Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards HIV/AIDS among Iranian prisoners in Mazandaran province in the south-coast area of the Caspian Sea

HIV infection in the Islamic Republic of Iran is concentrated primarily among intravenous drug users. This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards HIV/AIDS prevention of a random sample of prisoners in 5 prisons in Mazandaran province. Of 1760 individuals aged 18-65 years old completing the questionnaire, the mean age was 30.1 [SD 8.1] years [range 18 to 59 years]; 95.8% were male. Respondents had an average to fairly good knowledge about HIV/AIDS, with the percentages answering correctly ranging from 11.9%to 85.9%. However many had the misconception that [HIV/AIDS does not influence Iran] and [I will not be infected with HIV/AIDS under any conditions] and 63.6% agreed that lack of religious and moral commitment could spread AIDS infection. HIV/AIDS prevention efforts are needed for prisoners in Mazandaran province

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis E virus infection in 2-25-year-olds in Sari district, Islamic Republic of Iran

The seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus infection [HEV] in children and young adults was determined in a community-based survey in an area of northern Islamic Republic of Iran. Serum samples were taken from 1080 randomly selected apparently healthy 2-25-year-olds from urban and rural regions of Sari district. Anti-HEV IgG antibodies were detected in 25 individuals [2.3%]. Seroprevalence increased significantly with age from 3/255 [1.2%] in children < 10 years to 8/110 [7.3%] in those aged 20-25 years. No differences in HEV status were noted between the sexes. Earlier age at exposure to infection and a higher infection rate were found in people residing in rural areas than in urban areas

[Seroepidemiological study of leptospirosis in Ghaemshahr Mazandaran province-Iran, Sept-Oct 2004]

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic spirochetal disease caused by coming into contact with water or soil contaminated with urine of the infected animals such as sheep, hours, cow, rat and etc. Farmers, animal husbands, veterinarians and those practicing aqua sport are at risk. This study was undertaken in 13 villages of Ghaemshahr City [September 2004] in which because of previous epidemiological observation the probability of this disease was high. Study was descriptive cross sectional with randomized case selection. Five ml of venous blood was taken from each case and tested using an ELISA method. Information about age, sex, job, area of living, symptoms such as fever, headache, mialgia, diarrhea, nausea during this or past summer were gathered. Serological data showed that prevalence of leptospirosis was 29.4% .There is no relation between sex and positive serological results [54.8% women and 54.18% men]. Leptospirosis in studied area is epidemic and due to its high morbidity, mortality and economical impact,heath education to people would help to control the disease and chemoprophylaxis can also be used