Mohammad Khammarnia; Mehdi Zanganeh Baygi; Morteza Mooziri; Mohammad Okati; Mostafa Boolaghi; Mehdi Okati; Fatemeh Setoodehzadeh
Abstract
Background: In 2014, Health Transformation Plan (HTP) started in Iranian health system to improve productivity of health organizations. The aim of the present study was to assess the employees’ productivity in health centers after HTP. Methods: This cross-sectional study with analytical approach ...
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Background: In 2014, Health Transformation Plan (HTP) started in Iranian health system to improve productivity of health organizations. The aim of the present study was to assess the employees’ productivity in health centers after HTP. Methods: This cross-sectional study with analytical approach was carried out in Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in 2018. 150 health workers were selected using census method. Data were collected by Hersey & Goldsmith Workforce Productivity Questionnaire. For the data analysis, descriptive and statistical methods such as Pearson correlation 2-tailed, one-way ANOVA, T-tests and regression model were used. Results: Our findings showed that 96% of health workers were female. Mean score of productivity was 63.8±12.7, which is in the moderate level. Besides, we found a significant negative relationship between productivity and job experience of the employees (P = 0.021, F = 2.975). Conclusion: In this study, productivity was at a moderate level. It seems with better motivation of the staff, there might be an improvement in productivity. Introduction Human resources are considered as fundamental resources and the most important factor for developing any organization. Today, due to the effect of the employees’ efficiency on overall function, many organizations preliminarily focus on increasing the employees’ productivity. European Productivity Agency defines productivity as “the level of using each producing factor properly, which first seems an overview that constantly tries to improve the existing condition” (1-3). Today, the most important factor in community development is increased attention to human productivity, and organizations can only reach their achievement via using human resources because human being defines waste or productivity of physical resources or materials (4). To motivate the employees, who provide high quality cares and help the development of a society, we need to invest on human resources management. Despite this global importance, today, health systems ignore the mentioned fact; as a result, decreased human productivity has become a challenge (5). According to the existing reports, health centers and organizations in Iran, in contrast to industry and business ones, have rarely investigated effective ways of improving the employees’ productivity; also, Iranian human productivity index is weaker than the mean East Asian countries (4). Studies have shown that without long-term, thorough, and evidence-based plan, this goal seems unachievable (6). We should also consider that decreased productivity in health area can lead to decreased quality of life and social security in communities (3). According to a study, the costs that are the result of decreased productivity in health care organizations can be many times more than direct costs of medical conditions (7). This is also important that the human resources productivity in health organizations is more significant than other organizations because these organizations, besides doing their routines, have the ability to face the crisis, too. This area of health is considered as one of the most basic parts of economic development in different countries. In health care organizations, in order to get productivity, we need to take a systemic, local, and practical overview. That is, organizational factors like employees’ motivation, working culture, mental health, right choice of workers, effective leadership, occupational function, and other factors cannot improve productivity individually and they must work as a system. We should also pay attention to reciprocal relationship between these factors. Sufficient organizational structure, effective function, proper work equipment, balanced area, and most importantly professional and effective human resource are necessary to reach adequate productivity (3, 6, 8). On May 5, 2014, a series of reforms has been done in Iranian health system under the title of Health Transformation Plan (HTP), with three main approaches of financial protection of patients, fairness in access to health services, and improvement of the quality of services (9). Because there is a special look at health area in this plan, and absence of proper research on this topic, this study seemed necessary to be conducted. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the employees’ productivity in health centers after HTP. The results of this study can provide required information for health policymakers and managers to improve the human resources productivity and in turn can result in increased quality of service delivery.
Mohammad Hoseini; Solmaz Aslan Pour; Gholam Hossein Safari
Abstract
Background: Health care waste (HCW) management is highly important and has received special attention from the authorities and people. Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the management of HCW in general and specialized hospitals of Tabriz, Iran. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional ...
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Background: Health care waste (HCW) management is highly important and has received special attention from the authorities and people. Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the management of HCW in general and specialized hospitals of Tabriz, Iran. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, field investigations were conducted on gathering data on HCW management activities using the WHO questionnaire including 100 questions through observation. Results: This study indicated that the total in-use beds in the studied hospitals were 3953 beds. The total amount of generating wastes in the hospitals was 13349.5 kg day-1, of which 10059 kg day-1 (75.4%) was general waste and the remaining 24.6% (3290.5 kg day-1) was categorized as medical waste. The medical waste was categorized further into infectious (3002.50 kg day-1), sharp (171.80 kg day-1), chemical (63.15 kg day-1), and pathological (52.55 kg day-1) wastes. In general and specialized hospitals, 56% and 31% of the waste separation was at a good level, respectively. The results showed that the chemical process (37.5%) was the mostly used method for the treatment of medical waste in the studied hospitals. Conclusions: Generally, the rate of waste generation in general hospitals was more than that in specialized hospitals. Higher waste generation in general hospitals can be due to the fact that in these hospitals the amount and diversity of the health services provided were more than specialized hospitals. Good separation of general wastes from medical ones, proper health waste management, and training of staff for correct segregation of wastes can lead to a reduction of treatment charges.
Masoumeh Bagheri; Hamzeh Alipour; Ali Keshawarz
Abstract
Background: Scorpion sting is one of the serious and major medical problems in the world. Shiraz is a tourist city and one of the high-risk areas where a number of scorpion sting occurs annually.
Objectives: The present research aimed to conduct an epidemiological study of scorpion sting in Shiraz County.
Methods: ...
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Background: Scorpion sting is one of the serious and major medical problems in the world. Shiraz is a tourist city and one of the high-risk areas where a number of scorpion sting occurs annually.
Objectives: The present research aimed to conduct an epidemiological study of scorpion sting in Shiraz County.
Methods: The is a cross-sectional study performed using a checklists to collect data about scorpionism in Shiraz health center during 2014-2018.
Results: The results of the study showed that the total number of scorpion stings was 844 cases. generally, 336 cases (39.8%) were female and 508 s (59.3%) male. The results from the residential area revealed that 817 cases (96.8%) were urban and 27 (3.1%) were rural. The highest frequency of scorpionism happened in the 25-34 years old group (286,33.8%) and after that 15-24 year old (165,19.4%), 35-44 year old (157, 18.6%), 45-54 year old (108, 12.7%) groups, and the least frequency awas seen in the 0-4 year old group. The time periods between the sting and injection of anti-venom were less than 6 hours for 822, (85.5%) of cases, 6–12 hours for 101, (11.9%) of cases and, more than 12 hours for 21 (2.4%) cases. A total of 844 cases were recovered; 690 (81.7%) of them recovered with anti-venom and 154 (18.2%) injured individuals recovered without any anti-venom, the sting site was 27.6% in the foot, 57% in the hand, and 20% in the head and trunk.
Conclusion: Shiraz is a major tourist city, and most cases of scorpion-sting occur in summer and spring, when the tourist population is high, so health care providers must carry out an integrated program in those months.
Farideh Golbabaei; Hamidreza Heidari; Aliakbar Shamsipour
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to illustrate the applicability of the Humidex index for assessment of outdoor thermal environments in a wide range of weather conditions in different climates in Iran.
Study Design: This is a cross-sectional study.
Methods: Both field measurements (1452 measurements) ...
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Background: This study aimed to illustrate the applicability of the Humidex index for assessment of outdoor thermal environments in a wide range of weather conditions in different climates in Iran.
Study Design: This is a cross-sectional study.
Methods: Both field measurements (1452 measurements) and the long-term meterological data (between 1965 and 2009) were used in this research. After determining the appropriateness of correlation coefficients between these two types of data, only meteorological stations data were used to generalize the results to climatic regions. For this purpose, Arc/GIS 10.2 software was used.
Results: The results showed three levels of comfort including safe, caution and stress regions by graphical maps. The results showed that the center and south of the country, especially at the middle and the end of the shift hours, experienced more thermal stress in summer months (ranging from 39.60±1.07 to 49.29±2.13ºC for central areas and ranging from 47.76±2.59to 57.71±1.65ºC for southern areas. In the northern regions, most of the measurements in different stations and time periods at spring were in caution condition and less than 1% of them experienced stress conditions.
Conclusion:
The dependence of this index on the minimum metrological parameters (temperature and humidity), which are easily measured and reported daily in meteorological stations, and its non-dependence on the globe temperature, which is an unusual parameter in the measured metrological parameters, can be used as advantages of the humidex for assessment of the heat stress conditions in outdoor environments in different climates.
Hamed Delam; Kosar Zarebi; Esmaeil Kavi; Nasrin Shokrpour; Mohammad-Rafi Bazrafshan
Abstract
Background: Suicide is a multi-factorial phenomenon whose patterns can vary even from one place to another in one country; the purpose of this study was to determine the causes of suicide attempt in a 6-year period in Larestan County in the period between 2012 and 2017. Methods: The present study was ...
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Background: Suicide is a multi-factorial phenomenon whose patterns can vary even from one place to another in one country; the purpose of this study was to determine the causes of suicide attempt in a 6-year period in Larestan County in the period between 2012 and 2017. Methods: The present study was a descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study. In order to investigate the epidemiological condition of suicide attempters in Larestan, all files of suicide cases registered in the period between 2012 and 2017 in this city were investigated, and finally 723 cases were included in the study. For statistical analysis, independent t-test, chi-square and logistic regression models were used. A significance level of 5% was considered. Results: Of the total 723 suicide attempts recorded in the health network of Larestan, the mean age at suicide attempt was 26.08 ± 7.88 years and 3.73% of them had died as a result of suicide attempt. Drug abuse and poisoning were the most common methods of suicidal attempt. Based on the regression model, Increase in age, male sex, and physical problems were the most important factors in predicting suicide death (P<0.05). Conclusion: Various factors including age, male gender and physical problems contribute to suicide and deaths associated with it; therefore, the implementation of educational and counseling programs for these individuals, especially in adolescence and youth, and people with physical and psychological problems is essential.
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.
Mohammad Ebrahimi; Marziyeh Hamyali Ainvan,; Mohsen Kalantari; Kourosh Azizi
Abstract
Background: Scorpions are a group of poisonous invertebrates that are widely distributed in the Middle East countries including Iran. They cause serious injuries and death to humans and domestic animals in Fars province. These arthropods are settled in subtropical regions of the province. Methods: In ...
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Background: Scorpions are a group of poisonous invertebrates that are widely distributed in the Middle East countries including Iran. They cause serious injuries and death to humans and domestic animals in Fars province. These arthropods are settled in subtropical regions of the province. Methods: In this study, a total of 35 out of 430 Mesobuthus eupeus, including 15 males and 20 females, were selected, and then their major morphometric characteristics including the whole body length, pedipalp length, length and width of carapace, leg segments, abdomen, and tail segments, as well as the size of the poison gland, pectinal organ length, and pectinal tooth count were measured using a Collis-Vernier caliper scale. Results: The measurements of different body parts were bigger in females than in males, except that pectinal tooth count in males (26.93mm±.88) was greater than that in females (22.20±1.00). The number of simple eyes on each side did not differ between males and females. Other features showed to be higher for females than males. Conclusion: The results of the main morphometric features showed that the mean scores of the characters, except for the pectinal tooth count, in female M. eupeus species were bigger than those in male ones. The findings of this study are suggested to be used to provide a valid identification key for scorpions in Iran.
Mohsen Kalantari; Qasem Asgari; Khadijeh Rostami; Shahrbano Naderi; Iraj Mohammadpour; Masoud Yousefi; Mohammad Hassan Davami; Kourosh Azizi
Abstract
Background: Anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were identified in female university students referred to Valie-Asr hospital of Mamasani from Azad and Payame-Noor Universities, using serological and molecular methods. Methods: Based on the prevalence and characteristics method, 504 serum samples were collected ...
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Background: Anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were identified in female university students referred to Valie-Asr hospital of Mamasani from Azad and Payame-Noor Universities, using serological and molecular methods. Methods: Based on the prevalence and characteristics method, 504 serum samples were collected from female university students, during 2015, and evaluated by Enzyme-Linked Immun-Sorbent Assay (ELISA), Modified Agglutination Test (MAT), and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based on B1 gene for detection of Toxoplasma gondii. The data were analyzed using SPSS 19 software. Results: Out of 504 studied female students, 27 (5.36%) and 36 (7.14%) cases were found to be positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies by MAT and ELISA, respectively. Moreover, 5 (0.99%) cases were found to be positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgM. PCR detected the Toxoplasma DNA in 58 out of 504 (11.51%) samples. Conclusions: Findings of the current study revealed that Toxoplasma was a common infection among female university students in Mamasani district in Fars province. Seronegative individuals are at risk for the disease, as well as congenital toxoplasmosis in later stages of their life. Preventive measures should be taken to reduce the rate of infection.
Mohammad-Rafi Bazrafshan; Khalil Safari; Nasrin Shokrpour; Hamed Delam
Abstract
Objective: Fars province in south Iran is an endemic focus of Leishmaniosis. This study was designed to evaluate the epidemiological status of cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Fars province, South Iran, from 2007 to 2016.
Methods: This study was a retrospective-analytical cross-sectional study. The study ...
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Objective: Fars province in south Iran is an endemic focus of Leishmaniosis. This study was designed to evaluate the epidemiological status of cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Fars province, South Iran, from 2007 to 2016.
Methods: This study was a retrospective-analytical cross-sectional study. The study population consisted of all people with Leishmaniasis, who referred to the infectious disease center in four cities of Larestan, south Fars province, from 2007 to 2016. Chi-square test and ANOVA were used in data analysis. The significance level was considered as 5%.
Results: In the period 2007-2016, 4599 cases of cutaneous Leishmaniosis were registered. The highest number of cases occurred in 2008. The mean age in 2007 and 2016 was 17.7±17.1 and 12.9±16.5, respectively. Women were the majority of cases, from 2007 to 2012. Hand ulcers were the most prevalent part of the body in all these years, except 2016. In terms of seasonal distribution, most of the cases occurred in winter and the least in summer. Afghan and Pakistani immigrants produced the majority of cases.
Conclusion: The trend of cutaneous Leishmaniosis has declined in Larestan city from 2007 to 2016. However, Leishmaniosis is still a major public health problem. Since the majority of cases were related to Afghan and Pakistani immigrants, it is necessary to ward off these people
Mohammad-Rafi Bazrafshan; Hamed Delam
Abstract
Background: Since suicide attempt and its association with mental disorders such as depression in individuals is a major challenge in societies, this study aimed to investigate depression in suicide attempters referring to hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2018.
Methods: ...
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Background: Since suicide attempt and its association with mental disorders such as depression in individuals is a major challenge in societies, this study aimed to investigate depression in suicide attempters referring to hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2018.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study. The study population included all suicide attempters referring to hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2018. Some 74 patients were selected by convenience sampling method. Data were collected through demographic questionnaires and second version of Beck Depression Inventory. Finally, by defining the scores of the questionnaires, statistical analysis was performed and the results obtained from the study. Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman correlation tests were used to analyze the relationship between the variables. The significance level was considered 5%.
Results: The mean age of the samples was 49.41±5 5.68 years. 28 (37.8%) of the samples were male, and the rest were female. The mean and standard deviation of depression were 30.38±11.52, which were in the category of severe depression. There was a meaningful relationship between marital status, education level, and depression (P-value <0.05).
Conclusion: Depression is one of the predictive variables of suicide attempts in individuals; therefore therapeutic and supportive interventions in such individuals can prevent a suicide attempt.
Masume Bazrafshan; Hamidreza Vakilifard; Bizhan Abedini; Davood Khodadadi
Abstract
Background: Corporate goals are to maximize efficiency and profit, but in the age of information and competition to succeed, they must respond to societal expectations. Corporate disregard for social responsibility can create problems for the company and cast doubt on the company's actions and mission ...
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Background: Corporate goals are to maximize efficiency and profit, but in the age of information and competition to succeed, they must respond to societal expectations. Corporate disregard for social responsibility can create problems for the company and cast doubt on the company's actions and mission and, consequently, its success. The purpose of this study was to investigate the social responsibility status of pharmaceutical companies in Iran in 2019. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study that was done in the year 2019. The study population consisted of all staff working in pharmaceutical companies. In this study, 354 individuals were selected through the available sampling method. The data gathering tool was demographic information questionnaire and social responsibility scale. The dimensions of the social responsibility scale included political, cultural, economic, moral, social, legal, and environmental factors. Results: Some 62.4% of the samples were male, and 53.10% had a bachelor's degree. Nearly 56% of the samples were occupationally in the middle management category, and 49.20% had human qualifications. Most of the samples (46.6%) were under 30 years old and 34.5% had 5-10 years old. The social responsibility components in all seven dimensions were higher than the median number three. They were political (3.91 ± 0.69), cultural (3.69 ± 0.80), social (3.65 ± 0.90), ethical (3.45 ± 0.85), legal (3.37 ± 0.83), economic (3.23 ± 0.78), and environmental factors (3.18 ± 0.86). Conclusion: From the point of view of pharmaceutical companies, all social responsibility indices, including political, cultural, economic, ethical, social, environmental and legal factors are important.
Saeed Shahabi; Ali Pouryousef; Kourosh Azizi; Bahador Sarkari
Abstract
Background: Rodents have a significant role as a reservoir in zoonotic diseases. Rodents which live close to human habitats such as muroid species play an important role in public health and economy. The current study aimed to evaluate the intestinal helminths infections of the Zagros Mountain rodent, ...
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Background: Rodents have a significant role as a reservoir in zoonotic diseases. Rodents which live close to human habitats such as muroid species play an important role in public health and economy. The current study aimed to evaluate the intestinal helminths infections of the Zagros Mountain rodent, Calomyscus (Calomyscus cf. bailwardi), in Shiraz, capital of Fars province, southern Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out from April to October 2019, and a total of 10 Calomyscus were trapped. The animals were transferred to the animal laboratory for euthanization and dissection. Each of the digestive organs was separately cut and examined to identify their intestinal helminths. Parasites were removed by a special needle, and then transferred to 5% glycerin alcohol for the identification of the isolated helminths, using carmine staining. Results: Among the 10 total numbers of specimens, 60% (6 out of 10) were infected. All of the intestinal helminths obtained from the rodents were identified as Syphacia obvelata. Conclusion: Given the fact that the infected rodents which live in close contact with human society may cause rodent-borne infections among the residents, this parasitological study can be important in identifying the epidemiologic pattern related to zoonotic diseases, especially in rarely studied host species like Calomyscus cf. bailwardi.
Zahra Hosseini; Mostafa Salehi Vaziri; Sara Ahmadnia; Mohammad Reza Fakoorziba; Tahmineh Jalali; Zakkyeh Telmadarraiy; Mohammad Djaefar Moemenbellah-Fard
Abstract
Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a neglected tick-borne viral zoonotic disease. The aim was to detect CCHF virus (CCHFV) among wild ticks from Artiodactyla, Bos taurus, Ovis aries, and Capra hircus, in a previously declared CCHFV-free province of Kohgiluyeh Boyer-Ahmad, southwest ...
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Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a neglected tick-borne viral zoonotic disease. The aim was to detect CCHF virus (CCHFV) among wild ticks from Artiodactyla, Bos taurus, Ovis aries, and Capra hircus, in a previously declared CCHFV-free province of Kohgiluyeh Boyer-Ahmad, southwest Iran. Methods: From April to November 2015, hard ticks were collected in a cross-sectional study and checked by microscope for species identity from ungulates in 51 study villages. About 55% of the ticks were then subjected to reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect CCHFV genome. Results: Overall, 859 hard ticks were captured, from which 8 different species in two genera were identified. The genus Rhipicephalus was distributed in half (#26) of the study villages. It was the most frequent (≈60%) tick genus. Hyalomma anatolicum, H. asiaticum, H. excavatum, H. marginatum, H. scupense, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, R. turanicus, and R. bursa were identified on the ruminants. From 469 adult ticks subjected to RT-PCR, one (0.2%) tick, R. bursa, was positive with CCHFV genome. It was from a cold hardy highland village in Dena County. It had CCHFV RNA for the first time from this region. Conclusion: The detection of CCHF viral RNA in one hard tick species, R. bursa, was confirmed in the southwest of Iran, thus partially indicating CCHFV presence of ticks in this region.
Mohammad Saleh Bahreini; Mohammad Hossein Motazedian; Shahram Bamdad; Mohammad Javad Abbaszadeh afshar; Qasem Asgari
Abstract
Background:Free Living Amoebas, as opportunistic protozoa, can cause more problems such as meningoencephalitis, encephalitis and keratitis in human being. These protozoa have been isolated from many sources in Iran. This study was undertaken to determine the diseases due to these parasites in the south ...
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Background:Free Living Amoebas, as opportunistic protozoa, can cause more problems such as meningoencephalitis, encephalitis and keratitis in human being. These protozoa have been isolated from many sources in Iran. This study was undertaken to determine the diseases due to these parasites in the south of Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 200 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples and 15 corneal scrapings were collected from patients admitted in clinics of Shiraz city. The samples were examined by light microscopy, cultivation and molecular methods. Phylogenetic relationship was also conducted among the sequences and various Acanthamoeba spp. based on nucleotide sequences in NCBI GenBank. Results: No infection in CSF samples was seen, while one patient suspected with keratitis was positive to Acanthamoeba sp. infection only by PCR. Using Sequencing technique and Phylogenetic tree, the genotype of the parasite was demonstrated T4. This sample belonged to a 26 year old woman who used a contact lens. Conclusion: Our results indicate that it is necessary to pay attention to the complexity of the free living amoeba infections, especially in soft contact lens wearers. Also, PCR as an appropriate method in diagnosis is recommended for the detection of free living amoebae. However, it is unavoidable to suspect these protozoa as an infectious agent in patients with central nervous system infection due to increased immunodeficiency disorders.
Jalal Mohammadi; Hossein Faramarzi; Aboozar Soltani
Abstract
The class Diplopoda (the millipedes) is the most abundant and diverse group within the Myriapoda, comprising 15 orders and numerous families. They range in length from very tiny (∼5 mm in Polyxenida) to the longest terrestrial invertebrates (some Spirostreptida being up to 35 cm long) in tropical ...
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The class Diplopoda (the millipedes) is the most abundant and diverse group within the Myriapoda, comprising 15 orders and numerous families. They range in length from very tiny (∼5 mm in Polyxenida) to the longest terrestrial invertebrates (some Spirostreptida being up to 35 cm long) in tropical and subtropical regions. On the 29th September 2018, the residents of Dare Mal (a village of Marvdasht city) were faced with a massive infestation of an unknown larva. Arthropods were transferred to the Entomology Laboratory of Shiraz Health School. The unknown arthropods were identified as millipede larvae belonging to the Polyxenidae family (Polyxenus spp.) Millipede larvae are not of medical importance, but they cause panic among the residents and make them evacuate their homes. The source of their infestation was a leftover farmyard watering near the village. The number of larvae declined sharply and their activity decreased after conducting the control program. This program included physical control as well as spraying of the infested areas with permethrin and diazinon. Activity of larvae abruptly decreased and eventually they were removed from all infested homes.
Seyed Aghil Jaberhashemi; Mohammad Djaefar Moemenbellah-Fard; Mousa Khosravani; Mojtaba Norouzi; Hadi Kalari
Abstract
Objective: The main aim of this research is to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) on malaria control with respect to indoor residual spraying (IRS) in a community of Southern Iran. Introduction: Human malaria is an important vector-borne infectious disease in Iran. It remains endemic ...
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Objective: The main aim of this research is to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) on malaria control with respect to indoor residual spraying (IRS) in a community of Southern Iran. Introduction: Human malaria is an important vector-borne infectious disease in Iran. It remains endemic over most parts of the oriental region of Iran that is still in the pre-elimination phase without considerable drop in the proportion of malaria cases. Methods: This research was a cross-sectional household survey conducted in Kazerun, Fars province, Iran, to examine he malaria status and identify the parameters that obstruct the progress of the elimination phase. A standard questionnaire with 20 questions was provided to households including knowledge, attitude and practice categories. Sampling was then stratified to choose the samples in three rural foci of Kazerun. Results: The sex ratio of participants included 192 females (92.3%) and 16 males (7.7%), respectively. This community benefited mostly from acceptable literacy level. A strong association prevailed between the majority of respondents’ (88.5%) knowledge of fever and chills as the main symptoms of malaria and their literacy level. The majority (198, 95.2%) of volunteers declared that malaria disease was transmitted through the mosquito bites. In line with this study, literate persons have raised motivation and attitude to use bednets and keep themselves away from mosquitoes. These individuals cooperate perfectly with healthcare workers in malaria control program strategies (especially IRS). Conclusion: Comprehensive and synergistic measures are needed to be taken to manage malaria elimination strategy in Iran.
Ehsan Saki; Abouzar Soltani; Mohammad Djaefar Moemenbellah-Fard; Mohsen Kalantari; Hedayat Dorzaban; Kourosh Azizi
Volume 6, Issue 1 , January 2018, , Pages 2-7
Abstract
Background: Fipronil systemic insecticide and integrated vector management (IVM) leading to control and/or reduction of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) cases were evaluated in the studied endemic foci of Fars province, southern Iran, during 2016 to 2017. Methods: Based on available data on disease ...
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Background: Fipronil systemic insecticide and integrated vector management (IVM) leading to control and/or reduction of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) cases were evaluated in the studied endemic foci of Fars province, southern Iran, during 2016 to 2017. Methods: Based on available data on disease circumstances collected from Center for Disease Control (CDC) of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, incidence of disease, and demographics of the natives, five villages were randomly selected among those with high and medium CL infection in Kharameh area. All villagers were checked by physical examination and the incidence rates of ZCL cases were recorded. IVM interventions were implemented. Indeed, these procedures consisted of fipronil systemic insecticide poison baits, indoor residual spraying (IRS), outdoor spraying of the patients’ houses, and the thermal fogging (three times) during peak periods of sand flies’ activities. Results: After interventions, the incidence rates of ZCL decreased by 2.55% in Mehrabad village, in which all IVM methods were implemented. Similarly, the incidence of disease was reduced by 4.89% in Sofla and Moezabad villages, using exclusively fipronil poison baits. Besides, these incidence rates declined by 1.15% in two control villages of Soltan-Shahr and Abshor, where examination of the rodent reservoir hosts was performed. Conclusion: Fipronil and IVM methods were advantageous in reducing the incidence rates of leishmaniasis, but it seems that the use of fipronil systemic insecticide as a poison bait against reservoir rodent was significantly more effective (P-Value=0.01).
Hossein Safari; Mohammad Hassan Eftekhari; Jafar Hassan Zadeh; Arash Dashtabi
Volume 5, Issue 2 , April 2017, , Pages 59-65
Abstract
Background:Serum vitamin D (VIT D) concentration has been inversely associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS), but the relationship has remained unclear. We evaluated the prevalence of VIT D deficiency, and its association with MS, and its components in the adult population in a sunny ...
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Background:Serum vitamin D (VIT D) concentration has been inversely associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS), but the relationship has remained unclear. We evaluated the prevalence of VIT D deficiency, and its association with MS, and its components in the adult population in a sunny tropical region (Lamerd: a city in the south of Iran)Patients and Methods: Totally, 210 patients referring to different medical centers across the Lamerd city participated in this cross-sectional study through January and February of 2016. To select medical service center, we used a one-stage cluster sampling method. Anthropometric indices and dietary intake were measured using modified food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and blood samples collected. Data were analyzed using SPPS version 16, Pearson’s correlation was used to investigate the bivariate relationships between the variables, and unpaired t-test was used to determine the differences between genders for all variables. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:Overall, 62 menand 144 womenwith a mean age of 35.84± 10.84 years old completed this study; the prevalence of VIT D deficiency among the participants equaled 64.1% (women=66.7% and men=58.1%). A significant positive relationship between sun exposure time on the serum VIT (p= <0.0015), and a negative relationship between the serum VIT D on triglyceride (p= 0.035), TC (p= 0.025, age (p= 0.001), and fasting blood sugar (p= <0.001) were found.Conclusions: This study showed that lower VIT D concentrations were associated with increased MS risk factors.
Alireza Mirahmadizadeh; Maryam Marzban; Maryam Siadati; Karam Tavani; Abdolrasul Hemmatid
Volume 5, Issue 2 , April 2017, , Pages 72-78
Abstract
Background:Patient satisfaction is an integral component of service quality and obtaining feedback from patients about the quality of primary health care is the best way to extend more patient-centered goals to health care delivery. This study was conducted to measure the level of client satisfaction ...
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Background:Patient satisfaction is an integral component of service quality and obtaining feedback from patients about the quality of primary health care is the best way to extend more patient-centered goals to health care delivery. This study was conducted to measure the level of client satisfaction with Urban Family Physician and Referral System (UFPARS) programMethods: This repeated cross-sectional study was done in Fars province, South of Iran, at two sections. Totally, 5901 patients in two sections (6 and 24 months after the UFPARS startup) were selected using multi-stage random sampling. The participants answered a self-administrated questionnaire. We measured the client satisfaction using 5-point Likert-scaled score and combined the questions; for each component of UFPARS, 6 satisfaction dimensions were made. We compared the participants’ level of satisfaction in two parts, using t-test.Results: Reliability was acceptable, and equal to 85% or more in all domains .In all components of UFPARS, the mean client satisfaction score was higher than 3 out of 5. The lowest client satisfaction scores were seen in the outpatient services. In three components of UFPARS including enrolment, family medicine and para-clinics, the mean satisfaction scores significantly decreased (P<0.001) between the two sections. But other components showed no significant change. Conclusions:The level of satisfaction with UFPARS in Fars province was shown to be relatively medium to high. Low client satisfaction between the two sections could be a bad sign and we recommend that the problems should be tackled gradually. Although family physician program in Iran has some limitations, implementing this plan step by step can lead to a medical reform in Iran. We can develop better programs based on the comments from service recipients, and prompt the project and some program processes.
fariba fariba abbasi; Mohammad Reaz Mohammad Reaz Samaei; hossein khodadadi; ali karimi; azadeh binaee haghighi; jamileh ekhlasi
Volume 5, Issue 1 , January 2017, , Pages 7-14
Abstract
Background: Fungi are one of the pollutant emissions from the composting plants which change in variety during the composting process. They are predominant in stabilization stage.Methods: This study assessed the thermotolerant airborne fungi based on NIOSH 0800 on 200 ambient samples from four composting ...
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Background: Fungi are one of the pollutant emissions from the composting plants which change in variety during the composting process. They are predominant in stabilization stage.Methods: This study assessed the thermotolerant airborne fungi based on NIOSH 0800 on 200 ambient samples from four composting processes and outdoor spaces in a composting plant.Results: The concentration of fungi during shredding, separatingand screening washigher than 1000 CFU/m3. The level of fungi in all stages was higher than outdoor(p<0.001). The highest concentration was detected in shredding (6749±1347 CFU/m3) (p=0.007), and the lowest concentration was related to screening (113±32 CFU/m3) (p=0.013). The predominant species was varied during the stages. Yeast andA.niger were predominant species in shredding and separating.Conclusion:The results of this study showed that the concentration of airborne fungi was decreased during composting process. The effect of these aerosols on indoor air was more than that in the outdoor space and workers at this sitewere exposed to high levels of thermotolerantfungi.Therefore,air-condition, ventilation system and safety operations such as respiratory masks are essential. The results of this studycan be used inrisk assessment.
Madineh Rafatpanah; Diba Seif; Mousa Khosravani; shahla alborzi
Volume 4, Issue 4 , October 2016, , Pages 174-180
Abstract
AbstractBackground: Gifted individuals have exclusive personalitytraits and need various experiences to achieve more informationabout themselves and their ability into developmental process fromgiftedness to talent. Also, they can increase mental experiencesand obtain greater self- actualization with ...
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AbstractBackground: Gifted individuals have exclusive personalitytraits and need various experiences to achieve more informationabout themselves and their ability into developmental process fromgiftedness to talent. Also, they can increase mental experiencesand obtain greater self- actualization with recognition of thelevel of challenges, values and their personality traits. The aimof this study was to assess the relationship between personalitytraits, self-awareness and self-actualization dimensions.Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in Shiraz cityamong 239 gifted students from high schools during 2013. TheBig Five Personality Questionnaire (BFPQ), Self-ConsciousnessScale (SCS) and Measure of Actualization of Potential (MAP)were used to gather the data. Validity and reliability of thesetools were acceptable. Data were analyzed by regression testusing SPSS v19 statistic software.Results: The finding showed that agreeableness (r=0.34)and conscientiousness (r=0.41) factors (from five factors ofpersonality) had a positive relationship and neuroticism (r=-0.21)had a correlation with self-actualization negatively. Moreover,the privative self-awareness (r=0.41) and public self-awareness(r=0.15) showed a positive correlation and social anxiety revealeda significant negative relationship (r=-0.27) with general selfactualization.On the other hand, privative self-awarenessand agreeableness predicted that 23% of the scores belong toopenness to experience dimension (self–actualization) positively.In addition, conscientiousness and privative self-awarenesspredicted self-reference dimension positively, and neuroticismpredicted it negatively. These variables determine 40% of thescores of self reference dimension. Also, conscientiousness,agreeableness and privative self-awareness predicted that 36%of the scores belong to general self-actualization.Conclusion: Based on our study results, conscientiousnessand agreeableness factors (personality traits) had a significantrelationship with self-actualization and predicted the scores ofself-actualization. It was noted that privative self-awareness (selfawarenessdimension) had a significantly positive correlationwith self-actualization and predicted its scores.
Mohammad Khammarnia; Zahra Amani; Mahsa Hajmohammadi; Alireza Ansari-Moghadam; Marzieh Eslahi
Volume 4, Issue 3 , July 2016, , Pages 111-114
Abstract
Background: Girls are one of the high risk groups for iron deficiency anemia. Iron supplementation program is a preventive strategy for female students in high schools in Iran. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of iron supplements consumption among high school students in the southeast of Iran. Methods: ...
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Background: Girls are one of the high risk groups for iron deficiency anemia. Iron supplementation program is a preventive strategy for female students in high schools in Iran. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of iron supplements consumption among high school students in the southeast of Iran. Methods: A quantitative study was conducted in Zahedan (the capital of Sistan and Balochestan province) in the southeast of Iran in 2015. The sample size was 400 high school students from different areas of Zahedan who were randomly selected. A standard questionnaire was used for data collection. The data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software through descriptive statistics, one way ANOVA and Chi-square. Results: In total, 68.2% of the students did not administer any tablets whether regularly or irregularly during the past 16 weeks. About 41 third grade students did not take any tablets in 16 weeks. There were a statistically significant correlation between lack of taking tablet and their grade point average of the last year (P=0.003, F=1.078); also, it had a significant association with school grade of students (P=0.009). Conclusion: Most of the students did not use iron supplementation in Zahedan high schools. Measures should be taken to increase the culture of consuming iron tablets by providing appropriate environmental conditions; it seems that iron supplementation programs will have positive impacts on the students.
Farideh Vaziri; Alamtaj Samsami; Zahra Rahimi; Negin Rastgardoost; Narjes Nick
Volume 4, Issue 2 , April 2016, , Pages 64-69
Abstract
Background: Mastalgia is a common problem among women. Severe mastalgia can have a negative impact on sexual, physical and sleep activities and behaviors. Regarding the absence of a study on the prevalence and severity of mastalgia in southern Iran, the current study was conducted. Methods: This is ...
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Background: Mastalgia is a common problem among women. Severe mastalgia can have a negative impact on sexual, physical and sleep activities and behaviors. Regarding the absence of a study on the prevalence and severity of mastalgia in southern Iran, the current study was conducted. Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study. The participants were women who referred to health centers affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Shiraz. The inclusion criteria were willingness to participate in the study, not being pregnant and breastfeed. The severity of breast pain was calculated with visual analog scale. The data of 845 questionnaires were analyzed with SPSS software. Results: The participants’ age ranged from 15-50 years; the mean age was 32.84±9.49 years. Among 845 participants, 33% (279) of them had experienced mastalgia in the past three months. Among those who had experienced mastalgia, 81% (226) had cyclical mastalgai and 19% (53) had non-cyclical mastalgia. The mean of pain score was 4.32±2.38 and 12.9% of the participants (36) had pain scores of 8 to 10. The impact of mastalgia on daily and sexual activities and sleep behaviors was reported 9.31% (26), 12.66% (29) and 13.97% (36), respectively. Conclusion: Results of this study showed that the spread of mastalgia in women referred to health centers affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences is lower than that reported in western studies and has lesser effects on their daily, sexual and sleep activities and behaviors. We suggest further studies about mastalgia in others locations in Iran.
Mojtaba Naghshvarian; Mohammad Hossien Kaveh; Maryam hesampour; fariba Rezaee; Ali Reza Mirahmadizadeh
Volume 4, Issue 1 , January 2016, , Pages 32-39
Abstract
AbstractBackground: The reduction of suicidal attempts as one of the most important goals is improvement of societies’ health status. The present study aimed to assess the epidemiologic aspects of suicide cases in Fars province in 2010-2011.Methods: A total of 9714 suicide cases in Fars province, south ...
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AbstractBackground: The reduction of suicidal attempts as one of the most important goals is improvement of societies’ health status. The present study aimed to assess the epidemiologic aspects of suicide cases in Fars province in 2010-2011.Methods: A total of 9714 suicide cases in Fars province, south of Iran, in 2010-2011 were enrolled in this cross-sectional study through census. The study data were collected using suicide registry forms in the health centers affiliated to Fars province department of health services and analyzed using SPSS, version 17.Results: The rate of suicide attempts was 116.5 per 100,000 population in Fars province (93per 100,000 among men and 141.5 per 100,000 among women). The results showed significant differences between the suicide rates based on sex, age group, place of living, and season of the year (P<0.001). Most of these cases were female (59.4%), single (52.9%), 15-24 years old (56.4%), had high school education (25.8%), lived in urban areas (69.6%) and were female homemakers (30.3%). Based on the data, however, the largest number of suicide deaths resulted from self-immolation (56.7%).Conclusion: The present study findings revealed different rates of suicidal attempts based on sex and age group. Also, the importance of education and mental support, especially among women and singles, and also preventive measures in the context of uncontrolled immigration from the countryside to the large cities seems to essential more than ever. Yet, defects in some findings, particularly information about etiology, suggest that more researches should be conducted and suicide data registry and reporting systems should be improved.
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.
