Pattern of bioterrorism in ancient times: lessons to be learned from the microbial and toxicological aspects.

The current research aimed to analyze the history of bioterrorism in antiquity and to adapt the data to modern medical knowledge. To this end, a thorough evaluation of the literature related to the ancient history of bioterrorism and modern data was done using the Web of Sciences, Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Results showed that knowledge of bioterrorism has existed since antiquity in different civilizations. Biological and toxicological agents were used as an instrument of legal execution, as a warfare tool in battles, or to eliminate political rivals across nations. Ancient people researched bioterrorism to apply it against enemies and at the same time provide countermeasures in favor of themselves and allies. Despite the existence of the principles of bioterrorism since ancient times, adaptation of the data to modern research can assist in planning countermeasure efforts, preventive actions, and treatments in the framework of modern counterterrorism medicine.

A comparative study of scientific collaborations in medical informatics, health information management, medical librarianship, and information sciences among Iranian research communities: A bibliometric study.

Background and Aim: Scientific collaborations play a vital role in advancing research in various disciplines, including medical informatics, health information management, medical librarianship, and information sciences. This study aims to provide an overview of Iranian researchers' scientific output in three disciplines and their collaboration networks. Methods: The study utilized data from Scopus database and analyzed 2086 records of Iranian researchers' research outcomes over 10 years. Each article's citations were averaged to determine its impact factor. The study also reviewed the number of articles and citations in the past decade. Results: The findings show that scientific output in the disciplines of medical informatics, health information management, medical librarianship, and information sciences has significantly increased among Iranian researchers in the past decade. The analysis of collaboration networks indicates a strong connection between these disciplines, with medical informatics having the highest degree of collaboration. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the scientific collaborations among Iranian researchers in medical informatics, health information management, medical librarianship, and information sciences. The findings can be used to inform future research and collaboration initiatives in these disciplines. The results suggest that Iranian researchers in these disciplines have made significant progress in scientific output and collaboration. However, further efforts are required to improve the quality and impact of their research.

Study of Student Success Indicators based on the Viewpoints of the Students of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences.

BACKGROUND: One of the performance measures of any educational system is the degree to which students learn their education. Academic achievement includes the acquisition of a set of skills and abilities that are acquired during the course and in decision making and the various issues of leadership of individuals. A variety of factors affect the academic success of students. The present study aims to investigate the successful student's point of view from students of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in 2016-2017. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with an analytical approach. 595 students from all faculties of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services who were studying in the second semester of 2016-2017. To collect data, a researcher-made questionnaire made 144 questions, "Student Success Index" with 18 areas of reading, writing, speaking skills, listening skills, learning styles, memory, reading skills, critical thinking skills, motivation, self-esteem, personal relationships, conflict resolution, health, time management, Financial Management, Personal Purposes, Work Planning and Support Resources, each of which includes 8 fields. The Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test used for analysis. RESULTS: There is a meaningful relationship between auditory skills, reading, creative thinking and critique, motivation, personal relationships, conflict resolution, time management, personal goals, work planning, sources of support and School. )P<0.05(. Also, there is a significant relationship between the dimension of personal goals and educational level (P <0.05). In terms of personal dimensions, PhD students had lower levels than the average. CONCLUSION: Empowering human resources through education is possible. Obviously, with the increase in the efficiency of universities and higher education institutions, one can take a major step in the development of the country. It is suggested that in order to improve the quality of these skills among students, the teaching strategies for learning these skills should be included in the student's curriculum, or by conducting workshops on the use of these strategies during the study period for students for improving and developing it.

Study on the Quality of Life Among the Cancer Patients at the Sari Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2017.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a disease caused by abnormal cells shape change and loss of cell variation. Cancer patients suffer from mental and physical problems, which affect their social quality of life (QOL). A cancer diagnosis and its treatment can be expensive. METHODS: In this descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study, 183 patients referring to the Sari Comprehensive Cancer Center were enrolled. The data on QOL of patients and the cost of diagnosis and treatment were collected in QLQ questionnaire-C30. The obtained Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test of the correlation coefficient, the Mann-Whitney U-test, ANOVA and T-test. RESULTS: The average cost of treating patients in a comprehensive cancer center was $20161801 and the average QOL was 2.43 (5 points). Therefore, the patients achieved, 2.41% of the QOL per one million rails. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the average QOL for cancer patients at Sari Comprehensive Cancer Center and the hospital cost, the evaluation of the patients from the view point of the hospital equipment was positive.

Trend Analysis and Affecting Components of Human Brucellosis Incidence During 2006 to 2016.

INTRODUCTION: Brucellosis is communicable between humans and animals. In spite of having an active health care system. Iran is considered as an endemic area and it stands in the fourth place in world ranking. One of the common methods for identifying the disease incidence is a regression analysis. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the trend of brucellosis incidence during 2006 to 2016 and the components affecting such disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a trend study which was conducted on the total of 144 brucellosis cases were recorded in the registration software in CDC of Iranian, Ministry of Health. We analyzed the changes in brucellosis incidence during 2006 to 2016 in Juybar province by the join point regression. Moreover, comparing the changes of incidence in one year intervals was also taken into account. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 18±29 years. About 60% of the patients were men, and 85.4% had used non-pasteurized dairy and meat products. The contact with animals had a significant difference between the two genders (P= 0.006). During 2006 to 2016, brucellosis incidence had a decreased trend about 15%. This trend had a breakpoint in a way that during 2006 to 2008, 66.2% decrease and during 2008 to 2016, 7% increase was observed that none of these annual percentage changes (APC) were statistically significant at p= 0.05. Also, APC of brucellosis incidence in groups below 20 and between 20 to 50 years old had a decrease in a way that in groups under 20, it had 26.7% decrease and it was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to provide appropriate education training, information on the Human Brucellosis for the young and individuals with high risk professions. Moreover, some health behaviors such as not using non-pasteurized dairy, animals' vaccinations, and awareness of the disease symptoms are needed.

Relationship Between Cybernetics Management and Organizational Trust Among Librarians of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Organization must keep current skills, abilities, and in the current field of competition, and move one step ahead of other competitors; for this purpose, must be a high degree of trust inside the organization. Cybernetic management is a new approach in management of organizations that its main task according to internal issues. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between cybernetics management and organizational trust among librarians of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is applied and analytical survey. which its population included all librarians of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, amounting to 42 people which were selected by census and participated in this research. RESULTS: There has no relationship between components of Cybernetics management (participative decision making, commitment, pay equity, Correct flow of information, develop a sense of ownership, online education) with organizational trust amongst librarians of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. And there has a significant relationship between flat Structure of cybernetics management and organizational trust. For data analysis was used Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and linear regression. CONCLUSION: There is no significant relationship between Cybernetic management and organizational trust amongst librarians of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences.

The Relationship Between Research Anxiety and Self-Efficacy.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this research was to study of the relationship between research anxiety and self-efficacy from viewpoints of students at the Islamic Azad University (Babol Branch). METHODS: The present study is applied research which using a survey and has done by descriptive approach. The study sample included of MA and PhD Students of which 312 were selected Stratified randomness at Islamic Azad University (Babol Branch). The instrument used for data collection, including two standard questionnaires, General Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and research anxiety Inventory. For data analyzing used, Linear regression test and analysis of variance. FINDINGS: Multiple correlation coefficient between the variables is equal to R=0.385, which represents the correlation between variables (self-efficacy and research anxiety). The significance level for research anxiety was calculated less than the error rate is calculated, therefore, it can be considered a good predictor for efficacy. Gender and education variables due to the attention of higher levels of predictive cannot be considered so significant for efficacy. CONCLUSION: There is a significant negative relationship between research anxiety and self-efficacy. There is no relationship between demographic characteristics and self-efficiency.

Compare the Performance of Counselors with the Students' Expectations at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in 2015.

INTRODUCTION: Universities and academic environments are tackling challenges and transformation. Thus, mentally, spiritually and socially supporting students and academics and interacting with them seems necessary. This study aimed to compare the performance of counselors with the students' expectations at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in 2015. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 359 students of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences were selected by using stratified random sampling. Cochran formula was used to determine the sample size. Two questionnaires have been employed to collect the data in order to assess the students' perspective on the consultants' performance's current and optimum status. To determine the validity, content and face validity have been used and the reliability was defined through Alpha-Cronbach coefficient and that of the current status was calculated as 0.925 and the optimum condition as 0.925. To analyze the data from the non-parametric binomial test, Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied. RESULTS: a meaningful difference has been found between the optimum stats of the consultants' performance. So that, 15 % has been considered inappropriate and 85% appropriate. Given the performance of the consultants, there is a critical difference. There is a meaningful difference between the current and optimum performance of the consultants, so that the mean rating status (178.43) is higher than that of the current status (90.69). No critical difference has been observed between the current and optimum condition in ANS at significance level 0.278 and RPA Cat significance level 0.879.

The Students' Viewpoint on Quality of Educational Services in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Recently, focusing on higher education quality has got increasingly critical. The novel managerial attitudes have defined the customer-demanded quality. Based on this, recognizing the receivers' perception of the quality of the services offered and evaluating the quality of the service is considered of the basic measures taken in order to develop quality promotion programs. Therefore, this is a qualitative research conducted for students' viewpoint on quality of educational services. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This qualitative study has been performed by the phenomenological method. The samples have been selected based on goal-oriented approach. In this qualitative research, the required data have been collected in two phases (90 individual interviews and 30 focus group discussions) at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences during which the participants have conveyed their experiences and expectations encountering the educational quality topic. All the interviews have been recorded and implemented. The interviews analysis has been carried out simultaneously with the implementation and using theme analysis by Smith method. RESULTS: According to the findings regarding the definition of quality, the students have emphasized two important aspects including "educational services standards by the teacher "and "the students' satisfaction". Thus the final education quality resulted from the students' experiences and perception is this way: "Presenting the students educational services in class and out of class compatible with the educational services standards so that it results in the students' satisfaction". When a person views her/him-self rightful as a customer, whatever seems necessary to them appears like a requirement. Then regarding paying attention and reflecting on the customers' perceived needs, it is possible to determine their expectations limit to some extent. CONCLUSION: Therefore, designing educational quality standards in order to evaluate the teachers' function without taking the stakeholders' perspective into account is not practical. This research-extracted finding can present the stakeholders' perspective encountering the educational quality.

Silent changes of tuberculosis in Iran (2005-2015): A joinpoint regression analysis.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Tuberculosis (TB) poses a severe risk to public health through the world but excessively distresses low-income nations. The aim of this study is to analyze silent changes of TB in Iran (2005-2015): A joinpoint regression analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a trend study conducted on all patients (n = 70) that register in control disease center of Joibar (one of coastal cities and tourism destination in Northern Iran which was recognized as an independent town since 1998) during 2005-2015. The characteristics of patients imported to the SPSS 19 and variation in incidence rate of different forms of pulmonary TB (PTB) (PTB+ or PTB-) and extra-PTB (EPTB)/year was analyzed. Variation in incidence rate of TB for male and female groups and different age groups (0-14, 15-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, and above 65 years) was analyzed, variation in trend of this diseases for different groups was compared in intended years, and also, variation in incidence rate of TB was analyzed by Joinpoint Regression Software. RESULTS: The total number of TB was 70 cases during 2005-2015. The mean age of patients was 42.31 ± 21.26 years and median age was 40 years. About 71.4% of patients were PTB (55.7% for with PTB+ and 15.7% with PTB-) and rest of them (28.4%) were EPTB. In regard to classification of cases, 97.1% of them were new cases, 1.45% of them were relapsed cases, and 1.45% of them imported cases. In addition, history of hospitalization due to TB was observed in 44.3%. CONCLUSION: Despite recent developments of governmental health-care system in Iran and proper access to it and considering this fact that identification of TB cases with passive surveillance is possible. Hence, developing certain programs for sensitization of the covered population is essential.

Hemodynamic Responses to Tracheal Intubation in Elderly Patients: Intravenous or Spray of Lidocaine versus Fentanyl.

INTRODUCTION: Laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation are known to increase sympathetic activity that may be detrimental to patients with preexisting ischaemic or hypertensive heart disease. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare of intravenous and oropharyngeal spray of lidocaine and high dose of fentanyl on systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart rate of patients over 65 years during tracheal intubation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this clinical trial, 160 patients over 65 yrs who were randomly divided into five groups of 32 patients. For group one lidocaine spray 10%, group two intravenous lidocaine 1.5 mg/kg, group three lidocaine spray along with intravenous lidocaine 0.75 mg/kg, and for group four fentanyl 5µg/kg were administered and group five patients were controls which were given 1 mg of midazolam along with 2 µg/kg fentanyl. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart rate were measured before and after anesthesia and intubation. ANOVA, Scheffe's and Repeated measure tests were used for data comparison and P<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: No significant difference was detected in terms of gender among the understudy groups. The mean (SD) age of patients in all groups were 69 ±3.5 yrs. (65-80 yrs.) and there is no significant difference was detected between the mean age and other basic variables of under study groups (P<0.328). Study results showed that the kind of surgery hasn't different between groups. The table showed that no difference between male and female. No significant difference was observed between groups with different sizes of tracheal tube in terms of systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart rate. No significant difference was detected in terms of systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart rate among groups prior to the induction of anesthesia. CONCLUSION: All methods were effective for efficient blood pressure control during laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation.

THE QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF THE FACULTY MEMBERS PERFORMANCE IN DOCUMENTATION OF THE MEDICAL RECORDS IN TEACHING HOSPITALS OF MAZANDARAN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES.

INTRODUCTION: Documentation of patients' medical records has been always emphasized because medical records are as a means to be applied by patients, all medical staff, quality evaluations of health care, lawsuits, medical education and, etc. Regarding to this, each of the data elements available in the sheets of medical records has their own values. The rate of completion indicates the importance of the medical recorders for faculty member. So in this article the researcher evaluates the completion of medical records in the teaching hospitals of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This cross- sectional study has been conducted to review the patients' medical cases in five teaching university hospitals. To collect data, a check list was mode based on data element arrangement in four main sheets of admission and discharge, summery, patients' history and clinical examination and progress note sheets. Recorded data were defined as "Yes" with the value 1, not recorded data were defined as "No" with the value 2, and not used data were defined for cases in which the mentioned variable had no use with the value Zero. The overall evaluation of the rate of documentation was considered as %95 -100 equal to "good", 75-94% equal to average and under 75% was considered as "poor". Using the sample volume formula, 281 cases were randomly stratified reviewed. The data were analyzed by the software SPSS version 19 and descriptive statistical scales. RESULTS: The results have shown that the overall documentation rate in all the four sheets was 62% and in a poor level. There was no big difference in the average documentation among the hospital. Among the educational group, the gynecology and infection groups are equal to each other and had the highest record average (68%). Within the all groups, the highest rate has belonged to the documentation of signatures (91%). CONCLUSION: Regarding to the overall assessment that documentation rate was in a poor level, more attempt should be made to achieve a better condition. Even if a data element of the sheets seems meaningless, unnecessary and duplicated, it should not be ignored and skipped. In order to solve such problems, it is suggested that medical records sheets and the elements that seem unnecessary, should be reviewed in relevant committees.

The Relation between Iranian Medical Science Research in PubMed and Burden of Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Scientific productions have been accelerated in Iran in past decades but its association with health problems and disease burden is doubtful. The aim of this study is assessment of the relationship between scientific productions with disease burden in Iran in PubMed dataset during 2010 to 2014. METHOD: The study was performed with the library method. Data Gathered using Scientometrics indicators and direct observation. The current research includes all articles written by Iranian researchers during 2010 to 2014 which were published in PubMed-indexed journals. The search was performed using keywords included road accident, ischaemic heart diseases, major depression disorders and cerebral vascular diseases. RESULTS: In total 910 articles had been published PubMed -indexed journals. Among them Substance-Related Disorders and Accidents, Traffic had the highest (263 records) and lowest (94 records) records respectively. There was not a direct correlation between Years of Life Lost, Years Lost due to Disability and mortality rate with scientific productions. CONCLUSIONS: our results showed Iranian scientific productions in PubMed data set are not related to disease burden however they are not related to high mortality diseases.

Quantitative Assessment of Theses at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences Years-(1995-2014).

BACKGROUND: Review and evaluation of research for the correct steps towards real progress is essential which is a healthy and dynamic feature of the system. For the correct step toward real progress, evaluation research is essential which is feature of healthy and dynamic system. Considering the importance of scientific thesis in production and development and be aware of as the lack of structured information and qualitative and quantitative assessment at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, therefore we decided to do qualitative stud of theirs prepared 1995-2014. METHODS: This study was a descriptive survey, a sample of 325 graduate and PhD thesis and dissertation in clinical and basic science at the university of medical sciences of the population in 2060 is a thesis from 1994 to the end of 2014. To study the population, stratified sampling method was used. The descriptive study was conducted in terms of matching the degree thesis students, theses subjects, specialty of supervisors and Advisers. The data gathering tool was checklist of information (gender, discipline, degree and department education of students, School, year of dependence, title of theses and dissertations, specialty and departments of supervisors and advisers, type of research, grade obtained of students). Statistical analysis of the data was performed using 21 SPSS software. RESULTS: We studied 325 theses; 303 dissertations which 1 researcher; 21 dissertations which 2 researchers and 1 dissertation with 3 researchers. A total of 348 students (174 females and 174 males) researcher had theses. The number of students in the Department of Basic Science 82 (23.5%), 266 (76.5 %) in clinical group; 29(8.33%), 29 (8.33%) master degree; 260 (74.71%) general practitioner; 58 (16.67%) specialty and 1(29) at the PhD level. There was no relationship between research and level of education (p = 0.081). However, it was found that majority of the theses for the general practitioner (59.8%) wryer type 1(status condition). By matching and determining the overlapping of specialty of the advisor and the guide with the title, titles of the theses. It was found that 298 (91.69%) of the theses correspond with the specialty of the advisors and the supervisors. CONCLUSION: Based on the results obtained on the review of the theses to direct students to fundamental research and applying of specialized groups of supervisors and advisers in accordance with research is felt. No doubt that in the future will improve the quality of the students' theses.

Documentation of Medical Records in Hospitals of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in 2014: a Quantitative Study.

INTRODUCTION: Documentation of patient care in medical record formats is always emphasized. These documents are used as a means to go on treating the patients, staff in their own defense, assessment, care, any legal proceedings and medical science education. Therefore, in this study, each of the data elements available in patients' records are important and filling them indicates the importance put by the documenting teams, so it has been dealt with the documentation the patient records in the hospitals of Mazandaran province. METHOD: This cross-sectional study aimed to review medical records in 16 hospitals of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (MazUMS). In order to collection data, a check list was prepared based on the data elements including four forms of the admission, summary, patients' medical history and progress note. The data recording was defined as "Yes" with the value of 1, lack of recording was defined as "No" with the value of 2, and "Not applied" with the value of 0 for the cases in which the mentioned variable medical records are not applied. RESULTS: The overall evaluation of the documentation was considered as 95-100% equal to "good", 75-94% equal to "average" and below -75% equal to "poor". Using the stratified random sample volume formula, 381 cases were reviewed. The data were analyzed by the SPSS version 19 and descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The results showed that %62 of registration and all the four forms were in the "poor" category. There was no big difference in average registration among the hospitals. Among the educational groups Gynecology and Infectious were equal and had the highest average of documentation of %68. In the data categories, the highest documentation average belonged to the verification, %91. CONCLUSION: According to the overall assessment in which the rate of documentation was in the category "week", we should make much more efforts to reach better conditions. Even if a data element is recognized meaningless, unnecessary and repetitive by the in charge of documentation, it should not be neglected and skipped. In order to solve the problems of these types, it is suggested to discuss the medical records forms and elements that seem unnecessary in the related committees.

Patients' Expectations and Perceptions of Service Quality in the Selected Hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Hospital's success depends on patients' expectations, perceptions, and judgment on the quality of services provided by hospitals. This study was conducted to assess the patients' perceptions and expectations from the quality of inpatient health care in Vali-Asr hospital, Ghaemshahr, and Imam Khomeini and Shafa Hospitals, Sari. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is applied regarding the objective of the study. Considering the research methodology, it is a descriptive - analytical study. The sample of this study consists of 600 patients with at least 24 hours of being hospitalized in internal, surgery, women, and children sectors of Vali-Asr, Ghaemshahr, Imam Khomeini, and Shafa Hospitals. Using random sampling method, the classifications relevant to the size of each class were selected. The data required was collected through the standard SERVQUAL questionnaire and then it was analyzed using the SPSS software. RESULTS: The overall mean value and standard deviation of expectations were equal to 10.4 and 28, respectively. The mean value for the field of perception was 69.2 and the relevant standard deviation was 26. In terms of patients and hospital visits in concrete cases, the highest priority is related to empathy. The second priority is related to physical appearance, the third priority is related to responsiveness, the fourth priority is related to assurance, and the lowest priority is related to the reliability of the SERVQUAL approach. Examining the gap between patients' perceptions and expectations, the widest gap was observed in the Vali-Asr Hospital with the mean and SD (-92.0±39.0) and the lowest gap was observed in Shafa Hospital with the mean value of (-39.9±44.0). According to The Kruskal-Wallis test, the difference observed in these three hospitals were significant. CONCLUSION: The results showed that patients' expectations had not been met in any of the examined dimensions and their consent has not been achieved. It seemed that necessary for managers and relevant authorities to plan and pay special attention to this important issue.

Social Network Sites as Educational Factors.

BACKGROUND: in this present era, the technology development has established certain type of communication. Nowadays education as the fundamental principle in transferring cognition to the learners has found various methods. Recently the concept that social networks could be effective tool in easing the achievement to the educational goals has been under attention. Therefore, this investigation is trying to find out whether, the social networks could play role on the process of education among students? MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross sectional descriptive study was performed on 1000 students from 7 medical universities in 2015. The data collection tool was questionnaire that was approved Cronbach's alpha: was 0.85. Meanwhile its validity was confirmed too. The obtained data were analyzed by the descriptive statistic, ANOVA, Turkey and used X(2) SPSS-19. RESULTS: In this investigation, 940 subjects were under study. 85% used daily the social network. The highest usage was attributed to the Telegram. 52% preferred image suitable for transferring of information. Even though, 73% believed that these networks have significant effects on coordinating of students with in university charges. CONCLUSION: Considering the findings of the present study, it is proposed that the universities integrate the social networks in the education programs and recognize it as the awareness factor, therefore benefit it in the educational affairs.

Epidemiologic Investigation of Dysentery in North of Iran: Use of Geographic Information System (GIS).

INTRODUCTION: Dysentery is an intestinal inflammation which is created by the microorganisms attacking intestine mucus. Knowing the prevalence of this disease in different societies paves the way for programming and providing treatment and preventive measures. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the epidemiologic pattern and geographical distribution of dysentery based on GIS. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional and analytical study. The dysentery cases were gathered from the section of contagious diseases in health chancellery of Mazandaran University of medical sciences through a checklist during the years 2008 to 2013. In order to analyze the data, we made use of chi-square test. Then, the GIS software was used to recognize the geographical distribution of the disease. FINDINGS: There was reported about 653 cases affected by dysentery and the disease proportion was equal for both men and women. Most of the persons with dysentery was city dwellers. The highest rate of incidents was reported to be in Fereidunkenar in 2011, and the disease was mostly found among farmers, students, and college students. CONCLUSION: Since dysentery is a disease transmitted from water and food, and in this study, it was found out that the disease sources included using polluted water, vegetables, and lack of appropriate personal hygiene. Therefore, it is essential to take into consideration the health issues. Moreover, the suitable conditions of the geographical area which has the highest rate of incident have paved the way for dysentery occurrence. In addition, using geographic information system (GIS) as a visual instrument can help the stakeholders and officials to elaborate on the death trend and recognize the areas for optimal use of the available resources.

Students' Attitudes Towards Research at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in 2015.

BACKGROUND: In today's world, one of the criteria of progress in a country is research. In our country instead of paying to the research and study, attention is given to the training of human resources. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate Students' Attitudes towards Research at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in 2015. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study the data tool was questionnaire given to the study subjects. The study population were all the paramedical college students at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences selected. Cochrane methodology was used to determine the sample size, the t test used to know the attitudes and the ANOVA test to assess differences between the groups. RESULTS: The mean age of the students was 20 years (age range of 17 to 32 years), of them, 99 (61%) were female and 63 (39%) male, 100% undergraduate and 73% on their first semester. Their attitudes toward the usefulness of search for jobs and careers, anxiety, relationship with everyday life and Research problem was positive. Belief in research problem with the highest average and relation with everyday life with the lowest average, ranked the highest and lowest scores respectively. The findings also showed that there was insignificant difference between the variables of age, gender and level of education and the attitude of students towards research. CONCLUSION: The subjects under study had Positive attitude to research and in case of availability of research facilities, students would be more interested in performing research.