JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND HYGIENE
Year:2016 | Volume:7 | Issue:3|Papers Count:10

Background & Objectives: Environmental pollution by oil and its derivatives is a serious threat to human health and the environment. Therefore, treatment of these compounds is important. In order to achieve high biodegradation efficiency, isolation of efficient bacteria as well as identifying optimal biodegradation conditions are important. The aims of the study were to isolate and identify crude oil degrading strain from surface sediments of Arvandkenar region, identifying optimal biodegradation conditions as well as evaluating degradation of different fraction of synthetic and crude oil by isolated strain.Methods: Surface sediment samples of Arvandkenar were collected. Isolated strains were identified after enrichment of crude oil degrading bacteria in a mineral salt medium. The NH4Cl and K2HPO4 concentrations were optimized to achieve the best conditions for crude oil biodegradation by isolated strain. The ability of bacterial isolate to degrade different fractions of oil was studied gravimetrically. The ability of the isolated strain to degrade hexadecane, dibenzothiophene, naphthalene, phenanthrene and pyrene was studied using Gas chromatography.Results: Among the isolated strains, BN2 had the highest efficiency and showed 99% similarity to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. BN2 strain had the optimum function at 0.25 and 0.024g/l of NH4Cl and K2HPO4, respectively and removed>80% of oil within 5 days. The results of gravimetric analysis showed isolated strain to degrade aliphatic, aromatic, resin and asphaltenes with the highest removal rate belonging to naphthalene.Conclusions: Indigenous bacteria from surface sediments of Arvandkenar degrade crude oil. Due to high biodegradation ability of BN2, they can be used for bioremediation of petroleum contaminated soil in the Arvandkenar region.

Background & Objectives: Antibiotics are usually stable and biologically active. They have potential negative effects on the environment and organisms and cause drug resistance in humans. This study carried out to assess the performance of the Electro-Fenton process to remove Amoxicillin (AMX) from synthetic solution by using iron electrodes at different operating conditions.Methods: In present experimental study a Plexiglas cell (1.95 liter in volume) with two iron electrodes of 10×3×0.1 cm was used. Experiments were carried out at different conditions i.e. pH of 3 to 9, current density of 16.6 to 50 mAcm-2, 0.08 to 0.33 mole of H2O2 and initial amoxicillin concentration of 30 to 120 mg L-1 at reaction time of 10 and 120 min. AMX samples and total iron were measured using direct optical spectrometer at 294 nm and phenanthroline method at 510 nm, respectively.Results: The highest efficiency of 94% was observed at; initial pH=3, electrolyte of 2.5 g L-1, current density=50 mAcm-2, H2O2 concentration=0.16 M, initial amoxicillin concentration of 30 mg L-1 with a retention time of 120 minutes. The highest concentration of iron in the effluent was recorded as 10.9 mg L-1 for a reaction time of 80 min, current density of 41.6 mA.cm-2, pH=3, H2O2 concentration of 0.16 M and the amoxicillin concentration of 80 mg L-1.Conclusion: The Electro-Fenton method demonstrated acceptable removal efficiency using iron electrodes from synthetic effluent on a laboratory scale. However, the removal efficiency was unacceptable for amoxicillin initial concentrations higher than 50 mg L-1. But, industrial effluents usually contain much lower concentrations than that of tested levels.

Background & objectives: Perceived self-efficacy is an effective factor for physical activity. This qualitative study explores the determinants of family's self-efficacy for physical activity.Methods: This qualitative study was performed through content analysis method. Data were collected through semi-structured interview. 20 participants were included in the study using purposive sampling method. Constant comparative analysis was applied for data analysis.Results: The gathered data were included in four main categories; environmental status, parents’ role, competitive activities and readiness for physical activity. The main theme derived from this study was "Lack of priority for physical activity in family daily life".Conclusion: Regarded to the main theme and four categories derived from this study, physical activity has poor priority in families’ daily life. Introducing physical activity as a value and developing active lifestyle are recommended for families.

Background & objectives: Skin cancer is the most prevalent type of cancers in the world. Childhood and adolescence are important times for preventing the skin cancer. The aim of this study was to survey the effect of educational intervention based on BASNEF model on preventive practices of skin cancer among female high school students in Mehresan.Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 240 female students from four high schools in Mehrestan, Iran. Questionnaires containing constructions of BESNEF model were filled in before the intervention (pre-test) and two-months later for both case and control groups. T-test, ANOVA, Chi-square, paired t-test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to analyze the data using SPSS.Results: Mean scores of BASNEF model constructs displayed significant differences between before and after education in control group (p<0.001). Enabling factors with an influence of 0.432 among the BASNEF model constructs was the strongest predictor of protection against the sun light.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that educational program based on BASNEF model is effective on promoting preventive behaviors of skin cancer among students.

Background & Objectives: Overweight and obesity is important not only from physical health aspect but also from psychological, economic, social, and medical costs aspects. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of body composition-related feedbacks on physical activity levels, fat percentage, and self-esteem in young girls in 2013.Methods: The samples were 42 physical education students of Alzahra University who were randomly assigned into 3 groups of real, positive, and negative feedbacks. They participated in pretest-posttest in randomized-groups. In the pre-test and post-test, fat percentage was measured by a body composition analyzer and physical activity levels and self-esteem were assessed using validated questionnaires. Participants’ fat percentage was measured once a week for 3 consecutive weeks and the fat levels were reported; 10% lower and 10% higher than the actual fat percentage to the positive and negative feedback groups, respectively. However, actual values of fat percentage were reported to the actual group. Analysis of variance and covariance tests were applied for data analysis.Results: Results showed that positive feedback to increase fat percentage significantly (p<0.05). The type of feedback had no significant effect on physical activity levels and selfesteem.Conclusion: Positive feedback on body composition can increase fat percentage in young female that may be due incentive effects of positive feedback.

Background & objectives: Iron deficiency anemia is a serious health issue affecting physical and psychological growth, behavior, and work performance. Teenage girls are among the groups who are at the risk of Iron deficiency anemia. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of health education program based on PRECEDE Model in controlling iron-deficiency anemia.Methods: This quasi-experimental study was done on 120 students (60 case and 60 control groups) who were selected using stratified random sampling method in 2013-2014.Intervention was done in three sessions of 60 minute and the questionnaires were distributed and completed three months later. Data gathering tool was a self-administered questionnaire base on the PRECEDE model constructs. Data were analyzed by independent and paired t-test, MaCNemar test using SPSS software version 18.Results: Comparing to the control group, the mean scores of knowledge and attitude (predisposing factors), using educational resources, organizing educational course, participating in educational programs (Enabling factors), encouraging family, teachers and peers (reinforcing factors), and the practice significantly increased in the case group after educational intervention.Conclusion: The present study indicates that an educational intervention based on PRECEDE model and its main components (predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors) has a positive effect on improving preventive behaviors of iron deficiency anemia in study population.

Background and objectives: Methods of mineral adsorbents recognition and surveying methods of making new adsorbent are essential due to importance of applying effective and inexpensive methods for wastewater treatment. Zeolite and Kaolin are among the conventional adsorbents which have been used for removing many pollutants. In this study, synthesis of zeolite materials by hydrothermal transformation of natural Iranian kaolin was investigated at 850oC for 2 hr.Methods: In this study, physical properties of kaolin was determined using different experiments such as laser particle size analyzer (PSA) and chemical properties was studied by SEM, XRD and FTIR methods. Synthesis of Zeolite materials by hydrothermal transformation of natural Iranian kaolin in NaOH solutions was investigated at 850oC for 2 hr.Results: The experiment results showed; kaolin density=2.608 gr/Cm3, particle size=0.37-52.76 mm, specific surface area (BET) =9.17±0.0748 m2/g and pHpzc=~8.5. SEM results showed flak shape for kaolin particle. X-ray diffraction illustrated quartz as a major phase of the kaolin. The presence of AL and Si functional groups was proved by FTIR. SEM results demonstrated raised surface and irregular shape for the zeolite particles. XRD and FTIR results confirmed the crystalline structure of quartz and presence of SiO2 and AL3+and Si-AL functional groups, respectively Conclusion: The results revealed that application of hydrothermal method using calcinations process in the presence of NaOH is an appropriate and inexpensive method for zeolite production and this synthetic zeolite has the highest similarity to Clinoptilolite.

Background & objectives: Discharge of dye containing effluent into water resources can pose hazardous effects to the environment and human health because of their carcinogenic, mutagenic, and toxic nature. The present research was performed to study the efficiency of cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles and its modified type in removing Direct Red 23 from aqueous solutions.Methods: In this applicable study magnetic nanoparticle of cobalt ferrite and modified cobalt ferrite were synthesized. Direct Red 23 dye was selected as a model to evaluate decolorization potential of the adsorbent. The effects of parameters such as initial dye concentrations (50-200 mg/L), adsorbent dose (0.1-0.4 g/L), pH (2-10) and the effect of inorganic salts (NaCl, Na2SO4, NaHCO3 and Na2CO3) on the adsorption process were also studied. Longmuir, Freundlich, and Tempkin isotherm models were applied for data evaluation.Results: Maximum efficiencies of cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles and modified cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles for dye removal were 14.45 and 81%, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity of modified cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles for Direct Red 23 was 188.6792 mg/g of adsorbent. Adsorption of dye on modified adsorbent followed Langmuir isotherm.Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, it is concluded that modified cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles can be used as an effective adsorbent for removal of Direct Red 23 form colored effluents.

Background & Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases are usually associated with high rates of mortality, lack of self-reliance, and depression in the patients. Cardiac rehabilitation program is a well-established program causing to relieve depression. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of cardiac rehabilitation programs on depression control in patients who had undergone Coronary Percutaneous Intervention (PCI).Methods: This clinical trial study was performed on 100 patients selected by convenience sampling method after undergoing PCI. Data were collected using "demographic information survey" and "Beck Depression Inventory" questionnaires before and after rehabilitation (2 and 10 weeks after angioplasty in control group and 2 weeks after angioplasty and after 8 weeks of rehabilitation course in case group). Data analysis was done in SPSS version 18 and by student's t test, pair t test, chi-square at significant level of p<0.05.Results: Out of 100 patients, respective mean ages were 57.46±8.06 and 60.64±10.62 year for case and control groups and 60% was male. There was a significant relationship between depression scores in before and after cardiac rehabilitation in the cases (p<0.001). However, correlation between depression scores after 2 and 10 weeks of angioplasty was not significant (p=0.054). There was also prominent differences in depression scores between case and control groups (p<0.001).Conclusion: These findings suggest that cardiac rehabilitation may be an effective intervention for depression relieve after PCI.

Background & Objectives: Judgment on serious clinical situation, deciding to maintain the vitality of human in complex problems, and thinking in difficult situations require critical thinking in the field of health science. A standard framework of information literacy can be a foundation for critical thinking and independent learning that creates balance between the capacity of curiosity, creativity and judgment in students. In this study, we measured information literacy standards, critical thinking skills as well as the relationships between these standards and skills among students of Ardebil University of Medical Sciences from different fields and years of study.Methods: This survey was conducted on a sample of 400 students from 13 different fields and years of admission using two standard questionnaires; "test of CCTST form B" and "information literacy".Results: Survey results show that students don’t have enough ability and skill at all the five standards of information literacy and critical thinking skills. Scores of students in these variables are far from the desired values. Students total score in information literacy was 45.43 from 87 (52.22%) and the total score of critical thinking 11.73 from 34 (34.5%). It was also found that there is a significant positive correlation between information literacy and critical thinking (p<0.005, r=0.468).Conclusion: Poor scores of students in critical thinking skills and information literacy standards, little changes in these skills during university study time, and the importance of these two issues in clinical decision and improving the level of clinical skills, shows the necessity of paying more attention to this issue in the health field and making changes, and inclusion of activities to improve them in health ministry programs.