Assessment of hepatitis C risk factors in center of Iran: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections remain as one of the major public health problems worldwide. The current study aimed at investigating the potential risk factors of HCV+ in a sample of Iranian patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a case-control study, 436 HCV-infected patients and 531 age-matched HCV antibody negative controls were recruited in a central region of Iran. Sociodemographic characteristics, blood and therapeutic factors, underlying diseases, and behavioral risk factors were evaluated through a standard checklist and compared between two study groups. RESULTS: Although among studied potential risk factors, many of them were significantly associated with infected with HCV; however, in multivariable logistic regression model in the presence of other variables being male gender (odds ratio [OR]: 4.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.2-7.8), illiterate or less educated (OR: 62.64; 95% CI: 5.94-660.35), having history of intravenous (IV) drug addiction (OR: 33.0; 95% CI: 5.43-250.0), and tattooing (OR: 14.29; 95% CI: 1.82-90.91) increased risk of infection with HCV. CONCLUSION: In total, the current case-control study documented that socioecomical factors including economical state, marital status, education, and ethnicity and also other expected factors such as hospitalization, imprisonment, dialysis, tattooing, needle sharing, IV drug abuse, and extramarital sexual relationship represent an important source of HCV infection among adults in a central region of Iran. Thus, we suggest further considerations for prevention of HCV infection as most of related factors are preventable by close considerations.

A new acupuncture method for management of irritable bowel syndrome: A randomized double blind clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is gastrointestinal functional disorder which is multifactorial with unknown etiology. There are several modalities for treatment of it. Acupuncture is increasingly used in numerous diseases, also in gastrointestinal disorders like IBS. The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of catgut embedding acupuncture in improving of IBS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized double blind sham control clinical trial was designed. A total of 60 IBS patients assigned to three separated groups. The first group received clofac as drug only group (DO). The second one received catgut embedding acupuncture in special point (AP) and the last group received sham acupuncture (SA). Symptoms, pain, depression and anxiety assessed before and after two weeks at the end of study. RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference between AP and SA and DO in constipation and bloating. Differences that were statistically significant favored acupuncture on pain (F = 6.409, P = 0.003), and depression (F = 6.735, P = 0.002) as the other outcomes. The average (standard deviation (SD)) of weight loss was 2 kg (0.88) in acupuncture group. CONCLUSION: Our finding showed a significant positive associated between acupuncture and IBS. Catgut embedding acupuncture is a new method which can eliminated IBS symptoms and can use as alternative therapeutic method for improvement of IBS.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus among young prisoners.

BACKGROUND: Juveniles in custody are affected by sexually transmitted infections due to risky behaviors. Therefore, they have a disproportionate burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In this study, the prevalence and associated characteristics of hepatitis B and HIV infections were assessed in young prisoners. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, prevalence of HBV and HIV infections was assessed among young prisoners during 2008-2009. A checklist consisting of demographic, social, and risk factors was filled out and blood was drawn for their tests. Sera were analyzed for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag), hepatitis B surface antibody (HBs Ab), hepatitis B core antibody (HBc Ab) and HIV Ab, and Western blot test was performed on antibody-positive HIV. RESULTS: A total number of 160 young prisoners (147 boys and 13 girls) were evaluated. The mean age of the subjects was 16.59 ± 1.24 year. HBs Ag, HBc Ab, HBs Ab, and HIV Ab were detected in 1 (0.63%), 1 (0.63%), 52 (32.5%), and 1 (0.63%), respectively. CONCLUSION: With respect to national vaccination program against HBV infection, the juvenile prisoners had low prevalence of HBs Ab.

Evaluation of Knowledge and Practice of Hairdressers in Women's Beauty Salons in Isfahan About Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and AIDS in 2010 and 2011.

BACKGROUND: Blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have some common epidemiological characteristics, and have infected millions of people throughout the world. Patients infected by acute hepatitis or HIV infections may not be aware of the disease, and thereby cause transmission to others. During haircut, shave, or pedicure, barbers may accidentally expose to their clients' blood, transmit their own infection to them, or transmit the infection from one client to another. Thus the beauty salon staff has a potential role in expansion of infections. OBJECTIVES: As being barbers and barbering are risk factors to some infectious diseases, determining the role of knowledge and awareness of barbers and hairdressers about topics related to AIDS, and hepatitis B and C is important. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed in 2010-2011 on 281 women's beauty salons located in eleven urban districts of Isfahan town. A multistage cluster sampling was performed and knowledge assessment questionnaire accompanied by practice checklist regarding hepatitis B and C, and AIDS were completed by trained interviewers. Knowledge and practice scores were determined in 0-20 and 0-10 scales, respectively. The content validity of questionnaire was confirmed by three expert opinions and the test-retest reliability of the questionnaire was determined to be 0.83 in a pilot study on 30 participants. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and one-way ANOVA test by SPSS software, version 18. RESULTS: In the study, 281 hairdressers participated. There was a statistically significant relationship between education level and knowledge score of hairdressers (P < 0.001). We found a statistically significant relationship between knowledge level and job history of hairdressers according to the Pearson's correlation coefficient (P = 0.004). The results did not show any statistically significant relationship between education level and practice scores (P = 0.5). Furthermore, the job history of hairdressers and their practice score did not show a significant relationship (P = 0.77). CONCLUSIONS: We obtained promising results about the knowledge and practice levels of staffs of women's beauty salons in Isfahan about AIDS, and hepatitis B and C. The target group exhibited an intermediate level of knowledge about the diseases because of important role of barbers in virus transmission; we should provide the best control, evaluation, and continuous teaching programs.

HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in women with illegal social behavior in Isfahan, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among females who engage in illegal sexual behavior in Iran .So, this study was conducted to obtain knowledge about the prevalence and associated risk factors in this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, a total of 100 women who had exchange of sex for money in previous 3 months according to self report were recruited during 2009-2010 by simple non probable sampling method in Isfahan, Iran. HIV-Ab, Chlamydia trachomatis-IgG and syphilis infection were measured. A questionnaire on demographics and prostitution-associated risk data was collected as well. Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression models were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of 100 participants, the samples of 91 ones could be tested for STI markers (nine samples were hemolysis or insufficient). The overall prevalence of C. trachomatis was 19.8%. There was no case with syphilis or HIV infection. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that participants who reported temporarily marriage were less likely to be infected with C. trachomatis (AOR=0.003, 95%CI=0.001-0.58). The other risk factors for the tested STIs were not statistically significant in multiple logistic regressions. CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicated that seroprevalence and associated risk factors of HIV and other STIs among female with illegal social behaviors is not considerable in Isfahan, Iran.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in women of childbearing age of Isfahan, Iran: A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: We conducted an epidemiological survey on seroprevalence of toxoplasma infection in women of childbearing age in Isfahan Province. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study in 2010, 217 women in the age range of 10-50 years were randomly selected. The blood samples examined for the presence of IgG anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibody by a commercial ELISA kit (Dia-Pro, Milan, Italy). Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were employed to examine the antibody status in different age, marriage, education, and residence groups. RESULTS: The overall prevalence was 47.5% (103/217). The peak age of infection acquisition was in the range 30-40 years in rural areas and 20-30 years in urban districts. There was no significant association between residence, education, and marriage groups on the one hand and chance of T. gondii infection on the other hand. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the study suggest a moderate prevalence of T. gondii infection, but a high prevalence in ages of high reproductive activities.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B and C Among Female Prisoners in Isfahan, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Female prisoners are at risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There has been no previous study regarding the epidemiological status of STIs among female prisoners in Isfahan, central Iran. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of the aforementioned infections among women incarcerated in the central prison, Isfahan, to determine appropriate prevention measures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, all of the 163 women incarcerated in the central prison, Isfahan in 2009, were voluntarily enrolled by the census method. After completing a checklist consisting of demographic, social, and risk factors, a 5ml blood sample was taken from each individual. The sera were analyzed for markers of the hepatitis B virus (HBV; HBsAg, HBsAb, HBcAb), hepatitis C virus (HCV; HCV antibodies), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; HIV antibodies), and syphilis (RPR). Confirmatory tests were performed on HCV antibody-positive cases. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants in the study was 34.54 ± 11.2 years old, 94.3% of these women were Iranian, and many of them had only a primary level of education. The prevalence of HBsAg, HBcAb, HBsAb, and HCV antibodies were; 1.2%, 7.4%, 12.9% and 7.4% respectively. No positive RPR or HIV antibodies were detected. CONCLUSIONS: A significant relationship was seen between the HCV antibody, drug injection and illegal sex in the women, and also between HBc-Ab and drug injection. Regular screening, educational programs, and facilitation of access to suitable treatment care should be widely implemented in the prison population. Testing for immunity against HBV should be considered on admission, and afterwards vaccination of all prisoners and an appropriate preventative approach should be applied.