Journal of Health
Year:2019 | Volume:9 | Issue:5 |Papers Count:10

Background & objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of irrigation with industrial wastewater and well water on the pollution of heavy metals of wheat plants, which is cultivated in Alborz Industrial city, Qazvin. Methods: Samples were taken from wastewater, soil and wheat in the fields adjacent to the industrial city of Alborz. Meanwhile, healthy water used by farmers, soil and field plants located at 5 km from the Alborz industrial city as a control. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy was used to measure the levels of Cd, Cu, Ni, Cr, Mn and Al in wastewater, soil and wheat and compare with the limit and control values. Results: Although the concentrations of metals in the wastewater were below the FAO limit for irrigation, the concentration of cadmium, copper, chromium, manganese and aluminum in wheat grain irrigated by wastewater was higher than the limit. Cd, Cu, Cr and Ni concentration in all the collected samples from wastewater irrigated site were significantly higher than clean water irrigated ones, whereas Mn and Al concentrations in all the collected samples were higher than the permissible limits in both wastewater irrigated site and clean water irrigated ones but the difference were not significant (p>0. 05). Conclusion: The study concludes that the use of treated wastewater for irrigation has increased the contamination of Cd, Cu, Cr and Ni in soil and agricultural products.

Background & objectives: Conventional methods are not an efficient method in the removal of resistant organic pollution. Ozone molecules in the presence of anion persulfate can be used as an appropriate method for the removal of these pollutants. The aim of this study is to determine the efficiency of the combined process of ozone and radical sulfate in decomposition of SDBS and reduce the concentration of this pollutant in aqueous. Methods: In this experimental study, use of semi-batch reactor by one liter volume was used semi-continuously. The effect of pH (3-11), concentration of persulfate (10-100 mM/L), concentration of O3 (1-5 mg/L. hr) and initial concentration of SDBS (10-100 mg/L) were investigated. The kinetics of the reaction, effect of radical scavenger and COD removal in the proper conditions of the process was determined. The concentration of SDBS and COD were measured using a standard reference method. Results: The efficiency of process in 40 minute was more than 97 percent while the process parameters were pH=3, initial concentration of SDBS was 10 mg/L, concentration of O3 was 5 mg/L. hr and persulfate anions was 20 mM/L. By changing the parameters and the presence of radical scavenger, process efficiency decreased. The efficiency of COD removal in 70 minutes was 80 percent. The reaction kinetic followed by first order kinetic. Conclusion: The ozonation process in the presence of persulfate anion due to the production of active persulfate radical can be suitable method for the removal of POPs such as SDBS. By this method, it is possible to increase the treatment of the wastewater containing this pollutant and reduce the organic loading to environment.

Background & objectives: Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in many countries, including Iran. This study aimed to determine the relationship between food security and type of carbohydrates consumption in coronary heart diseases patients in Amol city. Methods: In this case-control study, 180 subjects with coronary heart disease and 370 healthy controls in the Hospital were enrolled. The anthropometric indices and BMI were measured and calculated. The FFQ and food security questionnaires were filled. Data were analyzed using independent T-test, Chi-square test and logistic regression with SPSS (V. 20). Results: Results showed that more than 80% of subjects in both groups of case and control had food security. More than 17% of cases and 15% of controls had food insecurity. In all participants, safe and non-safe food groups, subjects in the second and third quartiles of complex carbohydrates intakes, had a lower chance of coronary artery disease compared to the first quartile, although this difference was not significant. Higher intakes of simple carbohydrates in three groups (all participants, safe and non-safe) increased the chance of coronary artery disease and this difference was significant between the quartiles. The results showed that the risk of coronary artery disease in the non-safe food group was more than the safe food group. The odds ratio in the fourth quarter for simple carbohydrates among all participants, safe food group and unsafe food group were (OR=8. 36, p<0. 001), OR=8. 33, p<0. 001) and (OR=11. 79, p=0. 008) respectively. Conclusion: Current study showed that the highest intakes of complex carbohydrates inversely associated with coronary artery disease and the highest intakes of simple carbohydrates increases the risk that is higher in non-safe food group.

Background & objectives: The Transtheoretical model is one of the most widely used models for the study of behavioral changes. This study aimed to determine the correlation processes of change and balance decision for breakfast consumption among students. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 290 students who are randomly divided into control and experimental groups. The data collection instrument was a standard questionnaire. Educational intervention was conducted based on Trans-theoretical model. Data were collected at first visit and 3 months after training. Collected information was analyzed using SPSS (v. 19. 0) and Mann Whitney, spearman correlation test. Results: The educational intervention was effective in processes of change and balance decision means. After educational intervention correlation, processes of change and balance decision increased from 0. 427 to 0. 478 wile processes of change and balance decision correlation decreased in control from 0. 478 to 0. 379. Conclusion: Educational intervention is effective in correlation processes of change and balance decision. Educational programs is suggested to increase consumption of breakfast, specifically considering processes of change and balance decision.

Background & objectives: Health promotion lifestyle includes actions and beliefs that persuade people to stay healthy and protect them against disease. This study was conducted to investigate some aspects of lifestyle of rural primary health-care workers (Behvarzes) in Khalkhal and Kosar counties. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 120 Behvarzes were recruited in Khalkhal and Kosar counties. Data were gathered using a questionnaire consisting demographic information and walker Health Promotion Life Style (HPLP) Questionnaires. Statistical tests including the descriptive statistics, independent t-test, ANOVA and Welch's strong test followed by Tukey's post hoc test were performed using SPSS (v. 20). Results: The Mean age of participants were 40± 4. 6 years and the majority of them were female (66%). The overall score of HPLP was 2. 3± 0. 62, and the highest and lowest scores were observed in “ Spiritual Growth” and “ Interpersonal Relations” dimensions, respectively. There was a significant statistical relationship between different dimensions of lifestyle and demographic variables including "physical activity" and age; "interpersonal support" and gender and marital status and "self-actualization" and gender and finally, overall score of lifestyle and work experience respectively. Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, health promotion behaviors in Behvarzes (rural health care providers), were not favorable in comparison with similar studies. Different dimensions of participants' lifestyle showed a significant relationship with some of the demographic variables including age, gender and marital status. In both sexes, the lowest score was seen in the "Interpersonal Relations" dimension.

Background & objectives: Drug abuse is one of the most psychosocial and public health challenges in the world that is increasing every day and lead to disability and death. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of death due to drug abuse in Golestan province. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on all referential bodies to Golestan department of forensic medicine that were died due to drug abuse from March 2010 to March 2016. Data were collected from medical records and analyzed using SPSS version 16 and Pearson chi-square test. Results: Of the 170 people, who had drug abuse, 95. 9% were male and 32. 4% were 30-39 years old. The majority of cases (81. 8%) were urban residents. Most of them were married (53. 5%) and 38. 2% of them had secondary education. Drug abuse was identified as the main cause of death (40%). In 56. 5% of cases, injection was the most important way of drug abuse. Conclusion: Opium was the most common agents of death due to drug abuse in Golestan province that were observed mostly among married men aged 30-39 years.

Background & objectives: This study aims to compare stress reactivity, coping and life styles in people with and without insomnia. Methods: Among a population of all patients with insomnia disorder who attended Psychology and Psychiatry clinics in the first semester of 2017 and were diagnosed with insomnia, 30 persons were selected through non-random sampling. On the other hand, other 30 persons were selected as a comparing group from the main population. The two groups were matched as much as possible on age, gender, education, and marital status. Data were collected using Insomnia Saverity Index (ISI), Perceived Stress Reactivity Scale (PSRS), Andler & Parker Coping Style Questionnaire, and Lifestyle Questionnaire (LSQ). Data were analyzed by means of multivariate analysis of variance. Results: These findings show that, there is a significant difference between stress reactivity and its entire component in both groups. In other words, patients' group shows sever reaction to problem focused coping style, Emotion focused coping style and avoidance oriented coping style. This means that patients had higher stress reactivity than normal people. Predominant coping style in normal group were problem-focused and avoidance. In addition, prevailing coping style in patient group was emotion-focused. There was also a significant difference between patient and normal groups in terms of physical health, sports and fitness, disease prevention, mental health, spiritual health, social health drug avoidance and drug abuse and prevention of accidents. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the normal group have higher score in components of life style and their life style is better. However, in terms of weight control, nutrition and environmental health, no significant difference was found between two groups. It can also be concluded that patient group have high reaction to stress and mostly use emotion focused coping style and have low score in life style components. Since the pathophysiology of insomnia can be considered as a psychophysiologic hyperarousal status, higher Stress Reactivity with activating the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis can lead to increase insomnia. Emotion focused coping style by controlling emotional responses and physiological arousal to reduce stress, leads to arousal and insomnia. Lifestyle can also lead to insomnia through affecting the biological mechanisms.

Background & objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between time management skills and job stress and indifference in employees of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences. Methods: In terms of purpose, applied research is a descriptive-correlative information gathering method. The statistical population of this research is all employees of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences. Their number was 320 of whom 175 subjects were randomly selected by stratified random sampling method. The present study was conducted in two theoretical and practical sesctions. In the theoretical section, the necessary information obtaineby using standard library questionnaire and in the practical section for data collection, the standard time management questionnaire (2008) with a reliability of 0. 88, occupational stress (RASL) with a reliability of 0. 91, and organizational indifference with reliability of 0. 85. Data analysis performed using SPSS by Pearson correlation coefficient and single sample T test. Results: The results of this study shows when the the time management skills is high the job stress level is low. Conclusion: The research results indicate a significant inverse association between time management skills (targeting, ranking priorities and prioritizing) and occupational stress and indifference in employees of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences.

Background & objectives: Studies have shown the effectiveness of Kegel exercises in preventing and treating the weakness of pelvic muscles and urinary incontinence, which is one of the most important complications. However, women do not use it as a common method. Thus, it is necessary to use an educational model to encourage women to do this exercise continuously. The purpose of this study was comparing the effect the health belief model and traditional method on Kagel exercises as a part of health promotion behaviors. Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial. The Sample size was 100 middleaged women referring to health centers in Alvand in 1396. The subjects were randomly assigned in two groups of control and intervention. The samples in control group received the usual training. For the intervention group four group discussions was conducted based on the health belief model. Both groups completed the questionnaire in 2 stages before and two months after intervention. The experimental group completed the checklist rather than questionnaire. The questionnaire and checklist were designed based on the health belief model studies. Collected data were analyzed by paired t test to examine the hypothesis. Results: The mean score of knowledge in experimental group before and after intervention were 6. 46 and 9. 92 respectively in comparison with control group (6. 56 to 6. 54). Seven subjects were familiar with Kegel exercise before intervention. After the intervention, the entire experimental and 10% in control group was familiar with these exercises. Before the intervention, 10% of the subjects had done Kegel exercises correctly, which increased to all, after the intervention, but no changes were observed in the control group (14%). There wasa significant difference between the two groups before and after intervention in terms of sensitivity and severity, benefits and barriers, and practice guidelines and self-efficacy but these changes were not significant in the control group. Conclusion: Education based on the Health Belief Model improved the performance of Kegel exercises in middle-aged women. Therefore, it is essential that health care providers to be aware about these methods of behavioral education modules.

Background & objectives: Studies show that the negative psychological effects of infertility are higher in women than in men. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of spiritual-religious psychotherapy based on Islamic teachings on the quality of life of infertile women. Methods: The method of this quasi-experimental design was pretest-posttest with a control group. The statistical population of this study was all infertile women in Shiraz in the summer of 1396. A sample of 36 people, 18 in the experimental group and 18 in the control group, was selected through a sample of Shiraz's infertility centers. The two groups were matched in terms of the criteria for entering the research and the experimental group was subjected to spiritual-religious psychotherapy based on Islamic teachings for a total of 8 sessions in 45 minutes; while the control group did not receive any intervention. Both groups completed the quality of life questionnaire (short form 36 questions, 36-SF) before and after intervention as a pretest and post-test intervention. Results: Data analysis was done using SPSS-16 software and covariance analysis. The effect of the spiritual-religious education program based on Islamic teachings on quality of life was significant at a level less than 0. 05, which means that 0. 882 of the changes in mean post-test scores relative to the variable pre-test of quality of life in The experimental group was based on the spiritual-religious education program based on the teachings of Islam. Conclusion: The results showed that the effectiveness of spiritual-religious psychotherapy based on the teachings of Islam had an impact on the quality of life of infertile women and improved them. Therefore, this is a matter of great interest in our society, which has a special place in religion and spirituality.