Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 41 6 2012 06 15 1 11 Ka-wai FAN 2015 10 03 This paper discusses central-local relations for healthcare policy in China from a principal-agent perspective, based on schistosomiasis control. In order to control the disease, the central government produced the Outline of the Mid-Long-Term National Plan for Schistosomiasis Prevention and Control (2004-2015) in 2004. By discussing the implementation of the National Outline at the provincial level, the author uses principal-agent theory to examine conflict and coordination between the central and provincial governments. The documents were collected from the Internet. Although the central and provincial governments all want to eliminate schistosomiasis, allocating funding among them creates conflict and forms an obstacle to achieving the goal.  This paper extensively discusses the topics related to central-provincial relation and schistosomiasis control program. Further case study on a single province may be needed to intensify the discussion from a micro perspective. The conflict between central and provincial relations needs to be resolved in order to implement the national policy. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2554 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/2554/2534

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 41 6 2012 06 15 12 20 M Zaré S Ghaychi Afrouz 2015 10 03 The huge earthquake in 11 March 2012 which followed by a destructive tsunami in Japan was largest recorded earthquake in the history. Japan is pioneer in disaster management, especially earthquakes. How this developed country faced this disaster, which had significant worldwide effects? The humanitarian behavior of the Japanese people amazingly wondered the word's media, meanwhile the management of government and authorities showed some deficiencies. The impact of the disaster is followed up after the event and the different impacts are tried to be analyzed in different sectors. The situation one year after Japan 2011 earthquake and Tsunami is overviewed. The reason of Japanese plans failure was the scale of tsunami, having higher waves than what was assumed, especially in the design of the Nuclear Power Plant. Japanese authorities considered economic benefits more than safety and moral factors exacerbate the situation. Major lessons to be learnt are 1) the effectiveness of disaster management should be restudied in all hazardous countries; 2) the importance of the high-Tech early-warning systems in reducing risk; 3) Reconsidering of extreme values expected/possible hazard and risk levels is necessary; 4) Morality and might be taken as an important factor in disaster management; 5) Sustainable development should be taken as the basis for reconstruction after disaster. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2555 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/2555/2535

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 41 6 2012 06 15 21 26 C Roman L Scripcariu A Grigoriu 2015 10 03 Background: Biocides for prolonging the shelf life of a large variety of materials have been extensively used over the last decades. It has estimated that the worldwide biocide consumption to be about 12.4 billion dollars in 2011, and is expected to increase in 2012. As biocides are substances we get in contact with in our everyday lives, access to this type of information is of paramount importance in order to ensure an appropriate living environment. Consequently, a database where information may be quickly processed, sorted, and easily accessed, according to different search criteria, is the most desirable solution. The main aim of this work was to design and implement a relational database with complete information about biocides used in public health management to improve the quality of life. Methods: Design and implementation of a relational database for biocides, by using the software "phpMyAdmin". Results: A database, which allows for an efficient collection, storage, and management of information including chemical properties and applications of a large quantity of biocides, as well as its adequate dissemination into the public health environment. Conclusion: The information contained in the database herein presented promotes an adequate use of biocides, by means of information technologies, which in consequence may help achieve important improvement in our quality of life. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2556 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/2556/2536

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 41 6 2012 06 15 27 38 A Ahsan M Alamgir NN Nik Daud 2015 10 03 Background: Developing cities like Khulna, the third largest metropolitan city in Bangladesh, have now begun to confess the environmental and public health risks associated with uncontrolled dumping of solid wastes mainly due to the active participation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) in municipal solid waste (MSW) management. Methods: A survey was conducted to observe the present scenarios of secondary disposal site (SDS), ultimate disposal site (UDS), composting plants, medical wastes management and NGOs and CBOs MSW management activities. Results: A total of 22 NGOs and CBOs are involved in MSW management in 31 wards of Khulna City Corporation. About 9 to 12% of total generated wastes are collected by door-to-door collection system provided by mainly NGOs and CBOs using 71 non-motorized rickshaw vans. A major portion of collected wastes is disposed to the nearest SDS by these organizations and then transferred to UDS or to private low-lying lands from there by the city authority. A small portion of organic wastes is going to the composting plants of NGOs. Conclusion: The participation of NGOs and CBOs has improved the overall MSW management system, especially waste collection process from sources and able to motivate the residents to store the waste properly and to keep clean the premises. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2557 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/2557/2537

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 41 6 2012 06 15 39 49 A Malik A Yasar AB Tabinda M Abubakar 2015 10 03 Background: Almost one third of the global population is living in developing South Asia where disease occurrence is high especially in rural areas and people are unaware of water-borne diseases and cost of illness. Methods: The quantitative approach involved questionnaire based study (n=50 households). The community awareness, the occurrence of water-borne diseases with related cost of illness and community participation for the introduction of health interventions for water-borne diseases were evaluated through cross-tabulations, correlations, and ANOVA. Results: Majority (40%) of the community had no knowledge of water-borne diseases except some had little knowledge of diarrhea and typhoid.  Diarrhea followed by stomach diseases was widespread in the community. Population below poverty level was bearing the cost of illness around US$ 0.6-1.2 (Rs 50-100) per day followed by low and average income level with direct cost of US$ 2.3 (Rs 200) per day. The indirect cost of illness had showed increasing trend between US$ 2.3-4.7 (Rs 200-400) per day with increase in income levels. Maximum willingness to pay (WTP) for water supply and sewerage system was US$ 3.6 (Rs 300) and US$ 1.2 (Rs 100) per month respectively. Income and water supply demand was strongly correlated with acceptability to pay for the facilities (r = 0.319, 0.307; P< 0.05). Income had a strong influence on WTP for water and sewerage system (r = 0.805, 0.797; P< 0.05). Conclusion: To maintain rural health, water-borne diseases can be reduced by introducing health interventions like proper water and sanitation facilities. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2558 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/2558/2538

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 41 6 2012 06 15 50 57 Jong-Hyuck Kim Wi-Young So 2015 10 03 Background: The purpose of this study was to examine whether the frequency of breakfast eating was related with overweight/obesity in Korean adolescents. Method: We analyzed the data collected in the 5th KYRBWS, in which 72,399 adolescents participated in 2009. We assessed the association between frequency of breakfast eating and body mass index by using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 20,962(54.9%) boys and 18,479(54.0%) girls skipped breakfast 7 days(all days) per week at baseline. For boys, the odds ratios(ORs) between being overweight and frequency of breakfast eating were 1.040 for 3-5 times per week, 1.092 for 1-2 time(s) per week, 1.059 for no breakfast per week, compared to 6-7 times per week(p>0.05). The ORs between being obese and frequency of breakfast eating were 1.011 for 3-5 times per week, 0.968 for 1-2 time(s) per week, and 0.932 for no breakfast per week, compared to 6-7 times per week(p>0.05). For girls, the ORs between being overweight and frequency of breakfast eating were 0.990 for 3-5 times per week, 0.992 for 1-2 time(s) per week, 1.019 for no breakfast per week, compared to 6-7 times per week(p>0.05). The ORs between being obese and frequency of breakfast eating were 1.075 for 3-5 times per week, 0.946 for 1-2 time(s) per week, and 0.941 for no breakfast per week, compared to 6-7 times per week(p>0.05). Conclusion: The frequency of breakfast eating has no correlation with overweight/obesity in Korean adolescents. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2559 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/2559/2539

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 41 6 2012 06 15 58 64 M Farhadian H Mahjub A Moghimbeigi J Poorolajal GH Sadri 2015 10 03 Background: The two most frequently diagnosed cancers among women worldwide are breast and cervical cancers. The objective of the present study was to classify the different countries based on the death rates from sex specific cancers. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we used dataset regarding death rate from breast, cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancers in 190 countries worldwide reported by World Health Organization. Normal mixture models were fitted with different numbers of components to these data. The model's parameters estimated using the EM algorithm. Then, appropriate number of components was determined and was selected the best-fit model using the BIC criteria. Next, model-based clustering was used to allocate the world countries into different clusters based on the distribution of women's cancers. The MIXMOD program using MATLAB software was used for data analysis. Results: The best model selected with four components. Then, countries were allocated into four clusters including 43 (23%) in the first cluster, 28 (14%) in the second cluster, 75 (39%) in the third cluster, and 44 (24%) in the fourth cluster. Most countries in South America were to the first cluster. In addition, most countries in Africa, Central, and Southeast Asia were located to the third cluster. Furthermore, the fourth cluster consisted of Pacific continent, North America and European countries. Conclusion: Considering the benefits of clustering based on normal mixture models, it seems that can be applied this method in wide variety of medical and public heath contexts. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2560 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/2560/2540

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 41 6 2012 06 15 65 71 F Kheirandish M Bandehpour A Haghighi F Mahboudi M Mohebali B Kazemi 2015 10 03 Background: Protozoa related to Trypanosome family including Leishmania, synthesize enzymes to escape from drug therapy. One of them is PTR1 that its enzymatic activity is similar to dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). Dihydrofolate reductase - thymidylate synthase has a major role in DNA synthesis, if it is inhibited, the result would be the death of parasite. Since PTR1 activity is similar to DHFR, causes the decrease of inhibition effect of drug. The aim of this study was inhibition of Iranian L. major PTR1 expression with mRNA antisense in prokaryotic system as an approach to appear of the drugs therapeutic effects more. Methods: PTR1 gene  was ligated to pACYCDuet-1 and pcDNA3 plasmids as sense and antisense plasmids, respectively. Simultaneously transfer of sense and antisense plasmids was done in E. coli strain M15. SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis were carried out to analyze the expression. Results: Sense and antisense plasmids were prepared and confirmed by restriction analysis and PCR then simultaneously transfer of them was done. SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis showed PTR1 gene was inhibited by mRNA antisense in bacterial cells. Conclusion: Expression of PTR1 gene in sense plasmid was inhibited successfully by antisense plasmid. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2561 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/2561/2541

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 41 6 2012 06 15 72 79 Z Jahanshiri M Shams-Ghahfarokhi A Allameh M Razzaghi-Abyaneh 2015 10 03 Kok-Peng Ng 3. Dept. of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Soo-Kun Lim 3. Dept. of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Chin-Sieng Chong 3. Dept. of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2015 10 15 Solving the dilemma of the organ shortage in Malaysia requires educating Malaysians about organ donation and transplantation. This paper aims at exploring the average Malaysian households ' preferred channels of campaigns and the preferred campaigners in a family setting, targeting at the dialysis family members.We analyzed the responses of 350 respondents regarding organ donation campaigns. The respondents are 2 family members of 175 dialysis patients from 3 different institutions. The information on respondents' willingness to donate and preferred method and channel of organ donation campaign were collected through questionnaire.Malaysian families have a good tendency to welcome campaigns in both the public and private (their homes) spheres. We also found that campaigns facilitated by the electronic media (Television and Radio) and executed by experienced doctors are expected to optimize the outcomes of organ donation, in general. Chi-square tests show that there are no significant differences in welcoming campaigns among ethnics. However, ethnics preferences over the campaign methods and campaigners are significantly different (P <0.05).Ethnic differences imply that necessary modifications on the campaign channels and campaigners should also be taken under consideration. By identifying the preferred channel and campaigners, this study hopes to shed some light on the ways to overcome the problem of organ shortage in Malaysia. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/4010 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/4010/3669

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 43 7 2014 07 15 936 46 Sang Duk Oh Dept. of Physical Education, Hanyang University , Seoul 133-791, Korea. 2015 10 15 The purpose of this study was to determine whether a 45 bp insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in human uncoupling protein 2 (hUCP2) gene was associated with changes in several cardiovascular risk and physical fitness factors in response to combined exercise during 12 weeks in Korean middle-aged women. The changes in physiological parameters after combined exercise during 12 weeks were compared between each genotype subgroups of hUCP2 gene to clarify the inter-individual differences in exercised-induced changes according to genetic predisposition.A total of 185 women aged over 40 years living in Seoul, Korea were participated in this study, and analyzed before and after 12 weeks on combined exercise including aerobic exercise and strength training for body composition, hemodynamic parameters, physical fitness and metabolic variables. A 45 bp I/D polymorphism in hUCP2 gene was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and agarose gel electrophoresis method.Combined exercise program during 12 weeks indicated the significant health-promoting effects for our participants on multiple body composition, hemodynamic parameters, physical fitness factors and metabolic parameters, respectively. With respect to a 45 bp I/D polymorphism in hUCP2 gene, this polymorphism was significantly associated with baseline %body fat of our participants (P <.05). Moreover, this polymorphism was significantly associated with the changes in %body fat and serum triglyceride(TG) level after combined exercise program during 12 weeks(P <.05).Our data suggest that a 45 bp I/D polymorphism in hUCP2 gene may at least in part contribute to the inter-individual differences on the changes in some clinical and metabolic parameters following combined exercise in middle-aged women. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/4009 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/4009/3668

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 43 7 2014 07 15 947 60 Imen Ben Salem-Ben Nejma 1. Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biological Agents, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir TU-5000 Monastir, Tunisia ; 1. Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biological Agents, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir TU-5000 Monastir, Tunisia. Mouna Hassine Zaafrane 1. Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biological Agents, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir TU-5000 Monastir, Tunisia ; 3. National Reference Center for Enteric Viruses, Laboratory of Virology, CHU of Dijon, 2 Rue Angélique Ducoudray, University of Bourgogne 21000 Dijon France. Fredj Hassine 4. Polyclinique CNSS Sousse- Khzema Sousse 4000-Tunisia. Khira Sdiri-Loulizi 3. National Reference Center for Enteric Viruses, Laboratory of Virology, CHU of Dijon, 2 Rue Angélique Ducoudray, University of Bourgogne 21000 Dijon France. Moncef Ben Said 3. National Reference Center for Enteric Viruses, Laboratory of Virology, CHU of Dijon, 2 Rue Angélique Ducoudray, University of Bourgogne 21000 Dijon France. Mahjoub Aouni 1. Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biological Agents, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir TU-5000 Monastir, Tunisia. Ridha Mzoughi 2. Laboratory of Hygiene, 5 Rue de Kairouan 4000 Sousse Tunisia. 2015 10 15 Diarrheal diseases can be caused by viral, bacterial and parasitic infections. This paper provides a preliminary image of diarrhea with regards to etiology and epidemiologic factors in Tunisian children less than five years of age.Overall, 124 diarrhoeal stools were collected from patients suffering from acute diarrhea and 54 stool samples from healthy children. All stools were examined for the presence of enteric pathogens.In diarrheagenic children, 107 pathogenic bacteria were isolated (12 Salmonella spp. (9.7%) and 95 diarrheagenic Escherichia coli strains (76.6%): 29 enteroaggregative E.coli (EAEC) (23.4%), 15 enteroinvasive E.coli (EIEC) (12.1%), 17 enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC) (13.7%), 26 enterotoxigenic E.coli (ETEC) (21%) and 2 enterohemoragic E.coli (EHEC) (1.6%). However, in the control group, 23 pathogenic E.coli strains were isolated (42.6%): 8 EAEC (14.8%), 12 EIEC (22.2%) and 3 EPEC (5.5%). Among diarrheagenic E.coli (DEC), only ETEC strains were significantly recovered from diarrheagenic children than from healthy controls (P < 0.0003). Group A rotavirus was identified in 33.9% (n=42) of diarrheagenic children and in 11.1% among the control group (n=6). Concerning norovirus, 8.9% (n=11) of the samples collected from diarrheagenic children and 9.2% (n=5) from the control group were positive. The prevalence of rotaviruses and Salmonella spp were also significantly higher in patients with diarrhea than in controls (P = 0.002 and P < 0.019, respectively). Finally, enteropathogenic parasites (Entamoeba coli and cryptosporidium Oocystes) were isolated from 4.8% and 9.2% of diarrheagenic and control children, respectively.These results provide baseline data about the relative importance of different enteropathogens in Tunisian children. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/4008 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/4008/3667

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 43 7 2014 07 15 961 7 Hassan Hashemi 1. Noor Ophthalmology Research Center, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Farhad Rezvan 1. Noor Ophthalmology Research Center, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Mehdi Khabazkhoob 2. Dept. of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Hamidreza Gilasi 3. Dept. of Public Health and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran. Koroush Etemad 2. Dept. of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Alireza Mahdavi 1. Noor Ophthalmology Research Center, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Soheila Asgari 4. Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, International Campus (TUMS-IC), Tehran, Iran. 2015 10 15 The aim of this study was to determine the trend of changes in Cataract Surgical Rate (CSR) in the provinces of Iran during 2006 to 2010 and identify high risk areas.This report is part of the national Iranian CSR Study. The percentage change in CSR in 2010 compared to 2006 was conducted in each province, retrospectively. One hundred and ten centers were chosen from all provinces, to determine CSR in each, the weight of major (>3,000 annual surgeries) and minor (3,000 annual surgeries or less) centers was calculated based on the number of selected centers, and multiplied by the number of surgeries in each province.In eight provinces, CSR was decreased by 1-60%. One province (Booshehr) showed no change. Eighteen provinces had 2-79% increase. No 2006 data was available in three provinces. North Khorasan had the most decrease while Kerman had the most increase in CSR. Six of these 8 provinces had CSR>3,000 despite a decrease in 2010, but North Khorasan had CSR<3,000 over the whole 5 year period. In 4 provinces, CSR had a gap from 3,000 despite an ascending trend, and in two, the gap was quite considerable.Although CSR has an improving trend in most provinces in Iran, it is decreasing in some provinces, and despite an already low CSR, the exacerbation continues. The growing population of over 50 year olds calls for prompt measures in such provinces. Even in improving provinces, some lag behind the minimum recommended by WHO, and the growth rate of the over 50 population reveals the necessity of immediate planning. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/4007 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/4007/3666

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 43 7 2014 07 15 968