Use of Oral Polio Vaccine and the Global Incidence of Mother-to-Child Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission.

Background: Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an important global health issue. We hypothesized that the live attenuated poliovirus existing in oral polio vaccine (OPV) may protect uninfected neonates born to HIV-positive mothers through the stimulation of innate immune system.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that countries using OPV have a lower MTCT rate (due to postnatal protection provided by the vaccine) compared with those using only inactivated polio vaccine (IPV).

Use of oral polio vaccine and the incidence of COVID-19 in the world.

Background: Several live attenuated vaccines were shown to provide temporary protection against a variety of infectious diseases through stimulation of the host innate immune system.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that countries using oral polio vaccine (OPV) have a lower cumulative number of cases diagnosed with COVID-19 per 100,000 population (CP100K) compared with those using only inactivated polio vaccine (IPV).

Methods: In an ecological study, the CP100K was compared between countries using OPV vs IPV.

COVID-19 Infection Among Women in Iran Exposed vs Unexposed to Children Who Received Attenuated Poliovirus Used in Oral Polio Vaccine.

Importance: Live attenuated vaccines may provide short-term protection against infectious diseases through stimulation of the innate immune system.

Objective: To evaluate whether passive exposure to live attenuated poliovirus is associated with diminished symptomatic infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Design, Setting, And Participants: In a longitudinal cohort study involving 87 923 people conducted between March 20 and December 20, 2020, the incidence of COVID-19 was compared between 2 groups of aged-matched women with and without exposure to live attenuated poliovirus in the oral polio vaccine (OPV).

Accessing free quality health care services and premature death.

Background: The type of health insurance may affect the likelihood of mortality of insured people. We conducted this study to determine if accessing free quality health care services could decrease the premature mortality of people in a developing country.

Methods: In a multicenter cross sectional study, "years-life-lost" (YLL) due to premature death was evaluated in 202 671 insured people residing in six large regions in Iran.

Knowledge of and attitudes toward breast self-examination in Iranian women: a multi-center study.

Background: In Iran, breast cancer is the second most common malignancy among women and diagnosed in advanced stages almost a decade earlier than women living in western countries.

Objective: To determine the level of knowledge and attitudes toward breast self-examination (BSE) among Iranian women.

Methods: In a cross-sectional multi-center study, 3,060 women aged between 25 and 54 years attending between July and October 2009 to 11 general health care centers located in 11 cities of Iran, were interviewed to assess their knowledge and attitudes toward BSE.