Community-based education: An effective policy for earthquake preparedness in Iran: Empirical study.

BACKGROUND: As natural or man-made shocks, disasters are sudden events that require emergency and fundamental measures. The need to be prepared for disasters has become clearer than ever worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the effect of earthquake preparedness training using the face-to-face or cascade method in rural households living in Juybar County (Iran) in 2018. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Following an experimental design with a pretest and posttest, the study was performed on married women aged 10-49 living in Kurdkolay village of Juybar county (n = 372). Participants were randomly categorized into two groups of training (n = 95) and face-to-face cascade method (n = 95). Data were collected using the Disaster Preparedness Assessment Index, comprising demographic and education sections. Data were collected using the disaster preparedness assessment index and analyzed using SPSS version 24. RESULTS: The findings indicated improved preparedness in all five dimensions in both groups. There was a significant difference between the study groups immediately and one week after the intervention (P < 0.05); i.e. a higher impact for the face-to-face cascade method. Meanwhile, both groups presented a similar level of preparedness 90 days after receiving the intervention (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The face-to-face cascade method was more effective in the short term, while no difference was found in the long term. Crisis managers and policymakers should choose their preferred method based on available facilities, human resources, and context to increase preparedness against earthquakes. Mothers play a vital role in educating and nurturing their children. It is suggested to conduct educational programs at the community level using the most appropriate methods that are chosen based on the best evidence.

Mutations in GJB2 as Major Causes of Autosomal Recessive Non-Syndromic Hearing Loss: First Report of c.299-300delAT Mutation in Kurdish Population of Iran.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) with genetic origin is common (1/2000 births). ARNSHL can be associated with mutations in gap junction protein beta 2 (GJB2). To this end, this cohort investigation aimed to find the contribution of GJB2 gene mutations with the genotype-phenotype correlations in 45 ARNSHL cases in the Kurdish population. Subjects and. METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from a total of 45 ARNSHL families. The linkage analysis with 3 short tandem repeat markers linked to GJB2 was performed on 45 ARNSHL families. Only 9 of these families were linked to the DFNB1 locus. All the 45 families who took part were sequenced for confirmation linkage analysis (to perform a large project). RESULTS: A total of three different mutations were determined. Two of which [c.35delG and c.-23+1G>A (IVS1+1G>A)] were previously reported but (c.299-300delAT) mutation was novel in the Kurdish population. The homozygous pathogenic mutations of GJB2 gene was observed in nine out of the 45 families (20%), also heterozygous genotype (c.35delG/N)+(c.-23+1G>A/c.-23+1G>A) were observed in 4/45 families (8.8%). The degree of hearing loss (HL) in patients with other mutations was less severe than patients with c.35delG homozygous mutation (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that GJB2 mutations constitute 20% of the etiology of ARNSHL in Iran; moreover, the c.35delG mutation is the most common HL cause in the Kurdish population. Therefore, these mutations should be included in the molecular testing of HL in this population.

Associations of a TLR4 single-nucleotide polymorphism with H. pylori associated gastric diseases in Iranian patients.

OBJECTIVE: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is associated with gastric ulcer and gastric adenocarcinoma. Polymorphisms in the host genes coding for toll-like receptors (TLRs) may influence the innate and adaptive immune response to the infection, affecting the susceptibility to H. pylori or the disease outcomes. But the details and association to different polymorphisms and different clinical expressions in patients infected with H. pylori (different clinical expression of H. pylori infection) remain unclear. METHODS: A case-control study consisting of 195 patients with H. pylori infection and 241 H. pylori uninfection was conducted. Genomic DNA was extracted and genotypes of TLR4Asp299Gly polymorphism were assessed through polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Presence of cagA was evaluated using PCR. RESULTS: TLR4 (Asp299Gly) G and DG alleles frequency in H. pylori infected population was significantly higher in the chronic gastritis group than in the chronic active gastritis group (P=0.021; OR, 2.409; 95% CI, 1.124-5.162). Grade mononuclear (MN) infiltration in H. pylori infected patients with DG genotype of TLR-4 Asp299Gly increased significantly. CagA positivity was more frequently associated with chronic active gastritis (P=0.017, OR=2.26, 95% CI=1.144-4.462) and grade polymorphonucler (PMN) infiltration. CONCLUSION: TLR-4 Asp299Gly G allele substitution may be modified pattern of immune response in the gastric mucosa of H. pylori infected patients and may be H. pylori infected patients with gastritis have increased risk for the development of chronic gastritis. CagA positivity may be a risk factor for development of gastritis.

Patients' preference to hear cancer diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: Bad news disclosure is one of the complex communication tasks of the physicians. Bad news is defined as:" any news that adversely and seriously affects an individual's view of his or her future". Recent studies indicate that the patients' and physicians' attitudes toward disclosure of bad news have been changed since few years ago. The evidence of breaking bad news is also different across different cultures. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the patients' prospect about breaking bad news and to provide a clinical guidance for Iranian patients and those patients in countries with a similar cultural background. METHODS: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted on a sample of 200 cancer patients at a cancer institute in Tehran. The patients' demographic characteristics and their attitudes toward the manner of disclosing the diagnosis were registered in a research based questionnaire. RESULTS: In this study, 165 patients (82.5%) claimed to be aware of the diagnosis; however, only 121 patients (73%) were aware of the actual diagnosis of their disease. Most patients tended to know the diagnosis (n = 186, 93%) and accepted patient as the first person to be informed (n = 151, 75.5%) by their physician (n = 174, 87%). The preference of being alone or with a family member when exposed to bad news was almost the same. Most patients (n = 169, 84.5%) believed that physicians should consult the patients to make treatment decisions. Treatment options (n = 140, 70%) and life expectancy (n = 121, 60.5%) were the most desirable topics to be discussed. Most patients (n = 144, 72%) agreed upon allowing them to express their emotional feelings. CONCLUSION: According to the patients' preferences about being fully informed about the diagnosis, it is suggested that the disclosure of cancer diagnosis be done by a physician and in the presence of a family member. It is also recommended that physicians consult the patients about treatment options.