Showing 11 results for Rashidi
A.r Bahonar , H Rashidi , S Simani , A Fayaz , A.a Haghdoost , M Rezaei-Nassab , M.a Rad ,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (2 2007)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Rabies is one of the oldest and most serious zoonoses in the world. In Iran, the disease has been reported from most of the provinces and among domestic as well as wild animals. This study was conducted in the province of Kerman and aimed to assess the frequency and epidemiological features of suspected and confirmed animal rabies cases from 1993 to 2003.
Material and Methods: During the study period, all cases of suspected animals (brain specimens) had sent to Pasteur institute of Iran for pathological (Negri bodies) examinations. After collecting data on variables such as species of animal, city, season, annual rainfall and temperature, analysis was performed by calculation of Pearson correlation coefficient and Chi square, Fisher's exact, Students's t and Kolmogorov Smirnov tests using the SPSS package (ver.11.5).
Results: From 362 suspected brain samples, 301 (83.1%) had positive serologic and pathological results. We recorded an ascending trend over the study period (p=0.01). The effect of seasonal variations on the frequency of suspected and confirmed cases of animal rabies was significant (p<.001): most cases occurred in winter and fall. The relative frequencies of confirmed cases among the animals were as follows: As for domestic animals, the infection rate in cows was 81.45 % sheep and goats 10.63% dogs and cats, 4 % camels 1.33% and donkeys, 0.7%. Among wild animals (foxes, mongooses, wolves and jackals) the rate was 1.89%. Among wild animals, the total infection rate was 60 %. Concerning the role of predatory animals in the transmission of rabies to domestic animals, among the cases which had been confirmed (28 cases), the predator species were: foxes 50%, wolves 7%, mongooses and jackals 3%. Considering the relationship between frequency of animal rabies and ecological variations in the province of Kerman, the results of this survey showed that there is some correlation between decreased rainfall (drought) and the resurgence of animal rabies (r=0.34, P=0.001).
Conclusion: The increasing number of stray dogs and the migration of these and wild animals to cities and villages could be an important factor in the spread of rabies in the region. Among various predatory species, the role of foxes in disease transmission merits further investigation.
L Salehi , H Efftekhar Ardabili, K Mohammad , M Taghdisi , A Jazayery , D Shogaeizadeh , A Rashidian ,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (27 2008)
Abstract
Backgrounds and Aim: Increased life expectancies and decreased fertility rates have led to ageing populations worldwide. This phenomenon is one of the most important public health challenges of the current century. Previous studies have shown that identifying factors affecting lifestyle and educational needs help in designing new strategies for health promotion. This study was conducted to investigate the preparedness of the elderly to adopt a healthy lifestyle and factors affecting it in the City of Tehran in 2007.
Materials and Methods: This qualtative study included 60 elderly persons from Tehran elderly centers, using the focus group discussion method. Sampling was targeted and a qualitative methodology was used for analysis of the data collected.
Results: The results shows that different elderly persons have different views with regard to what physical and mental health is and what factors cause healthiness. They believe that regular physical activity is very beneficial but that there are many difficulties in performing regular physical activity. Most of the subjects are in the prepation, action and maintenance stages as regards physical activity. On the other hand, nearly all the subjects are in the precontemplation stage with regard to fruit and vegetable consumption, despite the many obstacles in following a healthy diet.
Conclution: The findings of this study show that many factors influence adoption of a healthy lifestyle by the elderly. Bearing these factors in mind, appropriate educational strategies aiming at facilitating adoption of a healthy lifestyle can be designed.
Sm Hosseini Shokouh, M Arab, A Rahimi, A Rashidian, N Sadr Momtaz,
Volume 6, Issue 3 (13 2009)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Hospital disaster-management planning and preparedness are essential, considering earthquake threats in Iran. The objective of this study was to assess preparedness of hospitals affiliated to Iran University of Medical Science (IUMS) in Tehran against earthquakes in 2007 (1386 Iranian year).
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study, involving 21 governmental and private hospitals affiliated to IUMS selected by random sampling. Data were gathered using checklists, questionnaires, interviews, and observation. The SPSS software was used for analysis of the data, and the Fisher exact test was employed for statistical analysis.
Results: The data showed that, on the whole, 28.6 %, 61.9 %, and 9.5 % of the hospitals were at a weak, moderate, and good preparedness level, respectively. The hospitals preparedness level with regard to equipment safety and hazardous materials planning increases with their degree of specialization, the association being statistically significant (p = 0.038). The findings also show that there is a significant relationship between the hospital preparedness level (as regards planning for building dangers reduction) and crisis management training courses (p = 0.034).
Conclusion: Training courses are very effective for creating hospital preparedness against earthquakes.
E Teymoorzadeh, A Rashidian, M Arab, A Akbari Sari, M Ghasemi ,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (4 2009)
Abstract
Background and Aim: By providing the greatest amount of direct service to patients, nurses play an extremely valuable and unmatched role in the quality and efficiency of care and curative services. Workplace violence is regarded as one of the factors which can reduce job satisfaction and the quality of working life of nurses and their interaction with patients, as well as the work efficiency of nurses and hospitals. In this study, after translating and validating tools of violence measurement in the health sector, the exposure of nurses to psychological violence was measured in a large teaching hospital in Tehran
Methods and Materials: A descriptive-cross sectional design was used in this study in summer of 2009 (1387). The study population included all the nurses (n=413) working in a large teaching hospital in Tehran. The questionnaire used for collecting data was adopted from a standardized questionnaire designed jointly in 2003 by the International Labor Office, the World Health Organization, the International Council of Nurses, and the Public Services International. Analysis of the data was made using the descriptive statistical methods and the Chi square- and t-tests.
Results: Sixty-nine percent of the nurses had experienced workplace violence. The most common forms of violence were verbal abuse (%64) and bullying-mobbing (%29). On the whole, 26% of the nurses had experienced both forms of violence in the previous year, while 335 had not faced any form of violence in their workplace. Nurses working in outpatient clinics and emergency wards experienced the highest number of encounters with verbal abuse. Encounters with bullying and mobbing were more common among female nurses than the male ones. Overall most of the violent behaviors were committed by patients and their relatives.
Conclusion: Exposure of nurses to psychological violence is considerable and comparable to that reported by previous investigators in other countries. Thus it is highly crucial to adopt appropriate management policies aiming, particularly, at educating the medical personnel in ways of preventing and reporting violent behaviors.
R Ravangard, M Arab, A Rashidian, A Akbarisari, A Zare, M Salesi, H Zeraati,
Volume 8, Issue 3 (23 2010)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Length of stay (LOS) in a hospital is one of the best hospital indicators that can be used for various purposes. In this survey, we studied the hospital LOS and its associated factors in Tehran University of Medical Sciences Women's Hospital (a teaching hospital) in Tehran using the Cox proportional hazards semi parametric model and compared the results with the results obtained using the multiple linear regression.
Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical study in which we reviewed 3421 files of inpatients hospitalized in, and those discharged from, the oncology, surgery and obstetrics units in 2008. The required data were collected using a data collection sheet and inpatient interviews. A P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The median of patients' LOS in the hospital was 50.8 hours, that in the obstetrics, surgical and oncology units being 48.5, 54.4 and 94.2 hours, respectively. Of all the patients, 2632 (76.9%) had been discharged with a recovery status and the rest (23.1%) with a no-recovery status. Results of the Cox proportional hazards model showed that the following variables had increased LOS: a distance longer than 200 km between a patent's residence and the hospital, hospitalization in the surgery and oncology units, admission on a Thursday, admission by an internist, hospitalization for neoplastic, endocrine, nutritional, or genitourinary system diseases (P<0.005), as well as a high number of diagnostic laboratory tests, radiographies or sonographies (P<0.001). Patients admitted and hospitalized as an emergency case had a shorter LOS (P<0.001) than others. On the other hand, based on the multiple linear regression model results, some occupations (being a worker, a farmer, a stockbreeder, or a retired spouse) admission on a Thursday, (The first day of the weekend in Iran), suffering from a neoplastic disease, and a high number of diagnostic tests or radiographies or sonographies increased, and admission by a resident decreased, patients' LOS (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Considering having censored data, the Cox proportional hazards model is a more suitable model than the multiple linear regression models for identifying factors influencing patients' LOS in a hospital. From among the LOS Cox model's associated factors as identified in this study, policy-makers and managers can only change admission days and the number of diagnostic tests. That is to say, they should try to prevent admission on a Thursday (unless emergency cases) and also perform the required primary diagnostic tests before admitting a patient into the hospital, which would lead to a more effective utilization of hospital beds and other resources.
Akbari Sari A, Z Beheshti Zavare, M Arab, A Rashidian, B Golestan,
Volume 8, Issue 3 (23 2010)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Pressure ulcer is a common problem and a large drain on hospital resources, especially in wards such as ICU where patients stay for a long time. The aim of this study was to explore the likely factors contributing to pressure ulcers in the ICU units of Tehran University of Medical Sciences teaching hospitals, Tehran, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This project was conducted in all the seven ICUs of four teaching hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. In the first phase the researcher performed a direct observation of all the 90 patients who were admitted to the ICU units to check the presence of any pressure ulcer. In the second phase, 310 patients discharged from the same ICU units between March 2007 and February 2008 was randomly selected and their medical records reviewed. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data.
Results: Pressure ulcer occurred more frequently in the elderly women patients who were less active and had less mobility, hospitalized for a long time, or those with fever, diabetes, high blood pressure, paralysis, or respiratory diseases. In addition, pressure ulcer was seen more frequently in the patients hospitalized in the general ICUs, as well as in those with infections and different types of tumors.
Conclusion: Using a standard risk assessment tool and paying attention to the main risk factors of pressure ulcer can be a useful method for identifying the high-risk patients before admission in order to prevent them from developing such ulcers.
M Jahangiri, J Adl, Sj Shahtaheri, H Kakooe, A Rahimi Forushani, Am Rashidi, A Ghorbanali,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (14 2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Determining the degree of conformity of respirator cartridges with the accepted standards is very important for ensuring their respiratory protection efficiency. The aim of this study was to determine the degree of conformity of organic vapor-respirator cartridges used in different petrochemical companies with the EN 14387:2004 standard.
Materials and Methods: In the first phase of the study, the respirator cartridges used in petrochemical complexes were identified and their specifications obtained from their manufacturers and the relevant technical catalogues. In the second phase, 3 samples of each of the cartridge models were chosen and tested according to the EN 14387:2004 standard. An instrument was especially designed for measuring the breakthrough time of the cartridges.
Results: The results showed that the minimum and maximum breakthrough times of cartridges were 29 and 142 minutes, respectively. From all the 10 different cartridge models tested, one had a service life of lower than the minimum standard breakthrough time of 70 minutes.
Conclusion: Considering the existence of a non-standard type of cartridge among the samples studied, it is essential to launch a program aiming at ensuring the conformity of cartridge efficiency with the respective standards. Such a program should be developed and implemented by such responsible organizations as the Institute of Standard and Industrial Research of Iran and the Center for Occupational Health and Safety Research and Training of Iran.
Reza Majdzadeh, Arash Rashidian, Mohsen Shams, Davood Shojaeizadeh, Ali Montazeri,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (21 2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: In social marketing, the common techniques of commercial marketing are used to increase the chances of acceptability of an idea or action by the target group. In this study, we determined the impact of an intervention based on social marketing to reduce risky driving behaviors among taxi drivers in Tehran.
Materials and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study, consisting of a quantitative and a qualitative part, on taxi-drivers in 2 regions (an intervention and a control groups) in the City of Tehran. Based on a formative research approach, the components of social marketing, namely, the product (reminder message for concentrating on avoidance of two target behaviors, tailgating and not driving between lines), price, place and promotion were determined. An 8-week educational program was implemented, the components being installation of stickers before the driver's eyes, distributing a pamphlet, and transferring messages through taxi route supervisors as opinion leaders. After six weeks, risky driving behaviors were assessed by checklists and compared.
Results: The intervention resulted in statistically significant reductions in the two target behaviors in the intervention group as compared with the control group. Furthermore, logistic regression showed that the odds ratio for avoiding both behaviors increased significantly in the intervention group.
Conclusion: Determining specific target groups, designing interventions based on actual needs and wants of the target group, and focusing on the factors influencing the behavior market are the basic elements of social marketing. Due consideration of these elements when designing behavioral interventions would lead to reductions in risky driving behaviors.
Kourosh Holakouie Naieni, Abolhassan Nadim, Ghobad Moradi, Salma Teimori, Hamideh Rashidian, Maryam Kandi Kaleh,
Volume 10, Issue 1 (7 2012)
Abstract
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.
Batool Hossein Rashidi, Hossein Malek Afzali, Fedyeh Haghollahi, Mina Naghi Jaffarabadi, Mohammad Eslami, Mahdieh Yazdanpanah, Mohammad Mehdi Naghizadeh,
Volume 14, Issue 2 (9-2016)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Over 200 million pregnancies occur worldwide annually; one third are unwanted and half end up in abortion. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of unwanted pregnancies and induced abortions during women’s childbearing age over a period of 30 years (divided into 5-year intervals) in Tehran, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 on 518 married women 15 to 55 years old living in Tehran with a history of at least one pregnancy. A questionnaire containing two sets of questions on individual and demographic characteristics and women’s abortion history was used to collect the data for a period of 30 years (divided into 5-year intervals). The data collected were analyzed using SPSS 16 (the significance level was a p-value of <0.05).
Results: Of the 966 pregnancies among the 518 women studied, 665 (68.4%) were planned and 307 (31.6%) unwanted. There were 249 abortions, 108 (43.4%) of which were miscarriages, 41 cases (16.5%) for medical reasons, and 100 cases (40.2%) induced (deliberate). The proportion of induced abortions in unwanted pregnancies increased from 0.0% in 1981-1986 to 41.7% in 2011-2014.
Conclusion: Based on the findings it can be concluded that due to changes in family planning program effectiveness and accessibility of contraception methods in Iran unwanted pregnancies and the subsequent abortions have become more common.
Elham Rashidian, Gholamreza Garmaroudi, Arash Rashidian, Mehdi Yaseri,
Volume 15, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
: Materials and MethodsThis study was a randomized controlled trial including 396 patients, conducted in 10 randomly health centers allocated as intervention or control groups. The data were collected using questionnaires. The educational intervention included holding educational classes, distribution of pamphlets, hanging posters/flyers, ResultsAnalysis of the data showed statistically significant differences between mean scores of the health belief model components (knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers) and practice in both the intervention and control groups before and after the educational intervention (p < 0.01).
: <span lang="EN" times="" new="" roman";="" "times="" "b="" lotus";="" en;="" major-bidi;="" major-bidi;"="">Considering the self-reported increased awareness and decreased practice in the intervention group, it seems that the health belief model is an appropriate model for reducing arbitrary use of antibiotics.
