Can we rely on public data as a source of information for cancer registry in developing countries?

Background/aims: Although a "hospital-based cancer registry" is important in improving patient care, a "population-based cancer registry" with emphasis on epidemiology is important in allocating health care resources and prioritizing public health programs. Because of its reliance on retrieved clinical and para-clinical documents, there is some limitation in registering all cancer incidents in this system, especially in developing countries. In this study we examined the possibility of using public data as a complementary source of information for recording cancers in a population-based cancer registry. Methods: Along with the annual census in rural areas, a survey was performed in Golestan province in March 2004 to identify public awareness about cancer incidents in the community. Individuals were questioned about history of cancer in their close relatives during the last two years. Those who reported cancer in their relatives were also asked to name the main organ of involvement. A similar list was retrieved from the cancer registry at the Ministry of Health in Gorgan, and cases with upper GI (esophagus and gastric) cancer diagnosis from 21 March 2002 through 20 March 2004 were selected for this study. Finally, these two lists were compared for examining accuracy of the collected data. Results: We included 137 cases in our study with rural residence and known addresses. Only 35 (25.5%) cases were reported by the relatives and among them only 20 (57.1%) relatives correctly reported the tumor location. Although we found a difference in accurate reporting of cancer incidents by year of diagnosis (more correct cases reported during the second versus the first year), the difference was not statistically significant between the two years. Conclusion: In this study, we examined the possibility of using public awareness about cancer incidents as a complementary source of information for a population-based cancer registry. We found that this approach is not ideal for reducing limitations. Therefore, we recommend a nationwide cancer registry to record all cancer-related information at the time of diagnosis. This strategy will reduce the need for performing retrospective surveys in collecting cancer-related information

A qualitative study on personal information management (PIM) in clinical and basic sciences faculty members of a medical university in Iran

Background: Personal Information Management (PIM) refers to the tools and activities to save and retrieve personal information for future uses. This study examined the PIM activities of faculty members of Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) regarding their preferred PIM tools and four aspects of acquiring, organizing, storing and retrieving personal information. Methods: The qualitative design was based on phenomenology approach and we carried out 37 interviews with clinical and basic sciences faculty members of IUMS in 2014. The participants were selected using a random sampling method. All interviews were recorded by a digital voice recorder, and then transcribed, codified and finally analyzed using NVivo 8 software. Results: The use of PIM electronic tools (e-tools) was below expectation among the studied sample and just 37 had reasonable knowledge of PIM e-tools such as, external hard drivers, flash memories etc. However, all participants used both paper and electronic devices to store and access information. Internal mass memories (in Laptops) and flash memories were the most used e-tools to save information. Most participants used "subject" (41.00) and "file name" (33.7 ) to save, organize and retrieve their stored information. Most users preferred paper-based rather than electronic tools to keep their personal information. Conclusion: Faculty members had little knowledge about PIM techniques and tools. Those who organized personal information could easier retrieve the stored information for future uses. Enhancing familiarity with PIM tools and training courses of PIM tools and techniques are suggested

Esophageal cancer in Iranian Turkmens: An ethnic disparity concern

The association between ethnic diversity in Turkmen population with esophageal cancer incidence in Iranian Turkmens (Golestan province) was trying to explore in the present study. This is a cross sectional study in Turkmen patients with confirmed diagnosis of esophageal cancer between 2002 through 2003 at a referral clinic in Gonbad. One hundred and six Turkmen patients, diagnosed with esophageal cancer by endoscopy and biopsy, were included. Demographic factors (sex and age), cancer histology (SCC and adenocarcinoma), tumor origin (upper 3rd, middle 3rd and lower 3rd of esophagus) and patients' contact numbers were retrieved and the patients were categorized into five different groups based on their ethnicity: Ahtahbai, Jafarbai, Googlan, others and unidentified ethnic group. Incidence rate was estimated based on the number of patients and population of each ethnic group. Descriptive statistics was performed and data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis Test for continuous variables and Chi-square Test for categorical variables. A total of 106 Turkmen patients with mean age of 64.22±12.12 (61 male and 45 female) were included in this study. Frequency for each ethnic group was identified as: Ahtahbai (n = 31, 29.2%), Googlan (n = 30, 28.3%), Jafarbai (n = 27, 25.5%), others (n = 7, 6.6%) and unidentified ethnic group (n = 11,10.4%). The mean age and gender were not significantly different between these ethnic groups. Heterogeneity was found within Turkmen population, Ahthabai having least and Googlan highest esophageal cancer incidence rate. As esophageal cancer is very common in Turkmen population and with the high incidence rate in Googlan, this ethnic group needs to be more targeted for the esophageal cancer-screening programme. Further population-based studies can better explore possible factors in different Turkmen ethnic groups

Hepatitis B/C virus co-infection in Iran: A seroepidemiological study

Background/aims: As hepatitis B and C virus have the same transmission routes, dual infection may occur. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HCV in HBsAg-positive subjects. Methods: 139 HBsAg-positive subjects were enrolled in the study. Serum samples were tested using ELISA method for anti-HCV antibodies. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare the proportions. Results: There were 68 (48.9%) males and 71 (51.1%) females. The mean age was 41.89±11.30 years. One case was excluded because of inadequate blood sampling. Anti-HCV antibody was positive in 17 (12.3%) of the 138 remaining subjects. Seropositivity of HCV was similar between female and male patients (p=0.69). Conclusion: The seroprevalence of co-infection with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus in our study was higher than such reports from some countries (Italy), but was in line with worldwide prevalence (>10%)

Irritable bowel syndrome in Iranian young adults: A survey among medical students

A cross-sectional study on medical students at the Golestan University of Medical Sciences in Iran was conducted to determine the prevalence of IBS and to assess the symptom subgroups based on the predominant bowel habit. A vaild self report questionnaries based on ROM II criteria was administered to all the medical students. Comparison between groups was assessed using the Chi-square and Fishers Exatct analytical tests. Of 708 questionnaires, 513 complete responses were received (response rate of 87.4%). Fifty (10.6%) subjects reported symptoms consistent with the diagnosis of IBS, predominantly in women. Forty (77.4%) and three (7.1%) were of the constipation-predominant and diarrhea-predominant subgroups, respectively. Six (12.2%) subjects fell into the non-specific IBS subgroup. The mean age of the IBS group was 22.6±2 years. IBS rate was higher in married students (15.2%) than singles (9.7%). There were no significant differences regarding sex, age, marital status and place of residence in the IBS and non-IBS groups. 57.1% (n = 28) of the medical students had consulted their healthcare practitioner for their symptoms. Hospitalization and endoscopic procedures were reported in 3 (6.1%) of cases. Self-medication was reported in 55.1% (n = 27) of subjects. Based on this study, the prevalence of IBS in young Iranian population are higher than previously expected that deserves greater care and further investigation

Prevalence of goiter among schoolchildren from Gorgan, Iran, a decade after national iodine supplementation: Association with age, gender, and thyroperoxidase antibodies

Background: One decade after universal salt iodization in Iran, goiter prevalence, urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and thyroperoxidase antibody (TPOAb) values were assessed among schoolchildren in Gorgan, Iran. Methods: From 2003-2004, 500 girls and 900 boys aged 7-11 yr were evaluated for goiter by palpation. UIC was measured in 183 randomly-selected goitrous children. Serum TSH, T 4, and TPOAb were measured in 53 goitrous and 30 non-goitrous children with adequate UIC. Results: Goiter was detected in 370 (26.4%) children. Goiter was present in 31 % of girls and 17% of boys age 9 (p<0.012); 37% of girls and 20% of boys age 10 (p<0.003); and 52% of girls and 19% of boys age 11 (p<0.0001). Median (range) UIC for all goitrous children sampled was 190 (20-600) μg/l; 220 (30-590) in boys and 170 (20-600) in girls (p=0.001). Eight point seven percent of goitrous children and 22% of goitrous girls aged 10-11 had UIC<100 μg/l, while 47% of the goitrous children had UIC≥200 μg/l. TPOAb was present in 52.8% of goitrous children and 10% of non-goitrous children (p=0.0001 ). TPOAb was present in 53.9% of 10-11 and 22.7% of 7-9 yr old goitrous and non-goitrous children (p=0.003) with adequate UIC. Median (range) TSH was 2.9 (0.3-10.9) mlU/l in TPO-positive and 1.8 (0.5-4.1) in TPO-negative children (p=0.001 ). Conclusions: Gorgan, Iran, is an iodine-sufficient area and almost half of schoolchildren have more than adequate UIC. TPOAb is associated with endemic goiter. Despite sufficient UIC overall, some school-aged girls remain at risk of iodine deficiency. ©2005, Editrice Kurtis

HBV/HCV co-infection in Iran: A seroepidemiological based study

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HCV in HBsAg positive subjects. In a population based single stage cluster sampling in Golestan province of Iran, 139 HBsAg positive subjects were detected and enrolled in the study. Serum samples were tested using ELISA method for anti-HCV antibodies. Chi-square and Fishers exact tests were used to compare the proportions. There were 68(48.9%) male and 71(51.1 %) female. The mean age was 41.89±11.30 years (25-64 years). One case was excluded because of inadequate blood sampling. Anti-HCV antibody was positive in 17(12.3%) of 138 remaining subjects. Seropositivity of HCV in female was higher than male (14.1% versus 10.4%, respectively) but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.52). No significant relationship was seen between Anti-HCV seroprevalence and demographic factors such as age, place of residence and marital status. The seroprevalence of co-infection with HBV and HCV in our study was higher than such reports from some countries (Italy); but it was in line with worldwide prevalence (>10%). A careful longitudinal evaluation of the viremia levels of both HBV/HCV viruses is essential for making a correct diagnosis and tailoring the appropriate therapeutic schedule in co-infected patients. © 2006 Asian Network for Scientific Information

Prevalence of hepatitis D virus infection in HBsAg positive subjects in Iran

Abstract This study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis D virus among HBsAg positive individuals in the northeast part of Iran. One hundred thirty nine HBsAg positive subjects detected from a population based single stage cluster sampling in Golestan province of Iran were enrolled. All cases were evaluated for the presence of anti-HDV antibodies using commercially available ELISA kits. Logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between independent variables and HDV seropositivity. Of 139 cases, 68(48.9%) were males and 71(51.1%) were females. The mean age was 41.89±11.30 years (25-64 years). Anti-HDV antibody was positive in 8 (5.8%) subjects with female predominance (9.9% versus 1.5%, p = 0.06; odds ratio = 7.32, 95%CI: 0.87-61.23). No significant relationship was seen between anti-HDV seropositivity and demographic factors such as age, place of residence and marital status. These findings showed that HDV infection was endemic in Golestan province (northeast) of Iran. Seroprevalence of Anti-HDV in the present study was higher than some previous studies from other parts of Iran. Our results suggest that the prevalence of HBV/HDV co-infection in Iran has increased during the last decade. Therefore, practitioners and all health care managers should be made aware of the risk of dual infection with HBV and HDV. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information

Promoting menstrual health among persian adolescent girls from low socioeconomic backgrounds: a quasi-experimental study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Research in the past decade has revealed average to poor menstrual health among many Iranian girls. The present study investigated the effectiveness of a health promotion project on improving menstrual health in adolescent girls in Iran.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A quasi-experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the health intervention program. A total of 698 students (study participants and controls) in several schools in Mazandaran province, Iran were included. The project comprised 10 two-hour educational sessions. Educational topics included the significance of adolescence, physical and emotional changes during adolescence, pubertal and menstruation health and premenstrual syndrome. A self-administered questionnaire measuring demographic characteristics, behaviors during menstruation, menstrual patterns, sources of information about menstruation and personal health data was administered. The questionnaire was administered to all participating students after the experimental group received the training.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among the most significant results was the impact of educational sessions on bathing and genital hygiene. A total of 61.6% in the experimental group compared with 49.3% in the control group engaged in usual bathing during menstruation (p = 0.002). Individual health status was significantly statistically correlated with menstrual health. Attitude towards menstruation was also significantly related to menstrual health.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The present study confirms that educational interventions, such as the health promotion project in this study, can be quite effective in promoting menstrual health.</p