Development of a HIV Prevention Program to Promote Condom Use Among Iranian Female Sex Workers: Application of An Intervention Mapping Approach.

We used an Intervention Mapping Approach (IMA) to derive multi-level HIV prevention strategies aiming to develop an HIV prevention intervention program among female sex workers (FSWs). We also aimed at pilot testing the effects of the IMA-based "HIV Prevention and Awareness Program (HIV-PAP)" on safe sex behaviors and its determinants among FSWs in Tabriz, Iran. To develop HIV-PAP, we conducted the six-step process of IMA.

Prevention of Malaria in Pregnancy: What Do the Pregnant Women of Nigeria Know and Do about It?

Objective: We assessed knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding two malaria prevention measures (long-lasting impregnated mosquito nets, LLINs, and intermittent preventative therapy with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP)) among pregnant women in Nigeria.

Methods: Pregnant women selected from among the four communities of Nnewi were interviewed by using a semistructured, interviewer-administered questionnaire on the respondents' demography, knowledge of the cause, consequences, and malaria prevention methods. Also, a total of 48 focused group discussions, 24 key informant interviews, and 24 in-depth interviews were held among women leaders, village heads, pregnant women, community health workers, husbands of pregnant wives, and drug and insecticide-treated net sellers.

Psycho-behavioral predictors of uncontrolled blood pressure: A case-control study.

We aimed to determine the role of demographic, lifestyle, and personality trait factors in predicting control of blood pressure (BP) among patients with hypertension (HTN) in West Azerbaijan, Iran. In this case control study we recruited participants from all primary health centers of Salmas city; who were at least 18 years of age, had a HTN diagnosis during the previous six months, and had a mandatory household record. Of 490 random subjects approached, 441 (84.

Evaluation of a Persian version of the Adelaide driving self-efficacy scale among Iranian older adults.

Objective: Our aim in the present study was to estimate the psychometric properties of the full-length Adelaide driving self-efficacy scale (ADSES) for use among community-based resident older adults in Tehran, Iran.

Methods: We recruited older adults (60+ years) from various sampling units nested in the Tehran district's general urban population (20 subjects/questionnaire-item). The questionnaire was translated and back-translated by using recommended pathways.

Crucial Role of Respite Care in Supporting Informal Caregivers: A Challenge for the Care of Older Adults in the Middle East and North Africa.

With the lack of respite care, caregivers will often suffer from physical, mental, and financial hardships. In the Middle East and North African countries, religion and cultural considerations may pull in opposite directions as a vast majority of families in the region care for their loved ones at home. Moreover, the sense of responsibility and obligations toward caring for an older family member also influences caregivers' decision-making, even though such considerations may deprive them of even a short vacation or break.

Community-based educational interventions for prevention of type II diabetes: a global systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Our objective was to estimate the change in community-based education interventions throughout the world that may effectuate in risk parameters of type II diabetes (T2D), including the diabetes incidence rate, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C, body mass index, waist circumference, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Methods: A comprehensive search for globally eligible studies was conducted on PubMed, Embase, ProQuest, CINAHL nursing & allied health source, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, conference proceedings, and reference lists. Data were extracted using JBI standardized data extraction tool.

Medication Beliefs and Adherence to Antiseizure Medications.

Introduction: The primary objective of our study was to determine the nature of medication beliefs and their association with adherence to antiseizure medications (ASMs) among elderly epilepsy patients. Our secondary objective was to enhance the psychometric properties and factor structure parameters of the Beliefs about Medications Questionnaire (BMQ) adapted to epilepsy and affected aged subjects.

Methods: A population-based survey was performed in which older adults (≥60 years of age) were invited for a free face-to-face consultation with the specialists as well as for the collection of necessary data.

Determinants of Depressive Symptoms Among Rural Health Workers: An Application of Socio-Ecological Framework.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess depressive symptoms among rural health workers (RHWs) through a multi-factorial socio-ecological framework (SEF) encompassing personal, interpersonal, organizational and community components.

Patients And Methods: A random sample of 394 RHWs in all rural areas of East Azerbaijan and fulfilling our other inclusion criteria were recruited. The participants underwent the Short-Form Beck's Depression Inventory and a validated researcher-constructed SEF questionnaire, including subscales on personal, interpersonal, organizational and community factors associated with depressive symptoms.

Effects of a mental health promotion intervention on mental health of Iranian female adolescents: a school-based study.

Background: Poor mental health is common among adolescents. Given the increasing burden of poor mental health among adolescents in developing countries, it seems necessary to identify the effective interventions. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a school-based mental health promotion program (SMHPP) on mental health parameters among female adolescents in Tabriz, Iran.

Evaluation of Fear in Idiopathic Epilepsy Using Population-Based Survey and Bhalla-Gharagozli Fear in Epilepsy Questionnaire (BG-FEQ).

Introduction: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate fear related to epilepsy and its treatment among those with idiopathic epilepsy. Our secondary objective was to estimate the psychometric properties of a brief Bhalla-Gharagozli Fear in epilepsy Questionnaire (BG-FEQ).

Methods: We conducted patient-finding exercise in our study areas through various means to obtain subjects with idiopathic epilepsy.

Gender Differences in the Associations Between Health Literacy and Medication Adherence in Hypertension: A Population-Based Survey in Heris County, Iran.

Objective: We examined the gender-based associations of health literacy (HL) with self-reported medication adherence (MEDA) among patients with primary hypertension (pHTN).

Patients And Methods: The subjects were recruited from the general population through all health centers of the Heris county, east Azarbaijan. They were to be adults (30+ years age), with pHTN of any stage, of any gender, and without comorbid illness.

Malaria Prevention Measures among Pregnant Women: A Population-Based Survey in Nnewi, Nigeria.

We examined factors related to the uptake of two malaria prevention measures, insecticide-treated bed-nets and prophylactic sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), among pregnant women in Nnewi, Nigeria. The survey had a quantitative and qualitative part. For each part, the subjects meeting our inclusion criteria were systematically identified in a population-based manner.

Availability and sufficiency of phenobarbital, an essential medication, in Bhutan: a survey of global and neuropsychiatric relevance.

Objective: We aimed to provide a reliable evidence-based conclusion around manufacturing, import, availability and sufficiency of one essential medication, phenobarbital (PB) through our example location (Bhutan). The relevant details about manufacturing, import, annual quantity, dose strength were obtained.

Results: There was no local manufacturing of PB and all other anti-seizure medications.

Incidence and Risk Profile of Dementia in the Regions of Middle East and North Africa.

Background: The risk of dementia is reported as "epidemic" and "looming" over the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. For this, we performed a multi-language review and feasible analysis on the incidence of dementia to offer apt conclusions.

Methods: Totally, 3 databases (Magiran, Scientific Information Database, and PubMed) and 1 non-database source (Google) were searched in French, English, and Persian by using specific keywords and their combinations.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice among Practitioners Regarding Epilepsy in Bhutan: A Rural and a Remote Country.

Purpose: Epilepsy is a major neurological disorder with many countries as scientifically silent and little-to-nothing known on various aspects of epilepsy.

Methods: Taking background of a first multinational seminar on epilepsy in Bhutan and a short valid questionnaire pertaining to various aspects of epilepsy, before participation.

Results: Large participation was achieved (76 out of 87 approached, 87.

A Population-Based Survey to Determine Association of Perceived Social Support and Self-Efficacy With Self-Care Among Elderly With Diabetes Mellitus (Kerman City, Iran).

This survey examined association between social support and self-efficacy with self-care in elderly with diabetes. A total of 374 subjects were identified in Kerman city, Iran who responded to questionnaires on self-care, social support, and self-efficacy. Data were analyzed by using SPSS.

A Representative Survey of Knowledge, Use, Perceived Benefits, Barriers, and Risks of Select Herbal Drugs Among Female Students in Gorgan City (Northeast Iran).

We conducted a representative survey among young women to determine knowledge, use, and perceptions on barriers, benefits, and risks related to selected herbal drugs ( Crocus sativus, Borago officinalis, Citrus aurantium, Thymus vulgaris, Matricaria chamomilla, Lavandula angustifolia, Valeriana officinalis, Hypericum perforatum, and Panax ginseng) in Gorgan by using an internally validated questionnaire. There were 344 participants (mean age 16.3 years; 16.

A comprehensive review of epilepsy in the Arab world.

Purpose: We conducted a comprehensive review of the epidemiology of epilepsy in the Arab world.

Methods: Epidemiological literature about epilepsy from 22 countries of the Arab League was searched in French and English using several keywords (specific and wider) and combinations, individually for each country. The search was conducted on Google first and then on PubMed.

Toxoplasmosis and epilepsy--systematic review and meta analysis.

Background: Toxoplasmosis is an important, widespread, parasitic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii. The chronic infection in immunocompetent patients, usually considered as asymptomatic, is now suspected to be a risk factor for various neurological disorders, including epilepsy. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available literature to estimate the risk of epilepsy due to toxoplasmosis.

Epilepsy: some controversies, some knowledge and some experience from Cambodia.

Epilepsy-related health outcomes remain unacceptably low in much of the developing world. According to us, it is because of the failure since long to see, and address, epilepsy beyond its preset conventional image. The objective of this paper was to highlight the presence, and influence, of these conventional practices and also to demonstrate what happened when a bold unconventional approach to address epilepsy was taken in Cambodia.

Epilepsy: Asia versus Africa.

Is epilepsy truly an "African ailment"? We aimed to determine this, since international health agencies often refer to epilepsy as an African disease and the scientific literature has spoken the same tone. Various published materials, mainly reports, articles, were used to gather Asian and African evidence on various aspects of epilepsy and many of its risk and associated factors. Our results suggest that in no way can epilepsy be considered as an African ailment and such characterization is most likely based on popular beliefs rather than scientific evidence.

First-ever population-based study on status epilepticus in French Island of La Reunion (France) - incidence and fatality.

Purpose: We aimed to determine the incidence and case-fatality of first-ever status epilepticus (SE) among the general population living in La Reunion Island, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean near Madagascar.

Methods: We recruited cases (1st July 2004-30th June 2005) in a population-based manner using neurology, neurosurgery, electroencephalogram, emergency, paediatric and neuroradiology services; emergency medical aid service; emergency and admission service of private and public clinics; neurologists (public and private); private paediatricians and practitioners of various rural hospitals. All cases had an electroencephalogram (EEG) and were assessed by an epileptologist.

Michel Dumas and Pierre-Marie Preux: promoting tropical neurology silently--the gist of their contributions.

This article presents the contribution by two senior French Neurologists over the past three decades in building, developing and promoting 'tropical neurology' in a number of neglected countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America. It talks about the 'human, dedicational and contributive value' of these two experts who do not come from an English-speaking world. It highlights meaningful changes that have been achieved in different tropical countries as a result of their direct contribution.