Suicide in the Islamic Republic of Iran: an integrated analysis from 1981 to 2007

Although the rate of suicide is low in Muslim countries, there is evidence that it is increasing. An integrated analysis was made of data on suicide attempts [nonfatal and fatal] from studies carried out in the Islamic Republic of Iran from 1981 to 2007. Of 54 published studies concerning suicide, 48 [covering 26 768 cases of attempted suicide] satisfied the inclusion criteria. The weighted mean rate of suicide attempts was 26.5 per 100 000 and the average rate of death by suicide was 6.7 per 100 000. The mean age of suicide attempters was 25 years; on average 41.8% were male, 50.5% single and 70.0% from urban areas. Most suicide attempters were not working: 54.2% on average were housewives, 24.5% students and 21.0% unemployed men. Medical history showed that 16.2% of suicide attempters had a history of disability and 42.0% had a history of psychological disorders. The rates were compared with studies from other nations/religious groups

[Birth injuries and related risk factors in neonates born in Emam Sajad hospital in Yasuj in 2005 to 2006]

The first days of life has the highest risk in everyone's life and the mortality rate in these days is equal to the mortality rate of the whole life. One of the causes of mortality in these days is birth injuries. Determining the type and incidence of birth injuries and their risk factors can be useful in reducing the mortality rate in neonates. In this descriptive analytical study, 2005 neonates who were born in Imam Sajad Hospital in Yasouj/ Iran, between the years 2005 to 2006 were studied. The rate of birth injuries and their risk factors were evaluated. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS software using chi-square test. Out of 2005 neonates, 70.4% born by NVD and 29.6% by cesarian section. The study showed that 10.8% of NVD and 3.7% of cesarian section neonates had birth injuries. Two hundered and four of these injuries which occurred in 175 of neonates were incude: capute succedaneum [36.75], sub conjectival hemorrhage [27.9%], cephal hematoma [10.2%], facial erythema and abrasion [8.8%], facial echymosis [6.3%], hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy [3.4%], brachial plexus palsy [3.4%], clavicular fractures [1.4%], facial nerve palsy [0.4%] and other skin lesions [0.9%]. Risk factors were included NVD [difficult vaginal delivery], high gestation age, and low Apgar score at first minute of life, shoulder dystocia, vaccum and birth at night. The present study revealed that the incidence of birth injuries in this area is high. Considering the serious complications of birth injuries and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy with no treatment for some cases, it seems that using the preventing methods to reduce the prevalence of birth injuries is necessary

[Incidence of acneform lesions in previously chemically damaged persons-2004]

Chemical gas weapons especially nitrogen mustard which was used in Iraq-Iran war against Iranian troops have several harmful effects on skin. Some other chemical agents also can cause acne form lesions on skin. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of acneform in previously chemically damaged soldiers and non chemically damaged persons. In this descriptive and analytical study, 180 chemically damaged soldiers, who have been referred to dermatology clinic between 2000- 2004, and forty non-chemically damaged people, were chosen randomly and examined for acneform lesions. SPSS software was used for statistic analysis of the data. The mean age of the experimental group was 37.5 +/- 5.2 and that of the control group was 38.7 +/- 5.9 years. The mean percentage of chemical damage in cases was 31 percent and the time after the chemical damage was 15.2 +/- 1.1 years. Ninety seven cases [53.9 percent] of the subjects and 19 people [47.5 percent] of the control group had some degree of acne. No significant correlation was found in incidence, degree of lesions, site of lesions and age of subjects between two groups. No significant correlation was noted between percentage of chemical damage and incidence and degree of lesions in case group. Incidence of acneform lesions among previously chemically injured peoples was not higher than the normal cases

[ study on effects of zinc supplementation on growth of school children in Yasuj]

Zinc is an important nutrient which is critical for normal immune function and physical growth. Zinc deficiency seems to be common in developing countries and this makes children in those countries prone to infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to find out the effect of zinc supplementation on growth of school children in Yasuj, in Southwest of Iran. The study was done as a double - blinded clinical trial. Eight hundreds and four school children aged 8-11 were the subjects of this study. Children were randomly assigned to zinc or placebo group to receive daily supplementation of zinc or placebo, in an identical form [syrup] and identical pre-coded containers, 6 days per week, for 7 months. Anthropometric assessment was first performed at the time of enrolment and then monthly. The data were analyzed by standard statistical tests using SPSS software. Results showed significant weight gain in zinc supplemented group compared with placebo group [1.71 +/- 1.48 VS 0.65 +/- 1.98; p<0.0001]. Also the mean height gain was significantly higher in zinc supplemented group than placebo group 3.26 +/- 1.55 VS 1.65 +/- 0.94; p<0.0001]. Zinc supplementation improves children's growth and measures should be taken to supply this nutrient to the children, particularly where zinc deficiency is common

[Prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Dena township in 2004]

Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disease of human with prevalence of 1 to 4 percent. Peripheral neuropathy is one of the chronic complications of diabetes and its prevalence is not properly known, but worldwide is from 5 to 66 percent. The prevalence of this complication is not known in Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in definite cases of diabetes type 2 and related factors in Dena town-ship in fall 2004. This was a cross sectional descriptive study that 40 definite cases of type 2 diabetes [28 females and 12 males] whose duration of disease were between 5 to 25 years were selected randomly. After informing and taking history and physical examination of the subjects, the nerve conduction study and electromyography were performed for them. Then the data were analyzed by SPSS software and X[2] and Fischer exact tests. Results of this study showed that prevalence of diabetes in urban and rural areas of Dena township were 1 and 0.8 percent respectively. Prevalence of neuropathy was 52.5% which comprised of 17.5% peripheral neuropathy, 22.5% carpal tunnel syndrome [CTS] and 12.5% combined form. The distal symmetrical sensorimotor peripheral polyneuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome were the most common peripheral neuropathy and entrapment mononeuropathy, respectively. In this study, there were no significant statistical correlation between peripheral neuropathy and sex, age, duration of diabetes, fasting blood sugar, underlying disease, retinopathy and nephropathy, but significant correlation was found between mononeuropaty [CTS] and fasting blood sugar. Type 2 diabetes mellitus causes high prevalence of neuropathy [peripheral neuropathy and mono neuropathy] which is not related to duration of diabetes, retinopathy, nephropathy, age and underlying disease. We concluded that early diagnosis of disease could be done by educating of people and this can lead to a decrease in complications of diabetes

[Survival rate and its related factors in patients with acute myocardial infarction]

It has been noted that the myocardial infarction is an increasing episode in Islamic Republic of Iran and there are many procedures and methods which can help to reduce the number of death from this ongoing event. The aim of this study was to determine the survival rate in those patients who have had acute myocardial infarction and its association with different variables. This descriptive analytic study evaluates 111 cases of acute myocardial infarction admitted in Yasuj Imam Sajjad hospital during the year 2004 and 2005. Data were collected using a questionnaire which was completed through direct interviewing by trained personnel. The data were analyzed by standard statistical tests using SPSS software. The mean age of patients was 57 +/- 12 years. The mean time of having access to physician after MI was 4 +/- 2.2 hours. The mean time of reaching hospital after physician order was 5 +/- 4.9 hours. The mean time of hospitalization was 4 +/- 1.67 days. Considering the past history of these patients revealed that 31 percent were smokers, 16 percent had the history of previous ischemic heart disease, 63 percent had hypertension, 8 percent had diabetes mellitus, 95 percent had clip I, 95 percent had no previous block, 82 percent had Ml with Q wave. The survival rate in our study was found to be 0.91 in the first 10 hours, 0.847 in the first day, 0.829 in the first 28 days, 0.820 in the first third months, 0.792 in the first six months and 0.771 in the first 10 months of disease. The mortality rate during the first month among the patients with heart failure turned out to be higher than that of the other similar studies performed in other parts of the country; however, the annual survival rate proved to be less. The most important causes of survival after the stroke are being single, smoking, fatness and angina pain

[ epidemiologic investigation of casualities hospitalized in the emergency ward of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Yasuj 2001-2002]

Accident which is called by some as the negligence diseases has been known as a mortal agent for human being. The death rate due to accidents is counted after death due to cardiovascular diseases. This study aims at determining the epidemiologic status of the casualities hospitalized in the emergency ward of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Yasuj, in 2001-2. This descriptive, cross-sectional study included all the casualities hospitalized in the emergency ward of Shahid Beheshti Hospital, during 2001-2. The data were collected using a checklist of the variables such as demographic charactirestics, and specific informations like type of accident, kind of injury, the medical services, the consequence of the accident, hospitalization period in emergency ward, the date of admission and the difficulties related to the medical files of the patients. The collected data were coded and computerized .Then through the use of SPSS and T- test, X[2], Fishers, Unilateral-variance Analysis and Tuky's instructions, the data were analyzed. The total number of the casualities in 2001-2 was about 1351. The number of persons admitted in 2001 and 2002 was 649 [47.75%] and 702 [52.50%], respectively. The T- test proved the difference to be statistically significant. 897 [66.40%] of the casualties were male and 454 [33.60%] were female. 543 [40.20%] were under the age of 25, 514 [38.10%] were aged 25-40 and 294 [7.22%] were over the age of 40. In this study the most incidents for the patients included: car accident [44.555], poisoning [15.95%], falling [5.64%], burning [5.25%], snake biting [3.62%], stab wounding [2.36%] and electrical shocking [1.11%]. Findings revealed that, the rate of reference to the emergency ward of Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Yasuj increased greatly from 2001 -2. Increase in population, the villagers' migration, increase in traffic and mechanization of life appeared to be the major reasons for this increase. The health officials are required to plan appropriate programs in order to control such problems