Beta-thalassemia (β-thal) is one of the most common autosomal recessive single gene disorders worldwide [1]. At least 200 different mutations in the β-globin gene that result in the β-thal minor and major phenotypes have been described [2,3]. The incidence of β-thal is high in Mediterranean regions, Iran, India, The Arabian Peninsula, Southeast Asia, and Turkey [4]. β-thal is characterized by p...

OBJECTIVE This study examined trends in premarital sex, multiple partnership and condom use among young people (15-24 years) in Zambia from 2000 to 2009, and assessed the effects of individual and neighbourhood variables on these sexual behaviour indicators in 2000 and 2009. METHODOLOGY We analysed data from the Zambia Sexual Behaviour Survey, conducted in 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2009. Multi-sta...

China has one of the world's highest rates of hepatitis B infection. Over the past 20 years, a series of strategies have been implemented to prevent infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in China. These strategies include hepatitis B (hepB) immunization for susceptible populations such as infants and young children and for high-risk populations such as health care workers and patients, pre...

More than one fourth of the total population in Iran are young people aged 10-24 (1). On the one hand, strong cultural and religious values surround sexuality before marriage and on the other hand, shifts towards greater interaction between young men and women are occurring in response to the spread of education among females, the postponement of marriage, and outside influences (2-4). Although...