Prevalence of HBsAg, HCV and HIV antibodies among infertile couples in Ahvaz, South-West Iran

Without doubt the problem of infertility is important not just for the individual couple, but in many cases it has a wider effect on human life which may lead to social disorganization if not addressed in the future if not addressed in the future. Since the screening of the hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg], hepatitis C virus [HCV] and human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] antibodies of infertile couples has not been studied in our area; this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of HBsAg, HCV and HIV antibodies among infertile couples. This was a retrospective cross sectional study and its setting was an in vitro fertilization [IVF] ward. The population study included all of the couples [712] admitted to the infertility center of Ahvaz Imam Khomeini Hospital in 2007-2008 [12 month period]. Intervention was an analysis of the data containing the patients' demographic characteristics and included their HBsAg, HCV and HIV serostatus, which were routinely screened during this period. The main outcome measure was the prevalence of HBsAg, HCV and HIV antibodies among the infertile couples referred to the infertility center. The age range of the men and women was 18 to 62 years and 16 to 46 years respectively. 11 [0. 77%] of the infertile couples, including 6 [0. 8] women and 5 [0. 7%] men were HBsAg positive. 9 [0. 63%] infertile couples, 6 [0. 8] women and 3 [0.4%] men were HCV antibody positive. No cases of HIV were observed in this study. Although the frequencies of hepatitis B and C infections found in this study were small, it still seems logical from the statistical analysis to screen for both viruses as well as for HIV, while a future study using a larger sample size of infertile couples is also recommended.

[Breast feeding pattern and its relationship with mothers' weight]

Objective [s]: To examine the relationship between maternal weight and breastfeeding initiation and duration

Methods: This research is an analytical and cross-sectional study which has been done during 2007-2008. Data were collected through questionnaire and interview. Sample consisted of mothers of children 6-12 month attending to west Ahvaz health centers and 150 mothers were selected randomly

Results: mean prepregnancy weight and mean maternal prepregnancy BMI were 65.46+/-13.1kg, and 25.62 +/-5.1 kg respectively. Most common [%72.7] method of infant nutrition was exclusively breast feeding. There was no association between maternal BMI and feeding patterns. BMI showed a significant relationship with duration of each BF and number of feedings per 24 hours. [P<0.01] although after using multivariate regression just daily number of breastfeeding was related to duration of breast feeding. [P<0.05] There was found a significant relationship between delivery mode and postpartum initiation of breast feeding [P<0.01]

Conclusion: Mother's weight has adverse effect on daily number of breast feeding. In this study Mother's weight has no effect on pattern of breast feeding, so it seems to clear these issue further studies should carry out