Journal of Human Environment and Health Promotion
Year:2018 | Volume:4 | Issue:3|Papers Count:8

Background: Tuberculosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa, especiallyGhana. Despite the current treatments for tuberculosis, positive treatment outcomes are notattainable due to the differences in the socio-economic and bio-psychological status of thepatients. The present study aimed to assess the influential factors in the treatment outcomesof tuberculosis. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted to determine the influential factors in thetreatment outcomes of tuberculosis in terms of the patients, community, and healthcareproviders. Data collection and management were performed using version 11 of the NVivosoftware. Sample population included 10 patients, five healthcare providers, and fivecommunity members (treatment supporters). Data analysis was carried out using frameworkanalysis, where the emerging themes were identified and discussed in relation withliterature. Results: The results revealed that wrong/negative perceptions about TB, social stigma, andthe use of alternative treatment methods could result in unsuccessful treatment outcomes. Conclusion: The study recommends that community awareness of TB and the search andimplementation of policies toward improving TB treatment outcome should be pursued.

Background: Diarrhea is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly indeveloping countries. Enteric gram-negative bacteria, especially Shigella, Salmonella, Escherichia, and Campylobacter plays a key role in the occurrence of diarrhea. The presentstudy aimed to determine the prevalence and importance of four bacterial genera in theincidence of diarrhea in Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 528 diarrheal stool samples duringMarch 2015-February 2017. The samples were collected for the isolation of the bacterialagents to appropriate selective and differential culture media. Laboratory diagnosis wasperformed using proper bacteriological and serological tests. Results: Among 528 stool samples, 38. 6% of the specimens belonged to women, and 61. 4%belonged to men. In total, 233 specimens (44. 1%) were positive for the mentioned bacteria. In 98 (18. 5%) and 15 cases (2. 8%), Shigella spp. and Campylobacter spp. had the highestand lowest frequency, respectively. Conclusion: Shigellosis has been reported to be more prevalent in developing andindustrialized countries. Our findings and similar studies in this regard have denoted theepidemiological patterns of shigellosis in some regions in Iran toward the epidemiologicalpattern of the disease in industrialized countries.

Background: The noise caused by traffic is an increasingly prominent feature of urbanenvironments. However, limited studies have been focused on the assessment of exposureresponserelationship between road traffic noise exposure and driving behaviors in Iran. Thepresent study aimed to investigate the prevalence of the violations caused by road trafficnoise exposure in Qazvin, Iran. Methods: Initially, a line with 70 taxi drivers was selected for the evaluation of noiseexposure. According to ISO9612: 2009, the eight-hour equivalent noise level [Leq8h] wasmeasured during a workday. In addition, driving behaviors were assessed using the selfreportIranian version of Manchester driving behavior questionnaire (MDBQ). Results: Statistical analysis included the mean, standard deviation, minimum andmaximum, Pearson’ s correlation-coefficient, and logistic regression. The results ofPearson’ s correlation-coefficient indicated a strong correlation with noise levels andpersonal characteristics with driving behaviors (P < 0. 05). Moreover, logistic regressionshowed that noise level was significantly associated with the components of drivingbehaviors. Conclusion: According to the results, traffic noise exposure is a significant influentialfactor in the increased rate of driving violations. Equivalent sound pressure level in taxieswas observed to be above of the limit for occupational comfort based on NR 17 standard, which may affect driving behaviors.

Background: Thalassemia is the most prevalent genetic disorder in humans. It is caused bythe deficient or lack of production of one of the globin chains. The present study aimed toevaluate the performance indicators of Behbahan Health Center, Iran in terms of theprevention of thalassemia major during 2006-2016. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on the couples referring tothe pre-marriage counseling centers in Behbahan, Iran for premarital tests during 2006-2016. The participants were selected via census sampling. Results: In total, 24, 992 couples were screened, 0. 33% of whom (n = 84) were suspectedof thalassemia. Out of 84 couples, two cases declared marriage cancellation afterelectrophoresis. The results of the PND1 test indicated that in 96% of the couples (n = 73), the boy and girl both had thalassemia minor, while in 1. 3% of the cases (n = 1), one of themhad thalassemia minor, and in 6. 2% (n = 2), they were both normal. Conclusion: According to the results, 84 couples were carriers of thalassemia during 2006-2016. Eventually, all the cases with thalassemia major were aborted and prevented frombirth.

Background: Identification of hazards is one of the most important parts of industries’ strategies. This can be done using a hazard matrix as an applicable tool which can also rankhazards properly. Methods: In this study, the Delphi method was used to select best alternatives for a hazardmatrix. All possible items were gathered and passed Delphi rounds, in which mean, medianand standard deviation were used to evaluate decisions. Moreover, Kendall’ s coefficient ofconcordance was used to reach consensus between panel members. Results: The panel members found 42 items in five categories, of which 29 items benefiteda mean and median more than 5. Moreover, Kendall’ s coefficient of concordance reached0. 66, which indicated a statistically meaningful agreement for the number of experts. Conclusion: This study introduced a hazard matrix, in which different consequences wereaccounted based on a well-known decision making method. The matrix is developed forhospital application with respect to panel members’ knowledge and can be used suitably inthis field of industry.

Background: One of the challenges of implementing the family physician program is thedecrease in the number of doctors, especially in rural and deprived areas, the present studyaimed to determine the intentions of family physicians to persist in the health centersaffiliated in Hormozgan city. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 195 physicians in the health centersimplementing the family physician program. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 21 using independent t-test, Pearson’ scorrelation-coefficient, and ANOVA. Results: In total, 57. 9% of the participants were female, and 42. 1% were male. The majorityof the subjects (61%) were aged 30-60 years. The results of Pearson’ s correlationcoefficientindicated that income, payment status, working hours, willingness to continueeducation, job security, motivation to serve, commitment to service provision, andconfidence in the family physician program had significant, positive associations with theintentions of family physicians to stay in the health centers (P < 0. 001). Conclusion: According to the results, health ministers, policymakers, and planners couldhelp with the persistence of family physicians in the healthcare centers in deprived areasthrough reviewing the number of the healthcare team members and their job descriptions.

Background: The construction of metro lines is a high-risk project. Using a budget-basedmodel for the safety units of metro construction projects can help safety managers to spendoptimal budget allocation. The purpose of this study was to plan a budget model based onsafety unit performance in an under construction metro station for better budget allocationusing robust optimization. Methods: To design this model, budget dimensions were identified by the experts and basedon causes and costs of accidents in the past year. Then, constraints of metro workshops wereconsidered. The next step was involved in determining the importance of each dimension. Finally, the budgeting model was designed using Gurobi software. In order to prove theproposed budgeting model, as a case study, the model was implemented in one of the metroworkshops. Results: Considering existing constraints, the model revealed that the budget should be atleast 4. 370. 478. 000 rials. Surprisingly, the predicted budget amount was less than theexpended amount in the safety unit of the project. However, budget allocation to dimensionswas dramatically different. Conclusion: The results showed that the robust optimization budgeting was functionallyand economically optimal. Moreover, there is a need for logical budget distribution.

Background: Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cells in humans. Recently, anovel strategy called the formation neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) was described. NETs is a new strategy for pathogen response. This study focused on whether LPS inducedNETs release in vitro in the HL60 cell line. Methods: In this study, the HL60 cell line was used for culture and DMSO for inductionand differentiation. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate CD11b in the differentiated cells, and the NBT assay was used to evaluate the functionality of the differentiated HL-60 cells. Neutrophil-like cells were incubated with LPS (200 ng/ml) for 45 min, followed byincubation for 25 min with 100 ng/ml Hoechst 33342. Trypan blue as vital staining wasused for viability. The statistical significance of the difference between the control andtreated groups was evaluated using a one-way ANOVA. Results: Our results showed that 75% NETs was produced by HL-60 differentiatedneutrophil cells exposed to 200 ng/ml LPS in 45 minues. Conclusion: Consequently, the LPS-induced infection and lethality may occur throughvarious mechanisms. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating NETformation in LPS-induced neutrophil-like cells would support the development of newtherapeutic methods.