Journal of Research in Health Sciences
Volume:11 Issue: 2, Summer-Fall 2011

Leukemia is the most common cancer in children, accounting for near to half of all childhood cancers. Different risk factors might be effective in the occurrence of this cancer such as parental characteristics. This study was done in West Azarbaijan Province in order to determine the relation between parental characteristics and acute leukemia in children. This matched case-control study was conducted on children less than 15 years affected by acute leukemia from March 20, 2003 to March 20, 2009. Two control groups were selected, one from hospital and the other from the study population. Cases and controls were matched on age and sex. Logistic regression model was used for data analysis. This study was done on 130 patients, 108 (83.1%) were affected by Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and 22 (16.9%) by Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia. Seventy two of the patients were male (55.4%) and 58 were female (44.6%). There was a statistically significant correlation between acute leukemia and variables such as mother's education [OR=4.2, 95% CI: 2.42, 7.34], mother's history of using Oral Contraceptive Pills [OR=1.77, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.82] and parental relationship [OR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.30, 3.23]. It seems that some parental characteristics have an important role in etiology of childhood leukemia.

Myocardial infarction in young age is increasing. Identifying risk factors could be important for health promotion. We studied classic atherosclerotic risk factors in premature myocardial infarction. In this matched case-control study, which was conducted from 2005 to 2007 in Birjand County, the east of Iran, atherosclerotic risk factors (hypertension, family history of coronary artery diseases, obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia) of 98 patients affected by acute myocardial infarction aged under 50 years were compared with that of 98 healthy neighborhood controls. Mean levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, as well as systolic blood pressure and body mass index were significantly higher in cases than in controls. There was a positive association between coronary artery disease at younger age and dyslipidemia OR=2.8 [95% CI: 1.5, 5.2], smoking OR=6.4 [95% CI: 3.0, 13.5], systolic hypertension OR=3.1 [95% CI: 1.5, 6.3], family history of coronary artery diseases OR=10.9 [95% CI: 3.2, 37.9] and diabetes OR=2.5 [95% CI: 1.04, 6.2]. Smoking, systolic hypertension and dyslipidemia were the most common risk factors among patients with premature myocardial infarction.

High incidence of menstrual disorders at late ages of fertility accounts for 20% of clinical visits and 25% of gynecological surgeries. This study was conducted to identify the relationship between delivery type and menstrual disorders in women referring to hospitals affiliated to Medical Universities in Tehran in 2008. In this case-control study, which was conducted from April to August, 2008 in Tehran, 160 women aged 36 to 44 years, 8o women with and 80 without menstrual disorder as case and control groups were enrolled respectively. Data collection tool was a questionnaire (included questions regarding demographic and obstetrical characteristics). Higham pictorial chart (scores more than 80 denoted menorrhagia), a verbal multidimensional scoring scale (from 0 for painless to 3 for severe pain), and Holmes-Rahe scale for assessing stress were used. About 93.1% of the cases and 65% of the controls had experienced dysmenorrhea at the begging of the study (P=0.009). In other words, 65% of women with dysmenorrhea had a history of C-section. Women with menstrual disorders had more caesarian sections (53.7%) than those without the disorders (27.5%) (P < 0.001) with an odds ratio estimate of 3.06 [95% CI: 1.58, 5.91]. There were significant differences in the number of pads/tampons used (P=0.009) and amount of uterine bleeding based on Higham chart (P=0.009) among case and control group. Caesarian may be considered as a risk factor for menstrual disorders particularly at late ages of fertility. Therefore, pregnant women should be consulted by health providers regarding advantages versus disadvantages of caesarian before selective C-section.

Managers’ communication skills are one of the most important topics in educational sector of universities of medical sciences and may have considerable effect on faculty members and employees. This study was performed to determine the level of communication skills (verbal, listening, feedback) of the heads of department of faculties and its relation with some demographic variables. This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2009 to January 2010. We enrolled all of the heads of departments (N=60) in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, western Iran. The participants received a self-administered 24-item questionnaire in Likert format (six general items and 18 items related to communication skills). Data were analyzed with SPSS software using Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. The average scores of verbal, listening and feedback communication were 22.5, 16.1 and 21.1, respectively. Accordingly, 78.3% of participants in verbal communication, 16.7% in listening communication and 73.3% in feedback communication had high status. There were significant differences between the average score of listening skills and age (P=0.013) as well as gender (P=0.042). In addition, there was a significant statistical difference between verbal skills and gender (P=0.021). The overall communication skills of more than half of the heads of departments were moderate. This needs designing some programs for improving department managers’ communication skills.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the important complications in diabetic patients. Various factors trigger the onset and intensity of erectile dysfunction. This study was done to determine the prevalence of erectile dysfunction and some associated factors among type II-diabetic patients in Birjand, Iran. In this cross-sectional study, which was carried out in Birjand during 2008 and 2009, 171 male diabetic patients aged 29 to 76 years who were sexually active and had no history of prostate surgery were included. Data on demographic characteristic and history of diabetes was collected using a questionnaire. International Index of Erectile Dysfunction-5 and Beck's standard questionnaire were used to determine erectile dysfunction and depression, respectively. Data were analyzed using multiple statistical tests including chi square, t-test, and logistic regression. The mean age of study population was 52.78 [95% CI: 51.25, 54.32] years (range between 29 to 76 years) and 43.3% of individuals were under 50 years. ED was diagnosed in 140 out of 171 (81.9%) diabetic patients. ED was mild in 28 (20%) subjects, moderate in 66 (47.1%), and sever in 46 (32.9%). Suffering from Long-term of diabetes (P < 0.001), progressive depression (P < 0.001), increased level of HbA1c (P < 0.001), and decreased level of HDL (P < 0.001) were among the most related factors with ED. The prevalence of ED is high among diabetic patients. Control of the disease and its relevant risk factors might be helpful in decreasing sexual dysfunction in diabetic patients.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the world and the most common cancer in developing countries. Pap smear is and effective tool that can prevent death due to cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the factors related to doing regular Pap-smear test based on the theory of planned behavior. In this cross-sectional study, conducted in Hamadan County, the west of Iran, during 2009, a total of 400 women's aged 20 to 70 years old, were randomly selected to participate voluntarily in the study. Participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire including the expanded theory of planned behavior components. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 13 using chi-square, t-test, and logistic regression statistical tests at 95% significant level. Almost 63.8% of the participants had already done Pap-smear test at least once. About 28.3% of volunteers had followed a regular Pap-smear program. There was a significant correlation (P < 0.002) between family history of cervical cancer and undergoing regular Pap-smear test. In addition, there was a significant correlation (P < 0.001) between age and undergoing regular Pap-smear test. The best predictor for regular Pap-smear testing was subjective norms with odds ratio estimate of 1.14 [95% CI: 1.04, 1.23]. Based on our findings, subjective norms may be one of the most effective factors among women for doing regular Pap-smear test.

Wound infections are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Etiologic agents of wound infections vary with geographical locations. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of wound infections, the effect of age and gender on the prevalence as well as the etiologic agents and their susceptibility to antibacterial agents. Wound swabs collected from 2061 patients were processed to investigate etiologic agents using standard technique. Disc susceptibility of bacterial agents was determined. The overall prevalence of wound infections was 64.8%. The prevalence of wound infections was not significantly affected by gender but was significantly affected by age (P < 0.001). The prevalence of wound infections was minimum among age group of < 5 years old (20.0%) and maximum among the age group of 36-40 years old (77.5%). Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent etiologic agent (21.5%). β-lactams, fluoroquinolones and gentamicin were the most effective antibacterial agents. The prevalence of wound infections was high and was only affected by age. Staphylococcus aureus was the most predominant etiologic agent and β-lactam antibiotics are recommended.

Nursing is one of the most stressful jobs. The present study aimed to determine the effect of a cognitive-behavioral stress management training program based on PRECEDE model on stress reduction among nurses. In this quasi-experimental study, which was conducted in 2010, 58 female nurses in Hamadan, northwest Iran were enrolled in the study and were divided into two equal groups included 29 nurses from one Hospital and 29 nurses from the other as intervention and control groups respectively. The data collection tool was a self-administered questionnaire including demographic characteristics and nursing stress scale (NSS). In addition, a questionnaire based on PRECEDE model was used in order to assess predisposing, reinforcing and enabling factors. The intervention was a training program including five sessions during three weeks in which relaxation and problem-solving training was thought. A pre-test and a post-test were performed 1.5 months apart. The t-test, Mann Whitney and Willxocon statistical tests were used for data analysis at 95% significant level using SPSS 13. The baseline score average of job stress was 113.0 and 109.8 for intervention and control groups respectively (P=0.250). After intervention, score average of job stress decreased to 94.0 in experimental group while that of control group remained relatively unchanged (109.2), (P < 0.001). A significant difference was found in PRECEDE model constructs and stress management behaviors in intervention group compared to control group after training interventions (P < 0.001). Training programs based on PRECEDE model might be effective on decreasing job stress in nurses.