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Introduction and Aim: Tuberculosis (TB) poses a severe risk to public health through the world but excessively distresses low-income nations. The aim of this study is to analyze silent changes of TB in Iran (2005-2015): A joinpoint regression analysis. Materials and Methods: This is a trend study conducted on all patients (n = 70) that register in control disease center of Joibar (one of coastal cities and tourism destination in Northern Iran which was recognized as an independent town since 1998) during 2005-2015. The characteristics of patients imported to the SPSS 19 and variation in incidence rate of different forms of pulmonary TB (PTB) (PTB+ or PTB-) and extra-PTB (EPTB)/year was analyzed. Variation in incidence rate of TB for male and female groups and different age groups (0-14, 15-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, and above 65 years) was analyzed, variation in trend of this diseases for different groups was compared in intended years, and also, variation in incidence rate of TB was analyzed by Joinpoint Regression Software. Results: The total number of TB was 70 cases during 2005-2015. The mean age of patients was 42.31 ± 21.26 years and median age was 40 years. About 71.4% of patients were PTB (55.7% for with PTB+ and 15.7% with PTB-) and rest of them (28.4%) were EPTB. In regard to classification of cases, 97.1% of them were new cases, 1.45% of them were relapsed cases, and 1.45% of them imported cases. In addition, history of hospitalization due to TB was observed in 44.3%. Conclusion: Despite recent developments of governmental health-care system in Iran and proper access to it and considering this fact that identification of TB cases with passive surveillance is possible. Hence, developing certain programs for sensitization of the covered population is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Female Sex workers are at risk of obtaining sexually transmitted infections, particularly human immunodeficiency virus. Objectives: This study aimed at comparing the high-risk behaviours between regular and casual sex workers. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on sex workers from February to December, 2015, in a city of northern Iran. The research recruited 184 sex workers, who had the inclusion criteria. Three sampling methods were used to recruit the subjects. The test was conducted at an error level of 5% using the SPSS software. Results: The average age of the casual sex workers (32.53±7.39) was older than that of regular sex workers, with a significant difference (P value < 0.05). A significant association was found between the 2 groups on the inconsistent use of condoms and working in brothels (P value < 0.05). The comparison of drug use before sex was not significantly different (P value > 0.05) between the 2 groups. Conclusions: It is very essential to organize peer groups for outreach services for sex workers, which could be more appropriate and consequently decrease the relevant damage in these groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Brucellosis is communicable between humans and animals. In spite of having an active health care system. Iran is considered as an endemic area and it stands in the fourth place in world ranking. One of the common methods for identifying the disease incidence is a regression analysis. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the trend of brucellosis incidence during 2006 to 2016 and the components affecting such disease., Materials and Methods: This was a trend study which was conducted on the total of 144 brucellosis cases were recorded in the registration software in CDC of Iranian, Ministry of Health. We analyzed the changes in brucellosis incidence during 2006 to 2016 in Juybar province by the join point regression. Moreover, comparing the changes of incidence in one year intervals was also taken into account., Results: The average age of patients was 18±29 years. About 60% of the patients were men, and 85.4% had used non-pasteurized dairy and meat products. The contact with animals had a significant difference between the two genders (P= 0.006). During 2006 to 2016, brucellosis incidence had a decreased trend about 15%. This trend had a breakpoint in a way that during 2006 to 2008, 66.2% decrease and during 2008 to 2016, 7% increase was observed that none of these annual percentage changes (APC) were statistically significant at p= 0.05. Also, APC of brucellosis incidence in groups below 20 and between 20 to 50 years old had a decrease in a way that in groups under 20, it had 26.7% decrease and it was statistically significant., Conclusion: It is necessary to provide appropriate education training, information on the Human Brucellosis for the young and individuals with high risk professions. Moreover, some health behaviors such as not using non-pasteurized dairy, animals' vaccinations, and awareness of the disease symptoms are needed.