[Prevalence and associated factors of hepatitis c in self-introduced substance abusers]

Considering the importance and high prevalence of hepatitis C among substance abusers, especially injection drug users, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of Hepatitis C in self-introduced substance abusers in Farabi Addiction Hospital in Kermanshah in 2007. A total of 263 drug addicts' medical files were assessed during the study. Data [individual characteristics and results of serological tests] were gathered through the files. Data were analyzed by measuring frequency of correlation between the variables [Chi square test and logistic regression]. The mean age was 31.82 +/- 9.18 years; mean duration of drug abuse was 121.7 +/- 29.1 months for prisoners. From 263 individuals in the study, 22.1% were infected with HCV. The most common ways of substance use were injection [33.1%], and fumigation [32.3%]. There was no history of imprisonment in 74.9% of individuals; and 52.9% had no history of drug injection. There was a history of physical or mental disorder in 25.5% of individuals. The Chi square statistical test showed significant relationship between HCV infection and substance abuse, and the way of consumption; and the t-test showed significant relationship with average daily consumption frequency. The highest relative risk ratio was for positive history of physical or mental illness [OR=8.33], and positive history of imprisonment [OR=5.94]. Having multiple sexual partners increased the risk of being infected with the HCV [OR=2.92]. The risk of HCV infection was independently increased with having a history of imprisonment, having multiple sexual partners, presence of physical or mental illnesses, and consumption methods in substance abusers

[Effects of peer education, education by physician and giving pamphlets on HIV knowledge in high school students: a comparative study]

Youths are the most at risk group for HIV/AIDS in the world and education of the preventive measurements is the most effective way for decreasing the incidence of HIV/AIDS among them. Due to ever-increasing cases of HIV and the importance of education, we compared the effects of three educational methods [peer education, education by physician and giving pamphlets] on knowledge of female high school students' of Kerman shah on HIV/AIDS. One thousand and five hundred female third grade students were recruited from 21 high schools using stratified random sampling method. An average of 73 students were selected from each school and participated in a pre-test exam using a questionnaire. Of 1500 students, 498 and 502 students were taught by general practitioners and peers, respectively. Pamphlets were presented to 500 other students. Twenty days after the educational intervention, the participants were contributed in a post-test exam using the very questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics via SPSS version 11.5. The students' mean age was 16.78 [SD = 0.7]. The mean scores of pretests and post-tests in all 3 groups were significantly different [P < 0.001]. The mean score for the group taught by general practitioners [10.7 +/- 3.6] was higher than the scores of other two group scores [8.8 +/- 3.4 and 7.3 +/- 3.9, respectively for peer education and pamphlet groups] after the interventions. Bonferroni statistical test showed the significant difference [P < 0.001]. Education presented by general practitioners seems to be more effective than the other two ways in increasing students' knowledge about HIV/AIDS

[Effects of knowledge, attitude and practice of married women with community oriented medical education in city of Kermanshah city on iodized salt consumption [2004]]

Despite substitution of iodized salt for common salt since 1996 in Iran, goiter prevalence has not decreased, as expected, in poor districts. Maintaining iodine salt and its addition to the meal at the time of cooking are considered as the main reasons for goiter prevalence. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of knowledge, attitude and practice of married women being educated in medical community-oriented era of Kermanshah city on the consuming of iodized salt in 2004. According to census data collected and documented in 1999, 400 families were chosen randomly to be visited and observed on their consumption and maintenance of iodized salt. The woman or the person in charge of cooking was also asked to complete the questionnaire of knowledge, attitude and practice. Of the women, questioned aged 32.91 +/- 7.5 years, 28% were under 29 years old, 34.8% 30-34, and 37.3% were over 35 years old; 50.5% were illiterate, 18.3% high school educated and 31.3% university educated. The reports showed knowledge rate at 48.3% [weak], attitude 55.9% [mediocre] and function 83.8% [mediocre]. Although Chi Square Test was not significant enough to review the relation between women's function, awareness, attitude and education as well as the relation between function, attitude and age, the relation of attitude and age was meaningful. Considering the lack women's awareness regarding regular maintaining and consumption of iodized salt in Kermanshah city and the role of media, it is vital to educate people via media

[To compare the evaluation of HIV/AIDS female high school peer education with lecture by physician and pamphlets in Kermanshah]

The youth group is more prone to HIV infection. Education is a cornerstone to prevention. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of peer education and traditional lectureship and distribution of pamphlet on high school students. 1500 female high school students, third graders, were selected based on stratified random sampling studying in 21 high schools in Kermanshah. In each high school, 73 third grades were selected as the sample of the study. We designed a questionnaire as an assessment tool for interventions. Peer education was done by 502 students, and AIDS awareness pamphlet was distributed on 500 students, and the rest of students were attended a one-day workshop which was ran by a female physician in their high school. The mean average age was 16.78 [SD= +/- 0.7] years. The mean scores of pretest and post-test in each groups were statistically significant different [P=0.0001]. Mean score of difference in workshop by female physician was greater than peer education group, 1 0.7 and 8.8, respectively. The group whome received their knowledge about AIDS by pamphlet obtained the least mean score than other groups and this was statistically significant [P=0.0001]. The findings of this study indicate that educating students by general practitioners is more effective way to increase students' knowledge about prevention of AIDS

[Frequency of pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder [PMDD], premenstrual syndrome [PMS] and some related factors in students of girls' high schools of Kermanshah]

Many women in fertile period of their lives experience some bothering mental and physical symptoms that begin around 7-10 days before menses [lutheal phase] and cease in the first days of menstrual bleeding. After presentation of the Text Revision of the Fourth version of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of psychiatric disorders [DSM-four], these symptoms already known as Pre-menstrual syndrome [PMS] were called Pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder [PMDD]. This process was associated with addition of some criteria about duration and intensity. The prevalence of PMS has been estimated to be about 40% to 70% but severe signs [PMDD] have lower prevalence. This study has evaluated the frequency of PMS and PMDD and some related factors in students of girls' high schools in Kermanshah. In this descriptive-analytic study, 800 students of girls' high schools were chosen by randomized cluster sampling. A researcher made questionnaire assessing PMS and PMDD according to DSM.IV.TR criteria as well as a demographic questionnaire were administered to participants. Data were analyzed running SPSS software -version 11.5. Frequencies of PMS and PMDD were 41.5% and 9.4% respectively. The disorder was more frequent in students older than 16 years old. Mood symptoms were the most frequent presentation, followed by physical and behavioral symptoms. There was a lower frequency of the disorder despite a higher frequency of the syndrome in students with highly educated mothers. The frequency of PMS was higher in students with positive family history.