Journal of Knowledge & Health in Basic Medical Sciences
Year:2011 | Volume:6 | Issue:1|Papers Count:11

Introduction: Most women experience the premenstrual syndrome at their reproductive age. This is a periodic occurrence (event) that happens during the luteal phase of mentyral cycle and includes the combination of physical, psychological and behavioral changes that interfere with familial communication and social activities. In this regard, different methods have been suggested and one of them is traditional use of medicinal herbs. This study was carried out to detect the effect of fennel on the premenstrual syndrome in students of Shahrekord University of medical sciences in 2008. Methods: In this single blind clinical trial, sixty students with premenstrual syndrome were randomly assigned to either the fennel extract or placebo groups. Data collection was done via DRSP questionnaire and the severity of premenstrual syndrome was detected in two cycles before the intervention and it was compared with after the intervention conditions. To analyze the data, we used SPSS and P<0.05 was considered as significant. Results: There were no significant differences between the mean scores of premenstrual syndrome in the two groups before the treatment (100.38±33.43 in fennel group VS 104.30±19.50 in placebo group), but after the treatment, there was a significant difference between two groups [(64.40±29.3 in fennel group VS 79.10±28.11 in placebo group), P=0.01]. Conclusion: Fennel extract is probably effective in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome. We suggest fennel extracts for the treatment of PMS.

Introduction: Despite its decreasing prevalence in recent years, malnutrition is still an important health problem in many regions of Iran. We may have estimates of malnutrition in Shahroud district based on national studies, but there is not any information about its status in different parts of Shahroud. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of wasting, underweight and stunting in less- than- 6 year- old children in Shahroud. Methods: Through cluster sampling, 1395 children from 13 different districts of Shahroud were randomly selected and they were measured for their weight and height. Their mothers were also interviewed for socio-nutritional data. Malnutrition indices were computed based on WHO's reference data in 2007 through Anthro software. Results: Prevalence of wasting, underweight and stunting (below-2 Z-Scores) was 4.7%, 5.7% and 10.3%, respectively. Prevalence of overweight (>+2 Z-Scores) was 4% according to BMI for age index. Malnutrition indices were distributed non-homogenously in different parts of Shahroud, for example stunting was as high as 22% in Kalpoosh and Biarjemand of the district. Conclusion: Malnutrition was more prevalent in Shahroud, compared to other regions of Semnan province and large disparities were found in its distribution over different parts of city. Comprehensive local interventions seem necessary.

Introduction: Obesity is a complex status with important psychological and social dimensions. This is seen in all ages and in all economic and social groups. Obesity is a modifiable risk factor for many chronic diseases. Using body mass index (BMI) is a simple and common approach to evaluating overweight and obesity. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between some demographic factors and BMI in women referring to health centers in Ahwaz. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study. Using cluster random sampling, 899 women referring to health centers in Ahwaz in 1387 were studied. The relationship between BMI and level of education, marital status, occupation and age was studied through multiple linear regression method. Results: Age and marital status had a relationship with BMI that was statistically significant (P=0.0001). Level of education also showed a statistically significant but inverse relationship with mean of BMI (P=0.005). The relationship between BMI and occupation was not significant in the regression model (P=0.14).Conclusion: Older age, being married, and low level of education are among the factors influencing BMI.

Introduction: Nutritional concepts learned by young girls as would-be mothers will play an important part in children's and family's health. This study aimed at evaluating nutritional knowledge, attitude and practice of female junior high school students in two regions of Iran. Methods: In this descriptive study, 587 female students within the age range of 11 to 16 years old were selected through random sampling in cities of Malayer and Shahrood in 2009. To evaluate the nutritional knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP), questionnaires containing items on demographic, KAP and food behaviors were used. Based on the yielded results analyzed by SPSS software Pack, those who scored 75%, within the range of 75%-50% and lower than 50% of the highest score were considered as desirable, moderate and low, respectively. Results: On the Whole, the majority of subjects in the two cities, had moderate knowledge (59.5%), had good attitude (55.2%) and had moderate practice (55.53%).Conclusions: The results showed that the subjects had moderate knowledge and practice, but since nutritional practice does not accord with their attitude, constant nutritional intervention seems necessary.

Introduction: Physical activity has long been considered the cornerstone of interventions and shown extremely important in reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to examine the association between activity and inactivity and CVD risk factors in healthy military recruits.Methods: Anthropometric indices, lipid-lipoprotein profile, arterial pressures, and fasting blood glucose were assessed in two groups (active=50, inactive=50). Results: Physically active subjects had significantly lower measures of body indices (except height), lower levels of total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (S/DBP), risk factor (TC/HDL ratio), atherogenic index (LDL/HDL ratio), and higher levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL-C). Simple correlation coefficients revealed that body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were significantly associated with SBP in the inactive group, and BMI was inversely associated with HDL-C in both groups with higher magnitude in inactive subjects, and waist circumference (WC) inversely correlated with HDL-C in inactive group. Conclusion: By reducing the risk factors of developing CVD events and significant prevention of its progression, the beneficial properties of physical activity are underscored, and promoting its effectiveness as a support for healthier lifestyles in the community and particularly among military personnel is emphasized.

Introduction: About 40% of PCOS affected women's sisters have hyperandrogenemia and are exposed to metabolic syndrome risk. This study aimed at investigating metabolic disorders and level of testosterone in immediate relatives (mothers) of patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Methods: The study was conducted over 34 mothers of patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome, and 34 relatives of women without the syndrome. Blood pressure, height and weight, a blood sample were obtained from all participants in order to investigate their serum insulin, blood sugar, testosterone and lipoproteins. Metabolic syndrome was evaluated based on ATPIII (Adult Treatment Panel Ш)and IDF (International Diabetes Federation), and resistance to insulin was evaluated based on HOMA indices (Homeostasis Model Assessment Index) and QUICKI (Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index) and fasting blood sugar and BMI≥30 kg/m2. Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in mothers of the PCOS was according to ATPIII index and IDF index was not significantly different from the relatives of healthy group (P>0.05). The means of fasting blood sugar, blood pressure, serum testosterone, total cholesterol, LDL. HDL and triglyceride in mothers of the healthy women were very different from those of the mothers of the patients (P<0.05). Central obesity was not significantly different in the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Immediate relatives especially mothers of women suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome are exposed to metabolic syndrome.

Introduction: Depending on its etiology, many methods have been established for the treatment of depression among adolescents, cognitive therapy is one of them. The purpose of the present research was to investigate the effect of cognitive group therapy on decreasing depression among high school students. Methods: From the male students of a boarding high school in Tarom district of Gazvin province, a sample of 16 students were randomly selected and assigned into experimental and control groups. The measurement tool was Beck depression inventory. The experimental group participated in 8 sessions of cognitive therapy, while the control group did not receive any treatment. The mean scores of the two groups were compared through independent t-test. Results: The results of the study showed significant differences between the mean scores of the pre-tests and post-tests of the experimental and control groups, so that cognitive group therapy had reduced the depression mean score in the experimental group (-2.1 vs. -0.25). Conclusion: The findings of the study indicate that cognitive group therapy can reduce the depression among students. These findings can be used for therapeutic planning within the cognitive paradigm to reduce or prevent depression among students.

Introduction: Dignity appears as a duty in ethics codes and as a right in human rights framework. The aim of this meta-synthesis study was to conduct a systematic review of dignity concept and its related factors in years 2000-2010. Methods: In this meta-synthesis study, a systematic review was conducted and qualitative articles related to dignity concept in Medline, Elsevier and Ovid in the period from 2000 to 2010 were selected. To facilitate the search, the term "Patient dignity" was used by MeSH system in the database Medline. Then, articles that exactly had studied patient dignity and its related factors, and dignity concept was mentioned in their title and also were published in English, were selected for analysis and were compared. Results: 620 qualitative articles related to dignity concept were founded and 64 articles were in close relation to dignity concept which included 21 articles from Medline, 3 articles from Elsevier and 40 articles from Ovid database. In general, from 64 qualitative articles in the period from 2000 to 2010, the full texts of 16 articles were selected and reviewed in an interpretive and logical manner. The results indicate that dignity is a complex and multi-dimensional concept and multiple factors are related to it which can promote or threaten it. The results of the present study also revealed categories of dignity concept, dignity dimensions, dignity promoting and dignity threatening factors. Conclusion: The key factors identified in the present study which are related to preservation and promoting patient dignity can be applied by doctors and nurses in taking care of different patients and they can also be used in conducting future studies about dignity.