Showing 199 results for Mohammad
Amir Ashkan Nasiripour, Mohammad Reza Maleki, Pouran Raeisi, Marzieh Javadi,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (11-2013)
Abstract
Background and Aim : It is impossible to deny the threats and risks endangering the process of health care when offering the services. Confirming this fact does not mean ignorance the risk, or allowance to medical and nursing mistakes to happen however, it can mean approaching the problem to come up with practical solutions and minimize the risks in the process of providing health care services. The present study was conducted periodically as an applied multi-stage research.
Materials and Methods : To do a model of clinical risk management, different authentic texts on risk management in health sector were reviewed focusing on the models available. All such models were tabulated, analyzed and compared together which resulted 62 primary variables. The variables were, then, validated being used in a questionnaire responded by 20 nurses and doctors which, this time, produced a confirmed questionnaire of 40 variables. After that, 215 subjects chosen through a random and a stratified sampling were asked to respond to that questionnaire, making an exploratory factor analysis as well.
Results : This study was done, using principal components analysis as with a rotation of Varimax loadings showed a variety of factors (19 factors) available in the models of clinical risk management were loaded as "organizing and policy-making" factor. This factor illuminated a sum of 25.3% of variances in the model of clinical risk management. The results also showed the loading factor of variables as among 0.5 and 0.7 which indicated a fine correlation among them and the participants' view.
Conclusion: It was concluded that "the best care of the patient is accepted as a common perspective in organization" and "the effect of the treatment team's clinical performance on their financial payments" are the most and the least important variables respectively with 0.739 and 0.548 as factor load.
Effat Merghati Khoie, Naria Abolghasemi, Mohammad Hossein Taghdisi,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (11-2013)
Abstract
Background and A im : sexual health in children is difficult subject, does not deal with it formal method. Importance of Sex education of children is accepted in the world. The aim of this paper is describing the concept of sexual health from the viewpoint of children's famil y and identification norms of child sex education and determining sex education priorities of the parent's viewpoint.
Materials and Methods: This is qualitative study. Samples were selected by targeted method of student's parents of five regional educated o f Tehran. Data were collected by focus group interview and discussion and were analyses by subject and content analysis.
C ONCLUSION onclusion : Most participants believed sexual health behavior in children is not health indicators. They implemented their family policies in management of Sexual behavior o f their children. In Family control was meant: restriction of sexual behavior in child as a norm. Culture of silence and connivance in management of children's behavior has become norm, because child's sexual behavior is inconsistent with traditional values of family. In identifying priorities of sexual education of children, progression interaction between home and school was known as the most deficits. They are acting their internal values in educational system of children because their conflict of values, norms and tastes difference has not been challenge. It is important and priority of parents to being prepared for the management of their children's sexual behavior .
Mohsen Mohammadi, Adel Mazloumi, Jebraiel Nasl Seraji, Hojjat Zeraati,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (11-2013)
Abstract
Background and Aim: One of the most important problems in intensive care unit is high nursing workload. High workload may lead to increased human errors, compromised quality and safety of care, and reducing quality of working life. The purpose of this study provides valid and reliable tools to assess the mental workload of the ICU nurses and also identify inducing factors that will create workload.
Materials and Methods: This study had two phases. 1- Determine the face validity and reliability of the NASA-TLX (to assess the workload) by Backward Translation method and Cronbach's alpha method. 2–Designing the performance obstacles and facilitators questionnaire by interview and pilot study.
Results: Face validity and reliability of NASA-TLX method was confirmed (α=0.897). The performance obstacles and facilitators questionnaire for ICU nurses provides in 53 questions and 10 subscales. Relevancy is 97% and Clarity is 96%. Overall, 90% of nurses assessment comprehensiveness of the questionnaire was very comprehensive and comprehensive.
Conclusion : According to the results, can be used NASA-TLX method and the performance obstacles and facilitators questionnaire to assess workload of ICU nurses.
Maryam Moeini, Omran Mohammad Razzaghi, Mahmood Mahmoodi, Tahereh Pashaeie,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (1-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The objective of this study was to determine factors associated with time to relapse and, thus, retention time, of a cohort of opioid-dependents under methadone maintenance treatment, using survival models, in the Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS).
Materials and Methods: A total of 198 opioid-dependent clients participating in the Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program, implemented by INCAS between April 2007 and March 2011, were included in the study. A Cox proportional hazard (PH) model was applied to determine predictors of relapse time among the patients.
Results: The data showed that 86 clients relapsed into drug use during the treatment program. The proportional hazard assumption was satisfied according to the goodness of fit test showing that Cox proportional hazard model was appropriate. Estimates of the PH model indicated that an increase of 1mg in the methadone dosage could lead to a decrease of 0.15 in hazard ratio and an increase in the length of treatment (p<0.001). Predictors for raising the probability of drug relapse included suffering from mental disorders (compared to mentally healthy: hazard ratio = 2.29, p<0.001), being a poly-substance user (compared to mono-substance users: hazard ratio = 4.80, p<0.001), and having retention experience in the past (compared to those with no previous therapy: hazard ratio = 1.90, p<0.001). Other variables entered in the model, including social and demographic variables, had no statistically significant effect on hazard ratio.
Conclusions: Although higher methadone dosages are associated with a longer time to relapse, we recommend highly to pay special attention to providing more therapeutic and consultive services to mental health patients, poly-substance users, and individuals with a past therapy record.
Nasser Hashemi Nezhad, Alireza Choobineh, Ali Akbar Haghdoust, Mostafa Mohammadian,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (1-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Measuring the hand's grip strength and comparing it with its normative data is a valid method for detecting intensity of the numerous damages of hand. In addition, co mparing grip strength of people in different regions can reveal hidden facts resulting from genetic and environmental factors . Therefore , the present study was carried out with the aim of comparing grip strengths and three types of pinch (tip, key and palmar) strengths of healthy people living in five Iranian cities and determining normative data of grip strengths of citizens of these cities.
Materials and Methods: This was an applied cross-sectional study. The study population included 1008 healthy adults (526 males and 482 females) from the Fars (Persian) ethnic populations in five cities of Iran ( Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz , Kerman and Yazd ). The American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) recommendations were followed to establish normative data of grip and pinch strengths . Jamar dynamometer and Seahan pinch gauge were used to measure grip and pinch strengths. In addition, the effect of body mass index (BMI) and other anthropometric variables (hand length, height and weight) on grip strengths was assesed.
Results: In the present study, no significant differences were found between grip and pinch strengths of adults in the five cities. From among the parameters studied , height and hand length had the most influence on the grip strengths .
Conclusion: The findings of this study show that populations of any particlular ethnic group have similar grip strength despite living in different geographical areas. The normative data of grip strength obtained in this study are important for ergonomists helping them to optimize work programs and designing tools, as well as for therapists helping them to reach the goals of treatment, assessing the body response to medical treatment, and detecting good function of the upper extremities .
Kazem Mohammad, Shahnaz Rimaz, Maryam Dastoorpour, Masoomeh Sadeghi, Seyed Reza Majdzadeh,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (3-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: MS is a chronic and destructive inflammatory disease with a not contradiction continuing of life but can influenced the quality of life of patients. The purpose of this study is to determine the quality of life in MS and its related factors.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 172 patients admitted to the MS Society of Iran (Tehran) and convenience samplings were obtained for 10 months. Tools for data collection were MSQOL-54 and MS patients were also interviewed. Data using descriptive and Analytical tests such as multiple regression were analyzed.
Results: The mean age of patients was 34/8 ± 9/6 years. Analysis of 14 sub-domains of quality of life questionnaire showed that the highest average score in the domain of quality of life was social functioning (71/7 ± 21) and the least was role limitations due to physical problems (44/2 ± 39/4). Results of multivariate regression models shown that between age has an significant inverse relationship to domain of physical combined and only variable significant on the combined domain of psychological – psychiatric, Area residential Variable was (p.value 0/001).
Conclusions: The study shows that demographic variables medical and economic factors influence the quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis. Identify the factors related to the quality of life of these patients can be helpful in predicting quality of life. The variables influence on the quality of life for MS patients must be targeted in designing effective intervention programs to improve their quality of life.
Fariba Kiani, Mohammad Reza Khodabakhsh,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (3-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Occupational injuries are of the most important factors of fatal and disabling of thousand individuals in workplace. Therefore, cognizing the influencing factors on occupational injuries is very important. The purpose of this study was to determine the predicted power of health outcomes in workers by perceived support from organization, supervisor and coworkers.
Materials and Methods: The current research is the kind of correlation studies. Sample consisting of 189 employees in Isfahan Steel Company in 2012 was selected according to the stratified random sampling method and responded questionnaires about demography characteristics perceived support from organization, supervisor and coworkers incident reporting rate and its dimensions (physical symptoms, psychological symptoms and accident). Data was analyzed using of Pearson correlation coefficient and MANOVA.
Results: The results showed that perceived organizational support significantly predicted almost 9%, 8% and 14% of variables variances of incident reporting rate and its two dimensions that is physical symptoms and psychological symptoms (p<0.01).Also, perceived supervisor support significantly predicted almost 11% of psychological symptoms variance and perceived supervisor support significantly predicted almost 5% of physical symptoms variance (p<0.05). It wasn’t significantly observed relationship between the dimension of accident and perceived support from organization, supervisor and coworker (p>0.05).
Conclusion: The research results maintained the importance of psycho-social variables in predicting health outcomes in workers.
Hashem Mohammadian, Gholamabbas Moosavi, Hasan Eftekhar Ardebili,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (3-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: This study aimed gender variations about adolescents' health-related quality of life.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on four hundred students selected by a Stratified random sampling. Two-way analysis of variance was used for the analysis of total health-related quality of life scores among boys and girls in terms of demographic factors. Data analysis was conducted with software SPSS 18 and LISREL8.8 programs.
Results: There were important differences in health-related quality of life total score between boys and girls in relevance rank of birth, level of education and BMI. Although, these differences weren't statistically significant (p>0.05), Girls’ reports were higher compared to boys except for the emotional functioning subscale.
Conclusions: Teachers and parents should make great efforts for meet the requirements and difficulties of emotional and behavioral in adolescent girls. It is Necessary to execute coping mechanisms by the training consultants to minimize stress and anxiety for the mother to be.
Mohammad Farahmand, Seyed Mohsen Zahraei, Mahmood Mahmoodi, Soosan Mahmoodi, Hamideh Tabatabaei, Zahra Shokati Ashkiki, Yaghoob Mplaei Kandeloosi, Maryam Yousefi, Rakhshandeh Nategh, Shohreh Shah Mahmoodi Sadeghi,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (3-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Expanded program on immunization is one of the strategic universally accepted methods for control of childhood diseases including poliomyelitis. Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) which consists of live attenuated poliovirus is considered as appropriate and most convenient tool for nation-wide vaccination. Polio virus is sensitive to heat, so OPV should be kept frozen and transferred to vaccination centers under cold chain conditions. Thermo-stability of vaccine during transportation is very important. Potency test is used to evaluate the quality and stability of vaccine. This is the first documentated study on evaluation of OPV potency kept out of cold chain conditions in Iran.
Materials and Methods: To study the effects of time and temperature on potency of polio vaccine, vaccine vials were exposed to 24°C (room temperature) and 37°C (average temperature in tropical regions) for one to seven days. Vaccine potency evaluation was performed according to World Health Organization protocol.
Results: It can be inferred from comparison of the results of this study with the international standards that OPV is stable at 37◦C for only one day, but if it is exposed to room temperature for 4-5 days, serotypes 1 and 2 remain unaltered but serotype 3 will lose its potency to a great extent.
Conclusions: Although Polio viruses are relatively resistant to environmental conditions, their sensitivity to heat is the reason to transport the vaccine, which contains live attenuated virus, under cold chain conditions. This will prevent the titer of the vaccine virus to decrease. Vaccine stored at temperature below 4°C is preferred, otherwise the vaccine kept at room temperature (24°C) is useable for 4-5 days, and at 37◦C the vaccine is potent only for one day.
Afrouz Danesh Parvar, Homa Hajjaran, Iraj Mobedi, Saeid Naddaf, Mehdi Nateghpour, Mahsa Makki, Mohammad Reza Shidfar, Seyed Jamal Hashemi, Seyed Ebrahim Eskandari, Gholam Reza Molavi,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (5-2014)
Abstract
Backgrond and Aim: Demodicosis is a common skin disease. Great number of admissions to the clinics is occurring in the country. Regarding the high prevalence of this parasitic arthropod, investigating on pathogenesis, route of transmission and the complications they may produce, is considered of great importance. Generally, demodex parasites often exist in the skin tissue and tend to live in the face specifically in cheeks, forehead and nose, where sebum excretion is active and may provide a favorable habitat for living and breading the parasite. Diagnosis is carried out during an exploratory skin test for a cne, pityriasis rosacea and ophthalmic infectious diseases such as blepharitis. Determination of their biological role in chronicity of general skin disorders is an interesting topic in research.
Materials and Methods: Patients were admitted to the Razi hospital, Research Center for skin diseases and leprosy, and three other clinical laboratories considered for assays. The questionnaire was filled for each patient and the sample was taken from the affected area. Ecto parasites were transferred to the potassium chloride solution 10% and studied under a light microscope.
Results: A total of 100 patients were studied, from which 78 patients were diagnosed as infected with the Demodex folliculorum. Of these, (%92) were female and (%7.6) male (p <0.05). The highest frequency was observed in the age group 41 to 50 years (P <0.05).
Conclusion: In this study, the relative frequency of demodicosis was more common in women and in the middle-aged group. Generally this high level of frequency will intensify the necessity of the identification of parasites and its pathological effects in chronic infectious diseases.
Amin Doosti Irani, Batool Okhovat, Zahra Cheraghi, Mozhgan Talaei, Elham Ahmadnezhad, Mohammad Mehdi Gooya, Mohammad Soroosh, Hossein Masoumi Asl, Kourosh Holakoie Naieni,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (10-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Water and food born diseases are one of the important causes of morbidity and mortality in through the world. The objective of this study was to investigate factors affecting the persistence of diarrheal cases after the explosive epidemic phase of diarrheal disease in Yazd province.
Materials and Methods: We designed a match case control study that was performed on base of incidence cases of diarrhea since 24 Aug, 2013 to 03 Sept, 2013.Characteristics of cases and control were obtained by interviewers using a pre-determined questionnaire. Logistic regression was used at 0.05 significant level.
Results: Totally 69 incidences cases of diarrhea were compared with 138 controls. Incidence rate of diarrhea in Yazd province was 13.79 per thousand. The adjusted odds ratio estimate for presence a patient stricken with gastroenteritis in the household was 3.63 [95% CI: 1.43, 9.20]. The adjusted odds ratio for low education, history of the trip, history of contact with patient and eating outside the home were 1.75, 1.55, 1.93 and 1.37 respectively, that increase odds of disease but their effects was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: In this study the most important risk factor for diarrhea was history of contact with the person with the disease in the household. This result may indicate the lack of personal hygiene by patients and their relatives and thus transmission of disease to others peoples. Therefore the role of health education and informing about transmission and preventive ways is very important in prevention and control of outbreaks of diarrhea diseases.
Hassan Eftekhar Ardebili, Farhad Lashkar Boloki, Abolghasem Jazayeri, Mohammad Ariaei, Mansoureh Minaei,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (10-2014)
Abstract
Background an Aim: Aging trend especially in developing country is increasing. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of the elderly and its associated factors in Gorgan .
Materials and Methods: This is a cross sectional study that two-stage cluster sampling method was used for considering participant. The data were collected using Mini Nutritional Assessment and anthropometric questionnaire which was referred to the elderly inhabitant in urban area. 541 elder were interviewed and data were analyzed by chi square, independent T test and one way ANOVA tests.
Results : The prevalence of malnutrition was %4/8 and nearly %44/7 of the elderly were at the risk of malnutrition. %51/9 of the elderly were on a special diet due to a disease or specific condition. Malnutrition frequency and the risk of it were higher in woman than men and the difference between sexes was statistically significant. BMI, mid arm circumference and calf circumference measures in elderly with malnutrition were less than elderly with good nutrition, and the difference was statistically significant
Conclusion: The risk of malnutrition in elderly who exposed to socio-economic, mental and also dental difficulties, living alone and female old age was higher than others groups. The implementation of supportive and nutritional programs is more important in this group.
Ghobad Moradi, Minoo Mohraz, Mohammad Mehdi Gouya, Masoumeh Dejman, Seyed Ahmad Seyed Alinaghi, Sahar Khosh Ravesh, Hossein Malekafzali,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (10-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the views of policy makers and key persons about national AIDS control politics.
Materials and Methods : This qualitative study used purposive sampling. To collect data, the perspectives of six experts about AIDS were inspected. Framework analysis was used to analyze the data.
Results: The results of this study showed that beside the strengths there are also significant weaknesses in making the policies, administering the existing policies, executing the programs in organizations, and planning new policies to control AIDS hence these problems and weaknesses must be identified to achieve the main goals of AIDS control program.
Conclusion: AIDS is not only a health problem but a social, economical and cultural problem, which requires more attention from authorities and related organizations for developing and implementing policies in accordance with international guidelines. To achieve Millennium development goals (MDGs) in the context of AIDS it is essential for policy makers and key figures to consider more effective activities and measures in their agenda.
Mohammad Malakoutian, Alireza Mesdaghi Nia, Shima Rezaei,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (10-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Chlorophenols are acidic Organic compounds and priority Pollutants. One of the best ways to removal chlorophenols was using different absorbents . In this study, removal efficiency of ortho- chlorophenol as one of the most common organic contaminants in aquatic environments was investigated with absorption method using activated Fly Ash.
Materials and methods: In this experimental study, Fly ash of collected from Zarand Power plant was activated by sulfuric acid. Factors affecting in sorbent activation process including temperature, time, amount and concentration of the acid and also factors influencing in the adsorption process were adjusted for optimum conditions. Experiments was followed on real wastewater samples from coal washing plant of zarand . Data was analyzed by SPSS software.
Results : The sorbent activation was performed in optimized condition acid concentration 1.8 mM, time 5h, temperature 29±2˚C and acid/fly ash ratio 7. Removal efficiency of zarand coal washing plant Effluent at the optimal conditions (pH: 2, adsorbent doze: 1g, time: 3h) was 84.4%.
Conclusion: In addition to the high efficiency of ortho-chlorophenol absorption because of sorbent activation does not require complex and expensive technology, the adsorbents can be used to remove these contaminants from industry effluent.
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.
Fatemeh Jafari, Abdolkarim Ahmadi, Mohammad Reza Amiresmaeili, Mahmood Moosazadeh,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (1-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Investigation of seasonal suicide might help in learning about the etiology of suicide committers’ behavior. Literature search indicates that a large number of preliminary studies have been carried out on this subject, in many of which seasonal and climatological aspects of suicide have been investigated. In the present study, the seasonal and time pattern of suicide incidence in Iran was determined based a systematic review.
Materials and Methods : Search was performed in the national databases, namely, SID, Iranmedex, Magiran and Medlib, as well as international databases such as PubMed, Scopus and Google scholar, using such keywords as Iran/Iranian, seasonality and suicide. The technical quality of papers was assessed using checklists. Data of each of the preliminary studies were extracted in terms of general variables and such specific variables as season, month, hour, weekdays and climatic conditions.
Results: Of a total number of 49,522 documents obtained from a primary electronic search, eventually 32 papers were included in this study. The highest numbers of suicides committed were 7 and 8 in summer and spring, respectively. Similarly, among the primary studies that had reported only the monthly occurrence of suicide, the highest rate in 7 cases was spring and 7 in summer. In most of the studies (8 cases) the highest number of suicides had taken place between 1:00 and 6:00 PM.
Conclusion: These findings indicate that suicide occurrence in Iran has a seasonal pattern, most cases committed being in spring and summer.
Farzad Maleki, Marjan Hossein Pour, Hossein Rafiemanesh, Fatemeh Salehi, Zahra Lotfi, Mohammad Reza Naserizadeh, Noorallah Yari, Fatemeh Koohi, Koroush Holakoie Naieni,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (1-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The community assessment is the basis of strategic policies for health professionals and managers. The aim of community assessment is collection of the data that relating to public health problems, data analysis and concludes about necessary capacities for providing the necessary resources to resolve problems.
Materials and Methods: In this study the databases of Scientific Information Database, MagIran, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and IranMedex were searched up to April 2014 (farvardin1393). All papers of community assessment in the country according to our standard community assessment model were included in this study.
Results: Overall 11 studies were evaluated and the common feature of all research is to identify problems of society and local problems. The drug addiction was classified in 3 of the studies as a main problem and in 7 of studies was classified in the ten major problems. Poverty and unemployment are allocated to the next priority, the second priority in 2 studies, the third priority in 3 studies and the fourth priority in 3 studies. Environmental health problems and socio-cultural problems were the next priorities.
Conclusion: The proposed model can be used to suggest new health services with due consideration of community problems, as well as develop suitable, effective intervention strategies. This type of community study should not be conducted only once. Rather, it should be repeated periodically in any community, results compared and used for policy-making.
Esmaeil Ghorbani, Yavar Rassi, Mohammad Reza Abai, Amir Ahmad Akhavan,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (1-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Sand flies are responsible for transmission of leishmaniasis, papatasi fever and carrion disease. Warning of sand fly population is the first step for the establishment of baseline data for the vector control operations of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). In order to attempt to the difference between species composition and bieocology of sand flies, the comparative research was carried out in west and east of Meshkinshahr district where having high and low prevalence of VL as well as mild semiarid and semiarid steppe climates respectively.
Materials and Methods : Sand flies were biweekly collected using sticky paper traps from indoor and outdoor shelters from four villages at west and east of Meshkinshahr district. The specimens was removed from sticky paper traps and washed in acetone and preserved in 70% alcohol. The preserved sand flies were mounted using Puri’s media and identified using valid keys. The labeled specimens were deposited in Medical Entomology Museum, School of Public Health under code GC22ST6-93 .
Results: During this study, totally 783 and 400 sand flies were respectively caught from indoor (19-27%) and outdoor (73-81%) of both at west and east. The sex ratios of collected sand flies were estimated 2.3 and 1.9. in latter areas. The genera percentage of sand flies were 66.3-64.5% for Phlebotomus and 33.7-35.5% for Sergentomyia compromising of 7 subgenera which included in 20 and 17 species respectively in west and east areas. For the first time, Se.sintoni and Se.mervynae was reported in Meshkinshahr district.
Conclusion: The Ph.kandelakii and Ph.perfiliewi were introduced as prevalent species in the west area compared to the east. In the west area, activity duration and number of generation was higher than east. The prevalent species in the east area was Ph.papatasi. The high density of Ph.anderjevi was seen in both studied areas. The most proven vectors of visceral leishmaniasis were revealed in the west of Meshkinshahr district.
Bahador Haji Mohammadi, Mohammad Hassan Ehrampoush, Sepideh Khalatbari, Asiyeh Amiri, Sakineh Gerayllo, Motahareh Hosseini,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (1-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Food poisoning occurs under circumstances where proper action for protecting foods from microbial contamination and chemical toxins is not taken. In the Iranian society women have an important role in preparing food in the home. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of women living in Yazd, Iran regarding food poisoning.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Data were collected through interviewing 266 women living in Yazd, selected randomly by calling at their homes. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 18. The minimum and maximum accessible scores for knowledge, attitude and practice were 0 and 15, 15 and 45 and 0 and 20, respectively.
Results: The mean (± SD) score of knowledge, attitude and practice was 11.13 ± 2.54, 39.98 ± 4.52 and 17.73 ± 1.96, respectively. Further analysis of the data showed that 63.2% of the women had no knowledge about safety of refrigerated cooked foods and 41.4% had an erroneous attitude about fruit and vegetable cleaning, believing that merely cleaning them would make them safe to eat. As regards practice, 68.8 % of the women prepared and ate semi-cooked eggs.
Conclusion: Yazdi women lack a sound knowledge about (a). some agents of food poisoning such as, for example, Salmonella and (2). food cooking and preserving temperatures. It is recommended to plan and execute educational programs aiming at promoting knowledge and improving practice of women in these areas.
Monireh Khadem, Seyed Jamaleddin Shahtaheri, Farideh Golbabaei, Abbas Rahimi Foroushani, Mohammad Reza Ganj Alizadeh, Farnoush Faridbod,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (3-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to assess exposure of workers in a metal industry to nickel and lead.
Materials and Methods: Extraction was done using the solid-phase extraction on Chromosorb-102 resin to prepare, concentrate and purify biological samples of urine, hair and nails of workers working in metal industries. The variables influencing response (pH, loading flow rate, elution solvent, and amount of resins, elution volume, and sample volume) were examined and the procedure was optimized. The optimized procedure was, then, validated based on the “within-day” and “day-to-day” reproducibility experiments, using low, medium and high concentrations, leading to a satisfactory accuracy and precision. Finally, lead and nickel samples were taken from the workers and their concentrations determined voltammetrically.
Results: The optimum values for the examined parameters were as follows: pH = 9, ligand concentration = 0.05%, loading flow rate = 5 ml/min, elution solvent = 2M HNO3, amount of resins = 500 mg, elution volume = 15 ml, and sample volume up to 500 ml. A good reproducibility and repeatability was obtained for the optimized method under the existing conditions. Lead and nickel could be extracted with recoveries in the range of 94-100%. On the whole, the concentrations of nickel and lead in the workers’ biological samples were above the respective maximum permitted levels.
Conclusion: Solid-phase extraction procedure is a fast and simple method for preconcentrating and isolating analytes from biological samples. Considering the low concentrations of the analytes and presence of confounding factors in such samples, the procedure can be very effective for their preparation. The application of the developed method indicates that trace metal ions can be effectively purified and preconcentrated from different matrices like urine, hair and nail samples to assess occupational exposures.
