Social factors in Iranian medical students' drug use

Background: There is an increasing concern about youth drug use in Iran. Aim: This survey investigated the association between variables in social control theory and social learning theory (having a drug-using friend) with students' self-reported drug use. Design: Self-reporting of the use of cigarettes, cannabis, alcohol and opioids (opiate, heroin). Students responded to the question: "If you have ever used the drug, when was the last time?" The dependent (drug-using) and independent variables were examined in an association model. Participants: One hundred and seventy-three Shiraz Paramedical University Students were selected randomly and asked to complete a questionnaire. Finding: Although the model of drug use for each of the drugs was different, their similarities were more than their differences. Conclusion: There was a significant correlation between social learning theory variables and drug use. Some of social control theory variables had significant correlation with drug use, such as religious attachment in the use of alcohol - but its association with use of other drugs was indirect. The social control theory was not a better explanation than social learning theory. © 2005 Taylor & Francis

Association of nail biting and psychiatric disorders in children and their parents in a psychiatrically referred sample of children

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nail biting (NB) is a very common unwanted behavior. The majority of children are motivated to stop NB and have already tried to stop it, but are generally unsuccessful in doing so. It is a difficult behavior to modify or treat. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of co-morbid psychiatric disorders in a clinical sample of children with NB who present at a child and adolescent mental healthcare outpatient clinic and the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in their parents.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>A consecutive sample of 450 referred children was examined for NB and 63 (14%) were found to have NB. The children and adolescents with nail biting and their parents were interviewed according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. They were also asked about lip biting, head banging, skin biting, and hair pulling behaviors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Nail biting is common amongst children and adolescents referred to a child and adolescent mental health clinic. The most common co-morbid psychiatric disorders in these children were attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (74.6%), oppositional defiant disorder (36%), separation anxiety disorder (20.6%), enuresis (15.6%), tic disorder (12.7%) and obsessive compulsive disorder (11.1%). The rates of major depressive disorder, mental retardation, and pervasive developmental disorder were 6.7%, 9.5%, 3.2%, respectively. There was no association between the age of onset of nail biting and the co-morbid psychiatric disorder. Severity and frequency of NB were not associated with any co-morbid psychiatric disorder. About 56.8% of the mothers and 45.9% of the fathers were suffering from at least one psychiatric disorder. The most common psychiatric disorder found in these parents was major depression.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Nail biting presents in a significant proportion of referrals to a mental healthcare clinic setting. Nail biting should be routinely looked for and asked for in the child and adolescent mental healthcare setting because it is common in a clinical population, easily visible in consultation and relatively unintrusive to ask about. If present, its detection can then be followed by looking for other more subtle stereotypic or self-mutilating behaviors.</p

Performance evaluation of nanocomposit magnetic graphene sheet- iron oxide in removal of nitrate from water using Taguchi experimental design

Background and purpose: Nitrate is one of the chemical water contaminants which can be eliminated through physical, chemical and biological techniques. In this study we aimed for optimization of nitrate adsorption from water onto Magnetic Graphene sheet Nano Particles (G-Fe3O4 MNPs) via Taguchi experimental design. Materials and methods: Batch reactor was used for optimizing of the five parameters (pH, contact time, temperature, adsorbent dosage, and nitrate concentration) at four levels by Minitab software, based on Taguchi experimental design. Signal to noise ratio was used with �the highest is better� approach for optimization of experimental conditions and the highest nitrate removal efficiency. Results: The results revealed that in optimized status (pH=3, contact time= 60 min, initial concentration= 50 mg/L, adsorbent dose= 2g/L, temperature= 50°C) nitrate removal efficiency and adsorption capacity reached 86.4 and 39.37 mg/g, respectively. Contribution percentage of each variable implied that pH and initial concentration of nitrate with 40.20 and 7.49 had the highest and lowest influences on nitrate removal, respectively. Isotherm and kinetic studies illustrated that, nitrate adsorption complied with Langmuir isotherm model (R2>0.993) and pseudo second-order kinetics models (R2> 0.94). Conclusion: G-Fe3O4 MNPs can be used as an effective sorbent for nitrate removal from water or wastewater due to several advantages including easy and rapid separation from solution and high removal efficiency. © 2015, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

A study of intercropping of maize with sweet basil and borage

Intercropping is one of the environmental friendly ways to improve the use of resources and weed control. A field experiment was performed on maize intercropped with sweet basil and borage under weed free and infestation conditions. The experimental design was a factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replicates. Factors included weed infestation levels (weed free and weed infestated) and intercropping ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25: 75, and 0:100, maize: sweet basil or borage). The intercroppping treatments decreased weeds biomass compared to the monocultures of borage and sweet basil. The weeds biomass and density in maize monoculture was lower than the monocultures of the other two plants. Under sole crop condition, the plants yield was higher than intercropping treatments. Weed interference decreased the yield of plants, while this decrease was less in intercropping treatments. Area-time equivalent ratio value showed that the ratios of 50:50 maize: sweet basil, maize: borage and 25:75 maize: borage provided the yield advantages of 11%, 11% and 36% under weed infestation, respectively. Also, area-time equivalent ratio values were higher in weed infestation compared to weed free treatments. The leaves essential oil of sweet basil under intercropping treatments, especially in weedy condition, was further than monocropping treatments. Intercropping of maize with sweet basil was more successful than intercropping with borage in reducing weeds biomass and density. In general, the intercropping of maize with sweet basil was more efficient compared to intercroppping with borage

Data on the environmental exposure to lead in Iran

The data was obtained to present the environmental and occupational exposure to lead in Iranian populations based on the published articles. To acquire the data, online resources including Google Scholar, Magiran, SID, Iranmedex, PubMed, and Science Direct were searched and 104 articles were found out of which 70 that focused on the level of lead in blood, urine, milk, and hair of different Iranian populations were selected. Since the results of the studies were not homogenous, it was not possible to carry out a meta-analysis. The average blood lead level (BLL) among workers, ordinary people, patients with specific diseases, addicts, and pregnant women, women in labor, infants, and children are presented in this article. The average BLL was compared to the standards. © 2018 The Author

Psychometric properties of the Farsi translation of the kiddie schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia-present and lifetime version

BACKGROUND: Semi-structural clinical interviews are very important in the area of mental health research and services. There were no studies of the reliability and validity of the Farsi (Persian) version of Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL) in Iran. This study compares the results of face-to-face, semi-structural interview and clinical interview by a child and adolescent psychiatrist. METHOD: Subjects were 109 children and adolescents recruited to the child and adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinic of Hafez Hospital. Order of interview (in-psychiatrist or the semi-structural interview) was determined using random assignment within a counterbalanced framework. After, translation and back translation of K-SADS-PL, the Farsi version of K-SADS-PL was provided and used in the study. The interviewer was unaware of the child and adolescent psychiatrist diagnosis at the time of making the interview. Consensual validity, test-retest and inter-rater reliability, sensitivity, specifity, positive and negative predictive validity for the disorders were studied. RESULTS: Consensual validity of all of the psychiatric disorders was good to excellent. It was highest for panic disorder, conduct disorder, and simple phobia. Consensual validity of anorexia nervosa was 0.49. There was sufficient validity and test-retest and inter-rater reliability and good to excellent sensitivity and specifity and positive and negative predictive validity for nearly all of the disorders. Test-retest reliabilities of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and tic disorder were 0.81, 0.67, and 0.56; respectively. Inter-rater reliabilities of ADHD, and ODD were 0.69 and 0.69. Tic disorder, post traumatic disorder, panic disorder, and ADHD had the highest positive predictive validities. CONCLUSION: The Farsi version of K-SADS-PL is a valid and reliable interview instrument for use in assessing and diagnosising child and adolescent psychiatric disorders

What do general practitioners know about ADHD? Attitudes and knowledge among first-contact gatekeepers: systematic narrative review

Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood disorder with international prevalence estimates of 5 % in childhood, yet significant evidence exists that far fewer children receive ADHD services. In many countries, ADHD is assessed and diagnosed in specialist mental health or neuro-developmental paediatric clinics, to which referral by General (Family) Practitioners (GPs) is required. In such ‘gatekeeper’ settings, where GPs act as a filter to diagnosis and treatment, GPs may either not recognise potential ADHD cases, or may be reluctant to refer. This study systematically reviews the literature regarding GPs’ views of ADHD in such settings. Methods: A search of nine major databases was conducted, with wide search parameters; 3776 records were initially retrieved. Studies were included if they were from settings where GPs are typically gatekeepers to ADHD services; if they addressed GPs’ ADHD attitudes and knowledge; if methods were clearly described; and if results for GPs were reported separately from those of other health professionals. Results: Few studies specifically addressed GP attitudes to ADHD. Only 11 papers (10 studies), spanning 2000–2010, met inclusion criteria, predominantly from the UK, Europe and Australia. As studies varied methodologically, findings are reported as a thematic narrative, under the following themes: Recognition rate; ADHD controversy (medicalisation, stigma, labelling); Causes of ADHD; GPs and ADHD diagnosis; GPs and ADHD treatment; GP ADHD training and sources of information; and Age, sex differences in knowledge and attitudes. Conclusions: Across times and settings, GPs practising in first-contact gatekeeper settings had mixed and often unhelpful attitudes regarding the validity of ADHD as a construct, the role of medication and how parenting contributed to presentation. A paucity of training was identified, alongside a reluctance of GPs to become involved in shared care practice. If access to services is to be improved for possible ADHD cases, there needs to be a focused and collaborative approach to training

Psychological problems of Iranian children and adolescents: Parent report form of Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of psychological problems Iranian children and adolescents have, using parent report form of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Methods: In a community-based study, 9636 children and adolescents aged 6-17 years were selected using the multistage cluster random sampling method from five provinces of Iran: Tehran, Isfahan, Fars, Razavi Khorasan and East Azerbaijan. The parents completed the SDQ, which consisted of five subscales including emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity, peer problems and prosocial behaviors. Result: The results revealed 21.4 of emotional problems, 32.9 of conduct problems, 20 of hyperactivity, 25.6 of peer problems, 7.6 of problems in prosocial behaviors and 16.7 of total difficulties among Iranian children and adolescents. We found that emotional problems were more prevalent among girls, while conduct problems, hyperactivity, total difficulties and problems in prosocial behaviors were more prevalent among boys. High educational level of parents was a protective factor against some psychological problems. Conclusion: Considering the proportion of psychological problems in Iranian children and adolescents, we need to develop and implement special policies and programs to provide appropriate mental health services. © 2014 Shadowfax Publishing and Informa UK Limited

Sleep patterns and habits in high school students in Iran

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sleep patterns and habits in high school students in Iran have not been well studied to date. This paper aims to re-address this balance and analyse sleep patterns and habits in Iranian children of high school age.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The subjects were 1,420 high school students randomly selected by stratified cluster sampling. This was a self-report study using a questionnaire which included items about usual sleep/wake behaviours over the previous month, such as sleep schedule, falling asleep in class, difficulty falling asleep, tiredness or sleepiness during the day, difficulty getting up in the morning, nightmares, and taking sleeping pills.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean duration of night sleep was 7.7 h, with no difference between girls, boys, and school year (grade). The mean time of waking in the morning was not different between genders. About 9.9% of the girls and 4.6% of the boys perceived their quality of sleep as being bad, and 58% of them reported sleepiness during the day. About 4.2% of the subjects had used medication to enhance sleep. The time of going to bed was associated with grade level and gender. Sleep latency was not associated with gender and grade leve, l and 1.4% experienced bruxism more than four times a week.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results are in contrast with that of previous studies that concluded sleep duration is shorter in Asia than in Europe, that boys woke-up significantly later than girls, and that the frequency of sleep latency category was associated with gender and grade level. The magnitude of the daytime sleepiness, daytime sleepiness during classes, sleep latency, and incidences of waking up at night represent major public health concerns for Iran.</p