[ function of vulnerable and at-risk women in prevention of HIV/AIDS]

Regarding little information about sexual behavior of vulnerable women to AIDS, mentioned in the second report of Ministry of Health and Medical Education [2006], this study has been conducted to determine the function of vulnerable and at-risk women to AIDS in Tehran in 2009. This descriptive study was done on 128 vulnerable and at-risk women who participated in this study in Tehran in 2009. The samples were a combination of available visitor passed to Drop-in Centers, behavioral or triangular clinic and those who were introduced by participant women through Respondent Driven Sampling. Data were collected by trained interviewers. Quantitative and qualitative descriptive statistics was reported as numbers, percentages, and, also, Mean and Standard deviation respectively. Analytical findings and determination of differentiations and correlation were evaluated based on Chi-squared test. In this study only 22 [17.2%] of participants mentioned that they have always used condom. Partner unwillingness was the most common reason [64%] for not using condom. Twenty-four percent of participants have received free condom from triangular, Drop-in and health centers in the last year. Only 32[25%] had done HIV test. The study showed the function of at-risk women in prevention of HIV/AIDS is not satisfactory. If the situation continues in this way, vulnerable women and society will be at more risk

determination of clinical decision rule for estimation of mineral bone density in Iranian women

Osteoprosis is a well recognized health hazard for women who are the main group at risk.This study assessed the relative risk factors of osteoprosis in women referring to the Chamran Hospital densitometry center during the year 1386, with the aim of designing a formula to estimate the severity of osteoprosis based on its risk factors. This cross sectional analytic study used the data of outpatients [n=1047] who visited the Bone Densitometry Center of Chamran Hospital during the year 1386. Information was gathered using questionnaires, completed face to face and the cases underwent Dexa densitometry of the hip and vertebras. The data were analysed with SPSS software. Results Of the patients, 73% were menopausal the average and standard deviation of age and weight was 54.5 +/- [10.3], 69.5 +/- [10.8] and the average and standard deviation of T-score of hip and lumbar spine was -1.88 +/- [1.08], -1.04 +/- [1.05]. After assessment, the precipitating factors of osteoprosis of hip were age, menopause, time of menopause, history of fracture, history of taking calcium supplements and dosage, number of deliveries, and duration of breast feedings. The preventing factors were weight, OCPs, exercise, [P < 0.05] being significant the percipitating factors in vertebras were age, menopause, time of menopause, diabetes, history of fracture, history of calcium supplement usage and dosage, number of deliveries, timing of breast feeding and the preventing factor was weight, [p=<0.05] being significant. Using the use of stepwise regression analysis, a minimal mathematical model for predicting of bone density of hip and lumbar spine was formulated. Then the mathematical model of hip in the form of clinical decision rule [CDR] was validated with less number of independent cases. Using the method mentioned, along with clinical findings and history, persons at risk of osteoporosis can be identified and early prevention and treatment are possible. This can also prevent unnecessary expenses of diagnostic procedures for people without the risks of osteoprosis

Colorectal cancer prevalence according to survival data in Iran 2007

Colorectal cancer is a common [5000 new cases per year in Iran] and lethal disease. Regarding the high incidence [7 cases per 100000] and survival rate of colorectal cancer and the priority of prevalence index in cancer management, in this study, 1, 2-3 and 4-5 year point prevalence were determined according to survival data. In this study, survival and incidence data were used for the determination of cancer prevalence. Incidence data were extracted from cancer registry in Iran and survival data were determined during a descriptive study through the follow up of 2342 colorectal cancer patients. 1, 2-3 and 4-5 year point prevalence were estimated from incidence rates in different years and the proportion of patients surviving 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 year[s] from diagnosis. Proportion of cases surviving 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 year[s] from diagnosis were 79.2%, 65.08%, 57.36%, 51.76% and 48.87%, respectively. Estimates of 1, 2-3 and 4-5 year prevalence were 4156, 5715 and 4283, respectively. The cumulative 5 year prevalence was 13954 cases. These estimates of 1, 2-3 and 4-5 year prevalence are applicable to the evaluation of initial treatment, clinical follow-up and point of cure, respectively. Therefore, 1, 2-3 and 4-5 year point prevalence estimates are necessary in health service planning for cancer management

Colorectal cancer prevalence according to survival data in Iran in 2007

Colorectal cancer is a common and lethal disease with 5000 new cases reported each year in Iran. This study was done to estimate the 1, 2-3 and 4-5 year point prevalence of colorectal cancer in Iran. In this descriptive study we studied the follow-up of 2342 patients with colorectal cancer documented in the cancer registry in Iran during a time period of 4 years from March 2001 to March 2005. One-year, 2-3 year and 4-5 year point prevalence were estimated from incidence rates in different years and proportion of patients surviving 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 years after diagnosis. Proportion of cases surviving 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 years from diagnosis were 79.2%, 65.08%, 57.36%, 51.76% and 48.87% respectively. Estimation of prevalence at 1, 2-3 and 4-5 years were 4156, 5715 and 4283 cases, respectively. Cumulative 5 year prevalence was 13954 cases. Estimates of prevalence at 1, 2-3 and 4-5 years are necessary for the evaluation of initial treatment, clinical follow-up and point of cure, and also for identification of patients who need further social support or health care. Therefore 1, 2-3 and 4-5 year point prevalence estimation are necessary in health service planning for cancer management. Colorectal cancer is a common and lethal disease with 5000 new cases reported each year in Iran. This study was done to estimate the 1, 2-3 and 4-5 year point prevalence of colorectal cancer in Iran. In this descriptive study we studied the follow-up of 2342 patients with colorectal cancer documented in the cancer registry in Iran during a time period of 4 years from March 2001 to March 2005. One-year, 2-3 year and 4-5 year point prevalence were estimated from incidence rates in different years and proportion of patients surviving 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 years after diagnosis. Proportion of cases surviving 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 years from diagnosis were 79.2%, 65.08%, 57.36%, 51.76% and 48.87% respectively. Estimation of prevalence at 1, 2-3 and 4-5 years were 4156, 5715 and 4283 cases, respectively. Cumulative 5 year prevalence was 13954 cases. Estimates of prevalence at 1, 2-3 and 4-5 years are necessary for the evaluation of initial treatment, clinical follow-up and point of cure, and also for identification of patients who need further social support or health care. Therefore 1, 2-3 and 4-5 year point prevalence estimation are necessary in health service planning for cancer management

[Evaluation of the coverage of national hypertension prevention and control program in Damavand]

This study has been designed to evaluate the efficiency and coverage of the National Hypertension Prevention and Control program in predefined referral levels in Damavand district in Tehran. In this household survey 14 out of 27 health centers in Damavand were selected randomly and questionnaires completed for 400 persons aged 30 years or older who were selected systematically, in proportion to the size of the targeted population of each village. Coverage rate of screening program was 11.5% for men, 14.1% for women and 13% on the whole. Response rate to screening was 94%. Coverage of second, third and fourth referral levels was zero. Coverage of screening program was too low for modeling service utilization. The service has not been presented to the target population correctly and they were not aware of the service delivery. Program standards were not achieved completely. For program success, strict control is needed on the procedures of program implementation

Antimicrobial effectiveness of furazolidone against metronidazole-resistant strains of Helicobacter pylori

The occurrence of strains resistant to metronidazole is causing failure of the 4-drug regimen for eradication of Helicobacter pylori in the Islamic Republic of Iran. This study compared the in vitro efficacy of furazolidone with metronidazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin and tetracycline in 70 H. pylori isolates from dyspeptic patients. Of the isolates, 33% were resistant to metronidazole but all were susceptible to furazolidone. Furazolidone could be considered as an appropriate substitute for metronidazole for H. pylori infections

[Neutralization of helicobacter pylori cytotoxicity on vero cells by omeprazole]

Omeprazole is a gastric parietal cells proton pump inhibitor that is also active against H. pylori in vitro. This study was designed to examine the neutralization of H. pylori cytotoxicity on Vero cells by omeprazole micronized in strains isolated from gastritis, ulcer, cancer and Barrett's ulcer, to determine whether omeprazole can inhibit vacuolation of the Vero cells induced by cytotoxin of H. pylori or by urease. The effect of omeprazole on motility of H. pylori was assessed using concentrations lower than MIC. The antimicrobial activity of omeprazole micronized was studied by determining the MICs for 15 H. pylori strains. Water extract of the bacteria [concentrated culture supernatant] and different concentrations of omeprazole were added to Vero cells in culture. Also extracted urease from H. pylori strains with urea [10 mM] and omeprazole were added to Vero cells in culture. The inhibitory effect of omeprazole on motility of H. pylori was tested in semi-solid medium. MIC of omeprazole micronized was 20 micro g/ml. Omeprazole could inhibit induced vacuolation by the water extract of H. pylori strains in Vero cells. It could also inhibit vacuolation induced by urease. Inhibition of vacuolation strains was assessed microscopically and by the neutral red method. It was also found that omeprazole inhibits the motility of H. pylori strains at concentrations lower than MIC. The results of this study suggest that omeprazole micronized could neutralize the vacuolation effect of H. pylori cytotoxin on Vero cells probably by targeting v-type ATPase. The bacterial motility was also inhibited by low concentrations of omeprazole. The results of this study considers omeprazole micronized as an effective drug which targets important virulence factors of H. pylori including vacuolating cytotoxin, urease, and motility