Suicidal Ideation and Its Associated Factors in Medical, Dental, and Pharmacy Students: A Cross-Sectional Study during COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objectives: This study is aimed at comparing the prevalence of suicidal ideation among Iranian medical, dental, and pharmacy students and determining the demographic and basic characteristics and mental and psychological issues associated with suicidal ideation in these students. Methods: This cross-sectional online survey was conducted during the 2020-2021 academic year on medical, dental, and pharmacy students studying at the Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). The questionnaire consisted of six sections: Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), UCLA loneliness scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS), and a questionnaire that was designed to evaluate students' family history, current psychological status, and basic and demographic characteristics. Results: In total, 419 students participated in our study, with 133 (31.7%) being medical students, 85 (20.3%) being pharmacy students, and 201 (48%) being dental students. In our study, the prevalence of suicidal ideation was 32%. Family history of psychological issues (OR = 2.186, P =0.012), current or past smoking (OR = 2.155, P = 0.01), parents not living together (OR = 2.512, P = 0.046), and satisfaction with the current field (OR = 0.51, P < 0.001) were all independently associated with the presence of suicidal ideation. Also, higher scores in BHS (OR = 1.167, P < 0.001), PSS (OR = 1.081, P = 0.001), and UCLA loneliness scale (OR = 1.057, P < 0.001) were independently associated with a higher risk of suicidal ideation. Conclusion: The prevalence of suicidal ideation among Iranian medical, dental, and pharmacy students is relatively high and has increased during recent years, which needs emergent action.

Comparative Study of Occupational Burnout and Job Stress of Frontline and Non-Frontline Healthcare Workers in Hospital Wards during COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Paying attention to the issue of mental health in the workplace, especially with current pandemic conditions of COVID-19 is of significant importance. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the factors affecting occupational burnout among health care center staff during the pandemic of coronavirus infection. METHODS: The present study was a case-control study carried out in the first half of the year 2020 on medical staff working in hospitals in Tehran. The sample size was 324 individuals, including 175 employees working in general (non-COVID) wards and 149 people working in COVID-19 wards. Demographic characteristics questionnaire and two standard questionnaires of Maslach Burnout Inventory and Parker and DeCotiis Job Stress Scale were distributed. RESULTS: Total score of job stress and its two dimensions (time and pressure) had a significant relationship with different levels of occupational burnout. Logistic regression analyses showed significant relations between job stress with emotional exhaustion (95% CI, 1.11-1.19, OR=1.15) and depersonalization. Participants in both wards experienced statistically significant increasing trends given the different components of occupational burnout concurrently by increasing their total stress score. CONCLUSION: Hospital staff's levels of stress and occupational burnout regardless of where they worked (COVID-19 wards or general wards) were not significantly different and existed among the members of both groups. On the other hand, job stress and its dimensions (time pressure and anxiety) had a significant relationship with the main dimensions of occupational burnout.

Association Between Hopelessness And Suicidal Ideation In Iranian Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There are limited studies regarding suicidal ideation among Iranian medical students. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of suicidal ideation and its association with hopelessness among Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) medical students. METHODS: We designed a cross-sectional study conducted in TUMS in 2018. We developed a questionnaire consisting of three parts; the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), four questions regarding suicidal ideation, and questions regarding demographic characteristics. We used the available sampling technique and sent the questionnaire to 517 medical students of TUMS. RESULTS: In total, 224 medical students completed and sent back the questionnaire (response rate=43.32%). Participants' mean age was 22.68 (SD=3.38) years, and 140 participants (62.5%) were female. One hundred seven students (47.76%) had mild, 58 (25.89%) had moderate, and 13 (5.8%) had severe hopelessness. Males, senior students, and dissatisfied students with their academic performance experienced more severe hopelessness (P<0.05). Thirty-six participants (16.07%) had suicidal ideation. After adjusting for age, gender, marital status, and student's satisfaction with their academic performance, BHS total score was independently associated with suicidal ideation (OR=1.29, 95% CI=1.14-1.46, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of suicidal ideation and hopelessness is relatively high among Iranian medical students. Students with more severe hopelessness are at higher risk of suicidal ideation, and evaluating hopelessness among medical students can be used to screen medical students at risk of suicidal ideation.

The diagnostic value of anthropometric indices of maxillary sinuses for sex determination using CT-scan images in Iranian adults: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The identification of human remains is an essential part of forensic science. Studying paranasal sinuses is very useful in identification of mutilated or burnt bodies from accidents such as plane crashes. We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of anthropometric indices of maxillary sinuses for sex determination using CT-scan images in Iranian adults. METHODS: CT-scan slices of 228 maxillary sinuses (from 144 men and 144 women) were studied. The maximum height, maximum anterior-posterior diameter, maximum width, and maximum distance between the sinuses were measured in both sexes. Our participants were divided into three age groups of 20-34, 35-49, and over 50 to compare the recorded measurements in different age groups. RESULTS: We found a significant difference between men and women regarding the maximum height, maximum width, maximum A-P diameter of sinuses and the maximum distance between the right and left maxillary sinuses in all of our participants. We also found that the highest accuracy for sex determination was related to the maximum distance between the sinuses (65.6%) and the lowest to the maximum width of the right sinus (56.2%). The most accurate identification resulted from assessing the maximum distance between the sinuses in the 20-34 age group (74.3%), the maximum anterior-posterior diameter of the sinuses in the 35-49 age group (62.8%) and the maximum height of the left sinus in the over 50 age group (65.7%). CONCLUSION: Regardless of age, according to our study the parameters of height, width, anterior-posterior diameter of sinuses and the maximum distance between the right and left maxillary sinuses are partially valuable for sex determination. The most accurate sex identification was examined in the 20-34 age group from studying the maximum distance between the sinuses. Especially in the over 50 age group, it is not enough to consider the sinus parameter for sex identification.

Frontal sinus parameters in computed tomography and sex determination.

The frontal sinus is a sturdy part of the skull that is likely to be retrieved for forensic investigations. We evaluated frontal sinus parameters in paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) images for sex determination. The study was conducted on 200 normal paranasal sinus CT images of 100 men and 100 women of Persian origin. We categorized the studied population into three age groups of 20-34, 35-49 and ⩾ 50 years. The number of partial septa in the right frontal sinus and the maximum height and width were significantly different between the two sexes. The highest precision for sex determination was for the maximum height of the left frontal sinus (61.3%). In the 20-34 years age-group, height and width of the frontal sinus were significantly different between the two sexes and the height of the left sinus had the highest precision (60.8%). In the 35-49 years age-group, right anterior-posterior diameter had a sex determination precision of 52.3%. No frontal sinus parameter reached a statistically significant level for sex determination in the ⩾ 50 years age-group. The number of septa and scallopings were not useful in sex determination. Frontal sinus parameters did not have a high precision in sex determination among Persian adults.

Sex determination using mandibular anthropometric parameters in subadult Iranian samples.

INTRODUCTION: Sex determination is the first step in the identification of corpses and skeletal remains. The mandible is the largest and strongest bone of the face and has high durability. It is known that skeletal features vary by population, thus the need to establish population-specific standards. In this study, for the first time, we investigated mandibular anthropometric parameters for sex determination in subadult Iranian cadavers. METHODS: Eight mandibular anthropometric parameters were measured in 45 Iranian cadavers below the age of 20 (23 males and 22 females corpses), and the relationships of these variables with gender were determined. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, ROC curve, cross tabulation and discriminant analysis in SPSS 13. RESULTS: No significant statistical difference was seen in the mandibular anthropometric values between the two genders in samples below the age of 12. In the 12-19 age group, accuracy of symphysial height and bigonial breadth in differentiation of gender was 69% and 86.2% respectively. CONCLUSION: Although mandibular anthropometric parameters are not helpful in sex determination below the age of 12, if for some reasons such as explosions, air disasters and other accidents, only the mandible is available, symphysial height and mandibular bigonial breadth could be used to determine the gender with high accuracy.

Sex determination using anthropometric dimensions of the clavicle in Iranian population.

OBJECTIVE: Sometimes only skeletal remains are available for forensic identification. Therefore, sex determination using human skeletal remains is one of the most important components in forensic identification. Different levels of accuracy for sex determination using clavicle have been reported in various studies, and on the other hand, anthropometric dimensions of different bones are unique in each race and geographical region. This study was carried out to assess the accuracy of this bone for sex determination in Iranian population. Based on the results of this research, by using the anthropometric dimensions of the clavicle bone, gender can be estimated with a high accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research was carried out on 120 Iranian cadavers. Maximum of length and midshaft circumference of clavicle was measured. SPSS (Version 13.5) was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean of maximum of the length and the midshaft circumference of clavicle was larger in men (P < 0.001). Using claviclular anthropometric parameters, we could determine sex with 73.3%-88.3% accuracy. CONCLUSION: The results of this research indicate that sex can be determined using clavicle dimensions with relatively high accuracy, when only the clavicle bone is available due to explosion, plane crashes, mutilated bodies, etc.

Estimation of stature from upper limb anthropometry in Iranian population.

OBJECTIVE: Personal identification is an essential issue when mutilated and amputated limbs or parts of the body are found in mass disasters. Estimation of the stature from the size of different parts of the body is one of the most important items in personal identification. The aim of this study was to estimate the stature from upper limb anthropometry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Height, left upper limb, left arm, left forearm, length and breadth of the left hand, and length of the left second to fifth fingers were measured on 100 right-handed Iranian medical students aged between 21 and 26 years from February to may 2010. RESULTS: After analyzing the datas, it was shown that there is a meaningful relation between the stature and upper limb dimensions (p < 0.05), [correlation coefficients ranged from 0.310 to 0.696 in males and 0.299 to 0.735 in females]. CONCLUSION: The regression formula derived in this study can be used for forensic pathologists and Anthropologists.

The value of radius bone in prediction of sex and height in the Iranian population.

OBJECTIVE: Measurement of anthropometric parameters of long bones can be applied in sex determination and height prediction. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of length of the radius in forensic identification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of anthropometric parameters of the radius was done by Legal Medicine Organization of Tehran, Iran studying fresh cadavers of Iranian population during 2009 and 2010. RESULTS: This study surveyed length of radius of 106 fresh Iranian cadavers, 61 men and 45 women, in the age range of 10-85 years old. The study showed that genders can be distinguished using the length of radius with a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 96%. Using the regression test, there was significant relation between the height of persons and the length of radius bone. The equations were obtained to estimate the height of the individuals on the basis of radius bone length in different age groups, with an exception in females of 40-64 Years old. CONCLUSION: In the cases of fresh cadavers, by using the length of radius, we could be able to determine the length of height and gender with high confidence.

The value of the anthropometric parameters of the tibia in the forensic identification of the Iranian population over the age of 20.

OBJECTIVE: Tibia is one of the bones which can be applied in sex determination in addition to its successful role in determination of stature. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of anthropometric parameters of the tibia in forensic identification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of anthropometric parameters of the tibia was done by Legal Medicine Organization of Tehran, Iran studying Iranian population over the age of 20 during 2009 and 2010. RESULTS: This study covered four aspects of tibias of 80 fresh Iranian cadavers, 40 men and 40 women, including the maximum lateromedial length, medial length, proximal width, and the distal width. The study showed that genders can be distinguished using the lateromedial length with 90% sensitivity and 80% specificity, the medial length with 90% sensitivity and 85% specificity, the proximal width with 85% sensitivity and 87.5% specificity, and the distal width with 67.5% sensitivity and 75% specificity. CONCLUSION: In order to determine the relationships between the diverse aspects of tibia, the correlations between different dimensions of tibia were examined, resulting in the regression equations between its length and width.

Incidence of hepatitis B and HIV virus at cadaver of IV drug abusers in Tehran.

Injection drug use has been the most growing rout of drug abuse in Iran in the past decade and it has been responsible for the transmission of HIV virus in more than two third of cases. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of HIV and hepatitis B in a group of IDU cadavers and to compare the results to a group of cadavers of the normal population. In a case-control study the blood samples of the cadavers of 400 randomly chosen IDUS and 400 other cadavers as control group were checked for HBS antigen and Anti HIV antibody in the forensic medicine center of Tehran. The prevalence of HIV and HBV infection was compared in two groups according to their demographic characteristics. The number of HIV and HBV positive cadavers was significantly higher in the IDU group than the controls (6.25% vs 0.5%, P<0.001, 27.5% vs 3%, P<0.001). The risk of getting infected by HIV virus was 13.27 times greater in the IDU group and the risk of HBV infection was 12.26 times greater in this group as compared to the control group. The age distribution of IDU cadavers indicated that the percentage of IDU cadavers in the reproductive (21-40 years old) age was 80%. The greater prevalence of the HIV and HBV infection especially in the reproductive age of IDUS indicates a greater concern to the authorities for more attention to prevention and harm reduction programs.

Identification of sex in Iranian population using patella dimensions.

OBJECTIVES: Heretofore, sex determination has been carried out on skeletal remains to identify individuals in forensic cases and to assess populations in archaeological cases. Since it has been shown that not all bones are found in a forensic case, discriminant function equations should be derived for various bones of the body to assist in sex determination. The aim of this study was to derive discriminant function equations for sex determination from measurements of the patella. METHODS: In a prospective study, dimensions of patella were measured using the fresh cadavers of Iranian population as referred to the Tehran's Legal Medicine Organization. RESULTS: A total sample of 113 (57 male, 56 female) patellae were measured using three measurements. Stepwise and direct analyses were performed with the average accuracy of 92.9% for sex classification, thereby making the patella useful for sex determination. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm the high accuracy of using the measurement of the patella for sex determination. Until further data collected suggests otherwise, the results expected in present study are limited to forensic cases of the Iranian population.

Age-at-death estimation based on the macroscopic examination of spheno-occipital sutures.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the closure degree of spheno-occipital synchondrosis and its relationship with chronological age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of the closure degree of spheno-occipital suture was done through direct inspection of 376 autopsies from both sexes whose ages ranged between 8 and 26 years in Legal Medicine Organization of Tehran, Iran from 1st of July 2007 to 1st of July 2009. The correlation between the degree of closure and chronological age was investigated. RESULTS: Mean ages of open, semi-closed and closed sutures were 12.27, 16.12 and 21.17 years in males, and 9.04, 12.38 and 19.44 in females, respectively. Seemingly, their difference was significant (p < 0.001). Partial fusion (semi-closed) was seen at the age of 12 in both sexes while complete fusion (closed) was seen at 15 year olds or above in males and 12 year olds or above in females. Spearman's correlation ratio coefficient showed a linear correlation between age and suture situation in both sexes (rho = 0.788, P < 0.001 in males and r = 0.645, P < 0.001 in females). CONCLUSION: The study showed that the closure degree of spheno-occipital suture can be used as a good indicator for age estimation in both sexes. Cadavers can be correctly grouped above or below 16 years old with sensitivity of 79.82% and specificity of 89.47% in males and above or below 13 years old with sensitivity of 100.00% and specificity of 81.58% in females.