Serum levels of anti-hepatitis B surface antibodies among vaccinated children aged 1 to 12 years in a rural community in Fars Province, southern Iran

Background: Hemodialysis [HD] patients are more prone to blood-borne viruses, such as hepatitis B virus [HBV], hepatitis C virus [HCV], and, to a lesser extent, Human Immunodeficiency Virus [HIV]. Chronic HBV and HCV infections are associated with liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and early graft failure after kidney transplantation. As there was no recent information, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV infection in HD patients in Fars province, southern Iran. This could help health policymakers to run more effective infection control practices for reducing such blood-borne virus infections, if necessary. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 906 HD patients in Fars province, southern Iran. A total of 906 blood samples were obtained from patients and diagnostic tests of HBV, HCV, and HIV were done. Demographic data and some other information, such as duration of dialysis, were extracted from the patients’ medical records. Data were analyzed in SPSS, version 18. Results: Out of the patients enrolled in the study, 547 [60.4%] were male and 359 [39.6%] female. The mean ± SD age of the patients was 58.0 ± 15.8 years. The prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV infection was 0.88%, 0.55% and 0.44%, respectively. HIV-infected subjects were significantly younger than the HIV-negative group [P <0.017]. Conclusion: It seems that Fars is among the provinces with low HBV and HCV prevalence in HD patients in comparison to other provinces of Iran. On the other hand, HIV prevalence here is higher than other provincial studies. Strict adherence to preventive infection control measures is recommended in HD centers.

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Seroprevalence of Cystic Echinococcosis and related risk factors for infection among children in a rural community in Fars Province, Southern Iran

Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health ◽

10.1016/j.cegh.2019.03.009 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 13-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bahador Sarkari ◽

Nasir Arefkhah ◽

Fariba Ghorbani ◽

Farzaneh Meskini ◽

Narjes Yektaeian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Rural Community ◽

Cystic Echinococcosis ◽

Fars Province ◽

Southern Iran ◽

Related Risk

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Exploring the relationship between health literacy and fast food consumption: a population-based study from southern Iran

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10763-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Azam Namdar ◽

Mohammad Mehdi Naghizadeh ◽

Marziyeh Zamani ◽

Ali Montazeri

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Food Intake ◽

Food Consumption ◽

Fast Food ◽

Reading Skills ◽

Negative Relationship ◽

Fars Province ◽

Southern Iran ◽

Fast Food Consumption

Abstract Background Health literacy (HL) may affect the consumption of fast food. We aimed to evaluate the effect of HL on fast food consumption among adult populations in Iran. Methods We evaluated HL and fast food consumption in 421 adult participants with age range of 18–65 years old in Fasa, Fars Province, southern Iran. Two-step cluster and systematic sampling was performed to recruit the study sample. Data were collected using a fast food consumption checklist, and the Health Literacy Instrument for Adults (HELIA) by face-to-face interviews. Population data across groups with and without fast food intake were compared. Results Most participants used fast food every few months (49.9%). People with low or unstable income consumed more fast food than others (P < 0.05). Sandwich and hotdog were the most consumed fast food (60.8%) followed by pizza (34.9%). Sausage and soda were the most seasoning food (66.7%). Most participants used fast food as dinner (67.9%) and with family (72.2%), suggesting the institutionalized consumption of this type of food in the family. Fun was the most frequent reason for the use of fast food (66.5%). Most participants completely knew about the raw materials for fast food and their adverse effects. Finally, we found that overall health literacy was lower among those who used fast food than those who did not. Consumed fast food (68.16 ± 23.85 vs. 73.15 ± 20.15; p = 0.021). This difference was also observed for some components of health literacy including reading skills, and decision-making subscales. Conclusions The findings suggest there is a negative relationship between general health literacy and fast food consumption indicating that who possess lower level of health literacy is likely to consume more fast food. Specifically, the findings suggest that reading skills, and decision-making (behavioral intention) are more associated with decreased or increased fast food intake.

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