Iranian Journal of

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Background and Objectives:To compare three different methods of signal detection applied to the Adverse Drug Reactions registered in the Iranian Pharmacovigilance database from 1998 to 2005. Materials and Methods:All Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) reported to Iranian Pharmacovigilance Center from March 1998 through January 2005, were included in the analysis. The data were analyzed based on three different signal detection methods including Reporting Odds Ratios (PRRs), Bayesian Propagation Neural Network (BCPNN) and Reporting Odds Ratios (RORs). Signals detected by each method were categorized based on the number of reports per drug-adverse event combination, severity of the event and labeled or unlabeled ADRs. The methods applied to signal detection were then compared in recognizing different types of adverse events.
Results: A total of 6353 cases of ADR reports, describing 11130 reactions, were reported to Iranian Pharmacovigilance Center (IPC) during the study period. The dataset involved 4975 drug-event combinations, which were assessed for detecting signals. The counts of drug-event combinations was 1, 2 and 3 or more for 3470, 727 and 779 combinations, respectively. There were 500 drug items responsible for 468 reaction terms in the database. According to PRR and 95% Confidence Interval, there were 2838, 872 and 488 drug-event combinations known as a signal for the pairs with the reporting frequency of ³1, ³2 and ³3 reports, respectively. The signals detected with the criteria of PRR³2, c2³4 were 2930, 872 and 480 for the pairs with the same reporting frequencies. Estimates of RORs and the 95% Confidence Interval showed that 2722, 862 and 481 drug-event combinations were detected to be signal for the pairs with the reporting frequency of ³1, ³2 and ³3 reports, respectively, while measuring IC and IC-2SD detected 1120, 378 and 235 cases for the same reporting frequencies. There were 234 signals detected by all three methods.
Conclusion: Despite the similarities between data mining methodologies for signal detection, there are differences in the numbers of signals detected by each method. The study findings suggest that quantitative signal detection methods should be added to the routine Pharmacovigilance activities in Iran and the trends for quantitative measures over time should be monitored.

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Background and Objectives: Injury by sharp instruments and needles are major occupational health hazard for healthcare workers. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence rate and causes of injuries due to needle stick in healthcare workers in Zahedan University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 231 healthcare workers of university hospitals of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences were selected at random in 2007. Data were collected through questionnaire and were analyzed by SPSS 13.
Results: From all cases 77.1% were female 56.4% of them were expert, and 50.7% were nurses. Their mean age were 34±8.1 years. Needle stick prevalence was 64.9% during the whole history of career, and 57.2% of them had experiences of needle stick more than twice. Most cases of injuries were related to using needle 55.4%, and they were mostly prone to injury during injection and phlebotomy, 55.6%. The multivariate regression analysis showed that injury due to sharp instruments in university graduates was 60% less compared to those with high school or less, and the injury risk increases 5% in each year of increase in working experience.
Conclusions: The findings of this study highlight the importance of training and preventive measures in healthcare centers particularly among high risk group.

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Background and objectives: Although in many developed and developing countries, self care is the most important part of primary care, in Iran it has not been supported as well as its values. The aim of this study was to assess the views of general people living in south of Tehran about self care.
Methods: This was a population based study in which 1200 individuals aged 15 years and over were interviewed using cluster sampling. A structured interview questionnaire which including 5 sections on regarding demographic characteristics, views on general health, views on self care knowledge, interest and practice, views on barrier and enabler factors for self care, and views on sources of information was used. Content validity and cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used for its validity and reliability. Data were analyzed through spss version 11.
Results: The mean age of participants was 27.9 ± 5.2 years. Six hundred and fifty eight respondents (55%) stated they were not knowledgeable on self care, 986 (82%) and 1035 (86%), were interested and self rated themselves active regarding healthy life style, respectively. In practice, only fifty three participants (4%) were actually active in eating ≥7 glasses of water daily, 31 (3%) stated they ate more than five portions of fruits daily and 51(4%) did physical activity more than 3 hours weekly.
Conclusions: The findings of this study have highlighted the significant role of information in doing self care activities.

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Background and Objectives: Lack of nutritional knowledge is one of the most important reasons of nutritional problems worldwide and consequently, improper practice which can lead to several complications such as: malnutrition and non-contagious diseases. This study has been designed to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practices of the urban households regarding practical principals of nutrition in Boushehr, Golestan, and Sistan & Balouchestan provinces in 2004.
Methods: Evaluation of knowledge, attitude and practice of urban households towards practical principals of nutrition in mentioned provinces was carried out by this cross sectional study. The sampling method at the level of the households in each province was the single-stage cluster sampling with equal size clusters. The necessary data were gathered with a structured questionnaire and via the interviews between the questioners and the eligible people in each household.
Results: A total of 1154 individuals were participated in this survey. Approximately seventy percent of individuals were aware about having basic four food groups and 45% of them were also aware of role of food group in human body. Majority of people had acceptable attitudes toward nutrition. Based on standard criteria consumption of meat was rare and consumption of fish was in medium level, legumes in high level, fruits and vegetables, milk & dairy products were in acceptable level. Consumption of carbonated beverages, junk foods and sugar were in high level.
Conclusion: The findings of this study imply a need for effective implementation of nutritional community interventions by health policy makers in Iranian health systems.

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Background & Objective: A growing body of literature suggests that healthy and well-nourished women can safely participate in most forms of physical activity during pregnancy. The objective of this study was to determine the performance of pregnant women about exercise during pregnancy in Tehran.
Methods: we performed an analytical cross-sectional study on 400 pregnant women referred to prenatal care units in Imam Khomeini hospital. Information was obtained through a questionnaire designed to measure practice. Data analysis was performed by the Spss v 13.5 software package. We calculated means and standard deviation for practice in terms of independent variable and applied ANOVA test and regression model for detection of association between variables.
Results: The mean of practice scale was (14.23+/- 1.76). We observed significant association between performance of pregnant women regarding exercise and their occupation, education status and education status of their husbands (P<0.001).Education status of husbands had a significant predictive effect in regression model (p<0.001).
Conclusions: It seems that the majority of pregnant women, who exercise during pregnancy, do not follow the principles correctly therefore their performance is not adequate almost in all domains.

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Background & Objectives: The aim of this study was carried out to compare knowledge, attitude and practice of urban and rural households towards osteopenia and osteoporosis in Golestan, Sistan & Balouchestan and Boushehr provinces in Iran.
Methods: single-stage cluster sampling was used. The questions about knowledge about, attitude toward and practice of nutritional factors related to osteopenia and osteoporosis were asked by a structured interview.
Results: A total of 2306 households have been selected as overall sample size. Knowledge level of urban households about calcium as a preventive factor of osteoporosis & osteopenia was more in Sistan & Balouchestan, Golestan and Boushehr provinces. Knowledge level of urban households about calcium food courses: (Milk, Yogurt, Cheese and Dairy alternatives) was also better than that of rural habitants (P<0.01). Urban residents' attitude toward osteoporosis compared to rural residents was better (P 0.01>). Consumption of pasteurized milk had been paid more attention in urban households (P<0.001). The difference of daily milk intake in rural and urban households with pregnant or lactating women was not significant. Exposure of infant to sun as preventive factor was not satisticaly significant between rural and urban habitants.
Conclusion: It is concluded that the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of rural households toward osteoporosis and osteopenia was weaker than urban households.

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Background and objective: The significance of knowledge transfer and research utilization for health care decision makers in developed and developing countries have been paid more attention recently. Literature emphasizes that nursing practice should be based on utilizing of research. The aim of this study is to identify barriers of research utilization in Iranian clinical nurse’s practice.
Methods: The Funk Research Utilization Barriers Questionnaire including 29 items in 4 domains (organization barriers and limitations, quality of research, nurses’ values, awareness and skills and communication of research) was employed in this study.
Results: Three main barriers to research utilization were identified: 1)"the nurse does not have time to read research", 2)"the nurse does not feel she/he has enough authority to change patient care procedures", and 3)"the facilities are inadequate for implementation".
Conclusion: Considering the organizational barrier, it is recommended that academic organizations should support and adopt to utilize research findings particularly in nursing practice in Iran.

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Background & Objectives: Osteoporosis is major public health concern affecting millions of adults particularly older adults and women worldwide. Designing effective educational intervention is principle in any health promotion program. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an educational intervention based on health belief model on knowledge about, attitudes toward and practice of prevention osteoporosis among women with low socioeconomic status in Isfahan.
Methods: The study population consisted of 14 women with low socioeconomic status and under 60 years old. A valid and reliable questionnaire developed and used as measurement tool for initial and final assessments in this program. In addition calcium intake and vitamin D, physical activity and exposure to the sun were assessed.
Results: The mean age of the participants were 40.8 ± 10.52 years. The mean score of all parts of health belief model (except for perceived barriers), knowledge, sun exposure, and physical activity after educational intervention compared to before intervention, were increased significantly. There was no statistically significant difference between daily calcium and vitamin D intake before and after intervention.
Conclusion: It is concluded that the HBM Model– based educational program on Knowledge and belief regarding Osteoporosis prevention seems practical and effective. However more research should be done to find out more effective intervention regarding optimal calcium and vitamin D intake.

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Background and Objectives: The spread of COVID-19 in the world has had adverse effects on all aspects of people´ life and social and economic development of the communities. The current study was conducted to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward COVID-19 in the general population of Qazvin province. 
 
Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted on 1223 people above 15 years in Qazvin province between December and January 2020. We used multistage stratified random sampling to select the participants from urban and rural health centers. The questionnaires were completed by the patients as well as through phone interviews. The questions included demographic information and knowledge, attitude, and practice toward COVID-19. 
 
Results: In total, 1223 subjects with a mean (standard deviation) age of 35.6 ± 12.2 years participated in this study. The scores of knowledge, attitudes, and practice were 68%, 72% and 91%, respectively. The lowest score of knowledge was related to awareness of common symptoms of the disease (6%). Forty-two subjects believed they observed the principles of disease prevention. A distance of 2 meters was observed by 50.3%. The scores of knowledge (P=0.007) and practice (P=0.028) increased with age, and the scores of knowledge (P<0.001) and attitude (P=0.001) increased and decreased with an increase in the education level, respectively. Males had significantly lower knowledge (P=0.002) and practice (P<0.001) scores. Moreover, rural residents had higher attitude scores compared to urban residents (P=0.002).
 
Conclusion: The results suggest that the general population of Qazvin province had desirable knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 at the time of the epidemic.

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