republic of Iran, 1996 - 1997

To assess the prevalence of Iodine deficiency disorders, in high school girls in Shiraz, Iran. Design: A cross-sectional study based on a multi-stage cluster sample. Setting: The study subjects underwent clinical examination for presence of goiter. A sub sample of study sample was selected to conduct Urinary Iodine determination. Subjects: High school girls aged 14-18 years. Prevalence of goiter was 25%. Grade 1B goiter was more prevalent [13.9%] than grade 1A [7.4%]. Iodine deficiency according to two indices, Urinary Iodine level and Urinary Iodine/Creatinine ratio in sub sample of study sample were 4.7% and 12.1% respectively. Salt iodination program should be continued and further studies to investigate other factors in genesis of thyroid enlargement are recommended

Effectiveness of osmotic fragility screening with varying saline concentration in detecting B-Thalassemia trait

Thalassemia is a major health problem in Iran. The prevalence of thalassemia minor is high and screening program for detecting beta -thalassemia trait has been established in southern parts of Iran since 1992. To determine the efficacy of naked-eye single-tube red cell osmotic fragility test [OFT] as a screening test for beta -thalassemia trait. Three different concentrations [0.36%, 0.37% and 0.38%] of buffered saline solutions were used. OFT were applied to three groups of subjects: 50 normal individuals, 50 subjects with genetically proven beta -thalassemia trait, and 15 patients with proved iron-deficiency anemia. The results demonstrated that 0.37% saline was the best solution for OFT. It could detect 98% of heterozygous beta -thalassemia patients compared to 96% and 84% detection rate obtained with respective 0.36% and 0.38% saline. Specificity of OFT with 0.37% saline was 96% whereas that of 0.36% and 0.38% saline were 84% and 94%, respectively. The OFT with 0.37% saline was also positive in 5 [33.3%] patients with iron-deficiency anemia. OFT done with 0.37% buffered saline solution provides more accurate results. Since the test is inexpensive and practical it might be considered as the single screening test to be used in areas with limited laboratory facilities and economic resources

Physical growth of 6-18 years old school children in relation to the national center for health statistics standard in Shiraz, Iran

Anthropometric indices were studied in 3534 [2.5% of the total population of school children in Shiraz, Iran] healthy 6-18 years old school children comprising 2037 boys and 1497 girls, in Shiraz, Iran. The school children were selected by proportional multi-stage cluster random sampling. National Center for Health Statistics [NCHS] reference population. The weight for age and height for age indices in the present study were less than those of NCHS. Median heights and weights of children in Shiraz lie approximately on the 25th centile of NCHS standard. These differences may reflect both nutritional and ethnic variations between children in the present study and NCHS data. Adolescent growth spurt occurred in girls around the age of 10 years. Peak Height Velocity [PHV] was 8.41 cm and 10 cm/year in boys and girls, respectively. The present study may be used as a source of reference for school children in Iran

Prevalence of reproductive morbidity among women of the Qashqa'i tribe, Islamic Republic of Iran

Gynaecological problems related to childbearing were studied in 1010 married women of the semi-nomadic Qashqa'i tribe. The most common problems were cystocele [56.0%], uterine prolapse [53.6%] and rectocele [40.4%]. The prevalence of other problems such as cervical erosion and inflammation, urinary incontinence and dyspareunia was found to be between 24% and 40%. Early age at marriage and childbearing, high parity and poor access to medical facilities are considered to be the most important factors leading to these high prevalence rates, although the lifestyle of the women in this community could also be a major contributing factor