Payesh
Year:2004 | Volume:3 | Issue:2|Papers Count:11

Objective(s): To compare waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHpR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) to predict cardiovascular risk factors in an urban adult population of women living in Tehran.Methods: This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 5073 women aged 18-74 years, participants of Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS). Demographic data was collected. Anthropometric indices were measured according to standard protocol. Cut-points of BMI, WC, WHpR and WHtR were considered as 25 kg/m2, 80cm, 0.8 and 0.5, respectively. Blood pressure was measured and hypertension was defined based on JNC VI. Biochemical analysis was conducted on fasting blood samples. Diabetes was defined as FBS≥126 mg/dl or 2 hBG>= 200 mg/dl and dyslipidemia based on ATP II. The presence of "at least one risk factor" from the four major cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes and smoking) was also evaluated.Results: The mean age of women was 39.9±14.6. The mean BMI, WC, WHpR and WHtR were 27.1±1.5 kg/m2, 86.5±13.5 and 0.83±0.08 cm and 0.55±0.08, respectively. Of the four anthropometric measures, subjects with abnormal WC had the highest odds for cardiovascular disease. Waist circumference had the highest sensitivity and specificity to identify subjects with risk factors in both 18-39 years and 40-74 years age categories. No combination of indicators had higher average sensitivity+ specificity than WC. Waist circumference had the highest area under the ROC and a higher percentage of correct prediction than BMI, WHpR and WHtR.Conclusion: It is concluded that WC is the best screening measure for cardiovascular risk factors compared to BMI, WHpR and WHtR in adult women.

Objective(s): To identify what barriers prevent clients from asking pharmacists their questions.Methods: 200 pharmacy clients participated in the study. Each client completed a questioner with some demographic and main questions about the barriers that prevent clients from asking pharmacists their questions. To achieve study objectives 370 community pharmacies also were asked to participate in the study and fill in the similar questionnaire. Data were analyzed performing basic descriptive statistics.Results: Only 20% believed pharmacists were prepared to provide appropriate patient consultation for prescription. Client reported barriers such as the pharmacist being too busy, standing behind and lack of privacy. The other barriers to asking pharmacist questions were client embarrassment and ignorance. Conclusion: In conclusion, pharmacists have an important opportunity to respond to clients informational needs if the barriers could be reduced.

Objective(s): To compare quality of life (QOL) in hemodialysis and renal - transplant receivers.Methods: The sample consists of 40 hemodialysis and 40 renal-transplant receivers aged 20 years old and over admitted to the Soodeh Center in Islamshahr district in Tehran, Iran. All subjects were outpatients and completed the Evans & Cope QOL questionnaire.Results: The mean score of QOL was 49.1 (SD=14) in hemodialysis and 41.9 (SD=15.5) in renal-transplant receivers indicating a significant difference between two groups (P<0.05).Conclusion: The findings suggest that QOL score was low for both groups of patients. However, the level of QOL among the renal-transplant receivers was worse than the hemodialysis patients.

Objective(s): To describe prevalence of overweight and obesity and determine its correlation with hypertension among students of Tehran University.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using data from 3931 Tehran University students. Anthropometric measurements (Height, Weight and BMI) and blood pressure were obtained and were classified based on WHO classification. Using statistical tests the associations between BMI and blood pressure were studied.Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 13.5% and 3.2%, respectively. 63.9% of the subjects had normal BMI and 19.4% were underweight. The association between BMI and high blood pressure were statistically significant (P<0.0001).Conclusion: The findings suggest that the BMI is a good predicting factor for hypertension.

Objective(s): To investigate on the effectiveness of the pap smear test.Methods: There were 11885 pap smear test records for women in south Tehran health centers in 1999. The effectiveness was defined as the proportion of women who should have been return for repeated pap smear test following their treatments. We studied the pap smear records to calculate the effectiveness.Results: Among those 447 were eligible for repeating pap smear test only 219 (49.1%) was accessible for interview. Among those who were interviewed, only 74 people had returned to repeat pap smear. Thus, the effectiveness of cervical cancer screening was found to be 34%. The main reasons for not returning to repeat pap smear were: lack of knowledge about follow up necessity (59%), lack of time (22%), fear of finding refractory disease (4%).Conclusion: The findings suggest that the quality of pap smear test in Tehran is poor and needs to be improved.

Objective(s): To determine the effect of pre-operation training on pre-and post operation anxiety in patients undergoing open-heart surgery.Methods: This was quasi-experimental study. In this study, the patients were randomly divided into cases and controls so that the effect of training on anxiety in the units can be assessed (50 patients in each group). Data were collected using a three- part questionnaire: (1) Demographic variables, (2) Objective anxiety symptoms (blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rate), and (3) The Spiel Berger questionnaire. The research was carried out in three stages. During the first stage a questionnaire was given to both groups on the day of admission for the evaluating level of anxiety. Then only the under-training group was educated with regard to various kinds of nursing cares and post-operation cooperation. During the second stage (one day before the operation) the same questionnaire was given to both groups and again the level of anxiety was measured. Then during the third stage, which followed the operation (3-5 hours after tracheal extubation) the questionnaire was again given to both groups.Results: After statistical analysis and comparison of all three stages, the results indicated that during the first stage both groups had a similar level of anxiety while after training at the second and third stages the level of anxiety in the control group was still high, but decreased in the cases (P<0.0001).Conclusion: Providing pre-operation and post-operation training is effective for reduction in anxiety and boosts patient cooperation for more rapid improvement and the earlier discharge.

Objective(s): To assess mental health in students in Qazvin University of Medical Sciences.Methods: In all 516 students (451 female, 59 male) responded to the 28 items General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). In order to indicate severe mental health disorders in students, for the general scale score of 23 and for the subscales score of 14 were used as cut-off points.Results: The results indicated that 11.8% of students suffered from mental health disorders. The rates in associated degree (AD) students; BS students and MD students were 14.3%, 6.9% and 6.2% respectively. Mental health disorders prevalence was 3.4% for men and 12.9% for women.Conclusion: In general, severe mental health in medical students was found to be low.

Objective(s): To Compare the level of knowledge about health behaviors during menstrual period between high school girls students in northern and southern part of Tehran.Methods: A randomized sampling method was employed, and 280 girls were selected from high schools in both regions (140 from each). Data were collected via a two-part questionnaire including items on demographic data and 6 sections related to the specific aims of the study.Results: The results indicated that 10.7% of the sample in the North and 10% in the South had poor knowledge and 84.3% and 87.9% of the students in the North and in the South had average level of knowledge, respectively. Only 5% of the students in the North and 2.1% in the South had an acceptable level of knowledge about menstrual health behavior.Conclusion: The findings suggest that high school students both in the North and in the South have poor knowledge on the topic and in general there is no significant difference between these two groups.