The top six risky behaviors among Iranian university students: a national survey.

BACKGROUND: Multiple risk-taking behaviors are associated with increased risk of poor educational attainment, morbidity and premature mortality. This study involved a large representative sample of Iranian university students addressing multiple risk behaviors and associated factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 4261 participants, involving 13 medical universities throughout the country in 2017. The following six risky behaviors were addressed: (a) smoking cigarettes during the past month, (b) using some kinds of illicit drugs during the past month, (c) drinking alcohol during the past month, (d) engaging unprotected sex during the past year, (e) having suicidal ideation during the past month or attempting suicide in the past year, (f) and Internet addiction. The 20-item internet addiction test and the 28-item general health questionnaire were used. RESULTS: Almost 37.3% of the participants engaged in at least one out of six risky behaviors. The prevalence of Internet addiction was 24.5%, cigarette smoking 13.5%, alcohol use 7.8%, illicit drug abuse 4.9%, unprotected sex 7.8%, suicidal ideation 7.4%, attempting suicide 1.7% and general health problems 38.9%. CONCLUSION: A majority of the Iranian university students studied engaged in at least one risky behavior. Engaging in one risky behavior increases the risk of engaging in other risk-taking behaviors.

The Epidemiology of Aggression and Associated Factors among Iranian Adult Population: A National Survey.

BACKGROUND: This survey was conducted to determine the level of aggression among the Iranian adult population and underlying predisposing factors. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 10,957 participants, involving 23 out of the 31 provinces of Iran in 2019. The outcome of interest was aggression, evaluated by the Buss & Perry aggression questionnaire. The association between aggression and 34 demographic, behavioral, social, and cultural characteristics was assessed using simple and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: The overall mean (SD) score of aggression was 77.10 (22.53). Based on the severity of aggression, the participants were categorized into four groups as follows: 2,464 (23.1%) nonaggressive, 4,692 (43.9%) mild, 3,071 (28.8%) moderate, and 454 (4.2%) severe aggressive. Aggression was more likely to occur in people with the following characteristics: younger ages, having several siblings, lower ranks of birth, having an intimate friend of the opposite sex, having an aggressive father/mother, history of parental divorce, interest in watching action/porn movies, listening to music, history of escape from home/school, using neuropsychiatric drugs, using illicit drugs, history of suicidal thoughts/attempt, and family conflict and hostility. Aggression was less likely to occur with the following characteristics: reading, regular physical exercise, the ability to control anger, regular prayer, adherence to avoid lying, respect to other people's rights, sexual satisfaction, and attachment to parents. CONCLUSION: A majority of the population has some degree of aggression. Aggression is a multifactorial behavior corresponding with several demographical, social, cultural, and religious factors, some of which back to early childhood events.

Prevalence of problematic internet use disorder and associated risk factors and complications among Iranian university students: a national survey.

Background: Despite the growing epidemic of problematic Internet use (PIU), little information is available on PIU and related factors in Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 4261 university students among 13universities throughout the country in 2017. The data collection tool included demographic characteristics, the status of using the Internet, social media, computer games, tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs, suicide ideation and attempt, and unprotected sex. PIU was measured using the15-item PIU questionnaire. The status of general health was evaluated using the 28-item general health questionnaire (GHQ) questionnaire. The simple and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to measure the crude and adjusted associations between various factors and PIU. Results: Of 4261 university students, 55.9% were female, 13.5% were smokers, 4.9% were drug abusers, 7.9% were alcohol abusers, 7.8% had unprotected sex in the past year, 7.4%had suicidal ideation in the past month, 1.7% had attempted suicide in the past year, and27.3% suffered from PIU. Only 61.1% had normal health. In contrast, 30.9%, 7.2%, and 0.8%had mild, moderate, and severe general health problems, respectively. There were significant relationships between PIU and age group 20-24 vs. <20 years (odds ratio [OR]=1.39; 95% CI:1.06, 1.82), single vs, married (OR=2.57; 95% CI: 1.85, 3.57), suicidal attempt (OR=2.77;95% CI: 1.47, 5.19), using online games (OR=1.31; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.60), and poor general health (OR=12.14; 95% CI: 4.53, 32.54). Conclusion: Nearly one-third of medical sciences students suffered from PIU. This unhealthy behavior was associated with poor general health and elevated risk of suicidal behaviors. This health-threatening behavior provides an early warning signal that deserves special attention, otherwise, it may threaten both college students' health and function.

Epidemiology and Pattern of Traumatic Brain Injury in a Developing Country Regional Trauma Center.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the epidemiological aspects of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a regional trauma center. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with TBI during 2013 to 2016 in a single center in Hamedan, central Iran. The distribution and relationships of TBI was assessed with gender, age, type of trauma, traumatic cause, exiting status and Length of Hospitalization (LOH). Data were analyzed by Stata V11 statistical software. RESULTS: In general, 9426 patients with TBI were enrolled in analyses. The mean ± SD age of patients was 29.70 (± 21.46) years. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that being male [OR: 1.29; 95% CI (2.92-4.73), P ≤0.001], 41-50 to 71-80 and 90+ years old' age groups (1.325 days [OR: 2.01; 95% CI (1.60-2.52), p≤0.001] and different types of trauma were significantly related to mortality. CONCLUSION: TBI is one of the main causes of mortality and LOH of the young population. By providing preventive measures and a traumatic care system, the burden of trauma can be greatly reduced, the implementation of the trauma care system in Hamedan province is a necessity.