Background: Tobacco consumption is the second major cause of death and the fourth most common risk factor for diseases, worldwide. Epidemiologic studies have traced the use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit substances among medical students and physicians. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of cigarette smoking and the related factors among the students of medical sciences in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 946 health professional students in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS, Iran) in autumn 2008. A standard self-administered questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic data, participant smoking status, family and peer smoking, attitudes and beliefs about smoking, awareness of cigarette negative effects and reasons for smoking cessation was used in the current study. Results: Among the students, 18.3% reported having ever tried or experienced with cigarette smoking. The overall prevalence of cigarette smoking was 9.8% with significant differences in prevalence rates by gender, 17.6% among males and 4.2% among females. Starting and continuing smoking was significantly correlated with the family cigarette consumption habits. The most common reason to start smoking was friends (24.9%) and the most important reason to continue smoking was personal life distress (17.6%). The majority of participants (92.3%) reported that they were aware of the hazards of smoking. A significant difference regarding awareness of smoking hazards was observed between smokers and non-smokers. The most important preventive factor for cigarette smoking was religious beliefs (69.1%). Conclusions: Although the prevalence of regular smokers among health professions students of MUMS was lower than general populations, but this level is still alarming and points at the rapid growth of cigarette use, especially among female students. Medical schools should work harder to tackle this phenomenon and address it more efficiently in their curricula.

Background:Tobacco consumption is the second major cause of death and the fourth most common risk factor for diseases, worldwide. Epidemiologic studies have traced the use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit substances among medical students and physicians.Objectives:The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of cigarette smoking and the related factors among the students of medical sciences in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.Patients and Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted on 946 health professional students in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS, Iran) in autumn 2008. A standard self-administered questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic data, participant smoking status, family and peer smoking, attitudes and beliefs about smoking, awareness of cigarette negative effects and reasons for smoking cessation was used in the current study.Results:Among the students, 18.3% reported having ever tried or experienced with cigarette smoking. The overall prevalence of cigarette smoking was 9.8% with significant differences in prevalence rates by gender, 17.6% among males and 4.2% among females. Starting and continuing smoking was significantly correlated with the family cigarette consumption habits. The most common reason to start smoking was friends (24.9%) and the most important reason to continue smoking was personal life distress (17.6%). The majority of participants (92.3%) reported that they were aware of the hazards of smoking. A significant difference regarding awareness of smoking hazards was observed between smokers and non-smokers. The most important preventive factor for cigarette smoking was religious beliefs (69.1%).Conclusions:Although the prevalence of regular smokers among health professions students of MUMS was lower than general populations, but this level is still alarming and points at the rapid growth of cigarette use, especially among female students. Medical schools should work harder to tackle this phenomenon and address it more efficiently in their curricula.

Inappropriate drug combinations occur frequently and may lead to serious adverse events. In Iran, drug overdose and interactions are relatively common but rarely reported and are mainly derived from admitted subjects. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of possible drug-drug interactions via a population database survey in Mashhad, Iran. In this survey all prescriptions paid by insurance companies in the period 21rst March 2006 to 20th March 2008 were studied retrospectively. Data were gathered from the Division of Rational Use Drug, Food and Drug Vice Chancellor of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Drug interactions were categorized based on severity, onset and dynamic/kinetic nature. Incidence was calculated based on the number of interactions/1000 prescriptions. In total 11,562,808 prescriptions were studied, among which 5% showed interactions. Two hundred and four types of potential interactions were detected. Belladonna, phenytoin sodium, cimetidine, propranolol hydrochloride, gentamicin, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), Antacid, theophylline and carbamazepine were the most common medications. Among them, 54% showed dynamic and 34% kinetic interactions, 11% were categorized to be both and 76% displayed rapid-onset interactions. Moderate interactions were the most dominant (70%) phenomenon. Dynamic and kinetic interactions significantly differed with respect to the onset of interactions (P < 0.001). A rather different pattern of drug-drug interaction exists in Iran, highlighting the need for a nationwide program on related education and a stronger focus on severe and rapid-onset interactions. Further studies warrant the need to explore high-risk patients.