ABSTRACT
This study aims to assess the frequency of some hygienic behaviors that is, tooth brushing and hand-washing, in Iranian school students at national level. This nationwide study was conducted in 2011-2012 among 14,880 elementary, secondary and high school students who were selected by random cluster stratified multistage sampling from 30 provinces in Iran. We used the global school-based health survey questionnaire of the World Health Organization. The population of this survey consisted of 13,486 children and adolescents [participation rate of 90.6%] including 49.2% girls and 75.6% urban inhabitants. The mean age of participants was 12.5 years [12.3-12.6, 95% confidence interval] According to the self-report of students, 26.9% of them [20.2% of boys and 33.9% of girls] brushed their teeth more than once a day, 37.8% of boys and 42.1% of girls brushed their teeth once a day. In general, girls brushed their teeth more than boys. The frequency of those students who never brushed their teeth was twice in rural than in urban students [11.4% vs. 6.2%, respectively]. In total, 3.4% of the students stated that their school had not an appropriate place for washing hands after toilet, with three-fold higher frequency in rural than in urban schools [6.8% vs. 2.3%, respectively]. 85% of students [87% of girls vs. 83% of boys] reported that they had always washed their hands after toilet, 10.1% did it occasionally and 4.1% did not. This nationwide survey revealed that Iranian students have an acceptable level of hygienic behaviors both in urban and rural areas; however, still it is necessary to improve school health facilities and hygienic habits in Iranian students
ABSTRACT
This study aims to assess the frequency, causes, and places of injuries in a nationally representative sample of Iranian children and adolescents, as well as the referral, places allocated for injured individuals. This nationwide study was conducted in 2011-2012 among 13486 elementary, secondary and high-school students who were selected by random cluster stratified multistage sampling from 30 provinces in Iran. The Global School-based Health Survey questionnaire of the World Health Organization was used. The study participants consisted of 50.8% boys, 75.6% urban resident with a mean age of 12.5 years. Overall, 20.25% of participants reported that they were minimally injured once in the last 12 months; this prevalence was higher in boys than in girls [25.74% vs. 14.58%, respectively, P < 0.001], without significant difference in urban [20.11%] and rural [20.69%] areas. Most of them [39.92%] were injured at homes or house yards with higher prevalence in girls than in boys [48.61% vs. 35.17%, respectively, P < 0.001] and in rural than in urban areas [27.30% vs. 20.89%, respectively, P < 0.001]. Schools were reported as the second prevalent site of injury occurrence [22.50%]. Emergency departments and physician offices were the most prevalent referral places for injured individuals [32.31% and 22.38%, respectively]. Most of the school injuries occurred during play or sport activities [45.92%]. Prevention of unintentional injuries should be considered as a health priority. Appropriate preventive strategies should be enhanced at homes and schools
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Wounds and Injuries/etiology , Child , AdolescentABSTRACT
Urinary tract infections [UTIs] are one of the most frequent bacterial infections in children. Most commonly, members of Enterobacteriacea, particularly uropathogenic strains of E. coli and Enterobacter spp. are the primary causative organisms of UTIs in different parts of the world. A total of 55 hospitals from 12 provinces in Iran participated in this study. 1696 children with UTI aged 0 to 5 years referred to these hospitals were included in this study. Urine cultures were carried out and the isolates were identified by gram staining and conventional biochemical methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion method according to the current National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards [NCCLS] guidelines. In general 438 urine isolates were obtained. E. coli was the most frequently occurring pathogen [54.80%], followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae [16.0%], coagulase negative Staphylococci [11.2%], Enterobacter spp. [9.6%], Proteus spp. 1.4% and P. aeruginosa [1.4%]. Resistance rates of E. coli isolates were 85.9% to co-trimoxazole, 80.0% to penicillin, 77.0% to ampicillin, 68.0% to chloramphenicol, 12.9% to ciprofloxacin, 12.9% to ceftriaxone, 12.9% to cephalotin, and 14.0% to amikacin. K. pneumoniae isolates were 18.5%, 20.0%, 24.0% and 29.0% resistant to cephalothin, ceftriaxone, amikacin and gentamicin respectively; however, penicillin [88.5%], co-trimoxazole [74.2%], and ampicillin [68.5%] were the least effective drugs. High prevalence of drug-resistant urinary tract pathogens, particularly to ampicillin and co-trimoxazole among Iranian children suggests cautious use of antibiotic therapy for the treatment. Finally, we suggest that empirical antibiotic selection should be based on knowledge of the local prevalence of bacterial organisms and antibiotic sensitivities rather than on universal guidelines