Clustering and Combining Pattern of High-Risk Behaviors among Iranian University Students: A Latent Class Analysis

Background: High-risk behaviors are increasing among young adults worldwide. We aimed to identify university students’ subgroups on the basis of high-risk behaviors and to assess the role of age, living alone, religious beliefs, and parental support in the membership of specific subgroups. Study design: A cross-sectional study Methods: The study was conducted in Bushehr (the south of Iran) from November to December 2016. The sample included 977 university students selected through random sampling. The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Then, latent class analysis was used to classify the students. Results: Totally, five latent classes were identified as follows: low risk, high risk, somewhat low risk, hookah user, and very high risk. Notably, 7.7% and 2.5% of the students belonged to high risk and very high risk classes, respectively. The results suggested the protective effect of familial support and religiosity on high-risk behaviors. Conclusions: This study indicated the co-occurrence of high-risk behaviors. The findings can be used to plan and evaluate interventions by considering risk factors and protective factors in universities

Sensitivity and specificity of chest computed tomography scan based on RT-PCR in COVID-19 diagnosis

Purpose: COVID-19 is a novel, severely contagious and progressive infection occurring worldwide. The diagnosis of the disease is based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and computed tomography (CT) scan, even though they are still controversial methods. Material and methods: We studied 54 patients with suspected COVID-19 and the two mentioned methods were compared with each other. Results: Sensitivity and specificity of the abnormal chest CT scan, ground-glass opacity (GGO), consolidation opacity, and both of GGO and consolidation were also surveyed based on RT-PCR. The results showed that RT-PCR assay was negative in 23 (42.6%) patients and positive in 31 (57.4%) cases. Also, the patients with an abnormal chest CT scan comprised 37 (68.5%). The sensitivity and specificity of abnormal CT scan were 78.6% and 42.3%, respectively, based on the RT-PCR method. Conclusions: Other techniques alongside CT scan and RT-PCR are advocated for accuracy of the COVID-19 diagnosis

A comprehensive health effects assessment of the use of sanitizers and disinfectants during COVID-19 pandemic: a global survey

COVID-19 has affected all aspects of human life so far. From the outset of the pandemic, preventing the spread of COVID-19 through the observance of health protocols, especially the use of sanitizers and disinfectants was given more attention. Despite the effectiveness of disinfection chemicals in controlling and preventing COVID-19, there are critical concerns about their adverse effects on human health. This study aims to assess the health effects of sanitizers and disinfectants on a global scale. A total of 91,056 participants from 154 countries participated in this cross-sectional study. Information on the use of sanitizers and disinfectants and health was collected using an electronic questionnaire, which was translated into 26 languages via web-based platforms. The findings of this study suggest that detergents, alcohol-based substances, and chlorinated compounds emerged as the most prevalent chemical agents compared to other sanitizers and disinfectants examined. Most frequently reported health issues include skin effects and respiratory effects. The Chi-square test showed a significant association between chlorinated compounds (sodium hypochlorite and per-chlorine) with all possible health effects under investigation (p-value <0.001). Examination of risk factors based on multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that alcohols and alcohols-based materials were associated with skin effects (OR, 1.98; 95%CI, 1.87-2.09), per-chlorine was associated with eye effects (OR, 1.83; 95%CI, 1.74-1.93), and highly likely with itching and throat irritation (OR, 2.00; 95%CI, 1.90-2.11). Furthermore, formaldehyde was associated with a higher prevalence of neurological effects (OR, 2.17; 95%CI, 1.92-2.44). Furthermore, formaldehyde was associated with a higher prevalence of neurological effects (OR, 2.17; 95%CI, 1.92-2.44). The use of sodium hypochlorite and per-chlorine also had a high chance of having respiratory effects. The findings of the current study suggest that health authorities need to implement more awareness programs about the side effects of using sanitizers and disinfectants during viral epidemics especially when they are used or overused

Association between inter-arm blood pressure difference and cardiovascular disease: result from baseline Fasa Adults Cohort Study

The inter-arm blood pressure difference has been advocated to be associated with cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Our study aimed to investigate the association between Inter-arm systolic and diastolic blood pressure differences and Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD). A total of 10,126 participants aged 35–70 years old were enrolled in a prospective Fasa Persian Adult Cohort. In this cross-sectional study, the cutoff values for inter-arm blood pressure difference were less than 5, greater than 5, greater than 10, and greater than 15 mm Hg. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Based on the results the prevalence of ≥ 15 mmHg inter-arm systolic and diastole blood pressure difference (inter-arm SBPD and inter-arm DBPD) were 8.08% and 2.61%. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that inter-arm SBPD ≥ 15 and (OR<5/≥15 = 1.412; 95%CI = 1.099–1.814) and inter-arm DBPD ≥ 10 (OR<5/≥10 = 1.518; 95%CI = 1.238–1.862) affected the risk of CVD. The results showed that the differences in BP between the arms had a strong positive relationship with CVD. Therefore, inter-arm blood pressure could be considered a marker for the prevention and diagnosis of CVD for physicians

Geographic distribution and time trends of water-pipe use among Iranian youth and teenage students : A meta-analysis and systematic review

Water-pipe tobacco smoking is harmful to health, yet its rate of prevalence remains uncertain. Recent evidence has shown that the prevalence of water-pipe smoking among students is higher than in the general population. In this study, a systematic review of related literature on water-pipe use was conducted, and for this purpose, 76 articles were examined in the study. In this vein, geographic distribution and time trends of water-pipe consumption in Iran were considered. The results of this study showed that lifetime, last-year, and last-month prevalence of water-pipe smoking use among Iranian students were 28.78 (25.07–32.49), 20.84 (16.01–25.66), and 16.36 (11.86–20.85), respectively. The results also showed a wide variation by the region and sex in Iran. This study has shown the importance of addressing public prevention and alerting programs in schools and universities.acceptedVersionPeer reviewe

A comprehensive health effects assessment of the use of sanitizers and disinfectants during COVID-19 pandemic: a global survey

COVID-19 has affected all aspects of human life so far. From the outset of the pandemic, preventing the spread of COVID-19 through the observance of health protocols, especially the use of sanitizers and disinfectants was given more attention. Despite the effectiveness of disinfection chemicals in controlling and preventing COVID-19, there are critical concerns about their adverse effects on human health. This study aims to assess the health effects of sanitizers and disinfectants on a global scale. A total of 91,056 participants from 154 countries participated in this cross-sectional study. Information on the use of sanitizers and disinfectants and health was collected using an electronic questionnaire, which was translated into 26 languages via web-based platforms. The findings of this study suggest that detergents, alcohol-based substances, and chlorinated compounds emerged as the most prevalent chemical agents compared to other sanitizers and disinfectants examined. Most frequently reported health issues include skin effects and respiratory effects. The Chi-square test showed a significant association between chlorinated compounds (sodium hypochlorite and per-chlorine) with all possible health effects under investigation (p-value \u3c0.001). Examination of risk factors based on multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that alcohols and alcohols-based materials were associated with skin effects (OR, 1.98; 95%CI, 1.87–2.09), per-chlorine was associated with eye effects (OR, 1.83; 95%CI, 1.74–1.93), and highly likely with itching and throat irritation (OR, 2.00; 95%CI, 1.90–2.11). Furthermore, formaldehyde was associated with a higher prevalence of neurological effects (OR, 2.17; 95%CI, 1.92–2.44). Furthermore, formaldehyde was associated with a higher prevalence of neurological effects (OR, 2.17; 95%CI, 1.92–2.44). The use of sodium hypochlorite and per-chlorine also had a high chance of having respiratory effects. The findings of the current study suggest that health authorities need to implement more awareness programs about the side effects of using sanitizers and disinfectants during viral epidemics especially when they are used or overused

Occupational needle stick injuries and related factors among healthcare workers in military hospitals in Tehran

Abstract Aim Healthcare workers (HCWs) are always at risk of experiencing occupational needle stick injuries (NSIs). The primary aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of NSIs among Iranian HCWs in military hospitals in Tehran. Design This cross‐sectional study was conducted in four military hospitals in the summer of 2019 in Tehran. Method By Census, 802 HCWs were included. Data were collected through a questionnaire consisting of vaccination history, safety equipment, use of safety box, history of NSIs and demographic variables. The logistics regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The statistical significance level was set at 5%. The data were analysed using the SPSS software version 23. Results A total of 203 (25.3%, CI: 22.3–28.4) of the participants reported a history of NSIs at least once during the past year. Single HCWs had a higher risk of NSIs compared to married HCWs (OR: 1.59, 95% CI (1.09, 2.30)). Also, the night shift working (OR: 1.91, 95% CI (1.18, 3.12)), higher educational degree (OR: 2.25, 95% CI (1.21, 4.20)), working overtime (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: (1.07, 2.12)), older age (OR: 1.02, 95% CI (1.01, 1.04)) and needle recapping (OR: 2.90, 95% CI: (1.98, 4.22)) were identified as significant associated factors. The study draws attention to a relatively high prevalence of NSIs as well as high‐risk activities among military HCWs. The primary source of NSIs is needle recapping. Measures such as setting up training courses for the military HCWs are needed to be planned

The pattern of breast cancer risk factors among Iranian women and predictors of class membership

Aim: This study aimed to find subgroups of women on the basis of clustering of breast cancer risk factors. Materials & methods: The study was conducted in Shiraz between 2004 and 2013. In this cross-sectional study clinical breast examination, mammography or sonography, fine needle aspiration or biopsy and surgery in case of indications were performed for all participants. Results: Four latent classes were indentified among women with breast cancer; general population risk (65.7%), low risk (8.9%), moderate risk (20.5%) and high risk (4.9%). Conclusion: Focusing on education, age and the occupation of women may help in designing and executing effective programs to reduce the incidence of breast cancer among healthy women

Prevalence of behavioral disorders and its related factors among primary school students Dashtestan county, 2016

Background and Aim: Behavioral disorders (BD) is one of the most common problems in children. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of BD and its related factors among primary school students of Dashtestan, 2016. Materials and Methods: This study is a descriptive-analytic study of cross-sectional type. The statistical population consisted of urban elementary students in Dashtestan. Participants in the study were 767 subjects who were selected by multi-stage random sampling. The tool used was Rutter's Teacher's Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data and logistic regression test was used for data analysis. Results: The age range of participants was 6-13 years and the mean age was 9.53 ± 1.88 years. The prevalence of BD among primary school students was 27%. The prevalence of BD among male students (33.5%) was higher than female ones (17.8%). In this study, it was found that there was a significant relationship between behavioral disorders and gender variables, student's educational status, mother's job, father's death and parental divorce. However, there was no significant relationship between behavioral disorder with age, academic basis, father's occupation, birth rate, number of family members, mother's death, and parents education. Conclusion:  The prevalence of behavioral disorders in Dashtestan is high compared to other studies. Given the importance of the individual and social health of adolescents and children and preventing the development of mental illness in adulthood, it is imperative that education authorities pay special attention to this issue