Prevalence of overweight and obesity and associated risk factors in urban primary-school children in Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran

Childhood obesity is a major public health problem globally because of changes in lifestyles. We assessed the prevalence of overweight/obesity and associated factors in urban schoolchildren in Babol in a cross-sectional study of 1000 schoolchildren aged 7-12 years. Weight and height were measured and data on sports activities and leisure time physical activities were collected by questionnaire. Overweight/obesity were assessed by comparing body mass index [BMI] values to the BMI index for age and sex percentiles set by CDC, Atlanta. The prevalence of obesity and overweight was 5.8% and 12.3% respectively. The prevalence was significantly lower in girls compared with boys [age-adjusted OR= 0.69, 95% Cl: 0.50-0.96] and higher among private-school educated children compared with public-school educated students [age adjusted OR = 2.17, 95% Cl: 1.47-3.18]. For each additional score of leisure time physical activity, the age-adjusted OR decreased significantly

Outcomes of total versus subtotal abdominal hysterectomy

There is still controversy about the best technique for hysterectomy to reduce postoperative adverse effects. This randomized clinical study in Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran, compared some clinical complications and sexual functioning following subtotal [SAH] and total abdominal hysterectomy [TAH]. A total of 150 women [50 allocated to SAH and 100 to TAH] were followed up at 6 months postoperatively. Length of hospitalization was 4.40 [SD 1.90] days after SAH and 4.48 [SD 1.67] days after TAH. Haemoglobin level, postoperative fever, symptoms of dyspareunia and frequency of sexual intercourse were not significantly different between the 2 groups of women. SAH did not show any significant benefits over TAH

Age at menarche in girls born from 1985 to 1989 in Mazandaran, Islamic Republic of Iran

This cross-sectional study was carried out on 2246 girls born between 1985 and 1989 to determine the age of menarche in Mazandaran province, northern Islamic Republic of Iran. Six cities were selected randomly and cluster sampling used to select high-school students in urban and rural areas. Students with malnutrition, anaemia and chronic infections such as tuberculosis were excluded. The mean [standard deviation] age of menarche was 12.5 [1.1] years, 95% CI: 12.45-12.55 years. The most frequent occurrence of menarche was in summer and least frequent in winter. Menarche age was significantly higher in girls living in rural areas and with fathers with lower education

[Prevalence of abdominal obesity in a population aged 20 to 70 years in urban Mazandaran [northeran Iran, 2004]]

Abdominal [central] adiposity is an outcome of changes in life styles and behaviors. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of central obesity and the associated factors in a population aged 20 to 70 years in an urban area of the Mazandaran province. Methods and Materials: A population based cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 3600 subjects in an urban area of the Mazandaran province using cluster sampling techniques in 2004. Anthropometric measures [height, weight, waist and hip circumference] were measured with standard methods and social, demographic, and some life style data such as age, sex, education level, occupation, marital status, marriage age, parental obesity, occupational activity, leisure time physical activity, exercise level and history of pregnancy and parity for women, were collected during interviews using questionnaires. To assess central obesity, we used a standard recommended WHO method based on waist circumference [WC]. In statistical analysis, the logistic regression model was used to estimate the age adjusted odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval and P-value <0.05 was considered significant. The mean [ +/- SD] ages of men and women were 38.5 +/- 14.3, 37.5 +/- 13.0 years respectively. The mean [ +/- SD] of WC was 89.3 +/- 11.5 for men and 87.8 +/- 13.6 for women. The prevalence of central obesity was 46.2% for women and 10.6% for men. The pattern of central obesity was significantly different in different age groups in both genders. The results of logistic regression model showed that the age adjusted odds ratio for central obesity was roughly 8.37, times greater in women compared with men [95% CI:7.03-10.21]. The adjusted odds ratio decreased with increasing levels of education [P<0.0001] while the odds ratio was 0.20 for education at university level [95% CI: 0.14 - 0.28]. The adjusted odds ratio increased 1.75 fold [95% CI: 1.55-2.05] in subjects with history of parental obesity it tended to decrease with severe occupational activities [OR=0.39: 95% CI: 0.24-0.63], high physical activity level in leisure time [OR=0.84, 95%CI: 0.58-1.21] and exercise level >5 h/w [OR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.51- 0.87]. The adjusted odds ratio also decreased significantly with marriage age and among women, it increased with parity while for >=5 parities, the age adjusted odds increased 3.3 fold [95% CI: 2.11-5.17]. These results revealed an increased rate of abdominal obesity in the adult urban population in particular for women low levels of activity and low education, parity, family history of obesity, marriage at an earlier age, age and female gender are responsible for central obesity. Community-based multiple strategies are required to combat increasing rates of central obesity and the subsequent complications in the north of Iran

Effects of varicocelectomy on sperm parameters and fertility rate

Varicocele is one of the infertility factors in men and has negative effects on sperm parameters. Using varicocelectomy that is the most effective method for treatment of varicocele, there will be significant improvement in sperm parameters. The purpose of this study was to survey sperm parameters before and after varicocelectomy and fertility rate after surgery. This interventional study was done on 118 infertile couples from 2003 to 2004 that referred with male factor and varicoceles disease to Fatemeh Zahra infertility center. The sperm parameters were compared before and after varicocelectomy and the pregnancy results were compared with each other. The type of varicoceles was unilateral in 72 persons [61%] and bilateral in 46 [39%]. The mean number [ +/- SD] of sperm reached from 42.3 +/- 26.9 millions before surgery to 48.4 +/- 27.1 million after surgery. Also, sperm motility reached from 50.8 +/- 18 percent to 54.8 +/- 17.9 percent and round cells reached from 1.9 +/- 4.7 to 0.6 +/- 3.3 percent that this process is meaningful in each three cases [p<0.007]. The mean normal morphology of sperms showed an increase after surgery but wasn't meaningful. After varicocelectomy, the rate of pregnancy was seen in 42% of persons that increased to 48.3% in persons who used different methods of ART. According to the results of this study, varicocelectomy can increase sperm parameters. Also, with increasing normal sperm morphology, almost half of the operated persons experienced their fertility

Evaluation of medical students attitude toward future job in Babol University of Medical Sciences [2003]

The recognition of medical students problems related to their future job and resolve them is the duty of higher education system. This study was performed to evaluate the medical students attitude toward their future job in second-stager and intern stages in Babol University of medical sciences. This descriptive, analytical and cross-sectional study was performed on 200 medical students [interns and stagers] in Babol University of medical sciences in 2003. Data was collected by questionnaires consist of two parts. First part related to general information and the second one was related to 20 questions about evaluation of their attitude toward future job. The data were analyzed by Chi- square test to determine the association between variables under study. Most of the students chose medical field with interest and motivation [34.5% very much, 39.5% much] and the aim of majority of them was to acquire a high social position in community [51.5%]. While the attitude of majority of students toward their major changed as compared with the year of their entrance to university [38.5% much 21% very much]. These changes of attitude were almost toward the negative value [57.5%]. The majority of the students [44% much, 17% very much] were satisfied with their major and believed that economical and social problems have little effect on their interest in studying and serving people in community [42.5% little, 19% very little]. Most of the students complained about the lack of job security [79%] and the majority of them believed that it gives them spiritual satisfaction [50.5% much, 22% very much], but they won't reach to desired social situation [56%]. The majority of students were interested in getting MD degree [50% very much, 38.5% much] and believed continuing education is the key to successful [50% very much, 35% much]. In spite of these problems, most of them [50.5% much, 20.5% very much] thought that belief in God is effective. Also, there was not a statistically significant difference between the variables of sex, age, marital status and educational degree with students' attitude toward job opportunity in future. Regarding the changing in attitude of medical students is negative toward the future job, the short or long-term programming should be accomplished for increasing of efficiency and utilities. Therefore, modifying the educational and administrative structure of universities, providing welfare and economic facilities, reducing duration of education, providing opportunity for general practitioners to continue education and the employment of young doctors are the steps that should be taken

Measurement of measles antibody in 157 children aged 4-6 years referred to Amirkola Children Hospital [2003-2004]

Measles is a febrile viral disease that spreads from person to person via respiratory route. Measles vaccination is done to produce protective levels of antibody against this virus. In regions where children have not received measles vaccine, the disease causes about one million deaths per year. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the measles antibodies in serum of children aged 4-6 years in Babol. This descriptive and analytical study was carried out on 157 serums of 4-6 year old children who received two doses of measles vaccine at 9 and 15 months of age. ELISA test was used to determine the serum antibodies against measles disease in these children. Among 157 subjects, 91[57.9%] were male and 66 [42.1%] were female. The mean age of children aged 4-6 years was 5 +/- 0.77. The highest mean antibody titer [90.3 IU/ml] was seen in 4 year old children and the lowest antibody titer [49 IU/ml] was seen in 6 year old children. No significant difference was seen in the mean antibody titer between male and female, but the mean of antibody level decreased significantly from 4 to 6 year children [p=0.03]. The results show that because of reducing the levels of antibody below protective level at the age of 6, we recommend a revaccination of measles at this age