Seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus among Iranian soldiers

Background: Hepatitis A virus [HAV] is highly contagious in individuals living in crowded conditions such as military centers

Objectives: This study try to investigate the seroprevalence of HAV immunity among Iranian soldiers and determine whether vaccination should be used for military draftees

Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 1554 soldiers were recruited through random clustering sampling. Serum anti-HAV antibody was measured by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA].Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS

Results: A total of 1554 male soldiers with age ranged from 18 to 34 years [mean age: 21.2 +/- 1.9 y] at baseline were evaluated. Overall, 80.3% of the analyzed specimens were anti-HAV seropositive. The seroprevalence rates increased significantly with the age

Conclusion: Our results suggest that generally vaccination for HAV is not necessary for Iranian military draftees. But the vaccination is recommended for high-risk groups including anti-HAV seronegative soldiers

Relationship between blood lead level and male reproductive hormones in male lead exposed workers of a battery factory: a cross-sectional study

The reproductive system is one of the organs that are affected by lead. Lead can cause loss of libido and fertility in men, and menstrual disturbances and spontaneous abortion in woman. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was assessment of dose-response relationship between blood lead level [BLL] and sex hormones levels in lead exposed male workers. One hundred and thirteen male workers enrolled. All workers had at least 6 months of lead exposure and no history of diseases or conditions affecting reproductive system. Blood lead level and hormones levels measured with atomic absorption spectrophotometer and radioimmunoassay method, respectively. Average duration of exposure was 15.92 +/- 6.95 years. Mean BLL was 41.41micro g/dl +/- 16.99. All of the sex hormones values were in normal range. Pearson correlation showed that sex hormones levels had no significant correlation with blood lead level. Also, there was no significant difference in sex hormones levels between workers with BLL <40micro g/dl and workers whose BLL was >40 micro g/dl. This study showed that BLL cannot serve as a predictor of male sex hormonal changes. However, it is not possible to rule out the effect of lead on the reproductive system after long-term exposure

Evaluation of occupational risk factors in non-hodgkin lymphoma and hodgkin's disease in Iranian men

Lymphoma is a malignancy, arises from lymphoid tissue. Nowadays, it is the ninth most common cancer in Iran. The risk factors of malignant lymphomas have not well determined, but since 20 years ago till now, too many epidemiological researches have been concerning either Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma [NHL] or Hodgkin's Disease [HD]. It is a common usual hypothesis that idiosyncratic reaction to common physical, chemical, and viral agents could lead to lymphoma without obvious immune deficiency. Some occupations has reported to cause increasing "NHL" risks, such as rubber industry, veterinaries, uranium mining, metal working, asbestos exposing, farming, textile industry, and benzene exposing. The roles of ionizing radiation, benzene and other environmental agents have not been clear, because of the lack of confirmed evidences for relation between the occupational and environmental agents with "HD". A case-control study with 150 cases of malignant lymphoma and 150 controls have performed in Tehran. Data have selected through face-to-face interviews about the medical and occupational histories. In this study, there was a significantly increased risk for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in these occupations; welders, metal workers, founders, aluminium workers OR=4.6[Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.47-14.35] and increased risk for Hodgkin's Disease in drivers OR=2.34[[CI]:0.86-6.35]. We have found out decreased NHL risk in office workers OR=0.54 [[CI]:0.29-1.02] and also found out a non-significant increased NHL risk in farmers OR=1.58 [[CI]:0.82-3.03]. In this study, we have found no relation between smoking and HD, or NHL. The results of this study suggest that several occupations could alter the risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Hodgkin's Disease.

[Individual factors predisposing HIV/AIDS high risk behaviors: a qualitative study]

To investigate the individual factors which lead to the occurrence of high risk behaviors among HIV/AIDS patients and vulnerable people. This was a qualitative study approach carried out in 10 month in two public counseling clinic in Tehran. Data were obtained from 102 in depth and semi-structured interviews. A convenience sample of HIV/AIDS patients, clients and specialist took part in the study. Interviews were transcripted and then open coding and axial coding were performed. In all 69 HIV/AIDS patients and 19 high risk clients, 6 family members and 8 experts were interviewed. The majority of participants were male and single. Sexual high risk behaviors and drug use were the commonest ways of HIV/AIDS transition. Individual factors predisposing HIV/AIDS high risk behaviors included: 1. Predisposing perceptions. 2.Personal factors. 3. Decision and will. The results indicated that the beliefs, decision and individual factors might be the most underlying contributing to high risk behaviors

[Perception and behaviors of HIV/AIDS patients: a qualitative study]

The number of AIDS patients is increasing worldwide including Iran. Patients' risky behaviors play an important role in this arising trend. Assessing the perception and behaviors may facilitate for clarifying and planning to reduce the incidence of the risky behaviors. This study aimed to investigate the perception and the behaviors of the HIV/AIDS patients. This qualitative study conducted in Counseling Behavior Center of Imam Khomeini hospital for ten months. Data were obtained from an in-depth, semi-structured interview with an open - ended questionnaire applying purposeful sampling method. All interviews recorded and typed precisely word by word and transcripts reviewed and checked again. Deducted themes from data coded and categorized. 45 out of 61 participants were HIV positive and 16 were AIDS patients. The age range was 21.24 years and 37.7% were female. Themes described in two sections: the first was perception section, which was about ways of acquiring the disease; and insufficient knowledge about the transmission and prevention of the disease. The second section assessed behaviors, which included a number of high-risk behaviors, non-self disclosure of disease and not using preventive methods. We concluded that more instructions or counseling in the field of transmission and disclosure of the disease is necessary to improve the social support. AIDS instruction focusing on religious beliefs applying health behavioral change theories and endemic models of health education for supporting the community is recommended

[ implication of health belief model in planning educational programmes for preventing HIV/AIDS among university students]

To plan an educational program to prevent HIV/AIDS among university students based on Health Belief Model [HBM]. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Tehran University in academic year of 2004-2005. The instrument used was a questionnaire including demographic information, knowledge questions, health belief model constructs [perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits and barriers] and attitude towards HIV/AIDS patients, high risk behaviors questionnaire and intention to take HIV test. The participants were selected through stratified and systematic methods. Data were analyzed performing Chi-square test, Pearson correlation and one was ANOVA. In all 664 students participated in the study. The mean age was 18.74 +/- 8/1. according to self report,%4.1 were smoker,%2.9 used substance drugs,%1.5 suffered from sexual transmitted disease and HIV/AIDS.%26.4 believed that their knowledge is insufficient.%71.1 believed in having low risk of being infected. Almost all of the participants were highly aware of HIV/AIDS. The results also indicated that there was a significant relationship between the participants' knowledge and their perceived severity and susceptibility and benefits in term of willing to take the test. Lack of HIV voluntary counseling and testing center and feat of the test results were the main barriers of HIV test. The findings suggest that we need to educate and raise the people consciousness about the perceived benefits of HIV test, the way of giving the test results, and the contact details and services for voluntary counseling and testing centers