Inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes are the major hindrances to prevent the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus. This study aims to assess the knowledge and attitude toward the human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome among youths in Iran. We conducted a systematic review, searching online databases until July 2018, focusing on knowledge and attitudes about the human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome in Iranian youths. We included the studies that aimed to determine the knowledge and attitudes of people from Iran and were conducted in the last 18 years. In total, 14 eligible papers (out of 300) were entered into the analysis, and the overall knowledge of Iranian youth toward the acquired immune deficiency syndrome was 57.6% (95% CI: 56.7%-58.5%). Also, the results of Cochran’s test showed the heterogeneity of the studies (Q=1578.2, df=13, I2=79.4%, p<0.001). We concluded that our results would guide the development of population-focused knowledge and attitude about the human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome in Iran, which is lacking among the general public and healthcare staff.

Background and Aim: Food security at individual, family, national, regional and global levels can be achieved when all people at all times have physical and economic access to adequate and healthy food to meet their nutritional needs and priorities for a healthy and active life. This study aims to investigate the status of food security and its related socioeconomic factors in households during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-9) pandemic in Kerman, Iran. Methods & Materials: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 households selected randomly from five comprehensive health centers in five districts of Kerman city in Iran. A demographic/socioeconomic questionnaires and the Persian version of the 18-item USDA Household Food Security Survey (HFSS) were used for collecting data. Ethical Considerations: All ethical principles are considered in this article. The participants were informed about the purpose of the research and its implementation stages. They were also assured about the confidentiality of their information and were free to leave the study whenever they wished, and if desired, the research results would be available to them. Results: There was a significant relationship between the socioeconomic factors (household size, house size, and number of amenities) and the food security. There correlation between the household size and food security was positive (R= 0.142, P<0.001), while the correlation of house size (R= -0.093, P<0.005) and number of amenities (R= -0.73, P<0.001) with food security was negative. Conclusion: By increasing the awareness of people and improving their economic situation, it is possible to improve the food security situation of households in Kerman city.

Background and objective: Education can play an important role in the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes. This study was conducted to determine the impact of pictograph-based education on knowledge, attitude, selfcare, fasting blood glucose and HbA1c among patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial (RCT) on 100 patients with type 2 diabetes referred to diabetes clinics in Kerman city. The participants were randomly divided into intervention and control groups with 50 patients in each group. In the intervention group, pictograph-based training was presented in the form of slides and posters along with lectures, but in the control group lectures without pictographs was presented. The data were collected and analyzed using chi-square tests, independent t-test, paired t-test Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U through SPSS16. Results: The mean score of total self-care significantly increased in the intervention group (p < 0.0001). The self-care components of foot care and blood glucose monitoring significantly improved in the intervention group, too. Fasting glucose and HbA1c decreased in both groups and knowledge in both groups improved after the intervention, but attitude only increased in the intervention group. Conclu sion: Considering the significant role of pictographs in learning health instructions, it seems that education using pictographs can promote self-care behaviors among diabetic patients who are mainly old and/or with low literacy. Paper Type: Research Article.

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Background: Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of death globally, and the second most common cancer in Europe. About 8% of all cancer-related deaths occur due to colorectal cancer, and the highest prevalence has been reported in Asia and Eastern Europe. Methods: In this experimental study, 80 rats were divided into two groups of cases (n=70) and controls (n=10). Colorectal cancer was induced weekly in rats by subcutaneous injection of 15 mg/kg Azoxymethane. The rats were then divided into 7 experimental subgroups of patients, saline, quercetin, intermittent exercise, continuous exercise, quercetin plus intermittent, and quercetin plus continuous exercise. Oxidative stress biomarkers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in the rats’ heart tissue by the ELISA method. Data were analyzed using ANOVA by SPSS software. Results: Oxidative stress in heart cells increased due to colorectal cancer. Quercetin alone or in combination with exercise significantly increased mean levels of CAT and SOD in the heart tissue of rats compared with patient and saline groups (P<0.0001). In contrast, the MDA level was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion: Colorectal cancer increased the oxidative stress in cardiac cells. Quercetin alone improved oxidative stress in cardiac tissue, and its combination with exercise was more effective.