Estimation of influenza and severe acute respiratory illness incidence [burden] in three provinces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 2012 and 2013

There are few estimates of influenza burden in the WHO Region for the Eastern Mediterranean. In this study we estimated the burden of severe acute respiratory infection [SARI] and influenza-associated SARI [F-SARI] in selected provinces of Islamic Republic of Iran, the trends of SARI and confirmed cases of influenza [F-SARI] over 12 months [seasonality], and the age groups most at risk. Using the electronic Iranian influenza surveillance system and data of cases in sentinel hospitals of 3 selected provinces, we estimated the monthly trend [seasonality] of incidence for SARI and F-SARI, overall incidence of SARI and F-SARI and their disaggregation by age with the aid using the Monte Carlo technique. The age groups most at-risk were children aged under 2 years and adults older than 50 years

Seroepidemiology of crimean congo hemorrhagic fever in slaughterhouse workers in north eastern Iran

Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever [CCHF] is an acute febrile haemorrhagic disease. This study was conducted to ascertain the infection status amongst slaughterhouse workers in Iran's north-eastern provinces [Razavi and northern and southern Khorasan], so that analysis of the results could help clarification of the epidemiology of this disease in the aforementioned provinces and eastern regions of Iran. In this cross-sectional study, conducted in 2004 and 2005, 108 slaughterhouse workers from 24 cities of the three previously mentioned provinces were randomly entered into the study. An IgG specific ELISA test was carried out on the participants' serum samples. Sixteen out of 108 [14.8%] participants under study were shown to have IgG against CCHF. The highest rate of infection was seen in Razavi Khorasan and southern Khorasan at 17.5% and 16.7%, respectively. The study showed a relatively high frequency of this disease amongst slaughterhouse workers in these provinces. Taking into account the small number of reported cases from these provinces, it would seem that more focus is required on primary diagnosis and on referral of suspected patients

Trend of brucellosis in Iran from 1991 to 2008

Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection transmitted from animals to humans by the ingestion of infected food products, direct contact with an infected animal or inhalation of aerosols. This study aimed to describe the trend and to assess the effect of livestock vaccination rates on reported brucellosis in human across Iran. Trends in the epidemiology of human and animal brucellosis in Iran were investigated by analyzing national surveillance data between 1991 till 2008. The average annual incidence of human brucellosis was 43.24 peri 00000 population. On average, approximately 27500 new cases have been reported in the country. There was a fall in the incidence rate of Brucellosis over recent years[r=-0.79, P<0.001]. In different provinces there was a significant association between the annual incidence of human brucellosis and the annual infection rate of sheep and goats [r =0.347, P<0.001], the annual incidence of human brucellosis and the annual infection rate of cattle [r =0.327, P<0.001] and the annual incidence of human brucellosis and the percentage of vaccinated cows [r=0.098, P=0.031]. As the prevalence of human brucellosis depends closely with the prevalence of brucellosis in animals, control of the disease in human population needs the cooperation between different public health organizations

[ prevalence and causes of needle stick injuries among the primary health care workers of Bahar city, Hamadan Province]

Due to occupational exposures, primary health care workers are more at risk of blood- borne infections such as AIDS, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of occupational injuries and its related factors among the primary health care workers in Bahar city. In this cross-sectional study, conducted in 2007, 182 primary health care workers of Bahar city participated. Data were collected using a questionnaire and SPSS software, Chi square and Logistic regression tests were applied for data analysis. The prevalence of occupational injuries among the participants was 57.7%. The highest exposure rate was associated with injection needles [84.8%] and the most frequent process leading to an injury was recapping [28.6%]. The most prevalent occupational injuries were observed among lab experts [91.6%] and nurses [71.4%] [P<0.05]. 90.5 percent of the exposed group had only washed the injured place with soap. The risk of occupational injuries increased as the work experience increased [OR= 1.07, CI= 1.03-1.12]. There were no significant relationship between employees' sex and age with occupational injuries. According to the results of this study, there is a high prevalence of occupational injuries among primary health care workers of Bahar city. Hence, educating the transmission routs of blood-borne infections, applying standard precautions and increasing protection strategies must be taken into consideration

Effect of vitamins A, E, C and omega-3 fatty acids on lipid peroxidation in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

To assess the effect of supplementation with vitamins A, E and C and omega-3 fatty acids on lipid peroxidation in Streptozotocin [STZ] induced diabetic rats. Sixty four male wistar rats weighting 250g were divided into four groups as normal control, diabetic control, diabetic with vitamin A, E as well as C supplementation and diabetic with omega-3 fatty acids supplementation. After four weeks of treatment the rats were anesthetized and malondialdehyde [MDA] levels were investigated in blood samples, liver and heart homogenate. In diabetic rats MDA level in plasma, liver and heart was significantly more elevated than normal control rats [P< 0.05]. Vitamin A, E and C supplementation caused significant decrease in plasma, liver and heart MDA [P< 0.05]. A significant decrease in heart MDA [P< 0.05] was observed in diabetic rats with omega-3 fatty acids supplementation. Supplementation of vitamin A, E and C and co-3 fatty acids was found to decrease lipid peroxidation to some extent in diabetic rats and they can be valuable candidates in the treatment of the complications of diabetes

[Assessment of folic acid and vitamin B[12] status and some of the interactive factors in mentally retarded patients]

Mental retardation is a disorder in people under 18, accompanied with restriction in mental abilities, daily activities, and social skills. These patients are at risk of malnutrition. The objective of this study is assessment of folic acid, vitamin B[12] and some of the interactive factors in mentally retarded patients. This descriptive study was conducted in 40 subjects 7-15 years old, which were divided into two groups: girls [n=20] and boys [n=20]. 24 hours dietary recall for two consecutive days and food frequency questionnaire [ffq] were used to evaluate intake of folate and vitamin B[12]. RIDA method was used for measurement of serum folate and vitamin B[12] with siwul- tral- SNB-Radioassay kit. Chi square and independent T-test and Spearman and Mann- Whitney also were used to compare groups. The results of this study showed that folate and vitamin B[12] intakes, were lower than RDA in all subjects. Meanwhile serum folate, erythrocyte folate and serum vitamin B[12] were low in 65, 62.5 and 35 percent of subjects, respectively. Mean [ +/- SD] of serum folate, vitamin B[12] and erythrocyte folate levels were 2.89 and 3.11 [ng/ml], 274.5 and 327.75 [pg/ml] and finally 98.26 and 103.27 [ng/ml] in girls and boys, respectively. Serum folate level correlated positively with vegetables consumption [p<0.05, r= 0.87]. Erythrocyte folate levels correlated negatively with anticonvulsant drugs consumption [p=0.01, r=-0.66], and parasite evidence [p=0.01, r=-0.82] and correlated positively with vegetables consumption [p<0.05, r=0.22]. Finally, serum vitamin B[12] level correlated negatively with anticonvulsant drugs consumption [p<0.01, r=-0.46] and parasite evidence [p<0.05, r=-0.60] and correlated positively with meat consumption [p=0,01, r=0.42]. The status of folate and vitamin B[12] in these mental retarded patients was not sufficient due to both low intake and parasite evidence and finally anticonvulsant drug consumption

[Iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women in Eslamshahr]

Anemia in pregnancy is a significant public health problem especially in developing countries. Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy may lead to increased risks of preterm delivery, Low birth weight and still birth. This study was undertaken to detect iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women referring to health care centers of Eslamshahr/Iran. In this study, 266 selected pregnant women were divided into three groups of 1[st] trimester [n=58], 2[nd] trimester [n=73] and 3[rd] trimester [n=135] and their venous blood samples were collected for the determination of Hemoglobin [Hb], Hematocrit [Hc], MCV, serum iron, TIBC, Transferrin saturation [TS] and serum ferritin. Data were collected by using a general information questionnaire and daily intake of energy; protein and iron were estimated by using 24hr dietary recall questionnaire. Data were analyzed by frequency, mean and standard deviation and Chi square tests, Anova and Tukey HSD. Comparing to the normal levels, in the first trimester 1.7%, 40.4%, in second trimester 5.7%, 49.7%, and in the third trimester 2.8%, 54.5%, of pregnant women were deficient in Hb and Serum iron respectively. Also in the first trimester 54.5%, in the second trimester 10.4% and in the third trimester 22.7% of pregnant women were deficient in daily iron intake, respectively.The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in the studied population is high. Hb determination is not enough to detect iron deficiency anemia and ferritin determination is necessary to asses iron stores. Moreover, iron supplements cannot completely treat anemia