Epidemiology and Health System Journal
Year:2019 | Volume:6 | Issue:2|Papers Count:8

Background and aims: Toxoplasmosis is a very common disease in the world and has two types, including chronic and acute toxoplasmosis. In the chronic toxoplasmosis, the abnormality of tissue function is negligible, but in acute toxoplasmosis, the function of the reticuloendothelial system is interrupted and the assessment of Toxoplasma antibody with tissue enzymes is very essential in this stage. In addition, in some conditions, serum ferritin increases in the acute phase of the infectious disease. In congenital toxoplasmosis, the evaluation of biochemical factors and IgG avidity test is important for detecting the acute congenital toxoplasmosis in pregnant women. Based on the above-mentioned explanations, the present study aimed to evaluate the biochemical factors in patients with acute toxoplasmosis (congenital toxoplasmosis) among the Iranian population using electrochemiluminescence and IgG ELISA avidity. Methods: The study was based on a comparative abundance study and was conducted from March to June 2017. Material included 980 serum and amniotic fluid samples collected from human blood with a high level of IgG antibody against Toxoplasma gondii in Rajaie Center, Tehran, Iran. The standard and the main tests included the ELISA assay and the measurement of the liver transaminases (i. e., SGOT and SGPT), along with/namely bilirubin and ferritin used to detect IgG antibodies and to evaluate the acute toxoplasmosis, respectively. Finally, the results were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: The results showed that the level of liver transaminases, namely, serum bilirubin and ferritin increase in some patients with a high level of IgG avidity antibody against Toxoplasma gondii. For example, the mean serum levels of SGOT was 108 IU/L in 120 patients with acute toxoplasmosis and the mean serum bilirubin was about 5 mg/dL in 80 patients. Conclusion: Overall, in acute congenital toxoplasmosis, the evaluation of IgG AVIDITY is regarded as the first step and then the measurement of biochemical factors such as serum transaminases, serum bilirubin, and serum ferritin is important.

Background and aims: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) among the pregnant women and the risk factors related to it in Shahrekord, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 832 patients were examined during 26 to 30 weeks of pregnancy and their UTIs were studied. The required information was collected by examining the personal pregnancy health records and completion of the data registration forms. All statistical analyses were performed in SPSS software version 23. 0 using chi-square and independent t test. Results: According to the results of this study, out of 832 pregnant women, 109 were diagnosed with UTI; hence the prevalence of UTI was recorded to be 13. 1% in this study. Moreover, there was a significant relationship between UTI and variables of delivery, severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (known as morning sickness), genitourinary disorders, infertility, and blood group. Conclusion: According to the study results, it seems that screening and treatment of UTIs have been done appropriately and in the right time, in health systems of the city of Shahrekord which have led to the reduction of disorders in infants, as well as maternal diseases. Even in the absence of any UTIrelated symptoms, screening tests for UTI are recommended.

Background and aims: Bread is considered as one of the important sources of sodium in the Iranian diet and salt is the main source of sodium, which is used to produce bread. The assessment of dietary intake is a reliable method that shows nutritional problems in the community. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the intake of salt, sodium, and potassium through bread consumption. Methods: In the present study, 451 samples of different types of bread were tested, sent to the Food Control Laboratory for health control, and the amount of salt, sodium, and potassium was determined by potentiometric and flame-photometric methods, respectively. In addition, the amounts of salt, sodium, and potassium intake were evaluated based on their average concentration in different types of bread and per capita consumption of bread. Finally, the status of salt, sodium, and potassium intake was investigated by comparing their recommended daily allowance (RDA) and sodium/potassium ratio and sodium to caloric intake. Results: Based on the results, the concentrations of salt, sodium, and potassium were 1. 95%, 769%, and 108% (mg per 100 g of bread), respectively. Furthermore, per capita consumption of bread was 320 g/d and the average intake of salt, sodium, and potassium through bread consumption was 4. 03 g, 1588 mg, and 223 mg/d, respectively. Moreover, 79% of sodium RDA was received through bread consumption. In these breads, the ratio of sodium to potassium, as well as that of sodium to calorie was 12. 07 (mmol/mmol) and 2 mg/calories, respectively. Conclusion: In general, the results showed that the intake of sodium and salt by using bread is more than that of their RDA. Accordingly, the ratio of sodium to potassium and sodium to caloric intake is higher than the permitted limit in these conditions, which provides the basis for the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, strong monitoring of bread producing units is necessary.

Background and aims: Many workers face significant hazardous workplace exposures, especially in developing countries. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of occupational risk factors and common occupational diseases in Kerman. Methods: This study was based on data from occupational risk factor and disease monitoring systems available at Kerman Province Health Center during 2011-2015. These data are gathered semiannually by occupational hygienists based on standard checklists provided by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and these checklists include exposures and diseases related to the workplace. Results: Based on the results, 292 (3. 7%), 281 (3. 58%), 261 (3. 32%), and 115 (1. 47%) cases were found regarding occupational hearing loss, respiratory conditions, work-related back pain, and musculoskeletal disorders, respectively, which were related to different occupational exposures diagnosed in Kerman during 2011-2015. Moreover, dust, work tools, wrong body position during work, and noise were the most common risk factors in this respect. Conclusion: Overall, occupational hazards are considered as an important health issue in Kerman. Therefore, it is necessary to control exposure to these risk factors in order to prevent occupational diseases.

Background and aims: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the important public health diseases in Iran. Therefore, to control the prevalence of the disease, knowledge is required regarding the risk factor of HBV. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to determine the risk factors of HB transmission. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted on the possible risk factors of HBV transmission. To this end, a total of 171 patients with HBV infection and 171 controls from Rasoul-e-Akram hospital were investigated during 2015-2018. All subjects were directly evaluated using a faceto-face questionnaire about demographic aspects. Finally, HBV infection and its risk factors among the subjects were detected using hepatitis B surface antigen test. Results: Overall, 171 HBV patients including 77 (42%) males and 93 (58%) females were evaluated. The mean age of the participants was 40 ± 13 years. Univariate logistic analysis showed that HBV infection in these cases was associated with addiction injection (odds ratio [OR] = 4. 08, CI: 1. 3-9. 57), family history (OR = 4. 52, CI: 1. 27-10. 7), and having a history of blood transfusion (OR = 3. 16, CI: 1. 52-5. 37). There were no significant relationships between the liver function tests, alcohol consumption, the history of dental visits, and HBV participants. In addition, the logistic-regression model proved that patients with a history of HBV-infected parents (At least one of them) and addiction injection were severely subject to HB infection. In other words, there was a significant association between a history of HBV-infected parents and addiction injection and HB infection. Conclusion: In general, HBV infection was strongly related to having a family member infected with hepatitis B, suffering from addiction injection, and having blood injection.

Background and aims: As suggests by the Minorities’ Diminished Returns (MDR) theory, education attainment and other socioeconomic status (SES) indicators have a smaller impact on the health and well-being of non-White than White Americans. To test whether MDR also applies to happiness, in the present study, Blacks and Whites were compared in terms of the effect of education attainment on the level of happiness among American adults. Methods: General Social Survey (1972-2016) is a series of national surveys that are performed in the United States. The current analysis included 54 785 adults (46 724 Whites and 8061 Blacks). The years of schooling (i. e., education attainment) and happiness were the main independent variable and the main dependent variable of interest, respectively. In addition, other parameters such as gender, age, employment status, marital status, and the year of the survey were the covariates and race was the focal effect modifier. Finally, the logistic regression model was used to analyze the data. Results: Based on the results, high education attainment was associated with higher odds of happiness in the pooled sample. Further, a significant interaction was found between race and education attainment on the odds of happiness, showing a larger gain for Whites compared to Blacks. Racespecific models also confirmed this finding (i. e., a larger magnitude of the effect of education for Whites compared to Blacks). Conclusion: Overall, the MDR theory also applies to the effect of education attainment on happiness. Blacks’ disadvantage in comparison to the Whites in gaining happiness from their education may be due to the structural, institutional, and interpersonal racism and discrimination in the US. Therefore, there is a need for economic and public policies that can minimize the Blacks’ diminished returns of education attainment and other SES resources.

Background and aims: Patient safety, as one of the main components of the health care quality, implies avoiding any injury and damage to the patient when providing health care services. In other words, patient safety means his or her safety against any adverse and harmful event when receiving health care services. Based on the above-mention explanations, the present study was conducted to determine the patterns of patient safety management. Methods: A systematic review method was used to meet the objectives of the study. In order to access the scientific documentation and evidence related to the subject published during 1998-2018, English keywords including “ Patient Safety Model” , “ Patient Safety” , and “ Patient Safety of Management” were searched in Medine, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases and Persian versions of these keywords were also looked for in Jihad-e Daneshgahi’ s Scientific Information Database (SID) and Iranian Journals database (Magiran). Results: The findings of this study suggested that most of the studies on designing a model for patient safety highlighted important dimensions including guidance and leadership, communication, organizing, information management, control and monitoring, participation and decision-making, as well as planning and coordination. Conclusion: In general, using patterns and frameworks designed for patient safety improves patient safety against uncertain incidents since the human and financial consequences of such incidents impose overwhelming sufferings on patients.

Dear Editor, I have read with great interest the article titled “ The Relationship between Caesarean and Neonatal Hypothyroidism in Chadegan City” by Naderi et al. 1 It is an interesting subject, however with best regards and thanks to the authors, I have highlighted the following few points: First point is related to the method section, in which the authors have mentioned the records as 86 cases. It is unlikely to have such high number in only one year. The highest prevalence in this area is two cases in 1000 births. 2, 3 Moreover, it has been mentioned that individual and group matching has been used; in a such situation, conditional logistic regression or logistic regression should have been used to adjust the confounders.