Rate of the incidence of hospital-acquired infections in Iran based on the data of the national nosocomial infections surveillance.

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) lead to increased length of hospital stay, inappropriate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and multiple antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to investigate the rate of HAIs in Iran. In this multi-centre study, the rate of HAIs was calculated based on the data collected through Iranian nosocomial infections surveillance for patients with HAIs, as well as through hospital statistics and information systems on hospital-related variables. Data were analysed using Stata software; in addition, ArcGIS was used for plotting the geographical distribution of HAIs by different provinces. The mean age of the 107 669 patients affected by HAIs was 52 ± 26.71 years. Just over half (51.55%) of the patients were male. The overall rate of HAIs was 26.57 per 1000 patients and 7.41 per 1000 patient-days. The most common HAIs were urinary tract infections (26.83%; 1.99 per 1000 patient-days), ventilator-associated events (20.28%; 1.5 per 1000 patient-days), surgical-site infections (19.73%; 1.45 per 1000 patient-days) and bloodstream infections (13.51%; 1 per 1000 patient-days), respectively. The highest rate of HAIs was observed in intensive care units. Device, catheter and ventilator-associated infections accounted for 38.72%, 18.79% and 16% of all HAIs, respectively. Based on the results, HAIs are common in intensive care units, and urinary tract infections and device-related infections are more prevalent in Iran. To reduce HAIs it is recommended to implement appropriate policies and interventions, train staff about the use of devices, and prepare and update protocols and guidelines for improving the quality of care.

The association between low birth weight and mothers diseases in Iran: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Neonates are too vulnerable that low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth can easily threaten their lives. Demographic, social and environmental factors as well as health care are contributing factors for LBW. The study was conducted in 10 provinces of Iran to investigate the association between LBW and mother's diseases. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in 10 provinces of Iran on 2580 mothers (712 cases and 1868 controls) referred to public health care centers. We used a questionnaire to collect data. For univariate analysis we used chi-square test and for multivariable analysis we used logistic regression model. RESULTS: LBW was significantly associated with living in rural area (OR = 1.4 CI: 1.14-1.71), having body mass index (BMI)<18 (OR = 1.48 CI: 1.14-1.92), being a housewife (OR = 1.65 CI: 1.07-2.53), having high blood pressure (OR = 1.91 CI: 1.26-2.88), and having pregnancy without testing for diabetes (OR = 1.91 CI: 1.44-2.54). Minor thalassemia, hypothyroidism, oral health care and headache were not significant predictors for LBW. CONCLUSION: In this study, we observed that place of residence, BMI before pregnancy, mother's occupation and gestational diabetes were significant predictors of LBW. It is necessary to improve women's awareness about prenatal health care before pregnancy to avoid LBW.

Trends in outpatient cataract surgery in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 2006-2010.

This study aimed to determine the trends in outpatient cataract surgery and its determinants in the Islamic Republic of Iran between 2006 and 2010. In this cross-sectional study, 106 cataract surgery centres were selected in all provinces by multistage randomized cluster sampling. The number of centres in each province was determined from the number of cataract operations and the number of patient charts examined in each centre was proportionate to the number of cataract operations in that centre. The prevalence of outpatient surgery increased from 46.0% (95% CI, 35.3-56.8) in 2006 to 51.4% (95% CI, 40.2-62.7) in 2010 (P = 0.549). Patients stayed in hospital for more than one night after 10.5% (95% CI, 6.9-14.1) of operations. Use of phacoemulsification and topical anaesthesia increased the prevalence of outpatient surgery and decreased intraoperative complications. Although outpatient cataract surgery increased by 11.7%, use of methods such as phacoemulsification is not widespread, and more attention should be paid to the barriers to outpatient cataract surgery in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Trends in outpatient cataract surgery in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 2006–2010

This study aimed to determine the trends in outpatient cataract surgery and its determinants in the Islamic Republic of Iran between 2006 and 2010. In this cross-sectional study, 106 cataract surgery centres were selected in all provinces by multistage randomized cluster sampling. The number of centres in each province was determined from the number of cataract operations and the number of patient charts examined in each centre was proportionate to the number of cataract operations in that centre. The prevalence of outpatient surgery increased from 46.0% [95% CI, 35.3-56.8] in 2006 to 51.4% [95% CI, 40.2-62.7] in 2010 [P = 0.549]. Patients stayed in hospital for more than one night after 10.5% [95% CI, 6.9-14.1] of operations. Use of phacoemulsification and topical anaesthesia increased the prevalence of outpatient surgery and decreased intraoperative complications. Although outpatient cataract surgery increased by 11.7%, use of methods such as phacoemulsification is not widespread, and more attention should be paid to the barriers to outpatient cataract surgery in the Islamic Republic of Iran

La présente étude avait pour objectif de déterminer les tendances de la chirurgie de la cataracte en ambulatoire et ses déterminants en République islamique d'Iran entre 2006 et 2010. Dans cette étude transversale, 106 centres de chirurgie de la cataracte ont été sélectionnés dans toutes les provinces par échantillonnage aléatoire en grappes à plusieurs degrés. Le nombre de centres dans chaque province a été déterminé sur la base du nombre d'opérations de la cataracte et le nombre de dossiers de patients examinés dans chaque centre était proportionnel au nombre de chirurgies de la cataracte pratiquées dans ce centre. La prévalence des chirurgies de la cataracte est passée de 46% [IC à 95%, 35,3-56,8] en 2006 à 51,4% [IC à 95%, 40-62,7] en 2010 [p = 0,549]. Les patients sont restés plus d'une nuit à l'hôpital après 10,5% [IC à 95%, 6,9-14,1] des opérations. Le recours à la phaco-émulsification et l'anesthésie topique faisait augmenter la prévalence de la chirurgie ambulatoire et réduisait les complications intra-opératoires. Bien que la chirurgie de la cataracte en ambulatoire ait augmenté de 11,7%, l'utilisation de méthodes telles que la phaco-émusification n'est pas répandue, et davantage d'attention devrait être apportée aux obstacles qui s'opposent à la chirurgie de la cataracte en ambulatoire en République islamique d'Iran

Contributions of public and private sectors to the Iranian cataract surgery output.

This study determined trends in the contributions of the public and private sectors to the cataract surgery output in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Data about cataract surgeries performed at surgical centres throughout the nation were extracted from patient charts for a 5-year period from 2006 to 2010. Of the total 516 273 surgeries performed in 2010, more were done in public sector centres (61.7%) than private ones (38.3%). The total number of surgeries increased by 59.1% between 2006 and 2010. Analysis of the relative contributions of the public and private sectors showed a 41.0% increase in surgeries in public centres and 100.5% in private centres over the 5-year period. Thus the rate of growth of cataract surgery in the private sector was 2.7 times greater than that in the public sector. Despite a smaller contribution to the total number of cataract surgeries, the private sector has experienced a substantial rate of growth.

Incidence of acute myocardial infarction in Islamic Republic of Iran: a study using national registry data in 2012.

Population-based data on myocardial infarction rates in the Islamic Republic of Iran have not been reported on a national or provincial scale. In a cross-sectional study, data were collected on 20 750 new cases of myocardial infarction (ICD10 codes I21-22) admitted to hospitals and registered by the Iranian Myocardial Infarction Registry in 2012. The crude and age-adjusted incidence for the 31 provinces and the whole country were directly calculated per 100 000 people using the WHO standard population. Overall, males comprised 72.4% of cases and had a significantly lower mean age at incidence than women [59.6 (SD 13.3) years versus 65.4 (SD 12.6) years]. The male:female incidence ratio was 2.63. The age-standardized myocardial infarction incidence rate was 73.3 per 100 000 in the whole country (95% CI: 72.3%-74.3%) and varied significantly from 24.5 to 152.5 per 100 000 across the 31 provinces. The study provides baseline data for monitoring and managing cardiovascular diseases in the country.

Contributions of public and private sectors to the Iranian cataract surgery output

This study determined trends in the contributions of the public and private sectors to the cataract surgery output in the Islamic Republic of Iran.Data about cataract surgeries performed at surgical centres throughout the nation were extracted from patient charts for a 5-year period from 2006 to 2010. Of the total 516 273 surgeries performed in 2010, more were done in public sector centres [61.7%] than private ones [38.3%]. The total number of surgeries increased by 59.1% between 2006 and 2010.Analysis of the relative contributions of the public and private sectors showed a 41.0% increase in surgeries in public centres and 100.5% in private centres over the 5-year period. Thus the rate of growth of cataract surgery in the private sector was 2.7 times greater than that in the public sector. Despite a smaller contribution to the total number of cataract surgeries, the private sector has experienced a substantial rate of growth

La présente étude a déterminé les tendances dans la contribution des secteurs public et privé au nombre de chirurgies de la cataracte en République islamique d'Iran. Les données sur les chirurgies de la cataracte réalisées dans des centres chirurgicaux de l'ensemble du pays ont été extraites des dossiers des patients sur une période de 5 ans, de 2006 à 2010. Sur un total de 516 273 chirurgies de la cataracte réalisées en 2010, 61,7 % l'ont été réalisées dans des centres publics contre 38,3 % dans le privé.Le nombre total de chirurgies a augmenté de 59,1 % entre 2006 et 2010. L'analyse de la contribution relative des secteurs public et privé a révélé une hausse de 41,0 % dans les centres publics et de 100,5 % dans les centres privés sur cinq ans.Le taux d'augmenter de la chirurgie de la cataracte dans le secteur privé était donc 2,7 fois supérieur à celui du secteur public.Malgré une contribution moindre au nombre total de chirurgies de la cataracte,le secteur privé a connu un taux d'augmentation important en la matière

Urbanization and non-communicable risk factors in the capital city of 6 big provinces of iran.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes including obesity has increased over the past few years in Iran. The increase in these diseases has been associated with increased urbanization and lifestyle changes. The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCD) is increasing in low and middle-income countries. The aim of this report is to address the threat of NCDs in the capital city of 6 big provinces of Iran. METHODS: A community based cross sectional study was carried out between March 2010 to January 2011 in 6 provinces' capital cities (Isfahan, Karaj, Mashad, Shiraz, Tabriz, and Tehran). Participants were men and women of 30 years and older who had been screened through the National Diabetes Prevention and Control Program. BMI, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and lipids were measured. RESULTS: 439406 cases (60% female & 40% male) were studied. The prevalence of pre-diabetes (13%), diabetes (13%), hypercholesterolemia (14%), hypertension (11%), overweight (27%) and obesity (20%) was higher than expected. Only 35% of participants were healthy. CONCLUSION: This study reveals a high prevalence of NCDs in urban living population in those capital cities. It also shows that increasing urbanization may be an important threat to public health regarding NCDs especially in developing countries. It is crucial to implement a comprehensive NCD program (across the life time) in the health system with a strong collaboration with all stakeholders (governmental and non-governmental sector, academic, research centers and scientific associations) in the community (Multisectoral Approaches).

Separability-based multiscale basis selection and feature extraction for signal and image classification.

Algorithms for multiscale basis selection and feature extraction for pattern classification problems are presented. The basis selection algorithm is based on class separability measures rather than energy or entropy. At each level the "accumulated" tree-structured class separabilities obtained from the tree which includes a parent node and the one which includes its children are compared. The decomposition of the node (or subband) is performed (creating the children), if it provides larger combined separability. The suggested feature extraction algorithm focuses on dimensionality reduction of a multiscale feature space subject to maximum preservation of information useful for classification. At each level of decomposition, an optimal linear transform that preserves class separabilities and results in a reduced dimensional feature space is obtained. Classification and feature extraction is then performed at each scale and resulting "soft decisions" obtained for each area are integrated across scales. The suggested algorithms have been tested for classification and segmentation of one-dimensional (1-D) radar signals and two-dimensional (2-D) texture and document images. The same idea can be used for other tree structured local basis, e.g., local trigonometric basis functions, and even for nonorthogonal, redundant and composite basis dictionaries.