Journal of Research in Health Sciences
Volume:7 Issue: 2, Summer-Fall 2007

This study presents a framework for development of integrated health, safety and ergo nomic (HSE) in complex critical systems. Total ergonomics model considers conventional ergonomics fac tors as well as management and organizational factors. Control room operation and maintenance department of a thermal power plant was chosen as the case of our study. To achieve the above objectives, an integrated approach based on total ergonomics factors was developed. Second, it was applied to the thermal power plant and the advantages of total er go nomics approach were discussed. Third, the impacts of total ergonomics factors on local factors were examined through non-parametric statistical analysis. Moreover, the importance and impacts of to tal ergonomics factors were shown through statistical tests. It is shown that total ergonomics model is much more beneficial than conventional approach. It should be noted that the traditional ergonomics methodology is not capable of locating the findings of to tal ergonomics model. The distinguished aspect of this study is the employment of a total system approach based on integration of the conventional ergonomics factors with HSE factors.

Several changes in serum biochemical factors occur in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Recently alterations in serum levels of homocysteine (Hcy), sialic acid (SA) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (HS-CRP) has been attended as risk factors and index for prediction. This study was aimed to show the alterations in these factors and their relationships in AMI. Thirty four patients with AMI were enrolled in this case-control study. Also 51 apparently healthy individuals were selected as control group. Serum was prepared from all subjects in fasting state. Hcy and HS-CRP were measured using ELISA and SA was determined by Erlich method. Serum levels of Hcy, SA and HS-CRP in AMI patients were 14.35±2.55µmol/l, 73.54±2.82 mg/dl, and 17.32±3.45 mg/l, respectively and in the control group they were 8.31±2.66 µmol/l, 59.82±2.70 mg/dl and 2.77±1.98 mg/l, respectively. Statistical analysis of data showed that serum level of Hcy, SA, and HS-CRP in the patients with AMI was significantly higher than those of control (P< 0.001). Also significant correlation was observed between Hcy-HS-CRP (r= 0.63), SA- Hcy (r= 0.73), and SA - CRP (r= 0.75) (P< 0.05 for all items). Our findings showed increased level of HS-CRP, SA, and Hcy in AMI patients. Also ob tained data indicated a direct and significant correlation between HS-CRP as an inflammation index and Hcy and SA. Hence these two factors can be used as biomarkers in this disease.

AIDS is acquired by infection with HIV (human immuno-deficiency virus). It leaves the host susceptible to malignant and unusual infections especially opportunistic ones. Most of AIDS patients infected with opportunistic parasitic infections die because of chronic diarrhea and deaths due to Cryptosporidium diarrhea in AIDS patients are considerable in the recent two decades. The aim of this study is to find Cryptosporidium parasite in AIDS patients referring to the center of Diseases consultation in Kermanshah province and to determine the frequency of infection in those patients. In this study stool and blood samples were collected from 75 AIDS patients referring regularly to the Center of Diseases Consultation in Kermanshah and the gathered information were filled in the questionnaires together with their personal information regarding their names, sex and etc. Stool samples were tested using direct and formalin ether methods and then the smears that were dyed using modified acid fast staining were examined. Peripheral blood samples were used to determine the CD4 counts. The results showed that the frequency of infection with Cryptosporidium in AIDS patients was 26.7% (20 cases). According to the study, as the number of CD4 decreased in the patients, the probability of infection with opportunistic parasites increased and increase in the number CD4 that is normally accompanied with strengthening the body immune system resulted in the decrease in the frequency of infection with Cryptosporidium.

This study examined the applicability of trans-theoretical model (TTM) to understand exercise behavior among female college students in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Iran in 2007. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. The dependent variables analyzed were exercise efficacy expectation, decisional balance (pros and cons). The independent variable was stage of exercise behavior change. Five hundred and ninety female students representing various disciplines on campus completed a valid and reliable questionnaire (r = 0.78) during regularly scheduled classes. More than seventy-three percent of sample were sedentary (pre-contemplation, contemplation, or preparation) whereas 24.6% were in the action stage (regularly active < 6 months) and 2.2% were in the maintenance stage (regularly active > 6 months). All of the TTM constructs differed significantly across exercise stages. Students in pre-con- templation scored the lowest and those in maintenance stage scored highest on efficacy expectation and pros and reversed on cons. Results supported the use of the entire TTM in examining exercise behavior among fe- male college students.

IUD is one of the safest and most widely used reversible methods of contraception. The pur pose of this study was to determine IUD survival and reasons for early discontinuation in Bandar Abbas, south of Iran. Probability of IUD continuation rate and factors associated with discontinuation were as sessed in a historical cohort study of 400 women records from March 2002 to February 2004. Data were collected from documents in health centers and interview with subjects. Life tables, Kaplan-Meier, log-rank test and cox regression model were used for data analysis. The continuation rate of using IUD at 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 month were 92%, 87%, 81%, 75%, 69%, 62%, 56% and 50%, respectively. Counseling and desire to becoming pregnant were as sociated with continuation rate (P< 0.03). Furthermore the most important reasons for IUD dis continuation were side effects of IUD followed by pregnancy tendency, health concerns, expulsion, and unsatisfied with the method. This study suggested that women should be fully informed about side effects of IUD be fore inserting it as well as during its using.

This cross-sectional investigation compared the depressive condition between menopaused and nonmenopasued women in the age of 45-55 in Yazd city in Yazd Province in center of Iran. The samples were divided into two groups (70 menopaused women and 70 nonmenopaused women), and were selected by cluster sampling from the city of Yazd. The depressive tendency of participants was examined with the Beck depression inventory. About 72% of women were free of any depressive tendency, or very minor depression. Thirty women (21.4%) suffered from intermediate depression and 9 women (6.4%) suffered from sever depression. More than 27% of subjects were suffered from some forms of depression. There was no significant difference between the depression and condition of menopause of women. It is a need to know the women''s condition of depression and counseling as well as guiding them on basis of their needs to prevent any disorders.

This study was conducted to design an on job-training model for the managers of the Iranian Social Security Organization (ISSO) hospitals and any other similar setting. A five dimensional model (i.e. knowledge, ability, managerial skills, personality attributes and attitudes) with 187 components was designed. The model was validated through seeking the view of experts and a field test. For the field test, a survey was done on 31 ISSO hospital managers to explore their views on the structure of the model and its components. The managers were asked to score each component on a five- point Likert scale as they thought it would affect their job per- formance. The model with 5 dimensions and 165 components was verified in the field test, and 104 out of 165 components of this model got high, 52 medium and nine low mean scores for influencing job performance of the managers. These findings reveal that most of the components selected in this pro- ject are justified to be included in the model. It also reflects the managers'' needs for any formal and informal training program in future. The needs of hospital managers at work go far beyond the knowledge and skills, which they have gained, via formal education in school. Therefore, in designing a training program for this group of professionals one should consider a multi-dimensional model in which "knowledge, ability, managerial skills, personality, and attitude dimensions" are all taken under consideration.

Needlestick injuries (NSIs) are among the most important occupational injuries for health care workers (HCWs). In Iran, the problem of exposure to contaminated blood among nursing personnels has not well documented. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of needle- stick injuries in population of nurses in Shahroud Imam Hossein Hospital, northern Iran. A self-administrated questionnaire was completed by 180 nurses in September and October 2005 for their NSIs experience in the past year. In this study, needlestick injury was defined as percu- taneous injury caused by hollow-borne needles, suturing needles, scalpel blades and lancets. The case incidence of NSIs was 63.3% (114/180). The total number of episodes of NSIs among respondents was 220 (range: 1-5 episodes) with incidence rate of episodes i.e. 1.2 per person/ year. 12.8% of nurses had not been vaccinated against hepatitis B virus (HBV). The causal devices in 105 cases (92.1%) were hollow-borne needles and the main causes of percutaneous injuries with hol- low-bore needles were recapping (32.4%) and manipulating needles in patients (18.1%). The majority (51.8%) of injuries occurred after use and before disposal of the objects. Nurses working in Imam Hossein Hospital are frequently exposed to blood-borne infec- tion. NSIs were highly prevalent in these nurses therefore more intensive education programs should be directed at nurses to increase their awareness of and compliance with universal precautions (UP). We recommend a surveillance system and a center for managing injured persons

Gastric cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer. As conflicting studies have recently been published, we aimed to evaluate the magnitude of the epidemiological evi- dence for an association between alcohol consumption and gastric cancer. This study is a meta-analysis of case-control studies which have been performed during 1989 to 2007. We systematically reviewed the literature on the association between alcohol consump- tion and gastric cancer. Published case-control studies were identified in Pub Med and reference lists. Random effects meta-analysis was used to pool effects from twenty studies. The odds ratio (OR) for the overall association between alcohol and gastric cancer was 1.77 (95%CI: 1.46-2.15). The pooled OR for alcohol consumption related to gastric cancer for men was 2.17 (95%CI: 1.67-2.83). The odds ratio of beer or liquor was 1.16 which is not statistically related to gastric cancer risk (P> 0.05). Whereas, the odds ratio of vodka, wine and other types of alcohol intake related to gastric cancer were respectively 3.26, 1.69, and 1.77 (P< 0.01). Overall, based on the results of pooled analysis, it is reassuring that this meta-analysis shows a direct effect of alcohol associated with gastric cancer. Knowledge on the level of exposure to different alcohol constituents provides a deeper understanding of the real role of alcohol on cancer risk and ultimately allows the design of safer beverages.