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Objectives@#The aim of this study was to calculate the burden of stroke in Kurdistan Province, Iran between 2011 and 2017. @*Methods@#Incidence data extracted from the hospital information system of Kurdistan Province and death data extracted from the system of registration and classification of causes of death were used in a cross-sectional study. The World Health Organization method was used to calculate disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). @*Results@#The burden of stroke increased from 2453.44 DALYs in 2011 to 5269.68 in 2017, the years of life lost increased from 2381.57 in 2011 to 5109.68 in 2017, and the years of healthy life lost due to disability increased from 71.87 in 2011 to 159.99 in 2017. The DALYs of ischaemic stroke exceeded those of haemorrhagic stroke. The burden of disease, new cases, and deaths doubled during the study period. The age-standardised incidence rate of ischaemic stroke and haemorrhagic stroke in 2017 was 21.72 and 20.72 per 100 000 population, respectively. @*Conclusions@#The burden of stroke is increasing in Kurdistan Province. Since health services in Iran are based on treatment, steps are needed to revise the current treatment services for stroke and to improve the quality of services. Policy-makers and managers of the health system need to plan to reduce the known risk factors for stroke in the community. In addition to preventive interventions, efficient and up-to-date interventions are recommended for the rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients in hospitals. Along with therapeutic interventions, preventive interventions can help reduce the stroke burden.
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Objectives@#The aim of this study was to calculate the burden of stroke in Kurdistan Province, Iran between 2011 and 2017. @*Methods@#Incidence data extracted from the hospital information system of Kurdistan Province and death data extracted from the system of registration and classification of causes of death were used in a cross-sectional study. The World Health Organization method was used to calculate disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). @*Results@#The burden of stroke increased from 2453.44 DALYs in 2011 to 5269.68 in 2017, the years of life lost increased from 2381.57 in 2011 to 5109.68 in 2017, and the years of healthy life lost due to disability increased from 71.87 in 2011 to 159.99 in 2017. The DALYs of ischaemic stroke exceeded those of haemorrhagic stroke. The burden of disease, new cases, and deaths doubled during the study period. The age-standardised incidence rate of ischaemic stroke and haemorrhagic stroke in 2017 was 21.72 and 20.72 per 100 000 population, respectively. @*Conclusions@#The burden of stroke is increasing in Kurdistan Province. Since health services in Iran are based on treatment, steps are needed to revise the current treatment services for stroke and to improve the quality of services. Policy-makers and managers of the health system need to plan to reduce the known risk factors for stroke in the community. In addition to preventive interventions, efficient and up-to-date interventions are recommended for the rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients in hospitals. Along with therapeutic interventions, preventive interventions can help reduce the stroke burden.
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To explore the spatial accumulation of diseases and their aggravating factors are essential in all public health. This study attempts to use geographic information system (GIS) to provide more information about the incidence and future of anthrax. Methods: Patients were diagnosed with anthrax in Kurdistan Province from 2009 to 2016. Data was then exported into ArcGIS software version 9 and the required layers for years and areas were added.Final map for each year was drawn up, pointing out the hot spots and predicting its future pattern. Results: Most cases were reported in females (57 cases, 54.80 %), and the lower body limbs were most affected (63 cases, 60.57%). The highest numbers of incidences were related to the cities of Marivan, Saqez and Divandareh, with more concentration in the central parts of the province, rather than borderline areas. The highest percentage of the probable incidence of the disease was in Sanandaj (57.74%) with a potential susceptible area of 1 729.12 km
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Background: in recent decades, the rate of caesarian section [C-section] has increased in the Islamic Republic of Iran. A reform in the Iranian health system - the Health Transformation Plan [HTP] - was launched in 2014 in which one of the objectives of HTP is decreasing the rate of C-section
Aims: this study aimed to assess the effects of the Health Transformation Plan [HTP] on the C-section rate in the Islamic Republic of Iran
Methods: this study was an interrupted time series analysis that used segmented regression analysis to assess the im-mediate and long-term effects of the HTP on C-section rate in two groups of hospitals affiliated and not affiliated to the Ministry of Health and Medical Education [MoHME] in Kurdistan province. Study samples were selected using the data on monthly C-section rate collected over a period of four years
Results: we observed significant decreases in C-section rate immediately after the HTP in both groups of hospitals by 0.0629 and 0.0013, respectively [P < 0.05]. In the long run, we observed no significant decrease in the regression slope of C-section rate in both groups
Conclusions: the implementation of HTP decreased the C-section rate. However, the reduction does not meet expectations
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OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explain the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) gap between the poorest and the wealthiest quintiles in the capitals of Kermanshah and Kurdistan Provinces (Kermanshah and Sanandaj), in western Iran. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 1772 adults. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status (SES), lifestyle factors, body mass index, and HRQoL of participants were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The slope and relative indices of inequality (SII and RII, respectively) were employed to examine socioeconomic inequality in poor HRQoL. Blinder-Oaxaca (BO) decomposition was used to quantify the contribution of explanatory variables to the gap in the prevalence of poor HRQoL between the wealthiest and the poorest groups. RESULTS: The overall crude and age-adjusted prevalence of poor HRQoL among adults was 32.0 and 41.8%, respectively. The SII and RII indicated that poor HRQoL was mainly concentrated among individuals with lower SES. The absolute difference (%) in the prevalence of poor HRQoL between the highest and lowest SES groups was 28.4. The BO results indicated that 49.9% of the difference was explained by different distributions of age, smoking behavior, physical inactivity, chronic health conditions, and obesity between the highest and lowest SES groups, while the remaining half of the gap was explained by the response effect. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a pro-rich distribution of poor HRQoL among adults in the capitals of Kermanshah and Kurdistan Provinces. Policies and strategies aimed at preventing and reducing smoking, physical inactivity, chronic health conditions, and obesity among the poor may reduce the gap in poor HRQoL between the highest and lowest SES groups in Iran.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Body Mass Index , Cross-Sectional Studies , Health Status Disparities , Iran , Life Style , Obesity , Prevalence , Quality of Life , Smoke , Smoking , Social Class , Socioeconomic FactorsABSTRACT
Background: Generally, 15% to 40% of the world populations are suffering from non-alcoholicfatty liver disease [NAFLD]. The aim of this study was to conduct an epidemiological evaluation of NAFLD and its related factors in the west of Iran
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted for 12 months, from July 2013 to July 2014, in Sanandaj city, Kurdistan province. In this study, multistage cluster sampling method was used. The general characteristics of the subjects including their age, sex, body mass index, history of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease were recorded. All the subjects underwent abdominal ultrasonography. Besides, patients with fatty liver underwent blood tests [lipid profile,liver function test, fasting blood sugar,hepatitis B virus antigen, and hepatitis C virus antibody]. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression test
Results: A total of 410 patients were included in the study; of whom 145 [35%] had NAFLD. The prevalence of fatty liver in men [43%] was twice more than that in women [22%]. The severity of fatty liver disease increased with increasing blood sugar [OR = 3.214, 95% CI: 1.357, 7.612], triglycerides, and total cholesterol [OR = 2.897, 95% CI: 1.245, 6.736]
Conclusion: Findings of this study show that, the prevalence of NAFLD in the west of Iranis similar to the highest rates reported from other countries and the prevalence was much higher than other Asian countries. It is recommended to implement fast and effective interventions to control fatty liver disease
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Background and Aim: In recent decades, the survival rates of the children with cancer have improved significantly and their five-year survival rates have reached 80 percent, but there are still many concerns about the survival of adolescents and young people
Methods and Materials: In this retrospective study, the data of 310 children and adults with leukemia in Kurdistan Province were extracted from their medical records. Univariate and multivariate survival analysis were performed through calculating hazard ratios using Cox relative risk model. Data analysis was carried out using Stata 12 software
Results: This study included 201 adults with mean age of 50.8 years and 109 children with mean age of 5.2 years. The frequency of AML was higher in the adults [30.8 percent], while the frequency of ALL cases was higher in the children [86.2 percent]. The respective one-year and five-year survival rates, were 94.4 percent and 49.5 percent in the adults, and 92.6 percent and 83 percent in the children. The hazard ratios [HR] were 5.18 [95 percent CI: 2.60-13] in the adults with ALL and 4.11 [95 percent CI: 1.55-10.4] in the adults with AML, and 2.78 [95 percent CI: 1.05-7.37] in the patients with CML. Based on the results of multivariate analysis, the rate of mortality in children with ALL was lower [HR=0.26, 95 percent CI: 0.08-0.77]
Conclusion: Timely diagnosis and provision of treatment services for the patients are recommended. Considering the high rate of survival in the patients with ALL especially in children, we recommend provision of appropriate treatment facilities and palliative care services, similar to those in other countries, for the patients with different types of leukemia with high rates of mortality
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Background and Aim: Considering the increasing trend of thyroid cancer and increased number of new cases we performed this study to determine the risk factors for thyroid cancer in Kurdistan Province
Materials andmethods: 80 patients and 80 controls were matched and entered into this case-control study from September 2009 to September 2016 in Kurdistan Province. Data were collected by reviewing the records of the patients, making phone calls and face-to-face interviews.Using SPSS v.20 software, data analysis was performed by chi-square test, T-test and logistic regression
Results: The results showed that there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of gender, marital status, residential place, and profession. Thyroid cancer showed significant relationships with obesity, history of thyroid cancer in family, use of levothyroxine and TSH level
Conclusion: The results of the study highlighted the importance of TSH level, obesity, history of thyroid cancer in family, and use of levothyroxine which can be considered as risk factors for thyroid cancer by education and health planners
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OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate socioeconomic inequalities in the prevalence of dental caries among an urban population. METHODS: This study was conducted among 2000 people 15-40 years of age living in Kurdistan, Iran in 2015. Using a questionnaire, data were collected by 4 trained dental students. The dependent variable was the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMF) index. Using principal component analysis, the socioeconomic status (SES) of families was determined based on their household assets. Inequality was measured using the concentration index; in addition, the Oaxaca analytical method was used to determine the contribution of various determinants to the observed inequality. RESULTS: The concentration index for poor scores on the DMF index was -0.32 (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.40 to -0.36); thus, poor DMF indices had a greater concentration in groups with a low SES (p<0.001). Decomposition analysis showed that the mean prevalence of a poor DMF index was 43.7% (95% CI, 40.4 to 46.9%) in the least privileged group and 14.4% (95% CI, 9.5 to 9.2%) in the most privileged group. It was found that 85.8% of the gap observed between these groups was due to differences in sex, parents' education, and the district of residence. A poor DMF index was less prevalent among people with higher SES than among those with lower SES (odds ratio, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.52). CONCLUSIONS: An alarming degree of SES inequality in oral health status was found in the studied community. Hence, it is suggested that inequalities in oral health status be reduced via adopting appropriate policies such as the delivery of oral health services to poorer groups and covering such services in insurance programs.
Subject(s)
Humans , Cross-Sectional Studies , Dental Caries , DMF Index , Education , Family Characteristics , Health Equity , Insurance , Iran , Methods , Oral Health , Prevalence , Principal Component Analysis , Social Class , Socioeconomic Factors , Students, Dental , Urban PopulationABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: It is recognized that socioeconomic status (SES) has a significant impact on health and wellbeing; however, the effect of SES on suicide is contested. This study explored the effect of SES in suicide deaths and decomposed inequality into its determinants to calculate relative contributions. METHODS: Through a cross-sectional study, 546 suicide deaths and 6,818 suicide attempts from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014 in Ilam Province, Western Iran were explored. Inequality was measured by the absolute concentration index (ACI) and decomposed contributions were identified. All analyses were performed using STATA ver. 11.2 (Stata Corp., College Station, TX, USA). RESULTS: The overall ACI for suicide deaths was −0.352 (95% confidence interval, −0.389 to −0.301). According to the results, 9.8% of socioeconomic inequality in suicide deaths was due to addiction in attempters. ACI ranged from −0.34 to −0.03 in 2010–2014, showing that inequality in suicide deaths declined over time. CONCLUSION: Findings showed suicide deaths were distributed among the study population unequally, and our results confirmed a gap between advantaged and disadvantaged attempters in terms of death. Socioeconomic inequalities in suicide deaths tended to diminish over time, as suicide attempts progressed in Ilam Province.
Subject(s)
Humans , Cross-Sectional Studies , Iran , Social Class , Socioeconomic Factors , Suicide , Suicide, Attempted , Vulnerable PopulationsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: A total of 229 confirmed cholera cases were reported in Alborz Province during an outbreak that lasted from June 2011 to August 2011. This study aimed to identify potential sources of transmission in order to determine suitable interventions in similar outbreaks. In other words, the lessons learned from this retrospective study can be utilized to manage future similar outbreaks. METHODS: An age-matched and sex-matched case-control study was conducted during the outbreak. For each case, two control subjects were selected from the neighborhood. A case of cholera was defined as a bacteriologically confirmed case with signs and symptoms of cholera. This study was conducted from June 14, 2011 through August 23, 2011. The data were analyzed by calculating odds ratios (ORs) using the logistic regression method. RESULTS: In this outbreak, 229 confirmed cholera cases were diagnosed. The following risk factors were found to be associated with cholera: consumption of unrefrigerated leftover food (OR, 3.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.72 to 5.41), consumption of vegetables and fruits in the previous three days (OR, 2.75; 95% CI, 1.95 to 3.89), and a history of traveling in the previous five days (OR, 5.31; 95% CI, 2.21 to 9.72). CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of vegetables and fruits has remained an unresolved risk factor in cholera outbreaks in Iran in recent years. In order to reduce the risk of cholera, sanitary standards for fruits and vegetables should be observed at all points from production to consumption, the population should be educated regarding hygienic food storage during outbreaks, and sanitary standards should be maintained when traveling during cholera outbreaks.
Subject(s)
Case-Control Studies , Cholera , Disease Outbreaks , Food Storage , Fruit , Iran , Logistic Models , Methods , Odds Ratio , Residence Characteristics , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , VegetablesABSTRACT
Background: Suicide has become an increasingly widespread form of morbidity in the developing countries. There has been an increasing trend in morbidity and mortality due to suicide in Iran over the past few decades. This study surveyed attempts and completed suicide over a 5-year period
Methods: Through a cross-sectional study, overall identified suicides by systematic registration suicide data [SRSD] in Ham Province, western Iran from 21 March 2010 to 11 December 2014 were enrolled. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used for measuring the association between the risk factors of interest and suicide. The statistical software package was Stata 11.2
Results: A Suicide attempts have slightly increased in Ham during 2010-2014, during which, 6,818 attempted suicides occurred of which 546 were completed. The odds of completed suicide was higher among older age groups than younger ones so that the crude OR estimates of completed suicide among people aged 50 to 59 yr against people aged <20 yr was [OR=6.99; 95% Cl: 3.02, 11.07]
The crude and adjusted odds ratio [OR] estimates of completed suicide in males against females were [OR=3.22; 95% Cl: 2.58, 3.93] and [OR=3.66; 95% Cl: 3.03, 4.11], respectively. Significant excess risk also appeared with academic against illiterate attempters [OR=2.31; 95% Cl: 1.35, 3.95]
Results showed no increasing trend in the suicide method. Some methods such as self-immolation had decreasing trend over time, although it was not statistically significant [P=0.089]
Conclusions: We observed the variety of suicide risk factors that calls for more diversity in preventative programs. Distribution of suicide methods is diverse across the period of the study
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Background and Aim: Report of communicable diseases is an essential component in control and early detection of epidemics. Hospitals which admit patients for treatment can be the start point of an epidemic. Considering different problems in the hospital reporting system in Iran, this study was conducted to determine these potential problems and develop potential solutions in the reporting systems of communicable diseases
Material and Methods: In this phenomenological qualitative study, 54 people were assessed using structured interviews and focused group discussions. The participants were managers, nurses, professional experts of hospitals and health networks in Kurdistan and East Azarbaijan, and country disease control center. The results were reported using content analysis
Results: The results showed that there were lack of feedback and incentives, lack of instructions and duty assignment programs and lack of a clear reporting system in the hospitals. In addition, we found differences in reporting methods, unfamiliarity of managers with reporting levels, inconsistencies between the health and treatment departments
Conclusion: The absence of a clear process for reporting infectious diseases in the Iranian hospitals require development of guidelines for reporting these communicable diseases. This process calls for collaboration of the health care department at all administrative levels
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The aim of this study was to determine the socioeconomic inequalities in nonuse of seatbelts in cars and helmets on motorcycles in Kurdistan Province, west of Iran, 2009. The data used in this study was collected from the data gathered in non-communicable disease surveillance system [NCDSS] in 2009 in Kurdistan. A total of 1000 people were included in this study. The outcome variable of this study was the nonuse of seatbelts and helmets. The socio-economic status [SES] was calculated based on participants' residential area and assets using Principal Component Analysis [PCA] method. The concentration index, concentration curve, and comparison of Odds Ratio [OR] in different SES groups were used to measure the socioeconomic inequalities using logistic regression. In order to determine the contribution of determinants of inequality, decomposition analysis was used. The prevalence of nonuse of seatbelts in cars and helmets on motorcycles were 47.5%, 95%CI [44%, 55%], respectively. The Concentration index was -0.097, CI [-0.148, -0.046]. The OR of nonuse of seatbelts in cars and helmets on motorcycles in the richest group compared with the poorest group was 0.39, 95%CI [0.23, 0.68]. The results of the decomposition analysis showed that 34% of inequalities were due to SES, 47% were due to residential area, and 12% were due to unknown factors. There is a reverse association between SES and nonuse of seatbelts in cars and helmets on motorcycles. This issue must be considered while planning to reduce traffic accidents injuries
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HIV/AIDS epidemic is concentrated among injecting drug users in Iran. Like many other countries with HIV/AIDS concentrated epidemic, prisons are high risk areas for spreading HIV/AIDS. The aim of this paper was to study the trend of HIV/AIDS prevalence and related interventions administered in prisons of Iran during a 13 years period. This cross sectional study was conducted using the data collected from the sentinel sites in all prisons in the country and it also used the data about Harm Reduction interventions which has been implemented by Iran Prisons Organization. To evaluate the correlation between the prevalence and each of administered interventions in prisons the Correlation Coefficient Test was used for the second half of the mentioned time period. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in prisons had increased rapidly in the early stages of epidemic, so that in 2002 the prevalence raised to 3.83%. Followed by the expansion of Methadone Maintenance Therapy and development of Triangular Clinics, HIV/AIDS prevalence in prisons declined. There was a relationship between interventions and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS. In regions and countries where the epidemic is highly prevalent among injecting drug users and prisoners, Methadone Maintenance Therapy and development of Triangular Clinics can be utilized to control HIV/AIDS epidemic quickly
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HIV/AIDS has been concentrated among injecting drug users in the country. This study aimed to investigate and identify health and treatment needs of people living with HIV/AIDS in Iran. This qualitative study was conducted in 2012 in Iran. The study groups consisted of experts, practitioners, and consultants working with People Living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Data was collected through Focus Group Discussions and deep interviews. Data were analyzed using content analysis method. The findings of this study included the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, which were classified in three main categories. The first category was prevention and counseling services with several sub-groups such as education and public and available consultation, distribution of condoms to vulnerable groups, increasing counseling centers in urban areas, providing appropriate psychological and supportive counseling, and family planning services. The second category included diagnostic and treatment services and had several sub-groups such as full retroviral treatment, Tuberculosis treatment and continuing care, providing care and treatment for patients with hepatitis, and providing dental services. The third category included rehabilitation services and had some sub-categories such as home care, social and psychological support, nutritional support, and empowering positive clubs. This study puts emphasis on making plans based on the priorities to meet the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS in Iran
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , HIV , Administrative Personnel , Physicians , Consultants , Qualitative ResearchABSTRACT
The most fundamental way to decrease the burden of noncommunicable diseases [NCDs] is to identify and control their related risk factors. The goal of this study is to determine socioeconomic inequalities in risk factors for NCDs using concentration index based on Non-Communicable Disease Surveillance Survey [NCDSS] data in Kurdistan province, Islamic Republic of Iran in 2005 and 2009. The required data for this study are taken from two NCDSSs in Kurdistan province in 2005 and 2009. A total of 2,494 persons in 2005 and 997 persons in 2009 were assessed. Concentration index was used to determine socioeconomic inequality. To assess the relationship between the prevalence of each risk factor and socioeconomic status [SES], logistic regression was used and odds ratio [OR] was calculated for each group, compared with the poorest group. The concentration index for hypertension was -0.095 [-0.158, -0.032] in 2005 and -0.080 [-0.156, -0.003] in 2009. The concentration index for insufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables was -0.117 [-0.153, -0.082] in 2005 and -0.100 [-0.153, -0.082] in 2009. The concentration index for the consumption of unhealthy fat and oil was -0.034 [-0.049, -0.019] in 2005 and -0.108 [-0.165, -0.051] in 2009. The concentration index for insufficient consumption of fish was -0.070 [-0.096, -0.044] in 2005. The concentration index for physical inactivity was 0.008 [-0.057, 0.075] in 2005 and 0.139 [0.063, 0.215] in 2009. In all the cases, the OR of the richest group to the poorest group was significant. Hypertension, insufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables, consumption of unhealthy fat and oil, and insufficient consumption of fish are more prevalent among poor groups. There was no significant socioeconomic inequality in the distribution of smoking, excess weight, and hypercholesterolemia. Physical inactivity was more prevalent among the rich groups of society in 2009. The reduction of socioeconomic inequalities must become a main goal in health-care policies
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Male , Motor Activity , Health Policy , Risk Factors , Logistic Models , Data CollectionABSTRACT
Based on some estimation more than two million peoples in Iran are affected by Type 2 diabetes. The present study was designed to evaluate the status of diabetes control among Type 2 diabetes patients in Kurdistan, west of Iran and its associated factors. In our cross sectional study conducted in 2010, 411 Type 2 diabetes patients were randomly recruited from Sanandaj, Capital of Kurdistan. Chi square test was used in univariate analysis to address the association between HgAlc and FBS status and other variables. The significant results from Univariate analysis were entered in multivariate analysis and multinomial logistic regression model. In 38% of patients, FBS was in normal range [70-130] and in 47% HgA1c was <7% which is normal range for HgA1c. In univariate analysis, FBS level was associated with educational levels [P=0.001], referral style [P=0.001], referral time [P=0.009], and insulin injection [P=0.016]. In addition, HgA1c had a relationship with sex [P=0.023], age [P=0.035], education [P=0.001], referral style [P=0.001], and insulin injection [P=0.008]. After using multinomial logistic regression for significant results of univariate analysis, it was found that FBS was significantly associated with referral style. In addition HgA1c was significantly associated with referral style and Insulin injection. Although some of patients were under the coverage of specialized cares, but their diabetes were not properly controlled
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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
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Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common, chronic disease worldwide. The weekly prevalence of reflux in developed countries is 10% to 48%. It has previously been reported as 5% in Asian countries, but new reports show a higher level in both Asian and Arab countries. In Iran, reflux has increased over the last two decades. There are few studies concerning the prevalence of reflux in Iran. This study aims to review reports about the prevalence of reflux in Iran, as it may be different in various parts of the country. By evaluation of the existing articles, this study will reach a general conclusion about the reflux prevalence in Iran. This was a qualitative, systematic review that estimated the prevalence rate of reflux in Iran. In August 2010, we reviewed all electronic database published studies that concerned the epidemiology of reflux prevalence in Iran by searching PubMed, Scientific Information Database [SID], Iran Medex, and Magiran. In our search, using specified key words and selection criteria, 15 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. According to the results, the data related to the estimated prevalence in Iran have a wide range. The weekly prevalence rate of 21.2% in the Tehran study is the best estimate for reflux in Iran. It seems that reflux is more common in Iran when compared to other Asian countries, and similar to reflux in Western countries. Due to the absence of comprehensive studies in Iran, we recommend that researchers conduct accurate, comprehensive, multi-dimensional studies in order to estimate reflux prevalence and its burden in Iran