Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology

202-210

Authors: S Ansari , SS Ataei , S Varmazyar * , P Heydari

Background: Due to high prevalence of musculoskeletal risk factors among kitchen workers and their role in causing discomfort, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ergonomic factors (mental workload and working posture) on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among workers of training hospitals in Qazvin, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done through census among 60 workers of teaching hospital's kitchens of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in 2016. Data were collected using pain perception and mental workload questionnaires and Quick Exposure Check (QEC) method was used for posture assessment. Data were analyzed using single and multiple logistic regression tests. Results: About 85% of the workers reported that their work shift was very heavier than normal. The best and worst exposure score in QEC method were assigned to cooking and trolley responsible tasks, respectively. Seventy percent of working postures were classified in action level 3 (i.e. investigation and changes are required soon) that increased the backache prevalence by nearly about 4 times. Heavy workload in interaction with other influential factors increased the neck discomfort about 5 times and back discomfort by 2.5 times. Conclusions: Long working hours, heavy workload, stress, high-speed work, long standing and inadequate rest are the factors influencing the increase of MSDs prevalence among the kitchen workers. By increasing numbers of manpower, reducing the workload and working hours and adequate rest, in addition to doing the work properly, MSDs in this group can somehow be reduced.

218-225

Authors: H Nadri , F Fasih-Ramandi *

Background: Non-specific pain of low back and neck has direct impact on quality of life, active days at work, and health care costs. The purpose of this study was to determine the pain intensity and disability index for low back and neck among dentists. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 80 dentists (44.6% female and 55.4% male). Dentists pain intensity and low back and neck disability index were evaluated with the self-administered visual analog scale and Oswestry questionnaire, respectively. Statistical data analysis was done using SPSS. Results: Disability index of low back and neck has been reported equal to 26.6 ± 10.7 and 22.0 ± 8.8, respectively. Also the data showed the average pain intensity of low back and neck to be 75.5 ± 24 and 49.6 ± 19.7. The result showed significant relationship between pain intensity and disability index for low back and neck with body mass index (BMI) and exercise (P < 0.05). Conclusions: According to results, dentists have a high pain prevalence and moderate disability index of low back and neck. Also based on the relationship between the pain and disability index values with BMI and exercise, we recommend practice of relaxation and stretching exercises during breaks in the dentists work schedules to minimize the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among dentists.

235-244

Authors: R Vazirinejad , M Rezaeian , F Nazari , SM Hosseini *

Background: A disease impacts patients’ participation level in their individual and social life through impacting their physical and mental performance. Due to the increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), and the importance of patients’ participation and quality of life (QOL) and the determination of the most important aspects affected by the disease in the participation and Quality of Life of patients with type II DM in Rafsanjan, Iran, the present study was conducted. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 227 patients with type II DM were assessed. The data collection tool consisted of a 2-part questionnaire. The first part was a demographic characteristics checklist. The second part was the Persian version of the Impact on Participation and Autonomy (IPA-p) scale. The IPA-p scale was used to collect data on the subjects' participation in their own life. Then, a trained individual completed the demographic checklist through interviews. Subsequently, the subjects were asked to complete the IPA-p scale.The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software. Statistical tests such as t-test and ANOVA were used to compare the obtained means. Results: The highest level of participation was observed in the age group of 30-49 years, and participation was higher in men, single individuals, and individuals with a good economic status. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggested the presence of a statistically significant relationship between the participation of patients with type II DM and individual, social, economic factors. Thus, this disease causes a reduction in their participation in different life aspects, and therefore, causes a reduction in QOL. With the consideration of the long-term course of the disease, taking measures to improve individuals’ participation level seems necessary.

253-255

Authors: M Sheikh Fathollahi *

No Abstract

135-142

Authors: MR Shafiepour , R Bidaki , E Hasibi , MR Mokhtaree *

Background: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing, and thus, its mental consequences, such as depression, have an increasing trend. The goal of the present study was the determination of the prevalence of depression and some of its related factors in patients with type II DM who referred to the Diabetes Center of Rafsanjan, Iran, in the year 2016. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, 194 patients with DM under care in the Diabetes Clinic of Ranfanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, were selected via simple random sampling method and filled a demographic form and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Data were analyzed using chi-squared test. Results: In this study, 67%, 24.7%, 6.2%, and 2.1% of the participants had no depression symptoms, mild depression, moderate depression, and severe depression. There was significant difference between the frequency of different depression severities based on age (P < 0.001), duration since disease diagnosis or treatment (P < 0.001), occupation (P = 0.011), education (P < 0.001), and type of treatment. Conclusions: The rate of depression in patients with DM is relatively high and women, people with lower level of education, and the elderly, and homemakers are at greater risk which signifies the necessity of psychological and psychiatric consultation.

151-159

Authors: S Mahdavi , P Rasti Pisheh , M Jozekanaani *

Background: The reliability and safety of gas refineries are strongly associated with the reliability of other parts of the system. Defect and failure in one part of a system can cause total system breakdown or accident. The failure and damage in these equipment such as transformers and boilers results in not only the equipment damage and human injuries but also productivity reduction. The purpose of this study was safety assessment of glycol recovery unit in gas refinery by failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) technique. Materials and Methods: The present study is a descriptive-analytical study done for risk assessment of glycol recovery unit of a gas refinery in one of the southern areas of Iran. FMEA method was used to identify and detect possible failures in the system. Failure modes of a component and their causes were identified and effects of identified failures were examined, then the necessary corrective measures were recommended. Results: In this research, 105 failure modes were studied. The highest risk priority number (RPN) values obtained were 150 (while removing corrosion and welding inside TK601A/B vessel which was due lack of air ventilation) and 120 (while installing the gasket). Conclusions: FMEA technique is a useful method to prevent accidents and increase safety and productivity. FMEA can identify and assess potential risks and propose corrective action required to control the risks.

168-175

Authors: S Karimi Zeverdegani , S Barakat * , M Yazdi

Background: The use of chemicals is essential in education resulting in exposure to these pollutant in a variety of chemical and research laboratories. Chemical contaminants in chemical laboratories are in different forms and chemical exposure risk assessment is important for choosing appropriate controls in protecting the health of operators, experts and students. For risk assessment in chemical exposures, several techniques were introduced that their use should be assessed. This research was done with the aim to introduce the most appropriate technique in chemical risk assessment by using three chemical risk assessment techniques. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive research done in one chemical laboratory. This research had been defined in several stages: in the first phase, the list of solid and liquid chemicals were prepared and full physicochemical properties of substances as well as toxicity and health risk of them were collected. Finally Chemical Risk Management Self-Assessment Model (Chem-SAM), University Of Wollingong (UOW) risk assessment and semi-quantitative risk assessment method (SQRA) methods were used and compared. Results: There was significant difference between SQRA methods and UOW technique while no significant difference was observed between SQRA methods and Chem-SAM model. Conclusions: All three techniques are simple, but the results were similar in SQRA methods and Chem-SAM model, so these two methods can be replaced in chemical risk assessment. In order to control the identified risks, this research has recommended programs, control measures, improving local exhaust ventilation systems, personal protective equipment and training of personnel.

182-193

Authors: Sh Assar , T Mirzaei * , A Ravari , AR Vakilian , O Rezahosseini , F Hosseini , S Assar

Background: On the 26th anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons in 2015 with the slogan "the elderly, advocates of dynamism, growth, and the youth of the population", 12% (900 million individuals) of the world population were above 65 years of age. It is estimated that this rate will reach 22% (2 milliard individuals) by 2050. The purpose of the present study was to determine the status of the elderly and bacterial infections, their causes, prevention, and control methods. Materials and Methods: In the present study, Magiran, SID, CAB Direct, PubMed, CDC, and World Health Organization (WHO) databases were searched using the keywords bacterial infections, old age, and control methods. The inclusion criteria included articles related to the study topic in English or Farsi. After the assessment of the articles, 40 articles were studied in detail. Results: Due to the relative increase in the duration of life and diseases related to old age, the recurrence of some infections has been observed in the elderly. Immune system dysfunction, lifestyle, living area, elderly care method, and underlying diseases can be effective on aging and acquiring of infectious diseases. In elderly patients, infections, unlike in young adults, do not have evident symptoms. More than 30% of cases of mortality among the elderly are due to infectious diseases. The most common infections in the elderly are urinary tract, respiratory, unspecified, intra-abdominal, skin, and catheter-related infections. Conclusions: Infectious diseases are of grave importance in the quantity of life and quality of life (QOL) of the elderly. Thus, the determination of their causes, the most common infectious diseases, and their causal factors in the world, developing countries, and Iran can play an important role in the management of these diseases.

72-82

Authors: P Agha Mohammad Hasani , MR Mokhtaree * , Z Asadollahi , MJ Fereidoni

Background: Social phobia is a pervasive and debilitating disorder, with relatively high prevalence, which is affected by different variables and influences many aspects of human life. This study was carried out with the aim to determine the relationship between social anxiety and personality dimensions among students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2013. Materials and Methods: The study population included all students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences in 2013. The sample volume was estimated utilizing Cochran’s formula as 284 individuals. The participants were chosen through stratified random sampling method from among the statistical population. Participants answered the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) designed by Connor et al.‎, which evaluates social phobia and its components that are fear, avoidance, and physiological signs, and the NEO Personality ‎Inventory (NEO PI-R) which evaluates five personality traits. The data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation, ANOVA, independent t-test, and multivariate regression. Results: The prevalence of social phobia among the subjects, except in mild cases, was 58.5%, of which, 19.4% suffered from severe social phobia and 10.2% from very severe social phobia. Among personality dimensions, neuroticism had a direct meaningful relation with social phobia and its aspects. In addition, extraversion, agreeableness, openness to experience, and conscientiousness were inversely associated with social phobia. The personality dimensions of neuroticism and openness to experience were effective predictors of social phobia. Conclusions: The results are indicative of the high prevalence of social phobia among medical students. They also suggest that social phobia and its dimensions have a direct meaningful relation with neuroticism personality dimension. Neuroticism and agreeableness personality dimensions had the necessary power to predict social phobia.

89-97

Authors: E Bateni , A Rabiei , A Ghanbarzadegan *

Background: For decades, it was suspected that diabetes contributed to poorer oral health and the increased frequency of periodontitis. More recently it was found that periodontitis could adversely affect glycemic control in diabetics. The aim of this study was to compare periodontal parameters with the metabolic sugar levels of diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study the experimental group were individuals with the diagnosis of diabetes. The control group consisted of healthy individuals without any systemic condition that affected periodontal status. Periodontal parameters, body mass index, HbA1c level and duration of diabetes were measured and recorded. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Spearman’s correlation coefficient in a bivariate normal distribution. Results: Patients with diabetes had worse periodontal status compared with control group. On the other hand, both patients with diabetes type 1 and 2 showed higher plaque index, bleeding index and clinical attachment loss compared with healthy control group. There was no meaningful relation between HbA1c and periodontal indices. In type 2 diabetic individuals, there was a significant correlation between the number of missing teeth and the duration of their illness. Conclusions: Based on the evaluated parameters in this study, the experimental groups, (type 1 and 2 diabetics), experienced worse conditions than healthy control individuals with respect to their periodontal status. Deterioration of periodontal status is directly related to diabetes progression.

105-111

Authors: H Nadri , F Fasih Ramandi *

Background: Manual handling, lifting, or carrying of material is responsible for non-fatal injuries among employees in industries. It is the second most prevalent reported risk factor in workplaces that can lead to potential manual handling accidents and longer-term musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The aim of this study was the evaluation of manual material handling using the American National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health ‎(NIOSH) equation in a tile and ceramic factory in Tehran, Iran, in 2016. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in a tile and ceramic factory in Tehran, Iran, in 2016. Three tile production lines (A, B, and C) were selected. On each line, cartons were lifted from a conveyor and placed onto a pallet. The task variable data were measured and recorded according to the NIOSH equation. Results: According to the results, composite-lifting index (CLI) value in all three lines exceeded 3 (3.34, 4.53, and 5.99, respectively, for lines C, B, and A). The values of frequency-independent recommended weight limit (FIRWL) and single-task recommended weight limit (STRWL) in all tasks were less than load weight. In addition, values of frequency-independent lifting index (FILI) and single-task lifting index (STLI) in all tasks exceeded 1.0. Conclusions: The results show that CLI value for these jobs exceeded 3, which means that a significant level of physical stress is associated with these jobs for nearly all workers. Both strength and endurance are a problem for many workers. Therefore, the first priorities of job redesign should be the decreasing of the physical demands through modifying the job layout, and decreasing the physiological demands through reducing the frequency rate or duration of continuous lifting.

121-128

Authors: SZ Tabatabaei *

Background: Ethical issues are essential components in any piece of research. In fact, they ought to be considered during designing, planning and conducting each research study particularly among the vulnerable. The aim of this paper is to describe and explain some of the ethical issues and challenges faced by a researcher who carried out a research in three Malaysian residential homes. Materials and Methods: This paper describes the challenges experienced by a researcher during two pilot studies and a main ethnographic study in three Malaysian residential homes. For this, relevant literatures were explored as well. Results: This manuscript is divided into three sections. First, it provides the key definitions. Second, it describes the ethical issues before entering the fields work. And third, it elaborates on the ethical considerations when researcher was making observations and writing field notes, and when the elderly participants were interviewed. Conclusions: Better understanding of ethical considerations can help researchers to better handle their research and avoid harming others.

10-19

Authors: M Yazdani Aval , SB Mortazavi * , H Asilian Mahabadi

Background: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are one of the most important and prevalent air pollutants. The vapor produced as a result of the vaporization ‎of these compounds, even at very low concentrations, is harmful to the environment and human health. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the removal of styrene vapor from the air flow using Zeolite ‎(ZSM-5) in a continuous flow reactor. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a laboratory scale. Styrene concentrations of 200 and 300 ppm were selected for this study and steam saturation method was used to obtain the desired ‎dynamic concentration. The desired concentration of dynamic styrene vapor was prepared in a fireproof cubic continuous flow reactor (canopy). ZSM-5 was synthesized and ground in a flat steel plate with standard mesh number of 20-40 and was used to remove the styrene vapors. In order to evaluate the removal efficiency, two variables of time and initial concentration of pollutant were investigated. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) technique, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to investigate the surface and quality of the obtained adsorbent. Results: The results of SEM and XRD indicated the uniform surface and high purity of the synthesized zeolite. Adsorption breakthrough and saturation for 200 ppm of styrene concentration occurred in the first 35 and 510 minutes of the experiment, and for 300 ppm of styrene concentration, occurred 23 and 385 minutes after the beginning of the test, respectively,. Conclusions: ZSM-5 showed a high level of efficiency in the removal of styrene vapors from polluted air; thus, it can be used to remove this pollutant from large industrial environments.

26-30

Authors: K Ghazikhanlu-Sani , M Alizadeh * , F Mohammadi , S Mohamadpour , Sh Hadidi , Y Mohammadi

Background: The biological effects of radiation on radiology personnel are divided into two groups of deterministic effects and stochastic effects. Due to the effects of radiation on health, radiology staff may be afraid of radiation. Younger personnel with little work experience, compared with older personnel, have higher level of fear. The fear among radiology personnel, like employees of various departments, can impact their job satisfaction and performance. Materials and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional research was performed on radiology staff of hospitals affiliated with Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in the year 2014. In total, 70 questionnaires were distributed among the radiology personnel of these hospitals, of which 49 questionnaires were completed. This questionnaire consisting of 14 questions scored on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1-5 (from very high to very low). All P-values of more than 0.05 (P > 0.05) were considered significant. Results: No significant relationship was observed between fear of radiation and education, age, gender, marital status, and work experience. Conclusions: The total mean for very low level of fear of radiation among the radiology staff of hospitals affiliated to Hamadan University of Medical Sciences was 15.73%. Furthermore, no significant relationship was observed between fear and other variables such as education, age, gender, marital status, and work experience (P > 0.05).

38-44

Authors: Sh Zanganeh , F Roostaei , MR Shafiepour , M Mahmoodi , A Khoshdel , MR Hajizadeh *

Background: Chemerin is and adipokine produced and secreted by adipose tissue and is associated with functions such as insulin resistance, inflammation, and blood pressure regulation. The purpose of the present study was the determination of serum chemerin level in an Iranian population with metabolic syndrome and its comparison with healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: The study subjects consisted of 31 individuals with metabolic syndrome and 25 healthy individuals (control group). Serum chemerin level was measured and its relationship with indices of metabolic syndrome, obesity, and insulin resistance was determined. The collected data were analyzed using independent two-sample t-test and the Pearson correlation coefficient in SPSS software. Results: Serum chemerin level was significantly higher in the metabolic syndrome group compared to the control group (P = 0.009). The mean of the measured indices of BMI (P < 0.001), waist circumference (P < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (P = 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.001), insulin resistance (P = 0.001), and triglyceride (P < 0.001) was significantly higher in the metabolic syndrome group compared to the control group. However, HDL level was significantly higher in the control group compared to the metabolic syndrome group (P = 0.007). Conclusions: Serum chemerin level was higher among patients with metabolic syndrome compared to healthy individuals. Thus, it can be concluded that serum chemerin level measurement can be effective in the diagnosis of this syndrome and determination of appropriate treatment methods.

53-62

Authors: F Nadri , A Khavanin * , Z Mazaheri , A Soleimanian

Background: Noise as a most common harmful physical agent in workplaces has some effects on the exposed persons such as hearing threshold reduction, increasing blood pressure, and interference with the speech. The adverse side-effect of noise is one of the scientific areas that have seldom been considered by researchers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of occupational noise on the male fertility (human and experimental animals) to be finally able to provide solutions for the future orientation of research studies, and on the other hand, to increase awareness in industrial divisions about effects of noise stress on workers fertility. Materials and Methods: In this study, we conducted the bibliographic search in PubMed and Google Scholar databases and studies about effects of workplaces noise on the male fertility with keywords such as fertility, noise, and testicular damage were selected. Results: Male infertility is a major health problem in the world. According to different study, Noise can impact on testis weight, sperm parameters (count, viability, motility and morphology), sexual hormones, testicular tissue, oxidative stress and finally infertility. Conclusions: The results of this study shows that noise exposure plays an important role as an environmental risk factor for male fertility; therefore, it is necessary to formulate guidelines for occupational exposure limits of noise effects, exposure time, use or not usage of supplemental antioxidants and to consider fertility and not be confined merely to the effects of noise on hearing system.

205-212

Authors: R Vazirinejad , P Khalili * , M Rezaeian , A Jamalizadeh , AH Puorkarami

Background: Gastrointestinal cancers are among the most common cancers in different communities. Gastrointestinal tract cancer is the most common cancer among Iranian men and the second common cancer among Iranian women. Due to the impact of environmental factors on the risk of gastrointestinal cancer and the increasing use of agricultural pesticides, this study aimed to investigate the effects of exposure to pesticides on gastrointestinal cancer among pistachio farmers, Rafsanjan, Iran Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 79 patients with gastrointestinal cancer (cases) and 143 healthy people (controls) were studied. For each case, two people were selected as controls for each case from their neighbors and relatives. Data were collected using the study checklist which included demographic information and specific items related to their exposure. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and logistic regression. Results: The risk of gastrointestinal cancer after controlling some confounding factors among individuals who were exposed to spraying pesticides for less than 10 days per year was 1.38 (CI: 0.70-2.71), and in individuals who were exposed to it for between 10 to 20 days per year was 1.71 (CI: 0.79-3.7). The difference was not statistically significant . However, for individuals who had this exposure for more than 20 days per year, the risk was increased to 8.53 (CI: 2.1-34.7) which was statistically significant (P = 0.004). Unexpected exposure to agricultural pesticides and living close to pistachio gardens, both significantly (P < 0.05) increased the risk of gastrointestinal cancers by 8.67 (CI: 1-75.71) and 2.7 (CI: 1.43-5.1), respectively. Among subjects who used protective equipment, the risk of gastrointestinal cancer was statistically lower (OR = 0.18, 95%CI: 0.042-0.85) than this risk among people who did not use this equipment (P = 0.03). Conclusions: Our findings showed that exposure to pesticides, in particular for long time, increased the risk of gastrointestinal cancer among pistachio farmers. Further studies in this area are recommended.

223-228

Authors: A Amiri * , Z Mirhoseiny

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is an extremely toxic metal and environmental exposure to Cd has been particularly problematic in the world. Oral exposure to Cd may result in adverse effects on a number of tissues, the immune system, and the cardiovascular system. Compounds containing Cd are also carcinogenic. The presence of Cd in drinking water resources in the southeastern region of Rafsanjan plain (Iran) at concentrations greater than acceptable limits may result in various adverse health effects. The aim of this research was to test the chelation potency of deferasirox (DFS or ICL670), a tridentate metal chelator, and deferiprone (L1), a bidentate metal chelator, in the mobilization of Cd in Cd-exposed rats as a biological model. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats were exposed to 40 mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride in drinking water for 6 weeks, followed by treatment with DFS (100 mg/kg body weight, oral, once daily) and L1 (100 mg/kg body weight, oral, once daily), alone or in combination, for 7 consecutive days. After chelation therapy, the rats were anesthetized by ether vapor and immobilized by cervical dislocation. Then, their heart, liver, kidneys, intestine, and blood were sampled for clinical hematological variables and determination of Cd and Fe concentration by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The data were subjected to statistical analysis using Student’s t-test. All Ρ values of less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The results show that both chelators (DFS and L1) increase the removal of Cd from the tissues. No effects of Cd or any of the two treatments (L1 or DFS) were observed on white blood cell (WBC) count, red blood cell (RBC) count, and hemoglobin‎ (Hb) level. Conclusions: The comparison of single and combined therapy showed that the combined chelation therapy (DFS + L1) was more effective in depleting Cd concentration in soft tissues.

241-251

Authors: A Movafagh , N Mansouri * , F Moattar , AR Vafaeinejad

Background: The present study investigated the impact of land use on health risks (cancerous and non-cancerous) of heavy metals in soil along the Hemmat Highway of Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: A total of 28 soil samples were collected in August 2014 from the roadside soil of the Hemmat Highway. The collected samples were air-dried and digested, and then, analyzed for heavy metals using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks were calculated for different land uses (green space, residential area, under construction, and natural) along the Hemmat Highway. Results: The hazard index (HI) of Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, and Ni was, respectively, 0.28, 0.19 × 10-2, 0.032, 0.043, 0.006 for children, and was 0.037, 0.24 × 10-3, 0.014, 0.012, 0.76 × 10-3 for adults. Carcinogenic risk of metals was analyzed for Cd, Cr, and Ni. The carcinogenic risk ‎of Pb, Ni, Zn, and Cd was 0.144 × 10-7, 0.427 × 10-6, and 9.41 × 10-2, respectively. Conclusions: The carcinogenic risk levels of the three studied metals were < 10-6 with higher values attributed to Cr‎. HIs for all metals were lower than their threshold values, indicating nil health hazards. The results of risk assessment showed that the highest risk value was related to ingestion of Pb.

260-265

Authors: Z Ghorashi *

Background: The global burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is noticeable and important. However, most STIs are curable and all of them are preventable. In this article, we reviewed and evaluated STI prevalence, current services, existing programs, and the challenges of control and management them in Iran. Materials and Methods: The author searched literature published from 2005 to 2015 in PubMed, MEDLINE, Google, Embase, and Cochran library databases, and by UNAIDS, , the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Health Ministry of Iran. A variety of Medical Subject Headings ‎(MeSH) terms were used to access the literature. Results: The present review revealed that the prevalence of contamination with hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Iran has decreased dramatically in recent years. The prevalence of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in the Iranian population did not exceed the estimated prevalence of these infections in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Although the condition of HIV epidemy is concentrated in Iran, its prevalence in the general population, based on literature, is extremely low. Centers of behavioral disease counseling, women centers, and positive clubs are three available centers in Iran helping in STI/AIDS prevalence reduction. The changing trend of HIV transmission pattern and lack of youth friendly services are the two main challenges of STI/AIDS prevention in Iran. Conclusions: The overall prevalence of STIs and HIV/AIDS is low in Iran. However, neglecting youth sexual activity and premarital sexual relationships could result in the failure of the STIs and HIV/AIDS prevention programs.