فهرست مطالب

Journal of Research in Health Sciences
Volume:14 Issue: 3, Summer 2014

  • تاریخ انتشار: 1393/06/23
  • تعداد عناوین: 12
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  • Alireza Mahboub, Ahari, Abolghasem Pourreza, Ali Akbari Sari, Abbas Rahimi Foroushani, Hassan Heydari Pages 181-186
    Background
    The present study aimed to provide better insight on methodological issues related to time preference studies, and to estimate private and social discount rates, using a rigorous systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Methods
    We searched PubMed, EMBASE and Proquest databases in June 2013. All studies had estimated private and social time preference rates for health outcomes through stated preference approach, recognized eligible for inclusion. We conducted both fixed and random effect meta-analyses using mean discount rate and standard deviation of the included studies. I-square statistics was used for testing heterogeneity of the studies. Private and social discount rates were estimated separately via Stata11 software.
    Results
    Out of 44 screened full texts, 8 population-based empirical studies were included in qualitative synthesis. Reported time preference rates for own health were from 0.036 to 0.07 and for social health from 0.04 to 0.2. Private and social discount rates were estimated at 0.056 (95% CI: 0.038, 0.074) and 0.066 (95% CI: 0.064, 0.068), respectively.
    Conclusions
    Considering the impact of time preference on healthy behaviors and because of timing issues, individual’s time preference as a key determenant of policy making should be taken into account. Direct translation of elicited discount rates to the official discount rates has been remained questionable. Decisions about the proper discount rate for health context, may need a cross-party consensus among health economists and policy makers.
    Keywords: Time preference, Discount rate, Systematic Review, Health, care, Meta, analysis
  • Mamunur Rashid, Diddy Antai Pages 187-192
    Background
    Improving maternal health is one of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) aimed at improving maternal healthcare and reducing maternal mortality. The utilization of maternal health services is influenced by several factors that need to be better understood. The objective of this study was to estimate the role of socio-economic position as a determinant of the utilization of maternal health care in Namibia.
    Methods
    Data were collected from the Namibia Demographic and Health Survey in 2006-2007, based on survey responses from 9,804 female respondents aged 15-49 years. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed accounting for socio-economic factors associated with the use of maternal health care services.
    Results
    The results from both bivariate and multivariate analyses confirmed the importance of education, wealth index, place of residence and marital status in explaining the utilization of maternal health care services. Wealth index was the only consistently significant predictor of all indicators of maternal health services; with other factors being significantly associated with one or more of the indicators. Women’s age and occupation showed inconclusive results in relation to access to maternal health care services.
    Conclusion
    Several socio-economic factors significantly influence the three indicators of maternal health services utilization. Effective interventions need to take these factors into consideration and to explore means that increase maternal health service utilization especially among lowly educated and poor women in rural areas.
    Keywords: Maternal Healthcare Utilization, Maternal Mortality Rate, Socio, Economic Position, Determinants, Namibia
  • Wafa Bawab, Mohammad Saad, Nour Hajjar, Samar Rachidi, Amal Al Hajje, Sanaa Awada, Pascale Salameh Pages 193-197
    Background
    Hip fractures are serious fall injuries that often result in long-term functional impairment and increased mortality. As the population ages, the number of hip fractures is likely to increase worldwide. The main objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the risk factors of hip fracture among the older adults in the Lebanese population.
    Methods
    This pilot epidemiological, prospective, and case-control study was performed in 6 hospitals in Great Beirut and South Lebanon. Subjects who met the inclusion criteria filled out a questionnaire consisting on the socio- demographic characteristics, health status, drugs intake and cigarette smoking.
    Results
    Overall, 195 subjects were recruited, with 65 cases of hip fracture and 130 controls all aged over 50 yr. Females represented around two third of the studied population. The logistic regression, using adjusted odds ratio (ORa), showed a significant relationship between hip fracture and chronic diseases (ORa=3.02; 95% CI: 1.63, 6.66), antihypertensive drugs intake (ORa=2.72; 95% CI: 1.56, 6.42), fall (ORa=2.79; 95% CI: 1.82, 7.06) previous fracture (ORa=3.80; 95% CI: 1.57, 9.23) and family history of fracture (ORa=4.82; 95% CI: (2.29, 10.86). Besides, smoking increased the risk of hip fracture (ORa=2.55; 95% CI: (1.96, 5.80). Having a bow was associated with the highest risk for hip fracture (ORa=5.18; 95% CI: 2.30, 12.24).
    Conclusions
    Elderly people in Lebanon are exposed to many risk factors contributing to hip fracture. Our finding has implication in geriatric health improvement by preventing hip fracture in the Lebanese population.
    Keywords: Fracture, Smoking, Drugs, Risk, Adults, Lebanon
  • Shafika Assaad, Christy Costanian, Georges Haddad, Fida Tannous Pages 198-204
    Background
    Insufficient sleep is a significant public health issue with adverse medical consequences. Sleep disturbances are common among university students and have an effect on this group’s overall health and functioning. The aim of this study was to investigate sleep habits and disorders in a population of university students across Lebanon.
    Methods
    This was a cross-sectional study carried out in 2012 among 735 students aged 18-25 yrs. old, enrolled at six universities across Lebanon. The Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality and habits.
    Results
    Less than half of the total study population (47.3%) were good sleepers (PSQI<5). Upon bivariate analysis, males experienced more sleep difficulties than females (57.8% vs. 40.8%). The majority (60%) of males vs. 40% of females had trouble performing daily activities more than once per week (P=0.02). Results of the multivariate analysis revealed that reporting poor sleep quality was strongly associated with daytime dysfunction and sleep- enhancing medication use especially more than once per week.
    Conclusions
    This is the first study to describe the nature of sleep problems among university students in Lebanon. This study suggests that sleep problems among Lebanese college students were common and such problems may interfere with daily performance. Findings from this study have important implications for programs intended to improve academic performance by targeting sleep habits of students.
    Keywords: Sleep disorders, Sleep deprivation, PSQI, University students, Lebanon
  • Taraneh Movahhed, Safoura Seifi, Anousheh Rashed Mohassel, Mojtaba Dorri, Fateme Khorakian, Zahra Mohammadzadeh Pages 205-209
    Background
    Today, electronic mass media such as television (TV), influence behavioral patterns of their audiences. This study aimed to evaluate what messages on food advertisements related to oral health were transmitted (appeals) and how they were transferred (performance methods & artistic techniques) in Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
    Methods
    In this cross sectional study, broadcasted advertisements on 4 important channels of Iran TV were recorded for a week from 8 am to 12 pm in 2012. The content and volume of food advertisements were investigated using a researcher-made check list. Advertisement group (food, non-food), food group (non-cariogenic, cariogenic), advertisement appeals (rational, emotional, and humor content), advertisement performance methods (hard-sell, soft-sell, presenting confirmation of Ministry of Health and Medical Education), and artistic technique were assessed. For variable comparison in groups a chi squared test and t-tests were used via SPSS software.
    Results
    Frequency of food advertisements (14.9%) were less than non-food advertising. Non-cariogenic food advertisements had higher frequency (12.09% (compared to cariogenic food (2.8%(. Rational appeal in advertising of non-cariogenic food had the most frequency (64.9%). In contrast emotional appeal for cariogenic food was used more frequently (85.5%). For cariogenic foods, a soft-sell approach was used more frequently (95.5%). The most common artistic technique used in food advertising was music. Chemical and mechanical dental plaque control materials had a very low frequency (0.2%).
    Conclusions
    Advertising of cariogenic foods in Iran TV has low frequency.
    Keywords: Food, Content analysis, Television, Advertising, Oral health
  • Mahmood Vakili, Azar Pirdehghan, Meisam Adimi, Mohamadreza Sadeghian, Mohsen Akhondi Pages 210-213
    Background
    Cancer incidence rate is increasing in the world particularly in developing countries. The awareness regarding cancer incidence and distribution helps policy makers and researchers to design comprehensive plan for controlling cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence rate and trend of cancer in Yazd Province, centeral Iran.
    Methods
    Data from Yazd cancer registry were derived from 2005 to 2009. Direct standardization through world standard population produced by the world health organization was used and Age- Standardized Incidence rate (ASR) was calculated. Data were analyzed using ASR, by EXCEL and SPSS software.
    Results
    The new cases of cancer were 4631 patients from 2005 to 2009. Mean age of these patients was 57.98 ±27.49 years and 53.5% were male. Female patients were approximately 5 years younger than males. The most frequent cancer was breast in women followed by skin, colorectal, hematologic system and stomach. The 5 most frequent cancers in men were skin, bladder, colorectal, stomach and prostate. The ASR in 2005 to 2009 was respectively 85.2, 86.1, 92.6, 102.2 and 104.7 per 100,000 populations.
    Conclusions
    ASR of cancer is increasing rapidly in Yazd Province. It is necessary to have a comprehensive health policy for prevention and control of this problem.
    Keywords: Cancer, Incidence, Epidemiology, Iran
  • Jamshid Hossain, Alizadeh, Mohammad Taghi Goodarzi Pages 214-217
    Background
    Adiposity is correlated with metabolic complications, such as insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, hypertension etc. that finally can lead to coronary heart disease (CHD). Physical activity plays an important role in prevention of these diseases. We aimed to study body fat and plasma lipids and lipoproteins in different levels of physical fitness; also to examine any relationship between body fat and level of physical fitness.
    Methods
    In this cross-sectional study carried out in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences (Hamadan, Iran) during 2010-2011, 80 healthy volunteer male students (19-27 yr old) were enrolled. The subjects were divided to three groups i.e. good, average and weak according to their physical fitness scores. Their lipid profile was determined using an auto-analyzer and commercial enzymatic spectorophptometric kits. Besides, body fat was determined using skinfold technique. The fitness tests were carried out for all participants, including: speed, stamina, aerobic endurance, muscular strength etc.
    Results
    The mean of body fat (%) in the subjects with good, medium and weak levels of physical activity was 8.25, 11.98, and 22.65 % respectively. There were no significant differences in lipid parameters between the subjects with different level of physical fitness. A negative significant correlation was observed between physical fitness and body fat (r=-0.27, P=0.034). The body fat increased with increases in serum triglyceride.
    Conclusions
    The presence of difference in mean of body fat percent in different physical fitness confirms that aerobic activity improves the plasma lipid and lipoprotein profile, and can diminish the body fat.
    Keywords: Lipids, Lipoprotein, Body fat, Physical fitness
  • Khosro Sardarian, Mohammad Abasi, Ghasem Solgi, Mehrdad Hajilooi Pages 218-220
    Background
    Previous studies revealed that selectins play key roles in homing of immune cells to inflamed tissues and lymphatic organs. L-selectins are expressed on immune cells and interact with P and E selectins to homing to the tissues, hence, the polymorphisms within the gene of L-selectins may are associated with alteration in its expression. Thus, the current cross-sectional analytical study has been designed to investigate the polymorphisms within L-selectin gene and their relation with visceral leishmaniasis (VL).
    Methods
    This study was performed on 194 samples during 2004-2012.The PCR-SSP and immunoflorescence techniques were used to evaluate the L-selectins polymorphism and anti-Leishmania antibody titration, respectively, in 56, 74 and 64 seropositive VL patients (group 1), seropositive healthy controls (group 2) and seronegative healthy controls (group 3).
    Results
    The results showed that the genotypes (P=0.711) and alleles (P=0.679) within L-selectins gene (A/C) was not differ between groups. Our results also demonstrated that the genotypes within L-selectins in group 1 (P=0.807) and 2 (P=0.441) were not associated with the titration of anti-leishmania antibody.
    Conclusions
    The results identified that the polymorphisms within L-selectins gene were not associated with VL and it may be concluded that these genotypes and alleles are unable to affect immune responses in VL patients.
    Keywords: L, selectins, Polymorphism, Visceral leishmaniasis
  • Majid Barati, Mohammad Ahmadpanah, Alireza Soltanian Pages 221-226
    Background
    The use of methamphetamine and other drugs among young adults has been a theme of growing interest and concern on the part of researchers and health associations. This paper reports recent use of methamphetamine and its relation with some demographic variables among substance users in west of Iran.
    Methods
    This cross-sectional study was carried out on 559 substance users of Hamadan, western Iran recruited through a snowball sampling method in 2012. The participants received a self-administered questionnaire contained questions regarding substance use, reasons of drug abuse and pattern of MA use. Data were analyzed using SPSS software using Chi-square, Fisher''s exact tests and logistic regression methods.
    Results
    A number of 248 (44.4%) people reported a history of having ever used methamphetamine and the mean drug abuse initiation age was 17.8 (SD= 3.9). According to the history, reducing effect of previous drug and resurfacing of new drug were common reasons associated with the changes in previous drug to use of methamphetamine. In multivariate analysis, ‘being single’ and higher school were obtained as independent predictors of methamphetamine use (P<0.001).
    Conclusion
    Methamphetamine use is common among adult substance abusers in Iran. Demographic, behavioral and psychosocial correlates of methamphetamine use identified in this research may be helpful for the development of preventive interventions.
    Keywords: Substance, Related Disorders, Methamphetamine, Drug Users, Psychotropic Drugs
  • Performance Catalytic Ozonation over the Carbosieve in the Removal of Toluene from Waste Air Stream
    Mohammad Reza Samarghandi, Seyed Alireza Babaee, Mohammad Ahmadian, Ghorban Asgari, Farshid Ghorbani Shahna, Ali Poormohammadi Pages 227-232
    Background
    Toluene is a volatile organic compound، one of 189 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and the most important pollutant found in most industries and indoor environments; owing to its adverse health، toluene must be treated before being released into the environment.
    Methods
    In this research study، a continuous-flow system (including an air compressor، silica gel filters and activated charcoal، impinger، an ozone generation and a fixed bed reactor packed with the carbosieve in size 1. 8-2. 3 mm، specific surface: 972 m2/g،) was used. This glass reactor was 0. 7 m in height; at a distance of 0. 2 m from its bottom، a mesh plane was installed so as to hold the adsorbent. Moreover، 3 l/min oxygen passed through this system، 0. 43 g/h ozone was prepared. The flow rate of waste airstream was 300 ml/min. The efficiency of this system for removal of toluene was compared under the same experimental conditions.
    Results
    Under similar conditions، performance of catalytic ozonation was better in toluene removal than that of ozonation and carbosieve alone. On average، increasing the removal efficiency was 45% at all concentrations. When carbosieve and ozone come together، their synergistic effects increased on toluene degradation.
    Conclusions
    Catalytic ozonation is a suitable، high-efficient and available method for removing toluene from various concentrations of waste air stream. This process due to the short contact time، low energy consuming and making use of cheap catalysts can be used as a novel process for removing various concentrations of volatile organic compounds.
    Keywords: Catalytic Ozonation, Volatile Organic Compounds, Carbosieve, Toluene
  • Asghar Mohammadpoorasl, Saharnaz Nedjat, Ali Fakhari, Akbar Fotouhi Pages 233-235
    Background
    Adolescent tobacco use remains a major public health priority to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use in community. The aim of this study was determining the association of the transitions in smoking stages with prevalence of cigarette smoking in the classes and schools in adolescents of Tabriz City (northwest of Iran).
    Methods
    Fifty-six high schools were randomly selected, and 4903 students completed a self-administered questionnaire on cigarette smoking twice with a 12-months interval in 2010 and 2011.
    Results
    Transition from experimenter to regular smoker stage was associated with the prevalence of cigarette smoking in the school.
    Conclusions
    The results have shown the association of student''s smoking uptake with the prevalence of cigarette smoking in the school. This highlights the importance of enforcing smoke free policies in schools.
    Keywords: Smoking stages, Smoking uptake, Longitudinal study
  • Iraj Sedighi, Taravat Sadrosadat Pages 236-237