Shiraz E-Medical Journal
Year:2021 | Volume:22 | Issue:11|Papers Count:10

Background: Recent data have suggested that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can occur in normal-weight subjects. This study examined the association of body fat percentage (BF%) with NAFLD and its risk factors in normal-weight individuals. Objectives: The present study aimed to explain the association of body fat with NAFLD and its cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods: A total of 59 subjects with body mass index (BMI) within the range of 18. 5-24. 9 kg/m were selected from referrals to two major university polyclinics in Shiraz, Iran, from April to June 2019. Fatty liver grade, anthropometric characteristics, body composition, and cardiometabolic risk factors were measured in this study. Results: Waist circumference (P = 0. 012), fat mass (P < 0. 001), triglycerides (TG) (P = 0. 027), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) (P = 0. 007), and TG/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (P = 0. 003) increased; however, skeletal muscle mass decreased (P < 0. 001) across the tertiles of BF%. The average of fatty liver grade was similar in the fi rst and second tertiles; nevertheless, the fatty liver grade of participants in the third tertile was signifi cantly higher (1. 3  0. 9 vs. 0. 4  0. 7; P = 0. 005). In ordinal regression analysis, BF% (1. 13; 95% CI: 1. 04-1. 22; P = 0. 003), BMI (1. 95; 95% CI: 1. 02-3. 74; P = 0. 045), VLDL (1. 77; 95% CI: 1. 00-3. 12; P = 0. 049), and TG/HDL-C ratio (2. 21; 95% CI: 1. 26-3. 86; P = 0. 006) had positive associations with NAFLD; nonetheless, HDL-C (0. 33; 95% CI: 0. 16-0. 67; P = 0. 002) and dietary cholesterol (0. 97; 95% CI: 0. 95-0. 997; P = 0. 028) had inverse associations with NAFLD after the adjustments for age, gender, BMI, and physical activity. Conclusions: The results of this study suggested that within normal weight ranges, NAFLD occurs more frequently in individuals with higher BF%. In addition, BF% can be used as an important marker in NAFLD screening.

Objective: The increasing prevalence of COVID-19 in Iran has increased the risk for anxiety and stress in families. Due to the significance of the impact of family health on the society’ s mental health and the fundamental role of marital relationships, which is an indicator of marital satisfaction, this study was conducted to investigate associated factors of marital satisfaction in Iranian women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This online cross-sectional study was carried out to assess associated factors of marital satisfaction in Iranian women during the COVID-19 pandemic from April 1 to April 20, 2020. The study sample consisted of 317 married women of childbearing age eligible to enter the study. Data were collected using a socio-demographic and obstetric questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index, the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale, and the General Health Questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 22. Results: A total of 317 married women participated in the study. The average age of the participants was 31. 85  6. 94 years. Based on the multiple linear regression model, only fi ve variables, including sexual satisfaction (B = 2. 414, P < 0. 001), physical symptoms (B = 0. 245, P = 0. 045), anxiety and insomnia (B =-0. 319, P = 0. 002), social dysfunction (B = 0. 265, P = 0. 003), and depression (B =-0. 441, P < 0. 001), could signifi cantly predict marital satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: Sexual satisfaction, physical symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction, and depression can signifi cantly aff ect marital satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, planning to identify these factors and provide the appropriate strategy can increase marital satisfaction in times of crisis.

Background: Biostatistics course is considered essential for nursing education. Thus, conceptual learning in biostatistics is highly critical for postgraduate nursing students. A large proportion of students identify this course as the most anxiety-inducing course. The largest part of students’ anxiety in the semester in which they take biostatistics course is manifested in the form of statistics anxiety in addition to test anxiety. Objectives: To evaluate the eff ectiveness of the peer learning method in biostatistics course among postgraduate nursing students’ fi nal score and test and statistics anxiety. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted during the fi rst semester of the academic year 2019-2020 in the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. Students were divided into two separate classes according to their courses. In one class, biostatistics course was taught by peers, and the lecture method as the conventional method was used for teaching in the other class. Test and statistics anxiety questionnaires were completed by the students of both groups before the educational intervention and at the end of the semester. Data was analyzed by SPSS 20 using nonparametric tests. Results: The mean fi nal score in the lecture and peer learning groups were respectively 9. 9  4. 60 and 11. 55  4. 76 (P = 0. 245). At the end of the course, the mean scores of statistics and test anxiety decreased in the intervention group in comparison to the conventional group. Conclusions: Using the peer learning method in biostatistics course has a positive eff ect on reducing test and statistics anxiety and increasing fi nal scores in postgraduate nursing students.

Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral zoonosis. Ranchers, butchers, and slaughterhouse workers run the risk of contracting the disease more than others. Objectives: This study was aimed at the evaluation of occupational behaviors and practices of butchers and meat industry workers regarding CCHF based on the health belief model (HBM). Methods: The present descriptive-analytical study was carried out among 207 local butchers working in slaughterhouses who were selected by cluster sampling in Qom City in the fi rst six months of 2019. To collect data, a researcher-made questionnaire based on the HBM constructs was used. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire have been verifi ed. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 using regression analysis and Pearson correlation coeffi cient. Results: A total of 141 (68. 12%) of the participants used personal protective equipment, including appropriate workwear, gloves, mask, goggles, and boots when they had direct contact with raw meat products. There were signifi cant positive relationships between CCHF preventive behaviors and perceived barrier structures (P = 0. 003), perceived benefi ts (P = 0. 004), perceived severity (P = 0. 002), perceived susceptibility (P = 0. 001), and cues to action (P = 0. 001). Based on linear regression analysis, perceived susceptibility was able to predict 96% of the variance of CCHF preventive behaviors in Qom’ s butchers. Conclusions: Perceived susceptibility is a predictor of CCHF preventive behaviors; thus, future plans and programs are suggested to be based on the HBM and emphasize increasing perceived susceptibility and other constructs of this model to improve the diseasepreventing behaviors of butchers.

Backgrond: Despite global legislative and regulatory eff orts to ensure sustainable food safety and security, mycotoxins remain a serious challenge in the supply of staple food commodities like maize and other grains in South Africa. Objectives: We reviewed mycotoxin contamination of maize, maize-associated food products, together with other cereals to emphasis the need for continuous monitoring and management in South Africa. Methods: A scoping review was conducted on mycotoxin contamination of maize, maize-related products, and other cereals, as well as associated health implications in South Africa. The review intended to identify relevant articles and reports from 1980 to 2020 based on Arksey and O’ Malley guidelines. Results: Of the 103 articles/reports identifi ed for the research questions “ that defi ne to what extend the South African population is exposed to mycotoxins, and why” , 31 (30 %) were eligible for this study. The most recurrent mycotoxins were fumonisins (FBs) and afl atoxins (AFs). The levels of FBs and AFs were as high as 140480 and 762  g/kg, respectively. Conclusion: The FBs and AFs were the main mycotoxins in maize, other cereals, and related products. Therefore, adopting eff ective, sustainable, and scalable measures in limiting mycotoxin contamination is critical for the mitigation of food insecurity and the resulted health burden. Training farmers and other stakeholders on good hygiene and farming practices along the food chain is important.

Background: One of the main concerns during cancer treatment is the occurrence of pregnancy due to its wide range of complications. Objectives: This study aimed to determine some infl uential factors on pregnancy during cancer treatment among women of reproductive ages that were under cancer treatment. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated 133 women of reproductive age, who were under cancer treatment, as well as women who had undergone chemotherapy or radiotherapy up to one year ago in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. Data were collected from three medical centers in Zahedan from 2019 to 2020, using a researcher-made questionnaire. Results: Regarding the pregnancy rate, 23. 0% of women had pregnancy during cancer treatment, including unintended (52. 0%) and intended (48. 0%) pregnancies that 55. 0% of these pregnancies led to abortion, and 45. 0% to livebirths. The results highlighted that during treatment women with and without pregnancy diff ered signifi cantly in age (P = 0. 001), ethnicity (P = 0. 024), husband’ s education level (P = 0. 014), woman’ s occupation (P = 0. 021), couple’ s agreement on number of children (P = 0. 024), and physician consultation about contraceptives (P = 0. 048). The main predictors of pregnancy were the woman’ s age pregnancy (OR = 0. 927, P = 0. 011), occupation (OR = 0. 358, P = 0. 046), and ethnicity (OR = 2. 49, P = 0. 045). Conclusions: Considering the complications of pregnancy during cancer treatment, health planners should pay more attention to family planning for women under treatment, particularly in less developed regions.

Dear Editor: Hyper-eosinophilic syndrome (HES) is defi ned by the presence of hypereosinophilia (blood eosinophilic count of > 1500 cells/ L and/or tissue hypereosinophilia) persisting for longer than one month; no identifi able etiology for eosinophilia and organ damage is directly attributable to the overproduction of eosinophils (1). In spite of the significant progress in the understanding of HES pathogenesis, our knowledge is insuffi cient for formulating a new comprehensive defi nition of HES based on its etiology (2). Erythroderma is an uncommon disorder that has a broad differential diagnosis and requires a high index of suspicion for treatment. Its varied underlying etiologies are in need of signifi cantly diff erent approaches to its treatment (3)...

Background: Due to the pandemic, COVID-19 cases and deaths are increasing unexpectedly and precipitately. More importantly, asymptomatic carriers could infect healthy people through sneezing, coughing, and talking. Therefore, mask usage is required to prevent and control COVID-19. Objectives: This study was aimed at examining the knowledge, attitude, and performance levels (KAP) of the Iranian population regarding mask usage to prevent and control the COVID-19 outbreak during a one-month period from early April to early May 2020. Methods: A researcher-made, validated, and reliable questionnaire consisting of 30 questions on knowledge, attitude, and performance regarding mask usage was utilized. Data collection was performed through the online method. To do so, the online questionnaire link was provided for the participants via social networks. The correct and wrong answers were scored 1 and 0 points, respectively. The fi nal score of each dimension was calculated and classifi ed as 0-50% (low), 51-75% (moderate), and 75% > (good). Results: A total of 1581 participants took part in the study. Although the participants had good attitude (74%) and performance (70. 80%), but only 13. 70% of them had good knowledge regarding mask usage. Also, signifi cant diff erences were found between the participants’ knowledge and higher educational levels (P < 0. 001). There were signifi cant associations between the participants’ age, gender, educational level, and job and their knowledge and attitude levels (P < 0. 05). Besides, female participants had higher performance scores than did male participants (P < 0. 001). The participants with governmental jobs had signifi cantly higher performance than unemployed ones (P < 0. 001). Conclusions: The participants obtained low KAP scores; therefore, it is required to train and inform the society and enhance their KAP levels via social media regarding the importance of mask usage, including proper donning, doffi ng, cleaning, disinfection, and safely and hygienic disposal procedures of masks to prevent and control COVID-19.

Dear Editor, In late 2019, a novel virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identifi ed in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, which was reported to be the cause of cases of pneumonia. The disease spread rapidly, and after the epidemic in China, its cases increased throughout the world (1). In recent years, the use of GIS has increased signifi cantly in order to determine the geographical distribution patterns of diseases in medical and health sciences (2-4). In order to determine the spatial patterns of diseases, the local indicators of spatial association (LISA) in environmental GIS are substantially helpful. . .

Background: Overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome, a condition with urgency, is often characterized by increased daytime frequency and nocturia. Overactive bladder is a highly prevalent condition that drastically impacts the quality of patients’ life. Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate sleep disturbance and fatigue in women with OAB by reliance on two validated questionnaires. Methods: This case-control study was performed among 70 patients recognized with OAB and 70 women in a control group. We employed validated questionnaires, namely PSQI and FSS, to comparatively assess sleep disturbance and fatigue symptoms, respectively. Results: The participants’ mean age was 44. 50  12. 64 years old. The mean PSQI score was 13. 24  3. 67 (range: 6 to 22), and the mean FSS score was 39. 05  15. 12 (range: 9 to 63). Furthermore, the mean scores of PSQI (P < 0. 001) and FSS (P < 0. 001) were signifi cantly higher in OAB women compared to the control group. In women with OAB, there was a signifi cant positive correlation (P = 0. 007) between PSQI and FSS scores. Furthermore, this correlation was observed between urgency urinary incontinence at night and PSQI (P = 0. 047) and sleep disturbance (P = 0. 023) and between nocturia and sleep effi ciency (P = 0. 012), sleep disturbance (P = 0. 001), sleep latency (P = 0. 007), and FSS score (P = 0. 032). In addition, a signifi cant direct correlation (P = 0. 022) was found between urgency urinary incontinence during the day and daytime dysfunction. Conclusions: The study shows that sleep disorder is common in patients with OAB, and it seems that urinary problem assessment is a prerequisite for any sleep medication prescription.