Journal of Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences
Year:2003 | Volume:9 | Issue:4 (30)|Papers Count:14

This quasi-experimental study was conducted in Mashad, Iran from 1374 through 1377. Convenient sampling was used with the gradual referring of 300 volunteer couples, most of whom were excluded due to the novelty of the research, lack of general knowledge, lack of facilities and budget; and also because some couples did not have conception. 26 couples were the final study population. They were divided into two groups; those who wanted boys and those who wanted girls. For about 1.5 months before conception, boy-wanting couples were given a diet of ample sodium and potassium (with less calcium and magnesium); girl-wanting couples experienced a diet of ample calcium and magnesium (with less sodium and potassium); the diet stopped if conception occurred. A checklist and gynecological examinations were used to control the known factors which might otherwise affect the choice of baby's sex. The infants' sex were recorded after birth and compared in both groups. The results indicated homogeneity between the two groups as for the couples' age, age difference, the partner's age and adherence to their diets. It was observed that in boy-wanting couples, the frequency of boys and girls were 75% and 25% respectively. In girl-wanting group, the frequency of boys and girls were 16.7% and 83.3% respectively. The difference was found to be significant. A Significant difference was observed in the sex ratio of the two groups with base population. Therefore, this diet can be recommended to choose the sex of a child before conception.

Cancer fatigue is the commonest complication during and after cancer treatment, especially radiotherapy. It is possible that exercise, with its physical and emotional effects, might be useful in reducing cancer fatigue. This study was intended to study the effects of the scheduled exercise program on the fatigue of cancer patients under radiotherapy and to compare it with a control group. The experimental group was trained for four weeks; the first week before the program; the second and third weeks were the exercise weeks when the subjects were required to have exercises for 20 minutes each day followed by a 10-minute bed rest and deep slow breaths, with their eyes closed. Fatigue was scaled in a summarized scale of 0-10. The control group did not receive any treatment but their fatigue was measured daily. The results indicated that both groups experienced mild fatigue during the first week before the program with no significant difference between them. After treatment, the control group experienced severe fatigue and the experimental group experienced mild fatigue; the difference was significant. It was concluded that jogging/aerobic exercises can reduce cancer fatigue.    

Stress is any event or circumstances which make the body utilize its resources and generate excessive energy. It is said that stress is the body's non-specific response to any requirement which might be a threat, involvement or any type of change requiring the individual's adaptation with it. Stressors might be internal or external. University students are exposed to stressors; therefore, it is necessary to examine them. This analytical-descriptive study was conducted with some paramedical students at Sabzevar School of medical sciences in 1380-81. The results indicated that the most common physical complaint for female students was menstrual problems; for male students, it was the sleeping problems. Males were exposed to stress more than females, i.e. 11.1% versus 5.9%; however, the difference was not significant. There was a significant relationship between stress and muscular and general weakness and sense of heartburn.      

This Study is intended to investigate the effects of Damavand Mineral Water on the serum cations of men with hypertension. 41 men with mean age of 482±8 were homogenized according to their age, BMI, WHR, smoking and history of hypertension. They were randomly assigned into experimental (20) and Control (21), groups. For eight weeks, the experimental group received Damavand Mineral Water; while, the control group drank only usual water; their daily dose was two litres. Blood samples (5 cc) were taken from the study to test their level of sodium, magnesium, potassium and calcium cations via flame photometry. Also, their blood pressure was measured at the beginning of the fourth and eighth weeks. The obtained data were analyzed. The results indicated that mineral water had significant effects on the reduction of hypertension; also, it can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.      

In order to study the lateral dominance of the brain in normal and retarded children, 90 children of 60-75 months were selected. Delakato cerebroneural growth table was used for the assessment; it included the assessment of hand, ear, eye and leg dominance. The obtained results were analyzed in two ways; (1) left and right and (2) mixed; (1) left and (2) right. A significant difference was observed between the two groups as for delicate and coarse movements in two ways; these movements included walking, kicking the ball, jumping and standing on one leg, picking up pieces and painting with their feet. A significant difference was found in two ways between the two groups as for eye dominance in visual functions such as writing and paper augle . As for the ear dominance, a significant difference was found in such functions as hearing from far and near distances and harmonization in the second state. As for the hand dominance in the first state, a significant difference was found in delicate and coarse movements.    

 It is really necessary to provide occupational satisfaction for health aids as their role is invaluable in providing health services especially in Sabzevar with population over 350.000. This cross-sectional analytical descriptive study involved social, psychological, welfare, educational, physical setting and management issues in the form of a Likert-type questionnaire. The findings indicated that socially 43.1%, psychologically 36.3%, welfare 5%, educationally 58.8%, physical setting 12.5% and managerially 28.1% expressed their occupational satisfaction. Also, singles expressed more satisfaction than married ones; the older they get the less their satisfaction becomes.    

Diseases caused by parasites are directly associated with public and individual health, and are of paramount importance despite the considerable global improvement in health. This quasi-experimental study involved200 mothers whose knowledge and performance was examined before and after health education via questionnaires. Findings indicated a considerable increase in the subjects' knowledge of both fields. Also, it was observed that their performance was highly improved after education. Therefore, health education using various methods is recommended to enhance the children's health.      

In order to study the relationship between locus of control and anxiety, a sample of non-indigenous medical students at Tehran University of Medical Sciences were requested to fill out Rotter's questionnaire of locus of control and Speilberger's anxiety checklist. A positive correlation was found to exist between locus of control and obvious/ hidden anxiety, which signified significant relationship. The subjects were, at the outset, divided into five groups: external, almost external, halfway, almost internal and internal loci of control; then, their anxiety were compared in groups of two. A significant difference was observed between all groups as far as their anxiety was concerned. Therefore, the more external the locus of control, the more anxiety will be experienced      

Maternal mortality rate due to pregnancy and delivery complications is one of the significant health indicator and health care in the community. Because of complications and mortality of pregnancy are preventive, thus we must investigate and comparison of direct maternal mortality causes and increase or decrease. The aim of this study was to analyze the causes of direct maternal death and to measure the maternal mortality rate. All cases of direct maternal death were investigated during 10 years (1370-1379) at the Gynecology and Obstetric wards and ICU of the Emam Reza hospital in Mashhad and results included the following. During the years of 1370-1379, there were 31 direct maternal deaths and the maternal mortality rate was 88 in 100000 live births. The most common causes of direct maternal mortality were Hemorrhage (58%), Eclampsia (25.80%), Amniotic Fluid Emboli (9.7%), and Infection (6.5%). Abundance of maternal mortality decreased in different years except in 1373, 1376, 1378when it increased and the increase was seen in the data of total maternal mortality in these years in Khorsan province. The highest percentage of maternal mortality occurred in 35-39 age spans (25.8%) and the lowest in 40-45(9.7%). The most maternal mortality happened in multiparty more than 6 pregnancies. In this study, 61.5% of mothers were rural. Thus improvement of the health and prenatal care, control and treatment of high risk pregnancy , health education to the total community especially pregnant women, suitable nutrition for pregnant women, training midwives and sending them to the faraway areas and to support family planning decrease the maternal morality and morbidity, improving the pregnant mothers' health      

A nine years old girl was admitted to the hospital because of the urinary retention and inability to control her unination. Many investigations were done for finding the causes of the urinary retention with no result. Therefore psychologic etiology was suggested for her. Twenty day after her first admission, she started suffering from the pain in the right leg and difficulty to walk. MRI and CT – scan of brain was normal. In the sonography a mass was found in the pelvis that was pressing the bladder. In mass biopsy, PPNET was diagnosed and chemotherapy was started for the patient.