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K Ghazvini, M Malek Jafarian, M.h Amouzegar,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (5 2008)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Superinfection of burn wounds is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in hospital burn units. It is crucial for every burn center to determine the pattern of microbial colonization in burn wounds and the antimicrobial sensitivity profiles. This study was carried out on patients admitted to the Burn Unit of Emam Reza University Hospital, Mashhad, with the aim of verifying the pattern of microbial colonization of burn sites and determining the antimicrobial sensitivity of the isolated bacterial species.
Materials and Methods: In this study a total of 344 samples were obtained from 126 burn patients. After isolation and identification of bacteria, we used an agar diffusion method to determine sensitivity against 14 common antibiotics.
Results: Our results showed that 27.7% of the wounds were sterile at the time of the first dressing, but the rate of contamination increased with time so that only 5% of wounds were sterile by the third week Pseudomonas aeroginosa was the most frequently isolated species (31.7%). Most of bacteria were resistant to amoxicillin ciprofloxacin and imipenem emerged as the most effective antibiotics.
Conclusion: The common occurrence of gram-negative bacilli and staphylococci together with the sensitivity patterns show that we are far from eradication of wound infections, so there is an urgent need for improved infection control practices and policies.
Bahareh Hajizadeh, Fatemeh Sedaghat, Bahram Rashidkhani, Soheyla Mirzaeian, Majid Moasheri, Anahita Hoshyarrad, Mostafa Mirghotbi,
Volume 10, Issue 1 (7 2012)
Abstract
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.
Hedayatollah Asgari, Maryam Kheirmand, Mohsen Rohani, Samaneh Sadoughi, Zeinab Malekpour,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (24 2012)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Job satisfaction is one of the most important factors in maintenance of a professional person and the job success, increasing the personal efficiency and the quality of services. On the other hand, it is a tool in the hands of managers in order to maintain the staff in their jobs. The aim of this descriptive study was to investigate the satisfaction of physicians and midwives participating in the family physician scheme with the plan.
Materials and Methods: The study population was made up of 221 physicians and 144 midwifes. The tool was an author made questionnaire certified by experts as a standard, valid and reliable scale via content validity measurements through a pilot study.
Results: The average satisfaction of physicians and midwives was 44.34% while the highest satisfaction was 65% with the location of services and the lowest was 30.6% with the financial issues. In relation to the financial affairs, physicians were more dissatisfied than midwives, so satisfactions were increased by the increase in the amount of salaries.
Conclusion: Over 4 years of implementation of family physician plan, the physicians and midwives satisfaction was shown to be still low. It is necessary to consider re-programming in the scheme in order to increase the amount of payments and create more motivational factors for physicians as well as to reduce working hours for midwives and establish appropriate levels of payments for them.
Mohsen Shamsi, Hadi Neyestani, Hassan Ebrahimipour, Habiballah Esmaeili, Ali Vafaei Najjar, Maliheh Nosrati,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (5-2014)
Abstract
Objectives: The role of mammography in early detection of b reast cancer is evident and persuasion to do that is very important in health sector. Majority of the interventions are based on education and informing and there has been less attention to making mammography cost beneficent. This study aimed at assessing the effect of a social marketing-based intervention to persuade to do mammography in Bojnord.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, two villages around Bojnurd with similar demographic characteristics, considered as intervention and comparison groups randomly. All 35- years and older women consist of 343 women (151 in intervention and 191 in comparison groups) were identified. To obtain the main idea for intervention, and exploring the viewpoints of target group about mammography, a formative research combined of a quantitative survey (through completing the questionnaire for assessing the women’s attitudes based on health belief model) and a qualitative study (through establishing four focus group discussions) was done. According to the gathered and analyzed data, an intervention focused on the main barriers designed and implemented through four weeks. One week after the intervention, the number of mammograms in two villages was determined and compared.
Results: Quantitative survey showed that the mean of the scores related to expending time and high economical costs (perceived barriers) not remember to do mammography and fear of exposure to x- ray is less than other constructs. In qualitative study, time expending and high economical cost considered as two main factors related to not doing mammography. After the intervention, 48.1 percent of the women in intervention group went to do mammography and there are no change similar results in comparison group.
Conclusions: Educational interventions are not enough to persuade women to do mammography and we have to consider their perceived barriers and concerns. One of the most effective approach to promote an idea, behavior or service, is identifying the viewpoints of target group and design them as consumer- oriented programs. So, acceptance of the idea and behavior will be cost-beneficent.
Mohammad Vahedian Shahroudi, Fatemeh Sedghi, Habib Allah Esmayli, Elahe Lael-Monfared,
Volume 14, Issue 1 (6-2016)
Abstract
Background and Aim: One of the most important health problems in the modern society is reduced appropriate physical activity by people. The five-step counselling process, which is composed of five essential principles in health counselling, can help to improve health behaviors, such as physical activity, in different individuals. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an educational intervention using the five-step counseling process based on the stage of change construct on physical activity promotion in female-employees working in Toos Industrial State factories, Mashad, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This was a controlled intervention study including 76 women working in the Mashad industrial estate factories, Iran, divided into an experimental (n=36) and a control (n=40) group. Data were collected using the standard Marcus Physical Activity Stages of Change Questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), which measures physical activity at three levels of light, moderate and severe, and analyzed using the SPSS software; a P<0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.
Results: The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences before the consultation intervention between the two study groups as regards the stage of change and level of physical activity (p>0.05). Further analysis of the data revealed that the intervention had caused increases in both the physical activity and stage of change (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the findings, it is concluded that the five-step counselling process is effective in promoting physical activity and can be used as an appropriate strategy by health professionals in the health-service delivery centers and organizations to promote the health behaviors of people.
Ensieh Gheirati, Arezoo Shabanifar, Mahboobeh Akhlaghi, Noushin Peyman,
Volume 14, Issue 3 (12-2016)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Communication is one of the oldest and greatest human achievements underlying our social life. Available literature show factors such as self-esteem, interpersonal skills, establishing desirable communication, goal setting and determining individual values have effective roles in the prevention and reduction of susceptibility to behavioral abnormalities and mental disorders (anxiety, depression, etc.), as well as in the promotion of mental health. The objective of this study was to determine associations between communication skills and mental health in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS), Mashhad, Iran.
Methods and Materials: This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted in 2011. The statistical population was all the MUMS students. A sample of 210 students was selected by stratified sampling and signed an informed consent. Data were collected using Communication Skills and General Health Questionnaires and analyzed using the SPSS 16 software, the statistical tests being Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U and Chi-square. In all tests the significance level was 5%. To determine correlations between the variables the Spearman coefficient was used.
Results: The findings showed that 130 of the 210 students (61.9%) were suspected of having a mental disorder. Based on the Spearman correlation coefficient there were no statistically significant relationships between mental health and age (p=0.727) or skills such as listening (p=0.653), understanding verbal and nonverbal messages (p=0.857), awareness of the communication process (p=0.626) and assertiveness (p=0.477). However, a significant correlation was observed between mental health and emotion control skill (p=0.010). Furthermore, the Spearman correlation coefficient indicated no relationships between communication skills and age (p=0.228) or social dysfunction (p=0.074), while significant inverse correlations were found between communication skills and anxiety (p=0.043), physical symptoms (p=0.049) and depression (p=0.049). According to Mann-Whitney test no significant relationships were observed between communication skills and field of study (p=0.806), level of education (p=0.406), sex (p=0.404), place of residence (p=0.277), marital status (p=0.875) or employment status (p=0.274), but significant relationships did exist between mental health and sex (p=0.006), field of study (p=0.036)r and marital status (p<0.001). Finally, no significant correlations were found between mental health and level of education (p=0.080), place of residence (p=0.951) or employment status (p=0.978).
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, in an attempt to promote the mental health of the students it is recommended to make psychological assessments of the students, provide consultative services to them, and organize communication skills educational workshops for them.
Sahar Peikani, Naser Nasiri, Halimeh Yaghoobi, Dayoush Bastam, Fatemeh Doost Mohammadi, Mohammad Vahedian Shahroudi,
Volume 16, Issue 4 (3-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Congenital hypothyroidism is the most common metabolic disease and endocrine disorder in children and a major cause of mental retardation, which can be prevented only through early diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism in newborns referred to Shahid-Ghodsi Health Center in Mashhad, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study, including 4484 newborns referred to Shahid-Ghodsi Health Center for congenital hypothyroidism screening, was conducted during the first six months of 2015. Data were collected from the screening forms and analyzed using the statistical software SPSS 21, the tests being the two-sample T-test, analysis of variance, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests; in all the tests the significance level was 5%.
Results: Of the 4484 neonates screened, 51% and 48% were males and females, respectively. The recall rate was estimated to be 2.6% and prevalence of the disease 1 in 370 neonates. There were statistically significant associations between hypothyroidism on the one hand and birthweight, type of feeding (nutrition), primary and serum TSH levels of the neonate on the other.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, the prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism in Mashhad is significantly higher than that national and global averages. It is essential to conduct more comprehensive research to determine the associated factors and design suitable interventions in order to prevent the disease.
Ahmad Mehri, Ali Akbar Hasanpour, Akram Robatjazi, Mehrsadat Mahdizadeh,
Volume 19, Issue 2 (9-2021)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Social capital is a social component affecting health outcomes considered to be one of the important factors influencing health inequity in the communities; it is one of the main concerns of health system in the suburbs. This study aimed to determine social capital and its relationships with demographic factors and perceived health status in the suburbs of Mashhad, Iran in 2020.
Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical study including 300 residents in the suburbs of Mashhad, Iran selected using the cluster sampling method. The data collection tool was a questionnaire containing demographic and perceived health status questions, as well as the Onyx and Bullen social capital questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the t-test, Pearson correlation test, one-way analysis of variance and multiple linear regression, using SPSS-version 24.
Results: The mean age of the individuals was 34.6± 11 years and their social capital score 53.63± 10.52. Among the eight social capital components, the value of life (57.91± 17.7) and participation in the local community (44.28± 15.28) were found to have the highest and lowest mean scores, respectively. Further analysis of the data showed that sex, education level and perceived health could predict 23% of the changes in the total social capital (p <0.001).
Conclusion: In this study, the level of social capital of the participants was low, but the demographic factors and health status were related to social capital. Therefore, policymakers and social and health planners should design and implement community-based interventions to improve the level of social capital.
Maryam Nouravaran Feizabadi, Kourosh Kourosh Holakouie-Naieni , Abbas Rahimi Foroushani, Ali Taghipour,
Volume 19, Issue 4 (3-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death globally, causing annually 17.3 million deaths, more than 75% of these deaths occurring in the low- and middle-income countries. Although extensive studies have been conducted to determine the risk factors for these diseases, limited studies have been performed to investigate these factors using a multilevel analysis method. The aim of this study was to determine the CVD risk factors in the staff of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences using a multilevel analysis approach, as well as compare the application of the conventional and multilevel logistic regressions in doing this according to the hierarchical structure of the data.
Materials and Methods: This was a case-control study including a total of 1091 randomly selected individuals from among the people in a prospective cohort study, namely, the “PERSIAN Cohort Study in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences” in 2018. The case group included 152 patients with a definite diagnosis of CVD and the control group 939 staff members not suffering at the time from CVD. Data analysis was done using the STATA software. Data analysis (based on frequencies and percentages) was done using one-way and two-level logistic regression analysis at α = 0.05.
Results: Multivariate analysis showed that hypertension, smoking, fasting blood sugar and cholesterol were among the cardiovascular risk factors with a significant relationship with the disease. Based on the two-tier logistic regression model, the odds ratio for CVD in the hypertensive patients was 3.93 times that in individuals with a normal blood pressure with a confidence interval of 2.64-6.28. The risk in smokers was 1.85 (1.11-3.09) times that in nonsmokers. The CVD odds ratio in individuals with a high fasting blood glucose level (undiagnosed/uncontrolled diabetes) was 2.7 (1.18-6.18) times that in those with a normal blood pressure. There were no statistically differences between the case and control groups as regards the other variables ─ body mass index, diabetes (controlled or uncontrolled), or blood triglyceride level.
Conclusion: The findings show that statistical model selection can influence the results of data analysis in a dataset. It should be noted that the results of this study indicate a high prevalence of some cardiovascular risk factors among the staff. Another crucial point in this study is that the level of physical activity of the staff was found to be low, which would result in increased risk of overweight and obesity.
