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A Mosapour, M Taghikhani, R Meshkani, Sh Khatami, S Bakhtiari, K Haghani,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (4 2007)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous disorder resulting from a combination of genetic and environmental factors which contribute to pathogenesis by influencing beta cell function and tissue insulin sensitivity. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B)" efficiently dephosphorylates the insulin receptor and attenuates insulin signaling. Recently, a 1484insG variant of the PTP1B gene was linked to increased risk of the metabolic syndrome in an Italian population, but this was not confirmed in subsequent studies. The purpose of this research was to investigate the association of 1484insG polymorphism of the PTP1B with obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and other cardiovascular-related traits in an Iranian population.
Materials and Methods: The genotypes of 1484insG variant were determined by the PCR-RFLP method in 242 unrelated subjects, including 171 individuals with normal glucose tolerance and normal fasting glucose levels, and 71 type 2 diabetics. Insulin resistance was assessed using the homeostasis assessment model.
Results: The allelic frequency of the 1484insG polymorphism among type 2 diabetic patients and non-diabetic individuals was 6.3% and 3.8%, respectively (p=0.205). None of the subjects were homozygous for the 1484insG allele. Concerning quantitative traits in non-diabetic subjects, carriers of 1484insG allele had significantly higher body mass index (p=0.01), diastolic blood pressure (p=0.012), and HOMA-IR (p= 0.041) levels compared to those carrying the wild-type genotype. In type 2 diabetics, carriers of 1484insG allele had only significantly higher HOMA-B (P= 0/04) level compared to the individuals with the wild-type genotype.
Conclusion: Our results from a sample of Iranian type 2 diabetes cases and controls provide evidence that the 1484insG genotype of the PTP1B gene may be associated with obesity and insulin resistance.
M Shakerkhatibi, H Ganjidoust, B Ayati, E Fatehifar,
Volume 6, Issue 3 (13 2009)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Acrylonitrile (ACN) is widely used as a main raw material in the Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) resin-manufacturing units and other industrial and commercial processes. ACN, due to its toxicity, is not easily decomposed by microorganisms. The discharge of improperly treated ACN-containing wastewater into a natural water body may cause serious environmental problems and severe adverse impact on the aquatic ecology. This study attempts to isolate and identify bacteria which utilize ACN as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen from the activated sludge of petrochemical wastewater treatment system. The performance of the isolated strains in treating different initial ACN concentrations was also investigated under aerobic conditions. In addition, the performance of biodegradation and the metabolic intermediates and end-products in the process were determined.
Materials and Methods: Experiments were conducted with three batch reactors, the volume of each one being 250 mL. The activated sludge samples as a microbial seeding were taken from the return sludge line of the aeration tank of the wastewater treatment facility in Tabriz Petrochemical Complex. Phosphate-buffered medium (PBM) was used to make available minerals and trace elements, and ACN was used as the sole carbon and nitrogen source for microbial growth. R2A medium was used to obtain pure colonies, and to identify the isolated strain, Gram staining and microscopic examination followed by biochemical and physiologic analyses using selective media such as O-F glucose, MacConkey agar, TSI agar, EMB and SS agar, nitrate reduction, gelatin liquefaction, lactose fermentation, oxidase, catalase and SIM were used. In the final stage, the performance of biological systems in degrading different initial concentrations of ACN and its intermediate and end-products were investigated.
Results: The findings indicated that when the ACN concentration was 500 mg/L, the average removal efficiency after 46 and 70 h reached 46% and 98%, respectively. But at an initial concentration of 700 mg/L, the removal efficiency of the ACN in the biological system was 50% after 46 h and 98.6% after 94 h . However, when the ACN concentration was increased to 1000 mg/L, the removal efficiency after 46 and 94 h was only 30% and 40%, respectively, and after 118 h of reaction, the remaining concentration of ACN was about 580 mg/L. Furthermore, the results of isolation and identification experiments revealed that at the optimum operation of the biological system the strain belonging to the gamma group of Proteobacteria as Pseudomonas putida had the best ability to degrade ACN.
Conclusion: Biological processes can degrade ACN and the abilities of different bacterial strains in this degradation vary. The rod-shaped Gram-negative P. putida could easily adapt to ACN concentrations up to 700 mg/L and utiliz ACN and its intermediate- and end-products as a carbon and nitrogen source for growth in the process. Thus, this strain is expected to play an important role in aeration tanks for treating ABS resin-manufacturing wastewater.
S Jorfi, N Jaafarzadeh, R Rezaei Kalantary, Y Hashempur, M.m Mehrbani Ardakani,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (7 2009)
Abstract
Background and Aim: High concentrations of organic compounds and ammonia and entry of toxic pollutants lead to a low efficiency of direct biological treatment of landfill leachate. The aim of this study was to determine the efficiency of a repeated fed-batch biological reactor with powdered active carbon (PAC) for landfill leachate treatment.
Methods and Materials: Raw leach ate was pretreated by coagulation and flocculation processes and, then, the ammonia was removed by air stripping at a high pH, before biological treatment. The pretreated leach ate was treated bio-treated in an aeration tank by the repeated fed-batch method. Three cycles of 1×40, 5×8, and 4×10 hours were attempted in the absence and presence of 2 g PAC /L.
Results: Results indicate that the presence of PAC increased the COD removal efficiency significantly. The initial COD effluent was 3900 mg/L. Its values were 169 mg/L and 622 mg/L in the presence and absence of 2 g/L PAC, respectively, for the cycle of 5×8 h.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study and findings of other investogations in this field, it can be concluded that repeated fed-batch bio-reactor has is quite effective for treatment of pretreated leachate.
M Farzadkia, S Jorfi, M Estebar,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (10 2010)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Formaldehyde is an organic chemical with widespread applications as a raw material in many industries. Industrial effluents with high contents of formaldehyde should be treated because of their carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of the anaerobic sequence batch biofilm reactor (ASBBR) for formaldehyde biodegradation.
Materials and Methods: A laboratory-scale ASBBR with a total volume of 6 liters was used. The efficacy of the reactor was determined in 9 stages with organic loading rates of 0.54 to 7.09 Kg COD/m3.d.
Results: The best removal efficiency for COD and formaldehyde were 94% and 99%, respectively, with an organic loading of 0.54 KgCOD/m3.d.The lowest efficiencies were 48% and 63.1%, respectively, with an organic loading of 7.09 KgCOD/m3.d.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that ASBBR is a viable, efficient and reliable technology for treatment of industrial wastewaters containing formaldehyde.
Z Rahaei, H Heshmati, Mm Hazavehei, A Hasanzadeh,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (14 2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between educational practice of volunteer health workers (VHWs) and preventive behavior of households (HH) under their coverage regarding cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) based on the BASNEF model in Yazd City, Iran
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, all the 60 VHWs in the CL-endemic regions in Yazd City were interviewed and completed a valid and reliable questionnaire designed by the investigator. In addition, from among the households under coverage of each one of the VHWs, 2 HHs were selected randomly and their heads were interviewed and completed the relevant questionnaire (total n=120). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: There was a positive correlation between the knowledge and attitude of VHWs and knowledge of the households, as well as between the VHWs' behavioral intention and households' behavior. Further analysis of the data also revealed a positive correlation between the enabling factors of VHWs and the knowledge, behavioral intention, enabling factors and behaviors of families, as well as between educational behavior of VHWs and knowledge, attitude and behavior of the families.
Conclusion: Volunteer health workers can potentially play an important role in case-finding, prevention and timely treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. However, merely promoting their awareness of the disease will not lead to improvements in their educational behavior in the community. More effective education aiming at promoting their awareness and enabling factors, as well as developing better attitude in them, will certainly result in better behavior of households and control of the disease
F Radfar, Mj Hozoori, S.s Tavafian,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (14 2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The objective of this study was to determine and compare the attitude of hospital staff and practice of hospital managers regarding management of conflicts in hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical sciences.
Materials and Methods: The participants in this cross-sectional study were 330 individuals, including 300 nurses and 30 managers, working in hospitals affiliated to Tehran university of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran during 2008-2009. Data were collected using a valid self-administered questionnaire containing 30 questions designed by the investigator. The SPSS software was used for data analysis.
Results: The data show that 178 of the staff (59%) and 14 of the managers (47%) were of the opinion that avoidance is not utilized in conflict management. The proportions of the staff and managers believing that problem solution is not utilized in conflict management were 60% and 60%, respectively the corresponding proportions as regards not utilizing avoidance were 178% and 14%. Furthermore, 40% of the staff and 13% of the managers thought that usually compromise is utilized in conflict management. Finally, the proportions of staff and managers who thought that in conflict management accommodation is utilized were 41% and 43%, respectively.
Conclusion: The findings show that the hospital staff believes that hospital managers with an avoidance, problem solution or forcing attitude base their conflict management style accordingly, while managers more inclined to compromise do not utilize a compromising approach in practice.
P Taymoori, A Falhahi, N Esmailnasab,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (14 2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: There is evidence that physical activity declines during adolescence in Western countries. However, this pattern has not yet been shown in Iranian youth. The purpose of this study was to detect changes in physical activity behaviors, psychological factors (including perceived benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy), and interpersonal influences associated with exercise behavior during the transition from secondary school to high school in Sanandaj, Iran.
Materials and Methods: The data on a group of high school students in Sanadaj were collected in a cross-sectional study in 2006, with a follow-up in 2009. The study population in 2009 included 844 students (51% males and 49% females) with a mean age of 16.42 ± 1.73 years. Data on physical activity-related perceived benefits, barriers, self-efficacy, and interpersonal influences, as well as physical activity behavior, was collected, using self-reporting questionnaires. The SPSS-16 software was used for data analysis.
Results: The test of time effects indicated significant differences between the 2 sexes as regards physical activity and most of the psychological variables and interpersonal influences associated with exercise activities. The girls had less physical activity than boys at both time points. The duration of moderate physical activity at the first time point was 31.82 and 53.75 minutes for girls and boys, respectively the corresponding values at the follow-up were 23.7 and 44.7 minutes. Girls had lower self-efficacy and fewer perceived benefits and more perceived barriers for physical activity over time. The correlation test indicated more stability of family interpersonal influences for girls than for boys.
Conclusion: The results of this study provide evidence for decreased physical activity in boys and girls and sex differences in cognitive variables and interpersonal influences.
Alireza Didarloo, Davood Shojaeizadeh, Hasan Eftekhar Ardebili, Shamseddin Niknami, Ebrahim Hajizadeh, Mohammad Alizadeh,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (21 2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Many studies show that the only way to control diabetes and prevent its debilitating complications is continuous self-care. This study aimed to determine factors affecting self-care behavior of diabetic women in Khoy City, Iran based the extended theory of reasoned action (ETRA).
Materials and Methods: A sample of 352 women with type 2 diabetes referring to a Diabetes Clinic in Khoy City in West Azarbaijan Province, Iran participated in the study. Appropriate instruments were designed to measure the relevant variables (diabetes knowledge, personal beliefs, subjective norm, self-efficacy and behavioral intention, and self-care behavior) based on ETRA. Reliability and validity of the instruments were determined prior to the study. Statistical analysis of the data was done using the SPSS-version 16 software.
Results: Based on the data obtained, the proposed model could predict and explain 41% and 26.2% of the variance of behavioral intention and self-care, respectively, in women with type-2 diabetes. The data also indicated that among the constructs of the model perceived self-efficacy was the strongest predictor for intention for self-care behavior. This construct affected both directly and indirectly self-care behavior. The next strongest predictors were attitudes, social pressures, social norms, and intervals between visiting patients by the treating team.
Conclusion: The proposed model can predict self-care behavior very well. Thus, it may form the basis for educational interventions aiming at promoting self-care and, ultimately, controlling diabetes.
Azar Tol, Gholamreza Sharifi Rad, Ahmad Ali Eslami, Fatemeh Alhani, Mohammad Reza Mohajeri Tehrani, Davoud Shojaeezadeh,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (13 2012)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Diabetes mellitus is a widespread disease. Diabetes patients should be fully familiar with the different dimensions of this chronic disease and possess the skills required for self-management and self-care. They should realize that each patient is a different case. It is to be noted that promoting self-management behavior is an essential component of case management in type-2 diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to assess self-management behavior of type-2 diabetes patients in Isfahan, Iran and determine factors influencing it.
Materials and Methods: This was a 6-month cross-sectional study conducted in 2011. The study population was type-2 diabetes patients consulting an outpatient diabetes center in Isfahan, Iran. The sample included a group of 350 patients selected by the continuous sampling method. The self-management behavior of the patients was assessed using a diabetes self-management instrument (DSMI), containing questions on 5 domains. The responses were rated on a 5-point Likert scale and SPSS software, version 11.5 was used for analyzing the collected data.
Results: The response rate was 88%. The majority of the patients were 50-60 years (55.52 ± 8.42) old and 54.3% of them demonstrated borderline metabolic control according to the World Health Organization criteria. Mean scores of self-integration, self-regulation, interaction with health professionals and other influential persons, self-monitoring blood glucose, and adherence to recommended regime were 33.67±6.36, 29.09±5.9, 27.08±4.81, 11.71±3.91 and 11.46±2.9, respectively. On the whole, the global diabetes self-management behavior seemed to be not quite desirable (the score was at an intermediate level). Further analysis of the data revealed that self-management behaviors (at 3 levels, namely, desirable, intermediate, and undesirable) had significant associations (p<0.001) with demographic (age, gender, marital status, education level) and health-related (duration of diabetes, diabetes-related diseases, diabetes complications, general health, type of treatment, family income, and serum HbA1C level) variables. Self-management behavior had no association with disease history
Conclusion: Empowerment of patients afflicted with diabetes and, more generally, non-communicable diseases, which are quite prevalent and on the increase, in the area of self-management at the individual and community level will be a vital step towards promotion of health of the population.
Mansour Halimi, Mehdi Delavari, Ashraf Takhtardeshir,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (26 2013)
Abstract
Background and aim: Malaria as a mosquito-borne disease is largely dependent on climatic conditions. Temperature, rainfall and relative humidity are considered as climatic factors affecting the geographical distribution of this disease. These climatic factors have definite roles not only in the growth and proliferation of the mosquito Anopheles but also in the parasite Plasmodium activity. The purpose of this study was to find in which regions of Iran climatic conditions favour spread of malaria.
Material and Methods: Data on 3 climatic factors, including the mean monthly temperature, rainfall and mixed ratio of humidity, obtained from 31 synoptic meteorological stations during the 30-year period 1975-2005 were used. By running the informative filters through map algebra tools in the Geographical Information System (GIS), the synoptic meteorological stations were classified into 4 groups in terms of climatic conditions favouring activity and proliferation of the mosquito Anopheles and the parasite Plasmodium. Then the regions were interpolated in terms of climate risk of malaria incidence using the tension Spiline interpolation method.
Results: The maps of climatic potential malaria risk indicated that the southern provinces including Hormozgan, Bushehr and Khuzestan, southern parts of Sistan-Balouchistan province, such as Chabahar and Nikshahr, as well as Northern provinces of the country, including Mazandaran and Gilan, have the highest climatic potential for risk of malaria spread. On the other hand, provinces in the North Western region, including West and East Azarbaijan, Ardebil, Kurdistan and Zanjan, have the lowest climatic potential risk of malaria spread. Further analysis of the data showed that a large segment of the population is living in regions with medium- to high-risk zones.
Conclusion: The findings of this study can be used when designing malaria control programs to identify different regions in terms of climate-based malaria risk. The presented risk map of malaria in this study is completely based on climatic factors. The disconformity between these presented climate-based maps and the observed high-risk map is due to such factors as socioeconomic and lifestyle changes, as well as border problems (foreign subjects entering the country).
Sahand Jorfi, Abbas Rezaee, Nemat Allah Jaafarzadeh Haghighi Fard, Ghasem Ali Mohebali,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (18 2013)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Problems related to conventional Fenton oxidation, including neccesity of having a low pH and production of considerable amounts of sludge, have prompted researchers to consider chelating agents to improve the pH operating range and iron nano-oxide particles to reduce excess sludge. The main objective of this study was to remove pyrene from contaminated soils by a modified Fenton oxidation method at neutral pH.
Materials and Methods: Experiments were conducted using various concentrations of H2O2 (0-500 mM), iron nano-oxides (0-60 mM), reaction times (0.5-24 hours) and several chelating agents, namely, sodium pyrophosphate, ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid, sodium citrate, fulvic and humic acids, to eliminate pyrene from soil (concentrations of 100-500 mg/kg).
Results: The efficiency of removal of pyrene at an initial concentration of 100 mg/kg was 99 % at the following reaction conditions: H2O2 and iron nano-oxide concentrations of 300 mM and 30 mM, respectively pH=3 and a reaction time of 6 hours. The initial pyrene concentration of 100 mg/kg decreased to 7 mg/kg at optimum conditions using sodium pyrophosphate as the chelating agent at pH 7.
Conclusion: The modified Fenton oxidation method, using iron nano-oxide at optimum conditions as defined in this research, is an efficient alternative for chemical remediation or pre-treatment of soils contaminated wih pyrene at neutral pH.
Arezou Fallahi, Fazl Allah Ghofranipour, Fazl Allah Ahmadi, Beheshteh Malekafzali, Ebrahim Hajizadeh,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (18 2013)
Abstract
Background and aim: Oral and dental diseases limit an individual&aposs activities at the school, work place and home, leading to a loss of millions of work and school hours all over the world. The period of adolescence is critical as regards shaping of healthy behaviors related to oral and dental diseases. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe school pupils&apos viewpoints on factors influencing development of dental caries.
Materials and Methods: A qualitative study with a content analysis approach was conducted to collect the perspectives of 18 Iranian students in 8 guidance schools selected by purposive sampling. Structured and semi-structured interviews were held to collect data. An informed consent was obtained and the interviews were recorded and transcribed. The data was analyzed through an inductive approach of content analysis. In order to support the validity and rigor of the data, different criteria such as acceptability, confirmability and transferability were utilized.
Results: Data analysis could identify four major factors influencing dental caries development: "family interactions in dental health", "role of school in caring for teeth", "role of dentists in caring for teeth" and "effect of education in caring for teeth". The factors influencing caring for teeth and mouth had a greater significance.
Conclusion: The students&apos experiences, as observed in this study, can help in developing mutual trust between students and dentists, delivering better services in schools by relevant organizations, and designing more effective oral health interventions, with due consideration of vital role of the parents.
Sedigheh Sadat Tavaffian, Teymour Agha Molaei,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (1-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: In recent years great emphasis has been put on the importance of a healthy lifestyle. This study aimed to assess the lifestyle of high school and pre-university students in Bandar-Abbas, Iran.
Materials and Methods: Using a multistage sampling method a total of 410 high school and pre-university students in Bandar-Abbas, Iran were selected. To assess the lifestyle of the students the Adolescent Health Promotion Scale was used. This 40-item scale assesses six health-promoting behaviors, including those related to nutrition, social support, personal responsibility, health valuation, physical activity, and stress management.
Results: The mean age of the students (49.8% males and 50.2% females) was
16.5 (SD=1.34) years. The data showed the mean score of the total scale to be 64.89 out of 100. The mean scores (out of 100) of the subscales of nutrition, social support, personal responsibility, health valuation, physical activity and stress management were 71.06, 63.00, 63.12, 82.11, 41.49, and 68.58, respectively.
Conclusions: The findings of this study reveal that the health-promoting behaviors of high school students living in Bandar-Abbas are not, on the whole, desirable. The regular physical activity subscale had the least score, which shows that a sedentary lifestyle is a common, serious problem among thestudents.
Mansour Halimi, Manouchehr Farajzadeh, Mehdi Delavari, Hadi Bagheri,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (5-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Environmental and ecological factors especially climatic conditions have a significant impact on the prevalence of parasitic diseases. These factors has is more importance in Malaria Incidence and Epidemiology. Malaria as the most important parasitic disease, considered as one of most important public health problem. The climatic factors not only affect the growth and proliferation of the Anopheles mosquito but also affect in Plasmodium activity . In present study we surveyed the malaria situation during 1972 to 2005. In order to the five climatic parameters including mean temperature, total precipitation, number of days with precipitation over 0mm, rainfall distribution index and relative humidity were used as annual average during 1971 to 2005.
Materials and Methods : we calculate average of annual of climatic parameters for the 31 synoptic stations of Iran Using GIS software. First, using the ordinary Kriging model with spherical a Semi variogram was traced maps of climatic parameters and these factors mean was calculated for each year . Finally, to investigate the relationship between climatic parameters with the prevalence index the Pearson correlation coefficient at 0.9 confidence level (p = 0.10) . was used. A multivariate linear regression model was applied to estimate the prevalence of disease based on the mentioned climatic factors .
Results : Study of malaria prevalence in 1971 to 2005 showed cases of disease with has a decreasing trend with slope 0.0142 in year that this trend has been accelerated from 1375 . Many cases of disease have been reported one year after increased precipitation . The result showed the weather humidity factors is important than temperature factors in the prevalence of malaria . I general, the developed model is explained 0.48 of changes prevalence time.
Conclusion: In order to be successful Anti-malaria campaign in Malaria-prone areas in addition different influencing factors climatic factors should be considered .
Mehdi Mir Heydari, Sedighe Sadat Tavafian, Ali Montazeri, Homeyra Fallahi,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (10-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Addiction behaviors have been established among high risk behaviors among different age groups in Iran. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a designed educational program on high risk behaviors of a sample of addicts in Qom, Iran.
Materials and Methods: Totally, 128 men with addiction history in self help groups referred to health centers in Qom were studied. The instruments used to collect data were a self administered demographic questionnaire and the designed scale high risk behavior based on Health Belief Model (HBM).
Results: The mean age of participants was 32.4 years. There were no significant difference between two groups at baseline in terms of all demographic data and all HBM constructs. The mean scores of HBM constructs, improved significantly in comparison with baseline. (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: This study indicated that designed educational program could improve all HBM constructs after intervention. Additionally, behavior intention might be changed after intervention significantly.
Zohreh Rahaei, Fazllolah Ghofranipour, Mohammad Ali Morowatisharifabad, Eisa Mohammadi,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (1-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Cancer is the third cause of mortality in Iran, killing more than 30000 persons annually. The Motivation Theory is a useful approach for predicting and planning intervention programs to change behaviors related to cancer prevention and early detection. Considering the absence of a valid and reliable protection motivation theory questionnaire for cancer early detection in Iran, this study was conducted to design such a questionnaire and assess its psychometric properties in Yazd
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was designed based on similar questionnaires currently in use and its validity and reliability were determined. The reliability coefficients were calculated by Cronbach α and intraclass correlation coefficients. To determine the validity of the scale, two methods were used, namely, face validity and content validity. Confirmation factor analysis was used to determine factorial validity using Amous 21 software .
Results: The CVR for all items of the questionnaire, CVI, ICC and internal consistency of the questionnaire were found to be 1, 0.97-1.0, 0.71-0.98, and 0.65-0.93, respectively. The confirmation factor analysis revealed that the questionnaire fitted the Iranian population. The Cronbach alpha coefficient for the questionnaire constructs varied between 0.71-0.98 and 0.65-0.93
Conclusion: The validity and reliability of the Persian version of PMT scale for cancer early detection are acceptable and suitable, so it can be used in similar research.
Daryoush Yarahmadi, Mansour Halimi, Zahra Zarei Chaghabalki, Hasan Jems,
Volume 15, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Background and Aims: Cutaneous leishmaniosis (CL) is a neglected tropical vector-borne disease. As other vector-transmitted diseases, its transmission is sensitive to the physical environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and annual incidence of CL in Iran.
Materials and Methods: The data of ENSO were obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center for the period 1977-2011(34 years), and the annual data on CL incidence in Iran from WHO. To determine the association between the ENSO annual fluctuations and annual CL incidence we used crosstab analysis and tow-tailed independent t-test to find any possible differences among the annual CL incidence according to different phases of the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI: El Niño, warming phase; La Niña, cooling phase; neutral phase).
Results: Analysis of the data showed that, as compared with the years when El Niño and La Niña were dominant, the annual incidence of CL in Iran was lower in the years when neutral phases of SOI were dominant. The highest incidence was found to have occurred during the years with an intermediate La Niña dominance. During the years when La Nina was dominant the incidence of CL was, on the average, 15-20% higher than that in the years with a neutral phase, while the difference between the annual CL incidence in neutral years and El Niño years was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: The findings reveal that in general the mean incidence of cutaneous leishmaniosis during the years with a neutral ENSO index is lower than that during the years with dominant El Nino or La Nina, although there is no difference between incidence in the neutral years and the El Nino-dominant years.
Leila Dehghankar, Marzieh Hajikarimbaba, Rahman Panahi,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (12-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Considering the central role of low health literacy (HL) in causing health inequalities and the fast growth of university student populations, this study aimed to determine the HL and its related factors among university students.
Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study including 375 female students of Imam Khomeini International University in Qazvin, Iran in 2019 selected using the stratified random sampling method. The data-collecting tools included a demographic and background questionnaire and an Iranian adult HL assessment questionnaire. The SPSS 23 software was used for data analysis, the statistical tests being descriptive and logistic regression tests.
Results: Data analysis showed that 17 (4.5%) of the students had inadequate, 112 (29.9%) insufficient, 188 (50.1%) adequate, and 58 (15.5%) excellent HL, the mean HL percentage (± SD) being 70.80 (± 12.49). Based on logistic regression analysis, there was a statistically significant association between HL and physical activity (p =0.039), such that the chance of having good HL among the students with physical activity on most days was 2.097 times that of those with regular daily physical activity. A significant relationship was also found between HL and employment (p =0.042), such that the chance of having good HL among the employed students was 0.534 times that of unemployed students.
Conclusion: Considering the low health literacy rate among the students with low physical activity and those who are unemployed, it is recommended to pay more attention to these students when designing educational programs to increase their health literacy.
Rahman Panahi, Leila Dehghankar, Mahya Shafaei, Ali Razaghpoor,
Volume 17, Issue 4 (3-2020)
Abstract
Background and aim: Health literacy can be one of the most important effective factors in the adoption of preventive behaviors of osteoporosis by raising awareness and understanding the benefits of diagnostic and preventive behaviors. The objective of this study was to determine the health literacy skills effective in predicting adoption of osteoporosis preventive behaviors in high school female students.
Materials and methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study including 375 high school girls in Qazvin, Iran, selected by multi-stage sampling. Data were collected using the standard Health Literacy Measure for Adolescents (HELMA) and the Preventive Behavior of Osteoporosis Measurement questionnaires. The data were analyzed using the statistical software SPSS-23, the tests being descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis.
Results: Two of the eight components of health literacy, namely, understanding and communication, and two, namely usage of health information and calculation, were found to receive the highest and the lowest mean scores, respectively. The total scores of health literacy and the adoption of preventive behaviors of osteoporosis were 70.84±12.58 (out 100) and 22.43±5.60 (out of 36), respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that the components of health literacy could predict 38.4% of the changes in the adoption of preventive behaviors of osteoporosis (R2 = 0.384). The only other predictor of adoption of behavior was the usage of health information (P=0.001، β=0.044).
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended to pay special attention, when developing educational programs for the prevention of osteoporosis in adolescents, to health literacy as a whole, especially the usage of health information component.
Mehdi Khoshgoo, Mojtaba Khadem Al-Hosseini , Rahman Panahi, Farzad Shidfar, Parvin Hasanzadeh,
Volume 18, Issue 3 (11-2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Considering the importance of children's dietary patterns in the general health and vitality of the population in the future and the effect of maternal depression on performing maternal tasks and responsibilities regarding children's eating habits and behaviors, this study was designed and conducted to determine the relationship between maternal depression and children's dietary patterns.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study included 313 primary school children in Tehran in the first semester of the academic year 2018-2019 selected through stratified cluster sampling. The following questionaires were used to collect the data: general and demographic questionnaires related to mothers and children, the Beck standard questionnaire to assess maternal depression, and a food frequency questionnaire to assess the children’s food patterns. The SPSS-22 and Stata-13 were used to analyze the data. Using exploratory factor analysis the dominant food patterns of the children were determined. The statistical tests used for data analysis included descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients.
Results: Data analysis showed the prevalence of depression among the mothers and the dominant dietary pattern among the children to be 31.3% (n=98) and vegetarian dietary patterns, respectively. The children’s body mass index, heights and waist circumference were significantly positively associated with with some of the dietary patterns (p<0.05). However, no significant association was found between maternal depression and the children's dietary patterns (p>0.05).
Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, maternal depression has no significant association with children's dietary patterns. Conducting similar studies with larger sample sizes are recommended.
