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.
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.
Fariba Moradi; Zohreh Balaghi; Hassan Joulaei; Najaf Zare; Samad Mohammadi; Mohsen Moghadami
Volume 2, Issue 4 , October 2014, , Pages 140-144
Abstract
Background: Prevention of unwanted pregnancy is a key strategy to improve the women’s health through spacing of birth and avoiding pregnancy at high-risk maternal ages. Unmet need by definition is the percentage of fecund married women who are not using contraceptives while they do not want to get ...
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Background: Prevention of unwanted pregnancy is a key strategy to improve the women’s health through spacing of birth and avoiding pregnancy at high-risk maternal ages. Unmet need by definition is the percentage of fecund married women who are not using contraceptives while they do not want to get pregnant. They do this due to unavailable quality services, limited choice of methods, lack of information, safety concerns or side-effects and partner disapproval. The present study aimed to assess the magnitude of unmet need for prevention of unwanted pregnancy in Shiraz.Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 2000 married women of childbearing age (10-49 years) were selected randomly in a survey in Shiraz. Data collection was done using a researcher-made questionnaire and the results were reported using descriptive statistical methods.Results: In the present study, 85.6% of the women used a contraceptive method. 58.7% of them used modern methods of contraception. Reported reasons for not using contraceptives included recent delivery (25%), intention to have more children (20.6%), lack of awareness about contraceptive methods or where such services were offered (6.3%) and irregular sexual intercourse with husband (4.5%). Interrupted intercourse ranked the highest among the methods used. Finally, the unmet need for prevention of unwanted pregnancy in this study was reported to be 4.3 percent.Conclusion: Women in Shiraz had a relatively lower level of unmet need. Counseling is recommended for higher risk women with unmet need in order to keep the descending trend of unmet need for prevention of unwanted pregnancy in Shiraz.
Mostafa Barzideh; Alireza Choobineh; Hamidreza Tabatabaee
Volume 2, Issue 2 , April 2014, , Pages 66-71
Abstract
Background: Evidence shows that job stress potentially has adverse effect on individuals’ health and organizational productivity. It has, therefore, become an important issue in the occupational health context. The aims of this study were to investigate job stress dimensions among nurses of Shiraz ...
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Background: Evidence shows that job stress potentially has adverse effect on individuals’ health and organizational productivity. It has, therefore, become an important issue in the occupational health context. The aims of this study were to investigate job stress dimensions among nurses of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) hospitals and comparing the results with the findings of the previous studies conducted in other countries. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 385 randomly selected nurses of SUMS participated. The Persian version of Job Content Questionnaire (P-JCQ) and demographic questionnaire were used for data collection. The linguistic validity and psychometric properties of P-JCQ have been assessed and approved in a previous study. One sample t-test was used to examine the differences between means of job stress dimension scores of the present and those of the previous studies carried out in other countries. Results: The means (SD) of decision latitude, psychological job demands, social support, physical job demands and job insecurity were found to be 58.15 (6.50), 38.19 (5.14), 22.67 (3.67), 16.03 (2.58), and 7.74 (3.85), respectively. The results revealed that decision latitude and social support dimensions were in a low level among the study subjects. In contrast, psychological job demand, physical job demand, and job insecurity dimensions were shown to be in a high level. Conclusion: The SUMS hospital environment collectively imposes higher job stress on the nurses as compared to that of other countries. To prevent harmful effects of job stress on the nurses’ health and job performance, developing macro-ergonomic strategies in this working environment, such as enhancing job control, reducing job demands, and providing supportive climate, seem necessary.
Alireza Mirahmadizadeh; Elham Kavoosi; Marzieh Vakili; Razieh Shenavar; Mohsen Moghadami
Volume 1, Issue 2 , October 2013, , Pages 57-66
Abstract
Background: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) have been recognized as a major public health problem worldwide. Consequences of IDD include goiter, hypothyroidism, and intellectual disability followed by retarded growth and development of the brain. This report aimed to determine the state of IDD in Fars ...
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Background: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) have been recognized as a major public health problem worldwide. Consequences of IDD include goiter, hypothyroidism, and intellectual disability followed by retarded growth and development of the brain. This report aimed to determine the state of IDD in Fars province, south of Iran.Methods: In this study, we gathered data from all scientific papers, published and unpublished reports of IDD surveillance system, results of IDD-related surveys and all data from the center for disease control (CDC) at provincial and national levels during 1989-2012. Five main IDD indices are summarized, interpreted, and then organized in graphs and tables.Resuits: After formation of national committee of IDD followed by launching of extensive iodine delivery, most of IDD indices have improved. The percentage of iodized salt intake has increased from 0 to near 100%, and that of salt with adequate amount of iodine has increased to 94.5%. Median of urinary iodine concentration (UIC) has always been higher than the acceptable value (≥100 μg/L) and 68% of people had a mean of UIC ≥100 μg/L. The percentage of TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) >5 mU/L in the screened newborns has persistently been less than 1% during 2005-11. Prevalence of goiter has declined from 68% in 1989 to 1.3% in 2007.Conclusion: Present findings address those efforts to combat iodine deficiency which were effective. According to the small sample size and also the fact that some data have been derived at the national level, we recommend that a comprehensive populationbased survey should be carried out with sufficient sample size to achieve information with high accuracy and precision.
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.
Mehrdad Askarian; Mohsen Hosseingholizadeh mahani; Mina Danaei; Mohsen Momeni
Volume 1, Issue 1 , July 2013, , Pages 1-5
Abstract
Background: Nowadays, self-medication of therapeutic agents is of global concern particularly in developing and underdeveloped countries. Some studies conducted in Iran showed that the frequency of self-medication was significant. Objective: This research was conducted to estimate the prevalence of arbitrary ...
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Background: Nowadays, self-medication of therapeutic agents is of global concern particularly in developing and underdeveloped countries. Some studies conducted in Iran showed that the frequency of self-medication was significant. Objective: This research was conducted to estimate the prevalence of arbitrary use of antibiotics in Shiraz community with special interest in its determinant factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Shiraz, in 2009. Approximately 710 out of all patients referred to all health care centers in Shiraz were selected to fill out a questionnaire containing 23 questions divided into two parts. The frequency of self-medication according to demographic factors was described and the association between independent variables and selfmedication was analyzed. Results: The frequency of self-medication in this study was 44.5% and the request to prescribe antibiotics by the patients was 53.5%. Amoxicillin was the most widely used drug by the participants. There was a significant association between age and gender with self-medication. The frequent cause for self-medication was common cold. Approximately, 74.4% of the participants reported their previous experience as the main reason for self-medication. Conclusion: The results of this survey demonstrated the high frequency of self-medication in Shiraz. Socio-cultural determinants are the etiologic factors for self-medication. Policy makers are recommended to provide community-wide educational programs to make people aware about the adverse effects of self-medication. There was a significant association between age, gender and education with self-medication and governments could pay more attention to these factors for designing the interventional programs.
Fariba Moradi; Hassan Joulaei; Masuomeh Saffari; Najaf Zare; Mohammad Hossein Fallah Zadeh
Volume 1, Issue 1 , July 2013, , Pages 14-18
Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression symptoms and the effect of various demographic characteristics on its severity in an elderly population in Fars province, southern Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during May and September 2009. ...
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Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression symptoms and the effect of various demographic characteristics on its severity in an elderly population in Fars province, southern Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during May and September 2009. A sample of 1461 men and women, aged more than 60 years were selected using a multistage stratified random sampling method. Levels of depression symptoms were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Also, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and correlation analysis were performed to find the correlation between the variables and GDS score. Results: Overall, 1443 people completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of the symptoms mild to moderate depression (GDS: 5-10) was 51.1%, while that of severe depression symptoms (GDS >10) was 19.7%. There were significant relationships between sex, marital status, educational level, occupation, residential place and the GDS scores. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression symptoms was high among the elderly in Fars Province. Therefore, if properly trained, primary care teams could help these patients.