JOURNAL OF SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH
Year:2004 | Volume:3 | Issue:3 (11)|Papers Count:10

Nowadays the Quality of Life (QOL) among different groups of people, especially in disabled people, is recognized as a very important topic. In order to assess quality of life in people with spinal cord injuries, 86 members of Tehran spinal cord injury (SCI) society were selected randomly. Data were gathered through a questionnaire that consisted of two parts. The first part contained questions about sex, age, plus the cause, type and duration of injury. The second part contained questions that measured quality of life in an objective manner. The test was adapted from Lancashire and Wisconsin tests and modified to suit the cultural background of Iranian people. Results showed that %73.3 of people with SCI perceived their QOL as good or fair. In assessing different areas of quality of life, the highest scores were given to social relations (3.67 out of 5). In the married group the mean score for satisfaction in family relations was 3.95 out of 5 score. Sub-scores for work/education, finances, physical health and psychological health status were lower than the other ones. Results of study indicated that there was a significant difference in the mean QOL score between the two sexes: the score for women were higher (mean score was 3.3 for women and 2.9 for men). But Quality of Life was not significantly related to age, cause of SCI, type of SCI, or duration of SCI.      

Polystyrene plastic material is a part of important packaging materials that is widely used. In recent decades, It is excessively applied in manufacturing of disposable drinking containers. Temperature is an important factor in determination the stability styrene monomer. The migration of styrene monomer in to hot drinks may cause chronic toxic effect in nervous system, liver and other organ of body. In this study, 51 samples of hot water (100°C) Standing for 60 min were used. Then extraction and distillation of samples were down thereafter, 50 µlit of preprated sample were injected into HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) for determination of styrene monomer. The response of the detection system is linear for styrene monomer from 0/25 to 5 ng/ml. This method offer a quick, Sensitive and reliable procedure for specifically for determining of styrene monomer. For the reproducibility of method performed studies of within-day and day to day from independently prepared sample by spiking blank with amount of analyse. The results of the recovery study for styrene monomer were mean 94/58%(range 94/31-95/23%). The limit detection of 0.001 mg/kg (1ppb). The mean content of styrene monomer was 7/61±0/l ng/kg (range 7/07 - 9/56). The concentration of styrene monomer in this study was above the EPA recommended levels. More study are needed to further elucidate this finding.      

A total of 509 Anopheles Stephensi and 20 Anopheles Culicifacies mosquitoes were collected during two seasonal activity peaks (June, July, August and September) in the years 2000 and 2001, from 36 localities around Minab, Iranshahr and Kahnouj cities. The identity of specimens was confirmed using Shahgodian PAN morphological key. DNA was extracted from the head and thorax of all specimens and subjected to nested PCR using species-specific primers for Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum Three An. Stephensi mosquitoes from Minab and one An. Culicifacies mosquito from Iranshahr were positive for P. vivax, while one An. Stephensi was shown to harbor both P.vivax and P. falciparum.      

There is a need for simple and .inexpensive water supply systems in small communities, mainly because of high costs and water resource shortages. Ceramic filters used as a Point-of- Use (POU) system could serve as a safe and inexpensive means for supplying water. In this research we looked at the possibility of using Iranian traditional ceramics as filters for drinking water, bearing in mind the importance of ceramic filters as a POU system. A number of parameters relating to water quality were measured before and after filtration through a ceramic pipe wall. We used ceramic pipes made of clay (with 90% purity). It turned out that ceramic filters are capable of eliminating indicator microorganisms and turbidity to a considerable degree. They can also remove 70% of the water's color. But this system could not eliminate Dissolved Solids, Electrical Conductivity, Hardness and the Nitrate ion content of water. Using Mann-Withney U Test and T- Test, it is confirmed that increasing the thickness and number of ceramic pipes is not effective for improving some water parameters. This research showed ceramic filters can be useful for household water treatment in places where there is microbial pollution or high turbidity.    

The aims of the present study were to assess preparedness and function of health system in the management of withdrawal symptoms in opioid dependents after Barn earthquake, the methods that medical staff used for identification of dependents, the viewpoints of the medical staff as well as opioid dependents about the roles of health system, and the appropriate methods for managing opioid dependence after disaster. This qualitative study was carried out in the city of Barn, one, of its nearby villages and eight hospitals in Tehran and Kerman, admitting earthquake ~ctims. Our analysis was based on 163 semi-structured interviews, with drug abusers, their family members, people living in Barn, service providers, and the authorities. No specific training for drug abuse was reported by medical staff. No guideline or program was available for prevention and management of drug dependence in disasters. Most of the medical staff had negative attitudes toward involvement in treatment of opioid dependence. During the first two weeks after the earthquake, medical management of the withdrawal symptoms was inadequate. Most of the interviewees suggested managing the withdrawal symptoms with prescribing opioid agonists and then treating the opioid dependence following improvement of physical injuries and stability of social situation. In disaster situations, the consequences of inadequate management of opioid dependence can be ominous. Such consequences consist of a change in incidence of substance use, intensity of use and dependence, type of substance and route of use to more dangerous ways. Therefore, a practical protocol (disaster planning) is needed for prevention and management of substance dependence in the times of crises.      

This survey was done to investigate the geographical distribution of ticks (Hard and Soft) in the towns of Amol, Babol and Noor in Mazandaran province, north of Iran. The study, conducted from January 2000 to October 2001, covered mostly rural districts and a total of 15 operational fields. Ticks were collected from domestic fowl nests, stables (animal shelters, floors and other places), animal bodies and rodent holes. A total number of 3897 ticks from two families (Argasidae and Ixodidae) were collected. Ticks from the Argasidae Family totaled 2049  and belonged to 2 genera: Argas and Ornithodorus). The proportions of different species were as follows: Argas persicus 35.95%, A. reflexus 0.97% and O.1ahorensis 15.65%. Hard ticks collected in the area belonged to 6 genera and included 8 species: Boophilus (B. annulatus 8.34%) Haemaphysalis (Hae. Sulcata 5%), Hyaloma (Hy. marginatum 1.66%), Dermacentor genus and Hyschulza (0.75%). Hy. anatolicum (1.33%) De. marginatus (1.72%), the genus Rhipicephalus (Rh. Sanginues 1.18%) were collected from animal bodies (cow, sheep, goat) and animal shelters.    

Traffic accidents compromise a large quantity of peoples annually, and are one of the most important causes of death in Iran. Human factors are amongst of the most leading causes of traffic accident mortality and morbidity and this study is conducted to evaluate the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of drivers regarding driving laws in Tehran. Two hundred and twenty drivers were selected randomly in this cross sectional study. Cluster sampling with 10 participants in each cluster was used for selection of participants. 22 points were defined using a random sample of telephone numbers. Distribution points were such as one point was selected in each zone of municipality zones. Ten consecutive drivers passing the specified point were interviewed by an interviewer and a senior officer of Traffic Control Organization of Tehran was responsible for assessment of practices. Reliability of questionnaire was evaluated using alpha chronbach coefficient and construct validity was assessed by Principal component Analysis method. Chi square and odds ratio (OR) were used for assessment of relation between qualitative variables, when appropriate. Two hundred and twenty drivers were recruited in this study. Suitable Knowledge, Attitude and practice were seen in 67.7, 56.4 and 47.7 percent of respondents respectively. When adjusted using logistic regression analysis, we did not observe any relation between these three variables. There was a significant relation between knowledge and age; and also between practice and education, marital status, occupation and type of automobile. We conclude that practice of drivers of Tehran is weak regarding traffic laws and there is an emergent need for research and intervention in this regard.      

A study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of Coagulase - Positive Staphylococcus aureus in milk collected in the milk collecting center in Garmsar city. Ninety-six raw milk samples (84 composite samples and 12 bulk samples) were collected from Garmsar milk collecting center. Raw milk samples were transferred to laboratory in safe conditions. After serial dilution, the appropriate concentrations (10 -2 to 10 -6) were cultured on Baired- Parker agar medium. The plates were incubated at 37 ºC for 2 days (48h). After 48 hours incubation, the colonies with black centers and light areas were used for staphylococcal assay. The coagulase test was done with rabbit plasma and coagulates- positive colonies were then counted. The results showed that mean counts of coagulate-positive Staphylococcus aureus in composite and bulk milk were 5.4 ×105 cfu/ml and 3.2 × 105 cfu/ml, respectively. The counts ranged from 8.6 × 104 to 2.1 × 10 6 cfu/ml and 1.4 ×105 to 5.5 × 10 5 cfu/ ml. The standard deviations were 3.5 × 105 cfu/ml and 1.4 × 10 5 cfu/ml respectively. It is clear that the milk collected at this facility was rather heavily contaminated with S. aureus. Therefore, it may constitute a health hazard because of the possible production of enterotoxin in the milk consumed by the people. In order to reduce staphylococcal contamination in milk, it is recommended to treat cases of clinical and subclinical staphylococcal mastitis in livestock. Also, it is necessary to use hygienic procedures during the production process as well as transportation and storage.