Problem statement: Depression is common in adolescents and especially in high school students. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression among high school students and its relation to parental configurations. Approach: A cross-sectional study was conducted during first term of the academic year 2003-2004. Data was collected by Beck Depression Inventory questionnaire (BDI-21 test) and researcher made questionnaire for demographic characteristics, using census procedure. Results: Results indicate that 31.3% of students (23.11% of males and 39.85% of females; p<0.0001) suffer from a degree of depression (BDI score ≥17). There was a significant relationship between depression and family structure (living with or apart of parents) (p<0.05), verbal and physical quarrels of parents (p<0.001), physical punishment of student by his/her parents (p<0.001), preventing from going outside with companions (p<0.05), history of chronic disease in the student (p<0.001), history of psychiatry disease in the family (p<0.001), school dropout (p<0.001) and sexual abuse (p<0.001). One of the most important results of this study was that 6.91% of those who have BDI score ≥17 have suicidal ideation but this figure in those who have BDI score <17 was 1.1% (p<0.001). The results show that there is no significant relationship between depression and marital status, citizenry, parents literacy level, parents job, rank, smoking, alcohol ingestion and having addicted father (p>0.05). Conclusion: The study findings highlight the need of psychiatry consulting and support services available to vulnerable students. Diagnosis of depression is still frequently missed and even when it is recognized, treatment is often inadequate. Then, we suggest education authorities about depression to improve recognition and diagnosis of at risk students. This recommendation should be applied to all teachers and physicians who study at schools and primary health care centers. Furthermore, further evaluation in longitudinal studies is needed to understand the stressors and risk factors leading to depression. This understanding should be used to design prevention programs at least in high school

Background Vaccination against Covid 19 disease was based on rational practice theory. One of the most effective methods to control the COVID-19 pandemic is extensive vaccination coverage in the shortest time. The relevant beliefs and predictors of COVID-19 vaccine and the barriers to and facilitators of receiving COVID-19 vaccine should be identified. Individuals’ intention to receive COVID-19 and the effective factors are of an utmost importance. This study aimed to predict intention to receive COVID-19 vaccine in the South of Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed over a period of 2 months (May 2021 to July 2021) in 4 southern provinces in Iran. The study population of this study included people over 18 years of age who did not receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The online questionnaire was used to collect data. We recruited participants through a self-selection sampling method and posted the online survey link. The questionnaire had two parts: demographic information and Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) questions. All statistical calculations and hypotheses tests were performed using SPSS21 and Amos21 software and the significance level was considered 0.05. Results A total number of 2556 people participated in this study with a mean age of 37.76 (10.7) of years (Age Range = 18–75). The findings showed that attitudes and subjective norms and the use of social media predict the intention to receive COVID-19 vaccine. SEM showed that attitude (β = 0.596, P < 0.001), subjective norms (β = 0.265, P < 0.001) were significant predictors of vaccination intention. In this study, 78% of people were willing to receive the vaccine when they were officially allowed to. Conclusion According to the results of the study, it is suggested to strengthen positive attitudes and subjective norms about the importance of COVID-19 vaccination as well as using social media to inform the community in order increase the intention to vaccinate COVID-19 and increase vaccine coverage.

Background: From the general health perspective, the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Hormozgan Province, a region in the south of Iran marked by heavy traffic, can provide useful information to help control the epidemic of the disease in other provinces and the whole country. Objectives: Thus, the present research aimed to epidemiologically analyze COVID-19 patients and patients with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) based on hospital data in Hormozgan Province. Methods: In the present observational, analytical, cross-sectional study, the epidemiologic data of all 2,055 patients with the symptoms of acute respiratory problems who visited hospitals in Hormozgan between February 20, 2020, and April 19, 2020, were analyzed and reported. Patients’ demographic information included gender, age, and background diseases. Tabulated data, frequencies, and percentages were used for descriptive statistics, and the chi-squared test and odds ratios were used for inferential statistics. Results: The ratios of male to female among people with COVID-19 and respiratory infection were 1.15 and 1.12, respectively. The mean age of the participants was 42.8 ± 21 years. The results revealed that contact with patients had the highest odds ratio (5.41 - 9.30, OR = 7.09) regarding COVID-19 as compared to SARI. Reduced sense of smell (1.86 - 12.87, OR = 4.89), muscular pain (1.24 - 2.14, OR = 1.63), coughs (1.14 - 1.86, OR = 1.46), and fever (1.14 - 1.83, OR = 1.45) showed to have the highest odds ratios concerning the symptoms. As for background diseases, cardiovascular disease (1.004 - 2.110, OR = 1.455), asthma (OR = 1.603, 1.040 - 2.473), and pulmonary chronic disease (1.456 - 3.854, OR = 2.369) had the highest odds ratios. Conclusions: The present findings showed a statistically significant correlation between age and affliction with COVID-19. Moreover, the most prevalent symptoms of the disease were reduced sense of smell, muscular pain, coughs, and fever, as already mentioned in similar studies. The present research showed that patients with cardiovascular disease, asthma, or chronic pulmonary disease had the highest risk of COVID-19.

Background: Currently, Iran has entered the malaria elimination phase, and no malaria cases have been observed in this country during the last two consecutive years. Continuous monitoring and analysis of the malaria situation are necessary to achieve the elimination goals set to be achieved in 2025. This study aimed to determine the malaria situation analysis during the implementation of the elimination programme in Jask county, one of the most important malaria foci in Iran. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in Jask county of Hormozgan province in the southeast of Iran from 2010 to 2020. Data were collected from the national malaria surveillance system and special forms that were completed by malaria focal points in Jask county. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21 software and descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 347 confirmed malaria cases were recorded, and the total number of cases was found to decrease from 114 cases in 2010 to 11 in 2020. The mean age of the patients was 23.4±19.6 years, and most cases (74.06%) belonged to 15-year-old or older people. Plasmodium vivax was the most prevalent species (83.86%). Based on the results, males were more infected (81.84%) than females, and the majority of the patients were from rural areas (86.4%). Conclusion: Malaria incidence has significantly decreased during the past eleven years in Jask county. The considerable drop in the incidence of malaria may be related to the implementation of comprehensive malaria control measures and intensive entomological and parasitological monitoring.

Background: To promote mitigation strategies and public health response, this study aimed to evaluate the population-based seroprevalence of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in Hormozgan province. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted within 10 districts of Hormozgan province with 1325 participants for three months by considering three-month successive follow-ups to evaluate the durability of humoral immunity. The participants completed the questionnaire, and blood samples were taken followed by immunoassay SARS-CoV-2 ELISA testing. Results: In general, 717 (54.1%) males and 596 (45.9%) females participated in this study. In phase one, 147 (11.1%) and 182 (14.7%) tested positive for immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG, respectively. Upon three months, 13.8% and 17.8% tested positive for IgG and at least for one of the antibodies. Based on the results, 606 (45.7%) cases reported no symptoms while 673 (50.8%) of them reflected at least one. Among 798 (60.2%) participants, the most common symptoms were headache (n = 244, 18.4%), sore throat (n = 186, 14.0%), weakness (n = 150, 11.3%), muscular pain (n = 139, 10.5%), and sputum cough (n = 134, 10.1%). The odds of the antibodies in females was 1.37 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.82, P = 0.03). In phase 2, 43 (5.3%) participants persisted positive for IgG while 559 (73%) tested negative for IgG. Finally, 20% of the suffered participants tested positive for IgG until nine months. Conclusion: Although IgG antibodies decreased in the first six months, their titers persisted stable for nine months. It seems our population has not reached a desirable level of protection. It is stressed that mass vaccination is needed to prevent future epidemic waves.