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Background: Street children are at increased risk of mortality and morbidity due to a variety of diseases such as hepatitis A as a result of both the circumstances that made them vagrant and as a direct consequence of life on the streets. The aim of study was to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis A and its associated risk factors in street children, Isfahan, Iran. Methods: A total number of 348 subjects, aging between 7-18 years old, were enrolled in a crosssectional study. They completed a demographic and risk factor assessment questionnaire and undertook serological screening for hepatitis A. Chi-square test and t-test were used for statistical analysis in SPSS15. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. Findings: The subjects included 228 (65.5%) boys and 120 (34.5%) girls with mean age of 12.97 ± 3.34 years. In addition, 15.8% of the participants were sexually active and 3.7% reported using drugs. Overall, the prevalence of hepatitis A virus antibody (HAV-Ab) was 91.4%. Statistical correlations were seen between HAV-Ab and gender, education, nationality, sexual activity, and drug abuse. Conclusion: The prevalence of positive HAV-Ab among the studied street children was 9-fold higher than the rate among the peer group in general population of Isfahan (10.63%). Educational programs and access to health care facilities should thus be considered for theses children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many studies have recognized high-risk behaviors in prisoner populations. The prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases and blood born diseases in prisoners are often higher than the general population. AIDS and hepatitis are the most important diseases among prisoners. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of high-risk behaviors, in women prisoners in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all of the women prisoners in the central prison of Isfahan were investigated. Demographic characteristics and high-risk behaviors information were fetched by a standardized questionnaire. Data was analyzed by descriptive tests and χ2, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann- Whitney tests. P < 0.05 was considered statically significant. Findings: 160 women prisoners were investigated. Smoking (31.3%), addiction (30.1%), multiple arrests (26.4%), extra-marital sex in their husbands (22.1%), alcohol drinking, extra-marital sex and temporary marriage (17.8%) were the most common high-risk behaviors in the studied population. Smoking, drinking and addiction was seen respectively in 92 persons (60.2%), 42 persons (26.9%) and 62 persons (39.2%) of prisoners family. 10 women (6.4%) claimed intravenous drug abusing in their families. Conclusion: Regarding the results of this study, performing the harm reduction and preventing programs in prisons and obligation of raising awareness in high-risk groups is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatitis C, as a major public health problem, has serious complications and intravenous drug users are the most high risk group for it. This study was performed to determine hepatitis C seroepidemiolgy and related risk factors among intravenous drug users in Isfahan province. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, intravenous drug users (IVDUs) in central prison, Assadabad camp and Drop in Centers in Isfahan province were selected using census sampling method. After completion validated questionaire including demographic and risk factors by interiew, a 5 cc blood sample was obtained and HCV-Ab was detected using ELISA method. Finding: Among 1485 intravenous drug users (1457 male) with mean age of 32 ± 7 years, 644 (43.4%) were HCV-Ab positive. Not being married, tatooing, needle share, prison history, history of going to dentist and duration of intravenous drug abuse were indepenedent risk factors for hepatitis C. Also, men with men sex, sex with intravenous drug users and unprotected sex (without condom) had significant relationship with hepatitis C. Among HCV risk factors, needle share and prison history had hightest relative and attributable risks. Using ROC curve, the cut off point for duration of intravenous drug abuse was estiamted as three months. Conclusion: The main results of this study indicated high prevalence rate of hepatitis C and the major role of needle share and prison history among intravenous drug users population in Isfahan province that needs to pay attention by governments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is in the 7th grade according to Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY) and will stay in this grade until 2020. In the developing countries, 25% of preventable deaths are due to tuberculosis, 75% of them occurs in producing people. The main reason of this outcome is ineffective national programs for tuberculosis surveillance in the countries. Therefore, periodic program evaluation of tuberculosis surveillance would be essential. Methods: This was a Health system research (program evaluation) study that has been conducted in Isfahan district (2005-2006). Data were collected from epidemiologic forms sent to Isfahan provincial health center. All samples were analyzed. Data were analyzed using SPSS 11.5 software. The outcome and process indices were computed and compared with standards. Findings: The computed indices in 2005 and 2006 were as case detection rate (CDR) 90% and 77%, incidence of smear-positive cases per 100000 population 2.28 and 1.11, conversion rate 87.5% and 81%, cure rate 77.5% and 56%, completion rate 2.5% and 2%, success rate 80% and 58%, failure rate 2.5% and 4%, respectively. Conclusion: This study revealed that there is a gap between new-case incidence of smear positive lung tuberculosis, cure rate, success rate and the standards. This reveals a problem in accomplishment of tuberculosis surveillance program and continuous monitoring of this program will lead to improvement the indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Iran, there is limited evidence on the prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) among females who engage in illegal sexual behavior. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV infections and their associated factors in this population in Isfahan-Iran. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 100 females who engaged in illegal sexual behavior during 2009-2010 in Isfahan were recruited from welfare to the DIC for women, and referrals were made among those who knew others who engaged in prostitution. Markers for HBV and HCV-Ab were measured by ELISA, and recombinant immunoblot assay was used for confirmation of HCV infection. Also, a questionnaire on demographics and prostitution-associated risk data in a face-to-face interview was completed for each participant. Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression models were used for data analysis. Results: Of the 100 samples collected, 91 were sufficient for testing. The mean age and time spent in sex work were 30.84 ± 9.34 years and 36 ± 28.5 months, respectively. HBsAg was detected in 1 (1.1%), anti-HBc in 4 (4.4%), anti-HBs in 60 (65.9%), and HCV Ab in 9 (9.9%) subjects. The evidence of vaccination was seen in 54 subjects (59.3%). There were no significant differences in the prevalence of HBV or HCV infection by estimated risk factors, and there was no independent risk factor for these infections. Conclusions: The high prevalence of HCV infection in this study indicates the need to implement preventive interventions for female sex workers and, perhaps more importantly, to involve their male clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are also likely to be at risk for other infectious pathogens including hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses, which complicate the clinical course, management, and therapy. The literature on the prevalence of HBV/HCV coinfection with HIV in Iran is sparse. Hence this study was conducted to investigate this coinfection pattern and its risk factors in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: All of the HIV-infected patients attending clinics for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) research and education in Isfahan province during the period of May 1998 through April 2007 were included in this cross-sectional study. After giving their informed consent, the patients were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), and anti-HCV-positive cases were confirmed with the RIBA test. The demographic data and information about risk behaviors were collected as well. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for HBV and HCV. Results: The subjects included 130 patients (128 males and 2 females) with a mean age of 50.23 ± 8.81 years. Most of the subjects were unemployed (61.5%) and single (56.2%). A history of imprisonment, , intravenous drug abuse, and high-risk sexual activity were reported by 83.7%, 83.5%, and 48% of the subjects, respectively. Coinfection with hepatitis viruses was observed in 78.5% of the subjects. Low levels of education, a history of imprisonment, and youth were the main risk factors for HCV/HIV coinfection (OR = 196, 114, and 0.9 respectively). Conclusions: Our study showed that there is a high prevalence rate of HCV/HIV coinfection in Isfahan, Iran, with the major risk factor being a history of imprisonment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]