Mohammad Karamouzian

[ 1 ] - How and Where Do We Ask Sensitive Questions: Self-reporting of STI-associated Symptoms Among the Iranian General Population

Background Reliable population-based data on sexually transmitted infections (STI) are limited in Iran and selfreporting remains the main source of indirect estimation of STI-associated symptoms in the country. However, where and how the questions are asked could influence the rate of self-reporting. In the present study, we aimed to assess what questionnaire delivery method (ie, face-to-face i...

[ 2 ] - Improving the Quality and Quantity of HIV Data in the Middle East and North Africa: Key Challenges and Ways Forward

Although the HIV pandemic is witnessing a decline in the number of new infections in most regions of the world, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has a rapidly growing HIV problem. While generating HIV data has been consistently increasing since 2005, MENA’s contribution to the global HIV literature is just over 1% and the existing evidence often falls behind the academic standards. Sever...

[ 3 ] - Self-perceived Mental Health Status and Uptake of Fecal Occult Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening in Canada: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background While colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most preventable causes of cancer mortality, it is one of the leading causes of cancer death in Canada where CRC screening uptake is suboptimal. Given the increased rate of mortality and morbidity among mental health patients, their condition could be a potential barrier to CRC screening due to greater difficulties in adhering to behaviours...

[ 4 ] - Care Seeking Patterns of STIs-Associated Symptoms in Iran: Findings of a Population-Based Survey

Background Understanding the prevalence of symptoms associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and how care is sought for those symptoms are important components of STIs control and prevention. People’s preference between public and private service providers is another important part of developing a well-functioning STIs surveillance system.   Methods This cross-sectional survey was...

[ 5 ] - Ebola Treatment and Prevention are not the only Battles: Understanding Ebola-related Fear and Stigma

[ 6 ] - Iran’s Shift in Family Planning Policies: Concerns and Challenges

Iran’s significant success in implementing Family Planning (FP) during the past 25 years, has made it a role model in the world. The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in Iran has dropped from 6.5 in 1960 to 1.6 in 2012, which is well below the targeted value of 2.2 for the country. Iran’s success story, however, did not merely root in the implementation of FP programs. In other words, families’ strong...

[ 7 ] - Addressing the Needs of Sexual Partners of People Who Inject Drugs through Peer Prevention Programs in Iran

Despite the fact that HIV epidemic is mainly driven by injection drug use in Iran, partners of People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) have been seriously neglected in terms of effective preventive interventions. Currently, sexual partners of PWID might have access to some harm reduction services at Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) centers; however, their needs have not been effectively targeted ...

[ 8 ] - Introducing "One Health" as an Overlooked Concept in Iran

[ 9 ] - Condom Use and its Associated Factors Among Iranian Youth: Results From a Population-Based Study

Background Given the young structure of Iran’s population and the fact that extramarital sexual relationships are both prohibited by legislation and shunned by society and religion, examining condom use practices among Iranian youth is highly important. The aim of this study was to explore condom use and its correlates among Iranian...

[ 10 ] - Trump’s Zero-tolerance Policy: Would a Political Response to a Humanitarian Crisis Work?

[ 11 ] - Cost-effectiveness of Methadone Maintenance Treatment Centers in Prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Background: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is one of the greatest social health problems in many communities in the twenty-first century. Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) could decrease HIV infection among injection drug users (IDU). The main aim of this paper was to determine the cost-effectiveness of the governmental MMT program to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) i...

[ 12 ] - HIV Modes of Transmission in Sudan in 2014

Background In Sudan, where studies on HIV dynamics are few, model projections provide an additional source of information for policy-makers to identify data collection priorities and develop prevention programs. In this study, we aimed to estimate the distribution of new HIV infections by mode of exposure and to identify populations...

[ 13 ] - HIV-Related Stigma Among Healthcare Providers in Different Healthcare Settings: A Cross-Sectional Study in Kerman, Iran

Background Stigmatizing attitudes among healthcare providers are an important barrier to accessing services among people living with HIV (PLHIV). This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the status and correlates of HIV-related stigma among healthcare providers in Kerman, Iran.   M...

[ 14 ] - Student-Led Initiatives’ Potential in the COVID-19 Response in Iran