Showing papers in "Iranian Journal of Public Health in 1976"

The prevalence of human infection with west nile virus in iran

Abstract: A total of 698 blood and serum specimens from residents of 13 Iranian communities were examined by plaque reduction neutralization test for antibodies to West Nile virus. In general, infection rates in the north of the country were low while higher rates were observed among residents of central and southwestern Iran. The highest prevalence of infection was found among residents of Khuzestan province, indicating that this region is one of endemic West Nile virus activity. The symptoms of west Nile virus infection in man are also discussed.

The distribution and prevalence of human infection with phlebotomus fever group viruses in iran

Abstract: Leprosy is one of the oldest diseases of the country and may have been brought over to this country from Egypt in ancient times. Leprosy is mose frequent in the province of Tehran, East Azarbaijan, Guilan and Mazandaran (43 per Km2) than other part of the country (13-18 per km2).The incidence of leprosy is recorded at 7.7 per thousand and 35.2 per thousand in the Southern and Northern part of the country respectively. The problem of Leprosy in Iran is not the number but rather the high incidence of Lepromatous type (57.6 %) as opposed to tuberculoid (25.4%) abases. This requires efforts for hygienic care since this variety is contagious. For this very reason the Leprosy Assistance Association has come to existence in Iran for making effort to eradicate this disease. Her Majesty the Queen, by accepting the patron ship of this organization, has brought this project to the national level. Presently, the efforts are focused on the management, treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of the Lepra patients with the sanguine hope that the disease will be controlled and eradicated from the community.

Environmental management for malaria control

Abstract: Environmental management for malaria control is defined as any planned physical activities that through transformation of land, water and vegetation will result in the prevention, reduction or elimination of malaria. In planning and implementing these activities, full consideration must be given to their long-term effects and benefits and to the preservation of the quality of environment and they need to be fully and closely coordinated with water, land and agricultural development projects. Environmental management activities for malaria control can be classified as source reduction, dealing mainly with physical alteration of the environment; environmental manipulation, introducing temporary environmental changes and the reduction, and prevention of man-vector contact by site selection, mosquito proofing of dwellings and personal protection. For anti-malaria programs to employ these activities they need to re-train the staff, re-orient the services and set up pilot operations for feasibility studies.

Contamination with helminth eggs of various processing stages of the sewage treatment plant in Isfahan, central Iran (1973).

Abstract: Because of the establishment of a sewage treatment plant in the city of Isfahan in recent years, a study was undertaken to investigate the effect of this system in reducing the high prevalence of helminthiases. Samples obtained from various parts of the plant and at different stages of processing were examined and it was found that the eggs of Ascaris, Trichostrongylus spp. and Trichuris are found in very high numbers in the canal entering the plant, the majority of which were undeveloped. The average number of Ascaris ova found in one gram of fertilizer at the end of processing was 18, 100, the culture of which yielded a high proportion (up to 45 per cent) of eggs in larval stages. An examination of the inhabitants of two quarters of the city, one with and the other without .a sewage system, showed high prevalence of infection with helminthes among both groups. The difference between the prevalence of infection with each helminth was not significant in these, two groups. Similar infection rates were also found among the laborers working at the sewage plant. The contaminated fertilizer is used in vegetable farms and, because of the large consumption of vegetables by the inhabitants of the city, the important role of contaminated fertilizer in the transmission of Ascaris infection in the city of Isfahan is discussed.

Sylvatic focus of trichiniasis in north eastern Iran.

Abstract: In 1969 and 1976, 830 rodents and carnivores col1ected from North East Iran were examined for Trichinella spiralis. Fifty per cent of golden jackal and 30 percent of red foxes were found infected. The possibility of infection among the rodent was discussed could be considered as new transmission. The results of examination of 1534 total blood samples collected from children up to 15 years old in selected villages of the Hamadan area at, the end of the transmission season of 1973 showed only: serological positive case. This investigation showed that the malaria infection rate, in the selected areas, which seemed to be the most appropriate region in Iran, is now too low for such study.

Seroepidemiological study of P. vivax malaria with suspected long incubation in Iran.

Abstract: P. vivax malaria with suspected long incubation have been frequently observed mostly in the northwest part of Iran in the course of Malaria Control and Malaria Eradication Operations. A sero-epidemiological study of such cases which present the first symptom in early spring, before anopheles activities season, was carried out in 92 selected villages with a population of 38,726 in two near areas in Ramadan and Bijar, in the west part pf Iran. . The total number of 3553 blood samples for microscopical and indirect fluorescent antibody serological technique were collected in 12 weekly total surveillance in the- early months of the year 1973 and 1974. Altogether seven cases parasitologically (P. vivax) and 98 cases serologically (titers 1/20 to 1/640) positive were observed. . From seven parasitological positive cases three were serologically negative. These three cases as they occurred at the beginning of appearance of anopheles.

Studies on the biology of bulinus truncatus under laboratory conditions

Abstract: A two-year laboratory study on the biology (including self-fertilization) of Bulinus truncatus, the intermediate host of Schistosoma haematobium, S. bovis and Paramphistomum microbotrium in Iran, has revealed information on the longevity, reproduction, hatchability rate, hatching time during various months of the year, and growth and mortality rates of this snail. It was found that the reproduction, hatchability and growth rate of Bulinus truncatus increase under condition of self-fertilization.

The importance and incidence of food born helminth infections in man, in iran

Abstract: A wide variety of helminth parasite, which is quite prevalent in Iran, can infect man by the oral route. The main sources of infections are meat, vegetables and water. Some of these parasites, e.g. Cysticercus bovis, C. cellulose, Trichinella spairalis and Anisakis larvae, are present in the tissue of food animal. Human infection establish by consuming raw or inadequately cooked pork, beef or fish. The infective stages of some helminths, e.g. Trichostrongylus spp., Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichura, Fasciola spp. Dicrocelium dendriticum and Dracuncwlus medinensis may infect man through vegetable and drinking water. Using human and animal manure as fertilizer of the soil, facilitate the transmission of these parasites to man. Contaminated food materials can pay also a role in, human hydatidosis. Hygiene is a key factor in the control of all conditions and both medical and veterinary professions have an important function in this field.

Study of maternal death in a maternity hospital

Abstract: During a period of five years (1971-75) 29 maternal deaths occurred in 15794 deliveries at the Amin Maternity Hospital in Isfahan (18.36 per 10.000). Death was considered to be due to direct obstetrical cause in 18 cases (62.0%), indirect obstetrical cause, in 8 cases (27.5%), add no related cause in 3 cases (10.3%). In 14 cases of 29 the maternal death was considered avoidable. Especially amongst those deaths with direct obstetrical cause the proportion of avoidable deaths was higher (12 out of 18 deaths). Responsibility for short comings in action amongst avoidable deaths is examined. Lack of regular prenatal care, delay of referral, referral from far distances, unavailability of compatible blood, and cultural inhibitions are found to be the most important factors.

A systmes approach to antimalaria programmes

Abstract: The term “system” is defined as «elements standing interaction». This implies that a change in any given element should bring about changes in other elements of the system and thus may be used to identify the boundaries of a system. A system can be a machine, a man, or a community. Each of these may be part of a greater system (super system) or include several smaller systems (subsystems). Systems analysis studies the constituent elements of a system and the interactions between them. It will help program planners and managers to understand the functioning of the system, to use comprehensive approach in planning and to discover deficiencies in implementation and find way to solve them.