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Background and Aims: Nasal Colonization with Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is known as an important risk factor in the development of dangerous infections. Materials and Methods: The present study seeks to investigate the prevalence of MRSA nasal colonization among the preschool and school children under 14 in Urmia. To do so, specimens for culture were obtained from 400 children. Cultures and antibiograms with oxacillin discs were performed in Shahid Motahari hospital of Urmia. Results: 81 cases (47 females, 34 males) out of 400, nasal colonization were observed. Of which 12 (5 females, 7 males) were resistant to methicillin. Colonization was slightly higher among the females with no statistically significant difference (P.value>1). Conclusion: The results indicate that colonization with MRSA is present among healthy children in the studied population. Fortunately, the respective prevalence was not higher compared to other areas. Further attention is required by the health authorities to prevent the transmission of such organisms among children.

Background & Aims: Health care-associated infections (HCAIs) are a major patient safety concern, and consequently prevention should be a top priority for institutions. Hand hygiene is the most effective way to reduce nosocomial infections. Materials & Methods: 296 medical students in different wards of university hospitals in Urmia participated in this descriptive study. They completed a hand wash checklist and a hand hygiene questionnaire. Finally, the obtained data were analyzed using SPSS25 software. Results: The results showed that 48% were male and 52% were female with an average age of 24.5 ± 2.9 years. Most of the participants were recruited from Imam Khomeini Hospital (%35) while only%5/8 of the participants were recruited from Razi Hospital. 34.7% of the participants were extern, 44.6% were intern and 20.6% were resident. The average level of awareness of hand hygiene was 47%, the minimum level of awareness was 31% and the maximum level of awareness was 69%. The average attitude toward hand hygiene principles among medical students was 31% (weak), the lowest attitude was 22% (weak) and the highest attitude was 58% (good). The average performance of hand hygiene practice principles was 39% (weak), the lowest was 22% (weak) and the highest was 51% (good). The average level of awareness of hand hygiene principles among female and male medical students were 50% and 44%, respectively. The average attitude among female medical students was 40% and average attitude among male medical students was 26%. The average performance of the principles of manual health practice among female and male medical students were 26% and 23% (acceptable), respectively. The average level of awareness, attitude, and performance of hand hygiene principles among students of external course, internship, and residency were 51%, 40% and 35%; 45%, 28% and 17%,; and 47%, 38% and 25%, respectively. In general, the average performance of hand hygiene principles among students in the ICU, surgical department and internal medicine department were 48%, 40%, and 27%, respectively. Conclusion: Due to low-level attitude and knowledge of medical students regarding hand hygiene and the necessity of hand hygiene in preventing infection, as well as the importance of patient health during the hospitalization period, it is essential to hold in-service training classes in the field of hand hygiene to improve and promote hand hygiene.

Background. Febrile seizures are the most common childhood seizure disorder, occurring in 3 to 15% of children. The present study investigated the laboratory parameters in children admitted with febrile seizure and those with fever without localized sign (FWLS) in Shahid Motahari Hospital in Urmia. Methods. Demographic and clinical data of all patients admitted to the pediatric ward of Shahid Motahari Hospital in Urmia from 2015 to 2020 with febrile seizure and fever without localized sign (FWLS) were collected. Levels of BUN, creatinine, blood sugar, sodium, potassium , calcium , C reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, white blood cell count, hematocrit, platelets, ESR (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate ) and UA (urine analysis) and UC(urine cuiture), test results were also extracted from patients' file. Finally, the data extracted were compared between patients with febrile seizure and fever without localized sign (FWLS) cohort. Results. In this study, a total of 425 people were included, of which 185 were in the Febrile seizures group (case) and 240 were in the fever without localized sign (FWLS) (control) cohort, with 220 (51.8%) being male and 205 (48.2%) female. The mean age for all subjects was 20.62 ±4.84 months. There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of mean levels of BUN (P=0.041), creatinine (P=0.006), ESR (P<0.001) and CRP (P<0.001); The mean levels of BUN and creatinine in patients with febrile seizures were significantly higher than patients with fever without localized sign (FWLS) and the mean ESR and CRP in patients with fever without localized sign (FWLS) were significantly higher than patients with febrile seizures. Conclusion. There is a significant difference in BUN, creatinine, ESR and CRP levels between patients with febrile seizure and fever without localized sign (FWLS), which can be used to predict the course of fever in children. Practical Implications. None of the laboratory parameters predict the onset of fever and seizures following a simple fever.