In this systematic review, we analyzed and evaluated the findings of studies on prosodic features of vocal productions of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in order to recognize the statistically significant, most confirmed and reliable prosodic differences distinguishing people with ASD from typically developing individuals. Using suitable keywords, three major databases including Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus, were searched. The results for prosodic features such as mean pitch, pitch range and variability, speech rate, intensity and voice duration were extracted from eligible studies. The pooled standard mean difference between ASD and control groups was extracted or calculated. Using I2 statistic and Cochrane Q-test, between-study heterogeneity was evaluated. Furthermore, publication bias was assessed using funnel plot and its significance was evaluated using Egger’s and Begg’s tests. Thirty-nine eligible studies were retrieved (including 910 and 850 participants for ASD and control groups, respectively). This systematic review and meta-analysis showed that ASD group members had a significantly larger mean pitch (SMD =  − 0.4, 95% CI [− 0.70, − 0.10]), larger pitch range (SMD =  − 0.78, 95% CI [− 1.34, − 0.21]), longer voice duration (SMD =  − 0.43, 95% CI [− 0.72, − 0.15]), and larger pitch variability (SMD = − 0.46, 95% CI [− 0.84, − 0.08]), compared with typically developing control group. However, no significant differences in pitch standard deviation, voice intensity and speech rate were found between groups. Chronological age of participants and voice elicitation tasks were two sources of between-study heterogeneity. Furthermore, no publication bias was observed during analyses (p > 0.05). Mean pitch, pitch range, pitch variability and voice duration were recognized as the prosodic features reliably distinguishing people with ASD from TD individuals.

Background: Despite the growing epidemic of problematic Internet use (PIU), little information is available on PIU and related factors in Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 4261 university students among 13 universities throughout the country in 2017. The data collection tool included demographic characteristics, the status of using the Internet, social media, computer games, tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs, suicide ideation and attempt, and unprotected sex. PIU was measured using the 15-item PIU questionnaire. The status of general health was evaluated using the 28-item general health questionnaire (GHQ) questionnaire. The simple and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to measure the crude and adjusted associations between various factors and PIU. Results: Of 4261 university students, 55.9% were female, 13.5% were smokers, 4.9% were drug abusers, 7.9% were alcohol abusers, 7.8% had unprotected sex in the past year, 7.4% had suicidal ideation in the past month, 1.7% had attempted suicide in the past year, and 27.3% suffered from PIU. Only 61.1% had normal health. In contrast, 30.9%, 7.2%, and 0.8% had mild, moderate, and severe general health problems, respectively. There were significant relationships between PIU and age group 20-24 vs. <20 years (odds ratio [OR] = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.82), single vs, married (OR = 2.57; 95% CI: 1.85, 3.57), suicidal attempt (OR = 2.77; 95% CI: 1.47, 5.19), using online games (OR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.60), and poor general health (OR = 12.14; 95% CI: 4.53, 32.54). Conclusion: Nearly one-third of medical sciences students suffered from PIU. This unhealthy behavior was associated with poor general health and elevated risk of suicidal behaviors. This health-threatening behavior provides an early warning signal that deserves special attention, otherwise, it may threaten both college students’ health and function.

Background: Mental health status of university students is a critical issue due to its essential role in students’ academic performance. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the mental health status of first-year students at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences in 2020. Methods: All first-year students of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences entered this cross-sectional study through census sampling. Two Questionnaires, the Goldberg’s General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) as a screening instrument, and a researcher-made questionnaire were used to collect demographic information. After data collection, the chi-square test and logistic regression coefficient were applied to analyze the data at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The results showed that out of 875 students, 170 cases (19.4%) suffered from mental disorders, including depressed mood (93.5%) and anxiety attack (22%) as the most and least common disorders, respectively. Fitting the logistic regression model revealed that the highest educational degree (P<0.001, medical residency), admission quotas other than the free quota (P=0.03), high (P=0.04) and low (P=0.01) financial status, and fathers’ unemployment (P=0.04) increased the chance of mental health disorders. Conclusion: Due to the high rate and negative consequences of mental health problems in university students, it is recommended that university counseling centers provide services for students with a focus on coping with more frequent mental disorders. Finally, it is suggested they have yearly follow-up surveys to recognize the effects of the university environment and different conducted programs on the students’ mental status.