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  Background & objectives: At the present time, health care services have been increasingly transformed to a competitive issue and many factors influence usage of hospital services and selection of a hospital by the patients. This study has been performed for surveying effective factors on selecting a public or private hospital among non-emergent patients of Ardabil hospitals in 2012.

  Method: This research was a cross-sectional descriptive-correlational study and the statistical population was non emergent patients of four public and two private hospitals of Ardabil in 2012. The samples (598 patients) were collected by stratified random sampling method. Data-gathering tool was a researcher-made questionnaire and data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, frequency [distribution] tables, and logistic regression analysis.

  Results: The results depicted a direct interdependence between selecting a hospital (public or private) and the three factors of social elements, hospital services, and hospital facilities with a confidence coefficient of 92%. Based on logistic regression analysis and Exp(B) coefficient, the patients’ priorities for hospital choosing were hospital services, social elements, and hospital facilities with Exp(B) of 1.932, 1.332, and 0.338, respectively.

  Conclusion: The most important factor for choosing public hospitals was lower cost of services and for private hospitals was physician’s recommendation. The strong effects of these two factors have overshadowed other variables.

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  Background & objectives: Trichomonas vaginalis is a protozoan parasite lives and also causes symptoms in urogenital system of human. Trichomoniasis is the widest spread infection which is transmitted through sexual contact and more than 170 million people are a ffected with Trichomonas vaginalis in the world. Trichomonas vaginalis in women causes pelvic inflammatory disease, increase in the risk of fallopian tube dependent infertility, ectopic pregnancy, preterm labor, the birth of low weight infants and the increase in the possibility of HIV transmission. Considering the importance of Trichomonas vaginalis infection in pregnant women and lack of data from Ardabil city, this study was performed to identify this infection in pregnant women referred to health and medical centers of Ardabil city.

  Methods: Vaginal discharge from 500 pregnant women was collected with sterile swap and disposable speculum and examined for Trichomonas vaginalis by direct microscopic examination and cultured in Diamond specific medium. A testimonial and questionnaire were completed for each case and the results analyzed using chi-square test by SPSS statistical software version 19.

  Results: In this study, the culture of samples displayed 12 positive cases (2.4%). Furthermore, Trichomonas vaginalis trophozoites were observed in five cases (1%) with direct microscopic examination. Among 12 positive cases, five respondents (41.7%) were in age range of 16-25 years and seven (58.3%) in 26-35 years old. Among different clinical manifestations there was a significant relation between discharge and the infection.

  Conclusion: The present survey confirmed the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis infection in pregnant women of Ardabil city. Therefore, an effective healthcare program by health authorities for prevention of infection in this group seems to be needed.

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  Background & objectives: Resistant microbial strains are a serious threat to public health in different societies. A mong the extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) producing strains the Enterobacteriaceae family which is considered as the main factors producing urinary tract infections, have created many problems in treatment of this kind of infections. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of β-lactamase TEM-1 gene in Enterobacteriaceae isolated from urine samples in Ardabil city.

  Methods: Within 6 months, 400 urinary isolates of Enterobacteriaceae of inpatients and outpatients were collected in Ardabil hospitals and were identified by standard methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates was tested by disk diffusion method, and ESBL producer confirmatory test was conducted using combined disk. Finally, the frequency of β-lactamase TEM-1 gene in producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases strains was investigated using PCR.

  Results: From 400 isolates of Enterobacteriaceae, 150 cases (37.5%) were ESBL producing. PCR results showed presence of the TEM-1 gene in 69 cases (46%). The frequency of this gene in isolates of Enterobacter (Aerogenes, Cloacae), Klebsiella (Pneumoniae, Oxytoca) and E. coli was obtained to be 62.5%, 54.5% and 44.8%, respectively. Proteus mirabilis and Serratia marcescens strains were lacking these genotypes.

  Conclusion: As regards the presence of TEM-1 gene, there is also increasing in other members of the Enterobacteriaceae family including Klebsiella and Enterobacter in addition to E. coli, therefore sufficient identification of this strains is necessary to prescribe the right medicine.

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  Background & objectives: The most obvious indicators of a country's growth and development are technological capabilities and its scientific research . Therefore, any attempt to clarify the status of research and facing obstacles is important. The aim of this study is to investigate the problems and obstacles of knowledge from the viewpoint of faculty members of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences.

  Methods: In a descriptive and survey study, sample contains 126 faculty members in Ardabil University of Medical Sciences were selected using Morgan and Krejcie table of sample size determination. The instrument used in this study was a questionnaire with two parts, i.e. demographic information and the Questionnaire of Research Barriers by Sotoodehasl et al. (2014) including 39 items on a 5 point Likert Scale continuum. A One-Sample T-Test, an independent samples T-Test, and an ANOVA test were used for the data analysis.

  Results: The mean of the area of problems related to preparation of research project and development was 2.86 which is less than the conceptual mean but is not statistically significant (p=0.056). However in the other three areas, i.e. the means of problems in the implementation of the project, administrative and managerial problems, and individual problems were greater than the conceptual mean and the differences were statistically significant (p≤0.05). The mean of questions in the four areas was 3.23 which is greater than the conceptual mean and the difference is also significant (p=0.001). 

  Conclusion: In the investigation of areas, the most important problems and research barriers from the viewpoint of faculty members are weak teamwork at the university, large bulk of work and different expectations from the faculty members and lack of proper research environment. 

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Background & Objectives: Salmonellosis is the most common food-borne disease in the world. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of salmonella serogroups and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in chicken meat and viscera in Ardabil, Iran.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study done in spring and summer of 2014,260 samples) 160 chicken meat, 50 gizzard and liver) were collected for isolation and identification of salmonella. The technique used in this study was recommended by Iran standard organization andKirby-bauer method was also used for detection of antibiotic resistance.

Results: Amongallthe samples,the range of detected salmonella was 10%I n which the 42.3% of them detected in spring and 57.7% in the summer.92.3% of samples belong to C serogroup and 3.8% of them were serogroup B and 3.8% serogroup D. All isolates show resistance to at least two antibiotics. Concurrent resistance to 2-6 antibiotics was detected in 70% of the isolates. The highest resistance was to Nalidixicacid�and Streptomycin (100%)and toTetracyclin (92.3%), Penicillin (88.5%), Neomycin, Kanamycin and Furazolidon (84.6%), cloramfenicol (73.1%), Ofloxacin (15.4%), Co-Amoxi clave and Ampicillin (11.5%) and Siprophloxacin 7.7%. The lowest levels of resistance were for Gentamycin and Amikacin (3.8%). No salmonella isolates were resistant to ceftazidime, Azitromicin, Meropenem, Imipenem and cefixime.

Conclusion: According to 10% pollution to salmonella and prevalence of serogroup C and salmonella importance in the human&rsquos health, as well as high rate of antibiotic resistance of isolates, applying a health strategy for reduction of contamination level is necessary.

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Background & objectives: Pars Abad Moghan city, due to the mild weather and numerous Pastures for animals feeding, is a suitable place for breeding sheep and goat. Babesiosis is one of the most important parasitic infection in animals, especially ruminants. Babesia is a protozoa living inside the red blood cells and transmitted to the host by hard Tick especially Rhipicephalus, Hyalomma, Dermacentor and Haemaphysalis. The aim of this study was to consider Babesia infection in sheep of Pars Abad Moghan city.

Methods: In order to investigate the prevalence of babesia, 105 sheep in two different seasons of spring and summer were prepared and blood sample was taken and thin and thick smears were done. Thin blood smear was fixed with methanol and in order to determine the presence of the protozoan parasite, Giemsa with ratio of 1 to 14 in distilled water was used for staining.

Results: The results showed that the number of 33 samples (31.42%) were infected with Babesia. Among these, 18 samples (17.14%) were infected with Babesia ovis, 9 (8.57%) with babesia motasi and 6 samples (5.71%) were infected simultaneously with both species of Babesia ovis and Babesia motasi.

Conclusion: The rate of infection to Babesia among the sheep in Pars Abad Moghan city is remarkable. Early diagnosis and early treatment can prevent spread of the disease in this area.

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Background & objectives: Candidiasis is a fungal infection which is caused by Candida spp. Candida albicans is the most common agent of candidiasis. This infection may cause various side effects during pregnancy including prematurity, chorioamnionitis, candidal pneumonia, and systemic candidiasis of infants. This research was conducted for determining the prevalence and antibiotic resistance pattern of Candida spp, collected from pregnant women admitted to health centers in Ardabil, Iran.

Methods: Totally, 408 subjects were included in this study. Demographic data and risk factors were recorded using a questionnaire. Two swab samples were taken from vulvovaginal mucus. One swab was used for preparing smear and direct microscopic examination and the second one used for cultivating the specimen. After identification of Candida spp., antimicrobial resistance pattern was determined by disk diffusion method against Fluconazole, Ketoconazole, Clotrimazole, Nystatin and Amphotericin B. Results were interpreted according to CLSI guidelines. The data were analyzed by χ² and t-test using SPSS-19.

Results: Out of 408 subjects, 143 cases (35%) were positive for candida spp. The Candida albicans with 119 (83.2%) cases was the most prevalent species followed by Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida parpsilosis and Candida tropicalis.According to disk diffusion test, overall 116 (81.1%) isolates were resistant to Fluconazole, 100 (69.9%) to Ketoconazole, 67 (46.9%) to Clotrimazole and 25 (17.5%) to Amphotericin B. Candida spp. had a highest sensitivity (118, 82.5%) to Nystatin. For Candida albicans 97(81.5%) isolates were resistant to Fluconazole and 99(83.2%) isolates to Nystatin. For Candida glabrata 10 (90.9%) isolates were resistant to Fluconazole, and 9(81.8%) sensitive to Nystatin.

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, vulvovaginal candidiasis is prevalent among pregnant women in Ardabil and isolates were significantly resistant against commonly used antifungal drugs. Nystatin was the most effective against Candida spp. As antibiogram for fungal agents is not routinely performed, the similar periodical studies could be useful for choosing appropriate antibiotics in treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. 

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Background & objectives: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common cause of mortality and disability around the world. Determination of the health status and spatial and temporal patterns of the disease prevalence has a major role in health planning.
This study aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal pattern of CAD in Ardabil Province.
Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed using the data belonging to 60156 patients with history of hospital admission due to CAD in Ardabil Province during 2010-2015. Hospitalization Rate (HR) was calculated after classification of the data in terms of location and date of hospitalization. The spatiotemporal and demographic variables, including age, gender, type of CAD, periods and duration of hospitalization were analyzed by descriptive statistics, ANOVA and repeated measures in SPSS v23 statistical software. Spatial distribution maps were drawn for each month and year in ArcGIS 10.2.
Results: Of 60156 hospitalized patients with CAD diagnosis, men (58%) were more in number than women (42%). The majority of hospitalized patients fell in the age range 60-69 years (25.3%), and 92.40% of patients were hospitalized for less than 7 days. An ascending pattern was observed in temporal hospitalization trend in Khalkhal and a descending trend in Ardabil. The lowest hospitalization rate, however, was observed in Kosar city despite the ascending trend. During the research period, the greatest decline in hospitalization rate was observed in temporal trend in Bilasuvar, Meshkinshahrand Namin cities, and the largest increase was observed in Germi, Pars-Abad and Kosar cities.
Conclusion: By using the comprehensive technology, GIS, spatiotemporal distribution and CAD trend during 2011-2015 were modeled in Ardabil province. Spatiotemporal trend of CAD in Ardabil province and allied cities indicated the necessity of paying more attention and studying community for further prevention of the disease. Community-based interventions should be implemented for prevention of risk factors of CAD during childhood and adolescence especially in the districts with high risk.

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Background & objectives: The spontaneous abortion, loss of the fetus until the twentieth week of pregnancy, is one of the most common medical problems in reproductive age. Approximately 15 to 20 percent of all clinically recognized pregnancies lead to abortion. Failure in pregnancy involves economic costs, physical and mental problems for the family and the society. Recurrent spontaneous abortion is a multifactorial phenomenon and this study analyzed chromosomal abnormalities and the prevalence of consanguineous marriages in parents with recurrent spontaneous abortions in Ardabil province.
Methods: A total of 350 patients with at least two spontaneous abortions were analyzed using GTG-banding cytogenetic technique.
Results:  Parental chromosomal abnormalities were found in 18 cases (10.28% of couples). Most of abnormalities were structural (72.2%). chromosomal aberrations were found in 10 (55.6%) females and 8 (44.4%) males. Translocations were the most common chromosomal abnormalities (55.6 %) diagnosed in this study. Also, there was a significant correlation between recurrent spontaneous abortion due to consanguineous marriage and chromosomal abnormalities (p<0.05).
Conclusion: According to the significant correlation between recurrent spontaneous abortion and chromosomal abnormalities in this study and previous studies, and also the high rate of consanguineous marriages in Ardabil province population, analysis of chromosomal abnormalities is necessary after genetic counseling for both parents with recurrent spontaneous abortions.
Keywords: Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion; Chromosomal Abnormalities; Consanguineous

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 Background & objectives: Ultrasonography as a non-invasive, inexpensive and generally available method has been used to measure of the intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid arteries changes and finding its relationship with cardiovascular risk factors and vascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the carotid arterial wall thickness (IMT) changes based on clinical and para-clinical indexes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 100 patients with type 2 DM were randomly selected from all patients admitted to diabetes clinics and were considered in terms of clinical and paraclinical indexes of systemic atherosclerosis. Both types of IMT (TA and TB) were measured by ultrasonography in six locations of the carotid system. The intensity of these two values was calculated compared with the normal IMT and also, its relationship with clinical and para clinical indexes were determined. The results were statistically analyzed using SPSS software version 19. 
Results: In this study, more than 80% of patients had IMT upper than normal. There was a significant difference between the severe increase of IMT and effective variables such as sex, smoking, physical inactivity, dyslipidemia and poor blood glucose control.
Conclusions: This study showed that the DM and factors such as sex, smoking, physical inactivity had a significant effect on the increasing IMT compared to the normal range.

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Background & objectives: Parasitic diseases are one of the health problems of all societies and are considered as barriers to progress socioeconomic development, especially in most developing countries. This study evaluated the frequency of intestinal parasites in patients referred to hospitals affiliated with Ardabil University of Medical Sciences in 2018.
Methods: a total of 409 stool samples were collected from laboratories of Imam Khomeini and Bouali hospitals and then transferred to the parasitology lab in the medical and paramedical school. Samples were evaluated using direct, concentration and culture methods. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21.
Results: Out of 409 samples, 22 cases (5.4%) were infected with intestinal parasites. Among them, 5.3% and 5.4% of infected cases were men and women respectively. Also, the rate of infection to the protozoans and helminths was 3.7% and 1.7% respectively. Among the positive cases, the highest percentage of infection was related to Giardia and Blastocystis.
The infection rate of each parasite among all patients and positive cases was 1.2% and 22.7% respectively.
Conclusion: The present study showed that intestinal protozoan infection, especially Giardia lamblia and Blastocystis hominis are high in Ardabil city, and therefore special infection control measures are urgently needed.
 

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Background & objectives: MEFV gene has a major role in Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) as an auto-inflammatory disorder. FMF is most often seen in the people of the Mediterranean area. Considering the significant role of the MEFV gene in many rheumatologic diseases and even non-rheumatologic disorders, it is necessary to identify different variations of these mutations in the healthy and normal population of this area.
Methods: 224 healthy people entered into this study. The blood samples were screened for the 12 most common MEFV gene variants according to manufacturer’s instructions. (FMF Strip Assay, Vienna lab, Vienna, Austria)
They filled a questionnaire containing the required information. All patients were initially evaluated for the FMF symptoms and signs in themselves and their first-degree relatives based on clinical criteria. Chi-squared test and t-test were employed for statistical analysis using SPSS ver.24.  
Results: Among 224 cases, 113 cases (50.4%) were male, and 111 cases (49.6%) were female. MEFV mutations were detected in 57 patients (25%) of them, 28 cases were male (49.1%) and 29 cases were female (50.9%). The most frequent mutations were E148Q (18.3%, 41cases), followed by P369S (3.1%, 7 cases), V726A (2.2%, 5cases), A744S (1.3%, 3cases), F479L, M694V and R761H (0.8%, each 2 cases), and eventually K695R (0.4%) respectively. Some mutations such as M694I, M680I (G/C), M680I (G/A), I692del were not seen in these samples. There were compound heterozygous mutations of E148Q/P369S, E148Q/V726A, E148Q/P369S, and P369S / F479L in normal population without any findings in favor of FMF.
Conclusion: Twenty-five percent of the normal population of the northwest of Iran carrying a heterozygous variant of the MEFV gene, E148Q (18.3%) as a most common mutation, which can be considered as a normal variant in the healthy population. The presence of M694I, M680I (G/C), M680I (G/A) and I692del mutations in the normal population can be interpreted with cautiously, while particular compound heterozygous mutations can be considered as normal variants.
 

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Background & objectives:  Hydatid cyst is a major hygiene problem in Iran. In 80% of cases, only one organ is involved. However, multiorgan involvement has also been rarely reported. But it seems, the prevalence of hydatid cyst with the involvement of more than one organ in Iran is more than other world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the patients with hydatid cyst multi organ involvement in Ardabil province in northwest of Iran.
Methods: In this retrospective study, 34 patients with hydatid cyst with involvement in more than one organ were included. For each patient, a pre-designed questionnaire including name, age, education level, occupation, place of residence, cyst location, clinical manifestations and serologic test results were completed. Patients, who had previously a history of treatment due to hydatid cyst, were excluded from the study.
Results: The mean age of patients was 36.41 years. 61.8% of the patients were housewives and 64% were rural residents. The most commonly involved organs was liver and simultaneous involvement of liver and lung was observed in 38.2% of patients and was more in women. The association of the right lung cyst with the liver cysts was greater than that of the left lung. Only in 43% of the patients, the serologic test was positive for hydatid cyst, and the relationship between serologic test and type of involvement was not significant.
Conclusion: Regarding the high incidence of hydatid cyst involvement in more than one location in our region, in all patients, especially women with liver hydatid cyst, other organs, especially the lungs, should be investigated
 

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Background & objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the bacterial bioaerosols in indoor air of Ardabil universities and to investigate the factors affecting their concentration in Ardabil city.
Methods: Air sampling was performed using Andersen single-stage sampler at a flow rate of 28.3 liters per minute and a respiratory range of 10 min. In this study, trypticase soy agar containing cycloheximide antibiotic was used for bacterial culture. Biochemical tests such as DNase, catalase, oxidase, coagulase, bile esculin hydrolysis test, urease, citrate test, antibiotic resistance to novobiocin, bacitracin and optochin were used for identification and differentiation of isolates.
Result: The mean bacterial concentration in Ardabil university of medical sciences in the open air, outside the college, the halls, the classrooms and the staff rooms  was 18, 88.4, 76.6, 77.4 CFU/m³ , respectively. The concentration of bacteria in Islamic Azad university of Ardabil in the open air, outside the college, the halls, the classrooms and the staff rooms was 103, 97, 124, 132 CFU/m³, respectively. The dominant species of bacteria in indoor air were Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Actinomycetes and Bacillus, respectively.
Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it is found that the concentration of bacterial bioaerosols in indoor air is not more than standard, but the abundance of bacterial species can cause lung, intestinal and other diseases in academic personnel, staff and students in the long-term.

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Background and objectives: The respiratory system is one of the areas that are most vulnerable to unhealthy workplace injuries. One of the most common occupational diseases, are illnesses and respiratory complications in employees who exposed to harmful pollutants in the workplace. Flour powder is a complex organic particle with different components. These ingredients include wheat bran, pollen, starch particles and a variety of bacteria. The high temperature of the bakery oven and the flour in the bakers' work environment can cause allergic and respiratory disorders. Evaluation of pulmonary function tests (spirometry) plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and threatening disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate pulmonary function tests and compare it with non-bakers and healthy people in Ardabil traditional bakers.
Methods: Lung function tests including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), maximal expiratory airflow velocity (PEF), maximal expiratory airflow velocity at 75%, 50%, and 25% of vital capacity (MEF75, MEF50, MEF25) and respiratory and allergic symptoms of 51 traditional male bakers and 51 non-bakers in the same age with other occupations were compared. Respiratory and allergic symptoms using a standard questionnaire including job-related respiratory symptoms such as cough, sputum, shortness of breath, and job-related allergic symptoms. In each phase, in addition to calculating the mean and standard deviation, t-test used to compare the means, the probability of error less than 5% considered significant.
Results: In the present study, there was a significant difference between the case group and the control group in pulmonary parameters. In addition, there was no significant difference between the level of education, type of bakery, number of working hours per day and BMI of bakers. There was a significant relationship between work experience (year) and FVC, FEV1, FEV1 percentage and FEF50%. There was also a significant relationship between the age of bakers and the all parameters above, except FVC, and there was a significant difference between different tasks in bakeries only in the case of FEF50%.
Conclusion: In control subjects, pulmonary parameters decreased with age, but in bakers, this trend is more severe and needs to follow up. The present study showed that traditional bakers in Ardabil are at risk for obstructive respiratory diseases. High oven temperature and exposure to irritants such as wheat flour may play an important role. Preventive tools such as proper ventilation and protective equipment needed.

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Background & Objectives: Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the world and Ardabil province is in the top ranks in the world. MicroRNAs are non-coding RNA molecules with a length of 18 to 21 nucleotides and due to their regulatory role in post- transcriptional gene expression; single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) could affect their function on target genes regulation.
Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of 150 healthy volunteers, which were born and living in Ardabil province, 30 SNPs in microRNA genes have been detected by the Whole Exome Sequencing assay. Then, the obtained results were evaluated using Sanger-based PCR-Sequencing method. The Pearson correlation test was used for finding significant relationships.
Results: After confirming the WES results, the population frequency of the selected variants was compared with the general populations of Iran, Europe and the world. Based on the age-standardized rate (ASR), six variants with significant differences, including rs10061133, rs12220909, rs12983273, rs2292832, rs2505901 and rs6505162 were observed.
Conclusion: According to the previous case-control studies which indicate the association between the variants rs10061133, rs12220909, rs12983273, rs2505901, and rs6505162 and gastric carcinogenesis in various populations, the observed significant differences in our population could imply on the presence of the cancer susceptibility in Ardabil province.

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Background & objectives: Urinary tract infection is still one of the most common diseases that affect pregnant women. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of sexual hygiene behaviors on urinary tract infection in pregnant women.
Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 100 pregnant women with urinary tract     infection (case group) and 150 pregnant women without urinary tract infection (control group) in health centers of Ardabil city in 2020. Purposive sampling was done in 6-10 weeks of pregnancy. The information was collected through a researcher-made questionnaire. SPSS 21 software was used for statistical analysis of data. The odds ratio (OR) of infection in both groups was estimated by logistic regression.
Results: Sexual health behaviors in the majority of women of the case group (47%) were average (with score of 50.1-66), but in the majority of the control group (49.33%) were good (with score of 66.1-84) (p<0.001). Sexual intercourse 3 or more times in a week in the last 30 days was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group (p=0.001). Spouse bathing before sexual intercourse was less in women in the case group than the control group (p=0.022). Statistically significant differences were observed in Pre-coital voiding (p=0.04), Post coital voiding (p=0.02) and post-coital bathing (p=0.03) in the two groups.
Conclusion: Sexual hygiene behaviors play an important role in preventing or contracting urinary tract infections. Therefore, training and improving hygiene behaviors in women and their spouses is an effective step in reducing urinary tract infections.
 

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Background & Objective: Hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection is one of the most important public health concerns. The present study was conducted to provide a descriptive analysis of detected HBV infection in Ardabil province.
Methods: In this retrospective longitudinal study, the hepatitis B surveillance database of Ardabil province was examined from 2014 to 2018. The frequency of hepatitis B virus infections was presented based on age, gender, marital status, place of residence, primary symptoms, and reporting sources. Also, the trend of changes in the number of detected cases over time was investigated using time series analysis.
Results: A total of 817 positive cases with a mean age of 43.1 years were reported. Most of them were male [n=503, 61.5]. The Frequency of identified positive cases decreased over time. Most of the infections were asymptomatic [87.5%]. Almost 90.0% of patients with HBV were married and the majority of the identified patients were resided in urban settings [n=598, 73.2%]. Most diagnostic tests were done voluntarily [n=219, 26.8%] or during prenatal care [n=109, 13.3%]. Most cases were identified and reported by the health network [n=292, 35.7%] and blood transfusion organization [n=190, 23.2%].
Conclusion: Decision-makers of the health sector of the province can use this information as a source for evidence-based decision-making in the effective management of the disease.

Corresponding Author:
Eslam moradi-Asl, Department of Public Health, School of Health, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
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Background & objectives: Designing knee osteoarthritis (KOA) prevention programs requires recognizing modifiable risk factors. This study aimed  to determine the frequency of osteoarthritis in patients with knee pain referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ardabil city.
Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 850 patients with knee pain who were referred to the clinic of rheumatology in Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ardabil city were studied. Demographic and personal characteristics and medical history of OA were collected from the participants by a checklist. Osteoarthritis was diagnosed based on clinical and radiographic evidence by a rheumatologist.
Results: Of all patients, 310 (36.5%) were diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis. The most of patients (33.5%) were in the  age group of 50-59 years old, women (80.6%) and housewives (29%). 39.9% of all patiens had obesity and most of them (43.2%) have  not exercised at any time. A family history of knee osteoarthritis was reported in 45.2% of patients, while a family history of joint replacement was reported in 6.1%. 15.8% of patients reported a history of previous knee trauma. The type of used toilet was traditional in 90.3%.
Conclusion: The frequency of knee OA in our study similar to other studies was at a moderate level and due to regional risk factors, it is suggested to reduce the incidence of KOA by presenting necessary training programs and changing the nutritional patterns of society people.

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