Survey of awareness and beliefs about cancer (ABC) in Tehran Province, Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices are essential measures for planning and evaluating cancer control programs. Little is known about these in Iran. METHODS: We conducted a population-based interview survey of adults aged 30-70 using the Farsi version of the Awareness and Beliefs about Cancer questionnaire in the capital province of Tehran, Iran, 2019. We calculated weighted estimates of levels of cancer knowledge, attitudes, and practices to allow for different selection probabilities and nonresponse. We used multivariate logistic regression to understand demographic factors associated with bowel, cervix, and breast screening practices. RESULTS: We interviewed 736 men and 744 women. The mean number of recalled cancer warning signs was less than one; 57.7% could not recall any cancer warning signs. Participants recognized 5.6 out of 11 early cancer warning signs and 8.8 of 13 cancer risk factors. Most (82.7%) did not know that HPV infection was a cancer risk factor. Approximately, half had negative attitudes towards cancer treatment, but over 80% had positive attitudes towards the effectiveness of screening for improving survival. Colorectal, breast, and cervical screening rates were 24%, 42%, and 49%, respectively. Higher socioeconomic status increased the odds of taking up screening for cancer. Women aged 60-70 were less likely to report taking up breast and cervical screening than younger women. DISCUSSION: The Iranian population has poor awareness and negative attitudes about cancer, and participation in screening programs is low. Public awareness and early detection of cancer should be promoted in Iran.

Predictive Factors for Length of Stay in Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is an effective surgery for patients with end-stage hip joint degenerative arthritis. This study aimed to determine peri-operative factors that impact the length of stay (LOS) and design a formula to predict LOS in patients undergoing THA. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed from September 2019 to January 2020. For this study, all patients who underwent THA over a period of 12 years since 2005 were included in the study. Data about the LOS and several variables including demographic variables, surgery-related variables, transfusion, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, past drug history, comorbidities, and laboratory data, were gathered. Qualitative variables are presented as numbers (%), and quantitative variables are presented as mean Mann± standard deviation. Mann Whitney test , Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman's rank correlation test were also used. Results: A total of 524 patients were included in the study; 12 were excluded .261 (51%) were female and 251(49%) male. The mean age was 56.13±17.04 years. In the univariate analysis, the day of admission, surgery indication, transfusion, diabetes mellitus, oral anti-diabetic drugs, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score, preoperative hemoglobin (Hb) level, and type of prosthesis showed significant relation with LOS. Significant variables entered to zero truncated negative binomial regression. Among them, the day of admission, ASA score, preoperative Hb level, and type of prosthesis showed significant relation with LOS (P < 0.05) and were used for model design. Conclusion: Preoperative Hb level, ASA score, day of admission, and prosthesis type have an impact on LOS and can predict LOS in patients who are candidates for THA.

Maternal or paternal history: Which one plays more important role in developing hypertension?

BACKGROUND: Hypertension (HTN) is one of the most common non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which in 2017 accounted for 1.65% of all deaths, and 0.66% of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). About 25% of the adult population are hypertensive in Iran. Prevalence of HTN is significantly higher in those with a family history of HTN. This study compares the impact of paternal and maternal history of HTN on the risk of HTN development. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 2107 adults of 18-84 years old residing in Isfahan, Iran, from August 2015 to March 2016. Blood pressure (BP) measurement standards were taken from World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. We measured BP in the right arm for three times at 1-minute intervals and considered the mean of second and third measurements. Other data were collected by questionnaire. RESULTS: Prevalence of HTN was higher in participants whose mother or both parents were hypertensive (P < 0.001). Diastolic BP (DBP) was affected by every side of parental history (P < 0.001), while systolic BP(SBP) was affected when both parents were hypertensive (P < 0.001). As a result, maternal family history increased the odds of HTN by 1.9 times [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.35-2.65] and both maternal and paternal history increased it by 3.1 times (95% CI: 2.01-4.78) compared to those with no family history. However, paternal history was not significantly related to the odds of HTN. CONCLUSION: Our study results demonstrate that maternal history of HTN doubles the odds of HTN. Besides, if both parents are hypertensive, it will be tripled.