At the
beginning of 1980’s, acquired immune deficiency syndrome
(AIDS) and its etiological agent were for the first time
described to be associated with sexual contact, especially
sex with other men as the main risk factor of human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. Nowadays, in many
countries including Iran, however, drug abuse has been the
major route of HIV transmission over the past several years.
Among males with AIDS in Argentina, 45% were injection drug
users (IDUs). It was estimated that 50% of women had
acquired infection through heterosexual contact and 12%
through sex with IDU male partners; 31% of women were
themselves IDUs; 7% showed blood transfusion as the possible
route of transmission. Amongchildren who
developed AIDS,it was estimated that
3% acquired the infectionthrough blood
transfusions and95% were children whosemothers were infected withHIV.
In this,
the first program of the AIDS in Asia Initiative at the Asia
Society, Dr. Kamiar Alaei, speaking for himself and his
brother Aresh, described the extent to which drug use has
ravaged Iran and propelled the country into the world of
HIV/AIDS. Long a country known for its gentle custom of
smoking opium, Iran has descended into a nation where opium,
heroin and morphine are increasingly infiltrating most parts
of society. The growth of HIV/AIDS is directly linked with
the growth of injected drug use.
Knowledge
of prisoners regarding HIV/AIDS in Kerman was evaluated.
Analysis indicated that the sample (n = 350) of
prisoners had relatively high knowledge about HIV/AIDS and
its modes of transmission. However, they had a lower level
of knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention. The overall
knowledge of men about AIDS was significantly lower than
women. Persons aged 46 years and older and illiterate
inmates had the least knowledge about modes of transmission.
In addition, the knowledge of illiterate prisoners about
HIV/AIDS prevention was significantly lower than others.
Evaluation of attitudes and practices of prisoners and
implementation of educational programmes regarding HIV/AIDS
are suggested.
Most of the
chronic liver diseases, even in advanced stages, may cause
no prominent clinical signs or symptoms. They either go
undiagnosed or are found incidentally during general health
check-ups, investigations for other diseases, surgery, or
autopsy. The underlying causes of chronic liver diseases
vary in different geographic areas and are based on various
factors such as socioeconomic status, life style, diet,
local or regional infections, and other endemic diseases
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