The increasing trend of blood donation in Iran

BACKGROUND: This is the first study on the blood donation trend in Iran at a national level. We report different characteristics of blood donation such as demographic status, donor type, donation trend, and geographical distribution of blood donation in Iran between 2003 and 2017.METHODS: This study used data registered in the donor vigilance part of the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) and ArcMap GIS version 10.2 software. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS: Based on the study results, blood donation in Iran reached >2 million units in 2017; moreover, it is predicted that Iran will achieve >29 donations per 1,000 population in 2022. The proportion of regular and repeated donors increased from 77% in 2013 to 87% in 2017. The average blood donation rate in seven provinces was higher than the national average, and the average growth rate of their blood donation per population was positive.CONCLUSION: The results of the current study showed that there is a recent increasing trend toward blood donation in Iran. Furthermore, the largest share of donations is related to regular donors. The increasing proportion of regular and repeated donors has led to the improvement in the quality and consequently health level of donated blood.

A review of methods to estimate the visibility factor for bias correction in network scale-up studies / 한국역학회지

Network scale-up is an indirect size estimation method, in which participants are questioned on sensitive behaviors of their social network members. Therefore, the visibility of the behavior affects the replies and estimates. Many attempts to estimate visibility have been made. The aims of this study were to review the main methods used to address visibility and to provide a summary of reported visibility factors (VFs) across populations. We systematically searched relevant databases and Google. In total, 15 studies and reports that calculated VFs were found. VF calculation studies have been applied in 9 countries, mostly in East Asia and Eastern Europe. The methods applied were expert opinion, comparison of NSU with another method, the game of contacts, social respect, and the coming-out rate. The VF has been calculated for heavy drug users, people who inject drugs (PWID), female sex workers (FSWs) and their clients, male who have sex with male (MSM), alcohol and methamphetamine users, and those who have experienced extra-/pre-marital sex and abortion. The VF varied from 1.4% in Japan to 52.0% in China for MSM; from 34.0% in Ukraine to 111.0% in China for FSWs; and from 12.0% among Iranian students to 57.0% in Ukraine for PWID. Our review revealed that VF estimates were heterogeneous, and were not available for most settings, in particular the Middle East and North Africa region, except Iran. More concrete methodologies to estimate the VF are required.

A review of methods to estimate the visibility factor for bias correction in network scale-up studies / 한국역학회지

Network scale-up is an indirect size estimation method, in which participants are questioned on sensitive behaviors of their social network members. Therefore, the visibility of the behavior affects the replies and estimates. Many attempts to estimate visibility have been made. The aims of this study were to review the main methods used to address visibility and to provide a summary of reported visibility factors (VFs) across populations. We systematically searched relevant databases and Google. In total, 15 studies and reports that calculated VFs were found. VF calculation studies have been applied in 9 countries, mostly in East Asia and Eastern Europe. The methods applied were expert opinion, comparison of NSU with another method, the game of contacts, social respect, and the coming-out rate. The VF has been calculated for heavy drug users, people who inject drugs (PWID), female sex workers (FSWs) and their clients, male who have sex with male (MSM), alcohol and methamphetamine users, and those who have experienced extra-/pre-marital sex and abortion. The VF varied from 1.4% in Japan to 52.0% in China for MSM; from 34.0% in Ukraine to 111.0% in China for FSWs; and from 12.0% among Iranian students to 57.0% in Ukraine for PWID. Our review revealed that VF estimates were heterogeneous, and were not available for most settings, in particular the Middle East and North Africa region, except Iran. More concrete methodologies to estimate the VF are required.

A review of methods to estimate the visibility factor for bias correction in network scale-up studies / 한국역학회지

Network scale-up is an indirect size estimation method, in which participants are questioned on sensitive behaviors of their social network members. Therefore, the visibility of the behavior affects the replies and estimates. Many attempts to estimate visibility have been made. The aims of this study were to review the main methods used to address visibility and to provide a summary of reported visibility factors (VFs) across populations. We systematically searched relevant databases and Google. In total, 15 studies and reports that calculated VFs were found. VF calculation studies have been applied in 9 countries, mostly in East Asia and Eastern Europe. The methods applied were expert opinion, comparison of NSU with another method, the game of contacts, social respect, and the coming-out rate. The VF has been calculated for heavy drug users, people who inject drugs (PWID), female sex workers (FSWs) and their clients, male who have sex with male (MSM), alcohol and methamphetamine users, and those who have experienced extra-/pre-marital sex and abortion. The VF varied from 1.4% in Japan to 52.0% in China for MSM; from 34.0% in Ukraine to 111.0% in China for FSWs; and from 12.0% among Iranian students to 57.0% in Ukraine for PWID. Our review revealed that VF estimates were heterogeneous, and were not available for most settings, in particular the Middle East and North Africa region, except Iran. More concrete methodologies to estimate the VF are required.

Ergonomic evaluation of dental professionals as determined by rapid entire body assessment method in 2014

Background and aim: Among occupational diseases in dentists, work-related musculoskeletal disorders [MSDs] are the major causes for loss of working days, increasing costs and human occupational injury and absence from work. Incorrect body postures are the most important cause of musculoskeletal disorders. It is important to identify the risk factors and the degree of harm in order to understand whether the condition is critical or not. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the work postures of general dentists and specialists by Rapid Entire Body Assessment REBA method in Kerman, Iran

Materials and methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, the risk levels of musculoskeletal disorders were assessed in 90 dentists, using REBA method. Stratified sampling method was used and data were analyzed with SPSS21, using T-test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient. P<0.05 was considered as statistical significance

Results: The results showed that work postures of 90% of dentists were at moderate to high risk levels and immediate corrective measures were necessary. Among the specialists, periodontists, pedodontists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons had the worst body postures. Therefore, they were at a higher risk for musculoskeletal disorders. In addition, there was a statistically significant relationship between age, clinical experience and a lower REBA score

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the work conditions and postures of dentists need to be improved. In addition, the level of dental professional education regarding the risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders as well as correct working conditions and postures should be promoted

Estimation of the rate and number of underreported deliberate self-poisoning attempts in western Iran in 2015 / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: Rates of attempted deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) are subject to undercounting, underreporting, and denial of the suicide attempt. In this study, we estimated the rate of underreported DSP, which is the most common method of attempted suicide in Iran.METHODS: We estimated the rate and number of unaccounted individuals who attempted DSP in western Iran in 2015 using a truncated count model. In this method, the number of people who attempted DSP but were not referred to any health care centers, n0, was calculated through integrating hospital and forensic data. The crude and age-adjusted rates of attempted DSP were estimated directly using the average population size of the city of Kermanshah and the World Health Organization (WHO) world standard population with and without accounting for underreporting. The Monte Carlo method was used to determine the confidence level.RESULTS: The recorded number of people who attempted DSP was estimated by different methods to be in the range of 46.6 to 53.2% of the actual number of individuals who attempted DSP. The rate of underreported cases was higher among women than men and decreased as age increased. The rate of underreported cases decreased as the potency and intensity of toxic factors increased. The highest underreporting rates of 69.9, 51.2, and 21.5% were observed when oil and detergents (International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision [ICD-10] code: X66), medications (ICD-10 code: X60-X64), and agricultural toxins (ICD-10 codes: X68, X69) were used for poisoning, respectively. Crude rates, with and without accounting for underreporting, were estimated by the mixture method as 167.5 per 100,000 persons and 331.7 per 100,000 persons, respectively, which decreased to 129.8 per 100,000 persons and 253.1 per 100,000 persons after adjusting for age on the basis of the WHO world standard population.CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half of individuals who attempted DSP were not referred to a hospital for treatment or denied the suicide attempt for political or sociocultural reasons. Individuals with no access to counseling services are at a higher risk for repeated suicide attempts and fatal suicides.

Estimation of the rate and number of underreported deliberate self-poisoning attempts in western Iran in 2015 / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: Rates of attempted deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) are subject to undercounting, underreporting, and denial of the suicide attempt. In this study, we estimated the rate of underreported DSP, which is the most common method of attempted suicide in Iran. METHODS: We estimated the rate and number of unaccounted individuals who attempted DSP in western Iran in 2015 using a truncated count model. In this method, the number of people who attempted DSP but were not referred to any health care centers, n0, was calculated through integrating hospital and forensic data. The crude and age-adjusted rates of attempted DSP were estimated directly using the average population size of the city of Kermanshah and the World Health Organization (WHO) world standard population with and without accounting for underreporting. The Monte Carlo method was used to determine the confidence level. RESULTS: The recorded number of people who attempted DSP was estimated by different methods to be in the range of 46.6 to 53.2% of the actual number of individuals who attempted DSP. The rate of underreported cases was higher among women than men and decreased as age increased. The rate of underreported cases decreased as the potency and intensity of toxic factors increased. The highest underreporting rates of 69.9, 51.2, and 21.5% were observed when oil and detergents (International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision [ICD-10] code: X66), medications (ICD-10 code: X60-X64), and agricultural toxins (ICD-10 codes: X68, X69) were used for poisoning, respectively. Crude rates, with and without accounting for underreporting, were estimated by the mixture method as 167.5 per 100,000 persons and 331.7 per 100,000 persons, respectively, which decreased to 129.8 per 100,000 persons and 253.1 per 100,000 persons after adjusting for age on the basis of the WHO world standard population. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half of individuals who attempted DSP were not referred to a hospital for treatment or denied the suicide attempt for political or sociocultural reasons. Individuals with no access to counseling services are at a higher risk for repeated suicide attempts and fatal suicides.

Serotonin transporter gene [SLC6A4] polymorphism and mucosal serotonin levels in Southeastern Iranian patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome [IBS] is a digestive system disorder with an unknown etiology. Serotonin has a key role in the secretion and motility of the intestine. Polymorphism in serotonin re-uptake transporter [SERT or SLC6A4] gene may have a functional role in the gut of patients with IBS. The aims of the present study were to investigate the association between SLC6A4 gene polymorphism and IBS and to detect the correlation between rectal serotonin levels and IBS sub-types

Methods: SLC6A4 gene polymorphism in 131 patients with IBS and 211 healthy controls were analysed using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction high-resolution melting [qPCR-HRM] curve technique. Serotonin was measured in rectal biopsies of patients with IBS using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] method

Results: The patients were categorized into three groups: IBS with diarrhoea [IBS-D]: 70 patients, IBS with constipation [IBS-C]: 18 patients, and IBS with mixed symptoms [IBS-M]: 43 patients. The frequency of SLC6A4 s/s and l/s genotypes was significantly higher in IBS-C than IBS-D, IBS-M, and controls [p=0.036]. Serotonin levels were similar in IBS sub-types

Conclusion: SLC6A4 polymorphism is a possible candidate gene associated with the pathogenesis of IBS-C. Although serotonin levels did not differ in rectal biopsies of IBS sub-types, further investigation is recommended

Technical report on the modification of 3-dimensional non-contact human body laser scanner for the measurement of anthropometric dimensions: verification of its accuracy and precision

Introduction: Three-dimensional [3D] scanners are widely used in medicine. One of the applications of 3D scanners is the acquisition of anthropometric dimensions for ergonomics and the creation of an anthropometry data bank. The aim of this study was to evaluate the precision and accuracy of a modified 3D scanner fabricated in this study

Methods: In this work, a 3D scan of the human body was obtained using DAVID Laser Scanner software and its calibration background, a linear low-power laser, and one advanced webcam. After the 3D scans were imported to the Geomagic software, 10 anthropometric dimensions of 10 subjects were obtained. The measurements of the 3D scanner were compared to the measurements of the same dimensions by a direct anthropometric method. The precision and accuracy of the measurements of the 3D scanner were then evaluated. The obtained data were analyzed using an independent sample t test with the SPSS software

Results: The minimum and maximum measurement differences from three consecutive scans by the 3D scanner were 0.03 mm and 18 mm, respectively. The differences between the measurements by the direct anthropometry method and the 3D scanner were not statistically significant. Therefore, the accuracy of the 3D scanner is acceptable

Conclusion: Future studies will need to focus on the improvement of the scanning speed and the quality of the scanned image

Nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation vs. nasal continuous positive airway pressure in preterm infants with respiratory distress

The trend today is to minimize the use of mechanical ventilation. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure [NCPAP] and nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation [NIPPV] are 2 non-invasive treatments for respiratory distress syndrome [RDS]. There is little study in literature comparing early use of NIPPV with NCPAP as primary modes of respiratory support. The aim of this study is to determine whether NIPPV and NCPAP would have different survival rates and possible complications. In this prospective clinical trial study, 120 preterm neonates [gestational age 28-36 weeks] who were admitted due to respiratory distress between January and May 2012 in the neonatal intensive care unit of Afzalipour hospital. Sixty infants were randomized to NCPAP and comparable infants to NIPPV [birth weight 1807.05 +/- 52 vs. 1882.50 +/- 56 g, gestational age 32.05 +/- 2.94 vs. 32.16 +/- 2.08 weeks, respectively]. Patients were randomly allocated into 2 treatment groups using minimization technique. One group was treated by NCPAP and the second one treated by NIPPV. Survival analysis was applied to estimate and compare survival rates. Infants treated initially with NIPPV needed less endotracheal ventilation than infants treated with NCPAP [13.3% vs. 41.7%, p=0.001]. Estimated survival rates at 24 h in NIPPV were 97% versus 82% for NCPAP group. We have seen that the risk of failure for those received NCPAP was nearly 4 times higher than NIPPV group. According to our results, among preterm infants with suspected [RDS], the use of NIPPV reduces the need for intubation and mechanical ventilation in comparison to NCPAP

Comparison of nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation and nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatments using parametric survival models

Objective: The Cox model is the dominant tool in clinical trials to compare treatment options. This model does not specify any specific form to the hazard function. On the other hand, parametric models allow the researcher to consider an appropriate shape of hazard function for the event of interest. The aim of this article is to compare performance of Cox and parametric models

Methods: We used data collected in a prospective clinical trial that aimed to compare performance of nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation [NIPPV] and nasal continuous positive airway pressure [NCPAP] treatments in terms of survival of newborn infants who had respiratory distress syndrome [RDS]. Performance of Cox, exponential, Weibull, and log-logistic models were compared in terms of goodness of fit

Findings: Fitting the Cox model, we have seen that infants who received NCPAP were 4.23 [Hazard Ratio= 4.23, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.87-9.59] times more likely to fail than those received NIPPV [P=0.001]. Adequacy of the exponential model was rejected. We have seen a decreasing hazard rate over time, in both treatment groups. This decrease was sharper in NCPAP group. Akiake information criterion corresponded to the log-logistic model and was lower than all other models followed by Weibull model

Conclusion: Our results demonstrate the benefit of parametric survival models over traditional Cox regression model in terms of modeling of shape of hazard function. We saw a decreasing hazard that confirms the flexibility of parametric models in terms of the modeling of hazard rate

application of network scale up method on estimating the prevalence of some disabilities in the southeast of Iran

More than a billion people have some form of disabilities worldwide. Persons living with a disability have many needs [including physically, mentally, and socially needs]. Estimating the size of disabled population is a challenge in health systems. An innovative indirect method to estimate the size of populations is network scale up [NSU] having widely used for hidden populations. The method is based-on the social network of individuals. We assessed the capability of NSU to estimate persons living with a disability being a middle population [neither non-hidden nor hidden populations] in the Southeast of Iran [Kerman City, southeast Iran]. A total of 3052 of Kermanian people over 20 year old were interviewed by simple random sampling. We asked them whether they knew acquaintances with complete blindness, severe visual impairment, deafness, severe hearing impairment, limb defects, and mental retardation, if yes; we wanted them to count them. Based on the network scale up method, the prevalence of the populations was estimated at 5.21/1000 in Kerman City where severe visual impairment was 1.35, mental retardation was 1.039, severe hearing impairment was 1.005, limb defects was 0.78, deafness was 0.59, and complete blindness was 0.56 [per 1000 inhabitants]. The results were not exactly comparable to previous studies using different methods such as surveys. Although the method has some limitations, considering its easiness and cost-effectiveness, modified NSU could be used when direct methods are not practicable

On the use of fractional polynomial [FP] models to assess preventive aspect of variables: an example in prevention of mortality following HIV infection

Identification of disease risk factors can help in the prevention of diseases. In assessing the predictive value of continuous variables, a routine procedure is to categorize the factors. This yield to inability to detect non-linear relationship, if exist. Multivariate fractional polynomial [MFP] modeling is a flexible method to reveal non-linear associations. We aim to demonstrate the impact of choice of risk function on the significance of variables. We selected 6508 HIV-infected persons registered in the Australia National HIV Registry between 1980 and 2003 to assess the predictors associated with the risk of death after HIV infection prior to AIDS. First, CD4 count as a categorical factor with three other categorical variables [age, sex, and HIV exposure category] was entered into the Cox regression model. Second, CD4 counts as a continuous variable along with other categorical variables were entered into the fractional polynomial [FP] model. Both the Cox and FP models showed age >/= 40 years and hemophiliac patients were significantly associated with increased risk of death. In the categorized model, the CD4 variable did not reach the significance level. However, this variable was highly significant in the MFP model. The FP model showed slightly better performance in terms of discrimination ability and goodness of fit. The FP model is a flexible method in detecting the predictive effect of continuous variables. This method enhances the ability to assess the predictive ability of variables and improves model performance

Social hidden groups size analyzing: application of count regression models for excess zeros

In the case of sensitive questions such as number of alcoholics known, majority of respondents might give an answer of zero. Poisson regression model [P] is the standard tool to analyze count data. However, P provides poor fit in the case of zero inflated counts, when over-dispersion exists. Therefore, the questions to be addressed are to compare performance of alternative count regression models; and to investigate whether characteristics of respondents affect their responses. A total of 700 participants were asked about number of people they know in hidden groups; alcoholics, methadone users, and Female Sex Workers [FSW]. Five regression models were fitted to these outcomes: Logistic, P, Negative Binomial [NB], Zero Inflated Poisson [ZIP], and Zero Inflated Negative Binomial [ZINB]. Models were compared in terms of Likelihood Ratio Test [LRT], Vuong, AIC and Sum Square of Error [SSE]. Percentages of zero were 35% for number of alcoholics, 50% for methadone users, and 65% for FSWs. ZINB provided the best fit for alcoholics, and NB provided the best fit for other outcomes. In addition, we noticed that young respondents, male and those with low education were more likely to know or reveal sensitive information. Although P is the first choice for modeling of count data in many cases, it seems because of over-dispersion of zero inflated counts in the case of sensitive questions, other models, specifying NB and ZINB, might have better goodness of fit

[Evaluation of the concentration of proinflammatory/Pro Th1 Cytokines IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha and anti inflammatory/Pro Th2 cytokines IL-13 and IL-4 in breast milk and their relationship to atopic dermatitis]

Atopic dermatitis [AD] is one of the most common chronic, highly pruritic and inflammatory skin diseases. The exclusive influence of breastfeeding in the prevention of inflammatory diseases is a matter of debate. In this study, we aimed to determine the concentration of interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma], tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], interleukin-13 [IL-13] and interleukin-4 [IL-4] cytokines as anti Th2 or anti Th1 cytokines in breast milk and their relationship with atopic dermatitis in breastfed infants. This study carried out in Afzalipour Hospital of kerman during one year from 2010 to 2011, we selected 50 breastfed infants with AD as cases and 50 healthy infants without AD or any other allergic disease as the controls. The concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA in the mothers' milk. The demographic characteristics were recorded in a data collection form. Moreover, severity of the disease was determined by SCORAD index. T-test and logistic regression were used for assessment of the correlation among study variables. The concentrations of IFN-gamma and IL-13 were significantly higher [respectively, P=0.04, and P=0.02] in the case group. However, logistic regression revealed that only IFN-gamma significantly increased the risk for atopic dermatitis [P=0.02]. Concentration of TNF-alpha was similar in the milk from mothers belonging to the two groups. The results indicate that the concentrations of IFN-gamma, IL-13 and IL-4 cytokines are higher in the milk of mothers whose infants have AD. However, the risk for atopic dermatitis increases by 49% by every ten-unit [in pg/mL] increase in the level of IFN-gamma

Interleukin-17 serum levels and TLR4 polymorphisms in ulcerative colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease, an autoimmune disease, has two clinical manifestations including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis [UC]. IL-17 has been the target of intensive research in autoimmune diseases. The influence of Toll like receptor 4 [TLR-4] gene polymorphisms on IL-17 production has also been revealed in UC patients and tissue inflammation in mice. To investigate the association between the TLR-4 gene polymorphisms, Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile and IL-17 serum levels with ulcerative colitis. Additionally, we aimed to study modulation effects of forenamed gene polymorphisms on IL-17 serum levels in UC patients and controls. A total of 256 healthy controls and 85 UC patients enrolled in our study. DNA was extracted and PCR-RFLP technique was employed to determine Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms in TLR-4 gene and IL-17 serum levels were measured by ELISA method. There was no significant difference between the frequency of Asp299Gly A>G and Thr399Ile C>T in UC patients and controls. While IL-17 serum levels in UC patients were significantly higher than controls [p=0.003], no significant difference in IL-17 levels between different genotypes existed. Additionally, a significant inverse relationship was observed between hemoglobin level and IL-17 serum levels in UC patients [p=0.039]. Increased IL-17 serum levels in our UC patients might be explained through the synergistic activity of IL-17/IL-23 axis and pro-inflammatory cytokines, causing severe clinical outcome in patients with IBD. The prolonged excretion of blood in stool driven by inflammatory process which causes iron metabolism disorder and anemia may elucidate the inverse correlation between hemoglobin and IL-17 serum levels in UC patients. Lack of association between the TLR-4 gene polymorphisms and UC in our study was consistent with the results from other Caucasian populations

Estimation of basic reproductive number of flu-like syndrome in a primary school in Iran

Iran, similar to other countries, had faced H1N1 flu outbreak in 2009. In order to assess its transmission dynamic, we estimated its force of infection [beta] and basic reproductive number [R[0]]. Within a middle size primary school in Iran, we actively followed students and detected flu-like syndrome among students and their families in the first three months of academic year; October through December 2009. We estimated the probability of disease transmission within families [beta] fitting random effects Poisson regression model. Moreover, R[0] within the school was computed based on the number of detected cases. In 452 students, 204 influenza-like syndromes were detected. The estimated beta within families was 0.10; increasing one infectious member within each family was associated with 30% increase in this number. The estimated R[0] for the first month was 1.21 [95% C.I.: 0.99, 1.47]; corresponding numbers for the first two and first three months were 1.28 [95% C.I.: 1.05, 1.54] and 1.32 [95% C.I.: 1.11, 1.59], respectively. It seems that the dynamic transmission of H1N1 virus was more or less comparable with that in other seasonal species. Our findings showed that the virus mainly circulated among students within schools. In addition, it seems that the transmission rate within families was relatively high

Size estimation of groups at high risk of HIV/AIDS using network scale up in Kerman, Iran

To estimate the size of groups at high risk of HIV, Network Scale UP [NSU], an indirect method, was used. 500 Kermanian male aged 18 to 45 were recruited. 8 groups at high risk of HIV were defined: Users of opium, unknown drug, ecstasy, and alcohol; intra?venous drug users [IDUs; males who have extra?marital sex with females [MSF]; male who have sex with female sex workers [MFSW]; and male who have sex with other male [MSMs]. We asked respondents whether they know anybody [probability method], and if yes, how many people [frequency method] in our target groups. Estimates derived in the probability method were higher than the frequency method. Based on the probability method, 13.7% [95% CI: 11.3%, 16.1%] of males used alcohol at least once in last year; the corresponding percent for opium was 13.1% [95% CI: 10.9%, 15.3%]. In addition, 12% has extra-marital sex in last year [95% CI: 10%, 14%]; while 7% [95% CI: 5.8%, 8.2%] had sex with a female sex worker. We showed that drug use is more common among young and mid-age males; although their sexual contacts were also considerable. These percentages show that special preventive program is needed to control an HIV transmission. Estimates derived from probability method were comparable with data from external sources. The underestimation in frequency method might be due to the fact that respondents are not aware of sensitive characteristics of all those in their network and underreporting is likely to occur

Bubble-CPAP vs. ventilatory-CPAP in preterm infants with respiratory distress

Application of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure [CPAP] in neonate with respiratory distress is associated with reduction of respiratory failure, reduced complications and mortality. Bubble CPAP [B-CPAP] and ventilator-derived CPAP [V-CPAP] are two most popular CPAP modes. We aimed to determine whether B-CPAP and V-CPAP would have different survival rate and possible complications. This prospective clinical trial was performed on 50 preterm neonates weighing 1000-2000 gr who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Afzalipoor Hospital because of respiratory distress between June 2009 and May 2010. Patients were randomly allocated into treatment groups using minimization technique. Survival analysis was applied to estimate and compare survival rates. Duration of oxygen therapy, hospital stay as well as hospitalization costs were compared using independent sample t-test. Estimated survival rates at 24 hours in B-CPAP and V-CPAP groups were 100% and 77% respectively. Corresponding figures at 48 hours were 100% and 71%. In addition the hospitalization cost in V-CPAP group was significantly higher than in B-CPAP group. According to our results, B-CPAP was effective in the treatment of neonates who were suffering from respiratory distress and reduced the duration of hospital stay. In addition to mentioned benefits, its low cost may be the reason to use B-CPAP broadly compared with V-CPAP