International Journal of Preventive Medicine
Year:2015 | Volume:6 | Issue:-|Papers Count:14

Background: The rising incidence of breast cancer is complicated by late presentation, whichmarks breast cancer diagnosis in Nigeria with about 70% of cases presenting at advanced stages ofthe disease. The aim of this study is to determine the general level of awareness of breast cancer, breast cancer risk factors, signs/symptoms as well as preventive measures nothern Nigerianwomen. It also aimed at determining their attitudes toward breast cancer cure, prevention andcause. Finally, it aims to determine their practices toward breast cancer and its associated factors.Methods: A cross‑sectional community survey was used to study 230 women aged 15–60 yearsin Chikun Local Government Area. The subjects were selected based on nonprobability sampling.Data collected using self‑administered questionnaire were analyzed using Statistical Packagefor Social Science students (version 16). Test of associations employed Chi‑square statisticaltool with the level of significance taken at 0.05.Results: About 75.2% knew about breast cancer with health facility (29.13%) being thegreatest source of information. An average of 29.35% had knowledge of the risk factors tested.Mean knowledge of the signs and symptoms was 50.1% Average knowledge of breast cancerscreening methods was 34.26% with breast self‑examination (BSE) (46.1%) being the mostrecognized. In relation to perception, about 21.7% strongly agreed with the fact that breastcancer is treatable following early detection while 18.3% strongly agreed that screening iseffective in detecting breast cancer. Concerning practice, an average of 10.2% practiced anyof the screening methods, with BSE (17.4%) being the most practiced. Strongest reasons fornonpractice was ignorance (17.4%). An association was established between knowledge andpractice of all the screening methods (P=0.001 respectively).Conclusions: There is insufficient knowledge, as well as poor practices in relation to importantfactors associated with breast cancer prevalence.

Background: Low birth weight is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) inlater life. Because data in children and adolescents are sparse and controversial, we assessedthe association of birth weight with CVD risk factors in German youths.Methods: We categorized 843 urban children and adolescents aged 3‑18 years by quintiles ofbirth weight and measured nine traditional risk factors in terms of body mass index (BMI), waistcircumference (WC), systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, total cholesterol (TC), LDL‑C, HDL‑C, Non HDL‑C and triglycerides (TG). SPSS 21 was used for statistical analysis.Results: Mean values and prevalence of nine anthropometric and lipid risk variables were equallydistributed over the five birth weight groups. Though risk factors clustered between 3.0 kg and4.0 kg of birth weight in both genders we found only one significant correlation of birth weightwith TG for males and females and another one for HDL‑C in males. The strongest clusteringof significant regression coefficients occurred in the 2nd birth weight quintile for SBP (b 0.018), TC (b ‑0.050), LDL‑C (b ‑0.039), non LDL‑C (b ‑0.049) and log TG (b ‑0.001) in males andfemales.Conclusions: Overall we did not find significant associations between birth weight and ninetraditional cardiovascular risk factors in children and adolescents. However, the 2nd quintile ofbirth weight might suggest clustering of risk factors.

Background: Today, beside immunization coverage the age appropriate vaccination is another helpful index in public health. Evidences have shown that high immunization coverage rates do not necessarily imply age‑appropriate vaccination status. The current study aimed to show the predictive factors of delayed vaccination by survival models.Methods: A historical cohort study conducted on 3610 children aged between 24 and 47 months who was living in the suburbs of five big cities of Iran. Time of delay in vaccination of first dose of mumps‑measles‑rubella (MMR) was calculated from date of vaccination minus age appropriate time according to vaccine card. Kaplan–Maier and Log rank tests were used for comparison the median of delay time. For controlling of confounding variables, multivariate cox model was used and hazard ratio with 95% confidence interval (95%) was reported.Results: The mean ± standard deviation and median interquartile range of delay time was 38.34 ± 73.1 and 16 (11–31) days in delayed group. The Log rank test showed that city of living, nationality, parents’ education, and birth order are related with prolonged delay time in MMR vaccination (P<0.05). Nevertheless, child sex, prior living place (rural or city) and parent’s job are not related with delay time of vaccination (P>0.05). Cox regression showed that city of living, mother education, and nationality are the most predictive factors of delay time duration in MMR vaccination.Conclusions: Delay time duration of vaccination increased by faring from capital to the east south.Moreover, concentration of foreign immigrants in big cities and low level of mother education are the most predictors of delayed vaccination. Educational intervention should focus on immigrants and mothers with low education level.

Background: Deranged body fat and muscle mass are aftermaths of uncontrolled diabetes.Anthropometric methods like body mass index (BMI) do not give qualitative inferences like totalbody fat (TBF), visceral fat (VF) or subcutaneous fat (SF) that can be given by bio‑electricalimpedance analysis (BIA). We studied body composition of type 2 diabetics in comparisonto controls matched by age‑sex, weight and BMI separately.Methods: Seventy‑eight under‑treatment type 2 diabetics of either sex with known glycemicand lipidemic control and equal number of controls with three patterns of matching were takenfrom our city. We derived parameters of body composition in both groups by Omron KaradaScan (Model HBF‑510, China), using the principle of tetra poplar BIA and compared themfor statistical significance.Results: We found significantly more SF (30.47% ± 7.73%), VF (11.94% ± 4.97%) andTBF (33.96% ± 6.07%) and significantly lesser skeletal muscle mass (23.39% ± 4.49%) intype 2 diabetics as compared to controls, persisting even after matching with weight or BMI.On assessing qualitatively, the risk of high VF, high TBF, low skeletal muscle mass wassignificantly high in type 2 diabetics, which were 10.41, 3.01, 9.21 respectively for comparableBMI and 6.78, 3.51, 11.93 respectively for comparable weight.Conclusions: BIA reveals that type 2 diabetics have more ectopic fat on the expense ofskeletal muscle that persists even after matching by weight or BMI, both quantitativelyand qualitatively. Measurement of body composition can be included as a primary carestrategy to motivate lifestyle modifications while managing metabolic derangements oftype 2 diabetes.

Background: HIV/AIDS is one of the diseases which not only makes threats to physical health, but also, due to the negative attitudes of people and the social stigma, affects the emotional andsocial health of patients. The aim of this study was to identify the psychological, social, and familyproblems of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Iran.Methods: In this qualitative study, we used purposive sampling to enroll PLWHA, their families, and physicians and consultants in two cities of Kermanshah and Tehran. Each group of PLWHA, their families, physicians, and consultants participated in two focus group discussions (FGDs), anda total of eight FGDs were conducted. Six interviews were held with all key people, individually.Results: Based on the views and opinions of various groups involved in the study, the mainproblems of PLWHA were: Ostracism, depression, anxiety, a tendency to get revenge and lackof fear to infect others, frustration, social isolation, relationship problems, and fear due to thesocial stigma. Their psychological problems included: Marriage problems, family conflict, lack offamily support, economic hardships inhibiting marriage, and social rejection of patient’s families.Their family problems were: Unemployment, the need for housing, basic needs, homelessness, and lack of social support associations.Conclusions: It seems that the identification and focusing on psychological, social, and familyproblems of affected people not only is an important factor for disease prevention and control, but also enables patients to have a better response to complications caused by HIV/AIDS.

Background: Renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (RIRI) is the most common cause of acute kidneyinjury. We tested the protective role of endothelin‑1 receptor blocker; bosentan (BOS) in animalmodel of RIRI in two different genders.Methods: Male and female Wistar rats were assigned as sham operated (sham), control group(ischemia), and case group (ischemia+BOS) treated with BOS (50 mg/kg) 2 h before bilateralkidney ischemia induced by clamping renal vessels for 45 min followed by 24 h of renal reperfusion.Results: The RIRI significantly increased the serum levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatininein both genders (P<0.05). These values were significantly decreased by BOS in both genders.In male rats, the serum levels of malondialdehyde in the ischemia+BOS group were decreasedsignificantly when compared with ischemia group (P<0.05).Conclusions: BOS can be used in both genders to attenuate kidney ischemia injury possiblydue to its effect in the renal vascular system.

Background: While many studies have previously focused on fingolimod’s effect on immunecells, the effect it has on circulating and local central nervous system platelets (Plts) has not yetbeen investigated. This study will elucidate what effects fingolimod treatment has on multiplesclerosis (MS) patients’ plasma Plt levels. In addition, it will propose possible reasoning for theseeffects and suggest further investigation into this topic.Methods: This quasi‑experimental study used patients from the Isfahan Multiple Sclerosis Societyto produce a subject pool of 80 patients, including 14 patients who ceased fingolimod use due tocomplications. The patients had their blood analyzed to determine Plt levels both 1‑month priorto fingolimod treatment and 1‑month after fingolimod treatment had been started.Results: The mean level of Plts before initiation of fingolimod therapy (Plt1) among these MSpatients was 256.53 ± 66.26. After 1‑month of fingolimod treatment, the Plt level yielded anaverage of 229.96 ± 49.67 (Plt2). This number is significantly lower than the average Plt countbefore treatment (P<0.01).Conclusions: MS patients taking oral fingolimod treatment may be at risk for side‑effects causedby low Plt levels. This may not be a factor for patients with higher or normal Plt levels. However, a patient with naturally low Plt levels may experience a drop below the normal level and be atrisk for excessive bleeding. In addition to these possible harmful side‑effects, the decreased Pltpopulation may pose positive effects for MS patients.

DEAR EDITOR, Dietary supplements have become increasingly popularamong children and adolescents in the recent years andtheir use is increasing. The results of several studies indifferent countries demonstrate significant increase inthe consumption of different dietary supplements in allage groups. [1] In certain population such as athletes andstudents, the increasing oral use of dietary supplementshas become a serious concern for stakeholders. [2]

Background: Most medical errors are preventable. The aim of this study was to compare thecurrent execution of the 3 patient safety solutions with WHO suggested actions and standards.Methods: Data collection forms and direct observation were used to determine the status ofimplementation of existing protocols, resources, and tools.Results: In the field of patient hand‑over, there was no standardized approach. In the field ofthe performance of correct procedure at the correct body site, there were no safety checklists, guideline, and educational content for informing the patients and their families about the procedure.In the field of hand hygiene (HH), although availability of necessary resources was acceptable, availability of promotional HH posters and reminders was substandard.Conclusions: There are some limitations of resources, protocols, and standard checklists in allthree areas. We designed some tools that will help both wards to improve patient safety by theimplementation of adapted WHO suggested actions.

DEAR EDITOR, Worldwide, immunization has been identified as one of the most common cost‑effective preventive strategies, which not only can prevent 2–3 million deaths every year, but even protect many individuals from morbidities and disability. [1, 2] Despite this, the global trends pertaining to immunization are not encouraging, as close to 22 million children did not receive basic vaccines in 2013, of which majority are from low resource settings. [2]

Background: We aimed to assess the effects of administering prophylactic acetaminophen onshort‑term complications of vaccination in 6‑month‑old infants admitted to a private pediatric clinicin Rasht (Iran) during 2002–2013.Methods: This quasi‑experimental study was conducted on 696, infants aged 6‑month‑oldadmitted to a pediatric clinic in Rasht before vaccination during 2002–2013. Overall, 31 infantswere excluded during the course of the study. While prophylactic acetaminophen was administeredin 322 participants (intervention group), 343 infants (control group) received acetaminophenafter vaccination. Data were collected by a checklist including complications such as fever, drowsiness, anorexia, seizure, long and excessive crying, mood change, pain, and wound atthe site of injection, abscess, induration, limb swelling, and erythema. The time of occurrenceof each complication was also recorded. Data were analyzed by Chi‑square test in SPSS 16.0.P<0.05 was considered significant.Results: Six hundred sixty‑five participants (49.6% boy) were assessed in this study. Theintervention and control groups had no significant difference in terms of sex distribution (P=0.53).Short‑term complications occurred in 45% of the infants. The most common complications wereerythema (24.4%), induration (19.9%), and low‑grade fever (16.1%). There was a significantrelation between administering prophylactic acetaminophen and the incidence of low‑grade fever(P=0.01), induration (P=0.01), and anorexia (P=0.03).Conclusions: Our findings indicated the efficacy of prophylactic acetaminophen in reducingpostvaccination complications in a population of Iranian infants. According to our findings, furtherresearch is required to determine the preferred dose and time of administering acetaminophen.

Background: A small proportion of physicians adhere to tuberculosis (TB) notification regulations, particularly in the private sector. In most developing countries, the private sector has dominanceover delivering services in big cities. In such circumstances deviation from the TB treatmentprotocol is frequently happening. This study sought to estimate TB notification in the privatesector and settle on determinants of TB notification by private sector physicians.Methods: A population‑based study has been conducted; private physicians at their clinics wereinterviewed. The total number of 443 private sectors’ physicians has been chosen by the stratifiedrandom sampling method. Appropriate descriptive analysis was used to describe the study’sparticipants. Logistic regression was used for bivariable and multivariable analysis.Results: The response rate of the study was 90.06 (399%). Among responders, who had statedthat they were suspicious of TB over the recent year, 62 (16.45%) stated that they reported casesof TB at least once during the same period. Having reporting requirements and the numberof visited patients was significantly related to TB suspicious (odds ratio=2.84, confidenceinterval: 1.62–5, P<0.01). Workplace and access to relevant resources are associated with TBnotification (P<0.05).Conclusions: In poor resource settings with a high burden of TB, the public health administrationcan promote notification activities in the private sector by simple and quick interventions. It seemsthat a considerable fraction of private sector physicians, not all of them, will notify TB if they areprovided with primary information and primary resources. To optimize the TB notification, however, intersectoral interventions are more likely to be successful.

Background: Welding is among the most important frequently used processes in the industrywith a wide range of applications from the food industry to aerospace and from precision tools toshipbuilding. The aim of this study was to assess the level of steel industry welders’ exposure toultraviolet (UV) radiation and to investigate the health impacts of these exposures.Methods: In this case–control study, we measured the intensity of UV at the workers’ wrist inFars Steel Company through manufacture of different types of heavy metal structures, usingUV‑meter model 666230 made by Leybold Co., from Germany.Results: The population under the study comprised 400 people including 200 welders as theexposed group and 200 nonwelders as the unexposed group. The results of the questionnairewere analyzed using SPSS software, version 19. The average, standard deviation, maximum andminimum of the UV at the welders’ wrist were 0.362, 0.346, 1.27, and 0.01 mW/cm2, respectively.There was a significantly (P<0.01) higher incidence of cataracts, keratoconjunctivitis, dermatitisand erythema in welders than in their nonwelders.Conclusions: This study showed that the time period of UV exposure in welders is higher than thepermissible contact threshold level. Therefore, considering the outbreak of the eye and skin disordersin the welders, decreasing exposure time, reducing UV radiation level, and using personal protectiveequipment seem indispensable. As exposure to UV radiation can be linked to different types of skincancer, skin aging, and cataract, welders should be advised to decrease their occupational exposures.