CONTEXT: Rabies is a viral zoonotic infection of the central nervous system. Annually more than 59,000 people die of rabies worldwide; human rabies can be prevented by using proper postexposure prophylaxis. A major component of successful rabies surveillance is well-educated medical professional. AIMS: The aim of this study is evaluate the effect of concept mapping as an active teaching method on medical students’ knowledge about rabies prophylaxis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: It was a pre- and post interventional study carried out on 80 medical interns. Our intervention included Group 1 – trained by concept maps – and Group 2: – trained by book reading. Data gathering tool was the researcher-made questionnaire that consisted of seven open-ended questions that assessed the interns’ knowledge about animal bite surveillance. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Students’ scores of pre- and posttests have been analyzed with paired t -test and independent t -test. RESULTS: Comparing the pre- and posttest scores of students in two groups by paired t -test showed that interventions have been effective in both the groups; posttest scores of both groups had increased significantly ( P < 0.001). Score mean difference in concept map group was significantly higher than book reading group based on independent t -test ( P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that concept mapping as a visual training tool for transferring the concepts to medical students is more appropriate than the other traditional ones like book reading, but more research is needed to be sure that active methods are better than traditional ones.

Background: Fertility pattern is influenced by economic, social, cultural, and environmental factors. Sistan and Balouchestan province has the highest household size and total fertility rate in Iran. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the fertility pattern and determinants of the desired number of children among rural and urban women in Zahedan, Sistan and Balouchestan province, Iran in 2015. Methods: In this cross sectional study, 160 urban and rural couples were evaluated in Zahedan. The data collection tool was a questionnaire, including demographic information, fertility pattern, and family planning details. Chi square, independent t test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the data. Binary logistic regression test was used to determine the association of different variables with the desired number of children. Results: Coverage of family planning programs was significantly lower for rural women, compared to their urban counterparts. In addition, the percentage of unsafe delivery was higher in rural women. The mean desired number of children was 3.18 ± 1.7 for urban and rural women and 3.56 ± 1.19 for their partners. As the binary logistic regression analysis showed, preference for a male child and Balouch ethnicity were significant predictors of the desired number of children for women and their partners (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Fertility pattern and determinants of reproductive performance can vary in different populations. Sistan and Balouchestan province has the lowest coverage of reproductive health programs and a high unsafe delivery rate. Therefore, reproductive and pregnancy health programs should be supplemented, parallel to policies concerning population growth.