[Comparison of the role of human factor in road accidents in different drivers' categories]

Human factor is identified as the most important factor in road accident. The purpose of this research was to compare the role of human factor in road accidents in different drivers' categories in Darab Township in 2010. In this descriptive-correlation research, firstly, four groups of drivers including bus, truck, taxi and private car drivers [130 drivers] were selected through purposeful sampling and completed Manchester Driving Behavior Questionnaire [MDBQ]. Data was analyzed by using Multivariate analysis of variance [MANOVA], correlation coefficients and SPSS. According to the result, all groups had significant differences in all factors such as errors, lapses, aggressive and ordinary violation [P<0.05]; also the highest rate in 3 factors of errors, lapses and aggressive violation were related to bus drivers, truck drivers, private car drivers and taxi drivers respectively; but in ordinary violations the highest scores were related to private car, taxi, truck and bus drivers respectively. The findings of correlation coefficients were as follows: there were a significant and positive correlation between age and all types of errors and violence [P<0.05]; negative and significant correlation was found between education with dangerous and aggressive errors and lapses [P<0.05]; but positive and significant correlation was found between education and aggressive violation [P<0.05]; there was no correlation between education score and ordinary violation; also, no correlation was found between years of driving and wearing safety belt with errors and violence [P>0.05]. The results indicated that the highest scores were specially related to bus drivers and truck drivers. Therefore, it is recommended to perform psychological assessments and adequate training in order to reduce the accident rate at the time of selection and obtaining driving licenses and periodically thereafter

Paan use in south-eastern Iran: the associated factors

Smokeless tobacco use is growing among youth in many countries especially developing countries. Paan is one of these products that its use in many cultures is of interest. This study evaluates the use of paan among males school-age and assess the attributed factors. A cross-sectional study was done on 504 high school pupils of Zahedan city, Capital of Sistan va Baluchistan Province, southeastern Iran in June 2007. Samples were selected by multistage sampling method from high school students in different geographic areas. A questionnaire including 43 questions was completed through interviews. The mean age of participants was 16.2 +/- 1.1 years. While 10.4% of the students were current users of paan, 17.9% were ex-users. Mean duration of using paan was 2.5 +/- 1.6 years. Number of daily paan consumption was 4.2 +/- 3.6/day. Cigar was the most common substance used at least once by pupils [18.6%] followed by paan [17.9%], naas [11.5%] and other illicit drugs. Only 64.7% of our pupils did not use any illicit drug at the time of study. Risk of paan use among students who had a history of taking any other substance was 18-fold more than others. In the case of each attitude, score accretion and risk of paan consumption declined up to 16%.Among multiple personal, familial and environmental factors, positive history of using any kind of illicit drugs by students and their attitude had strong association with paan use