HIV case reporting in the countries of North Africa and the Middle East.

The aim of the paper is to provide an overview of HIV case reporting data for the year 2011 from the countries of the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region (WHO EMR). Fourteen countries provided data for the year 2011 and reported a total of 4263 HIV cases of which 66.8% were men. The highest number of reported HIV cases in men per 100,000 population was in Oman (5.8), Somalia (5.5) and Iran (3.3), while in women in Somalia (7.6), Oman (3.9) and Morocco (2.4). In the majority of the countries, the most common reported mode of transmission was heterosexual. This could be due to under-reporting of male-to-male transmission and more frequent testing of men than women

Projection of Diabetes Population Size and Associated Economic Burden through 2030 in Iran : Evidence from Micro-Simulation Markov Model and Bayesian Meta-Analysis

Acknowledgments The authors would like to thank kindly all advisors and colleagues, for their valuable technical support. We would like to thank you Ms Laura Marie Dysart for editing the paper.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Educational Achievement in Medical Students Entered University between 1995 and 2003, Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Background & Objective : Assessing students’ grades in their courses and in national comprehensive exams may help us in the assessment of educational status of different departments indirectly. In this study, the internal consistency of medical students’ scores in Kerman University of Medical Sciences was assessed. Methods : In a historical cohort study, students’ grades and other information for entrance years between 1995 and 2003 were extracted from the central admission office and 10 indicators for educational achievement were defined for each student. Having used Cronbach's alpha and linear regression, we checked the internal consistency of scores. Also, we used factorial analysis and related graphs (Dendrogram) to evaluate the consistency between factors of students’ educational achievement. Results : Females were more successful in all series of students except for national comprehensive exams. Although internal consistency in males’ scores was more than females’, males’ scores in specific courses of basic sciences were more related to the scores of their basic sciences comprehensive exams. In addition, internal consistency in males’ scores was more than females’ especially in clinical courses. Higher age at entering university could cause a decrease in educational success. Students’ grades in various courses had slight consistency with national comprehensive exams. Moreover, the internal consistency of scores during clerkship and internship were significantly lower than the other phases. Conclusion : Lower consistency of scores in clinical courses may imply lower validity of these scores. Unlike higher educational success in females, it seems that stability in males’ scores was greater in most indicators. Keywords: Educational achievement, Internal consistency, Educational success evaluation, Medical student of Kerman University of Medical Sciences

An Evolutionary Approach towards Ph.D. Educational System in Medical Sciences in Iran: a Systematic Review of Educational Models in the World’s Leading Universities

Background & Objective : In this study, we aimed to evaluate the status of World’s leading universities in Ph.D. students’ education and to compare it with Iranian universities applying the approach of educational status evaluation in a research based way. Methods: Using a systematic review, all documents present in the webs and related links of universities of first 10 countries in Shanghai’s Academic Ranking of World Universities were systematically reviewed information related to Ph.D. education was systematically collected and analyzed. Results : Reviewing 28 leading universities revealed that the educational model in educating Ph.D. students in 22 of them was research based and the rest are using course based model. Passing taught courses, as an index in course based model, is considered to be among minimum course requirements in most of the universities which are using research based model. In cases where passing such courses is voluntarily, a consultant professor plays a significant role in guiding the students in selecting and attending theoretical courses. Conclusion : Based on the above explanation and similar to other successful countries, it seems that it is time to create various models for training postgraduate students to meet industrial needs. With revisions in educational curriculums, purposeful attempts should be made to solve possible problems and train people who meet country’s developmental needs in regards with the twenty year prospect. Keywords: Postgraduate education, Shanghai’s Academic Ranking, Research based curriculum, Scientific development, Ph.D.

A systematic review of questionnaires used on oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice in 12-year-olds

BACKGROUND AND AIM: National oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) data among 12-year-old children need nation-wide programs to help promote oral health. In most countries, oral epidemiologic data are collected by selfadministered structured questionnaires. The aim of this study was to undertake a systematic review of the existing literature about questionnaires used for analyzing the oral health knowledge, attitude, and behavior profile of the 12- year-old children. METHODS: The search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar search engines. The Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) search was performed applying singularly and by combining the following terms retrieved from the MeSH browser provided by MEDLINE: “Knowledge, awareness, attitude, practice, behavior, 12-year-old children, oral health.” RESULTS: Of 176 records found, 29 evaluated oral health KAP in 12-year-old children by structured questionnaires. The most important questions on knowledge (23 of 29 questionnaires) included some items which are focused on the importance of preserving natural teeth, effects of brushing, and sweets and soft drinks on the dentition. The most common questions on practice (28 questionnaires) were brushing activity and dental visits. The attitudes were evaluated by questions about fear of dental treatment, opinion about dentists and dental care (10 questionnaires). CONCLUSION: Considering differences in the available questionnaires showed that despite the importance of promotion of oral health by increasing knowledge, and improving attitudes and practice in 12-year-old children, more work is needed to form a standard questionnaire. KEYWORDS: Oral Health; Knowledge; Attitude; Behavior; Revie

The dietary patterns of 12-year-old children and their awareness about the effect of diet on oral health in Iran

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Foods containing carbohydrates have a major effect on the pathogenesis of dental caries. There is a direct correlation between frequency of consumption of foods containing sugar and dental caries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dietary patterns of 12-year-old children and their awareness about the effect of diet on oral health in Iran. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1554 children aged 12 years in 5 provinces in Iran. Subjects were selected based on a multistage stratified cluster random sampling procedure. Data were collected by a culturally adapted questionnaire that included demographic data (such as sex, age, parents’ job and education, and area), and questions about the frequency of consumption of cariogenic and non-cariogenic foods during the previous week. RESULTS: The mean score of diet-related behavior was 17.5 ± 5.9 (from 40). Approximately, 31.0% of children ate sweet foods (chocolate/cake/biscuit/chips), and 39.4% drank soft drinks (sugared tea or coffee or milked/soda/syrup) more than once a day, while 15 percent of children consumed fresh fruit and raw vegetables more than once a day. Students living in urban areas had higher scores in diet-related behavior (18.3 ± 5.4 vs. 16.1 ± 6.4, P < 0.001). The mean scores in Tehran (the Capital of Iran) was significantly higher than other urban areas. In rural areas, the mean scores of villages in Esfahan province, Iran, were higher than other villages. Children whose mothers were employed, and had higher education had significantly higher scores (P = 0.030 and P = 0.012, respectively). Sex and fathers’ education and job had no significant association with diet-related behavior. CONCLUSION: The results showed that dietary patterns was not satisfactory, and the level of consumption of cariogenic foods was high. Study findings recommend that school-based oral health programs should be designed for modifying the dietary habits in Iran. KEYWORDS: Oral Health; Dental Caries; Cariogenic Agents; Diet; Food Habit

Anxiety, Depression, Quality of Life and General Health of parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background: Since parents of children suffering from autism disorder have more psychiatric problems compared to parents of normal children or those with other developmental disorders, the present research aimed to study anxiety, depression, general health and quality of life among parents of children with autism disorders in comparison to the control group. Methods: This descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study was performed on parents of autism children visiting the pediatric psychologist at Besat psychiatric clinic and one of the rehabilitation centers in Kerman, Iran. The autism diagnosis was confirmed by a child and adolescent psychiatrist and based on DSM-IV-TR criteria. The control group was selected from parents of children over two years with somatic problems. 66 people were selected in each of the control and case groups and in each group there was 33 men and 33 women. All participants were asked to fill out Hamilton Depression and Hamilton Anxiety questionnaires as well as general health questionnaire (GHQ-28) and quality of life (WHOQOL-BREIF) questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using t-test. Results: Mean scores of depression, anxiety, and quality of life were significantly different between the case and control groups (P<0.001). However, in terms of general health, mean scores of the two groups showed no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Parents of children suffering from autism spectrum disorders are more susceptible to anxiety and depression and have lower quality of life

Relationship of some risk factors and symptoms in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is one of the major causes of death in the worldwide. Clinical manifestations are different. So it's necessary to have knowledge about the types of symptoms experienced by patients with ACS. This study was performed to assay the Relationship of some risk factors and symptoms in patients with acute coronary syndrome. This cross-sectional study, were studied 294 patients with acute coronary syndrome at least 24 hours after admission had survived. Data was collected by a questionnaire that included demographic data form and check list of some symptoms and history of risk factors. There was a significant relationship between STEMI with vomiting (OR=1.94) and anxiety (OR=1.83) and UA with vomiting (OR=0.42). Between sex with weakness (OR=2.29) and anxiety (OR=1.82), diabetes with dyspenea (OR=1.8), weakness (OR=1.02) and tinnitus (OR=2.06) and hyperlipidemia with weakness (OR=2.35) and tinnitus (OR=2.49) was available significant difference. The findings of this study indicate that the appearance of symptoms of acute coronary syndrome were different as for ECG changes and risk factors, and more focused on those symptoms that they are common with any other diseases. Since, many of the symptoms of acute coronary syndrome can be potentially dangerous and life threatening, accurate diagnosis and timely action is crucial for the patients

Completeness and Underestimation of Cancer Mortality Rate in Iran: A Report from Fars Province in Southern Iran

Background: The incidence and mortality rates of cancer are increasing worldwide, particularly in the developing countries. Valid data are needed for measuring the cancer burden and making appropriate decisions toward cancer control. We evaluated the completeness of GHDWK�UHJLVWU\�ZLWK�UHJDUG�WR�FDQFHU�GHDWK�LQ�)DUV�3URYLQFH��,��5��RI�,UDQ� Methods: We used data from three sources in Fars Province, including the national death registry (source 1), the follow-up data from the pathology-based cancer registry (source 2) and hospital based records (source 3) during 2004 – 2006. We used the capture-recapture PHWKRG�DQG�HVWLPDWHG�XQGHUHVWLPDWLRQ�DQG�WKH�WUXH�DJH�VWDQGDUGL]HG�PRUWDOLW\�UDWH��605��IRU�FDQFHU��:H�XVHG�ORJ�OLQHDU��//��PRGHOLQJ� for statistical analysis. Result: :H�REVHUYHG������������DQG�����FDQFHU�GHDWKV�LQ�VRXUFHV������DQG����UHVSHFWLYHO\��IWHU�GDWD�OLQNDJH��ZH�HVWLPDWHG�WKDW�PRUWDOLW\� UHJLVWU\�KDG�DERXW�����XQGHUHVWLPDWLRQ�IRU�FDQFHU�GHDWK��$IWHU�DGMXVWPHQW�IRU�WKLV�XQGHUHVWLPDWLRQ�UDWH��WKH�$605�RI�FDQFHU�LQ�WKH�)DUV� 3URYLQFH�IRU�DOO�FDQFHU�W\SHV�LQFUHDVHG�IURP������SHU��������������&,�������±�������WR������SHU��������������&,�������±��������DFFRXQWLQJ� IRU�����������&,�������±�������FDQFHU�GHDWKV�DQQXDOO\�� Conclusion: The mortality rate of cancer is considerably higher than the rates reported by the routine registry in Iran. Improvement in the validity and completeness of the mortality registry is needed to estimate the true mortality rate caused by cancer in Iran

Psychometric properties of the king spiritual intelligence questionnaire (KSIQ) in physical veterans of Iran-Iraq warfare

Aims: The study's purpose was to determine reliability and validity of the King spiritual intelligence questionnaires in veterans of Iran-Iraq Warfare. Methods: In this cross sectional study, 300 veterans of the Iran-Iraq war completed the King spiritual intelligence questionnaires. Principal components analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation was used to assess domain structure of the King spiritual intelligence questionnaires. Internal and external consistency reliability was assessed with Cronbach's alpha and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: Internal consistency of King spiritual intelligence questions estimated with Cronbach's alpha, 0.872 and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC).872 (CI 95%: 0.84 -0.89). The construct validity of the questionnaire was calculated using exploratory factor analysis that showed 3 factors with Eigen values of greater than one, which explained in total 44.7% of the variance. (1, 8 items, α= 0.87; 2, 5. items; α = 0.89; 3, 2 items, α= 0.51). Conclusion: The Persian version of King spiritual intelligence questionnaire demonstrated suitable validity and reliability among the Veterans of Iran-Iraq Warfare. With the consideration of the proper psychometric characteristics, this questionnaire can be used to further research spiritual intelligence in this population