JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY HEALTH RESEARCH
Year:2018 | Volume:7 | Issue:1|Papers Count:8

Introduction: Oral health, including dental health, is one of the most important parts of public health. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors influencing oral and dental health in pregnant mothers in urban health centers in Khorramabad, Iran in 2016, based on the Health Belief Model (HBM).Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 340 pregnant mothers living in Khorramabad, Iran were selected from health centers using multi-stage random sampling. The decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) index, the Oral Health Index–Simplified (OHIS), the health belief model (HBM) scale, and performance regarding oral and dental health care were measured and the data were analyzed.This data were analyzed using the SPSS 20 software and descriptive statistical tests, the Pearson correlation coefficient, and linear regression.Results: The mean DMFT score was 7.8±3.27 and the mean OHIS score was 2.74±1.65. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed a direct and significant relationship between the constructs of the health belief model and performance (p<0.05). Among the constructs of the health belief model, self-efficacy (22.2 %) had the highest predictive power. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the DMFT and OHIS scores.Conclusion: The present study showed that cognitive barriers are associated with oral and dental health behaviors and they should receive attention from oral and dental health professionals. On the other hand, the most important predictive variable of oral health care among pregnant mothers is self-efficacy. Therefore, the self-efficacy of pregnant women should be boosted for them to practice good oral and dental health care.

Introduction: Participating in regular physical activity has positive effects on the health and behavior of adolescents. Physical activity is multifaceted and has both interrelated psychological, biological and environmental effects. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the level of physical activity of female students and its relationship with their socioeconomic status.Methods: 630 junior high school students in Mazandaran were selected based on randomized multistage cluster sampling in the year 2017. The tools used for collecting data were pedometers, and demographic and Ghodratnama socioeconomic status questionnaires. Data analysis was done using SPSS23 software with descriptive and inferential statistics (the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the one-way analysis of variance [ANOVA], and the Pearson correlation coefficient) at a significance level of P ≤ 0.05.Results: The results showed that the level of physical activity of students decreased as grade level increased. An ANOVA showed a significant difference between the level of physical activity of students in 7-9 grades, but Tukey’s post hoc test showed a significant difference between the level of physical activity of 7th grade students with 8th and 9th, while the difference between the students of grades 8 and 9 was not significant statistically. Out of all students, 30.72% of students were active and 69.28% inactive. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed that there was no significant relationship between socioeconomic status and level of physical activity.Conclusion: A vast majority of adolescent girls do not do the amount of physical activity recommended for good health, which is a worrying issue. It is suggested that relevant authorities mobilize basic strategies for changing the lifestyles of adolescent girls, including the development of a comprehensive program of physical activity by specialists.

Introduction: Obese and overweight women are more prone to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Body mass index and weight gain during pregnancy play an important role in pregnancy and are considered important indicators of maternal and neonatal health. Because of the prevalence of obesity in Yazd, we studied the relationship between GDM with pre-pregnancy BMI and prenatal weight gain in pregnant women in Yazd.Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 336 pregnant women who had just given birth, consisting of 168 pregnant women with GDM and 168 healthy pregnant women as case and control group, respectively. We gathered data from the information recorded in the health information system. In this study, the chi-squared, independent t-test and correlation test were used to analyze the data using SPSS23 software.Results: The present study showed that the average pre-pregnancy BMI and the average weight gained during pregnancy until screening for GDM were significantly higher in cases than controls (P<0.05). Also, there was a significant reverse correlation between pre-pregnancy BMI and weight gain during pregnancy (r=-0.27, P<0.001).Conclusion: Since BMI is an avoidable risk factor, we should give all women good dietary training for proper weight before pregnancy and appropriate weight gain during pregnancy.

Introduction: In modern medicine, large amounts of data are produced. However, there is always a gap between their collection and their understanding and interpretation. In this way, minimal data sets are prepared. Thalassemia major is a chronic genetic disorder of the blood and the most common genetic disorder in the world. Thus, the purpose of this study was to define a set for personal health of patients with major thalassemia.Methods: This present applied research was done descriptively in a cross-sectional manner by Delphi method. To determine the dataset, the manual health records of thalassemia major patients were first evaluated based on the standard paper forms of the Ministry of Health, and the data required were collected according to the checklist. The questionnaire was first reviewed by a team of six experts in the field. Its content validity was determined by the team and its reliability by Cronbach's alpha as 96%. Then, a researcher-made questionnaire was prepared and surveyed among 113 experts on blood and oncology specialists around the country (Iran).Results: from the 126 information element data surveyed, 117 IEDs were identified as the main elements with the agreement of more than 75% in the range of high and very high, while nine elements with the agreement of less than 50% in the range of low and very low were excluded from the elements list of personal health records of thalassemia patients. The information element data with the agreement of 50 to 75 in the range of moderate to high was not found in the survey. Finally, the minimum data set of individual health records of patients with thalassemia major was provided in 9 groups of demographic information, health history information, assessment information, laboratory data, drug information, blood transfusion, physical examinations, immunization (vaccination) and dental care.Conclusion: In this study, the data elements were defined for personal health record of thalassemia patients. These data elements are considered as an appropriate data set for inclusion in the manual systems and electronic medical records and based on the patients' needs can be changed to be used as a national document.

Introduction: This evaluation of the implementation of a cancer prevention intervention includes; intervention fidelity, participant satisfaction, participant retention, and the cost of program implementation. The main purpose of this paper is to disseminate findings in order to inform and promote similar community health programming.Methods: The evaluation framework integrates several models, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Evaluation Framework and the University of Wisconsin-Extension (UW-EX) Evaluation Model. This evaluation process is complex in that it: (1) is community-based participatory research (CBPR); (2) is a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT); (3) uses an ecological approach; and (4) is multicultural.Results: For intervention fidelity, we found that 90% of participants reported high fidelity in the delivery of the intervention as well as strong participant satisfaction. Likewise, 90% of CHWs also report high fidelity in training provided and intervention integrity. Over 36 months of follow-up, the participant retention rate was 79% or more with no significant differences between the intervention and control groups. The cost to implement and deliver the program to each intervention participant was $151.Conclusion: These outcomes can inform policymakers in order to disseminate and implement quality health communication programming.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common causes of death in the world. Because of uptrend and staggering expenses of health care and remedies, this study was investigated with goal of exploring the relationship between life style and ischemic heart disease.Methods: This study was as case-control study. It consists of 360 participants for case group and 360 participants for control group in health centers of Uremia.Both groups were compared regarding age, sex, and location. Data collection tool was a standard questionnaire of lifestyle which explored 10 types of life style. SPSS v.20 software has been used for data analysis of T-test, Chi-square test, and Logistic Regression in 0.05 significance level.Results: The results of this study showed that, the mean difference between two groups was significant in terms of weight and nutrition control exercise and health, physical health, social health, spiritual well-being, psychological health, and disease prevention. Case group is exposed to high risk of catching the ischemic heart disease due to less mean from analysis.Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that insufficient mobility, high fat and low fiber diets, as well as poor mental status can be major causes and risk factors for the incidence of cardiac ischemia.

Introduction: In regard to the importance of health literacy for creating a healthy society, the role of Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences is among the factors influencing health literacy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of multiple intelligences on health literacy of students.Methods: This is a descriptive correlational study. The statistical population includes students studying at the School of Public Health at Gonabad University of Medical Sciences in 2017. The sample size chosen was 170 based on random stratified sampling. In order to collect the data, Montazeri et al.’s Health Literacy Questionnaire, and Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Questionnaire were used.Data was analyzed through SPSS 20. The Pearson correlation coefficient, regression and independent t-test were used to analyze the data.Results: The mean and standard deviation of students‟ scores in the health literacy variable were 62.01 ± 9.17. The results showed that all aspects of multiple intelligences have a meaningful relationship with health literacy. Also, multiple intelligence components were 43.3 percent able to predict student health literacy.Conclusion: Considering the positive and significant relationship between multiple intelligences and health literacy, it is suggested that training courses and workshops be used to promote and strengthen the multiple intelligences and health literacy of students at the School of Public Health.

Introduction: Scorpion sting is one of the major health risks in many countries around the world.. Lordegan is one of the areas where several reports of scorpion stings occur. The purpose of this study was to describe the epidemiological and demographic characteristics of selected scorpions for preventive measures.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to collect information about all the scorpion patients in Lordegan city health center during 2014-2017 Results: The results showed that the total number of scorpion stings was 2, 422, of which 1, 124 cases were female (46.4%) and 1, 298 cases were male (53.6%).Of the total number of stings, 2 deaths occurred. Death rate of the cases in this area is about.01 % in 1000 people. It’s worth noting that 2, 060 of the cases were rural (85.1%) and 362 were urban (14.9%).764 (31.5%) people’s visits to the hospital lasted less than 1 hour and 30 minutes, and 749 people (31%) stayed between 1 hour and 30 minutes to 3 hours and 909 people (37.5%) stayed more than three hours.39% of victims were stung on the leg, 35% on their arms, 20% on their trunks, 6% on their head and necks.99.9% of victims recovered from the stings, and 0.01% died from the stings. The majority of recorded stings took place from April to October. The 15- to 24-year-old age group suffered the highest number of stings, and the 65-year-old and older age group suffered the lowest number.80.6% of stings were by yellow scorpions and 19.4% by black scorpions.Conclusion: Scorpion stings are common in Lordegan, especially in the summer months. Public education, as well as the risk-reduction strategies of individuals can prevent scorpion stings.