[Identification of serological groups A, B, C, W135, Y, X Neisseria meningitidis carriers by multiplex PCR in the nasopharynx of students in Kashan during 2011-2012]

Neisseria meningitidis [N. meningitidis] is a pathogen which colonizes in the nasopharynx without any clinical manifestations. Among the 13 different serological groups, only the serogroups A, B, C, W135, Y, X play a major role in disease development. This study aimed to determine N. meningitidis cases carrying these serological groups using the multiplex PCR method in the nasopharynx of students in Kashan schools. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1289 students in Kashan during 2011-2012. Samples were collected from the students' nasopharynx using a sterile swab and cultured on a selective medium. Strains were identified through biochemical tests. Then the serological groups were determined using the multiplex PCR method. One-hundred and fifteen [8.9%] out of 1289 students were N.meningitidis carriers; 75 [65.2%] male and 40 [34.8%] female. There was a significant difference between gender and the rate of carriers [P=0.032]. The highest rate of carriers [12.3%] was in the 15 to 19 year age group. There was a significant relationship between the rate of carriers and increase in the number of family members [P<0.001]. In this study, only the serological groups B [8 cases] and C [107 cases] were detected. Since the serological group C is involved in the outbreak and there is no vaccine currently available for the serological group B to prevent the infection, detection of these serological groups can be important

[Gap analysis between expectations and perceptions on total quality management in private Gorgan's rehabilitation centers by using fuzzy logic]

Rehabilitation service is one the most important aspect of health system services. If quality is not appropriate, disability could increase in society. Total Quality Management [TQM] can make revolution to achieve the desired quality. The aim of this study was to determine gap analysis between expectations and perceptions on Total Quality Management in private Gorgan's rehabilitation centers by using Fuzzy logic. This study was a descriptive-analytical, survey. Samples were selected from staffs of private Gorgan's rehabilitation centers. Two survey questioners of "Measurement Gap between Expectations" and "Perceptions of TQM Components" was used. Validity of the questionnaires were measured by Content Validity Ratio [CVR] and Content Validity Index [CVI], which was 0.83 for both questionnaires and reliability was confirmed by internal consistency [alpha =0.932]. After collecting questionnaires, questionnaires were analyzed by SPSS/17, EXCEL 2007. The total fuzzy average of expectation with 0.822, 0.923, and 0.982values, was more than total fuzzy average of perceptions [0.59, 0.71, and 0.83]. Furthermore, findings showed a significant difference between expectations and perceptions in all factors of TQM. There was a significant difference between all factors of total quality management. It means that staffs mentioned present condition is lower than optimum condition and the organizations couldn't supply their staffs' expectations

Study of Psychiatrists' knowledge, attitude, and practice toward compulsory admission of psychiatric patients and its related laws in Iran in 2006

The aim of this study was to investigate the Iranian psychiatrist's knowledge, attitude and practice about compulsory admission and its related laws. The target group of this descriptive prospective study was the entire Iranian psychiatrists whose addresses were available in Iranian psychiatry association. Assessment was performed through a self-report questionnaire, which contained 52 evaluating questions. Questionnaires were mailed to psychiatrists and assessed after they returned the answers. We obtained responses from 116 psychiatrists. Twelve and a half percent of them had been complained against due to compulsory admission. More than 50% of them had studied literature crowing psychiatric health laws, and 12.1% of them had a poor knowledge regarding this literature. About 70% of them believed that the present law is not befitting with current needs. Majority of them reported that they hospitalize their patients involuntarily and they prefer their opinion on compulsory admission rather than other resources in most situations. These findings suggest that the present law about compulsory admission of psychiatric patients is deficient and not befitting with current needs. Furthermore, lack of education in this view is obvious and prominent