Designing and founding of twins\' data bank in Islamic Republic of Iran

Payesh2009; 8: 123-133Accepted for publication: 17 May 2007[EPub a head of print-20 Apr. 2009] Objective(s): Avesina Research Institute, consisting of 1. Reproductive Biotechnology 2. Monoclonal Antibody and 3. Nanobiotechnology Research Centers, made great efforts to establish a Twin Registry in Iran for the first time.Methods: First, an introductory notice, regarding the registry and its objectives was advertised through domestic TV channels and radio stations, as well as newspapers to address and summon twins and multiples. In addition, to publicize the registry more widely, an internet site was designed and posters and related business cards were printed. After the preliminary advertisements throughout the country, registration of the twins on the database became available via one of the following:1- Filling out and posting questionnaires2- Posting documents to the database and follow up correspondence for the completion of the required data3- Registration through internet 4- Registration through telephone 5- Registration via e-mailsResults: In 22 months, from March 24, 2004 to December 31, 2005, about 35000 twins and multiples joined the Iranian Twin Registry and their information was entered into the database.This bulk of data based on information like gender, age, kind of birth, marital status, education, job, ethnicity, medical history, personal interests, hobbies, etc has been classified and is ready for use in research projects.Conclusion: The total number of twins and multiples registered with the registry is about 35000 compared to 350,000 to 400,000 twin pairs (There is one twin per 100 deliveries) who live in Iran. Twins who has participated in our study is less than %5 of the total number of Iranian twins and multiples. For the cooperation of nearly all twins in Iran, an urgent need is felt for substantial economical and organizational supports.