Hamed Delam; Mohammad-Rafi Bazrafshan
Abstract
Introduction: Elderly people face many challenges and these problems make them vulnerable to various types of mental disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of anxiety and depression in the elderly people who referred to the health center of Larestan city in 2019. Methods: ...
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Introduction: Elderly people face many challenges and these problems make them vulnerable to various types of mental disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of anxiety and depression in the elderly people who referred to the health center of Larestan city in 2019. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 109 elderly people were selected by convenience sampling from health center of Larestan city. Demographic information, Beck Depression Inventory and Spielberger Anxiety Questionnaire were completed by the samples. Finally, the collected data were analyzed using Spearman, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. In this study, a p-value of 0.05 was considered as statistically significant . Results: Out of 109 elderly people who participated in this study, 47 (43.1%) were male and 62 (56.9%) were female. The mean age of the men and women was 65.30±5.013 and 69.34±5.675 years, respectively. Most of the samples were married (79.80%) and illiterate (43.10%). The mean of depression, state and trait anxiety in men was 11.79±5.91, 33.02±11.56 and 34.19±13.50 respectively; also, the mean of depression, state and trait anxiety in women was 15.31±6.65, 40.68±12.44 and 40.82±12.29, respectively. The results of Mann-Whitney U test showed a statistically significant relationship between gender and the level of depression, state and trait anxiety (P value<0.05). There was no significant relationship between depression, anxiety and other demographic variables (P value>0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate the high prevalence of depression and anxiety among the elderly under the study, especially among the elderly women; therefore, interventions are needed to reduce the stressors of the elderly people's lives.
Leila rezaei; Vali Alipour; Sakine shokooheyan; Amin Ghanbarnejad
Volume 2, Issue 1 , January 2014, , Pages 36-41
Abstract
Background: Pre-chlorination of raw water containing natural organic matters may lead to forming harmful disinfection by-products such as trihalomethanes (THMs), the measurement of which needs expensive advanced analytical instruments. This study was conducted to anticipate THMs formation potential in ...
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Background: Pre-chlorination of raw water containing natural organic matters may lead to forming harmful disinfection by-products such as trihalomethanes (THMs), the measurement of which needs expensive advanced analytical instruments. This study was conducted to anticipate THMs formation potential in Bandar Abbas drinking water system using cheap and simple experiments and a mathematical model. Methods: In a 24 week sampling program, 96 samples were collected weekly from raw water (RW), clarification (CE), filtration (FE), and disinfection effluent (DE). After measuring the Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC), residual chlorine, contact time, temperature and pH of water, THMs concentration was calculated using a mathematical model. Results: The means of DOC concentration in RW, CE, FE and DE were 5.56, 4.21, 3.50, and 3.01 (mg/l), respectively. The mean of temperature values varied from 22.28 in RW to 21.25 in DE and the mean of pH variations was measured from 6.75 in DE to 8.37 in CE. Also, the mean of residual chlorine concentration was 0.0 to 1.72 in RW and DE, respectively. Conclusion: The means of calculated THMs were 37.92±4.82μg/l, 51.15±9.44μg/l, and 52.71±8.37μg/l for CE, FE, and DE respectively; this did not meet the related EPA standard (30- 40μg/l); therefore, further detailed studies should be conducted to resolve the consumers’ concerns in this regard.
Mohammad Hossein Kaveh; Fatemeh Shirdel; Abdolrahim Asadollahi
Volume 6, Issue 1 , January 2018, , Pages 36-39
Abstract
Evidence suggests that the quality of family relationships is associated with family members’ general health. Given of the scanty studies on adolescents, especially in Iran, this study aimed to determine the association between parent-adolescent conflict and adolescents’ general health. ...
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Evidence suggests that the quality of family relationships is associated with family members’ general health. Given of the scanty studies on adolescents, especially in Iran, this study aimed to determine the association between parent-adolescent conflict and adolescents’ general health. Methods: Out of 40 high schools in Behbahan, 10 were randomly selected, and then 391 students were selected through random sampling method. The Parent-Adolescent Conflict Questionnaire and General Health Questionnaire were used for data collection. Pearson correlation coefficient, t-test, and ANOVA were used for data analysis in SPSS. Results: The findings of this study showed a significant and positive correlation between parent-adolescent conflict and general health (p=0.001, r=0.142). There was also a significant difference between the parent-adolescent conflict and mother's educational level (p=0.001), between general health and mother's educational level (p=0. 01), and between parent-adolescent conflict and father's educational level (p=0.003). There was no statistically significant difference between gender and parent-adolescent conflict and general health. Conclusion: According to the results, with an increase in parent-adolescent conflict, the general health scores would also increase, indicating lower general health. Further studies are recommended to identify familial conflict and general health (mental) risk factors. A family-oriented training program is recommended to improve the parent-adolescent communication skills
Ali Sabz Tajari; Iravan Masoudi Asl; Somaye Hessam
Abstract
Background: Millions of people around the world suffer from occupational accidents each year, many of whom become disabled or die. The purpose of this research was to study work-related accidents and its effects on the costs incurred by Social Security Organization (SSO) of Iran during the years 2012-2016. ...
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Background: Millions of people around the world suffer from occupational accidents each year, many of whom become disabled or die. The purpose of this research was to study work-related accidents and its effects on the costs incurred by Social Security Organization (SSO) of Iran during the years 2012-2016. Methods: This comparative-descriptive study examined the insurance and medical costs of approximately 96,000 occupational accidents registered in the SSO systems over the period of 2012-16. Data were collected through statistical forms and Medical Commissions Comprehensive System, as well as the data recorded in the SSO systems. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Excel software, and SPSS 22. Pearson correlation test was used to investigate the relationship between work-related accidents and the research variables (short-term and long-term medical costs and lost working years). Results: Findings indicated that an average of 115 people (0.59%) die each year from work-related accidents. Occupational accidents also lead to total disability of 176 people (0.91%) and partial disability of 292 people (1.5%) per year. About 5% of the victims (998 people) receive lump sum payments as compensation for permanent impairment and 92% (17665 people) fully recover from job injuries. Work-related accidents impose an average financial burden of about IIR 147 billion annually on SSO as short-term costs, about IIR 247 billion as inpatient and outpatient treatment costs, and about IIR 497 billion as long-term costs. Overall,
Mehdi Jahangiri; Korosh Azizi; Parvaneh yekzamani; Seyedeh Fatemeh Ahmadi; Bahare Mahmoudabadi; Fariborz Behbood; Mahdieh Delikhoon
Volume 5, Issue 1 , January 2017, , Pages 38-42
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the extent of implementation of safety measures in 14 student housings in one of the largest universities in Fars province, Shiraz, Iran.Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 14 student housings of one of the largest universities, located in Shiraz, ...
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Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the extent of implementation of safety measures in 14 student housings in one of the largest universities in Fars province, Shiraz, Iran.Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 14 student housings of one of the largest universities, located in Shiraz, Iran. Audit checklists were completed and rated thought field inspection and interview. Safety Requirement Index (SRI) was then used to evaluate the safety of student housings. SRI was graded on five scales (0-19%: very poor (unsafe); 20-39%: poor (relatively unsafe); 40-59%: moderate; 60-79%: good (relatively safe): and 80-100%: excellent (safe). Results: The mean SRI score was 71.01±15.46%. The highest and lowest level of SRI was 94.11±6.60% for dimensions of public health (and 47.70±18.42% for elevator safety.Conclusion: None of the studied housings was completely safe in all dimensions. Most of the studied housings were categorized as safe in the dimensions of public health and ventilation and air-conditioning systems; relatively safe in the dimensions of electrical, building, fire and kitchen safety; and moderate in the elevator safety and emergency response. Establishment of safety management system is necessary to promote safety in the studied housings. The results of this study indicated the need to inform the authorities about the safety priorities in housings, to promote the safety conditions. The results could also be used to raise awareness regarding their role and responsibilities about the safety of housings.
Zahra Zamanian; Reza Rostami; Kiana Nikeghbal
Volume 3, Issue 1 , January 2015, , Pages 45-49
Abstract
Background: Noise is one of the most important hazardous physical factors in industrial environments. This study aimed to determine the effects of noise exposure on serum cortisol level and some blood parameters among male workers of a steel production company.Methods: This cross-sectional study was ...
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Background: Noise is one of the most important hazardous physical factors in industrial environments. This study aimed to determine the effects of noise exposure on serum cortisol level and some blood parameters among male workers of a steel production company.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 male workers in a steel production company. In order to assess the changes in blood parameters, such as serum cortisol level, lipid profile, and blood sugar, blood samples were taken from the participants before and after the work shift. Besides, CEL 440 sound level meter was used to measure the equivalent sound pressure level (LAeq) and analyze the noise in octave band frequencies. Analyses of data were performed by SPSS software (version 16) using the Paired sample t-test.Results: The laboratory findings indicated an increase in serum cortisol at all exposure levels. However, the changes were not statistically significant. An increase was observed in blood sugar levels at all the three noise levels and the increment was statistically significant at 95 dB noise level.Conclusion: The present study showed that exposure to high sound levels leads to changes in biological parameters, although under the scenario explained in this study these changes did not reach statistical significant.
Ahmad Kalateh Sadati; Kamran Bagheri Lankarani; Halimeh Enayat; Akbar Rasekhi Kazerooni; Sara Ebrahimzadeh
Volume 2, Issue 2 , April 2014, , Pages 78-87
Abstract
Background: Many of health system services are done in clinical counseling. A patient’s expectation of clinical consultation and physician office visits is to obtain diagnostic-remedial results, while such an expectation can be fulfilled only through an active relationship between the doctor and the ...
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Background: Many of health system services are done in clinical counseling. A patient’s expectation of clinical consultation and physician office visits is to obtain diagnostic-remedial results, while such an expectation can be fulfilled only through an active relationship between the doctor and the patient. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of doctor- patient interaction in an educational clinic in southern Iran. Methods: This is a conversation analysis based on critical approach. So, 33 clinical consultations were analyzed critically. Results: Results showed that paternalistic model is the overall pattern in consultations. This leads to limitation of the patients’ opportunity to participate in their diagnosis and treatment. Powers’ asymmetrical relations lead to conditions in which physicians determine the clinical counseling process. Also, physicians determine the subject of consultation in the counseling period. In this situation, the patients’ concerns were ignored. This ignorance leads to the patients’ suppression in problematic situations. The main point is that the clinical counseling occurs in one general contract that is unwritten but has been known for the two sides of interaction. Conclusion: Clinical counseling can be an active consultation when it included the symmetrical distribution of power and the patient has an active participation in the consultation. Therefore, the new patient-centered approaches can be an appropriate model for access to a type of consultation based on symmetrical power distribution between physician and patient.
abooalfazl azhdarpoor; Aezam Mohammadi Mohammadi; Abbas Shahsavani
Volume 5, Issue 2 , April 2017, , Pages 79-85
Abstract
Background:Air pollutants have harmful impacts on human health and aggravation of diseases and mortality. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of PM10, NO2, SO2, and O3 on cardiovascular and respiratory mortality and hospital admissions in Shiraz during 2012-2013.Methods: The health impact ...
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Background:Air pollutants have harmful impacts on human health and aggravation of diseases and mortality. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of PM10, NO2, SO2, and O3 on cardiovascular and respiratory mortality and hospital admissions in Shiraz during 2012-2013.Methods: The health impact of pollutants was quantified using AirQ2.2.3 model provided by WHO Regional Office-European Center for Environment and Health. In addition, Generalized Additive Model (GAM) in R was used to investigate the relationship between pollutants and disease and mortality.Results:According to the results of quantification with WHO’s default values for Baseline Incidence (BI) and Relative Risk (RR) as well as the number of hospital admissions related to PM10 (1,375 cases in 2012 and 874 ones in 2013), it has been observed that respiratory diseases have had the highest health impacts. On the other hand, an assessment using regional values for BI and RR indicated that the highest health impacts were related to respiratory diseases due to exposure to O3 with 134 and 252 cases in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Moreover, significant relationships were observed among PM10, NO2, and O3 and respiratory mortality, hospital admissions due to cardiovascular diseases, and hospital admissions due to respiratory diseases in patients aging 65 years and older.Conclusion:Overall, the results showed that due to different geographical, statistical, and climatic features of each region, WHO’s default values for BI and RR cannot be used normally in some cases. Thus, calculated BI and RR values should be used for such cases. However, further research is needed to assess the health impacts of air pollutants in terms of BI and RR specific to the study region.
Hamid Kassiri; Ali Kasiri; Niusha Kasiri; Fahimeh Moeininejad
Volume 3, Issue 2 , April 2015, , Pages 83-87
Abstract
Background: Pediculosis capitis is a continuous common health problem worldwide. Pediculus capitis distributes quickly in overcrowded regions. The goal of the present research was to determine some epidemiological features of head lice infestation in Khorram-shahr County, southwestern Iran. Methods: ...
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Background: Pediculosis capitis is a continuous common health problem worldwide. Pediculus capitis distributes quickly in overcrowded regions. The goal of the present research was to determine some epidemiological features of head lice infestation in Khorram-shahr County, southwestern Iran. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on the patients with head lice infestation who referred to the Khorram-shahr Health Center during 2006 to 2009. The gold standard in the diagnosis of infestation was the detection of living nymphs, adults and/or nits on the scalp and hair. After the visual inspections with using a lens and the aid of an ordinary comb, cases were asked to complete a data gathering form containing some questions about demographic and epidemiologic features. The collected information was evaluated using SPSS software, version 11.5. Results: Totally, 1091 patients were infested with pediculosis capitis. The overall prevalence of head lice infestation during the four- year period was 0.73%. Girls were significantly more infested (87.2%) than boys (12.8%). Pediculosis capitis infestations were highest (46.2%) in subjects aged 6-10 and lowest in those aged less than six (6.4%). The majority of cases lived in the rural areas. The percentage of infestation in rural and urban patients was 59.2% and 40.8%, respectively. Nearly, 11.8% of the patients with head lice had a history of infestation. Most of the cases were found in the Autumn (35.8%). Conclusion: Girls were more frequently infested with Pediculus capitis than boys. It can also be concluded that head lice infestation is not highly prevalent in Khorram-shahr.
Zeinolabedin Mohammadi; Saeed Shahabi; Fatemeh Ghorbani; Asghar Khajeh
Abstract
Background: Morphological and allozyme studies are not remarkably efficient in identification of cryptic and unknown species; therefore, the differences between intra-and interspecific genetic variation (DNA barcoding) have been applied in recent decades. Applying molecular markers has been common for ...
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Background: Morphological and allozyme studies are not remarkably efficient in identification of cryptic and unknown species; therefore, the differences between intra-and interspecific genetic variation (DNA barcoding) have been applied in recent decades. Applying molecular markers has been common for identification of taxa, so that suitable marker choice representing high divergence is a crucial issue to reveal taxonomic status of the taxa in this approach. Methods: In this analytical study, the performance of two mitochondrial markers including cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b (cyt b)was compared with nuclear recombination activating protein I locus(RAGI), and their efficiency in identification of mammal taxa as the host of zoonotic diseases was evaluated. The COI, cyt b, and RAGI sequences were retrieved from GenBank. Intra-and interspecific genetic distances were estimated and compared at the species level. The variances in genetic divergence were also calculated and compared between the markers. Results: Our results showed a wide gap between intra-and interspecific genetic distances for both COI and cyt b markers and less apparent gap for RAGI, indicating that this nuclear marker is less proper for species delimitation in DNA barcoding. Conclusion: We concluded that in the case of multiple sequences available COI, contributes to accurate differentiation at the species level, showing a significant gap between intra-and interspecific genetic distances and may play an important role as DNA barcoding marker.
Toktam Balandeh; Mohsen razeghi; Zahra Zamanian
Volume 4, Issue 2 , April 2016, , Pages 89-94
Abstract
Background: Anthropometry is a branch of Ergonomics that considers the measurement and description of the human body dimensions. Accordingly, equipment, environments, and workstations should be designed using user-centered design processes. Anthropometric dimensions differ considerably across gender, ...
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Background: Anthropometry is a branch of Ergonomics that considers the measurement and description of the human body dimensions. Accordingly, equipment, environments, and workstations should be designed using user-centered design processes. Anthropometric dimensions differ considerably across gender, race, ethnicity and age, taking into account ergonomic and anthropometric principles. The aim of this study was to determine anthropometric characteristics of microscope users and provide a regression model for anthropometric dimensions. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, anthropometric dimensions (18 dimensions) of the microscope users (N=174; 78 males and 96 females) in Shiraz were measured. Instruments included a Studio meter, 2 type calipers, adjustable seats, a 40-cm ruler, a tape measure, and scales. The study data were analyzed using SPSS, version 20. Results: The means of male and female microscope users’ age were 31.64±8.86 and 35±10.9 years, respectively and their height were 161.03±6.87cm and 174.81±5.45cm, respectively. The results showed that sitting and standing eye height and sitting horizontal range of accessibility had a significant correlation with stature. Conclusion: The established anthropometric database can be used as a source for designing workstations for working with microscopes in this group of users. The regression analysis showed that three dimensions, i.e. standing eye height, sitting eye height, and horizontal range of accessibility sitting had a significant correlation with stature. Therefore, given one’s stature, these dimensions can be obtained with less measurement.
Elham Asrari; Esmail Izadi Navan
Abstract
Background: The presence of quantities of dye chemicals in the textile industry effluent is clearly visible and harmful environmental impacts caused by chemical compounds are also as a noticeable challenge. Regarding this issue, control of the pollution has been considered. Methods: In this study, an ...
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Background: The presence of quantities of dye chemicals in the textile industry effluent is clearly visible and harmful environmental impacts caused by chemical compounds are also as a noticeable challenge. Regarding this issue, control of the pollution has been considered. Methods: In this study, an absorbent of Sodium Montmorillonite modified by Methylene Blue dye was used to remove Brilliant Red dye from the textile effluent. All batch experiments were carried out in 250mL of solution of 640 mg/L Methylene Blue with 2g of adsorbent and performed on a shaker with a shaking of 120 rpm; the precipitate was placed in an oven at 60◦C for 24 hours. The effective parameters on the adsorption including: pH, absorbance dose, dye concentration and contact time were optimized by using both one factor at a time technique and Central Composite Design method by designing 30 experiments with four variables (n= 4) and two levels (low (-) and high (+)). Results: The optimal values of the influencing parameters such as pH, absorbance dose, dye concentration and contact time were determined at 6, 0.3 g, 80 mg/L and 60 min with an approximate 92% removal percentage, respectively. The results illustrated that the process was more consistent with Langmuir adsorption isotherm and pseudo-second kinetics equation. Conclusion: The adsorption behaviors of the modified absorbent showed that the adsorption kinetics and isotherms were in good agreement with pseudo-second-order equation and the Langmuir equation, respectively. The potential for regeneration and reuse of the modified absorbent was proved by the desorption studies.
Hamzeh Alipour; Mohammad Reza Abaie; Hossein Ladonni; Ali Akbar Kadivar
Volume 1, Issue 2 , October 2013, , Pages 94-97
Abstract
Background: Malaria is the most important vector-borne disease in many tropical countries all over the world. Because of the widespread use of pyrethroid insecticide treated mosquito nets in the world, the effects of excito-repellency (ER) phenomenon of pyrethroids against main malaria vector, Anopheles ...
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Background: Malaria is the most important vector-borne disease in many tropical countries all over the world. Because of the widespread use of pyrethroid insecticide treated mosquito nets in the world, the effects of excito-repellency (ER) phenomenon of pyrethroids against main malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi were studied.Methods: The ER phenomenon of three concentrations of two synthetic pyrethroids (permethrin and deltamethrin) as well as etofenprox was evaluated against Anopheles stephensi under laboratory conditions. Female 5-7 day unfed mosquitoes were exposed to animal bait in holder and the animal’s back and head were covered with impregnated bed net in -ER test chamber.Results: Deltamethrin was more effective compared to other insecticides in killing the mosquitoes. The mean of entry to exit trap showed significant differences in all concentrations of insecticides (P<0.05).Conclusion: This study showed that ER phenomenon of insecticides should be noticed in vector control programs. The ranked data indicated the relative potency of both pyrethroids and etofenprox. Deltamethrin repels the female mosquitoes more than other insecticides tested.
Masoud Neghab; Parisa Azad; marzieh Honarbakhsh; Fatemeh Zarei; Ebrahim Ghaderi
Volume 3, Issue 3 , July 2015, , Pages 119-124
Abstract
Background: Despite wide application of chromium in electroplating industry, the pulmonary effects of chronic exposure to this chemical have not been extensively studied and are subject of debate and controversy. This study was, therefore, undertaken to further address this issue. Methods: The study ...
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Background: Despite wide application of chromium in electroplating industry, the pulmonary effects of chronic exposure to this chemical have not been extensively studied and are subject of debate and controversy. This study was, therefore, undertaken to further address this issue. Methods: The study population consisted of a group of 15 workers with a history of past and present occupational exposure to chromium mists and 15 unexposed healthy subjects (referent). Subjects were interviewed, respiratory symptom questionnaires were filled out for them, and their parameters of pulmonary function (PFT) were measured during the shift and a few days after exposure ceased. Results: Both groups were similar as to the number of smokers, their length of smoking, and demographic factors such as age, weight and height. Although the unexposed group, on average, were slightly older than their exposed counterparts, statistical analysis of the data revealed that symptoms such as productive cough, phlegm, wheezing and shortness of breath were significantly (P<0.05) more prevalent among the exposed workers. Furthermore, the parameters of pulmonary function (PFT) of the exposed workers, while at work, were significantly lower than those of referent individuals. Interestingly, PFT of the exposed subjects generally showed some improvement a few days after their exposure ceased. However, despite this relative recovery, the differences of PFT values between the exposed and referent groups, from statistical point of view, remained significant. Conclusion: Our data support the proposition that exposure to chromium mists induces abnormal respiratory symptoms as well as both acute, partially reversible and chronic irreversible lung functional impairments.
fatemeh ahmadi nezhad; Parvin Abedi; Shahnaz Najar; Mohammad Hossein Haghighi Zadeh
Volume 2, Issue 3 , July 2014, , Pages 125-133
Abstract
Background: Preconception counseling is preventive medicine in obstetrics. Preconception care creates an opportunity for examining conditions before pregnancy improving pregnancy outcome. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the adaptation rate of preconception care with the national ...
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Background: Preconception counseling is preventive medicine in obstetrics. Preconception care creates an opportunity for examining conditions before pregnancy improving pregnancy outcome. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the adaptation rate of preconception care with the national standards at health care centers, Ahvaz, 2014.Methods: This descriptive study was conducted at health care centers in 2013 selected randomly. The samples of the study included 385 women at their fertility age who came to receive health services. Researcher observed simultaneous care and filled the related forms. The data were analyzed using the descriptive statistic SPSS version 19.Results: Results showed that the presented preconception care as to the case history section was weak for 14.3% of the cases, medium for 42.3% and desirable for the remainders (43.4%). In addition, presented preconception care at test’s section was weak for 38.4% of the cases, medium for 50.1% and desirable for 11.4%. Presented preconception care at exam’s section was weak in 82.3%, medium in 16.9%, and desirable in 0.8%. Presented preconception care at immunization’s section was weak in 42.3% of cases, medium in 43.1%, and desirable in 14.5%. As to resented preconception care at education’s section, it was weak in 81.6% of the cases, medium in 13.8%, and desirable adaptation with the standard guidelines of country in 4.7%. 84.9% of women were completely satisfied with centers, 11.9% relatively satisfied, and just 3.3% were dissatisfied.Conclusion: Presented preconception care at health care centers is not in the same line with the national standard; thus, a more accurate control is needed.
Serajeddin Mahmoudiani
Abstract
Background: Identifying the effect of the social environment in which couples live and the demographic decisions are made, along with individual characteristics, are important in explaining human fertility. In the present study, an attempt was made to explain women’s fertility in the six provinces ...
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Background: Identifying the effect of the social environment in which couples live and the demographic decisions are made, along with individual characteristics, are important in explaining human fertility. In the present study, an attempt was made to explain women’s fertility in the six provinces using the multi-level analysis. Methods: The present study is a quantitative research with emphasis on the secondary analysis of the existing data.The statistical population consists of married women aged 15-49 living in the selected provinces. The sample included 95421 individuals. The selected provinces were Gilan, Mazandaran, Tehran, Sistan & Baluchistan, South Khorasan and Hormozgan. The census micro-data of population and housing in 2016 as well as some socio-economic indexes of selected provinces were analyzed using HLM software. Place of residence, educational level and employment status were individual variables, while income per capita as well as unemployment and literacy rates were the contextual variables. Also, the number of children ever born was considered as the fertility index or dependent variable. Results: The impact of individual variables on women’s fertility is stronger than community effects. There were statistically significant inter-provincial differences in women’s fertility. All the women’s individual characteristics had a statistically significant impact on their fertility. Unemployment and literacy rates, as contextual effects, had a statistically significant impact on inter-provincial fertility. Conclusion: The inter-provincial differences in the fertility originate from their socio-economic circumstances. If the provinces’ socio-economic circumstances become similar, the convergence in fertility behavior across provinces may increase.
Leila Bazrafkan; Sedigheh Ebrahimi
Volume 4, Issue 3 , July 2016, , Pages 137-141
Abstract
Background: Changes in expectations and requirements of the end users of medical education “community members” and evolution in health services necessitate some changes in the medical education curriculum. To achieve this reform in curricula, obtaining insight into the health care needs of community ...
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Background: Changes in expectations and requirements of the end users of medical education “community members” and evolution in health services necessitate some changes in the medical education curriculum. To achieve this reform in curricula, obtaining insight into the health care needs of community members and their comments about their physicians is highly required in community-oriented education. This survey was conducted to determine the attitudes of health care receivers toward the general physicians’ professional behavior in Fars province, Iran. Methods: This is a descriptive study and the subjects were the receivers of health care services. We selected 97 individuals in each city of Fars province using randomized-cluster sampling. The sample size increased to 150 in each city and overall 2500 individuals participated in the study. For data collection, an anonymous questionnaire was developed which was tested for the validity of the contents using the experts’ views and reliability was checked using test-retest. The data were analyzed using SPSS 14 statistical software. Results: The results of this study revealed the participants’ attitudes toward education, treatment and consultative services by physicians in Fars province. Overall, the response rate was about 95%. The patients rated the physicians’ professional behavior, as one of the key determinants of their experiences with healthcare services. Moreover, 73.2% of the participants were fully satisfied with the quality of care they received from their physicians and 24.9% were satisfied to some extent. Conclusion: According to the results of the study, the physician’s educational and consultative roles in medical education curricula must be reviewed and emphasized.
Mehdi Jahangiri; Anahita Fakherpour; Sepideh Monsef; Mohadeseh Nezam
Volume 5, Issue 3 , July 2017, , Pages 138-143
Abstract
Background: Individual factors play an important role in the safety performance of small and medium-sized enterprises that might have physical, mental or psychological nature. Some of these factors are related to the subjects’ personality and unchangeable; however, others are related to motivation ...
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Background: Individual factors play an important role in the safety performance of small and medium-sized enterprises that might have physical, mental or psychological nature. Some of these factors are related to the subjects’ personality and unchangeable; however, others are related to motivation and attitude, which could be improved through training. This study aimed to assess the safety attitude and its effective factors among workers in micro- and small-scale enterprises (MSSEs) in Shiraz in 2015.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 349 workers in MSSEs. Safety Attitude Questionnaire (SAQ) was filled out by self-report method which consisted of questions including general information, cognitive, affective and conative dimensions. Then, SPSS software version 22 was used to assess the significant difference between the variables (p-value <0.05).Results: The mean score of safety attitude was (103.05±8.73 out of 125). The minimum and maximum safety attitude scores were related to affective (16.13±3 out of 20) and cognitive (46.7±4.12 out of 55) dimensions, respectively. Also, there was a significant difference between the educational level and safety attitude. Workers with higher education had higher safety attitude scores.Conclusions: The results showed that most of the workers had safety attitude but they were not desirable in affective and conative domains. Therefore, it is required to enhance the affective domain through training the workers, enhancing their participation, paying attention to their views on occupational safety and health issues and promote the conative one through the supervision of legal authorities
Nasrin Nasimi; Mohammad Hossein Dabbaghmanesgh; Mohammad Fararooei; Amirhossein Asadi; Marzieh Akbarzadeh; Zahra Sohrabi
Abstract
Background: Sarcopenia, an age-related decline in muscle mass, strength, and function, contributes to various adverse health outcomes and physical impairments. This study aimed to investigate the association between sarcopenia components and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among communitydwelling ...
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Background: Sarcopenia, an age-related decline in muscle mass, strength, and function, contributes to various adverse health outcomes and physical impairments. This study aimed to investigate the association between sarcopenia components and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among communitydwelling older adults.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 501 adults aged 65 years or older participated. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) guideline. Muscle mass was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), muscle strength by hand dynamometer, and physical function by 4-m gait speed. The HRQoL was assessed using 12 item shortform healthy survey (SF-12) questionnaire.Results: There was a significant relationship between the sarcopenia and demographic characteristics (educational levels and smoking habits). After adjustment for age, sex, Body Mass Index, education level, smoking habits, and number of comorbidities, a significant relationship was observed between sarcopenia and physical components of HRQoL. According to multivariate linear regression, low muscle mass was negatively related to physical aspects of HRQoL. Low handgrip strength (HGS) and gait speed (GS) were inversely correlated to both physical and mental components of HRQoL.Conclusion: Our study highlighted the adverse impact of sarcopenia on HRQoL in elderly population. Reduction in muscle strength and physical performance not only affected physical aspects but also were linked with mental components of HRQoL. Therefore, it seems HGS and GS might be good indicators affecting all aspects of HRQoL in the elderly groups.
Mohammad Hossein Kaveh; Somayeh Zare; Leila Ghahremani; Mahin Nazari
Abstract
Background: Diabetes control is highly self-care and emotional complications and mental stress play an important role in controlling blood sugar in diabetes, and these factors affect the quality of life of people with diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine the predicting role of personal resources ...
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Background: Diabetes control is highly self-care and emotional complications and mental stress play an important role in controlling blood sugar in diabetes, and these factors affect the quality of life of people with diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine the predicting role of personal resources for quality of life in diabetic patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study done in 2017. The population of this study was all diabetic patients referred to Shahid Motahari, Imam Reza (AS) and Nader Kazemi clinics in Shiraz in 1396. A total of 198 patients were selected by simple random sampling method. Quality of life, optimism, self-efficacy of diabetic and resiliency questionnaires were used for data collection. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 19 using Pearson correlation and multivariate regression. Results: Findings showed that resiliency, self-efficacy and optimism had a positive and significant relationship with the quality of life of patients with diabetes. In a prediction model, self-efficacy and resiliency could predict 19% of the quality of life changes in patients with type 2 diabetes (p <0.05). The findings of this study showed that self-efficacy and resilience variables predicted the quality of life of patients, but optimism had no predictive power. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that increased self-efficacy and resiliency lead to increased quality of life in diabetic patients. This may help the patients to cope with problems and excitement and is effective in planning interventions for diabetics.
Zahra Maleki; Mohammad Ghorbani; Haleh Ghaem; Farid Zand
Abstract
Objectives: Many risk factors are associated with death in and discharge from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors associated with death and discharge among ICU patients. Methods: This historical cohort study was conducted on 712 patients admitted to the ICU of ...
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Objectives: Many risk factors are associated with death in and discharge from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors associated with death and discharge among ICU patients. Methods: This historical cohort study was conducted on 712 patients admitted to the ICU of Namazi hospital in Shiraz between 2013 and 2015. The competing risks regression model was suitable for assessing the risk factors associated with death and discharge in ICU. Data analysis was performed using STATA 13.0 and R software. Results: The mean age of the participants was 53.3±20.7 years. Out of 712 patients, 436 (61.2%) were male and 121 (17.8%) died. In the competing risks model, death was considered as the event of interest, and age and total days of Central Venous Catheter (CVC) and mechanical ventilation use increased the risk of death (all Sub-distribution Hazard Ratios (SHRs) > 1). Conclusion: The findings indicated that increase in age, use of CVC and mechanical ventilation, and female sex caused an increase in death in ICU. However, the risk of death decreased or the chance of discharge increased when the patients were admitted due to surgical reasons.
Zahra Soltani; Mohammad Reza Fakoorziba; Mohammad Djafar Moemenbellah-Fard; Mohsen Kalantari; Mohsen Akbarpour; Hossein Faramarzi; Kourosh Azizi
Volume 3, Issue 4 , October 2015, , Pages 160-164
Abstract
Background: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is endemic in many parts of Iran. This study was conducted to investigate the fauna and some biologic factors of sand flies and detect CL vector(s) in Kharameh district which is one of the most important foci of the disease in Fars province, southern Iran. Methods: ...
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Background: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is endemic in many parts of Iran. This study was conducted to investigate the fauna and some biologic factors of sand flies and detect CL vector(s) in Kharameh district which is one of the most important foci of the disease in Fars province, southern Iran. Methods: To identify the fauna, a total of 1549 sand flies were collected from April 2014 to March 2015. To determine the monthly activity, sand flies were collected from indoor and outdoor areas of the lowland and the highland regions. Results: Ten species of phlebotomine (four Phlebotomus spp. And six Sergentomyia spp.) were identified and Phlebotomus papatasi was the dominant species (53.45%). To determine the sand flies naturally infected by Leishmania spp., 188 female sand flies (145 P. papatasi, 29 P. sergenti, and 14 P. alexandri) were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Two (13.16%) specimens of P. papatasi were found to be positive for Leishmania major. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first PCR detection of L. major within naturally infected P. Papatasis and fly as the main vector in this region of south Iran.
Behnam Mohammadi- Ghalehbin; Gholam Reza Hatam; Iraj Mohammad-Pour; Nafise Ghobakhloo; Faeze Foroughi- Parvar
Volume 2, Issue 4 , October 2014, , Pages 164-167
Abstract
Background: There are many genera of free-living amoeba in the environment, but members of only four genera (Naegleria, Acanthamoeba, Balamuthia and Sappinia) have an association with human infection. Water, soil and air are main sources of infective types of these pathogenic organisms for human.Methods: ...
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Background: There are many genera of free-living amoeba in the environment, but members of only four genera (Naegleria, Acanthamoeba, Balamuthia and Sappinia) have an association with human infection. Water, soil and air are main sources of infective types of these pathogenic organisms for human.Methods: Totally, 30 samples were collected from the surface water sources of Shiraz city, the capital of Fars province, during July and August 2009. The samples were filtered and their sediments were cultured on non-nutrient agar medium and seeded with non-pathogen Escherichia coli. Then, they were incubated at three different temperatures, 22˚C, 37˚C, and 44˚C. The media were checked with invert microscopy and amoebae were recognized by phase–contrast microscopy and observed by light microscopy after Trichrome staining. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for molecular detection.Results: Of the 30 samples, 29 were recognized morphologically as Acanthamoeba, the characteristics of 20 of which were confirmed by PCR. The growth rate of amoeba in 22˚C was more than 37˚C. Eight of the samples grew at 44˚C, but flagellate forming test and PCR were negative for Naegleria fowleri. Two of them were identified morphologically as Balamuthia and Sappinia.Conclusion: Since Fars province is located in the subtropical region where there are a lot of parks and green areas with surface water, the potential risk of diseases caused by free-living amoebae should be considered. Further investigations about various aspects of these important opportunistic protozoa are recommended especially for establishment of appropriate prevention tools.
Marzieh Akbarzadeh; Naval Heydari; Malihe Abootalebi; Fatemeh Ghodrati
Volume 5, Issue 4 , October 2017, , Pages 176-179
Abstract
Background: Premenstrual syndrome is considered as one of the most common psychiatric disorders that greatly disrupts women's life.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between mental health and premenstrual syndrome among female students of Shiraz University of Medical ...
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Background: Premenstrual syndrome is considered as one of the most common psychiatric disorders that greatly disrupts women's life.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between mental health and premenstrual syndrome among female students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in 2016 on a total of 168 students residing in dormitories of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences who were selected by block randomization method. Data collection tools included demographic data, PSST & GHQ questionnaire. Data were conducted throughSPSS software, version 22, using descriptive tests and Spearman correlation coefficient.Results: Spearman correlation coefficient showed a significant correlation (p<0.001) between premenstrual syndrome score, mental health and all its dimensions except for social interactions (P = 0.525). Moreover, anxiety and sleep disorders with a frequency of 51.2% were the most common mental disorder among the students.Conclusion: Our study showed that there was a correlation between premenstrual syndrome score and mental health in girls. Therefore, necessary measures should be taken by counseling centers in schools and universities to improve the mental health of people with premenstrual syndrome who have a higher risk of psychological and physical disorders.
Mahtab Hadadi; Yalda Malekzadegan; Hamid Heidari; Hadi Sedigh Ebrahim-Saraie; Mohammad Motamedifar
Volume 4, Issue 4 , October 2016, , Pages 194-198
Abstract
AbstractBackground: Escherichia coli, known as a clinically significantbacteria, can cause a wide range of infections, including urinarytract infections (UTIs), blood stream infections (BSIs), andcan frequently be isolated from various clinical specimens.Evaluation of antimicrobial resistant pattern ...
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AbstractBackground: Escherichia coli, known as a clinically significantbacteria, can cause a wide range of infections, including urinarytract infections (UTIs), blood stream infections (BSIs), andcan frequently be isolated from various clinical specimens.Evaluation of antimicrobial resistant pattern is a necessaryaction, especially about such bacteria which are frequent andlife threatening. The aim of this study was to determine thefrequency and antimicrobial resistance pattern of E. coli isolatesobtained from various clinical specimens.Methods: This retrospective study was performed within a sevenmonth period from January 2015 to August 2015 at a specializedwomen and children hospital in Shiraz, Iran. E. coli isolates wereobtained from various clinical specimens and identified usingstandard microbiological procedure. Antimicrobial susceptibilitypatterns were determined using disk diffusion method inaccordance with CLSI recommendation.Results: Of the total 130 positive cultures, the majority of E.coli isolates were obtained from urine (96=73.8%) and blood(11=8.5%) specimens. Overall, gentamicin (70.8%) was theeffective antibiotic for the tested E. coli isolates. E. coli isolatesobtained from urine specimens showed the highest resistancerates against ampicillin (84.4%) and nalidixic acid (61.5%);while they showed the most sensitivity to gentamicin (79.2%),nitrofurantoin (70.8%) and ciprofloxacin (66.7%). Moreover,the highest antibiotic resistance rates belonged to the isolatesrecovered from endotracheal tube (ETT).Conclusion: The results showed that gentamicin was the mosteffective antibiotic against E. coli infections. However, inaddition to the gentamicin, we can recommend nitrofurantoinand ciprofloxacin as the other effective agents for UTIs.
