Abstract

Objectives: This research investigated the prevalence of anxiety disorder among Tehranian population ages 20-64 years in summer and winter 1999-2000. Method: 1070 Tehranian were selected by random cluster sampling method and then they participated in screening anxiety test(Beck Anxiety Inventory).Those, whose scores were higher than the cut of point in anxiety inventory, were psychiatrically interviewed. In case of presence of disorder, its type was determined. The interviewers were blind to the result of patient’s anxiety test. Findings: The results showed anxiety disorders in about 15% of subjects and also revealed anxiety level among women subjects is two to three times as much as men. Results: The current research presents similarities and differences in comparison with previous studies.

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this project was to conduct an epidemiological study of psychiatric disorders in people aged 18 or older residing in urban and rural areas of Tehran province.

Method:5311 residents of Tehran province were selected randomly and through systematic clustered sampling method as the subjects of the study. They were assessed by Schedule for Affective Dis-orders and Schizophrenia Questionnaire (SADS). The diagnosis of disorders was based on DSM-IV classification criteria.

Findings:Prevalence of psychiatric disorders was at 14.29% in province of Tehran.The prevalence was 19.57% in women and 9.32% in men. Anxiety and mood disorders were the most prevalent psychiatric disorders with 6.83% and 4.46% respectively. The prevalence of psychotic disorders was 0.65% neuro-cognitive disorders were at 2.11% and dissociative disorders were at 0.26%. In the mood disorders, major depression had the highest rate of diagnosis (3.28%) in anxiety dis-orders, panic disorder had the highest rate (1.79%).

Results: Psychiatric disorders are more prevalent in the 41-55 year age-group, widowers, illiterates, and residents of the other province’s towns than Tehran.The results of this research revealed more than ever the responsibility of the policy makers and health program planners in the province of Tehran in regard to compilation and execution of a practical mental health plan.

Abstract

Objectives:The basic essences in the puberty education of adolescent girls were studied in this re- search.

Method:Using a qualitative method, this project evaluated 10 girls along with their mothers and 10 middle school health instructors with at least 12 years of work experience in the adolescence health care field. The girls had to meet the conditions of having experienced the minimum of three menstrual- tion periods, living with their parents, and attending one of Tehran’s middle school.To collect data, semi structured interviews were conducted and to analyze the findings, constant comparative analysis was used.

Findings: The significant variables were identified as shame and embarrassment by the adolescent girls as well as their mothers and the instructors regarding the process of puberty education, negli- gence on the part of the mothers and instructors in the girls’ preparation and puberty education, lack of puberty education, and little awareness and insufficient understanding and knowledge of the girls, their mothers, and the instructors about the course of puberty.

Abstract

Objectives: This study was carried out to assess availability of psychiatric emergency services for patients presenting to Imam-Hossein and Taleghani Hospitals in Tehran which inspite of admission need, are not admitted, and role of hospital bed shortage in it with associated risk of suicide in these clients if not admitted.

Method: This cross-sectional descriptive study lasted from October 2004 to January 2005 in these two hospitals. On-call psychiatry residents interviewed all patients referred to the Psychiatry Emergency Units in a 24-hour period and data were documented in the questionnaires.

Results: A total of 426 patients (347 in Imam-Hossein and 79 in Taleghani hospitals) were studied. Mean age of the clients was 32.8 years 50.2% were male and 49.8% were female 77.9% of all needed admission, 44.6% of those which were not admitted 39.1% had moderate or high risk of suicide. Cause of non-admission was lack of hospital beds in 93.2% of cases. Parameters such as diagnosis (psychotic or mood disorder), longer duration of illness, higher risk of suicide and history of suicide attempt, though in more need of being admitted, didn’t relate significantly with admission probability. Besides, patients with substance abuse and those with more recent suicide attempt, though in more need of being admitted, were significantly less admitted (p<0.001) those who needed to be admitted because of risk to harm self and/or others, were significantly less admitted than other patients. In logistic regression analysis only two factors of gender (female) and education correlated significantly (p-value of 0.001 & 0.05 respectively) with admission probability in case needed (with odd ratios of 2.63 and 0.93, respectively).

Conclusion: It seems that there is a serious lack of necessary hospital beds for patients and the need for admission doesn’t determine admission probability.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between sex and social intimacy with an emphasis on the mediating role of identity styles in high school students.

Method: In a descriptive cross-sectional study 2099 students (1008 males and 1091 females) who were selected using random cluster sampling from high schools in the city of Tehran completed The Identity Styles Inventory and The Miller Social Intimacy Scale (MSIS). Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression.

Results: The results of MANOVA showed that in general there is a significant difference between the two sexes and different educational levels with regard to the three levels of identity styles. Results of correlation matrix showed a positive and significant correlation between social intimacy (p<0.01) and informational (p<0.01), normative styles and commitment (p<0.01) in boys and girls and a negative and nonsignificant correlation between social intimacy and diffuse/ avoidant style in girls, and a significant negative correlation between social intimacy and diffuse/avoidant style in boys (p<0.05). The results of hierarchical regression analysis indicated that sex (p<0.001), educational grade (p<0.01), informational style (p<0.001), normative style (p<0.001), and commitment (p<0.05) are significant predictors of social intimacy.

conclusion: Despite a significant correlation between informational, normative styles with social intimacy in the evaluation of the correlation between demographic variables such as sex and age with social intimacy, the role of identity style is not very important.   

  Abstract

  Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of drug use among university students in Tehran.

  Method: 2997 students studying in 2005-2006 the academic year who were randomly selected from six universities in Tehran were evaluated. All students responded to a questionnaire which was designed to measure the prevalence of drug use. Arrangement was made with the instructor of each selected class and questionnaires were administered by a trained drug prevention liaison in classes.

  Results: The study showed a relatively high prevalence of soft drugs [water pipe (34%), cigarette (24%) and alcohol (17%)], and a low prevalence of hard drugs [opium (2.3%), hashish (2.2%), and ecstasy (0.7%)]. Female students had lower rates of drug use in comparison to male students for all drugs and the long life, last year and last month drug use rate of non-dormitory students was significantly higher than dormitory resident students for most drugs (p<0.05).

  Conclusion: Although the prevalence of drug use among Tehran university students is low in comparison with American or European students, due to the high prevalence of tobacco use with water pipes and the lack of preventive interventions, policy makers should pay higher attention and support to this matter.  �

Objectives: This survey was implemented as a part of the Urban Health Equity Assessment and Response Tool “Urban HEART Project” in Tehran, Iran. Since an accurate programming in order to provide mental health services in the province of Tehran requires basic and essential information, the present study was carried out to determine the mental health status of a population sample aged 15 years and over in the mentioned city. Method: The present research was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The statistical population comprised all individuals residing in the 22 areas of Tehran Municipality. Regular random cluster sampling was used in order to choose the subjects from among the households in the mentioned areas. In total, 19370 subjects (7705 male and 11665 female) completed the 28-item version of the General Health Questionnaire for the assessment of mental health. Data were collected and analyzed by trained personnel of Tehran municipality health centers. Results:  The results of this survey indicated that 34.2% of the population in the age group 15 years and above suffer from mental disorders (37.9% of women and 28.6% of men). Women’s relative risk of developing mental disorders was 1.3 times higher than that of men. The risk of mental disorders increased with age and divorced or widowed people were 1.5 times more likely to develop mental disorders compared with single and married individuals. Housewives and unemployed men had the highest risk of developing mental disorders. The highest rates of positive responses to questions on the GHQ-28 were related to malaise and being bad-tempered, anxiety and apprehension, inability to allocate time to tasks, insomnia and hopelessness. Anxiety and somatization were more common than social dysfunction and depression. Conclusion: It is estimated that about 2 million individuals in Tehran require mental health care. Also, insufficient number of psychiatrists and psychiatric beds, indicates that there is a need to provide appropriate staff and facilities to make mental health care available in large cities such as Tehran. The provision of life skills workshops for general population is also suggested, in order to enable individuals to cope with stressful situations in urban areas.