Utilising integrated bio-behavioural surveillance (IBBS) to investigate declining hepatitis C antibody prevalence among people who inject drugs in the Australian Needle and Syringe Program Survey.

Background: Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody (Ab) on dried blood spot (DBS) samples in the Australian Needle and Syringe Program Survey (ANSPS) decreased nationally from 57 % in 2015 to 32 % in 2022. We aimed to investigate potential explanations for this decline.

Methods: Changes in DBS HCV Ab prevalence were investigated by redefining positive cases as those with those with either a positive HCV Ab test result or a self-reported history of ever having HCV treatment (modified prevalence), examining HCV Ab prevalence by birth and age cohorts, and assessing trends in key risk behaviours.

Utilising Integrated Bio-behavioural Surveillance (IBBS) to investigate declining hepatitis C antibody prevalence among people who inject drugs in the Australian Needle and Syringe Program Survey.

Background: Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody (Ab) on dried blood spot (DBS) samples in the Australian Needle and Syringe Program Survey (ANSPS) decreased nationally from 57% in 2015 to 32% in 2022. We aimed to investigate potential explanations for this decline.

Methods: Changes in DBS HCV Ab prevalence were investigated by redefining positive cases as those with those with either a positive HCV Ab test result or a self-reported history of ever having HCV treatment (modified prevalence), examining HCV Ab prevalence by birth and age cohorts, and assessing trends in key risk behaviours.

Prevalence of Domestic Violence against Women and Its Visibility in Southeast Iran.

Background: We aimed to estimate the prevalence of domestic violence against women at Reproductive Age (WARA) and its visibility in southeast of Iran.

Methods: Adopting a modified time-location sampling, we recruited 933 WARA in the city of Kerman, Iran from Aug to Dec 2019. Domestic violence (DV) was divided into three main categories: Physical, psychological, and sexual.

Quality of Life and Its Association With HIV-Related Stigma Among People Living With HIV in Kerman, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) and its association with HIV-related stigma among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Kerman province, southeast Iran. A convenience sample of 104 PLHIV was recruited. Data on QoL were collected using the HIV/AIDS-Targeted QoL instrument.

Estimating the Size of Hidden Groups.

NSU studies have been applied in different countries. For example, this technique has been used in the United States to estimate the number of women who had been raped in the last year.

Health Pandemic and Social Media: A Content Analysis of COVID-Related Posts on a Telegram Channel With More Than One Million Subscribers.

Background: Mobile-based social media play an important role in the dissemination of information during public health emergencies.

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the contents and trends of public messages posted on Telegram during Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: A content analysis of the 1781 messages, posted in a public Telegram channel with more than one million subscribers performed over 9-weeks.

Public Stigma Toward Female and Male Opium and Heroin Users. An Experimental Test of Attribution Theory and the Familiarity Hypothesis.

Drug abuse and addiction exist around the world. People addicted to drugs such as opium or heroin often encounter dehumanizing discriminatory behaviors and health-care systems that are reluctant to provide services. Experiencing discrimination often serves as a barrier to receiving help or finding a home or work.

Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Following the Earthquake in Iran and Pakistan: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common mental disorder following traumatic events. The present study was conducted to understand the prevalence of PTSD after the earthquake in Iran and Pakistan. The review includes all articles published from inception to March 2019.

Out-of-Pocket Costs and Importance of Nonmedical and Indirect Costs of Inpatients.

Objectives: Out-of-pocket (OOP) costs are a major part of the expenditures for healthcare services. In most cases, patient financial protection plans cover only direct medical costs and not other expenses by patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 800 patients referring medical centers of Kerman to analyse all aspects of OOP, especially after the Health Transformation Plan in Iran.

Incidence of adverse reaction in blood donation: a systematic review.

There are a lot of reports related to adverse reactions post blood donation. The present study is designed to investigate the incidence of adverse reactions in blood donation around the world. This research was conducted through searching databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EmBase, Ovid, as well as the specialized journal of TRANSFUSION without any time limit by using the keywords including "Adverse Event", "Adverse Effect", "Adverse Reaction", "Complication", "Side Effect", "Vasovagal Reaction", "Local Reaction", "General Reaction", "Allergic Reaction", "Blood Donor", and "Blood Donation".

Estimating the Visibility Rate of Alcohol Consumption: A Case Study in Shiraz, Iran.

Background: Network Scale Up (NSU) is applied in many settings to estimate the size of hidden populations. The visibility of alcohol consumption - as a hidden behavior - in Iran has not been yet set. Our aim is to estimate the visibility factor (VF) of alcohol consumption in Iran which is an Islamic country in the Middle East.

The concept of virginity from the perspective of Iranian adolescents: a qualitative study.

Background: Premarital sex can increase the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in adolescents, and lack of premarital sex can be considered as a reliable policy for STD prevention, which is used by some countries such as Iran. Since the success of this policy is related to the concept of virginity, the present study was conducted to determine the concept of virginity from the perspective of Iranian adolescents.

Methods: In this qualitative study with phenomenological approach, the research team visited public places, including parks and coffee shops, and interviewed a number of 15-19-year-old adolescents.

Twelve-hour before Driving Prevalence of Alcohol and Drug Use among Heavy Vehicle Drivers in South East of Iran Using Network Scale Up.

Background: Heavy vehicle drivers spend a great deal of time away from their families. This issue and other difficulties around their job may increase risky behaviors among them. The current study aims to investigate the prevalence of opium drugs, stimulants, cannabis, and alcohol use 12 hours before driving among heavy vehicle drivers.

Correlates of Alcohol Consumption and Drug Injection among Homeless Youth: A Case Study in the Southeast of Iran.

Background: Alcohol use and drug injection are prevalent among homeless youths. The aim of this study was to identify the associated factors of alcohol consumption and drug injection among homeless youths aged 18-29 years.

Methods: Data on 202 homeless youths (111 males and 91 females) were collected using a standardized questionnaire and face-to-face interview.

Incidence trend of breast Cancer in women of eastern Mediterranean region countries from 1998 to 2019: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: This study was conducted to provide evidence on the current status of breast cancer and its incidence trend in Eastern Mediterranean Region during 1998-2019. Also, this study aimed to investigate the association between the incidence of breast cancer and Human Development Index and some factors related to this index, including total fertility rate, and obesity, using a meta-analysis.

Method: Data on incidence of breast cancer were collected from various sources, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and WHO, from 1998 to 2019 using systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sequential ambiguity and uncertainty in the early stage of a disaster relief: A case study of the Bam earthquake.

This study aimed to identify issues that arose during the early response stage of the Bam earthquake as perceived by the aid workers. Eleven people who had been involved in the Bam earthquake response, and who were working for the Red Crescent in Iran or the Kerman University of Medical Science teams, were interviewed. These groups were two of the main organizations providing assistance to victims of the Bam earthquake.

Global prevalence of classic phenylketonuria based on Neonatal Screening Program Data: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Phenylketonuria is a disease caused by congenital defects in phenylalanine metabolism that leads to irreversible nerve cell damage. However, its detection in the early days of life can reduce its severity. Thus, many countries have started disease screening programs for neonates.

The increasing trend of blood donation in Iran.

Background: This is the first study on the blood donation trend in Iran at a national level. We report different characteristics of blood donation such as demographic status, donor type, donation trend, and geographical distribution of blood donation in Iran between 2003 and 2017.

Methods: This study used data registered in the donor vigilance part of the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization.

The Trends of Viral Hepatitis B and C and HIV Infections in Donated Bloods in Iran Between 2003 and 2017.

Background: The rate of viral infections in donated bloods is one of the main indicators of blood safety which has to be monitored precisely. This paper provides a thorough study of blood safety indicators in the last 15 years in Iran.

Methods: The data of the transfusion organization in Iran from years 2003 to 2017 were used.

Determinants of risky sexual practice, drug abuse and alcohol consumption in adolescents in Iran: a systematic literature review.

Background: Evidence shows that the prevalence of risky sexual practice, drug abuse, and alcohol consumption behaviors in low and middle income countries such as Iran is not in a favorable condition. Preventive programs against these behaviors in Iran are very rare, and the results are unclear, which may be due to the lack of deeply and systematically understanding of the determinants of these behaviors. Evidence suggests that these behaviors are coincidence.

Evaluation of the treatment failure ratio in individuals receiving methadone maintenance therapy via the network scale up method.

Background: The network scale up (NSU) method is an indirect size estimation method that has received remarkable attention in estimating the sensitive behaviors. Using methadone maintenance therapy (MMT), which is a treatment for opioid use disorder, is a sensitive topic in many societies. The aim of this manuscript was to estimate the number of MMT users and its failure ratio using the NSU method in the city of Kerman, Iran, in 2016.

Estimating The Annual Abortion Rate in Kerman, Iran: Comparison of Direct, Network Scale-Up, and Single Sample Count Methods.

Background: Abortion is a sensitive issue surrounded by social, cultural and religious stigmata. Therefore, estimation of its prevalence involves methodological challenges. The aim of this manuscript is to estimate the abortion prevalence, stratified by type, using a direct and two indirect methods.

Methodological considerations in using the Network Scale Up (NSU) for the estimation of risky behaviors of particular age-gender groups: An example in the case of intentional abortion.

Background: Network Scale Up (NSU) is a promising tool for size estimation of sensitive issues. In this study we investigated the important methodological considerations to employ this method for estimating behaviors, such as abortion, which happens in a particular age-gender group.

Methods: We recruited 1250 males and 1250 females aged 18 to 50.

A review of methods to estimate the visibility factor for bias correction in network scale-up studies.

Network scale-up is an indirect size estimation method, in which participants are questioned on sensitive behaviors of their social network members. Therefore, the visibility of the behavior affects the replies and estimates. Many attempts to estimate visibility have been made.