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Background and objective: The south of littoral of Caspian sea is located on the Asian belt of oesophageal carcinoma, where has the highest incidence in the world. The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiologic aspects of patients with oesophageal carcinoma in the north of Iran. Materials and methods: Based on the existing data of medical charts, we conducted a descriptive study of 668 patients with oesophageal carcinoma who referred to Shahid Rajaei Radiotherapy Center in Babolsar during 1993 to 1999. The data was included age, sex, occupation, residence area, and history of alcohol, smoking, drug consumption, anatomic location and histologic type of tumor. We used T-test and Chi-square test in statistical analysis. Results: The mean (±SD) age of 668 patients was 62.8 (±11) years and the modal age group 60-69 years. The mean age of males was significantly greater than females (63.8 vs. 61.2 years, P<0.05) 54.5% of patients were male and 62.1% of males were farmers, 14.5% clerk, and 7% workers whereas 92.4% of females were housewives. Roughly, 0.7% of patients had a history of alcohol consumption, 19.3% smoker and 7.9% drug users and 50.3% of patients were residence of urban area. The most common histologic type of tumor was squamous cell carcinoma (91.3%) and 7% of tumors were adenocarcinoma. The ratio of men to women of adenocarcinoma was 3 to 1 Also squamous cell carcinoma was more common among men than women The relation between the histologic type of tumor and gender was significant (P<0.05). The most common location of squamous cell carcinoma was the upper third of oesophageal (47.1%) and for adenocarcinoma the lower third (86.4%). Also, we observed a significant relation between occupation and the histologic type of tumor. Conclusion: The results indicated that the frequency of oesophageal carcinoma is increased over the age 50 years. The relation of histologic type of tumor with location and gender are consistent with those reported in the other studies in the western countries, which shows the same pattern of epidemiologic aspects of this neoplasm in the world.

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Background & Objective: The rate of using contraceptive methods in an important criteria for evaluation the performance of family planning in women aged 15-49 years. The aim of this study is to determine the 7-year trend of contraceptive methods in population of rural area in Babol. Materials & Methods: This study was performed based on the existing data in family planning program charts in area under coverage of Gatab health center in Babol from 1994 to 2000. A sample of 400 women aged 15-49 years were selected using systematic sampling technique within each year based on the list of women who had husband aged 15-49 years in family planning books. In overall, 2800 women examined during 7 years of study. The data of type of contraceptive method and the calendar year were extracted from family planning charts. We used Z-test and Chi-square test in statistical analysis. Results: The results showed that the rate of tobactomy increased significantly from 26.2% in 1994 to 36.7% in 2000 (P<0.05). The use of condom and IUD changed from 3% to 7.5% and from 5% to 8.5% respectively. The percentage of women did not use any contraceptive method decreased from 27.5% in 1994 to 4.7% in 2000 (P<0.05). While a significant changes neither were observed in using oral contraceptive nor withdrawal methods using 7 years. Conclusion: The rate of using confident methods of contraception increased significantly from 1994 to 2000. In spite of the relative high rate of withdrawal method and due to lack of its confidence, the more research and education for shifting its user to modern form of contraceptive is necessary.