Journal of Health System Research
Year:2016 | Volume:12 | Issue:1|Papers Count:23

Background: This study aimed to determine high-school students’ knowledge about the AIDS in Ashkhane City, Iran, using Health Belief Model (HBM).Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 384 female high-school students in Ashkhane City. Data were collected using a multi-section questionnaire based on HBM constructs that its reliability and validity were approved. Data were analyzed using independent-t and ANOVA test via SPSS software. Findings: The knowledge was in desirable level in 66 studied students (17.2%), in moderate level in 303 students (78.9%) and in undesirable level in 15 students (3.9%). The mean scores of perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits and perceived barriers were 51.48±13.04, 51.90±18.97, 72.90±23.60 and 53.74±21.00, respectively.Conclusion: This study showed that high-school students’ knowledge about the AIDS was in the moderate level. HBM-constructs-based educational programs, especially on perceived susceptibility, seem to be needed.

Background: Medical students are considered as high-risk groups for mental disorders due to exposure to a stressful environment and multiple stressors in their educational and clinical experiences. Considering the impact of mental health on individual performance, the present study was carried out with the aim of predicting medical students' mental health status based on demographic variables.Methods: This descriptive correlational study was implemented on 521 students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The participants were chosen through stratified random sampling. The data gathering tools included a demographic information form and the 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). The data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics (Student independent t-test, ANOVA, and multiple linear regressions) in SPSS software. Findings: The results of regression analysis indicated that sex was the best predictor of the students’ mental health with a determination coefficient of 9.6%. Mean score of mental health problems was higher in girsl than boys. The variables of sex, marital status, residential status, interest in the field of study, BMI, occupation, economic status, smoking status, and the academic status of parents, in total, explained 30.1% of the variance in students’ mental health (R2=30.1).Conclusion: Nearly half of the students’ mental health scores were above the cutoff point. Thus, it can be stated that they had low mental health levels. Moreover, the demographic factors affecting the mental health of the students were remarkable. Therefore, careful planning to identify factors affecting the mental health of students and to promote their mental health seems necessary.

Background: As fluoride concentration in drinking water is one of the effective parameters in human health, finding the ways to remove excess amount of fluoride is very important in water supply projects. This study aimed to evaluate Mendon bauxite mine in the removal of fluoride from drinking water.Methods: This experimental study was conducted from May to October 2013 on synthetic and actual water samples obtained from drinking water of Kuhbonan in Kerman, Iran. Bauxite was obtained from the Mendon bauxite mine in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province. Characterization of bauxite was studied via X-ray diffraction (XRD) method; X-ray fluorescence (XRF) was used to clear the mechanism of adsorption. Batch experiments were carried out to determine the effect of contact time, pH, adsorbent dose, and initial fluoride concentration parameters on the efficiency of defluoridation and to study the kinetics and adsorption isotherm. Analysis of fluoride was carried out via SPADNS method. To analyse the data, Excel software was used.Findings: Maximum removal efficiency was observed at the pH of 7, contact time of 120 minutes, and absorbent amount of 20 g/l for the synthetic solution, with removal efficiency of 76.96% and for the actual solution, with the efficiency of 56.64%. Sorption data were best fitted with the Langmuir sorption isotherm equation (R2=0.719) and the second order synthetic model (R2=0.989).Conclusion: Overall, the obtained results demonstrated that Mendon bauxite could be effectively used for fluoride removal from synthetic samples as well as actual water samples.

Background: Despite all the positive features of the internet, there are serious concerns about the use and effects of this technology on human mental health. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the internet addiction and students’ social self-efficacy, identity styles and gender differences.Methods: In a descriptive-correlational study, 200 undergraduate and graduate students at Kharazmi University, Iran, were selected using convenience sampling method. They completed Young’s internet addiction test, Smith and Betz’s social self-efficacy questionnaire and Berzonsky’s identity styles questionnaire. Data were analyzed using independent t, ANOVA, Pearson correlation and multivariate regression analysis statistical tests via SPSS software. Findings: Internet addiction showed negative correlation with social self-efficacy (P<0.050) and informational and normative identity styles (P<0.010) and positively correlated with diffuse-avoidant identity style (P<0.050). There were gender differences in the effective use of the internet and the rate was higher among the boys (P<0.010). In addition, these variables explained 23% of the total variance of internet addiction (P<0.010).Conclusion: Cyber space is very attractive and interesting and especially adolescents and young people more likely opt to use it. So, parents and educators should pay more attention to adolescents’ mental and social growth. By providing appropriate training methods, they can provide appropriate setting of growth and development for their children to enjoy a healthy life.

Background: Due to specific conditions in hospitals such as accumulation, existence of disable persons and patients, different and complex equipment, chemical and infectious substances, flammable materials and ionized radiations, safety precautions is essential to prevent the occurrence of incidents such as fire, electric shock hazard and exposure to excessive levels in hospitals. This was the compliance study of safe environment standards in the selected hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 6 hospitals in Shiraz city. To assess the safety status of hospitals, the safe environment standards (domain D) from of patient safety friendly hospital initiative published by the world health organization (WHO) was used. Study checklists were completed through field study and answers were scored and analyzed.Findings: The average compliance degrees of critical and core standards in all studied hospitals were 100 and 78.3%, respectively. In subdomain of core standards, the average compliance degrees were 76.66% and 89.57%, respectively.Conclusion: The results showed that all the studied hospitals were at level 2 of compliance with patient safety standards for safe environment domain (domain D). For full complicate with the standards, it is necessary to do the advised actions for improving the safety of hospitals, especially in the field of core standards (subdomain of D1).

Background: Using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been increased worldwide during last years and women are the greatest users of these methods especially in the pregnancy period. Due to lack of adequate information, this study aimed to assess the status of using complementary and alternative medicine by women in the pregnancy period.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 599 women referred to the health care centers of Isfahan city, Iran, in 2013 were enrolled. Data were collected using researcher-made questionnaire that included two parts of demographic data and questions about the use of different methods of complementary and alternative medicine. Data were analyzed using independent t, Pearson and Spearman statistical tests via SPSS software).Findings: 33.2% of participants had used no method, 45.8% at least one method and 21% more than one method of complementary and alternative medicine. There was not any statistical relationship between the age and frequency of used methods. However, there was a statistical relationship between the educational and job status and the frequency of used methods.Conclusion: Considering the high frequency using complementary and alternative medicine methods by pregnant women, more future researches are recommended to be done; moreover, training of the health care providers and the community about these methods in pregnancy period is recommended, too.

Background: According to the World Health Organization, mental disorders are one of ten major causes of disabilities throughout the world. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence rate of depression and to determine its associated factors in students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS), Iran.Methods: In this cross-sectional study in 2012, 358 students participated voluntarily. A questionnaire consisted of two parts was used as data collecting tool. In the first part, demographic characteristics, and in the second part, the Beck Depression Inventory standard questionnaire, were included. Statistical analysis was performed using Spearman correlation, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests via SPSS software. Findings: Mean (standard deviation) of depression score in studied population was 10.98 (8.68). In addition, the prevalence rate of depression among studied students was 45.25% (162 students). There were significant relationships between the score of depression and marital status, academic grade, content of field of study, using psychoactive drugs, job outlook, problem with marriage and religious commitments.Conclusion: Prevalence of depression in studied students was high. Depression had association with personal and educational factors and life style.

Background: Textile wastewater is the most important pollutant of the environment. Navy Blue (NB) CE-RN is an important chemical dye widely used in the textile industry. The present study aimed to investigate the removal of NB textile dyes from aqueous solutions using magnetic iron oxide absorbents.Methods: In this study, a sample of synthetic wastewater with NB concentration of 50 mg/l was used. The effect of different variables such as contact time, pH, and adsorbent dose was evaluated. Magnetic iron oxide absorbent was separated from the solution through centrifuging. Dye removal efficiency was evaluated by the color and chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration of the solution. The size of the magnetic iron oxide absorbent was determined using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Findings: NB removal was increased from 74% to 80.4% when the contact time was increased from 10 to 210 minutes. The effect of pH variation from acidic to alkaline was investigated and it was found that the highest removal rate was achieved at a pH of 6. With the increasing of absorbent dose from 1 to 4 g/l, the dye removal efficiency was increased from 73.14% to 93.71%. The COD removal of 78.38% occurred in absorption capacity of 11.8 mg/g.Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that maximum absorption was achieved in 210 minutes, pH of 6, and dose of 4 g/l. The magnetic iron oxide absorbent used in this research can be accepted as a method through which a high removal rate of textile NB can be achieved.

Background: Lack of physical activity is the fourth common cause of human death. Given the increased rate of sedentary life style among employees, the aim of this study was to evaluate physical activity status of governmental employees in changing stage based on the transtheoretical model (TTM) in Hamadan, Iran, in 2014.Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 1200 government employees. The study subjects were selected using proportional stratified random sampling. Data collection was performed using a three-section questionnaire containing demographic characteristics, Short Questionnaire to Assess Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (SQUASH), and the five-part algorithm of Marcus et al. Data were analyzed using logistic and linear regression, chi-square, t-test, and ANOVA in SPSS software. Findings: The mean age of the participants was 38.12 ± 8.04. About half of the employees were in the preparatory stage of TTM. Moreover, 49.2% and 50.8% of the subjects were classified as active and inactive, respectively. There was significant association between physical activity status and change stages of exercise. The associations between physical activity status and age, gender, work experience, education, and marital status were also significant (P<0.05). Work experience and education were strong predictors of physical activity status (adjusted R2=0.312, R2 change=0.01).Conclusion: Since half of the employees were inactive and their physical activity status was not favorable, the results of this study can be utilized by health promotion planners to design and implement appropriate intervention strategies to improve the physical activity status of employees, specifically in the workplace.

Background: Doogh is a fermented beverage in which microbial spoilage is possible. Benzoic acid and its salt (sodium benzoate) are added to Doogh as antimicrobial preservative to control microbial spoilage. However, the use of this preservative has been prohibited in milk and dairy products in Food and Drug Administration and Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine sodium benzoate concentration in Doogh distributed in Isfahan, Iran.Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, the sodium benzoate concentration of 36 samples of 3 brands of Doogh (A, B, and C) distributed in Isfahan in 2015 were assessed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Collected data were analyzed using ANOVA in SPSS software. All P values of smaller than or equal to 0.05 were considered significant. Findings: Results showed that the highest and lowest concentrations of sodium benzoate were found in brand C and A Doogh with amounts of 4.84 ± 0.55 and 4.03 ± 0.11 ppm, respectively. Sodium benzoate was detected in all Doogh samples. A significant difference was observed in sodium benzoate concentration between the 3 different dairy brands (P<0.001).Conclusion: The existence of low concentrations of sodium benzoate in all Doogh samples may be due to the natural occurrence of this compound in yoghurt and its transfer to Doogh. Furthermore, due to the great difference of the detected sodium benzoate in the current study with the permitted amount in Codex International Standard for Fermented Drinks (300 mg/kg), it the suggested to define the permitted level of sodium benzoate in Doogh based on national nutritional pattern.

Background: Fast foods consumption among students has increased. This study assessed the factors associated with fast foods consumption in adolescents in the city of Sanandaj, Iran.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 553 high-school students studying in the city of Sanandaj were randomly selected. Data were collected using questionnaires proved to be valid and reliable. Data were analyzed based on sample distribution using chi-square and independent-samples t tests via SPSS software. Findings: 69.8% of the studied students consumed fast foods at least once a week. Type of food consumption differed between the sexes (P<0.001). There was a relationship between the maternal education and the knowledge of adolescents about fast foods (P<0.050).Conclusion: Considering the important role of family member’s, specialty the mother, about choosing adolescents’ food and the effectiveness of the level of maternal education on students’ knowledge and tendency to fast food consumption, more attention should be paid to improve mothers' knowledge, as an important strategy in reduction of fast foods consumption in this age group.

Background: The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B infections in drug addicts is one of the most important problems of human societies. This study was conducted in order to determine the serologic prevalence of hepatitis B and HIV infections and its relationship with behavioral risk factors in drug addicts in Zamzam Health Center, Southern Tehran, Iran.Methods: This descriptive-analytical survey was conducted during 3 months (from January to March 2011) on 220 drug addicts under methadone maintenance treatment in Zamzam Health Center. The census sampling method was used in the present study. The serological prevalence of AIDS and hepatitis B was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. Demographic and behavioral characteristics of participants were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire and through face-to-face interviews. Data were analyzed using chi-square and t-test in SPSS software.Findings: The prevalence of HIV and hepatitis B infections were respectively 1.8% and 4.1%. HIV and hepatitis B infections had a statistically significant relationship with drug injection (P<0.001), number of injections per day (P<0.001), use of shared needles and syringes (P<0.001). Moreover, a significant relationship was observed between marital status and HIV infection (P=0.026), and previous imprisonment and hepatitis B infection (P=0.032).Conclusion: The prevalence of HIV and hepatitis B infections was high among drug addicts referred to Zamzam Health Center, especially among injecting drug users. Therefore, preventive interventions such as providing free consultation and training by professionals, distribution of free sterile syringes, precise and regular screening of blood transmitted diseases, and hepatitis B vaccination are recommended for drug addicts.

Background: Among the chemical pollutants present in wastewater, heavy metals are persistent compounds the toxicity of which on biological wastewater processes, humans, and the environment has been proven in various studies. In this study, the half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of growth inhibition of cadmium, lead, and mercury was assessed on dominant bacterial species present in sequencing batch reactors (SBR).Methods: Biomass sample was obtained from the biological unit of the SBR established in Moorchekhort Industrial Settlement, Isfahan, Iran. After cultivation and isolation of the dominant bacterial species, their DNA was sequenced through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and the bacteria species were determined. After exposure of these bacteria to different concentrations of mercury, cadmium, and lead, their EC50 was determined using resazurin bioassay. Findings: Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Enterobacter were registered as the 4 dominant bacterial species in the SBR. A great difference was observed in the sensitivity of these 4 bacteria to the heavy metals. Pseudomonas was the most sensitive bacteria to cadmium and lead, while Aeromonas was the most sensitive specie to lead.Conclusion: It can be concluded that Aeromonas and Pseudomonas are suitable bioindicators for toxicity assessment of wastewater and effluents contaminated with heavy metals.

Background: Microbial monitoring of aquatic sources is essential in the correct management of these vital sources. Multiple tube fermentation (MTF) technique is currently used for assessment of the microbial quality of water sources. However, today enzymatic assay has been presented as an alternative approach for detecting indicator bacteria. The purpose of this study was to compare enzymatic assay with MTF technique in terms of the detection of total and fecal coliforms in potable and non-potable waters.Methods: A total of 64 samples were collected from different water sources (potable, spring, well, and aqueduct water, and wastewater effluent). Detection of total and fecal (Escherichia coli) coliforms was performed using MTF method and enzymatic assay using LMX broth. The relationship between the parameters measured by the two methods was tested using the Pearson correlation. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of enzymatic assay were also evaluated. Findings: Statistical analysis of results showed a high correlation between total and fecal coliform measurements by the two methods. Enzymatic assay had a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 92, 95, and 94 percent, respectively.Conclusion: Due to the advantages of enzymatic assay, such as its relatively high sensitivity, accuracy, and speed, and simultaneous detection of total coliforms and E. coli, enzymatic assay using LMX can be used as an alternative method to MTF.

Background: Promoting physical activity is one of the most effective strategies for reducing the risk of some chronic and non-communicable diseases. One of the theoretical approaches to the promotion of physical activity is the transtheoretical model. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of transtheoretical model-based education on promoting physical activity among employees of Abu Musa Island, Iran.Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, employees were divided into intervention and control groups and assessed before, and 3 and 6 months after the educational intervention. Studied variables included demographic data, stages of change in physical activity, perceived benefits and barriers, and self-efficacy regarding physical activity. The transtheoretical model-based intervention included lectures, group discussions, poster, pamphlet, and video. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Findings: Before the educational intervention, intervention and control groups were not significantly different in terms of physical activity. In the intervention group, physical activity increased significantly 3 months after the intervention (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of the amount of physical activity 6 months after the intervention (P>0.05).Conclusion: This study showed that transtheoretical model based-intervention can be effective on promoting physical activity 3 months after the intervention, but these changes may decrease with further passage of time. Hence, the use of this model for improvement of physical activity should be continuous until all individuals reach the maintenance stage.

Background: Given the increasing importance of suspended particles and reporting weather conditions in the amount of ultraviolet radiation in many countries, in this study, the data of the maximum amounts of pollution by suspended particles with the size of 10, 2.5 and1 microns (PM10, PM2.5, PM1) which were reported in 1-hour time-series and Global Ultraviolet Index (UVI) were used to predict the contamination of these pollutants in Zanjan province, Iran.Methods: To provide the approximate level of UVI in the province, map-overlapping technique, map of Iran, and the UV map provided by World Health Organization for different regions of the world were used. To measure suspended particles of the equipment of Environmental Dust Station in Zanjan were used for sampling which was done for an hour every other day from mid-August to mid-September 2014. Findings: According to the map-overlapping technique, UV index was 4-5 in the province which was moderate as matched with the classification of the index of exposure. This finding was in accordance with the data of Iranian comprehensive system of environmental health information. The average one-hour values of suspended particles (PM10, PM2.5 and PM1) were 64.95, 18.60 and 12.67 micrograms per cubic meter for the Zanjan city, respectively.Conclusion: The amount of suspended particle for the Zanjan city was in favorable condition. According to the UV index, the province was in intermediate state. As the value of this index increases in the country from north to south, the province was in a better position than southern provinces.

Background: Clinical decision making as a major part of the performance of professional nursing is the distinctive factor of professional nurses and non-professional health care personnel. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the exercise and physical activity and the nurses’ collaboration in clinical decision making in Al-Zahra hospital, Isfahan, Iran.Methods: The descriptive-correlation and of survey research was done in 2014. The statistical population included all the nurses worked in Alzahra hospital in Isfahan with the population of 1125 people. The data collection tools included participation in decision activities questionnaire (PDAQ) and the researcher-made questionnaire of physical activities which its content and face validity were confirmed by the eight experts of nursing fields, clinical cares and physical science. In addition, the reliability of the two questionnaires proved through Cronbach’s Coefficient alpha of 0.90 and 0.81, respectively. Findings: There was a significant relationship between exercising and physical activities and taking part in clinical decision making (r=0.476, P=0.001). In addition, the results of multiple regression analysis were significant for group sports such as volleyball, basketball, badminton and futsal with the beta correlation of 0.398 (P=0.034).Conclusion: The results show the great and positive effect of sport on clinical decision making and its components as problem identification to choose the best solution and to analyze the suggested solutions in a way that a nurse could make the right decision and select proper solution.

Background: Behavioral disorders in children have relationship with decrease in learning and educational progress in childhood and cause behavioral disorders in adulthood. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of behavioral disorders in Iranian children.Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, all of the first grade students in three school levels all over the country were examined in aspect of different disturbances including behavioral disorders. Data collecting was done using registered information in students’ health ID cards and Rutter’s questionnaire, parents form. Findings: The prevalence of behavioral disorders was 1.42% among the children, 1.5% for girls and equal for boys, 1.6% in urban areas and 1.4% in rural areas. Behavioral disorders were more popular among the first-grade students of primary school (2.47%) than other grades.Conclusion: Prevalence of behavioral disorders in students, especially in first grade of primary school, is worrying. This shows the importance of exact recognition and identification of endanger persons with wide-spread, steady and high-sensitive screening programs and questionnaire.

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common infections in women; due to the changes occur in the body during pregnancy, it is more likely to develop urinary tract infection and it has a great deal of importance because of its potential complications on mother and the fetus. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors about urinary tract infections among pregnant women based on the health belief model (HBM).Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 140 pregnant women visiting health centers in Zahedan city, Iran during 2014. The data collection tool was a multi-sectional questionnaire consisting of demographic information, knowledge, questions of model components (perceptions) and behavior. The validity of questionnaire was confirmed by some expert professors (76%) and its reliability was calculated 81% using Cronbach’s alpha. The data were analyzed using Pearson, t and ANOVA test with a confidence level of 95% via SPSS software. Findings: The mean age of the study population was 22.55 ± 4.00 years and 64.3% of them had less than 9 years of education. The knowledge score of only 24.9% of the people was calculated as good. Scores of perceived susceptibility of 40.4%, perceived severity of 49.7%, perceived barriers of 56.1%, perceived benefits of 61%, and behavior of 38% of the study population were assessed as good. There was a meaningful difference between the employed women and housewives in terms of knowledge and there was a significant positive correlation between the knowledge score and scores of all parts of the model.Conclusion: Based on the results, among the studied women, knowledge about the urinary tract infections was poor and attitude and behavior were average. Therefore, it is recommended to hold meetings and workshops with the aim of improving women’s knowledge, attitude and behavior about urinary tract infections according to the health belief model which defines the policy and framework.

Background: Sound is one of the most important factors threatening workers’ health. The most efficient and practical method for controlling noise pollution is the use of sound-absorbing materials. Impedance tube with two microphones is used to determine the sound absorption coefficients and should be tested periodically for accuracy and efficiency. The purpose of present study was assessing the feasibility of tube performance and measuring the sound absorption coefficient of some Iranian-made materials.Methods: After designing the impedance tube and ensuring its effectiveness via comparing the measured chart with the reference curve of standard foam, the absorption coefficients of four samples including glass wool (15 kg/m3), mineral wool (40 kg/m3), cork (390 kg/m3) and rubber (89 kg/m3) were measured in two different thicknesses. Each sample measurement was performed three times and then, the average results were showed as graphs using Va-lab4 software. Findings: The results of the accuracy and efficiency showed that the impedance tube could be used with a correlation coefficient of 0.98. In addition, the glass wool sample and mineral wool had the highest absorption coefficients and the cork and rubber sample had a lower sound absorption. Besides, comparing glass wool with reference values showed that in both samples, the absorption increased with increasing frequency. The measured mineral wool with greater thickness had better sound absorption in all frequencies except of 2000 to 3300 Hz. However, the reference mineral wool with 50 mm thickness had lower absorption in frequencies of 2000 and 5000 Hz.Conclusion: According to the results, the absorption coefficient can be determined with the highest accuracy for all materials via 2-microphones impedance tube and in this way, we can achieve the desired results of controlling noise pollution in environment and industry.