Mehdi Nejat; Mohammad Fararouei; Hamid Reza Tabatabaie; Parvin Afsar Kazerooni; Mohsen Akbarpoor; Roksana Estakhrian Haghighi
Volume 4, Issue 2 , April 2016, , Pages 95-102
Abstract
Background: Complete and fast diagnosis, registry and treatment programs are the main effective strategies for controlling infectious diseases. In addition, an organized and extended infectious disease surveillance system is crucial in designing and monitoring communicable diseases control programs. ...
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Background: Complete and fast diagnosis, registry and treatment programs are the main effective strategies for controlling infectious diseases. In addition, an organized and extended infectious disease surveillance system is crucial in designing and monitoring communicable diseases control programs. The quality of the surveillance system can be evaluated by several indices such as timeliness, completeness and sensitivity. This is an evaluation study to measure the mentioned indices for 3 zoonotic diseases (leishmaniasis, brucellosis and rabies) surveillance system. Methods: The indexes such as completeness, timeliness and sensitivity of surveillance system were measured using the data obtained from population based (door to door) interviews and recorded data obtained at each level of health and medical sectors or administrative centers within the diseases reporting system. Interviews were conducted for 5969 participants and the required information was obtained. Results: The total completeness, timeliness and sensitivity of case reporting for leishmaniasis were 26.9%, 103.2 days and 11.1%, respectively. These indexes forbrucellosiswere14.3 %, 58 days, 12.1% and those for suspected rabieswere100%, 83.4 days and 48.2%, respectively. Conclusion: It seems that so called immediate communicable diseases reporting system is not providing reliable, complete and timely information to the health authorities. Program monitoring and personnel training, especially physicians, are recommended to improve the quality of the surveillance system and the related indexes.
Parvin Afsar Kazerooni; nasrin motazedian; Mehrab Sayadi; Nadia Motazedian; Mojghan Sabet
Volume 2, Issue 3 , July 2014, , Pages 99-106
Abstract
Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemics are largely linked to high-risk populations such as female commercial sex workers (FSWs). This study assessed sexual behaviors, attitudes and knowledge of this marginalized group.Methods: We conducted a cross- sectional study on 278 selfidentified ...
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Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemics are largely linked to high-risk populations such as female commercial sex workers (FSWs). This study assessed sexual behaviors, attitudes and knowledge of this marginalized group.Methods: We conducted a cross- sectional study on 278 selfidentified FSWs by using Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) method in Shiraz, south of Iran, from June 2010 to March 2011. Volunteer women were interviewed in order to explore issues such as sexual behavior, sexual violence, work conditions, contraceptive methods, HIV/AIDS knowledge, HIV test, and source of HIV information.Results: The majority of participants (95.1%) knew about condoms; however, only 40.6% used condoms consistently. Despite the subject’s wide knowledge regarding modes of transmission, 61% and 40% did not use any protection with anal and oral intercourse, respectively. 21% of FSWs experienced sexual violence. Nearly half (45.2%) of them had an HIV test and more than three-quarters knew their test results. The women in our study preferred to receive their information from health workers (63%) and peer group (45.2%).Conclusion: This study sheds light on the existing knowledge and practices of this high-risk group. Although the majority of FSWs were familiar with HIV/AIDS, risky behaviors such as anal and oral sex are still in practice; this calls for education and HIV prevention campaigns focusing on risk education awareness. Efforts in addressing the problem of inconsistent condom use needs to be directed towards client specific approaches and must be regarded a top priority.