The association between congenital heart disease and the risk of Autism spectrum disorders or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among children: a meta-analysis

Background and objective. To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis conducted about the association between congenital heart disease (CHD) and the risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorders (ASD) based on observational studies.Methods PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were systematically searched from the earliest possible year to December 2020. Heterogeneity was conducted using the chi-square test and its quantity was measured using the I2 statistic. The publication bias was assessed using Egger's and Begg's line regression tests. The results were reported using the odds ratio (OR) estimated with its 95% confidence interval (CI) using a random-effects model. Results. In total, 812 citations were included in the search initial until December 2020 with 467,164 children. Based on the random effect model, the estimated OR of the risk of ASD associated with CHD was OR=1.35 (95% CI: 1.17, 1.52; 6 studies; I2=0.0%) and the risk of ADHD associated with CHD was OR=3.04 (95% CI: 1.58, 4.49; 15 studies; I2=88.1%). Conclusions. Our findings suggested that CHD is a risk factor for ASD and ADHD. Therefore, Screening for ASD and ADHD should be considered among young children with CHD.

Epidemiologic profile of nosocomial infections among paediatric patients in a referral hospital in Hamadan, west of Iran.

Healthcare-associated infections (HC-AI) are major health problem with high financial impact. HC-AIs are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in paediatric hospitals. This study was performed to determine the epidemiology of HC-AIs in children admitted to medical wards of Besat Hospital in Hamadan, west of Iran. Data on cases of HC-AIs in paediatrics were collected from March 2017 to February 2018 in Besat Hospital. The medical records of eligible cases were extracted from Iranian Nosocomial Infections Surveillance Software. During the study period, a total of 355 HC-AIs in children were detected, 213 (60%) in boys and 214 (60.3%) in the 0-4-year age group. Of these, bloodstream infection was the most frequent infection in both age groups (37.38% in 0-4 years and 34.75% in 5-14 years). Escherichia coli was the common detected microorganism in girls (25.84% in those aged 0-4 years and 24.53% in 5-14 years), whereas Staphylococcus was more prevalent in boys (33.6% in those aged 0-4 years and 29.55% in 5-14 years). HC-AIs were more prevalent in burn, haematology and intensive care unit wards. In Besat Hospital, bloodstream infection and urinary tract infection were the most frequent infections among paediatric patients, and E. coli and Staphylococcus were the commonest detected microorganism in girls and boys respectively. Preventive activities should be targeted to reduce the rate of HC-AIs in wards associated with more contamination.

Factors associated with preventive behaviours of COVID-19 among hospital staff in Iran in 2020: an application of the Protection Motivation Theory.

This study was conducted to predict the preventive behaviours of healthcare workers (HCWs) towards COVID-19 based on the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). This cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted on 761 HCWs in Hamadan, Iran, using multi-stage random sampling. The preventive behaviours against COVID-19 among HCWs were assessed at a relatively desirable level. Based on the PMT, threat and coping appraisal were predictors of protection motivation to conduct COVID-19 preventive behaviours (P<0.001). The intention was also predictive of COVID-19 preventive behaviours (P<0.001). Consideration of personnel's self-efficacy and their knowledge regarding the effectiveness of protective behaviours in designing staff training programmes are recommended.

Predictors of colorectal cancer screening intention among Iranian adults: an application of the preventive health model.

OBJECTIVE: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer among adults in Iran. CRC screening is an effective way in reducing mortality rate from this cancer. However, the screening rate of CRC is very low among Iranian adults. This study investigated predictors of Iranian average-risk adults ' intention to take up CRC screening with fecal occult blood test using a mediator model. METHODS: Participants of this cross-sectional study comprised of 477 average-risk adults who were selected using a national sampling frame in Hamadan city, west of Iran. Data was collected through the questionnaire based on the preventive health model constructs. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to test the relationship using Smart PLS 2.0 software. RESULTS: All measures were robust in terms of the reliability and validity. Benefit (b = 0.12, p < 0.01), self- efficacy (b = 0.36, p < 0.01), social support (b = 0.10, p < 0.05) and barriers (b = -0.14, p < 0.01) predicted the intention to be screened for CRC. Self- efficacy partly mediated the effects of social support and perceived barriers on intention. The study model explained approximately 24% of the variance in CRC screening intention with fecal occult blood test. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that the preventive health model constructs such as self -efficacy, social support and barriers are useful in understanding CRC screening intentions and can help health planners to develop effective interventions to encourage Iranian adults to undergo CRC screening.

Modeling the Underlying Predicting Factors of Tobacco Smoking among Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: With regard to the willing and starting tobacco smoking among young people in Iran. The aim of the study was to model the underlying factors in predicting the behavior of tobacco smoking among employed youth and students in Iran. METHODS: In this analytical cross-sectional study, based on a random cluster sampling were recruited 850 high school students, employed and unemployed youth age ranged between 14 and 19 yr from Iran. The data of demographic and tobacco smoking related variables were acquired via a self-administered questionnaire. A series of univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed respectively for computing un-adjusted and adjusted Odds Ratios utilizing SPSS 17 software. RESULTS: A number of 189 persons (25.6%) were smoker in the study and the mean smoking initiation age was 13.93 (SD= 2.21). In addition, smoker friend, peer persistence, leaving home, and smoking in one and six month ago were obtained as independent predictors of tobacco smoking. CONCLUSIONS: The education programs on resistance skills against the persistence of the peers, improvement in health programs by governmental interference and policy should be implemented.

Fruit and Vegetable Intakes among Elementary Schools' Pupils: Using Five-A-Day Educational Program.

BACKGROUND: Low fruit and vegetable intake is a major risk factor for cancer, coronary heart disease and stroke. The recommended intake of five portions per day would reduce death rates from these causes by 20%. In order to have reach fruit and vegetables in daily diet among students, this study examines a brief preventive intervention as for embedding schools action and students role for keeping and promoting fruit and vegetables consumption. METHODS: To promote increased fruit and vegetable consumption, this quasi-experimental study, was conducted among forth and fifth grade students (228 students: Intervention and control groups) in Hamadan, Iran from October 2007 to February 2008. The intervention consisted of behavioral curriculum in classrooms, serving fruit in the school, and parental support plus involvement. 24-hour and 1-week food recalls measured food consumption. RESULTS: Compared with controls, the intervention group significantly increased their knowledge of the 5-a-day optimum (P< 0.001) and also it was found visible improvement for consumption of fruit and vegetables but it was not significant based on adjusted by the Holmes- Bonfereroni procedure. CONCLUSION: School-based interventions can produce important changes in knowledge of and access to fruit and vegetables among students. However, educational programs need to advocacy for providing fruit and vegetables in each community.

Detection of Alternaria allergens by crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis.

Allergens involved in sensitivity to Alternaria have not been well defined. We used crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis (CRIE) to study antigens in a crude A. alternata extract, which were capable of binding IgE in human serum. Sera from 35 patients sensitive to Alternaria, 10 not sensitive to Alternaria, and five normal controls were examined. CRIE with hyperimmune rabbit sera demonstrated 22 antigens in the Alternaria extract. After exposure of CRIE gels sequentially with patient serum and 125I-labeled anti-human IgE, autoradiography demonstrated that three of the antigens bound IgE in sera of Alternaria-sensitive subjects. Our results suggest that multiple allergens are involved in A. alternata sensitivity.