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Background: Benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene compounds (BTEX) are very dangerous in terms of health and environmental and have high toxicity in aquatic environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the performance analysis of Petroleum Hydrocarbons Xylene Using Solar Radiation UV/TiO2 Method in industrial synthetic waste. Methods: An experimental-interventional study was conducted in the laboratory scale. The reactor used was consisted of five connected glass modules with 3cm diameter and a drive motor for receiving maximum solar UV radiation. To determine the factors influencing the efficiency, elimination of the response signal to the noise ratio was calculated using the equation: Findings: Based on the findings obtained, the input xylene concentration had the most affect on the removal efficiency and the subsequent effective factors were respectively pH with the value of 7, the time in the range of 60 to 180 minutes and TiO2 concentration of 0.01 mol/l. Intensity of solar ray and temperature were in the range of 45 to 60 w/cm2 and 40 to 60 °C, respectively. Conclusion: The statistical Taguchi model showed significant relationship between the removal efficiency of xylene and the tested factors, and P < 0.1 was obtained in all the cases. Xylene concentration had the most effect on degradation performance. The removal efficiency increases by increasing xylene density. 93.33% of considered pollutant was removed in the optimum condition.

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Background: The use of alternative disinfectants and the control of natural organic material are two approaches that are typically applied in water treatment utilities to reduce the formation of chlorinated disinfection by-products in recent years. Catalytic ozonation as a new technology is used to promote the efficiency of the single ozonation processes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility application of Pumice as a catalyst in ozonation process in removal of humic acids from aqueous solution.   Methods: This study as an experimental study was carried out at the chemistry laboratory of water and wastewater in Hamadan University. The solid structure and chemical composition of activated carbon was determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Ozonation and catalytic ozonation experiments were performed in semi-batch reactor and the mass of ozone produced was measured by iodo-metric titration methods. Concentration changes of humic Acid were determined using spectrophotometer at an absorbance wavelength of 254 nm. To evaluate the performance of catalytic ozonation in humic Acid removal, the effects of different parameters included pH, initial concentration of phenol contact, the amount pumice and Tert-butanol alcohol (TBA) were examined and the results were analyzed by Excel software.   Findings: The results of the Catalytic ozonation indicated that using Pumice as a catalyst increased the humic acid__AWT_QUOTE__s decomposition by 8 times and the removal efficiency was increased by increasing pH (4-12) and catalyst dosage (0.25-10 g). The experimental results showed that catalytic ozonation was the most effective in less time (10 min) with considerable efficiency (90%) compared to the sole ozonation process (SOP). The results indicated that the catalytic ozonation process, compared to SOP, was affected less by radical scavenger.   Conclusion: Because of the low cost of Pumice, easy access to required raw materials and its remarkable performance as catalyst, it can be used as catalyst in sole ozonation processes to remove the organic material.  

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Background: Diabetes is a common disease that can lead to metabolic abnormalities and chronic complications. Today, the positive role of physical activity and exercise, especially walking in health human society and has been approved in prevention and control many complications including diabetes. Today, the positive role of physical activities and exercise , especially hiwalking in the health of human society and in the prevention and control of many diseases including diabetes has been approvend. The purpose of this study to determine predictors of walking behavior in patients with type 2 diabetes in Yazd based on Health Belief Model. Methods: In this cross-sectional study on 111 type 2 diabetes patients referring to Yazd Diabetes Center were selected randomly. Data collecting was done by a questionnaire with health belief model structures (knowledge, perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, self efficacy & cues to action) and demographic variables and questions regarding walking behaviors. Reliability and validity were assessed and were approved. Ddata analyzed were using the spssSPSS software and making descriptive statistics, the correlation coefficient and regression testes. Findings: 111 individuals with type 2 diabetes of both sexes (78 females and 33 males) with mean age of 44.7 ± 18.49 were participated in this study. the mMean score of knowledge and walking behavior were, 6.93 ± 3.22 and 4.46 ± 3.73, respectively that showed subjects had acquired only 43.12% of knowledge maximum score knowledge and 31.85% of the walking behavior maximum score walking behavior. The Findings showed that there was a significant relationship between walking behavior with knowledge, & behavior with perceived severity and& behavior with  perceived benefits.  Conclusion: According to this study behavior of walking was weak. & It seems that the use of theoretical based models such as Health Belief Model can be used effective on to predict weakness of walking and as a framework can be used for the implementation of educational interventions to control diabetes.  

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Background: There are many varieties of compounds in chemical and petrochemical wastewater. One of the important members of the Chlorophenols (CPs) family is ρ-chlorophenol. This pollutant is introduced into the environment through various human activities such as waste incineration, uncontrolled use of wood preservatives, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides, as well as via bleaching the pulp with chlorine, chlorination of drinking water and wastewater. Experiments with microwave irradiation were carried out in a modified domestic microwave oven with the cooling system (2450MHz, SAMSUNG Co.). The oxidation rate was influenced by many factors, such as the pH value, the amount of hydrogen peroxide, the irradiation time, the initial concentration of organic material and the microwave power.   The result showed that the optimum conditions obtained for the best degradation rate was pH=10.5, the H2O2 concentration of about 0.1 mol/L and the microwave irradiation power of about 600W for the microwave/H2O2 system at constant ρ-chlorophenol concentration. The degradation of ρ-chlorophenol by different types of oxidation processes were followed by the first order rate decay kinetics. The energy consumption for UV/H2O2 in degradation of p-Chlorophenol (93%) and the reaction time of 180 min was 17460 KWh/kg p-Chlorophenol removing.   Key Words: Advanced Oxidation Photochemical, 4-Chlorophenol, MW Radiation, Hydroxyl

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Background: Today with population growing, surface water is one of the most important water resources used for domestic and industrial consumptions. In order to purify the surface water, coagulants materials are used. The purpose of this study was to assess the possibility of using poly aluminum chloride (PACl) in water refinery number 1 in city of Orumieh and investigating its health effects. Methods: In this cross - sectional study, samples were taken in spring and then various concentrations of PACl coagulants material were added to the samples by using the jar test device to obtain the most suitable concentration. Also in this experiment the values of pH, turbidity, alkalinity and residual aluminum were measured. Findings: Based on the findings of the experiments the concentration of residual aluminum in the range of 5 to 20 mg/lit coagulant consumption was 0.29 mg/lit and also in the range of 20 to 40 mg/lit coagulant consumption it was 0.5 mg/lit. The efficiency of turbidity removal within less than 100 NTU was approximately 78% to 98% and in the range of over 100 NTU, more than 99%, thus by increasing the turbidity, removal is more effective. Conclusion: According to the required low concentration of PACl and consequently less sludge production, low coagulant consumption and small reduction of pH, PACl application is economical; and also in density of less than 20 mg/lit, the residual aluminum was lower but more residual aluminum was produced in over 20 mg/lit concentration which is inappropriate in terms of its association with Alzheimer's disease and health issues.

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Background: Contemporary development of growing urban communities and increasing the economical and industrial activities in the current century without paying attention to assess the effect of these activities on human health, as the axis of the development, is caused urban air pollution and risks from different pollutant emissions. Tehran air pollution has received considerable media coverage in the recent years. Since particulate matter (TSP and PM10) is one of the most important pollutants in this city, a study was conducted to assess TSP and PM10 concentrations and to make a qualitative assessment of air using the Air Quality Index (AQI), with TSP and PM10 sampling both on a daily and monthly basis. Methods: Tehran University was considered as the study area from December 2005 to May 2006. In order to determine the amount of TSP and PM10, 50 samples were taken as follows: for TSP with high volume sampler and 50 samples and for pm10 with laser dust monitor model 107 apparatus.     Findings: According to results of this study: Esfand (February) with the average 190.63 µg/m3 was the most polluted month in terms of TSP and Farvardin (March) with the average 118.5 µg/m3 was the cleanest month. Day (December) with the average 66.5 µg/m3 was the most polluted month in terms of PM10 and Farvardin (March) with the average 42.1 µg/m3 was the cleanest month. Conclusion: According to the Air Quality Index (AQI), in 96% of the samples TSP was below 100 (AQI < 100) and in the remaining 4%, AQI was above 100 (AQI > 100). In 98% of the samples the Air Quality Index (AQI) for PM10 was below 100 (AQI < 100) and in the remaining 2%, AQI was above 100 (AQI > 100).

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Background: Despite their simplicity and the low-cost, the conventional non-contact UV systems have low efficiency in water disinfection. The purpose of this study was to examine the possibility of upgrading these systems by some modifications in order to maximize the water contact with the UV radiation and as a result a better disinfection.    Methods: In this study, two enhanced models of non-contact UV systems were compared to the conventional model. The waterfall model was made with a design based on flowing water from two thin waterfalls around a UV lamp in order to have direct radiation from the lamp’s all exposure areas. Also, the stair type model was designed in which a lamp was fixed over the shiny steel steps. The re­sults of water disinfection in two flow rates of 0.2 and 0.4 L/s were compared with traditional design at the ex­act similar conditions. The disinfection efficiency of this study was measured by reduction of fecal choliforms in water which were evaluated in turbidities of 0.5, 10 and 20 NTU.      Findings: The disinfection efficiency of the waterfall model in the turbidity of 0.5 NTU was specified to be 3.65 log in reduction of fecal choliforms compared to the conventional model by 2.93 log reduction (P<0.05). Be­sides, this new model was quite capable of disinfecting the water with high turbidities up to 20 NTU. However, the stair type model had less efficiency than the conventional model.   Conclusion: The reduction in disinfection efficiency at higher flow rates and turbidities for the waterfall model was much less than conventional model. So, application of the waterfall model in larger scales and for small water treatment facilities is suggested.  

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Background: Nitrate and nitrite compounds are considered as groundwater’s contamination factors, which in recent years, their densities have been growing in these resources. This study was conducted aiming to measure nitrate and nitrite density in drinking water wells in villages around the industrial estate, city of Orumieh, and to compare them to the approved standards. Methods: This was a descriptive, analytical, cross section study. The samples were taken from 30 wells in different parts of the surrounding areas of the industrial estate within a year period and the densities of nitrate and nitrite were measured. Findings: Based on the findings of the experiments, the annual mean density of nitrate and nitrite were respectively 17.46 mg/L and 0.008 mg/L.  The highest nitrate concentration was related to the winter. ANOVA was used to compare the mean density of nitrite and nitrate in different seasons. The assessment showed that the average nitrate density was significantly different comparing spring and summer and also spring and autumn (P<0.05), but there was not any significant differences in nitrite’s mean density in different seasons (P<0.05). Also, a statistically significant relationship were established between nitrate levels and the water depth (P<0.001, r=0.76), with increasing the water depth, the wells nitrate density decreased. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study it can be concluded that studied water quality is currently in accordance with drinking water standards in Iran with regards to nitrate and nitrite concentration; however, continuous control of water resources is essential. Hence, monitoring, treatment and disposal of production waste water should also be considered.

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Background: In addition to the various human environmental issues, environmental hazards due to the industrial waste mismanagement are one of the country's major problems. This especially is more important in the provinces such as Bakhtiari province where there have been concentration and diversity of the natural resources and a rapid growth of technology and industry in the recent years. Methods: To evaluate the current status of the industrial waste disposal and improving its management system in the industrial town of Borujen questionnaire method was used that the owners and industry officials were questioned personaly and the responses were recorded and finally the considered industry was visited and the schematic production process were identified. In the questionnaires the operating status, type of the activity, type and amount of the raw materials, type and amount of the products and the wastes produced by each industry were studied. Findings: In average 2200kg of general health waste are produced by the personnel activities in the Industrial town of Borujen per day. In the study performed, considering all the recyclable materials and based on physical composition of the waste found, about 68.6% of the weight of the industrial waste is reduced. But not all the recyclable materials can be retrieved. Therefore, the weight loss reaches to about 61%. Conclusion: Based on field studies in order to assess the possibility to construct industrial recycle units in Borujen, the paper recycling facilities could be used in this industrial town and according to the paper recycling industry in the town, there is a good potential in this case. Installing plastic recycling and processing facilities is not economical. It is also recommended that the Iron waste are gathered in a specific point in the industrial town and sold to the mother industries as raw materials after a specified period.  

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Background: Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic is recently threatening the health of world's population. Non-pharmaceutical measures are important to prevent the spread of influenza A (H1N1) and to prevent a pandemic. Effective influenza pandemic management requires understanding of the factors influencing preventive behavioral changes. This study determined the status of preventive behaviors regarding H1N1 (swine) influenza pandemic based on protection motivation theory (PMT) among female high school students in Isfahan. Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, multiple-stage randomized sampling was used to select 300 female students in Isfahan who completed a questionnaire during December 2009. The questionnaire was developed by the researchers based on PMT. The obtained data was analyzed using descriptive and deductive statistics in SPSS 14. Findings: The mean age of participants was 15.62 (SE = 1.1) years. A majority of participants were informed regarding H1N1 (swine) influenza pandemic (87.3%, 262 out of 300). There were significant positive correlations between preventive behaviors and perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and self-efficacy (P < 0.01). PMT's coping appraisal component of self-efficacy and response efficacy, and PMT's threat appraisal variables of perceived sensitivity and perceived severity had a significant positive relation with preventive behavior and predicted 11% of the behavior. Conclusion: A high perceived threat of influenza A was found in this research. Therefore, public health educators and planners are required to implement pandemic prevention interventions. In addition, since mass media was reported as the major information source, new policies must be developed to improve the knowledge of students by different and more scientific information sources.

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Abstract Background: breast cancer as a most common organ cancer in women is the first cause of death among women with 40-45 years old. The only way to control this disease is early detection that it can be treated in about 90% of women with breast cancer. The best way for early detection of breast cancer is screening, and the best accessible way is breast self examination (BSE). Considering this fact that female health workers are responsible for improvement of public health, in addition to self care, they can encourage the clients and help to improve healthy goals. Therefore this study, investigates the Knowledge, attitudes and practice of Breast Self - Examination among female health workers. Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was done among 119 female health workers in Isfahan. The method of sampling was clustering. With KAP questioner knowledge, attitude and practice of theses participants was assessed. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics methods. Findings: The mean age of participants was 38/3± 7/27. The knowledge about breast cancer and doing breast self examination (BSE) was good (79/8%) in most participants and (72/45%) of them have positive attitudes but only (39/5%) of the samples performed BSE regularly every month. A significant relationship was found between attitudes and the university degree of the health workers and also between age, university degree and the times of taking part in education classes with performing BSE in the best time for breast self examination.(P< 0.005). 12/6% of them did not have a good performance. Conclusion: considering that health workers can play an important role on encouraging the clients to perform healthy and preventive behaviors, their weak behavior is not acceptable in these groups. This result also shows that additional studies are needed to identify the factors that make women using screening services and encourage them for using these methods.

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Background: Fast food consumption has increased greatly among adolescents in recent years. About 30% of children and adolescents in the United States consume fast food on a typical day. Fast food consumption is linked with weight gain, poorer dietary indicators, and insulin resistance. The purpose of this study was to assess predictors of fast food consumption among high school students in Isfahan based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Methods: This descriptive-analytic study comprised a sample of 521 high school students, aged 15-18 years, selected by multistage sampling. Descriptive statistics were used to examine demographic characteristics and study variables. TPB-based variables were assessed through a questionnaire evaluating attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), intention to consume fast food, past behavior and actual behavior control as independent variables. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS14. Findings: The mean age of students was 16.28 ± 0.89 years. There were significant relationships between behavior (fast food consumption) and high level of education and higher income of the family (P < 0.01). The combination of attitude, subjective norms, and PBC accounted for 25.7% and 6% of the variance of behavioral intention and behavior, respectively. Moreover, attitude was the most significant predictor of intention (β = 0.331). Conclusion: Our findings were consistent with other research showing that TPB offers a good prediction of fast food consumption intentions but falls short in predicting behavior.

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Background: Natural organic compounds are known as precursors in the formation of disinfection byproducts. The aim of this study was to evaluate of effect of modified cationic surfactant nano zeolite in the removal of humic acid (HA) from water. Materials and Methods: Nano zeolite (clinoptilolite) was modified by cationic surfactant solution hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA-Br), in dosages of 0.5, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 g/l. HA, turbidity and pH were measured in the beginning and at the end of the adsorption process. Results: According to the results of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), there was a significant relationship between cationic surfactant dosage and HA concentration (P < 0.001). With increasing HDTMA-Br dosage, final to primary turbidity ratio, and final to primary UV254 absorbance ratio varied. In HDTMA-Br dosages of 7 and 10 g/l maximum removal efficiency for HA were respectively 96% and 86% with minimum variations in pH and turbidity value. Conclusion: This study showed that modification of zeolite for removal of disinfection byproducts from aqueous solution is necessary because these compounds have negative surface charge and are unable to adsorb anions. Moreover, application of HDTMA-Br at a dosage of 7 g/l and with a pH coinciding with isoelectric point can be an optimum concentration.   

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Background: Olive oil wastewater  contains chemical contents and organic materials that are resistant to biodegradation.  The existence of phenolic inhibitor compounds, toxicity to microorganisms in wastewater treatment units, unpleasant odor, high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD), high suspended solids, and compounds resistant to biodegradation in such wastewater are potential threats for surface and underground water resources. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of coagulation and acid cracking processes in olive oil wastewater treatment to reduce the pollution load and improve the biological degradability. Methods: Using a Batch reactor, this study was conducted in laboratory scale on real wastewater. Coagulation process was performed with alum and ferric chloride coagulants.  The wastewater from the best coagulant was treated by the acid cracking process using sulfuric acid. The removal of COD, total suspended solids (TSS), and total phenolic compounds was investigated. Findings: The results showed that the highest removal efficiency of pollutants was achieved in an optimum pH of 6 and a dose of 300 mg/l of ferric chloride. Under these conditions, 91.2%, 89.7%, and 98.9% of  COD, TSS, and phenolic compounds were removed.  In addition, ferric chloride was more efficient than alum. In optimum conditions, acid cracking process on the effluent from the coagulation process removed 18.6% of COD and 52.6% of total phenolic compounds.  BOD/COD ratio  increased from 0.14 to 0.68 after the compound process. Conclusion: These processes can be effective and economical methods to reduce pollution  in olive oil wastewater.

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Background: Microorganisms on various surfaces in industrial and residential environments can spread infectious diseases. Their control is thus a major concern. The aim of this study was to survey the bacterial contamination of elevator buttons in schools of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran in the summer of 2011. Methods: This study was done as a cross sectional research. After sampling, tryptic soy broth (TSB), eosin methylene blue (EMB), and blood agar were used as culture media. Additional tests were performed in the next stage. Findings: Enterobacter, Hafnia, Serratia, and Staphylococcus were detected. Elevators in the school of dentistry were 100% contaminated to these bacteria. It might have been a result of human activities in this environments and solid waste production. In addition, about 60% of samples taken from the schools of medicine and management were contaminated to these bacteria. Contaminations in other schools were estimated to be 30%. Conclusions: This study showed bacterial diversity and contamination to be more in schools having chemical and microbiological pilot plant laboratories, especially biological laboratories. Among these, the presence of Gram-negative bacteria was more likely than others. Gram-positive bacteria could be skin flora. Contamination and microbial diversity existed on elevator buttons. Not paying enough attention to environmental sanitation and personal hygiene would thus increase pollution in these places. Therefore, public education and increasing the knowledge of people are necessary.

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Background: The goal of this study was to survey the total residual chlorine and chloroform in the water distribution system of Isfahan, Iran, and zoning of obtained results using GIS. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, total residual chlorine was tested in the sampling points of the water distribution system of Isfahan and chloroform was measured with standard methods and after transferring the samples to a laboratory under standard conditions. Chloroform detection was done by GC-MS. The zoning of obtained results was performed by GIS. Findings: Total residual chlorine and chloroform concentrations were obtained undetectable to 3.3 ppm and 10-28 ppb, respectively. High range of chloroform concentration was related to the end points of the water distribution system. Moreover, the center of the city had a chloroform concentration less than other points. The reason for these problems could be more water consumption in central points of the city and stagnant water in other areas of the city. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the water production of the Isfahan water treatment plant had an acceptable quality in relation to its Cl- and DBPs content, at the sampling time. The obtained concentrations followed the WHO and USEPA guidelines. However, it is necessary to detect probable concentration of THMs production, continuously. Furthermore, by using integrated and appropriate water treatment methods, DBPs can be reduced considerably.

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Background: Lead can penetrate into the human body through various routes including ingestion, inhalation and cutaneous. Using cosmetic products such as lipstick and eye shadow is considered as one of the cutaneous sources of lead entrance into the body. Pregnancy hypertension, IQ loss and abortion are the major adverse effects of lead absorption. Lead concentration in most popular brands was investigated in this study in order to identify the best quality of the consumed eye shadows. Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical study conducted in Isfahan city in 2011. The information about most widely consumed brands of cosmetics eye shadows were obtained from the major cosmetics and makeup sellers. Based on the statistical procedures, 15 samples of high-consumed eye shadow brands were selected and analyzed by the Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). Findings: Lead concentration in all the studied subjects was 0.85 to 6 µg /g of eye shadow based on their wet or fresh mass. The total mean lead level in all the samples was 3.53µg/g. The maximum and minimum lead concentration in the samples were obtained in Flomar (5.66 µg/g) and Kavian (1.5 µg/g) brands, respectively. Conclusion: In this study, lead concentration of the eye shadows was lower than the recommended value by the Amercian food and drug administration (FDA). In order to prevent from the adverse and harmful health effects of the cosmetic products on human, particularly on pregnant women and infants, the lead levels of the cosmetics must be monitored.

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Background: The detrimental effects of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVOs) on apolipoproteins have been reported from several parts of the world; however, few data are available in this regard from the understudied region of the Middle East. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between type of vegetable oils, serum lipids and apolipoprotein levels among Iranians.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data of 1772 people (795 men and 977 women) aged 19 to 81 years were used. Participants were selected through multistage cluster random sampling method from three counties of Isfahan, Najafabad and Arak, Iran in Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP). To assess participants' usual dietary intakes, a validated food frequency questionnaire was used. Consumption of hydrogenated vegetable oil (commonly consumed for cooking in Iran) and margarine was considered as the category of PHVOs. Consumption of soy, sunflower, corn, olive and canola oils was considered as non-HVOs category. After an overnight fasting, serum colestrol (total, LDL, and HDL) and triglyceride as well as apolipoproteins A and B were measured using standard methods.Findings: Participants with the highest intake of non-HVOs and PHVOs were younger and had lower weight than those with the lowest intake. High consumption of non-HVOs and PHVOs was associated with lower intake of energy, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, and higher intake of fruits, vegetables, meat, milk and grains. No overall significant differences were found in serum lipids and apolipoprotein levels across quartiles of non-HVOs as well as PHVOs after controlling for potential confounding.Conclusion: There was no significant association between hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated vegetable oil and serum lipid and apolipoprotein levels. Further studies are needed to explore this association. 

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Background: Disease mapping includes a set of statistical techniques that provide detailed maps of rates based on estimated incidence, prevalence, and mortality. Bayesian models are the most important models in this field. They consider prior information on changes in the disease rates in the overall map and spatial pattern of the disease. These include a broad range of models with their own formulation, characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. In the present study we explain and compare three important and widely-used models (Gamma-Poisson and lognormal as empirical Bayesian models, and Besag, York and Mollie (BYM) as a full Bayesian model) with regard to the relative risk of suicide in the Ilam Province, Iran. Methods: In this applied, ecological research, suicide information of the Ilam Province for 2007 and first half of 2008 was analyzed using Gamma-Poisson, lognormal, and BYM Bayesian models. Models were fitted to data using WinBUGS software. Findings: Fitting the three models showed that Darrehshahr and Shirvan-Chrdavol had the highest and the lowest relative risk of suicide, respectively. Conclusion: Despite some differences in estimates, the ranks of relative risks in all three models are similar for all provinces. This result was in accordance with the results of the study by Clayton and Kaldor. The provinces from the highest to lowest relative risk of suicide are: Darrehshahr, Ilam, Dehloran, Eyvan, Abdanan, Mehran, Malekshahi, and Shirvan-Chrdavol.