Journal of School of Public Health and Institute of Public Health Research

Association between types of food consumed and the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Kurdistan Province

Mostafa Mirghotbi

Background and Aim: To examine the association of diet and the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in Kurdistan province.

Materials and Methods: This was a case-control study including 47 patients with esophageal SCC and 96 healthy controls. Dietary intake was assessed using a valid semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was run to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.

Results: The controls had a significantly higher mean body mass index (25.3 vs. 20.4) and a higher level of education than the case group, while the latter had significantly higher records of tobacco consumption and symptomatic gastresophageal reflux. An independent protective effect was observed for the highest tertile of total fruit consumption (OR: 0.13, CI: 0.04-0.45, p-value=0.001). Within the fruits group, a significant inverse association was observed for bananas, kiwis and oranges (P for trends: 0.03, 0.02 and 0.01, respectively). The effect of total vegetable intake on esophageal SCC was not significant (OR: 0.66, CI: 0.23-1.87), although a reduction in risk was observed in the highest tertile of intake. With regard to other food groups we did not find a statistically significant association.

Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest an inverse association only between fruit consumption and esophageal SCC.

Pre-marrital reproductive health educational needs of the youth

Shahnaz Rimaz

Background and Aim: Access to reproductive health information and services is a basic right for the youth. Lack of suitable educational/counselling materials about reproductive health can decrease effectiveness of educational programs. This study aimed to determine the premarrital reproductive health educational needs of the youth.

Materials and Methods: In a descriptive-analytical study a total of 450 young males and females were selected by stratified random sampling to participate in pre-marital counseling in Tehran. Data about pre-marrital reproductive health educational needs were collected using a questionnaire developed by the investigator, with a 5 degree-Likert scale. SPSS-15 was used for data analysis, the statistical tests being t-test, one-tailed ANOVA and chi-square.

Results: Based on the Likert scale (1-5), felt need for reproductive health education was 3, it being higher among females (p<0.05). Both the males and females thought that what they needed most was education/counseling on healthy sexual relationship. The educational needs did not seem to be influenced statistically significantly by socio-demographic variables in either gender.

Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it seems that the current educational materials are not sufficient for pre-marrital counseling. Comprehensive information on reproductive health, with particular emphasis on sexual relationship, should be included in the existing programs, so that the youth can begin a better, healthier married life.

Assessment of the effectiveness of detection techniques to identify existing hazards in the industry

Javad Adl

Background and Aim: The first step in establishing a safety system is hazard identification. If this is not done properly, the subsequent steps steps will not be done effectively either. Since any given identification technique often targets the hazards of one or two of the main elements of a safety system, it is not possible to identify all hazards by a single technique

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the available scientific literature aiming at finding practicable hazard identification techniques that can potentially determine the highest number (%) of hazards in a safety system. First five techniques were implemented and the number of identified hazards by each was determined, followed by calculation of the coefficient of hazard identification effectiveness for each technique. Using this approach two techniques in two different safety systems were tested

Results: The number of hazards identified using the hazard and operability analysis (HAZOP) technique, and, as a result, its coefficient of hazard identification effectiveness was the highest as compared to other techniques. Individually, the HAZOP and AEA techniques, used as primary hazard identification techniques, identified only 20-80% of all the hazards which could otherwise be identified if all identification techniques had been used.

Conclusion: The results show that the HAZOP technique can identify a higher number of hazards than any other technique. However, if used alone, this technique will probably identify only 40% of all the hazards. The important point is that selection of an appropriate technique plays an important role in identifying a higher number of hazards.

Isolation of iron nanoparticle-producing magnetotactic bacteria from Arjin ore in Zanjan Province, Iran

Mohammad Mehdi SoltanDalal

Background and Aim: Iron nanoparticles are broadly used in medical science, particularly in synthesis of fluorescence biomarkers, cancerous tumor therapy by hyperthermia, and as a contrast agent in MRI. Physical and chemical synthesis methods currently used to produce nanoparticles cause environmental contamination. Certain bacteria are capable of synthesizing significant amounts of iron nanoparticles, quite in conformity with the principles of green chemistry. The objective of this study was to isolate iron nanoparticle-producing magnetotactic bacteria from Arjin ore in Zanjan Province, Iran

Materials and Methods: Serial dilutions were prepared from the soil of iron ore and inoculated on a combined solid agar culture medium specifically used to isolate magnetotactic bacteria. This was followed, after incubation at 30 degree for a week, by transferring samples of colonies to special liquid culture media. After three weeks of incubation, the samples were examined by Gram staining, XRD and of scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Results: The existence of iron nanoparticles was confirmed by analysis of XRD graphs. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy pictures proved the shape of bacteria and extracellular accumulation of iron nanoparticles produced by them.

Conclusion: Magnetotactic bacteria isolated from Arjin ore in Zanjan Province, Iran are capable of biosynthezing iron nanoparticles.

Comparison of two techniques of fault tree analysis and Tripod-Beta using the analytic hierrarchy process for accidents analysis in a steel-manufacturing industry

Iraj Mohammadfam

Background and Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare the two techniques of fault tree analysis (FTA) and Tripod-Beta using the analytic hierrarchy process (AHP) for choosing the preferred technique to be used in the analysis of grave accidents in a steel-manufacturing company.

Materials and Methods: This research project was carried out in three main phases. In the first phase two disastrous accidents were sketched for analysis and, using the two techniques of FTA and Tripod-Beta, the causes for their occurrence were determined. In the second phase 7 criteria were chosen for comparing the two techniques. Finally, in the third phase, the two techniques were compared on the basis of chosen criteria, using AHP.

Results: The findings showed that the criterion for the number of accidents' agents with a priority of 0.435 had the highest priority, followed by quantitative ability, cost of analysis, time spending, and software need with a priority of 0.07, 0.059, 0.038, and 0.036, respectively.

Conclusion: Considering all the chosen criteria, it can be concluded that the fault free analysis technique with a priority of 0.624 is superior to Tripod Beta technique with priority a priority of 0.35.

Relative frequency and type identification of non-polio enteroviruses isolated from acute flaccid paralysis cases in Iran, 1995-2000

Shohreh Shahmahmoodi

Background and Aim: Iran National Polio Laboratory (NPL) is a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Polio Laboratories Network. NPL receives stool specimens from acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases from all the provinces throughout Iran for poliovirus detection and identification. Furthermore, the NPL also detects non-polio enteroviruses (NPEVs) in these specimens. Recently, NPEVs have come to be believed to be one of the most important causes of AFP following wild poliovirus. This paper reports the prevalence of different types of NPEVs isolated from the specimens of AFP cases between 1995 and 2000.

Materials and Methods: Stool collection, virus detection and serotype identification were performed according to the WHO standard procedures.

Results: A total of 2180 stool specimens from AFP cases were received at the National Polio Laboratory. Coxsackie B viruse and echoviruses 6, 11, 7 and 13 had the highest frequency, identified in 23.7%, 14.4%, 12.7%, 11% and 10.2% of the NPEVs isolated from AFP cases, respectively. Four cases of echovirus 20 were identified, in 2 cases the patiets having died and in one the patient having been afflicted with residual paralysis. There have been no reports of death or residual paralysis (paralysis continuing after 60 days) due to echoviruse 20.

Conclusion: Considering the upward trend of AFP cases in Iran, even after wild poliovirus eradication, studies are needed to determine the frequency and type identification of NPEVs and the relationship between NPEVs and residual paralysis in the post-eradication era (2000 onwards).

Internet addiction and general health of dormitory students of TehranUniversity of Medical Sciences in 2010

Roya Sadeghi

Background and Aim: Internet has become an effective medium to transfer new scientific and research findings, knowledge and information in educational processes across the world. It also facilitates essential communication among millions of people globally and offers users plenty of entertainment for their leisure time. However, excessive computer use interferes with daily life and carries a risk of addiction. Therefore, the concept of internet addiction is now considered a social problem. This study was conducted to determine the association between internet addiction and general health among dormitory students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2010.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted in 2010, included 125 female- and 110 male-students from dormitories of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, selected by stratified random sampling. The instruments for data collection were two standard questionnaires - YANG Internet Addiction and Goldberg's General Health (GHQ). Data were analyzed by SPSS-19, the statistical tests being Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann-Whitney U, Chi-square, correlation coefficient, and multivariate regression.

Results: The results showed that, based on the YANG classification, 34% of the students were addicted to the internet. In comparison with ordinary users, the general health of the internet-addicted users was at a higher risk (p<0.001). The two groups were also different with regard to anxiety and depression (p<0.001), but not with regard to physical function or social function.

Conclusion: Internet addiction among dormitory students is a cause for concern. Well-designed programs focusing on education, counseling and behavioral intervention are needed to reduce internet addiction amongst vulnerable students.

Malaria epidemiology in Iran from 1941 to 2006

Ghobad Moradi

Background and Aim: Malaria threatens more than half of the world's population in about 100 countries. During the period 1921-1951 malaria was one of the most important public health issues in Iran, no other disease causing as much financial loss and mortality as malaria did. The objective of this study was to investigate malaria epidemiology in Iran during the period 1940- 2006 (65 years), in the hope that the infotmation and experience will be used in the future.

Materials and Methods: This study included a review of the available literature on the suject, as well as a study of health systems, existing records, and analysis of data and information on malaria in Iran. Data were colected from three main sources: national or international electronic sources (26 sources) non-electronic sources, including theses, journal articles, and various documents and reports, as well as data obtained from the national malaria surveillance system (a total of 180) and interviews with five informed and expert individuals. In addition, national documents prepared by the Center for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, during the previuos 6 months were made available to, and used by, the research team.

Results: The findings show that, despite several annual fluctuations, the trend of incidence of the disease during the 65-year period, from 1940 to 2006, was a downward trend. The incidence declined from 250-333 per 1000 people in the early 1940's to 0.22 per 1000 people in 2006.

Conclusion: The changes in incidence of malaria show that elimination of malaria is a possible and feasible goal. The experiences achieved in controlling this disease can be utilized for controlling other diseases as well.