OBJECTIVEAmong the injury types, sports ones constitute a considerable proportion of patients who refer to the medical centers. This research was conducted to examine the frequency of sports-related injuries referring to Kashan University of Medical Sciences Trauma Research Center from 2005 to 2011.

METHODSThis was a retrospective research in which existing data from the data bank of Kashan University of Medical Sciences Trauma Research Center were employed. The data were extracted from the main source by SPSS version 16.0. Variables such as age, education, occupation and gender were analyzed.

RESULTSThe highest proportion of injuries was observed in students (59.4%) followed by workers (11.8%). Upper and lower extremities were most commonly injured. The most frequent injury was strain (35.4%), followed by sprain (27.7%).

CONCLUSIONThe results of this research showed that the majority of the sports trauma occurrs in students; therefore, they need more attention in regard to sports injuries. Preventive measures such as informing the coaches and teachers as well as increasing the students'awareness about the injury risk can decrease the incidences of sports injuries.

Athletic Injuries ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Iran ; epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Students

OBJECTIVETo determine the nature and extent of Iranian casualties by ballistic missile attacks during the eight years of the Iraq-Iran war.

METHODSThe data collected about Iraqi missile strikes on Iranian cities included the following: date and time, number and type of missiles, cities targeted, and injuries and deaths resulting from impacts of missiles in civilian areas. The data were extracted from a database that was constructed by the army staff headquarters based on daily reports of Iranian army units during the war.

RESULTSOver a period of eight years (1980-1988), Iraqi army fired 533 ballistic missiles at Iranian territories. From those, 414 missiles (77.7%) landed on Iranian cities. The impacts of these missiles caused the deaths of 2,312 civilians and injured 11,625 others. Three types of ballistic missiles were used: FROG-7, Scud, and Al-Hussein (a modified version of the Scud missile). Twenty-seven cities in Iran were struck by Iraqi ballistic missiles. The highest mortalities from ballistic missiles were in Dezful and Tehran. Iraqi missile attacks continued for 90 months (2,748 days).

CONCLUSIONOur results point to the necessity of investigating the psychological consequences of Iraqi ballistic missile attacks among survivors in 27 Iranian cities during the eight years of the Iraq-Iran war.

Blast Injuries ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Iran ; Iraq ; epidemiology ; Time Factors ; Warfare ; Wounds and Injuries ; epidemiology ; Wounds, Gunshot ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETrauma is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in adults and a major contributor to health care expenditures. Although spine-related injuries constitute a small proportion of trauma cases, they need special consideration due to poor functional outcomes and substantial burden. Despite relatively extensive previous studies on traumatic spinal injuries, there is still obscurity in some aspects of the issue. The purpose of this study is to establish a regional multicenter traumatic spine fracture/dislocation registry.

METHODSThis is a prospective case series study, including all patients with acute traumatic spine lesions admitted to a regional multicenter since 2014. Data is extracted based upon a form developed by Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Novel electronic data entry software is initiated and data will be entered to the software. Information remains confidential and security considerations will be taken based on standards of data entry systems.

RESULTSThe results of this study will include age and gender distribution of the patients, causes of injury, location of pain and neurological deficit, the American Spinal Injury Association score and Frankel grade on admission, at discharge, after 6 and 12 months and at the latest annual follow-up, radiologic findings, details of operative procedures and methods of external fixation.

CONCLUSIONThis study will identify prognostic factors that influence the ultimate fate of spine fracture patients and determine short and long-term outcome of different treatment methods. It can lead to a considerable improvement in patient care and will have a great national and transnational impact.

Humans ; Iran ; epidemiology ; Joint Dislocations ; epidemiology ; Prospective Studies ; Registries ; Spinal Fractures ; epidemiology ; Spinal Injuries ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVEInjury is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. The assessment of patterns and severity of injury in high-risk groups is crucial for planning and service development. On a large scale national household survey, we estimated the annual incidence and the patterns of injury, the demographics of the injured people, as well as the service use for all injuries in Iran. The current study aims at assessing the reliability of the questionnaire before carrying out a national survey.

METHODSIn a pilot study using cluster random sampling approach, 73 people were interviewed. The interviewers asked the participants to report all injuries occurred in them and the care provided during the previous 12 months, based on "Short Form Injury Questionnaire 7" About two weeks later, the interview was repeated by another interviewer.

RESULTSIn our test-retest reliability, Kappa score was good for three and moderate for four questions. The question on the injured organ had the highest test-retest reliability with a Kappa score of 0.84.

CONCLUSIONSThe reliability of the questionnaire and the procedure of questioning are confirmed. The ques-tionnire is proper for utilization in large national surveies.

Humans ; Incidence ; Iran ; epidemiology ; Pilot Projects ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVERoad traffic crashes (RTCs) are considered to be the second highest cause of mortality in Iran. The purpose of this study was to describe the morbidity and mortality of RTC during 2003-2008.

METHODSData were got from national health sources of Iran. These data included population, the number of RTCs, consequent fatalities, cause and place of death from 2003 to 2008.

RESULTSRTC incidence rate increased from 868.5 per 100 000 population in the year 2003 to 1 643.6 in 2008. A total of 2 565 deaths from RTC were recorded in Yazd from 2003 to 2008. RTC mortality rate increased from 46.1 per 100 000 population in 2003 to 46.9 in 2006, then declined to 38.8 in 2008. During this time period, overall traffic injury incidence per 100 000 population increased from 368.8 in 2003 to 647.9 in 2006, then declined to 527.9 in 2008. Head injuries were the most common cause of road traffic-related mortality from 2003 to 2008. Following road traffic accidents, most of the deaths occurred before arriving hospital.

CONCLUSIONSRoad traffic crash-related mortality and morbidity in Yazd in the recent six years are increased, but decreased in the last two years. This decline is most probably the result of a variety of interventions, including laws, police enforcement, improvements in traffic and transport, health care resources and media and public education.

Accidents, Traffic ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Humans ; Incidence ; Iran ; epidemiology

A survey was carried out to investigate the prevalence of hard tick species (Acari: Ixodidae) on cattle in Mazandaran province, Iran. A total of 953 ticks were collected from 86 infested cattle during activating seasons of ticks during 2004-2005. Nine species were identified: Boophilus annulatus (51.3%), Rhipicephalus bursa (16.8%), Haemaphysalis punctata (6.3%), Ixodes ricinus (6.8%), Hyalomma marginatum (12.5%), Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum (5.2%), Hyalomma asiaticum (0.6%), Hyalomma detritum (0.2 %), and Dermacentor spp. (0.1%). The results show that Boophilus annulatus, Rhipicephalus bursa, and Hyalomma species are dominant tick species in the surveyed area.
Animals ; Cattle ; Cattle Diseases/*epidemiology ; Iran/epidemiology ; Ixodidae/*classification ; Prevalence ; Tick Infestations/epidemiology/*veterinary

OBJECTIVEThe prevalence of obesity is increasing in Iranian youngsters. This study aimed to assess some dietary determinants of obesity in a representative sample of children in Neishabour, a city in northeastern, Iran.

METHODSThis case-control study was conducted among 114 school students, aged 6-12 years, with a body mass index (BMI) ≥95th (based on percentile of Iranian children) as the case group and 102 age- and gender-matched controls, who were selected from their non-obese classmates. Nutrient intake data were collected by trained nutritionists by using two 24-hour-dietary recalls through maternal interviews in the presence of their child. A food frequency questionnaire was used for detecting the snack consumption patterns. Statistical analysis was done using univariate and multivariate logistic regression (MLR) by SPSS version 16.

RESULTSIn univariate logistic regression, total energy, protein, carbohydrate, fat (including saturated, mono- and poly-unsaturated fat), and dietary fiber were the positive predictors of obesity in studied children. The estimated crude ORs for frequency of corn-based extruded snacks, carbonated beverages, potato chips, fast foods, and chocolate consumption were statistically significant. After MLR analysis, the association of obesity remained significant with energy intake (OR = 2.489, 95%CI: 1.667-3.716), frequency of corn-based extruded snacks (OR = 1.122, 95%CI: 1.007-1.250), and potato chips (OR = 1.143, 95%CI:1.024-1.276). The MLR analysis showed that dietary fiber (OR = 0.601, 95%CI: 0.368-0.983) and natural fruit juice intake (OR = 0.909, 95%CI: 0.835-0.988) were protective factors against obesity.

CONCLUSIONSThe findings serve to confirm the role of an unhealthy diet, notably calorie-dense snacks, in childhood obesity. Healthy dietary habits, such as the consumption of high-fiber foods, should be encouraged among children.

Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Energy Intake ; Feeding Behavior ; Humans ; Iran ; epidemiology ; Logistic Models ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; etiology

BACKGROUND: Needlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs) are critical occupational risk among health care workers (HCWs), which is extremely worrying due to the potential risk of transmitting bloodborn pathogens (BBPs). This study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of NSIs among Iranian HCWs. METHODS: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the key terms percu* injur*, needle* stick injur*, needlestick* injur*, or sharp* injur* were searched in the Scientific Information Database (SID), MagIran, IranMedex, Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, and Scopus. A prefabricated checklist, including variables: first author, publication year, study population, sample size, gender, total prevalence of needlestick in each gender, type of questionnaire, region, and type of hospitals, was used to extract data from the selected articles included which were published between 2003 and 2016. RESULTS: The analysis showed that the prevalence of NSIs in the Iranian HCWs was 42.5% (95% CI 37-48). Moreover, the prevalence of NSIs was more in women (47%; 95% CI 36-58) compared to men (42%; 95% CI 26-58). CONCLUSION Given the high prevalence of NSIs, it is necessary to supply safe needles and instruments, hold training programs focused on new methods of using sharp objects safely, observe safety principles and standards, reinforce the practical skills of personnel, and pay more attention to reporting and improving occupational behaviors like avoiding needle recapping in order to reduce the prevalence of NSIs and consequently reduce potential risk of transmission of BBPs.
Humans ; Iran ; epidemiology ; Needlestick Injuries ; epidemiology ; Personnel, Hospital ; statistics & numerical data ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors

OBJECTIVEHead injury (HI) is the leading cause of mortality and life-long disability in infants. Infants have different anatomical and pathophysiological brain structures from other age groups. The aim of this study was to survey infant HI patients admitted to Shahid Behest Hospital in Kashan, Iran from 2004 to 2010, and to identify the causes of HIs in this age group.

METHODSIn this retrospective study, all HI patients under the age of two who were hospitalized for more than 24 hours between January 2004 and January 2010 were enrolled in the study. Demographic, etiologic, and injury data were collected and a descriptive analysis was performed.

RESULTSInfants comprised 20.8% of all children (under 15 years old) with HIs and 65.1% of the injuries occurred in the home. Falls were the most common cause of injury (63.4%). In hospital mortality was 6.6 per 100 000 infants. A decreasing trend was seen in home events, but HIs caused by traffic accidents were increasing during the study period. The amount of HI infants resulting from car accidents has tripled from the years 2004 to 2010.

CONCLUSIONAlthough home events and falling are the main causes of infant HIs and need attention, our study showed an increase of HIs caused by road traffic accidents, especially by car accidents, thus legislation for the implementation of protective equipment such as child safety seats and programs is urgently needed.

Accidents, Traffic ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Iran ; epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo assess the predisposing factors, frequency and mortality of pneumothorax (PTX) among the newborns hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Isfahan, Iran.

METHODSThe data of 43 cases of PTX among the 738 neonates hospitalized in the NICU were analyzed retrospectively according to gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, type of delivery, age of mother, parity, perinatal asphyxia, resuscitation at birth, side of PTX, mechanical ventilation, surfactant therapy, and underlying lung disorders.

RESULTSMean gestational age was 31 weeks and birth weight was 1 596 g in the PTX cases. The gestational age of 12 (28%) neonates was less than 28 weeks. Twenty-eight (65%) neonates were below 1,500 g. In total, PTX occurred in 43 (5.8%) neonates. Sixty-three episodes of PTX (97%) were unilateral and 2 (3%) were bilateral. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (40/43, 93%) and mechanical ventilation (37/43, 86%) were common predisposing factors of PTX. Overall, 28 (65%) neonates with PTX died. Birth weight, gestational age and chest tube duration were significantly different between dead and surviving infants. The mortality rate was significantly higher in neonates who required surfactant therapy than that in those who did not require it.

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence and mortality of PTX in this study were higher than some other reports and this might be attributed to lower birth weight and gestational age. RDS and mechanical ventilation were the most common predisposing factors for the development of neonatal PTX, and mortality increased with lower birth weight, lower gestational age and more severe underlying primary lung disease.

Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Iran ; epidemiology ; Pneumothorax ; epidemiology ; etiology ; mortality ; Retrospective Studies