Payesh
Year:2005 | Volume:4 | Issue:4|Papers Count:10

Objective(s): To determine anthropometric status and to compare the intake of energy and nutrients with DRIs (Dietary Reference Intakes) in female secondary school students in Semnan. Methods: In a cross- sectional study, using two-stage cluster sampling, 256 female students were selected from Semnan secondary schools. Weight and height were measured and BMI (Body Mass Index) calculated for the study subjects. Anthropometric status was defined by BMI-for age. Data on the intake of energy and some other nutrients were collected by 24-hour recall and food record questionnaires. Results: Relatively high proportions of students were thin (5.9% - expected 5%) and overweight (11.7%- expected 10%). The intakes of energy, vitamin B12, Folate, Calcium, Zinc, and fibers were less than DRI (P<0.0001). Conclusion: The findings suggest that thinness and overweight rates in female secondary school students in Semnan are higher than expected and preventive measures seem necessary.

Objective(s): To examine knowledge and practice of female students about function, dietary sources, effective factors on iron absorption, causes and symptoms of iron deficiency. Methods: In a cross-sectional study 500 female students were selected by random sampling from high schools of district 6 in Tehran. Data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire including items on general knowledge and practice about dietary iron. Results: The knowledge scores of students about dietary iron were low. The association between knowledge scores and students' grade, field of study and previous year's credit were significantly different (P<0.05). In addition, the practice scores of student were acceptable and were significantly related to previous year's credit and field of study (P<0.05). Inappropriate nutritional practices such as yogurt, soft drinks and tea consumption with meal or close to it were common in 17-65% of students. Conclusion: The knowledge scores of female students in high schools of district 6 in Tehran about dietary iron were low. Moreover, inappropriate nutritional practices were common in many students, which in turn influence iron bioavailability.

Objective (s): On the morning of December 26th, 2003, earthquake stroke the area of Barn in the southeastern part of Iran. The earthquake measured 6.6 on the Richter scale and caused extensive damage to buildings, urban facilities and roadways. This report describes injuries among Barn earthquake victims in the Barn who were transferred to Imam Hospital in Tehran. Methods: The medical records of 230 trauma patients transferred to Imam General Hospital from 26th till 29th December 2003 were reviewed. Results: From 230 referred patients 193 were admitted, 115 of them (59.5%) were male. Sixty-five patients (33.6%) were less than 16 years of age. The most important problems in the patients were extremity injuries. Because of acute renal failure, four (8%) out of 50 patients with crush syndrome required haemodialysis. Two patients were died. Conclusion: Research combining comprehensive surveillance with risk factor assessment can help to identify behaviors and circumstances to decrease the risk of injury in similar situations.

Objective(s): To evaluate the efficacy of educational intervention using the Health Belief Model (HBM) in order to predict behavior change in diabetic patients. Methods: The study population consisted of type 2 diabetic patients attending a diabetes clinic in Bandar Abbas. Eighty patients were randomly selected and assigned to two groups, 40 to the intervention and 40 to the control group. Education sessions for the intervention group were held at the diabetes clinic. At the initial visit and 4 months after education, behavior was assessed using an interview schedule; attitude and self-efficacies were assessed by a questionnaire. Results: The intervention group had a statistically significant increase in the mean perceived susceptibility from 6.3 to 8.7 (P<0.0001), in perceived severity from 13.6 to 16.8 (P<0.0001), in perceived benefits from 13.3 to 16.6 (P<0.0001), in self-efficacy from 20.3 to 25.3 (P<0.0001), in behavior from 3.94 to 7.7 (P<0.0001) and a statistically significant decrease in perceived barriers from 14.6 to 11.1 (P<0.0001). Also self-efficacy and perceived threat were associated with behavior change. Conclusion: The Health Belief Model, with emphasis on self-efficacy, perceived susceptibility and perceived severity (perceived threat) is useful in diabetes education in order to predict and change patient behavior. It can also be used in research and behavior modification programs for diabetic patients.

Objective (s): The objective of this study was to assess the association between occupational stress and job satisfaction among employees of akaroon petroleum and Gas Company of Ahwaz. Methods: This was a descriptive-analytic study that was carried out in Ahwaz in 2000-2001. In all, 350 employees of Karoon petroleum and Gas Company were selected by simple random sampling from employees' list. The questionnaires were distributed among employees and after two months, 246 completed questionnaires were collected. In order to measure employees' occupational stress and job satisfaction, Steinmetz questionnaire and Minnesota questionnaire were used, respectively. The results were analyzed by using t test and correlation coefficient. Results: The results showed that there was reverse significant correlation between occupational stress and job satisfaction (P<0.0001). Also occupational stress had reverse significant correlation with age of employees (P=0.001). The study results also showed that job satisfaction had direct significant correlation with age and numbers of children (P=0.000) but reverse significant correlation with education (P<0.0001). Conclusion: Occupational stress is an important factor that might have harmful effects on health of employees, health of other employees and job satisfaction.

Objective (s): The environmental pollution and the waste material disposal in health care centers need special attention. This study was carried out to evaluate waste management in hospitals affiliated to the Iran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The study population included all hospitals affiliated to the Iran University of Medical Sciences. Interview and observation methods were used to collect data, and the study tool was a questionnaire. Data were analyzed by the SPSS, using chi-square and t-tests. Results: Regarding the condition of anatomic waste, 75% of the hospitals were in a good condition. The situation was the same with nuclear waste materials (42% of hospitals). The trashcans were in a good condition in 50% of the rooms, corridors and other parts of the hospitals. Infectious waste was separated in 50% of wards and kept in special sacks in 42% of wards. 44% of the wards were equipped with trolleys to carry waste material, but 78% of these were not in a good condition. The frequency of gathering waste materials was adequate in 74% of hospitals. In spite of having multiple floors, these hospitals did not have garbage chutes or special elevators for carrying waste. 78% of these hospitals did not have incineration facilities. Disposal of sharp cutting materials was done in an acceptable manner in 70% of hospitals. Conclusion: The management has to provide a solution for the waste problem. Hospital administrators should take care of all aspects of the process. Unfortunately, the results have shown that the waste management process (generation, transportation, temporary storage and disposal) was not on an appropriate level.

Objective(s): To design an appropriate evaluation model for Universities of Medical Sciences and define its criteria. Methods: This operational study conducted in Tehran University of Medical Sciences (pilot setting) in 2002-2003. Data gathered by review of documents and interview with specialists and managers of the university. Results: The performance excellence model named as Malcolm Baldrige (self-assessment model) was selected. Applying the criteria of the Malcolm Baldrige model should help guide the implementation of total quality management, or continuous quality improvement. These criteria are leadership, strategic planning, students, information and analysis, faculty and staff focus, process effectiveness and results. In this model, questions modified and summarized. Appropriate indicators and their definition suggested for "result" criteria. Conclusion: The performance excellence model and suggested indicators are useful for decision makers in Universities of Medical Sciences.

Objective(s): Iron deficiency anemia is one of the common nutritional problems in Iran. Therefore, the flour fortification with iron program was launched on May 2001, and mid-term evaluation conducted after 3 years (2004), focusing on effectiveness and coverage of the program. Methods: Two studies have been designed: Study 1: A field trial to determine effectiveness of the program. Locations of the study were the Bushehr province (intervention group) and three districts of Fars province (control group). Target populations were women aged 15-49 years. For all women, blood samples were taken to measure hemoglobin and ferritin. In addition, data were collected on potential confounding variables and adjustments were made using a logistic regression model. Study 2: A cross-sectional study to determine program coverage in Bushehr province. In this study, we measured the iron in samples of bread consumed by households and also iron content of the flour in bakeries. Results: The results of this study showed that the coverage of fortified flour was 100% and the coverage of fortified bread at households' level was 99.7% in Bushehr province. A total of 863 women (567 women in Bushehr province and 296 women in Fars) entered into the effectiveness study. The fortification program decreased the prevalence of low ferritin and iron deficiency anemia (low hemoglobin and low ferritin) among women. There were no significant changes in mean hemoglobin or in the prevalence of low hemoglobin. Conclusion: The findings of the mid-term evaluation of the flour fortification program in Iran demonstrated that the iron fortification program has beneficial effects. Flour fortification alone will not prevent iron deficiency anemia but it is an important component of a public health strategy. Therefore, more time and information are needed for interpreting the current trends in anemia indicators.