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Introduction Addiction is one of the major crises in the world which has many victims and imposes serious damage on the family and society, especially among children who are the most vulnerable social stratum. The aim of this study was to determine the probable causes of drug addiction among children in Kerman. Methods This case-control study was conducted after a qualitative study. Ninety children aged from 6 to 16 years were enrolled. The case group included 30 addicted children supported by the Welfare Organization. The control group included two groups of 30 children, one selected from the Welfare Organization and the other from across the city. All participants were male and groups were matched for age. Then, the probable causes of addiction were compared between these two groups. Data were analyzed using the SPSS22 and by chi-square tests and logistic regression. Results The mean age of children was 10.8 ± 2.4 in the case group, 11.4 ± 1.8 in the park control and 12.8±1.5 in the welfare center control group. All participants were male.The results indicated that there were significant statistical differences between the addicted and non-addicted children in regard to parent’s religious beliefs, parent imprisonment, history of addiction in families, visiting the park alone and parental employment. Conclusion Strengthening religious beliefs of parents, teaching life skills to children and their parents, parental control on children, tracking and monitoring the peers; and promoting collaborations between the policymakers, the Welfare Organization, the Municipality, the Universities of Medical Sciences and the Police Force can help reduce and control addiction among children.

Introduction: Using bio-sorbents is regarded as one of the effective methods to remove heavy metals. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate Pb adsorption from contaminated water by Chaetoceros sp. and Chlorella sp. algae. Methods: This experimental study was conducted in a batch reactor. The amount of Pb adsorption by Chaetoceros sp. and Chlorella sp. algae was studied under such conditions as different adsorbent dosages (0.2, 0.5, 1.5 and 2 g/L), different pH (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), different temperatures (20, 25, 30, 35, 40 °C), different contact times (30, 60, 90, 180, 360 minutes), different particle sizes (20, 40, 60, 100, 140 mesh) and different Pb concentrations(20, 40, 60 mg/L). Then adsorption isotherms and kinetic models of metal ions were determined based on Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms as well as first and second order kinetic models. Results: The efficiency of Pb removal by Chlorella sp. and Chaetoceros sp. algae was reported 78% and 60% respectively. The maximum adsorption was observed at optimal conditions including 25 °C, pH of 6, 180 minutes of contact time, particle size of 20 mesh, 1.5 gr/L of adsorbent and 20 mg/L concentration of Pb. Chlorella algae was observed to remove Pb more than Chaetoceros algae. Based on the study results, Pb absorption by Chlorella algae complies with Langmuir adsorption isotherm model, whereas Chaetoceros algae follows Freundlich model. The kinetic models of algae adsorption followed a second order equation. Conclusion: The study findings revealed that Chlorella algae can be effectively used in order to adsorb Pd from contaminated water due to its high efficiency of Pd adsorption.

Introduction: Malignant melanoma is a fatal cutaneous neoplasm and one of the fastest growing cancers worldwide. The objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of melanoma in different cultural settings and the probable role of clothing for prevention.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data about diagnosed melanoma patients in Kerman Province, Iran including age, pathology, sex, location, and site of skin involvement, were obtained from the Kerman and Rafsanjan Cancer Registries from 2005 to 2009. Similar data related to melanoma incidence in Victoria, Australia were obtained from the Victorian Cancer Council, Melbourne. Incidence by age, sex and site of skin was calculated in both Kerman Province and Victoria State. Then the incidence differences for exposed and unexposed limbs were calculated and compared. Results: Melanoma incidence in Kerman was 5.7 in million annually. Incidence in men was higher than women. The highest incidence was seen in 70-79 years of age. Most cases of melanoma (30%) were localized in the face. Incidence in Victoria State was 431.9 in million annually. The incidence in men was more than women. The highest incidence was seen above 80 years of age. Most of the cases (30.1%) of melanoma were seen in the trunk and then arm with 22.1%. The incidence difference between the two nations was significant except for the hands and male’s feet. Conclusion:The present study suggests that clothing is possibly preventing about 25.7, 37.4 and 72.6 cases of melanoma respectively in the trunk, arm and leg in 1,000,000 people annually in Iran.

Introduction: Exposure to flour dust is an important risk factor in occurrence of allergic airway disorders among mill workers. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and its relation with exposure to respirable dust. Materials and Methods: In this study, all of 35 workers who worked in the flour producing section of three factories were chosen as case group and 20 unexposed people were selected as the control group. Exposure to total and respirable dust were measured with standard methods. Spirometry was used for determining lung function disorders and the America Lung Society Questionnaire was used for assessment of prevalence of respiratory symptoms. The results were analyzed by t-test, correlation and linear regression. Results: The average total and respirable dust exposure in the exposed group was 8.06 and 5.09 mg/m3 and was higher than the threshold limit value recommended by American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists(ACGIH). 52% of workers had sputum in the morning and during waking up, 44% felt tightness of breath or pressure in the chest, 55% felt short of breath while walking fast and work; and in 52% cough during work was experienced. There was a significant and negative correlation between total and respirable dust with Forced Vital Capacity(FVC), Forced Vital Capacity Percent(%FVC) and Forced Expiratory Volume in one second(FEV1). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that exposure to respirable dust was more than 10 times higher than the threshold limit and caused a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms and lung function disorders among mills workers.

Introduction: Immunization is one of the most important health programs in first level prevention and is also one of the most cost-effective prevention programs in the entire world. This study evaluates the situation of immunization in fewer than one year old Afghan refugee children in Kerman, Iran. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Data was extracted from the records of the health centers supported by the higher commission of refuges in Kerman. The BCG, polio 0, DTP 3, polio 3, Hepatitis B 3 and MMR 1 was calculated and compared with the vaccine coverage in Iran and Afghanistan. Stata 11 and Excel 2007 and the chi-square statistics were used for the analysis. Results: The coverage of all BCG, Polio 0, DTP 3, Polio 3, Hepatitis B 3 and MMR 1 vaccines in the Afghan immigrants residing in Kerman between 2010 and 2012 was more than 95%. This coverage was not significantly different from the vaccine coverage of Iranian children, but was significantly higher than the vaccine coverage of children residing in Afghanistan. Conclusion: The vaccine coverage of Afghan children residing in Kerman is similar to Iranian children and is high and satisfactory. These results show part of The Islamic Republic of Iran’s commitment for providing health requirements for Afghan refugees residing in Iran.