Journal of Health System Research
Year:2012 | Volume:8 | Issue:3|Papers Count:28

Organic industry is a small but progressive section of food industry in developed countries. Organic products are categorized based on the percentage of the proportion of the organic ingredients to nonorganic ingredients in their formulation. Using preservatives, synthetic food colorants and flavorings are prohibited. The non-organic ingredients must be legally accepted in organic codex standard.In recent years, the higher concentration of bioactive substances, like antioxidants and phenolic compounds has been suggested in organic foods comparing to commercial products. In comparison to commercial foods, organic foods also carry less nitrate and chemical residue but limited use of fungicide may raise the probability of contamination of organic products with mycotoxin. This study aimed to review the characteristics of organic foods in five sections of law, marketing, production, nutritional features and food safety.

Protecting hymen is related to sharia laws. Sharia law has stressed on protecting honor, virtue, chastity and purity. In jurisprudence, the person who removes the hymen must be punished. This study aimed to review the jurisprudence of restoration of virginity. This study was based on a theoretical approach. It was conducted by studying the documents on this field and searching the topics on the hymen and virginity restoration in the jurisprudence. Restoring virginity is allowed if the cause of hymen removing was rape, reluctant, falling, an accident or jump. If the cause of the hymen loss was based on marriage, repair is forbidden, whether she was divorced or widowed. If defloration is committed due to adultery with consent and is famous for adultery or she is not famous for adultery but without repentance, healing is not permitted. But if she repents, there are two chances for it, but considering the likelihood of deceiving the husband, the probability of forbiddance to repair is stronger. Considering the importance of the topic, referring to the jurisprudence in the virginity reconstructive surgery is required.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Each year it is newly diagnosed in more than 1.1 million women around the world. The aims of this study were to investigate the role of dietary factors such as consumption of vegetables, fruits, dairy products, fried food, fish, and salt along with food, and factors such as weight, physical activity, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, educational level, and marital status in the development of colorectal cancer.Methods: First we calculated the bilateral Pierson correlation coefficient between the mean incidences of breast cancer during 2001-2006, and the proportion of risk factors of non-contagious diseases. Then the risk factors with statistically significant correlation coefficient were separated and were entered into the multiple linear regressions model, in order to investigate the effects of that factor both individually and in relation to other factors over these years.Findings: Based on the Pearson correlation results, there was a significant positive correlation between breast cancer in women, and the percentage of diabetic women, fish consumptions per week, academic education, and lack of consumption of fruits per week. However, there was a significant negative correlation between the incidence of breast cancer, and lack of fish consumption per week, percentage of illiteracy, and consumption of fruit per week. However, in regression analysis there was a significant correlation between university education, fruit consumption per week, and the percentage of diabetic women.Conclusion: Since this was an ecological study we should be careful of ecological fallacy in the interpretation of results. This study can only hypothesize about some possible factors causing breast cancer, therefore, other studies are required, these could be cohort or case control studies.

Background: The comfort of patients during their stay in the hospital is important, and noise pollution exceeding the permissible level could cause discomfort for the patients and intensify their disease. Moreover, increase in this factor affects the hospital staff and therefore has a negative effect on how they serve the patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the environmental noise pollution in Feiz Hospital wards and its adjacent area, and compare them with recommended standard values.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 2011. To measure sound levels, the environmental noise parameters such as L10, L50, L90, L95, L99, Leq, SEL, SPL, Lmin, Lmax, were measured using the CEL- 440 sound level meter. Measurements were conducted during 8-12 a.m. and 16-20 p.m. with half an hour interval.Findings: The maximum equivalent sound level (Leq) in the clinical section in the morning, and in the official section of the hospital in the afternoon were 66.72 and 65.80 dB (A), respectively. The averages of Lmax, Leq, SEL, and L10 in the morning were 61.87, 58.17, 61.50, and 60.62 dB, respectively, and those of in the afternoon were 69.67, 62.06, 71.58, and 64.87 dB, respectively.Conclusion: Statistical analyses showed a significant difference between measured values in the morning and the afternoon (P<0.001). In other words, the mean index values in the afternoon were higher than in the morning. It can be concluded that Feiz Hospital has a high level of noise pollution, and in most cases the noise levels exceeded the levels recommended by the Iranian environmental protection agency.

Background: The nursing profession, due to the nature of its tasks, is a high risk occupation for work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The objective of this study was the determination of the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and their associated risk factors among nursing personnel with patient transfer tasks.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 nurses from 75 wards of 11 hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) during summer 2011. Data were collected by the Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire (NMQ). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 16. Prevalence rates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. To determine MSDs associated factors, the level of significance was set at<5%.Findings: The mean of age and job experience in subjects were 30.76±6.44 and 6.92±5.75, respectively. Some form of musculoskeletal symptoms had been experienced during the last 12 months by 88.2% (CI95%: 85.2-91.2) of the nursing personnel. Lower back (71.5%), feet (68.2%), hand and wrist (64.5%), neck (42.2%) and shoulder (42%) symptoms were the most prevalent problems among the nurses. Logistic regression analyses indicated that factors including job experience, nurse to bed ratio, gender and shift work had a significant correlation with musculoskeletal disorders (P<0.05).Conclusion: It can be concluded that the prevalence rates of WMSDs related to patient transfer in hospital nursing personnel were high. Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate or correct factors associated with WMSDs occurrence, improve patient transfer techniques and use patient transfer aids.

Background: Nowadays, solid waste management is one of the major concerns of the human societies.Waste volume and diversity as well as its complexity have made it more difficult for collection and disposal. Distribution and sanitary disposal of these materials not only have provided the environment with an ugly landscape, pollution of water resources, soil, and air, but also have jeopardized humans life with prevalence of many diseases.Methods: First, the circumstance of zoning the municipal districts, equipment and municipal facilities, waste resources as well as the circumstance for collection and disposal and then the amount of produced wastes in the temporary stations were determined per day; then, the current issues in the waste management system from production to the final disposal were identified in Masjed Soleiman City. The samples were prepared according to the standard method, and then the composition of the percentage and moisture of the wastes were calculated. The chemical composition of the leachate was determined through identifying parameters such as pH, BOD, COD, volatile substances, dried residue and heavy metals.Findings: The results showed that the average total amount of waste production and its per capita per year have been 14, 407, 663 and 162 kilograms, respectively. The inventory management system, various problems such as traditional management, lack of knowledge about new technologies the low yield and non-hygienic tools and methods of collection, which have caused heap of garbage in different parts of the city, leachate leakage and accumulation of stray animals and vermin and unhealthy atmosphere of the city all are the consequences of the incorrect management. Furthermore, the results suggested that mean concentration of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were 0.528, 5.34, 3.95, 2.015, 1.309 and 6.565 and mean concentration of COD and BOD were 41523.2, 35500 mg /l, respectively.Conclusion: According to the results in order to prevent from diseases and environmental effects and increased diseased caused by the current waste collection method, fundamental and technical modifications for the solid waste management are necessary in this regard.

Background: Soy intake may affect serum leptin levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of soy intake on serum leptin levels among postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.Methods: Forty two postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome were included in this study. They were assigned to one of the following groups for duration of eight weeks: control group that were exposed to Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), soy protein diet group and soy nut diet group. Serum leptin level was measured by ELISA method.Findings: There was no significant weight change in patients during three phases of trial. Also there was no significant difference among the values of serum leptin concentrations after the use of these diets (geometric mean±SD: 16.9±2.5 ng/ml in the control group, 16.1±1.6 ng/ml in the soy protein diet, and 15.9±1.7 ng/ml in the soy nut diet). Neither soy protein nor soy nut diets could affect on percent difference compared to control for serum leptin levels (P=0.32).Conclusion: The study showed that neither soy protein, nor soy nut could affect weight and serum leptin levels in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.

Background: The preventive measures against H1N1 influenza are vitally important. The aim of the present study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and performance of academic hospital staff about H1N1 influenza.Methods: This study was carried out on Ali-ebne-Abiltaleb Hospital staff in Rafsanjan, Iran. The data gathering tool was a researcher made questionnaire comprised of 38 questions on demographic (8 questions), knowledge (4 questions), attitude (9 questions) and performance (17 questions).Findings: 136 staffs completed the questionnaire. Knowledge of the staff was found to be acceptable. Majority of them had a good attitude towards the prevention of H1N1 influenza. Their performance was also assessed to be good.Conclusion: Having good knowledge, positive attitude and suitable performance by the staff highlights a bright perspective in prevention of H1N1 influenza. However, generalizing the results of this study to other academic hospitals needs further investigations.

Background: Protecting Islamic values are of great importance for every person as well as every organization. Respecting hijab by university students is considered as one of the best examples. This study intends to evaluate the attitude of female students about hijab in health faculty of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2009.Methods: 315 female students were selected. Data was collected using researcher made questionnaire. In order to analyze data, statistical indices like frequency distribution, percentage, mean, variance, was used and c2 test was employed.Findings: 19.4% had positive attitude towards having hijab.19% were against it and 61.6% neither agreed nor disagreed. There were no significant relation between attitude towards hijab and field of study (P<0.21), education degree (P<0.26) and marital status (P<0.95). But the relationship between semesters and student's residency with attitude about hijab was significant (P=0.031, P=0.008).Conclusion: Despite some approaches against Islamic values, the results showed a thorough tendency towards Islamic values and spirituality which could be a good opportunity for cultural managers to propagate these values.

Background: Water is one of the essential requirements of life and one of the efficient natural materials which is vital for the human life and civilization. Therefore, awareness of its quality is essential for any consumer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the microbial and chemical quality of drinking water of the rural areas of central Boyer Ahmad district, Iran.Methods: This study was conducted in the rural areas of the central parts of Boyer Ahmad district, Iran in 2010.79 samples for microbial evaluation and 21 samples for chemical evaluation were assessed.Findings: The evaluation analysis revealed that all of the chemical parameter concentration (except residual chloride and fluoride) and the microbial parameters (fecal coliforms) were in standard range, but 24% of the measured microbial cases contained coliform.Conclusion: The quantity and acceptable quality of drinking water is one of the most important issues that consumers are faced with. On the other hand, as the population grows, so does the industry and agricultural production, which over time it will become a serious problem and needs to be seriously dealt with. Regarding that most of the discrepancy is in the amount of water chlorination, thus it can be an indication of inappropriate water management and their ignorance toward drinking water chlorination. Improving water resources is essential to prevent water pollutions to other coliforms as well as developing drinking water standards for the exploitation of water resources.

Background: clinical education is an essential part of nursing education, but unfortunately an appropriate program which can meet the expectations of the students has not been planned and executed. The aim of this qualitative study was to determine the experiences of nursing students of the Mentorship Program.Methods: This was a qualitative and theme analysis study, in which sixteen nursing students were selected and interviewed. Data were collected with semi-structural and in-depth interviewing, and interviewing was continued until data saturation. All interviews were written on a paper and were analyzed in three levels.Findings: By analyzing the data, we found 59 primary themes that were divided into two categories of strengths and weaknesses. Of the five sub-themes of the strengths category, two (participation in care, and quality improvement) were factors related to education and three (student satisfaction, abilities and skills of students, and abilities of the lecturer) were related to individual factors. Of the six sub-themes of the weaknesses category, two (staff, and lecturer) were of the management factors and three (discipline, lesson plan, time limitation) were education factors.Conclusion: As it is suggested by the comments, this program had some strengths and weaknesses. Findings of this study are applicable to improving the clinical education of nursing students, their services in the society.

Background: Poly-aluminum chloride (PACL) is an inorganic coagulant used in recent years for the removal of color and turbidity in refining water industry. When coagulants are added to water, some amount of this material dissolves in water and remains in the final refined water. Aluminum is also a material that is found in aluminum coagulants base (Alum and PACL), and little amounts of this material in the water causes many health problems such as dialysis encephalopathy and Alzheimer. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has determined the maximum concentrations level (MCL) allowable in drinking water as 0.2 mg/l. Advanced coagulation process is defined as the addition of excess coagulant for the removal of natural organic matter (NOM), as precursors of disinfection by products. It is expressed as the best available process for the treatment and removal of this material.Methods: The amount of residual aluminum was studied in conventional and advanced coagulation after adding PACL in jar test.Findings: Results showed that mean residual aluminum in enhanced coagulation was more than conventional coagulation. But the amount of residual aluminum in both processes was lower than the MCL recommended by EPA.Conclusion: It can be conclude that using enhanced coagulation by PACL in water, not only causes turbidity and NOM removal, but even with multiplying the coagulant dose, the residual aluminum is less than the recommended maximum concentration level.

Background: The study of reproductive behaviors is one of the important factors of population. It plays a pivotal role in the growth of population. Reproductive behaviors are influenced by the cultural values and traditional beliefs of individuals. The aim of the present study is to compare reproductive behaviors of nomadic and non-nomadic tribes in the Semirom province, and determine factors influencing this behavior.Methods: In this descriptive study, 357 families of nomads of Semirum city, 70% nomadic and 30% nonnomadic, are evaluated with simple random sampling. The data collection tool was a Questionnaire consisting of traditional beliefs, attitude toward children, attitude toward family planning, men's participation in family planning, age of marriage, and education. Date were analyzed by SPSS version 12 using Pearson's correlation, independent t-test, chi-squared test and regression analysis. P value of less than 0.05 is considered as significant level.Findings: The traditional beliefs of non-nomadic tribes were significantly higher than nomadic tribes (P=0.0001). The attitude toward children and family planning, men's participation in family planning, marriage age of girls, and education in non-nomads were significanty higher than nomadic tribes (P=0.0001). Moreover, the reproductive rate of non-nomadic tribes was significantly lower than nomadic tribes (P=0.0001). Regression analysis indicates that only the nomads’ traditional beliefs on reproduction can predict their reproductive behaviors.Conclusion: The settlment of nomadshas caused a decrease in their traditional beliefs on reproductive behaviors changed their attitude toward children, family planning, caused the greater participation of men in family planning, and increased the level of education and age of marriage. Increase in the education of nomad can also cause a decrease in their reproductive rate.

Background: According to high prevalence of obesity and central adiposity in adolescents and its relevance with food intake, the aim of this research was to determine the relation between fast food consumption and body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in female adolescents.Methods: This study was conducted on 140 students aged 10 to 14 years, selected randomly among guidance school students in an area of Isfahan. They completed the quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Physical activity was assessed by recording daily activities. BMI was categorized to lower than 15th percentile for age and sex, named "low weight", between 15th to 85th percentile named "normal weight", between 85th to 95th percentile "overweight" and equal or more than 95th percentile named "obese".Findings: The mean value of BMI and waist circumference was 19.8±3.3 kg/m2 and 69±9 cm. 35.7% of these adolescents were either obese or overweight. The daily mean value of fast food intake was 174.6 g. There was a significant relation among fast food consumption, BMI and waist circumference (P<0.05). Those in the highest quartile of fast food intake had higher BMI and waist circumference compared to those in the first quartile (P<0.001).Conclusion: There was a significant association between fast food consumption and BMI and waist circumference among Isfahan female adolescents. Nutritional education is needed in this regard.

Background: The presence of heavy metals in dialysis water which enters patients’ body through haemodialysis can cause various problems such as acute poisoning, brain damage, osteoarthritis etc. Therefore, applying the standards for dialysis water is indispensable. This study was carried out to determine the heavy metals of the enterence water of dialysis machines and its comparison with AAMI and EPH standards in the hospitals of Qom province, Iran.Methods: This study was carried out on 45 samples of the enterence water of the dialysis machines. Since there were three hospitals in Qom having dialysis units, 15 samples were chosen from each of them. Atomic absorption machine was used for analyzing the samples.Findings: The mean and standard deviation of alominium, lead and cadmium were 4.29±4.05, 2.84±0.42, 0.53±0.18 mg/l, respectively and zinc was 0.002±0.01 mg/l. These amounts were lower than AAMI and EPH standards. But in few cases these amounts were higher than the standard level.Conclusion: The avegare heavy metals measured in these hospitals was lower than the standard level. In other words, patients are in better conditions in comparison with the side effects of the above mentioned factors.

Background: Corrosivity is one of the factors affecting the water quality. Not controlling the chemical quality of water in the distribution network causes corrosion, sedimentation and economical and health damages. The aim of this study was to determine the drinking water corrosivity and sediment of Kuhdasht, Iran by using the corrosivity index.Methods: In this study, 12 predetermined areas located in Kuhdasht were regularly sampled in two stages. Index values of Langelier, Ryznar, corrosivity and Puckorius were calculated by using parameters such as temperature, calcium hardness, alkalinity, total dissolved solids, and pH.Findings: The calculated index values was -0.47 (Langelier), 7.86 (Ryznar), 11.43 (corrosivity), and 6.49 (Puckorius).Conclusion: The results indicated that Kuhdasht city water is tending to be corrosive. Therefore, city authorities' interventions should be used to adjust pH and stabilize the water.

Background: Lead can penetrate into the human body through various routes including ingestion, inhalation and cutaneous. Using cosmetic products such as lipstick and eye shadow is considered as one of the cutaneous sources of lead entrance into the body. Pregnancy hypertension, IQ loss and abortion are the major adverse effects of lead absorption. Lead concentration in most popular brands was investigated in this study in order to identify the best quality of the consumed eye shadows.Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical study conducted in Isfahan city in 2011. The information about most widely consumed brands of cosmetics eye shadows were obtained from the major cosmetics and makeup sellers. Based on the statistical procedures, 15 samples of high-consumed eye shadow brands were selected and analyzed by the Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS).Findings: Lead concentration in all the studied subjects was 0.85 to 6 mg /g of eye shadow based on their wet or fresh mass. The total mean lead level in all the samples was 3.53 mg/g. The maximum and minimum lead concentration in the samples were obtained in Flomar (5.66 mg/g) and Kavian (1.5 mg/g) brands, respectively.Conclusion: In this study, lead concentration of the eye shadows was lower than the recommended value by the Amercian food and drug administration (FDA). In order to prevent from the adverse and harmful health effects of the cosmetic products on human, particularly on pregnant women and infants, the lead levels of the cosmetics must be monitored.

Background: One of the most important changes during pregnancy is maternal weight gain. As optimal weight gain is still a controversial issue, this matter is frequently discussed and surveyed. A limited number of studies have been performed on the correlation between pregnancy weight gain and birth weight in Iran. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine maternal weight gain during pregnancy based on the recommended standards, and its correlation with infant birth weight in Isfahan, Iran, in 2011.Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study. The data collection tool was an information form, which was completed through the patients’ family health files. The study samples were 225 mothers, who referred to health centers in Isfahan and were selected through the multistage cluster sampling method. Data were analyzed through SPSS software, with the significant level at P<0.05.Findings: The mean weight gain during pregnancy was 11.73 kg. In the current study mean birth weight was 3193 g, while approximately 7.11% of them were LBW and 6.22% weighed higher than 4000 g. Mean BMI before pregnancy was 25.3 kg/m2 in the study group. The Pearson's correlation coefficient showed that pre-pregnancy BMI and pregnancy weight gain were significantly correlated with birth weight.Conclusion: Although, mean weight gain during pregnancy in this study was about its optimal value, we found that a significant percentage of mothers with low and normal weight, in the BMI subgroups, had failed to reach the optimal weight. On the other hand, a significant percentage of mothers diagnosed with overweight and obesity had gained more weight than the standard rate. However, there were a direct significant correlation between pregnancy weight gain and infant birth weight.

Background: polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are occupational and environmental pollutants and hazardous organic compounds that have created major environmental and occupational challenges. PCB compounds have different health effects in humans depending on sex, age, route of entry, intensity, and frequency of exposure. This study was conducted to determine the effect of microwave rays, hydrogen peroxide, Tio2, catalyst and ethanol on the composition of PCBs in order to reduce occupational exposure.Methods: This was an experimental study carried out in the laboratory of Tarbiat Modares University between May and September 2011. This experiment used a MW oven, Pyrex vessel reactor (250 ml volume), Pyrex tube connector and condensing system. A 900 W domestic MW oven with a fixed frequency of 2450 MHZ was used to provide MW irradiation. Ray powers of 540, 720 and 900 W were used. A hole was pierced in the top portion of the oven and the Pyrex vessel reactor was connected with the Pyrex tube connector. PH and temperature was continuously monitored. The experiments were performed in triplicates and the results are presented as mean concentrations. The PCBs were analyzed by GC-ECD. Then, data were analyzed by SPSS software version16, ANOVA with repeated measurements, and t-test, and P<0.05 was significant.Findings: The mean degradation of total PCBs in terms of microwave ray power of 540, 720 and 900 W was 84.25%, 88.81%, and 95.84% respectively. The mean degradation of total PCBs in terms of ratio of solvent to askarel oil of 1: 1, 2: 1 and 3: 1 was 53.82%, 79.06%, and 94.95% respectively. The mean degradation of total PCBs in terms of lack of usage of H2O2 and usage of 10% and 20% of H2O2was 70.9%, 84.65% and 88.91% respectively. The mean degradation of total PCBs in terms of lack of usage of Tio2 and usage of 0.05, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2 g of Tio2 was 70.9%, 76.53%, 77.32%, 79.10%, and 80.19% respectively. The mean degradation of total PCBs in terms of lack of usage of H2O2/ Tio2 and the simultaneous usage of 10% of H2O2 and 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 g of Tio2 was 70.9%, 89.3%, 91.18%, 92.17%, and 93.16% respectively. The mean degradation of total PCBs in terms of lack of usage of H2O2/Tio2 and simultaneous usage of 20% of H2O2 and 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 g of Tio2 was 70.9, 93.95%, 94.95%, 95.84%, and 97.22% respectively.Conclusion: The results of these experiments showed that using microwave rays, H2O2 oxidant and Tio2 catalyst lead to an efficient degradation of PCBS only in the presence of ethanol. Increasing the concentration of ethanol should increase the generation rate of hydroxyl radical, and thus the oxidation and dechlorination of the PCBs. The degradation rate of PCBs increased with increasing of the concentration of H202 and amount of Tio2.

Background: Chronic renal failure and dialysis causes symptoms which can affect the patient's quality of sleep and quality of life. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between sleep qualities, and quality of life in hemodialysis patients in the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran.Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical study. The study population consisted of the dialysis patients who were referring to dialysis centers of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, and were enrolled in the census.Data collection tool was a questionnaire with the three sections of demographic questionnaire, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Pittsburgh sleep quality questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 15, the Mann-Whitney test, c2 test, and independent samples t-test.Findings: The subjects were 171 dialysis patients, of which 95 were male (55.6%) and76 female (44.4%). The average age of men and women were 59.12±16.48 and 55.55±18.03, respectively. The difference between the average age of the two genders was not significant (P=0.18). The average duration of dialysis was 36.96±33.03 months. Results showed that none of the dialysis patients were in the desired quality of life group. Moreover, chi-square test showed that sleep quality has an impact on quality of life of dialysis patients, and this correlation was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, the quality of sleep of hemodialysis patients, as one of the most important aspects influencing the quality of life of these patients, requires more attention.