Journal of School of Public Health and

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Background and Aim: The scattered state of the rural populations- in terms of both the distance between villages and the distance between residential units within a single village- has made the task of supply, distribution and monitoring the quality of water a difficult one. In this study we looked at the bacteriological quality as well as access to safe potable water in selected villages of Tehran Province. This research started in February 2006 and ended in July the same year.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional field study, sampling points were specified on the basis of the populations of the villages served by the Tehran Rural Water and Wastewater Company. After systematic sampling, the specimens were transferred to the laboratory for testing. Data were analyzed using the SPSS and Microsoft Excel software packages.

Results: Drinking water contamination with E. coli was observed in 5.99% of the villages. The degree of contamination was highest in the districts of Pakdasht, Savojblagh and Damavand, with rates of 33.34, 13.69 and 13.32 percent respectively. For 99.36% of the Tehran rural population the turbidity was lower than the standard value of 1053 set by the Iranian Institute of Standards and Industrial Research. Values in Savojblagh and Varamin were relatively higher, with rates of 96.51% and 99.30% respectively. Given the standard value of 1053, the residual chlorine levels were unacceptably low for 92.39% of the rural residents, with figures in the districts of Pakdasht, Damavand and Robatkarim reaching 75.67, 85.45 and 83.98 percent respectively.

Conclusion: Based on WHO guidelines concerning the microbial quality of water published in 2006, the average indicator for lack of E.coli in rural water of Tehran was 94.01%, i.e. at an excellent level. Levels were good for Damavand and Savojblagh, low in Pakdasht and excellent in all other districts.

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Background and Aim: Bioaerosols are one of the most important agents that cause post operating infections in hospitals. Surgical masks are recommended for prevention of bioaerosols transmition in operating rooms. This study aimed at evaluation of submicron particle filtration efficiency of domestic and imported surgical masks.
Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, 5 types of surgical masks that have the most utilization in operating rooms of country’s hospitals including domestic and imported surgical masks were tested. To evaluate all samples, the submicron particle filtration measurements were carried out based on ISIRI 6138 and American DOP standards. Filtration efficiency calculations and pressure drop measurements were performed and the results were analyzed using statistical tests.
Results: Results showed that particle filtration efficiency of domestic and imported masks were 56.130% (±10.7) and 31.906% (±7.062) respectively. Also, filtration efficiency in domestic masks were more than imported masks (P> 0.001). Among all samples, Arman mask had the most filtration efficiency (66.5475 % ±6.14951), where the least (27.8275 % ±4.44152) filtration efficiency (P> 0.001) belongs to Blosom. The maximum mean of pressure drop in Arman mask (35 ±2. 58 Pa) and the least mean of pressure drop in Zist filter mask (11 ±1.82 Pa) were observed. According to the effect of filtration efficiency and pressure drop on general quality of mask, the quality factor of masks were also evaluated. Results showed that Zist filter mask had the most quality factor (0.068) while Blosom had the least quality factor (0.016).
Conclusion: This research showed that domestic surgical masks have a better quality toward imported surgical masks but can not obtained quality confirmed by standards, yet. To reduce respective infections and prevalence of diseases, it is recommended using filters with suitable physical characteristics and also carrying out test of surgical masks before supplying.

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Background and Aim: Overcoming barriers of living with type-2 diabetes mellitus is a challenge in line with empowering patients for a well-managed life. This study was conducted to determine the effect of an educational intervention based on the BASNEF model on the living barriers among type-2 diabetes patients and factors affecting it.

Materials and Methods: This study, conducted in 2014, was a quasi-experimental intervention including a total of  90 type-2 diabetes patients under coverage of South of Tehran Health Centers, randomly divided, after a pre-test, into 2 groups ─ an experimental and a control (comparison) group. Based on the information obtained through the pre-test, a one-month education was imparted at the experimental group in 6 sessions the control group received no education. The educational contents included, based on the BASNEF model constructs, diabetes as a disease and its cardiovascular complications, healthy nutrition, physical activity, methods of self-monitoring blood glucose control, and ways of communication with the health personnel and physicians.

Results: The findings showed significant differences between the mean scores of constructs of the BASNEF model (beliefs, attitudes, subjective norm, enabling factors) and constructs of barriers of living with diabetes (diagnosis, treatment, self-monitoring, communication with health professionals) in both the experimental and control groups before and after the intervention (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: The findings of this study show the necessity of educating type-2 diabetes patients aiming at reducing barriers to living with the disease. The BASNEF model is one of the applicable theories that can be used to this end.