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This study examined the efficiency of the health belief model in understanding preventive behaviors of pregnant women in Iran. A cross-sectional descriptive-analytical methodology study was conducted of pregnant women who were referred to a healthcare center in 2021. The data were the responses to a questionnaire designed for this study. The data were analyzed with SPSS 24 software, Amos 22 software, correlation tests, regression analysis, and independent t tests. In terms of the health belief model, pregnant women with high perceived susceptibility showed the highest vaccination rate, while those with high perceived barriers had the lowest. The model predicted 20% variance in the preventive behavior from COVID-19, with perceived susceptibility and cues to action being the strongest and weakest predictors of behavior, respectively. The conclusion of the study was that the health belief model was an appropriate model to guide the care of pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) virus infection are the most important infections transmitted by the parenteral route in hemodialysis patients. This study is the first report of prevalence of viral hepatitis and hepatitis C virus genotypes in southwest Iran among hemodialysis patients. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 214 hemodialysis patients of the Central hemodialysis unit, from March 2005 to August 2006. Serum samples were tested for HBsAg and anti-HCV using specific enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA) kits and confirmed by PCR (HBV) and RT PCR (HCV). HCV genotypes were determined with HCV genotype specific primers using HCV genotype kit. Out of 214 hemodialysis patients, 34 were positive for anti-HCV (7.9%, 95% CI: 4.32-11.56) and 11 for HBsAg (5.1%, 95% CI: 2.18-8.1). The duration of treatment by hemo-dialysis was significantly associated with HBV and HCV positivity (P< 0.001). The predominant HCV genotype in the region was 1a (41.1%, 7/17), whilst genotypes 3a and 1b were found in 35.2% (6/17) and 23.5% (4/17) subjects, respectively. In conclusion although anti-HCV and HBsAg positivity in hemodialysis patients in Khuzestan province are smaller than those found in some other Iranian provinces and neighboring countries, they are still high. Enforcement of universal precautions in infection control, routine testing of patients, and serial determination of hepatic enzymes should be the common practice in dialysis centers in Iran.

Backgrounds and Objectives: House dust mites and cockroaches are important indoor allergen sources causing allergic rhinitis and asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate the house dust mite and cockroach prevalence using skin prick test (SPT). Materials and Methods: In this study 407 allergic rhinitis and asthmatic patients were evaluated. All patients were tested with the aeroallergens using house dust mix, Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and cockroach mix. Data were analyses by Statistical analysis. Results: Total number of 407 patients 212 (52%) males and 195(48%) females, age between 4 - 70 years, were studied. In asthmatic and allergic rhinitis, the respective positive percentages for house dust, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae and cockroaches were 23.3%, 31.7%, 35.6% and 32.9% respectively. Total IgE level elevated in over half of allergic patients. Conclusion: A relatively high prevalence of mites and cockroach sensitivity was found in our study. These figures are is similar with other reports from hot and humid areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]