Parasitic infections [helminth and protozoa] in cases referring to Yazd central laboratory, 2002-2004

Intestinal parasites have world wide prevalence and are considered to be as one of the leading hygienic and economic problems in the world. It can be said that there is nowhere in the world without parasitic infestations. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in patients referring to Yazd Central Laboratory in 2000-2002. The present study was a cross-sectional, analytic and descriptive study including 13388 stool, specimens examined by two methods; Formalin-Ethyl Acetate and direct Method for intestinal parasites and Scotch tape method for Enterobius vermicularis. 13388 samples examined included 6913 women and 6475 men. Parasites were observed in 1151 cases [8.6%] including 618 [53.7%] men and 533 [46.3%] women, respectively. Of these, 98.6% were infected with protozoa and 1.4% with helminths. Giardia lambdia [41.05%], E.coli [27.45%] and Blastocystis hominis [15.51%] were the most common infecting organisms. Helminth infections were few, but the highest frequency was related to Hymenolepis nana and Enterobious vermicularis. Maximum frequency was reported in summer. There was a significant association between stool consistency and infestation by intestinal parasites [P=0.002]. There was a significant relationship with sex, too [P=0.001]. In the present study, the most common parasites were Giardia, E.coli and Blastocystis hominis [higher than five], but the prevalence was less as compared to previous similar studies in other regions, which could be because of the hot and dry weather, better personal hygiene and improved sewage system of Yazd

[Self poisoning with suicidal intent- Part I]

Self poisoning is one of the most common forms of suicide- especially in adolescents- and constitutes a major reason for hospitalization and referral to emergency wards. The high frequency of repeated attempts together with the shortage of reliable epidemiologic data makes it difficult to plan effective preventive measures. The present article is the first section of a two-part paper on the epidemiology of self-poisoning in Iran. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Tehran, Mashad, Tabriz, Isfahan, Shiraz and Kermanshah [5 major provinces of Iran]. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and were analyzed in a descriptive fashion. In all, 723 cases were studied. There were 550 cases [%71] of self poisoning with suicidal intent. The mean age of those who had attempted suicide was [25.42 +/- 10.26] years; sixty percent [n=330] were female and the remaining 40% [n=220] were male. Eighty percent of attempted suicides involved the use of drugs; other suicide modalities included poisons, psychotropic substances and other chemicals. Thirty-one percent of the cases reported previous suicidal gestures. The mean number of past suicidal attempts was 2.08 [SD = 2.28]. The findings show that the frequency of attempted suicide is relatively high. To deal with the current situation, issues of mental heath have to be addressed more attentively and hospital emergency wards must be provided with adequate equipment and trained manpower [psychologists, psychiatrists, toxicologists, etc]

[Self poisoning with suicidal intent- Part II]

Self poisoning is one of the most common forms of suicides and a frequent cause of hospitalization in Accidents and Emergency Departments, especially in the younger age groups. This research was prompted by the current lack of reliable and adequate information on the epidemiology of suicide, and its main objective was to provide a basis for effective interventions in the future. The present article is the second section of a two-part paper on the epidemiology of self-poisoning in Iran. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Tehran, Mashad, Tabriz, Isfahan, Shiraz and Kermanshah [5 major Provinces of Iran]. This article deals with results from data analysis and comparisons between cases of suicide and accidental self-poisoning. In all, 723 cases were studied. Among those who had committed suicide, the frequency of severe physical illness was greater in women compared to men [P<0.002]. The mean age of the subjects who expressed regret after the suicidal gesture was significantly lower than those who did not [P<0.003]. Moreover, subjects who had a real intention to kill themselves were significantly older than those who did not have such an intention [P<0.01]. Results from logistic regression analysis showed that higher age, male gender, and residing in Tehran were associated with a higher probability of deliberate self-poisoning [P<0.001 for all the three variables]. In addition, having a definite plan for suicide and previous history of a suicidal attempt were significantly related to having real intention to die [Odds ratios 2.52 and 1.87, respectively]. Most hospitalizations in poisoning wards [>74%] involve suicidal self-poisoning. Measures must be taken at all three levels of prevention with special attention to the epidemiology of the problem in different regions

[ relationship between early admission in labor and the occurrence of obstetrical complications]

We evaluated the effect of the timing of admission in labor on the occurrence of obstetrical complications. The study involved a comparison between 460 low-risk nulliparous women who were admitted on labor unit in latent phase with 329 parturients admitted in the active phase with singleton pregnancy, intact membranes, and low risk as determined by their physicians according to the protocols of prenatal care. There were more cesarean deliveries in the latent phase than in the active phase [64/5% vs24/3% P < 0/0001] .The main reasons for cesarean delivery in the latent phase and active phase were dystocia and fetal distress. The rate of dystocia in the latent phase was greater than in the active phase. [32/6% vs 24/3% P=0/0048]. The oxytocin dose was greater in the latent phase than in the active phase [1/1 +/- 0/7 vs 0/18 +/- 0/1]. Our results show that more cesarean operations are performed in women admitted during the latent phase of labor