Meningococcal carrier rate before and after hajj pilgrimage: effect of single dose ciprofloxacin on carriage

We determined the carriage rate of Neisseria meningitidis before and after hajj pilgrimage among a group [1] of 674 randomly selected Iranian pilgrims, and the effect of 500 mg of ciprofloxacin given 24 hours before return on the reduction of meningococcal carriers among another group [2] of 123 randomly selected Iranian pilgrims. Throat specimens taken 1 hour before departure on the hajj and immediately on return were cultured. Carriage rates of N. meningitidis in group 1 were 5.2% before and 4.6% after pilgrimage [P = 0.65]; 3 new serogroups [Z, Z' and A] were identified on return. In group 2, the carriage rate decreased from 8.1% to zero before and after pilgrimage

Effect of some affective and demographic variables on life satisfaction of infertile women

Various studies show that infertility is related to affective problems such as depression, despair, psychological stress, anxiety and also dissatisfaction from marital life. The purpose of this research was investigation of effect of some affective and demographic variables on life satisfaction of infertile women. Affective factors were such as having husband's support, others blame, report of feeling psychological stress, anxiety, despair, depression and isolation and demographic factors were age, educational background, social status of couple and the kind of family. Sample group was composed of 77 women [mean age 26] who had referred for infertility treatment to one of treatment centers in Shiraz. Individual information questionnaire, which was prepared by researchers ad its integrity was being checked by specialists, was used to gather demographic information and other affective factors. For evaluation of life satisfaction "Temporal Satisfaction With Life Scale" [TSWLS] was used. This scale evaluates the satisfaction of people in 3 stages of past, present and future life. Its integrity has been evaluated in this study. Regression analysis of multiple variable was used for information and despair caused past, present and future lie dissatisfaction of infertile women but husband's support and also his social status increase the life satisfaction of these women and also all other stages of life. Living in nuclear family results in increase of present and future life satisfaction of infertile women. As for total conclusion, data shows that effect of affection and demographic variables on the life satisfaction of infertile women is not equal

[ effect of Bromocriptine in the polycystic ovarian syndrome with clomiphene resistant]

Incidence of infertility is approximately 10-15% [11.2% in Shiraz]. Anovulation is about 40% of female infertility [46% in Shiraz]. PCOD, is the most common cause of anovulation [81.5% in Shiraz]. Clomiphen citrate [CC] is the first line of treatment, but approximately 20% of patients with PCO fail to ovulate with the highest dose of CC. These patients have good response to bromocriptine. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of bromocriptine in CC - resistant patient with PCOD. Between March 1997 to July 1999, 43 women, who were considered to have PCOD with normal serum prolactin and also CC failure, were studied in infertility division of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. They were treated with CC 200mg daily from 5th to 9th day of the cycle and Bromocriptine 2.5mg twice daily for at least 3 months. Hormonal assay [FSH, LH, PRL, DHEA-So[4] Testosterone, progesterone] and also clinical changes were monitored pre and post treatment. After treatment 40% of the patient had regular menses and 30% conceived. There was significant decrease in PRL from 269.9 mIU/ml to 174 mIU/ml [p<0.001], LH from 17.9 to 11.5 [p<0.001] and LH/FSH ratio from 2.4 to 1.5 [p<0.001]. The result suggests that the therapeutic effects of this treatment may be primarily due to the restoration and improvement of the impaired hypothalamus - pituitary axis