Review Articles
Niloofar Moshfeg; Azam Abbasi; Enayat Berizi
Abstract
Background: Considering the high levels of heavy metals in Iranian rice, it is required to take measures to reduce them. One of these measures is to soak or rinse the rice before cooking, which is done in two ways in Iranian cuisine: Kateh (traditional) and Pilaw.Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis ...
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Background: Considering the high levels of heavy metals in Iranian rice, it is required to take measures to reduce them. One of these measures is to soak or rinse the rice before cooking, which is done in two ways in Iranian cuisine: Kateh (traditional) and Pilaw.Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to find the best Iranian rice recipe for reducing Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) and compare the levels of these metals in Iranian and imported rice consumed in Iran. In this study the data were found from international and national databases from 2002 to 2022. 66 non-duplicate articles were found, eight review articles, and 47 unrelated articles were removed. The remaining 11 eligible articles were studied in terms of the types of heavy metals. Considering that Pb and Cd were investigated in most of the articles, these two metals were considered for this research. Begg’s test was used to check the risk of bias.Results: A t otal of 7 a rticles w ere fi nally s elected, a nd t he information was analyzed in Stata software. Based on Begg’s test, no sign of publication bias was found. According to the results, Pb levels decreased in cooking methods compared to Cd, and their average reached 0.00 mg/kg. Also, the results showed that soaking or rinsing raw rice before cooking reduced Cd and Pb levels in the Pilaw method more than in the Kateh method (except for two exceptions).Conclusion: Based on this study, it is preferable to avoid importing low-quality rice with high levels of heavy metals. Also, more attention should be paid to rice cultivation in Iran to reduce the concentrations of these metals and, to reduce heavy metals, the best method is to soak the rice for a few hours before cooking, discard the water and cook it using the Pilaw method.
Original Article
Rachid Amaiach; Sanae Lairini; Rabia Bouslamti; Abdelhakim El Ouali Lalami
Abstract
Background: Food safety is a global concern due to the rise in foodborne diseases, with contamination of food contact surfaces being a significant factor. This study aimed to assess the hygienic conditions and bacteriological contamination levels on food contact surfaces in collective catering in Central ...
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Background: Food safety is a global concern due to the rise in foodborne diseases, with contamination of food contact surfaces being a significant factor. This study aimed to assess the hygienic conditions and bacteriological contamination levels on food contact surfaces in collective catering in Central Morocco.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted across six restaurants. A total of 186 swab samples were taken from 17 types of food contact surfaces, including cutting boards, serving tables, knives, sinks, plates, and other utensils. The samples were taken according to ISO 18593:2018 and analyzed using selected culture media for aerobic mesophilic bacteria (AMC), Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas spp, as well as the presence of Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes. The surfaces were classified based on compliance with hygiene standards.Results: Sixty-seven samples (36%) exhibited more than 2.70 log10CFU/cm², indicating non-compliance with hygiene standards. Raw meat cutting boards, sinks, and salad preparation containers were identified as the most contaminated food contact surfaces, with non-compliance rates of 83.3%, 58.3%, and 54.2%, respectively. In contrast, glasses, plates, and baking worktops were the least contaminated, with compliance rates of 77.8%, 72.8%, and 66.7%, respectively. The isolated bacteria were Coagulasenegative staphylococci (28.5%), Escherichia coli (18,8%), S. aureus (7.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (4.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1.6%), E. faecalis (1.6%), Proteus mirabilis (1%), and Salmonella spp. (0.5%). No Listeria spp. contamination was detected. The mean levels of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, S. aureus, and Enterobacteriaceae ranged from 1.59 log10CFU/ cm² to 3.93 log10CFU/cm², 0 log10CFU/cm² to 1.49 log10CFU/cm², and between 1.55 and 4.34 log10CFU/cm², respectively.Conclusion: This initial assessment of collective restaurants in Fez provides baseline data on environmentally hazardous microbes and will help food safety managers better implement effective control measures top revent contamination and safeguard public health.
Original Article
Zahra Maleki; Jafar Hassanzadeh; Haleh Ghaem
Abstract
Background: The thyroid gland cancer is the most common endocrine cancer worldwide. Although many occupationaland environmental exposures affect thyroid hormone levels, information about their association with thyroid cancer is limited. Therefore, this global ecological study was conducted from 1990 ...
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Background: The thyroid gland cancer is the most common endocrine cancer worldwide. Although many occupationaland environmental exposures affect thyroid hormone levels, information about their association with thyroid cancer is limited. Therefore, this global ecological study was conducted from 1990 to 2019 to examine the associations between occupational exposures and thyroid cancer epidemiological markers.Methods: Data for this global ecological study were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) website from 1990 to 2019. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to correlate occupational exposures, thyroid cancer incidence, and death rates. The final approach was to use the generalized additive model (GAM) for modeling. The data were analyzed using R software version 4.2.2. The significance level of 0.05 was considered.Results: The average incidence and mortality for thyroid cancer were 2.48 and 0.64 per 100,000 populations, respectively. This generalized additive multiple model of cancer incidence showed that 1 unit of arsenic exposure increased the risk of thyroid cancer incidence and mortality by 6.8 and 1.97, respectively. The risk of developing thyroid cancer increases by 1.18 for each unit of benzene exposure. The modeling was adjusted for the variables of gender, sociodemographic features, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).Conclusion: The results of this study confirm the world’s first modeled hypothesis that there may be a relationship between occupational exposures (benzene, arsenic, and PAHs), and epidemiological indices of thyroid cancer. However, to reach causal conclusions, it is necessary to conduct epidemiological studies at the individual level by controlling confounding variables.
Original Article
Ghasaq Taher Habeeb; Ali Barkawi Jleeb; Fawziya Kathem Mohsen; Ali Smoom Fartousy
Abstract
Background: Applying trainings and following them during sports training can help reduce the risk of wrist joint injuries and ensure the long-term health and well-being of gymnastics students. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of suggested physical exercises in reducing wrist ...
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Background: Applying trainings and following them during sports training can help reduce the risk of wrist joint injuries and ensure the long-term health and well-being of gymnastics students. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of suggested physical exercises in reducing wrist joint injuries of second-year gymnastics students.Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study with an experimental group and two pre-tests and post-tests was conducted since it is suitable with the nature of the research. Participants consisted of 36 students (age=20±1.5, weight=71.83±3.4, height=175.83±5.5). Special exercises were designed to develop the strength and range of motion to reduce wrist joint injuries. The program included 16 training sessions for a period of 8 weeks (two sessions every week). In general, the special exercises lasted for 2 months; immediately after that, the post-tests were conducted. To evaluate the effect of physical training, we used several instruments and devices. These included a dynamometer to measure the wrist strength, a goniometer to measure the range of the motion of the wrist joint, and a physician digital scale to measure the height and weight.Results: The results showed a significant improvement in the hand wrist strength in all post-measurements compared to pretests. The mean scores of upward flexion strength increased from 17.69 to 19.56, downward flexion strength from 9.33 to 10.91, rightward flexion strength from 13.97 to 15.80, and leftward flexion strength from 10.13 to 12.01. In addition, the range of motion tests showed a significant improvement in all dimensional measurements, as the mean scores of flexibilities of the wrist joint increased when flexed upward from 74.94 to 78.67, flexed downward from 82.83 to 85.89, flexed to the right from 39.39 to 43.44, and flexed to the left from 29.22 to 32.78.Conclusion: The exercises used have a positive effect on improving muscle strength and developing the range of motion of the wrist joint, which protects the joint against damage or recurrence. Therefore, the development of such physical exercises is suggested for other places and similar sports.
Original Article
Elahe Banafshe; Nahid Javadifar2; Zahra Abbaspour; Majid Karandish; Saeed Ghanbari
Abstract
Background: Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) in overweight/obese pregnant women has multiple adverse outcomes on maternal and neonatal health. A better understanding of pregnant women’s perceptions and experiences regarding barriers and facilitators of weight management during pregnancy ...
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Background: Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) in overweight/obese pregnant women has multiple adverse outcomes on maternal and neonatal health. A better understanding of pregnant women’s perceptions and experiences regarding barriers and facilitators of weight management during pregnancy is necessary to develop interventions to prevent excessive GWG among this group.Methods: This qualitative study was conducted with 16 pregnant women having a body mass index (BMI) over 25. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis.Results: The findings of this study were categorized into two main themes: barriers and facilitators of weight management during pregnancy. Barriers included six subcategories: overeating due to previous habits and context, eating changes related to pregnancy, beliefs about weight management, physical activity limitations, difficulty adhering to a diet, and the use of defense mechanisms. Facilitators were grouped into three subcategories: social support from spouse, family, and friends; focus on weight control motivation; and education and counseling.Conclusion: This qualitative study analyzed the challenges and facilitators of weight management in overweight and obese pregnant women. The results indicate multiple barriers and success factors affecting weight management. These findings emphasize that effective interventions should focus on identifying and overcoming existing barriers while strengthening facilitating factors, providing appropriate social and educational support considering cultural and individual beliefs to ensure better maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
Original Article
Fatemeh Askari; Mostafa Dianati-Nasab; Nadia Mohammadi Dashtaki; Haleh Ghaem; Mohammad Fararouei
Abstract
Background: One of the oldest social and health challenges to health is the global sex trading, which mainly involves young individuals. The issue has been dramatically worsening worldwide due to socio-economic and cultural changes. This study was conducted to determine the factors associated with prostitution ...
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Background: One of the oldest social and health challenges to health is the global sex trading, which mainly involves young individuals. The issue has been dramatically worsening worldwide due to socio-economic and cultural changes. This study was conducted to determine the factors associated with prostitution among young Iranian sex workers.Methods: This is a case-control study on 400 women including 200 prostitute women as the case group and 200 women randomly selected from the population as the control group. Women in the control group were frequency matched with the age and family physician of the women in the case group.Results: Unlike forced marriage, the case group had lower odds of pre-marriage relationship with the spouse along with parent’s consent when compared to forced marriage (OR remarriage relationship with family consent vs. forced marriage=0.05, 95% CI: 0.011, 0.25, P<0.001). Prostitution in individuals who reported friendship with a friend with high risk behaviors during late childhood or adolescence was higher than those without such friendship (OR friend with risky behavior vs. without risky behavior friend=13.45, 95% CI: 4.07, 53.4, P<0.001). Also, cases had a lower odd of being under a tied parental control during childhood and adolescence (OR tied vs. no parental control control=0.16, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.6, P=0.008). Finally, having single parent family was more common among the case group (OR single parent vs. nuclear family=6.33, 95% CI: 2.02, 21.78, P=0.002).Conclusion: The current study revealed the importance of parent’s involvement in the children’s and adolescent’s social and behavioral development and successful marriage in tendency toward prostitution. The other important factors that seem to considerably affect the tendency of the participants toward prostitution were having a girlfriend with risky behavior (having sexual relationship at younger age or stealing) and easy and uncontrolled access to private media during adolescence. Also, parents of prostitute women had a lower socio-economic status who had no or weak parental supervision during the participant’s adolescence. Again, these factors are directly or indirectly affected by parental family functioning, highlighting the importance of parents’ involvement in the development of their children. Most important factors reported in this study are modifiable, and designing effective parental training programs regarding supervising and supporting children is highly recommended.
Original Article
Ayu Khoirotul Umaroh; Muhammad Rayid Ramdhani; Jenita Berlian Nindyasari; Mabarod Kusnul Khotimah; Salma Khoirunnisa; Bethari Mukti Kusumaningtyas
Abstract
Background: The School Health Program (UKS) is assessed to enhance its effectiveness in improving students’ health levels. SistaUKS, a health information system comprising software and data, facilitates the automation of the UKS stratification assessment process. Evaluating this system is crucial ...
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Background: The School Health Program (UKS) is assessed to enhance its effectiveness in improving students’ health levels. SistaUKS, a health information system comprising software and data, facilitates the automation of the UKS stratification assessment process. Evaluating this system is crucial for understanding user satisfaction, which enhances services and the system interface to increase user-friendliness. This study aimed to analyze teacher satisfaction regarding the utilization of the SistaUKS stratification system.Methods: This is a descriptive quantitative study with a survey method. The sampling technique used was convenience sampling, which identified 33 junior high school teachers overseeing UKS in Boyolali Regency, who participated as respondents. Data were collected using a System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire, including 10 items. The analysis involved converting the points to a standard scale, summing these points, normalizing the scores, and calculating the final score.Results: The findings indicate an average satisfaction level of 68.41, placing user satisfaction within the marginally high acceptability range and earning an adjective rating of good. While the SistaUKS system is noted for its ease of use, the analysis suggests that improvements are necessary for certain features to further enhance usability, for example, adding a Data Autosave Function. It could ensure that the system automatically saves data when users input it.Conclusion: SistaUKS earns an adjective rating of good. This study underscores the importance of continual assessment and refinement of health information systems like SistaUKS to sustain high levels of user satisfaction and system efficiency.
Original Article
Narjes Moezi; Kourosh Azizi; Reza Sadeghi; Saideh Yousefi; Mozaffar Vahedi; Saeed Shahabi; Azim Paksa
Abstract
Background: Mosquitoes transmit many diseases to humans, including malaria, dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, and Zika. Controlling mosquitoes with endosymbiont bacterium Wolbachia is a new approach in this field. This study aimed to determine the Wolbachia infection of two mosquito species, Aedes caspius ...
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Background: Mosquitoes transmit many diseases to humans, including malaria, dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, and Zika. Controlling mosquitoes with endosymbiont bacterium Wolbachia is a new approach in this field. This study aimed to determine the Wolbachia infection of two mosquito species, Aedes caspius and Culex pipiens, in the city of Shiraz, southern Iran.Methods: Samples of Ae. caspius and Cx. pipiens were collected from four localities in Shiraz City, Fars Province. The samples were identified using the morphological identification keys. Collected samples were screened for Wolbachia infection using a PCR assay targeting the Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene.Results: Eight species from four genera were collected in this study; the most caught species was Cx. Pipiens, and the lowest abundant species was An. hyrcanus. From 110 adult Cx. pipiens screened using the wsp primer, 75 (68%) samples were infected with Wolbachia. The Wolbachia sequences in Cx. pipiens were like Wolbachia strains belonging to supergroups B. There was no Wolbachia infection in 204 Ae. caspius investigated samples.Conclusion: Our study revealed the presence of the supergroup B Wolbachia strain in Cx. pipiens samples. The present study did not detect any Wolbachia infection in Ae. caspius; however, it remains plausible to introduce Wolbachia populations into Wolbachia-free populations of this species. Such an introduction holds promise as a viable tool for vector control and mitigating the transmission of arboviral diseases such as West Nile virus and Chikungunya through cytoplasmic incompatibility.
Original Article
Ali Solaimani; Abdolvahab Baghbanian; Mohammad Amin Behmanesh; Aziz Kassani
Abstract
Background: Relapse during substance misuse treatment is common and poses a significant public health challenge. A variety of personal, social, and psychological factors influence it. This study explored the relationship between patients’ social capital, individual traits, and the risk of relapse.Methods: ...
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Background: Relapse during substance misuse treatment is common and poses a significant public health challenge. A variety of personal, social, and psychological factors influence it. This study explored the relationship between patients’ social capital, individual traits, and the risk of relapse.Methods: In this case-control study, 218 relapsed patients (case group, n=109) were compared with 109 abstentious patients (control group, n=109) in the four voluntary outpatient addiction treatment centers and one maintenance addiction treatment center using random cluster sampling in Dezful City, Iran, 2020. The data were obtained from structured interviews to determine personal traits, including age, marital status, familysize, education level, job status, type of substance, smoking, and addiction history in the family. A standard social capital questionnaire was used to assess the participants’ personality. Chi-square test, t-test, and logistic regression were used for data analysis.Results: All patients were male, aged between 16 and 68 years, with a mean age of 36.84±6.76 years. The three dimensions of social capital —individual trust (OR=0.33, CI=0.11-0.51), cohesion/social support (OR=0.27, CI=0.07-0.48), and social trust/ associative relations (OR=0.65, CI=0.32-0.92) —are significantly associated with substance misuse relapse. In addition, age (OR=0.85, CI=0.65-0.91), educational level of illiterate/ academic (OR=2.87, CI=1.05-4.18), job status, unemployed/employed (OR=1.39, CI=1.11-1.80), and type of drugs (OR=2.71, CI=1.70- 3.73) had a direct association with substance misuse relapse.Conclusion: The association between social elements and the recurrence of substance misuse in patients receiving Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) is of importance. This study showed that reduced levels of social capital were associated with a higher chance of relapse. To address this issue, it is suggested to introduce inclusive social assistance initiatives that focus on nurturing the community and promoting inclusion among MMT patients.
Letter to Editor
Zahra Saboohi; Avasadat Hoseini
Abstract
This article has no abstract.
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This article has no abstract.
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