F Golbabaei, R Kazemi, B Golestan, M Pourtalari, J Shahtaheri, M Rismanchian,
Volume 8, Issue 4 (2-2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Considering the acute and chronic effects of organic solvents to which vehicle painters are exposed for long periods of time, their evaluation and control is crucial for protection of health of the employees. This study aimed to find the most influential factors on exposure to, and spreading pollution with, benzene, toluene, xylem, and etylebenzene (BTEX) in order to be able to choose the best control measures.
Materials and Methods: In a motor-vehicle company the vehicle painting process was studied in detail and the solvents used in paints and in spreading organic solvent stations were identified. Based on the types and concentrations of the variables being studied, using the NIOSH method a total of 240 air samples were collected (5 samples for each variable and the respective controls) and analyzed. The SPSS version 11.5 was used for data analysis, the statistical tests being multi-regression and analysis of variance.
Results: Exposure to benzene in all occupational tasks, as well as to toluene in top coating and undercoating stations exceeded, while exposure to etylebenzene and xylene did not reach, the respective permitted exposure limits (p<0.05). The most effective factors on exposure to all the four solvents were, in order of effectiveness, occupational task, gun type, and the type of paint sued (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The effects of the variables studies – occupational task, gun and paint types – on exposure to BTEX relate to differences in occupational task work load, the type of gun used, and the paint organic solvent formulation. The reason for the potentially high exposure to benzene is its presence as an impurity in the paint solvents. Thus, it is highly recommended that in the process of control and evaluation special attention be paid to these factors.
M.r Zare, K Naddafi,
Volume 8, Issue 4 (2-2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Specific and unique characteristics of nanoparticles may entail specific and unique hazards. In addition, they may also exhibit toxicity under certain conditions. This study was conducted to investigate the toxicity of phenol-exposed and phenol-unexposed nano-TiO2 and nano-Fe/TiO2 particles.
Materials and Methods: Stock solutions of the afore-mentioned nanoparticles were prepared at different concentrations and a sample of each was exposed to phenol. This was followed by exposing Daphnia Magna to the phenol- and non-phenol-exposed nanoparticles. LC50, NOEC and the concentrations at which mortality rates were 100% were determined 12 to 96 hours after exposure, while for the determination of the mortality rate of Daphnia the Probit model in SPSS version16 software was used.
Results: The results revealed that (1). The 48-hr LC50 values for phenol-unexposed nano-TiO2 and nano-Fe/TiO2 particles were 2705 and over 15000 mg/m3, respectively. The corresponding values for the phenol-exposed samples were 414 and 1253. (2). The 48-hr NOEC values for the phenol-exposed TiO2 and FeTiO2 were 41 and 789, respectively, the corresponding values for unexposed samples being 1253 and over 15000 mg/m3. (3). In addition, the 48-hr 100% mortality rates for phenol-unexposed nano-TiO2 and nano-Fe/TiO2 particles were, respectively, 1253 and over 15000 mg/m3, while for the phenol-exposed samples the corresponding rates were 1090 and over 2108.
Conclusion: With regard to 48-hr LC50, the findings show that the toxicity of both nano-Fe: TiO2 and TiO2 increases as a result of exposure to phenol, the increase being 12-fold for the former and 6.5-fold for the latter. In general, however, based on LC50, it can be said that the toxicity of Fe:TiO2 nanoparticles, which has better catalytic characteristics, is lower in comparison to TiO2 nanoparticles. Thus, using Fe:TiO2 in preference to pure TiO2 should be investigated further, as it will be less hazardous to the environment.
M Mosaferi, M Shakerkhatibi, A Mehri Badloo,
Volume 8, Issue 4 (2-2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Recently the use of heterotrophic plate count (HPC) has received much attention as a supplementary indicator of the MPN test in water quality control. The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has declared 500 cfu/mL as the maximum acceptable level for heterotrophic bacteria in distribution networks. Currently the HPC determination is not among the routine control items in Tabriz city and there is no published information on the presence of heterotrophic bacteria in that city's potable water. In this study the presence of HPC in potable water main was determined in Tabriz city, Iran.
Materials and Methods: A total of 50 water samples, representing drinking water of the whole city of Tabriz, were taken randomly from different districts of Tabriz city and their HPC, coliform, residual chlorine, turbidity, temperature, and pH were measured. For the heterotrophic bacteria the R2A and Nutrients Agar culture media were used, while the spread plate count method was used for the HPC test. The statistical tests used for data analysis were the t-test and regression.
Results: In 50% of the samples heterotrophic bacteria were present. In 6 districts the HPC was higher than 500 cfu/mL. Based on Nutrient Agar and R2A, the HPC indicator in Tabriz drinking water was 184±340 and 154±315 cfu/mL, respectively, the growth rate being higher in the former medium. There was a significant correlation between the HPC and residual chlorine in both media (for Nutrients Agar, p<0.05 R= -0.347, and for R2A, p<0.05 R= -0.312). Also, there was a significant positive correlation between the HPC and pH (p<0.05). Further analysis of the data showed that the correlation between HPC values in both media was also significant (p<0.95, R= 0.95).
Conclusion: The presence of heterotrophic bacteria in 50% of the water samples tested indicates that drinking water contamination with these bacteria is a public health problem in Tabriz city. As a result, monitoring of HPC at least once every 6 or, at least, 12 months, together with coliform bacteria, and the comparison of the results over time can help to better determine water quality in the distribution system, as well as boost the system operation and ensure drinking water with a high quality.
M Jahangiri, J Adl, Sj Shahtaheri, H Kakooe, A Rahimi Forushani, Am Rashidi, A Ghorbanali,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (8-2011)
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.
Z Shahhosseini, M Simbar, A Ramezankhani, H Alavi Majd,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (8-2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Considering the social and cultural characteristics of Iranian adolescents, none of the quantitative instruments designed so far to assess their health needs is quite appropriate. The purpose of this study was to design a valid and reliable questionnaire to assess the health needs of Iranian adolescent females.
Materials and Methods: Both qualitative and quantitative approaches to instrument development were adopted in this study conducted in the District of Sari in the north of Iran. Sampling was objective-based, with an attempt to have female adolescent sample as varied as possible. In the qualitative phase, a content analysis approach was used to explore the concept of health needs as seen by female adolescents. Data were collected using 8 focus group discussions (FGDs) with the presence 6-10 adolescents 12-18 years old in each FGD, as well as 11 semi-structured interviews, each one involving 11 well-informed individuals. In the quantitative phase, the psychometric properties, including content validity, face validity, construct validity, concurrent validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability, were determined.
Results: Five themes were identified in the qualitative phase of study, including psycho-emotional health, social health, physical health, and educational needs, as well as spiritual beliefs. The mean scale-level content validity index (S-CVI) was found to be 0.92. The factor structure of the instrument was identified by doing a Principal Component Analysis. Five factors were extracted with a total variance account of 45.37%. The reliability and consistency of the instrument were established with the Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.90) for the entire scale and test-retest reliability with a 2 week-interval Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC=0.984, p<0.001).There was a concurrent correlation between the instrument and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL TM 4.0) (r=0.66, p<0.001).
Conclusion: The instrument developed in this study is a valid, reliable and culturally appropriate instrument for assessment of health needs of Iranian adolescent females.
J Adl, M Jahangiri, M Rismanchian, H Mary Oriad, A Karimi, Mr Ghaderi,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (8-2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Safety climate is a psychological phenomenon and a sub-component of safety culture, which is usually reflected in the shared workforce's perceptions about the state of safety at any particular time. It can provide an indication of the priority of safety in an organization with regard to other priorities such as production or quality. The objective of this study was to assess the safety climate profile in a steel manufacturing plant in Iran and using the results to improve the level of safety.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the UK Loughborough University Safety Climate Assessment Toolkit was used to assess the safety climate in a steel-manufacturing industry in Iran. Information was collected through interviews and questionnaires, focus group discussions, and direct observations in the filed. Safety climate scores were calculated in 17 themes.
Results: A graphic representation of the safety climate scores obtained showed that safety climate in the company is at the medium level (4.80 ± 2). The highest and lowest scores were for dimensions of personal priority and need for safety (8.6± 0.8) and accidents and incidents (1±0.00). A non-significant correlation was found between worker's education and work experience on the one hand and their attitude towards safety on the other hand (p>0.05). Both management commitment and personal priority were associated with the workers' age (p= 0.03 and 0.02, respectively), while work environment was associated only with employment status (p = 0.04).
Conclusion: Safety climate assessment can be a proactive safety performance indicator used to improve the level of safety in an organisation.
P Taymoori, A Falhahi, N Esmailnasab,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (8-2011)
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.
A Norouzi Larki, M Khalkhali Zaviyeh, A Rahimi, S.s Naimi, M Tabatabaii,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (8-2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Wearing high-heeled shoes increases the height of the center of gravity and takes the line of gravity away from the center of the base of support. This may result in the loss of body balance. In this study the effect of 3 heel heights on the static and dynamic postural stability in healthy young women was investigated.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-over quasi-experimental study with repeated measures, three dynamic indices of anteroposterior, mediolateral, and overall stability were determined using Biodex stabilometer and static stability using a modified CTSIB test. The measurements were made at 4 conditions of the feet, i. e., barefoot, and wearing shoes with a heel height of 3, 5, or 7 centimeters.
Results: The mean static stability index in the barefoot condition was significantly different from that in any the 3 conditions of wearing heels. With the eyes closed, the most unstable condition was in the case of the 7-cm heel, which caused also the most unstable dynamic condition the differences were all statistically significant.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that postural instability increases with increases in the height of shoe heels. On the whole, considering both the static and dynamic stability, the 3-cm heel can be recommended as the optimum-height heel.
F Radfar, Mj Hozoori, S.s Tavafian,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (8-2011)
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.
Ar Heidari, Ar Mirahmadizadeh, A Keshtkaran, M Javanbakht, K Etemad, M Lotfi,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (8-2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: AIDS is a lethal disease, for which there is no treatment or any vaccine to prevent it. The injection-drug use and unprotected sexual behavior are two factors important in HIV transmission. This study was conducted to determine changes in high-risk sexual and injection-drug use behaviors associated with HIV among drug users referring to Methadone Maintenance Treatment centers in Shiraz, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This before-after interventional study with no control group included drug-users (n=694) referring to all the 7 MMT centers in Shiraz, Iran in 2009. The data were collected by interviewing patients and using a questionnaire. The software used for data analysis was SPSS 15, the statistical test being the Wilcoxon test.
Results: The average age of the clients was 36.5 ± 9.5 years. Most of them were males (% 92.1) and single (% 43.1). 37.3 % of them being injection-drug users. The proportion of the injection-drug users having had at least one shared injection one week before referring to an MMT center was 23.3%, which decreased to 9.2% after one week. Analysis of the data also showed that 25.2% of the addicts had had at least one unprotected sexual contact during the previous month the proportion decreased to 21.0% one month after referring to an MMT center. The reductions in the mean numbers of both shared injections and unprotected sexual contacts were statistically significant (p <0.001).
Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of the MMT centers in reducing risky behaviors of injection-drug users, it is essential to expand these centers at both the national and regional levels quantitatively and qualitatively and encourage drug-users to refer to them and seek help. This will help greatly in the prevention of HIV.
Z Rahaei, H Heshmati, Mm Hazavehei, A Hasanzadeh,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (8-2011)
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
Mehdi Mohebali, Gholamhossein Edrissian, Mohammad Reza Shirzadi, Yavar Hosseingholizadeh, Mohammad Hossein Pashaei, Akbar Ganji, Zabihallah Zarei, Ahmad Kousha, Behnaz Akhoundi, Homa Hajjaran, Hossein Malekafzali,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (11-2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Visceral leishmaniasis is a systemic parasitic disease with a high fatality rate in under-5-year-old children. The disease is endemic in some parts of Iran, particularly in the north-west region. In 2001 a visceral leishmaniasis (VL) surveillance system was established for children aged ≤ 12 years in the primary health system in Meshkin-Shahr District, Ardebil Province, situated in the north-west of Islamic Republic of Iran.
Materials and Methods: All cases with clinical signs and symptoms of VL and confirmed positive by the direct agglutination test (DAT) were referred for physical examination and treatment.
Results: The mean annual incidence of VL decreased significantly from 1.88 per 1000 children before (1985-2000), to 0.77 per 1000 child population after (2001-07), the intervention. In the control area with no surveillance, it increased from 0.11 to 0.23 per 1000.
Conclusion: Early detection of VL using serological tests and timely treatment of cases can decrease the mortality and morbidity rates of VL in endemic areas.
Parviz Owlia, Farah Sadat Bahreini, Monir Baradaran Eftekhar, Mostafa Ghanei, Amene Setareh Forouzan, Mehdi Farahani,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (11-2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Priority setting is one of the most important issues in health research systems. No national health system can afford to finance all research projects proposed by researchers, especially in developing countries. Therefore, we decided to set the main national health research priorities in Iran using the Essential National Health Research (ENHR) method.
Materials and Methods: All of the Iranian universities of medical sciences and other stakeholders collaborated in this study. The methodology for research priority setting was based on needs assessment and ENHR.
Results: The total number of research priorities gathered from universities of medical sciences was 6723. The proportions of topics related to basic science, applied and development subjects were 17%, 78% and 5%, respectively. Further analysis of the data showed that almost half (46.3%) of the research priorities were descriptive, 36.0% analytical, and 17.6% interventional. The research priorities were divided into 9 main areas, namely, communicable diseases, noncommunicable diseases, health system research, pharmaceutical sciences and industrial pharmacy, basic science, traditional and herbal medicine, nutrition, environmental health, and dentistry.
Conclusion: Up to now the common procedure for research priority setting has been, with a top-to-bottom approach, managed by a limited number of researchers and experts, while in the method presented in this paper a bottom-to-top approach is used, which is more effective.
Reza Majdzadeh, Arash Rashidian, Mohsen Shams, Davood Shojaeizadeh, Ali Montazeri,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (11-2011)
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.
Fereshteh Farzianpour, Saharnaz Nedjat, Azin Rahimi, Bahareh Malekafzali,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (11-2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Experience at the national and international levels shows that internal evaluation, especially at the level of academic departments, can play a critical role in warranting having a university with high standards. The objectives of the present research project were to determine (a). the quality of the structural elements of the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department (EBD) School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and (b). The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, on the basis of which action could be taken to improve the quality of activities in the Department.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with the collaboration of the head and faculty members, all of the students (residents, Ph.D. and M.S. students), and the graduates, of the EBD. Nine variables were studied, namely, 1). Aims and objectives 2). Organizational and management structure 3). Faculty members 4). Students 5). Teaching and learning process 6). Courses and curricula 7). Graduates 8). Research and educational facilities and equipment and 9). Research activities of the faculty members. First the initial weight of the 9 variables were determined by opinion poll carried out among all the faculty members of EBD. Then unrelated data were identified through proper tests and omitted and the final weights extracted. The tools used to collect the data included interview, observation, and 7 self-prepared questionnaires and 2 check lists.
Results: The mean score for the 9 factors studied was 59.8%, the range being between 37.0% (for objectives and mission) and 72.0% (for graduates).
Conclusion: The graduate domain is one of the key areas in internal evaluation of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. On the other hand, the lower score for objective and aims domain implicates the need for future intervention in this domain.
Fariba Kiani, Hossein Samavatyan, Siamak Poorabdian, Zahra Mansournejad, Effat Jafari,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (11-2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Millions of occupational accidents and disease cases are reported from work places annually causing considerable human and financial damages. Safety training is globally considered the best strategy to mitigate these damages. In this project a safety attitude questionnaire was used to obtain the required information. The questionnaire contained items about 13 relevant variables: job conscientiousness, fatalism, leadership, safety consciousness, role overload, work pressure, job safety perception, supervisor safety perception, coworker safety perception, management safety perception, safety program and policies perception, interpersonal conflicts at work, and job involvement.
Materials and Methods: A total of 204 individuals (101 in the control and 103 in the experiment group) in the Isfahan Steel Company completed the safety attitude questionnaire. This was followed by a 4-hour safety training course attended by the experimental group. After 30 days both the experimental and control group completed the questionnaire again. Descriptive statistics and covariate analysis were used the compare the data between the 2 groups.
Results: Safety training in the workplace influenced positively the general attitude of the personnel towards safety issues. Further analysis of the data revealed that the training affected statistically significantly only safety consciousness, leadership, and management safety perception.
Conclusion: Assessment of safety attitude in the workplace and its dimensions can be used to identify those areas of safety training that need more attention and a better design.
Sima Zaeri, Saba Asgharzadeh, Shiva Khoshnevis, Mehrnoush Mohammadi, Kourosh Holakouie Naeini,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (11-2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Community assessment is a process by which a clear picture of the community assets, strengths, resources, and needs is obtained with active participation of the community itself, followed by prioritization of the community needs and formulating strategies and programs to solve the problems. This study was conducted to identify and prioritize problems and needs of the Azerbaijan Borough in Tehran city, Iran, with active participation of the people.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted to determine the attitudes and beliefs of the community members about their community needs and problems. The study was based on a model designed in North Carolina, US. In this model, the assessment process is performed in eight steps. In the first seven steps problems are identified and prioritized, and in step 8 a plan of action is developed to deal with the problem selected.
Results: A total of 40 problems were identified and divided into several groups. The most important problems were as follows: social problems environmental health problems educational and cultural problems, civil rights and urban services distribution and use of drugs lack of family counseling centers shortage of parks and playgrounds for neighborhood children lack of supervision by municipal contractors on urban cleaning and lack of mental health services specially for the elderly.
Conclusion: Several types of problems, including health, as well as non-health - social, cultural and economic - problems were identified. Community assessment provides an appropriate opportunity for active participation of community members and makes available sufficient information for sound decision-making. Thus, community assessment can be regarded as a suitable technique for identifying and prioritizing community needs.
Alireza Didarloo, Davood Shojaeizadeh, Hasan Eftekhar Ardebili, Shamseddin Niknami, Ebrahim Hajizadeh, Mohammad Alizadeh,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (11-2011)
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.
Kaveh Bahmanpour, Rounama Nouri, Heidar Nadrian, Behzad Salehi,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (11-2011)
Abstract
Background and Aim: This paper reports on the predictors of high school students' oral health behaviors (OHBs) based on the Pender's Health Promotion Model (HPM) in an attempt to identify effective factors that may be addressed through intervention efforts.
Materials and Methods: A multistage cluster sample of 403 high school students were recruited from 8 high schools in Marivan County, Iran. The study was conducted between April and July, 2010. Appropriate instruments were used to measure the relevant variables. The statistical analysis of the data included bivariate correlations, t-test, one-way ANOVA and linear regression.
Results: All HPM variables (perceived self-efficacy, perceived benefits and barriers, activity-related affects, interpersonal and situational influences and commitment to a plan of OHBs) were significantly related to OHBs among the respondents (p < 0.01), and a negative association was found between OHBs and perceived barriers (p < 0.01). All HPM variables were statistically significant predictors of OHBs and accounted for 42.2% of the variance.
Conclusion: Promotion of interpersonal influences and the students' perceived self-efficacy and also commitment to a plan of action should be priorities of any program aimed at promoting OHBs among students. School health care providers should suggest strategies to overcome the barriers of performing OHBs, rather than noting the benefits of these behaviors.
Abolfazl Askary Sary, Mohammad Velayatzadeh, Mozhgan Khodadadi, Mohammad Kazemian,
Volume 9, Issue 3 (3-2012)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The objective of this study was to determine the contents of heavy metals Hg, Cd and Pb in the muscle, liver and gill tissues of Liza abu fish in the Dez and Bahmanshir Rivers in Khoozestan Province, Iran in winter 2010.
Materials and Methods: The study included 108 samples of Liza abu tissues. The metals were extracted from the tissues using the wet-digestion method and their concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer Perkin Elmer 4100. Analysis of the data was done using the SPSS17 software, the statistical test being the t-test ((p≤0.05).).
Results: The highest concentrations (mg/Kg) of Hg (0.029±0.005), Cd (0.506±0.047) and Pb (1.07±0.096) were found in the gill and their lowest concentrations, 0.023±0.001, 0.346±0.040 and 0.903±0.030, respectively, in the muscle. The concentrations of Cd in the gull, muscle and liver were significantly different (p≤0.05) between the Dez and Bahmanshir River fish samples, but the differences with regard to Hg and Pb concentrations were not different between the 2 rivers (p≥0.05).
Conclusion: The mercury content of Liza abu tissues was lower, while the lead and cadmium contents were higher, than the respective WHO standards (permitted levels).
