Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 43 10 2014 10 15 1316 23 Božidar Banović Faculty of Law, University of Kragujevac , Kragujevac, Republic of Serbia. Veljko Turanjanin Faculty of Law, University of Kragujevac , Kragujevac, Republic of Serbia. 2015 10 15 Background Euthanasia is one of the most intriguing ethical, medical and law issues that marked whole XX century and beginning of the XXI century, sharply dividing scientific and unscientific public to its supporters and opponents. It also appears as one of the points where all three major religions (Catholic, Orthodox, and Islamic) have the same view. They are strongly against legalizing mercy killing, emphasizing the holiness of life as a primary criterion by which the countries should start in their considerations. Studying criminal justice systems in the world, the authors concluded that the issue of deprivation of life from compassion is solved on three ways. On the first place, we have countries where euthanasia is murder like any other murder from the criminal codes. Second, the most numerous are states where euthanasia is murder committed under privilege circumstances. On the third place, in the Western Europe we have countries where euthanasia is a legal medical procedure, under requirements prescribed by the law. In this paper, authors have made a brief comparison of the solutions that exist in some Islamic countries, where euthanasia is a murder, with Western countries, where it represents completely decriminalized medical procedure. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/3896 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/3896/3559

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 43 10 2014 10 15 1324 34 Fatemeh Hosseini 1. Dept. of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya, 50603 , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Nikmatul Adha 1. Dept. of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya, 50603 , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Rosilawati Zainol 1. Dept. of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya, 50603 , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Marzuki Isahak 1. Dept. of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya, 50603 , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Nahid Nemati 2. Dept. of Geography, Islamic Azad University of Science and Research , Tehran, Iran. 2015 10 15 The main objective was to find association between basal cortisol and neighborhood-level stress. Systematic searches, including electronic and hand searches, were conducted. The most recent date of the search was July 26, 2013. Primary observational studies included if they considered stress related outcomes in the neighborhood context. Using the EndNote X7 advanced search option; the authors examined the abstracts and titles of the 18,092 articles to exclude obviously irrelevant studies, gray literature, discussion papers, reviews and, studies with no complete data. Two authors independently extracted data from the original reports into pre-designed data extraction forms based on the Data Extraction Template of the Cochrane Consumer and Communication Review Group (CCCRG). Ten studies with a total of 2,134 participants were synthesized and analyzed. Two studies out of ten received expanded meta-analysis. The overall effect size (95% CI) for cortisol level for residents in neighborhoods with lower stress compared to inhabitants from higher was 0.12 (0.01, 0.23). This review is demonstrating a link between psychosocial or physical stress and cortisol obtained from saliva. However, living in high disorder neighborhoods results in higher level of cortisol. This represents a biological indicator of psychosocial/physical stress exposure (i.e., neighborhood disorder) that reflects variances in stress exposure levels. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/3890 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/3890/3553

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 43 10 2014 10 15 1335 44 Naimeh Seyedfatemi 1. Dept. of Nursing, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Center for Nursing Care Research, Iran University of Medical Sciences. Mahvash Salsali 2. Tehran, Iran. Nasrin Rezaee 2. Tehran, Iran. Zahra Rahnavard 2. Tehran, Iran. 2015 10 15 It is necessary to identify unidentified or less- concentrated issues in women's health dimension through an extended study. This study is done to identify different dimensions of women's health among qualitative research.The present meta-synthesis study is done through a systematic review. The main criteria were to use qualitative studies issued in the same language and researches in which their participants were women. All the published and indexed articles related to women's health in Iran at SID, Magiran and Iranmedex databases from 2001 to 2013 were scrutinized. Search in these databases was done using key words "health" and "women". Finally, 29 qualitative articles were chosen. Data analysis was performed using qualitative content analysis.Generally, concepts extracted from women's health dimension are classified in three main categories including personal, familial and social dimensions. Each category includes some subcategories, too. Personal factors consist of physical, psychological -emotional and spiritual; familial factors consist of fertility, husband's support and women's fundamental roles, and social factors consist of cultural, socioeconomically support, and women's management issues.In this meta-synthesis study, there was an effort to present a new interpretation of the previous studies. This study helped attain a more comprehensive and deeper knowledge about women's health concept and reveal its different aspects, which are not assessed in the country. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/3888 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/3888/3551

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 43 10 2014 10 15 1345 55 Liya Liu 1. Dept. of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Central South University , Changsha, China . ; 2. Dept. of Medical Laboratory, Hunan University of Medicine , Huaihua, China. Lizhang Chen 1. Dept. of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Central South University , Changsha, China . Zhanzhan Li 1. Dept. of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Central South University , Changsha, China . Liang Li 3. Medical Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiangya, Central South University , Changsha, China. Jian Qu 4. The Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University , Changsha, China. Jing Xue 1. Dept. of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Central South University , Changsha, China . 2015 10 15 There are much heterogeneity in the genetic variation of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of seven novel genetic loci identified in a recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with T2D in Chinese Dong populations.A case-controlled study was performed in individuals of Chinese Dong nationality. The genotypes of PARD3B (rs849230), LOC729993 (rs149228), EPHA4 (rs16862811), HNT (rs3099797), PTPRD (rs17584499 and rs649891), TOMM7 (rs2240727) genes were determined using Multiplex PCR-SNaPshot. The independent association between each polymorphism and T2D was assessed using unconditional binary logistic regression analysis (BLR).A total of 136 cases of T2D and 136 control subjects were enrolled in the study. The polymorphism of rs2240727 in TOMM7 gene was associated with T2D (odds ratio (OR) = 1.65, per copy of the risk T allele, P = 0.004). In addition, CT and TT were risk genotypes for T2D (OR (95% CIs):2.64 (1.28-5.45) and 3.42 (1.58-7.41) respectively). After correcting for multiple testing, the above results remained significant (all P < 0.05). After adjusting for the confounders of age, gender, and BMI, the association between T2D and rs2240727 remained significant (P < 0.01). There were significantly statistical difference in levels of fasting plasm glucose(FPG) among genotypes of rs2240727 in controls and patients, the levels of FPG were significantly higher in CT and TT genotypes than in CC genotype in both groups (all P < 0.05).The rs2240727 genetic variant in TOMM7 was associated with T2D of Chinese Dong individuals, and might enhance the risk of T2D by affecting the level of FPG. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/3886 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/3886/3549

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 43 10 2014 10 15 1356 63 Salem Alkoshi 1. Dept. of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Kacey Ernst 2. Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, the University of Arizona , Tucson, Arizona State, USA. Namaitijiang Maimaiti 3. International Institute for Global Health, United Nations University , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Maznah Dahlui 1. Dept. of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2015 10 15 Rotavirus is a common infection causing 450,000 deaths annually primarily in children 5 years and below. Despite the high burden of disease, little is known about the epidemiology of rotavirus in Libya. The aim of this study was to estimate the rotavirus disease burden among Libyan children.A cross-sectional study was carried out prospectively among children 5 years old and below between August 2012 and April 2013. Stool samples of children with diarrhea attending the outpatient department or admitted to the pediatric wards, at three public hospitals within the northwestern region of Libya were tested for rotavirus. The seasonality, symptomology demographics and outcomes of rotavirus cases were determined and compared to other diarrhea illnesses. An estimated incidence rate per 100,000 children aged 5 years and below was determined.A total of 545 children with diarrhea were identified for participation. Results of rotavirus immunoassays determined 57% of cases were caused by rotavirus. Inpatients were more likely to be rotavirus positive than outpatients (58% vs. 53%, P<0.05), Most rotavirus positive cases (86%) were found among children below 2 years of age. Rotaviral cases peaked in the winter, constituting 76% of diarrheal illness in February and very few rotavirus cases in the summer months. The incidence rate of rotavirus diarrhea was estimated at 640/100,000 children aged 5 years and below.Rotavirus infection poses a significant disease burden in Libya. Preventive measures such as proper hygiene should be emphasized. Introduction of vaccination against rotavirus into the national immunization program should be examined, as it would likely be a cost-effective investment. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/3884 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/3884/3547

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 43 10 2014 10 15 1364 71 Mojgan Aryaeipour 1. Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, International Branch, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science , Tehran, Iran. Soheila Rouhani 2. Dept. Of Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science , Tehran, Iran. Mojgan Bandehpour 2. Dept. Of Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science , Tehran, Iran. Hadi Mirahmadi 1. Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, International Branch, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science , Tehran, Iran. Bahram Kazemi 2. Dept. Of Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science , Tehran, Iran. Mohammad Bagher Rokni 3. Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran ; 4. Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran (CREPI), Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran. 2015 10 15 The aim of this study was to detect the genotype of Fasciola spp. in Meshkin-Shahr, Ardabil Province, northwestern Iran in different hosts using PCR-RFLP.The parasite hosts included cattle, and sheep. Overall, 70 adult flukes from livers of slaughtered animals were collected from the abattoirs of aforementioned area. The included 35 samples from infected sheep and 35 samples from 35 infected cattle. PCR-RFLP and sequence analysis of the first nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS 1) region from Fasciola species were used to conduct the study.The fragment of approximately 700bp in all of the Fasciola samples was amplified. PCR products of ITS 1 were subjected for digestion by restriction enzyme. RsaI restriction enzyme was selected for RFLP method that caused the separation specifically of Fasciola species. Amplicons with the sequences of F. hepatica had a pattern of about 360, 100, and 60 bp band size, whereas F. gigantica worms had a profile of 360, 170, and 60 bp in size, respectively. Results based on PCR-RFLP analysis were confirmed by sequence analysis of representative ITS 1 amplicons. No hybrid forms were detected in the present study. All sheep were infected with F. hepatica but cattle were infected with both species.Both species of Fasciola are present in Ardabil. The method described here can be valuable for identification of Fasciola species in endemic parts for fasciolosis, regions with intermediate species and in that overlapping distribution area. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/3882 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/3882/3545

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 43 10 2014 10 15 1372 9 Maliheh Arab 1. Dept. of Gynecology-Oncology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran. Giti Noghabaei 2. Imam Hossein Medical Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran. 2015 10 15 Female cancer, especially breast and gynecologic cancers are considered multistage disease, highly influenced by risk and protective factors and/or screening preventive modalities. Consequences of all these factors result in the trend of change over time.In this comparative study, based on data of national cancer registry of Iran 2004 published by Iranian Ministry of Health, age - standard incidence rate (ASR) according to the world population was calculated in all reported gynecologic and breast cancers. Source of all subjects are pathologic based. In the next step, the calculated ASR of Iran and those of the other countries in 2004 were compared to GLOBOCAN ASR reports of 2008.In Iran ASR of breast cancer 2004 (24.93) changed to 18.4 in 2008. Ovarian cancer ASR of 2004, 3.07 was 3.1 in 2008. Endometrial cancer ASR in 2004 (2.29) was 1.7 in 2008. Cervical cancer ASR of 1.71 in 2004 was 2.2 in 2008.In Iran incidence trend of breast and endometrium are decreasing in the same Medical education in Iran has witnessed important reforms within the last three decades. Among them was the formation of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and a sudden rise in medical student admissions. This reform took place in a specific time period and was aimed to meet the country's requirement of training more physicians. Other reforms have aimed to improve the quality and outcomes of physician training. This is possible through two measures: a change in medi­cal education procedures, or a change in the ‘input' of medical education (i.e. students) or both. Graduate admission to medical schools is a step toward changing the ‘input'. In 2008, twenty one bachelor students were admitted in Tehran Uni­versity of Medical Sciences through a series of prerequisites, tough scientific exams and structured interviews. This move had three objectives: strengthening the links between basic and clinical sciences, selecting the students on the basis of a wider range of criteria (instead of strictly academic ones), and providing a chance for applicants to make a more informed choice of medicine (considering that the graduate applicants are older and have previous academic experience). Further ar­eas of education reform are also being followed: a change in medical students' educational content and procedures, and con­siderations and development of joint degrees such as MD-MPH and MD-PhD. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2845

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 38 Supple 1 2009 03 15 40 46 F Zahedi Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran SH Emami Razavi Deputy of Health, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran B Larijani Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran 2015 10 03 The growing developments in science and technology have raised ethical challenges which should practically be addressed by scientists, regulatory bodies and policy makers. Likewise, challenging issues of medical ethics have also drawn a great deal of academic attention in Iran. In other words, recent decades have been an occasion of considerable development for contemporary bioethics in Iran. At first, the ongoing initiatives to arrange the national and regional research ethics commit­tees and to compile the national strategic plan for medical ethics is worth mentioning. Currently, research ethics committees are actively established in the universities and research centers across the country. Furthermore, the subject of ethics in dif­ferent fields of science, which was followed in a traditional approach previously, is an important object of discussion cur­rently. Much research is now being undertaken in various areas of bioethics nationwide. Consequently, during the period under review, considerable articles and books have been published in the emerging subjects of bioethics. Several educa­tional workshops and courses have been frequently taken place in the universities and research centers. Foundation of aca­demic courses and fellowship in bioethics are also among the recent activities in the realm of medical ethics education in Iran. Likewise, considering several areas of bioethics that need legislation or reconsideration of previous regulations; the authorities, policy-makers, and scientists have carried out some endeavors to prepare appropriate law, codes, and guidelines. This report summarizes the bioethical activities and achievements in different fields of policy-making, organizing, teaching, and putting ethics into practice in our country during two recent decades. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2846

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 38 Supple 1 2009 03 15 47 49 H Malekafzali Institute of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran MB Eftekhari Evaluation Section, Undersecretary for Research and Technology, Ministry of Health and Medical Educ N Peykari Evaluation Section, Undersecretary for Research and Technology, Ministry of Health and Medical Educ F Sadat Gholami Evaluation Section, Undersecretary for Research and Technology, Ministry of Health and Medical Educ Sh Djalali nia Evaluation Section, Undersecretary for Research and Technology, Ministry of Health and Medical Educ P Owlia Dept. of Microbiology, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran E Habibi Evaluation Section, Undersecretary for Research and Technology, Ministry of Health and Medical Educ B Mesgarpour Scientometry Center, Undersecretary for Research and Technology, Ministry of Health and Medical Edu M Vasei Deputy Minister, Undersecretary for Research and Technology, Ministry of Health and Medical Educatio 2015 10 03 International ranking of universities by bibliometric assays has received a great attention in recent years. The developing countries have commenced to build their own infrastructure of research and post graduate training during the past couple of years. In 2000, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran began an annual national survey for assessing research activities in medical universities and their affiliated institutions by applying a customized ranking method. Research indi­cators were scored in three topics; Stewardship, Capacity Building, and Knowledge Production. In 2000, there were about 300 published medical articles in ISI/Thomson and PUBMED from the whole country. This number increased up to 3376 in 2007. The score of indexed papers in international databases per academic member rose from 0.1 in 2000 to 0.63 in 2007. The share of global articles (in the field of Medicine) grew from 0.06% in 2000 to 0.55% in 2007. This rising in article output led to a change from grade 57th in 2000 to 27th in 2007 in the ranking system of Scopus database. The number of local medi­cal journals, which were 53 in 2000, increased to 141 at the end of 2008.  This rising scores was ongoing while the growth of the total staff of the academic members was about 25% (from 9086 in 2000 to 11324 in 2007). The number of the short training courses rose from 458 in 2000 to 1097 in 2007. The registered research projects in health topic rose from less than 3878 in 2000 to 6816 in 2007. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2847

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 38 Supple 1 2009 03 15 50 53 R Majdzadeh Center for Community-Based Participatory Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran A Setareh Forouzan University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran F Pourmalek Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, USA H Malekafzali School of Public Health and Institute of Public Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Scienc 2015 10 03 In Iran, Population Research Centers, which were established in medical universities in 2001, were working for the aim of health promotion in particular and human development in general. These centers were based on community participation in their activities to develop the necessary capacity to allow people "more control over their own health and development". Iran's experience reveals that Community-Based Participatory Research is an approach that uses community knowledge and local resources. Its objective is to empower all stakeholders of development. The priority in local communities and the grass-root of health problems were mainly social determinants of health. On the other hand, both approaches of top-down and bottom-up approaches must be simultaneously considered for dealing with these determinants. Establishment of such centers can create good opportunities for developing original solutions for dealing with social determinants of health. The success of Population Research Centers depends on policy makers' concepts and attitude toward social determinants of health and the role of community participation in this regard. It seems that a more extensive engagement of different sectors including universities, governmental and non-governmental organizations is also vital for such movements. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2848

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 38 Supple 1 2009 03 15 54 57 H Malekafzali Institute of Public Health Research, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, A Forouzan University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran M Baradaran Eftekhari Deputy of Research and Technology, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Iran M Azizabadi Farahani Medicine and Health Promotion Institute (MHPI), Tehran, Iran HR Khoddami Vishteh Medicine and Health Promotion Institute (MHPI), Tehran, Iran 2015 10 03 Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is believed to be a potent means for the promotion of health in the com­munity. To that end, Iran has conducted several CBPR projects in various community research centers (CRCs). We aimed to assess the quality of some of these CBPR projects in Iran from the perspective of Iranian academicians. In this cross-sec­tional study, carried out during 2005, five CBPR projects implemented in Iranian CRCs (Tehran, n=3; Qazvin, n=1; and Bandar Abbas, n=1) were selected. Three academic members involved in each project were interviewed using a structured questionnaire that appraised the extent to which the research project was aligned with the principles of participatory re­search. Results show that the CRCs and the academic members in our CBPR projects should receive further training and consultation. Quality assessment of CBPR projects seems essential from the view point of other participants of such pro­jects, namely community and stakeholders. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2849

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 38 Supple 1 2009 03 15 58 62 R Majdzadeh School of Public Health, Center for Academic and Health Policy (CAHP), Tehran University of Medical S Nedjat School of Public Health, Center for Academic and Health Policy (CAHP), Tehran University of Medical A Fotouhi School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran H Malekafzali Institute of Public Health Research, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 2015 10 03 Knowledge translation was created in response to the knowledge-do gap. With the growing number of research projects, utilization of research knowledge roused interest. One of its defects, which are seen more in developing countries, is the scarcity of recognized practical knowledge translation applications. The actions taken to strengthen knowledge translation can be classified into three categories of ‘push, pull and exchange'. In Iran, some of the interventions effective in knowl­edge translation, may not have primarily taken place with this aim, but can however be effective in it. Some of the meas­ures taken specifically in Iran's research system are: capacity building of human resources for knowledge translation, better utilization of research by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, creating necessary incentives among medical uni­versities, identification of barriers and proposing interventions. Pilots of knowledge translation interventions are concerned with ‘push' activities whose main focus is to support knowledge translation activities and promote active strategies (or in­crease interaction between researchers and decision makers during research and utilization of results). Long-plan programs such as ‘Iran's Health Innovation and Science Development plan have also been designed for the future. These include formation of centers for reducing the knowledge-do gap in the form of knowledge and health technology translation centers. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2850

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 38 Supple 1 2009 03 15 63 64 GhR Heidari Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Iran RN Heidari Undersecretary for Health and Technology, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Iran 2015 10 03 The Millennium Development Goal's (MDG's) represent a global partnership that has grown from the comments and targets established at the world summits of the 1990's. Responding to the world's main development challenges and to the calls of civil society, the MDG's promote poverty reduction, education, maternal health, gender equality , and aims  at combating child mortality, AIDs and other diseases, environmental sustainability and global partnership. Set for the year 2015, the MDG's are an agreed set of goals that can be achieved if all actors work together and do their part. Poor countries have pledged to govern better, and to invest in their people through health care and education. Rich countries have pledged to support poor countries through aid, debt relief and fairer trade. MDG's at the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in Iran aims to, reduce the under- five mortality rate to two thirds between 1990 and 2015,  improve maternal health by reduc­ing to three quarters the mortality ratio and  achieve universal access to reproductive health, to combat  HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and TB, and  to have them halted by 2015, to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS and to achieve by 2010 a universal access to treatment to all those who need it and  by 2015 begin to reverse the incidence of malaria and TB. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2851

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 38 Supple 1 2009 03 15 65 68 S Sarkar Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council (INIC), Tehran, Iran A Beitollahi Dept. of Metallurgy and Materials Eng., Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Tehran, Ir 2015 10 03 During the last decade, nanotechnology has gained remarkable attention by international scientific and industrial societies. In this respect, various countries have launched their short and long-term programs to benefit from the huge market ex­pected by utilization and implementation of this technology in their industrial/technological infrastructures. Islamic republic of Iran, also by considering the undeniable impact of this technology on her nation's wealth and economy, initiated her na­tional nanotechnology development plan referred to as "Future Strategy" in 2005. The strategic plan outlines countries ma­jor action plans for ten-year period up to 2015 with the target to be amongst the top 15 countries active in this very impor­tant area. This paper, while reviewing briefly the objects, targets of the plan will also consider the status and achievements ob­tained by implementation of this strategic plan. Further, the impact of various developed infrastructures on the success of the program will be also discussed.     https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2852

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 38 Supple 1 2009 03 15 69 70 H Malekafzali Institute of Public Health Research, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 2015 10 03 Primary health care in the Islamic Republic of Iran was conceived and nurtured on the strength of scientific research, politi­cal commitment, and well thought out planning. Due to expansion of PHC network in rural areas of Iran health Indicators have significantly improved. The health care and network in this country is, however, in need of serious repair if all this endeav­ors hither to be wasted.  https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2853

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 38 Supple 1 2009 03 15 71 73 N Jafari Health Programs Management Office, Health Network Development Center, Deputy for Health, Ministry of F Abolhassani Internal Diseases Department, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran M Naghavi Health Programs Management Office, Health Network Development Center, Deputy for Health, Ministry of F Pourmalek Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sci M Moradi Lakeh Community Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Iran H Kazemeini Health Programs Management Office, Health Network Development Center, Deputy for Health, Ministry of MJ Kabir Health Programs Management Office, Health Network Development Center, Deputy for Health, Ministry of 2015 10 03 Background:  The objective of this study was to estimate the burden of disease and injury in Iran for the year 2003, using Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) at the national level. Methods: Methods developed by the World Health Organization for National Burden of Disease (NBD) studies were ap­plied to estimate disease and injury incidence for the calculation of Years of Life Lost due to premature mortality (YLL), Years Lived with Disability (YLD), and DALYs. The following adjustments of the NBD methodology were made in this study: a revised list with 214 disease and injury causes, development of new and more specific disease modeling templates for cancers and injuries, and adjustment for dependent co morbidity. Results: We estimated that in the year 2003, there were 21,572 DALYs due to all diseases and injuries per 100,000 Iranian people of all ages and both sexes, 62% were due to disability premature deaths (YLD) and 38% were due to premature deaths (YLL); 58% were due to non communicable diseases, 28% - to injuries, and 14% - to communicable, maternal, peri­natal, and nutritional conditions. Fifty-three percent of the total number of 14.349 million DALYs in Iran were in males and 47% of DALYs were in females. The disease and injury causes leading to the highest number of DALYs in males were road traffic accidents, and in females were ischemic heart disease. Conclusions: The health and disease profile in Iran has made the transition from the dominance of communicable diseases to that of noncommunicable diseases and road traffic injuries. NBD results are to be used in health program planning, re­search, and resource allocation generation policies and practices.   https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2854

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 38 Supple 1 2009 03 15 74 80 A Khosravi Deputy of Health, Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran ME Motlagh Deputy of Health, Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran SH Emami Razavi Deputy of Health, Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran 2015 10 03 This paper aims to describe the Iranian Vital Horoscope System. This system has been designed to collect and display vital events within the community. Baseline population data are collected by health workers (Behvarz), and are entered onto the Vi­tal Horoscope Chart. The objective of this data collection system is to compile relevant data to quantitatively assess the per­form­ance of the health unites at the different levels each year, according to conventional health indicators. Assessing in­di­ces reported based on this data sources confirmed the consistency of the Vital Horoscope as a data collection mechanism and provided face validity of the data source. However, further study is needed to evaluate content validity and reliability of data from this system. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2855

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 38 Supple 1 2009 03 15 2856 2856 MM Gouya Center for Communicable Disease Control, Deputy of Health, Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Ed 2015 10 03 Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in I.R.Iran began in 1984 after establishing of health network for PHC all over the country and reached to high & accepted coverage rates for active immunization of infants against vaccine prevent­able diseases including Diphteria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Measles, Poliomyelitis and Tuberculosis. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2856

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 38 Supple 1 2009 03 15 82 87 H Abolghasemi Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization Research Center M Maghsudlu Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization Research Center S Amini Kafi-Abad Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization Research Center A Cheraghali Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization Research Center 2015 10 03 Currently, in Iran blood transfusion is an integral part of the national health system and blood donation is voluntary and non­remu­nerated and blood and its components may not be a source of profit. In 1974 and following establishment of Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO) all blood transfusion activities from donor recruitment to production of blood com­po­nents and delivery of blood and blood products were centralized. The activities of IBTO are followed the laws and regu­la­tions of Ministry of Health and criteria of Iran National Regulatory Authority. In order to meet the country's demand in 2007 IBTO collected about 1.7 millions units of blood from the population of 70 millions. In 1979 coincided with the Is­lamic revolution the number of  blood units collected throughout the country were 124,000 units or 3.4 unit per 1000 popu­la­tion whereas after about 30 years this increased to about 25 unit per 1000 population. With improving the pool of vol­un­tary donors, IBTO has been successful in excluding "family replacement" donation since 2007 and reached to 100% volun­tary and nonremunerated blood donation. Currently more than 92% of blood donors in Iran are male and contribution of fe­male in blood donation is less than 8%. Although all donated blood in Iran screened for HBsAg since 1974, screening of blood units for HIV and HCV started since 1989 and 1996, respectively. The frequency of HBV infection in blood do­nors showed a significant decline from 1.79% in 1998 to 0.4% in 2007. The overall frequency of HCV and HIV infection are 0.13% and 0.004% respectively. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2857

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 38 Supple 1 2009 03 15 88 89 A Amirkhani Health, Population and School Health Bureau, Ministry of Health & Medical Education, Tehran, Iran SM Alavian Liver and Gastrointestinal Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Ira M Dashti Youth and School Health Office, Ministry of Health & Medical Education, Tehran, Iran T Aminaie Youth and School Health Office, Ministry of Health & Medical Education, Tehran, Iran G Ardalan Adolescents, Youth and School Health Office, Ministry of Health & Medical Education, Tehran, Iran H Ziaoddini Health & Physical Activity and Prevention of Social Hazards, Ministry of Education & Training, Tehra R Kelishadi Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran 2015 10 03 Background: Screening program in schools are designed to identify children who have early signs of health problems. This study provides information about the findings of national screening program in Iran. Methods: This national program is conducted by the Ministry of Health& Medical Education (MOHME) with collaboration of the Ministry of Education & Training. This program had two major parts including 1) screening of behavioral, hearing and visual disorders, pediculosis and calculating body mass index and 2) physical examination of students, conducted by pri­mary care physicians. All services are offered free of charge. The students' parents are informed about the health status of their children. Results: The screening program conducted in 2007-2008 included 3,124,021 students from 33 cities who were studying in the first- and third- grade- students in elementary schools, first- grade- students in middle and high schools. Of total students stud­ied, 12.48% had weight disorders, i.e. body mass index <3rd percentile or > 95th percentile. 4.77% had visual disorders, 3.95 % had head lice, 2.24% had behavioral disorders, and 0.6% had hearing disorders. Conclusion: In addition to its benefits to the students' health status, the results of this screening program help health policy mak­ers to design interventions for prevention and or early detection and treatment of the most common disorders docu­mented among school students.   https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2858

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 38 Supple 1 2009 03 15 90 92 A Azemikhah Ministry of Health & Medical Education, Family Health & Population Department, Maternal Health Unit, MA Amirkhani Ministry of Health & Medical Education, Family Health & Population Department, Maternal Health Unit, P Jalilvand Ministry of Health & Medical Education, Family Health & Population Department, Maternal Health Unit, N Emami Afshar Ministry of Health & Medical Education, Family Health & Population Department, Maternal Health Unit, L Radpooyan Ministry of Health & Medical Education, Family Health & Population Department, Maternal Health Unit, N Changizi Ministry of Health & Medical Education, Family Health & Population Department, Maternal Health Unit, 2015 10 03 Finding the root causes of maternal mortality plays a significant role in identifying the status of development in the society and in expressing the current situation of maternal health and the adoption of appropriate measures towards its improve­ment. With   the above in mind and for the purpose of fulfillment of objectives and national and international commitments, the National Maternal Mortality Surveillance System was designed in 2000 and implemented from 2001 through out the coun­try in Iran. Implementation of this program aimed at identifying the  factors contributing to maternal mortality during prena­tal, delivery and postnatal periods through discovering the process that each mother has followed until her death, identify­ing avoidable causes of death and designing interventions in order to solve problems and prevent occurring of simi­lar deaths. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/2859

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