Sexual and reproductive behaviors among undergraduate university students in Mashhad, a city in northeast of Iran

The incidence of sexual transmitted infections [STIs] and HIV/AIDS is globally higher in young people. This study evaluated the prevalence of sexual reproductive behaviors among undergraduate students of Mashhad, Iran. The study was conducted on 605 students in twelve non-medical faculties of a great university of Mashhad. A self-administered questionnaire was completed on demographic information, sexual contact in the lifetime and during the last three months, and age of first sex. Kaplan-Meier statistic was used to calculate the mean age of initiation of sex. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. After exclusion of individuals over 25 years of age, among 590 students with a mean age of 20.8 +/- 1.5 years included in the analysis, 71.4% were female and 85.3% were single. Prevalence of at least one sexual contact in life was 15.1% and 35.3% of single sexually experienced students reported to have sex in the last three months. The lifetime prevalence of sexual relationship in males was significantly higher than females [32.9% vs. 7.6%, p<0.001]. The mean age of first sexual experience was 23.7 years with a significant difference between both sexes [p<0.001]. In single sexually experienced students, the mean age at first sex was 17.6 +/- 3.3 years, 24% started sexual activity at <15 years, 34.3% had at least 3 partners and only 40.6% stated using condom in their last sex. Although very small proportion of females reported premarital sex, a significant minority of male students experienced sexual and risky behaviors. Therefore, the use of educational programs on related issues to reduce the risk of STIs/ HIV among youth including university students seems to be a necessity

Alternaria in patients with allergic rhinitis

Inhalation of fungal spores is shown to participate in the development of allergic rhinitis symptoms. In this study, relation between presence of Alternaria in the human nasal cavity and allergic rhinitis is assessed. In a case-control study, 58 allergic rhinitis patients were compared with a well-matched control group of fifty healthy volunteers for sensitization to Alternaria [by skin prick test] and detection of Alternaria in their nasal mucous by conventional methods [microscopy with Methylene Blue stain and culture in Sabourad dextrose agar]. Severity of the disease was determined according to the ARIA classification. Pearson chi-square test was applied to compare the proportional difference between the study groups for detection of Alternaria in the nasal cavity, and sensitization to Alternaria. Relation between detection of Alternaria and allergic rhinitis was significant [OR = 18.18 [4.02-82.50]] In addition, sensitization to Alternaria showed a significant relation with the disease [OR = 2.8 [2.1-3.8]]. There was a significant relation between the presence of Alternaria in the nasal cavity and sensitization to Alternaria [OR = 10.4 [3.8-28.3]]. Both sensitization to Alternaria and presence of Alternaria in the nasal cavity did not have a significant relation with the severity of allergic rhinitis. This study suggests Alternaria as a major allergen that its presence in the nasal cavity and subsequent development of sensitization have significant role in the induction of allergic rhinitis