[Evaluation of mental health program integration into the primary health care system of Iran]

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the integration of mental health program into primary health care system. In a cross-sectional, quantitative and qualitative study, the knowledge, attitude and performance of 1209 individuals of general population, 146 behvarzes, 35 health technicians and 51 general practitioners from rural health centers of Gilan, Tehran, Meshad, Iran, Kerman and Kermanshah universities of medical sciences who were undercoverage and out of coverage of mental health program in the rural areas of selected centers, were selected by randomized cluster sampling. The data was gathered using knowledge, attitude and performance questionnaires of behvarzes, general population and general practitioners toward mental health, behvarzes' performance on training, following up and referral of mentally patients based on primary health care [PHC] program, knowledge and attitude of general population toward mental illnesses, epilepsy, mental retardation, their causes and treatments, general physicians awareness about treatment, referral and integration of mental health program into PHC, general practitioners's performance of health centers and a semi-structured questionnaire for focus group discussion sessions [FGD]. Thirty trained mental health experts from neighborhood of selected provinces, completed questionnaires and analyzed. Descriptive statistics and independent t-test were executed. There was significant difference between behvarzes in areas under coverage and out of coverage in knowledge [p

Silicosis among stone- cutter workers: a cross-sectional study

Production process of most factory-made products is harmful to our health and environment. Silica is the most important stone used in stone cutting factories. Numerous researches have reported respiratory diseases due to the inhalation of these particles in various occupations. Silicosis is a disease with typical radiographic pattern caused as the result of inhalation of silica particles. According to the intensity of exposures and onset of initiation of clinical symptoms silicosis is classified into three groups of acute, chronic and accelerated forms. The present study evaluated silicosis among stone cutter workers. This cross sectional study was performed on stone cutter workers in Malayer city [Azandarian] between 2008 and 2009. Respiratory data of our study participants were collected with a respiratory questionnaire and performing spirometry tests and chest radiography. Among our participants, 16 silicosis cases were diagnosed by radiographic changes. Among them, 10 workers had exposure for more than three years and 6 workers were smokers. Eleven workers had an abnormal radiographic pattern on their chest x-rays. Seven workers had obstructive and 4 workers had restrictive spirometric patterns. Prevalence of silicosis was high among our understudy workers and preventive strategies are required to control it

Prevalence of parasomnia in school aged children in Tehran

Parasomnias can create sleep disruption; in this article we assessed parasomnias in school-aged children in Tehran. In spring 2005, a total of 6000 sleep questionnaires were distributed to school-aged children in 5 districts of Tehran [Iran]. A modified Pediatrics sleep questionnaire with 34 questions was used. Parasomnias varied from 0.5% to 5.7% among the subjects as follows: 2.7% sleep talking, 0.5% sleepwalking, 5.7% bruxism, 2.3% enuresis, and nightmare 4%. A group of children showed parasomnias occasionally- this was 13.1% for sleep talking, 1.4% for sleepwalking, 10.6% for bruxism, 3.1% for enuresis and 18.4% for nightmares. A high proportion of children starting school suffer from sleep problems. In many cases this is a temporary, developmentally related phenomenon, but in 6% of the children the disorder is more serious and may be connected with various stress factors and further behavioral disturbances

[Designing a registration system for suicide in Iran]

The goal of the present study was to design a registration system for recording suicide in Iran, capable of designing identification pathways, registration, and report and follow-up of suicide cases and deaths due to suicide. Through library assessments and surveying suicide registration systems in other countries [Denmark, India and WHO], potential methods of suicide in Iran were identified; also, potential methods of identifying suicide cases in the country were designed and finalized subsequent to group consultation. Suicide registration forms were designed, using the collected data. In this system: 1- The Health and Treatment Network is considered to be the appropriate site for the collection of data related to suicide, 2- Instances of suicide deaths and suicide attempts will be completely registered, 3- Data will be gathered from treatment centers and other contributing centers in general monthly forms, 4- Mental health attendants will enter the data into the computer system each month, in the suicide registration center affiliated to the health and treatment center, 5- The system will be primarily executed in two universities, 6- Training of target group [managers and personnel] in the primary stages of execution is important. The launch of the system for recording suicidal behavior in the country is the first essential step in the control and prevention of suicide

[Geographical distribution of human resources in mental health provision system in 2007]

The present research was carried out with the aim of providing a geographical map and the distribution of indices related to the distribution of human resources in the mental health system in Iran according to regions covered by different medical universities. This study was carried out using the data present in mental health system reports in the year 2007. Subsequent to the adjustment of indices, data were presented by drawing descriptive and interpolated maps using Arc GIS 9.2. Also, the amount of each evaluated index, minimum, maximum and standard deviation of each index in different areas were reported. In 2007 the nationwide means of covered population to total population of the country, covered urban population to total urban population, covered rural population to total rural population, proportion of covered health centers, to total health centers, proportion of covered health and treatment rural centers to the total, proportion of covered urban health and treatment centers to the total, and the proportion of covered health headquarters to the total were 54.8%, 36.9%, 96.2%, 97.5%, 97.1%, 50.4%, and 41.4% respectively. The individuals providing mental health services comprised: 29282 assistants in nursing, 6529 health workers, 4595 trained general practitioners, 61877 health messengers, 692 psychiatrists, 27 child psychiatrists, 126 psychologists [56 clinical, 70 other], 652 professionals with master's degree in psychology [183 clinical, 469 other], 651 social workers, and 214 psychiatric nurses. There is favorable distribution of specialized human resources in the country's health system, however, there is an disparity between the distribution of specialized human resources and covered population

Street children in Tehran and risk factors for substance abuse

Present study has been conducted with the purpose of determining substance abuse style for street children in Tehran. 576 street children of 10-19 years were evaluated. Data were gathered by demographic and substance use check list. Theses check lists were designed by the researchers and included some simple question about type and duration of substance use. Several psychiatrist confirmed the content of check list. 36.7% of the children had lifetime smoking of cigarette. The frequency of smoking in boys was significantly higher than girls [P<0.05]. The mean age of the girls with smoking habit was significantly lower than the boys [P<0.05]. It should be noted that street children are at high risk group for using tobacco. Theses children are also exposed to the dangerous behaviors and sexually transmitted diseases