COVID-19 pandemic and the prevalence of domestic violence against Iranian married women.

AIM: Domestic violence is an important public health and human rights problem. In most countries of the world, including Iran, the COVID-19 pandemic made quarantine necessary to reduce the disease transmission rate. Therefore, due to the spread of the COVID-19 disease and the emergence of mandatory quarantine conditions, the present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of domestic violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, which was done in 2020, 240 married women were investigated. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, data collection was performed through virtual networks using standard questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics (relative frequencies, mean, and standard deviation) were used to determine the extent of violence. Independent t-test and Chi-square were used to analyze the data of the relation between the types of violence with independent variables. Also, the data were analyzed using the logistic regression model. RESULTS: In this study, 240 married women with a mean age of 36.27 were studied. The highest frequency was related to social violence (56.3%), and the lowest was related to financial and verbal violence (11.7%). In addition, a significant relationship was observed between sexual violence and age (p-value < 0.05). A significant relationship was also observed between social violence and education [(OR = 1.99)] Jobs [(OR = 2.4, CI = 95%, 1.30-4.4), quarantine duration [(OR = 1.94, CI = 95%, 0.98-3.7)] and underlying diseases [OR = 1.90]. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of domestic violence against women during quarantine indicates the poor health of women in society. Therefore, the roots of violence against women and methods to reduce this problem should be sought. Therefore, identification of subjects at risk and raising women's knowledge may be useful for the prevention of domestic violence and its physical and psychological complications.

Evaluation of the prevalence of illness anxiety disorder following the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran and its related factors: a cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: COVID-19 pandemic has generated a rise in psychological distress, such as illness anxiety disorder, apart from its negative physical effects. This study intends to the evaluation of illness anxiety disorder rate following the prevalence of COVID-19 in Iran and its associated factors. Methods: In this study, 634 people were studied. The data collection method was performed via the virtual networks using a questionnaire, with the sampling method being convenient and nonprobable with the method of snowball. Evans illness anxiety disorder questionnaire was utilized in this investigation. The logistic regression model and the χ 2 were used to evaluate the data. Results: The prevalence of illness anxiety disorder was 12.1%. The chance to have an illness anxiety disorder in the people whose relatives had a history of COVID-19 was 5.32 times, and in those who had a relative with a history of COVID-19 had higher (odds ratio = 1.27). But, this connection in people who worked or studied in nonmedical fields, is several times more than those who are busy in the medical fields. In individuals of 30 years and older, the chance of patients in single people compared to married people was 5.20 times higher, but under the age of 30 years, the chance of illness anxiety disorder in single people was 0.91. Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic, also to the physical effects, may have psychological implications for people. Therefore, reducing the individual and social activities in terms of this disease, along with measures related to physical problems, diagnosis, timely treatment and proper psychological consequences, including illness anxiety disorder can be very fruitful.

Determinants of mammography screening in Iranian women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Mammography is the most effective method for early detection of breast cancer (BC), however, it has performed in low-level. The aim of this study was to investigate the determinants of mammography in Iran. METHODS: This study was a systematic review which was performed based on articles published in both Persian and English languages among Iranian patients in the period of 2000 to 2020 by using keywords of "Iran and mammography". Papers were selected from national databases including (SID, Magiran) and international database including (Scopus, PubMed and web of science), finally related articles to mammography were reviewed. RESULTS: Findings indicated that 35-50% of breast cancer can be detected in the early stages by mammography, however, it is in low rate of performance among Iranian women. Age, age of menarche, occupation, family history, marital status, family support, number of pregnancies, physician recommendations, perceived sensibility and severity, self-efficacy and perceived benefits are the most important predictors of performing mammography in Iran. CONCLUSION: Due to the growing trend of breast cancer cases in the country and low mammography rates in Iranian population, high risk groups such as women with BC family history, low income level, low education level, older age and people with history of breast complications were more emphasized for performing mammography through health centers. Therefore, appropriate planning to reduce the barriers of mammography could be helpful.

Laboratory and demographic findings among patients with coronavirus disease 2019: a review.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the third known animal coronavirus, after severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The mean age of the infected patients was estimated to be between 50 and 69 years old. Accordingly, the COVID-19 mortality rate was calculated as 15%. In this regard, the essential component of prevention and planning is knowledge of laboratory and demographic findings among COVID-19 patients; therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate laboratory and demographic findings among these patients worldwide. This systematic review was performed on the articles published in English between January 1, 2019 and May 4, 2020, using MeSH-compliant keywords such as "COVID-19", "Laboratory, coronavirus disease-19 testing", and " demography " in international databases (PubMed, and web of science Scopus). Thereafter, the articles relevant to laboratory and demographic findings among COVID-19 patients were included in the final review. Reviewing the included articles showed changes in the mean lymphocytes count ranged from 0.7 to 39 in hospital or severe cases. Moreover, Leukopenia was not observed in patients with thrombocytopenia. In addition, C-reactive protein (CRP), leukocytes, D-dimer, FDP, FIB, neutrophils, AST, serum creatinine, t-troponin, troponin I, and blood bilirubin levels showed increasing trends in most studies conducted on COVID-19 patients. Notably, the elevated LDH level was more common among children than adults. According to the results of the present study, and by considering the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients on the one hand, and considering the changes in laboratory samples such as lymphocytes and other blood markers due to the damaged myocardial, hepatic, and renal tissues on the other hand, it is recommended to confirm the diagnosis of this infection by evaluating the patients' blood samples using other diagnostic methods like lung scan.

The index case of COVID-19 in Northeastern Iran.

The index case of COVID-19 in Sabzevar, Khorasan Razavi Province in northeastern Iran, was an 80-year-old man with a history of psycho-neurological illness and acute respiratory clinical symptoms, and a history of travel to areas with confirmed COVID-19 cases in Gorgan City. He was identified on February 16, 2020, and his laboratory diagnosis was made on February 26, 2020. The patient was hospitalized and discharged after complete recovery. The contacts of the patient were traced, revealing the infection of his 30-year-old son with milder symptoms of COVID-19, which was confirmed through a laboratory test on April 4, 2020 and was recommended for home quarantine. Other family members had no signs of COVID-19.

Epidemiologic Study of Gastric Cancer in Iran: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common cancers in Iran. Knowledge of the epidemiology of the disease is essential in planning for prevention. So this study aimed to investigate the epidemiological aspects of gastric cancer including prevalence, incidence, mortality, and risk factors of Iran. METHODS: This systematic review study was based on articles published in both English and Persian languages during the years of 1970-2020 in international databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus) and national databases (including SID, Magiran, and IranDoc). Papers related to epidemiological aspects of the disease including mortality, prevalence, incidence, and risk entered the final review. RESULTS: According to the studies, the minimum and maximum prevalence of gastric cancer in northwestern Iran (Ardabil) is between 0.2 and 100 per 100,000. Also, the death rate per 100,000 people ranged from 10.6 to 15.72 and the ASMR ranged from 4.2 to 32.2%. On the other hand, the incidence of GC was higher in men than in women (74.9 vs 4.6%). The GC risk ratio was 8-times higher in the elderly than in the other age groups (HR=8.0, 2.7-23.5). The incidence of gastric cancer in patients with H. pylori infection was 18-times and that of smokers 2-times higher than other populations. Low level of economic situation and food insecurity increased the odds of GC by 2.42- and 2.57-times, respectively. It should be noted that there was a direct relationship between consumption of processed red meat, dairy products, fruit juice, smoked and salty fish and legumes, strong and hot tea, and consumption of salt and gastric cancer incidence. There was also an inverse relationship between citrus consumption, fresh fruit, garlic, and gastric cancer. In addition, the mRNA genes are the most GC-related genes. CONCLUSION: Given the high incidence of GC in Iran, changing lifestyle and decreasing consumption of preservatives in food, increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables, and improving the lifestyle can be effective in reducing the incidence of this disease.

Bladder Cancer in Iran: An Epidemiological Review.

PURPOSE: Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in Iran. Information about the epidemiological situation of the disease and its risk factors is necessary for conducting a planning program to reduce the disease. This study is conducted with the aim of evaluating the epidemiological features of bladder cancer in Iran. METHODS: This is a systematic review of the published articles in both Persian and English in international and national journals during the years 2000-2019 with key words of Iran and bladder cancer. Articles were selected from the national information database (SID, Magiran) and international databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science). Articles related to the epidemiological aspects of the disease, including incidence, prevalence, mortality, and risk factors, were evaluated. RESULTS: The incidence rate of bladder cancer was about 1.6-115; cumulative survival rate was 0.95, mortality rate was 0.5-0.84 and its prevalence in the Iranian population was between 4.10% and 12.8%. The risk of developing malignancy in major risk factor groups, including smoking and opium, was 6.2 (2.04-18.7), increases in protein and animal fat consumption were about 5- and 19-times higher than in the general population, respectively. In terms of occupational exposure, bus and heavy truck drivers were 11.3 (1.3-92.05) more at risk than others. CONCLUSION: Regarding the increasing trend of this disease, changes in lifestyle to reduce risk factors can be effective in decreasing the incidence and mortality rate of this malignancy.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Iran: A meta-analysis of 69 studies.

AIMS: Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The present study investigated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Published articles in English and Persian during 2000-2016 identified using keywords of prevalence, metabolic syndrome, and Iran in the following databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google scholar, SID and Magiran. Random effect model used to calculate the pooled estimates. Heterogeneity of studies assessed using Q statistic, and geographical distribution of metabolic syndrome demonstrated via GIS map. Data were analyzed by STATA-11. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 30.4% (95%CI: 28.3-32.6) with no significant heterogeneity by diagnostic criteria. The lowest frequency was reported in Sistan and Baluchestan Province [18.3% (95% CI: 12.9-25.8)] compared to the highest in Bushehr [57.8% (95% CI: 41.8-80.0)]. It was significantly more prevalent in women [(34.8% (95%CI: 31.2-38.8)] compared to men [25.7% (95%CI: 23.4-28.3)] (P = 0.001)]. A significant increasing trend (P = 0.001) was observed in different age groups, as metabolic syndrome increased from 12.1% (95% CI: 9.37-15.6) in 20-29 years-old age group to 51.7% (95%CI: 47.4-56.4) in the over 60 years-old age group. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one-third of Iranian adults have metabolic syndrome which varied by regions, age and gender. Then, appropriate intervention based on behavioral patterns of inhabitants and local conditions may help to reduce the burden of disease.