High prevalence of HCV coinfection in HIV-infected individuals in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran

We carried out a cross-sectional survey in Shiraz to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus [HCV] in 1 444 individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]. We also determined the risk factors for this coinfection. Demographic and behavioural data were obtained using a standard questionnaire. The prevalence of HIV–HCV coinfection was 78.4% [95% CI: 76.3–80.5]. Intravenous drug use [OR = 7.2; 95% CI: 4.9–10.6], imprisonment [OR = 6.9; 95% CI: 4.6–10.4], tattooing in prison [OR = 2.61; 95% CI: 1.4–4.8], tattooing out of prison [OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.3–3.1] and age [OR = 1.02 with increasing each year of life; 95% CI: 1.0–1.04] were significantly associated with HCV–HIV coinfection. Prevalence of HCV–HIV coinfection is high in Shiraz. Intravenous drug use and imprisonment are the main risk factors for this coinfection. Therefore, serious implementation of HIV and HCV testing, education, prevention, care and treatment programmes and evaluation of harm reduction programmes in prisons are very important.

[Graft survival rate of renal transplantation in diabetic patients, Namazi hospital transplant center, Shiraz, Iran [1999-2009]]

In many countries around the world, diabetic nephropathy is the most common causes of renal transplantation and dialysis. One third of diabetic patients suffer from kidney diseases which, in turn, considerably increase mortality rates and treatment costs. The aim of this study was to compare graft survival rate in diabetic and non-diabetic patients in the Shiraz Namazi Hospital Transplant Center, during the years 1999 to 2009. This study was a retrospective cohort study that investigated graft survival rate among diabetic patients who had undergone kidney transplant and compared it with that of non-diabetic patients, in the Transplant Center of Shirza Namazi Hospital. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate and Log-rank test was applied to compare survival curves. Furthermore, to model the factors affecting survival rate, Cox proportional hazard model was implemented. The results of the study revealed that the average follow-up period of patients was 48.15 +/- 31.05 [range: 3.07- 118.03] months. The estimated 9-year graft survival rates among diabetic and non-diabetic patients were 84.2% and 85.7%, respectively. Moreover, using Cox proportional hazard model, it was found that the age of a donor <40 years, is an effective factor for higher graft survival rate in diabetic patients. Based on the results of this study, we observed that there was no significant difference between kidney transplant survival rate in diabetic and non diabetic patients. This treatment method can hence be a good option for patients with diabetic nephropathy

[ effect of Benson relaxation technique on anxiety level and quality of life of patients with irritable bowel syndrome]

Irritable bowel syndrome [IBS] is the most common functional bowel disorder which both the bowel and the brain are involved in this syndrome. Combined medical- relaxational therapy has been suggested to decrease anxiety and relieve symptoms, make better feeling of self health and improve the quality of life in these patients. This study was designed to determine the effects of Benson relaxation technique on anxiety level and quality of life of patients with irritable bowel syndrome. In a clinical trial, 30 patients with irritable bowel syndrome were selected and randomly placed into two groups: case and control. The control group was treated by only usual medical therapy but the case group was treated by combined medical - relaxational therapy. The two groups continued therapy for three months. The anxiety of patients was measured by Spielberger test [State and Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI]]. The quality of life of patient with regard to irritable bowel syndrome, was measured by BS-QOI with subscales 8, before intervention, 1 week and 3 months after intervention in both groups. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive and Mann-whitney, repeated measurement test and chi-square statistical methods. State and trait anxiety mean of the case and control groups two weeks before and one week after intervention didn't show any significant differences. But after three months the results showed a significant difference between the two groups [p<0.05]. There wasn't significant difference in scales of quality of life before intervention. One week after the intervention, differences of both group in four scales of dysphoria, health worry, social reaction and relationship were meaningful and the function of case group was more undesirable than that of the control group. Three months after completing the process, there wasn't a meaningful increase in sex function in case group in comparison with the control group but there was a significant recovery in the case group in other performance scales [p<0.001]. The quality of life of patients in control group compared to case group decreased or did not change significantly after 3 months. Performing Benson relaxation therapy is effective in reducing anxiety level coinciding with improvement quality of life; therefore relaxation therapy can be recommended as an effective care program

Preterm delivery risk factors: a prevention strategy in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran

From 3 February-5 March, 2000, 1117 pregnant women attending 36 health centres in Shiraz were categorized as high risk [n = 519] and low risk [n = 598] based on the presence of preterm delivery risk factors. High-risk women received training on strategies to reduce the risk of premature delivery. The frequencies of preterm delivery in the low- and the high-risk groups were 3.0% and 14.6% respectively [P < 0.001]. The significant factors for preterm delivery were cervical dilation > 1 cm, premature uterine contractions, multifetal gestation and smoking. Premature delivery was significantly lower in the high-risk group compared with a similar group in a previous study who had not received training

Problems related to shiftwork for health care workers at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

A cross-sectional study of shiftwork-related problems was carried out among health care workers at hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Islamic Republic of Iran. Data on personal details, shift schedule and adverse effects of shiftwork were collected from 432 randomly selected subjects by questionnaire. Sleep, social and subjective problems were more prevalent in shiftworkers than day workers. Irregular shiftwork schedules caused more social and subjective problems, as well as work dissatisfaction. Voluntary selection of shiftworking produced fewer health problems