Prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with colorectal cancer in Babol - north of Iran (2008-12)

Background and Objective: Colorectal cancer can significantly cause physical, psychological and social problems. This study was done to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with colorectal cancer in Babol located in north of Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional, analytical study was done on 120 (75 males, 45 females) patients with colorectal cancer which registered in the Babol cancer registry in north of Iran during 2008-12. A questionnaire containing demographic information, aspects of the disease and HADS questionnaire was completed by interviewing to assess anxiety and depression for each patient. Results: The prevalence rate of depression and anxiety in patients was 23.4% and 30.8%, respectively. Gender, residency of rural area, and having comorbidities are related to depression among which location was identified as an independent predictor. Urban residency had 79% less risk of depression than rural residents (95% CI=0.06-0.67, OR=0.21, P<0.009). Gender, resident of rural areas, unemployed, having comorbidities, low income and lack of education were associated with anxiety, among which only education was identified as an independent predictor (95% CI=1.32-13.81, OR=4.27, P<0.015). Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety and depression in colorectal cancer patients was high in this area. Therefore, interventions are recommended to increase awareness and greater attention to rural women and controlling comorbidities

Epidemiological Patterns of Animal Bite Injuries in Victims under 18 Year ‎Old in Babol, Iran (2010-14)‎

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Population of stray dogs, cases of animal bite injuries, and incidence of human rabies have increased in most of the provinces of Iran. Therefore, we call to attention controlling these conditions and investigating their various aspects. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the epidemiological patterns of animal bite injuries in victims aged under 18 years in Babol, Iran, during 2010-14. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, data on animal bite injuries occurring in the population aged under 18 years during 2010-14, were extracted from the rabies registration office of Babol health center. The demographics, type of animal, and time and clinical patterns of all the cases were investigated FINDINGS: The mean age of the victims was 11.24&plusmn;4.64 years. Male to female ratio was 82:4, 598 (82.8%) of the animal bite victims were male, and 528 (73.1%) cases were bitten in rural areas. In both genders, most of the cases were dog bite victims (521 [87.1%] male, and 100 [80.6%] female). The number of animal bite cases in ages under 18 years has increased from 82.5 to 123.1 cases per one hundred thousand population. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that most of the cases were victims of dog bite injuries, and animal bite mostly happened in rural areas