مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی سبزوار
سال بیست و سوم شماره 6 (پیاپی 89، بهمن و اسفند 1395)

Objectives Based on the reported studies, approximately 80% of marital disputes result from sexual dissatisfaction. It is helpful to identify factors predicting sexual satisfaction, especially in females, to prevent such problems. The current study aimed at examining simple and multiple factorial relationships between big 5 personality traits and sexual satisfaction in a population of married females in Mashhad, Iran.
Methods Statistical population in the current study included all married females who lived in Mashhad. A total of 115 females were selected by the available sampling method. To collect data, the sexual satisfaction scale for women (SSS-W) and big 5 personality questionnaire (NEO) were employed. The data were analyzed by multiple regressions and validated by confirmatory factor analysis using AMOS-21 software and Pearson correlation coefficient using SPSS version 19.
Results Findings of the current study indicated a significant relationship between the big 5 personality traits, including neuroticism (R=-0.407), extraversion (R=0.310), openness (R=0.232), agreeableness (R=0.258) and conscientiousness (R=0.389), and sexual satisfaction in females (PConclusion Findings of the current study indicated that females’ sexual satisfaction can be predicted through their personality traits. Also, personality variables, especially neuroticism and conscientiousness, were recommended to examine the sexual incompatibility.

Objectives Type of adsorbent is the most important parameter to adsorb volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air stream. Application of a selective adsorbent could lead to the higher efficiency and lower costs in the adsorption processes. The current study aimed at investigating the efficiency of manganese oxide impregnated on GAC support (MnO/GAC) to remove toluene from air stream. The efficiency of MnO/GAC and GAC absorbents for toluene removal were compared at the same experimental conditions.
Methods The MnO/GAC preparation method was Sol-gel. Retention time (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 4 seconds), inlet toluene concentration (100, 200, 300, and 400 part per million, by volume) and the temperature of the air stream (25, 50, 75, and 100˚C) were examined as the main functional parameters in the adsorption process.
Results Breakthrough time of MnO/GAC adsorbent in comparison to that of the plain GAC increased 6% to 11% at the retention time of 0.5 to 4 seconds. Adsorption capacity of GAC and MnO/GAC increased 67.9% and 61.1% by increasing inlet toluene concentration from 100 to 400 ppmv, respectively. Breakthrough time of GAC and MnO/GAC decreased 57.9% and 59.6% by increasing inlet toluene concentration from 100 to 400 ppmv, respectively. Breakthrough time of GAC decreased from 41 to 26 hours by increasing the temperature of the air stream from 25˚C to 100˚C. Direct air temperature increase affected the MnO/GAC efficiency for toluene adsorption and the breakthrough time increased from 46 to 57 hours.
Conclusion Results of the current study showed that MnO/GAC could be applied as a good substitution for GAC in the adsorption of VOCs from air streams.

Objectives The quality of midwifery services for 2 sensitive society groups, such as mothers and children, strongly depends on the midwives’ performance. Recently, quality of work life as the effective parameter on employee's job satisfaction, job performance, and organizational transformation is focused by managers. The current study aimed at assessing the quality of work life among midwives in Sabzevar, Iran.
Methods The current descriptive, cross sectional study was performed using census data in 2010 on all midwives employed in hospitals and healthcare centers affiliated to Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected by the quality of work life and demographic questionnaires. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 18 using descriptive analytic indices, independent t test, ANOVA, and the Pearson correlation coefficient.
Results The mean age of midwives was 31.5± 6.6 years and the mean score of work life quality for midwives was 10.4 ±7.1 out of 60 points, indicating low quality of work life in all participants. There was a correlation between the overall quality of work life and the average working hours per week (P=0.021), and satisfaction of workload in shifts (P=0.002); but there was no significant relationship between the quality of work life and demographic characteristics such as age (P=0.30), academic degree (P=0.24), marital status (P=0.27), number of children (P=0.95), and monthly salary (P =0.37).
Conclusion It is hoped that the authorities take proper measures to improve midwive's work condition, enhance job security, and use midwives’ professional ability in the areas of their skills.

Objectives The population aging is a pretty new phenomenon and psychological disorder is one of the most important problems associated with the elderly communities. In ethnic societies, there are some barriers in the elderly that could impede the diagnosis of psychological and mood disorders such as depression. The current cross sectional study investigated the demographic characteristics, prevalence of depression, and some social factors and personal health problems of 60 Iranian Azeri Turkish elderly cases who stayed home.
Methods The current cross sectional study was conducted on 300 Iranian Azeri Turkish elderly who participated in the study voluntarily and had no cognition impairment. Samples were selected randomly. The study participants filled out a questionnaire containing demographic information, health status and diseases antecedent; the questionnaire of depression in the elderly (GDS-15) was also completed by interviewing the cases. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS version 16 employing t test, Chi-square test, and ANOVA.
Results The mean age of the study cases was 70±7.2 years in males and 69±6.5 years in females. Based on the results of the current study, the mean score of depression in the study cases was 4.62±3.53. The prevalence of minor depression was 28%, moderate depression 10.3%, and major depression 6.3%; also, 55.4% were asymptomatic. There was a significant statistical relationship between depression score and gender (PConclusion Depression is one of the most important diseases in aging period. The prevalence of minor and moderate depression among Azeri elderly is lower or similar to those of other studies in Iran. The result indicated a positive and significant relationship between depression and some health status variables. Hence, it is recommended to apply screening programs to identify elderly who are at risk for psychological disorders and also define measures to improve their life satisfaction, health status, and the quality of life.

Objectives The current study aimed at optimizing the coagulation-flocculation process to treat metal working fluids (MVF) by calcium chloride and ferric sulfate using response surface methodology (RSM).
Methods The removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity, and the amount of released oil via coagulation process using calcium chloride and ferric sulfate as coagulants were studied. Central Composite Design (CCD) and RSM were used to optimize the operating variables including coagulant dosage and pH. Quadratic models were developed for the 3 responses of COD, turbidity, and released oil from MWF.
Results The results of the current study indicated that the optimum conditions were calcium chloride dosage of 4 g/L at pH 3.5. The COD, turbidity removal efficiency, and oil releasing from MWF were 93%, 96.9%, and 31.8 mL, respectively and the level of desirability was 91.2%. Optimum condition for ferric sulfate was 6.5 g/L at pH 4.5. The COD, turbidity removal efficiency, and oil releasing from MWF were 62.1%, 93.6% and 13.7 mL, respectively and the level of desirability was 91%.
Conclusion Coagulation-flocculation process using calcium chloride, compared with conventional coagulants such as ferric sulfate, was very effective on pollutants removal. Calcium chloride usage was 35% less than common coagulant while removal efficiency was greater.

Objectives Despite vaccination, rubella is still considered as a major disease and a threat to global health. According to evidence, approximately 100 000 cases of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) occur annually in the world. The current study aimed at determining the immune status of rubella among female students of Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzever, Iran.
Methods In the current cross sectional study, 143 female students filled out the questionnaires focusing demographic and epidemiological properties (residency, history of rubella vaccine, history of rubella infection among him/herself and the family members). Then, after obtaining the informed consent, blood samples were obtained from the students, and anti-rubella IgM and IgG were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16, using descriptive statistical methods and Chi-square test.
Results According to the results of the current study, 45.8% of the participants were from Sabzevar and the rest were from other cities of Iran; 3% of the students had not received rubella vaccine. Results obtained from ELISA test showed that all serum samples were negative for rubella-specific IgM. Also, 99.3% of the students had acceptable titers (>10 IU/mL) for the rubella-specific IgG.
Conclusion The current study showed that the rubella immune status was quite satisfactory among the female students of Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences.

Objectives The death of pregnant mothers endangers the health of children and the foundation of the family. Learning about the factors affecting this important issue helps to adopt strategies to prevent similar cases. The current study aimed at determining the prevalence and risk factors of maternal mortality in Sabzevar, Iran, over a period of 10 years (2003-2013).
Methods The study population of the current cross sectional, descriptive survey included all pregnant mothers died in Sabzevar from April 2003 to March 2013. Data were collected by referring to the Sabzevar Committee of Maternal Mortality. The medical records were investigated and datasheets were completed for the subjects; then, the data were transferred to SPSS software version 5.11; data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. The significance level was 0.05.
Results The frequency of death in the current study was 20 . The Chi-square test showed statistically significant relationship between the cause of death and place of residence in the studied cases (P-value = 0.04). A total of 80% of the cases had no referral form or file in the health centers; also, 60% of the pregnant cases looking for the caesarean section had died. The most common causes of death in the cases were bleeding (30%) and the underlying diseases (30%).
Conclusion Factors such as family planning, preventing higher ages pregnancy, educating mothers on the risks and benefits of vaginal delivery and caesarean, and increasing health literacy play important role in reducing the maternal mortality.

Objectives Recycling is one of the methods to improve the management of solid waste, which has considerable economic and environmental benefits. Without knowing the amount of the waste and its components, the possibility of planning and optimizing the waste management system is impossible. The current study aimed at investigating the recycling potential of solid wastes in 13 municipal districts of Mashhad, Iran, quantitatively and qualitatively.
Methods The current study was conducted in 2013 in 13 municipal districts of Mashhad. To conduct the study, it was necessary to know the physical analysis of municipal waste solid; therefore, the latest data of Waste Management Organization of Mashhad were used.
Results The solid ingredients of the studied waste were paper and cardboard (46.7%), bread (10.8%), plastics (9.7%), metals (6.8%), and glasses (5%), respectively. There was a significant difference between the mean of the studied solid waste in winter and summer months. The total proceeds from the recycled materials was about US$ 369 836.45. The proceeds from the recycled metals was even more than that of other dry waste.
Conclusion The recycled dry solid waste compromised 26.15% of the total dry solid waste. It is suggested to establish a waste separation system and also systematize the existing recycling industries in Mashhad according to the regulations to reduce the amount of solid waste, mange the costs and benefits result from Mashhad solid waste, and create new job opportunities and sources of income.

Backgrounds Physical and cognitive impairment in the elderly interferes in their health. Cognitive impairment, as a common complication in the elderly, attracted the attention of many specialists. The current study aimed at assessing the psychological disorders in the elderly living in nursing homes in Khorramabad, Iran.
Methods & Materials The current descriptive-analytical study employed census method to evaluate 70 residents of Sedigh Nursing Home in Khorramabad, 2014. Data were collected by the standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to assess cognitive status. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16, and descriptive and inferential statistics tests (Chi-square).
Results Out of 70 study subjects, 48 (68.6%) were female. The mean age of the subjects was 5.6±4.69 years; ranged 60 to 91 years. Generally, 74.3% of the subjects had different levels of cognitive impairment; (27.1%) mild, (34.3%) moderate, and (22.9%) severe.
Conclusion Based on the high prevalence of cognitive impairment among the study subjects, it is recommended to employ measures such as reducing stress and doing proper exercises and cognitive behavior therapies to manage or postpone cognitive impairments. Also, early diagnosis of cognitive impairment in the elderly is recommended. Future well designed studies on community-dwelling older adults are suggested.

Backgrounds Excessive noises are generally known as one of the most important causes of environmental pollution. Destructive effects of noise pollution on staff and patients of hospitals were confirmed. The current study aimed at measuring the intensity of noises and annoying sounds in different wards of a hospital affiliated to Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran, in 2015.
Methods & Materials The current cross sectional study was conducted in a hospital affiliated to Bushehr University of Medical Sciences. The minimum and maximum levels of annoying sounds and noises were measured in 10 wards and the area around the hospital in the morning, evening, and night hours on weekdays and holidays. Data were collected using the 805 ST sound level meter. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21, employing descriptive and inferential statistics. P was ≤0.05.
Results The most intensive noise was measured in the emergency ward, 67.16±7.7 dB, among the 11 wards of the hospital. The maximum and minimum intensive noises were the general pediatric ward (64.11 ± 4.8 dB) vs. males general ward (54.46±3.6 dB); nursing station of the emergency ward (67.15±7.7 dB) vs. nursing station of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (44.78±5.1 dB), and the corridors of females general ward (66.18±9.1 dB) vs. the corridors of operating room (55.7±6.4 dB).
Conclusion The level of noise was higher than that of normal sounds in all hospital wards. Noise in the evening shift was more than those of the morning and night shifts. These findings stressed on the necessity of considering the issue of sound pollution in the studied hospital. Based on these findings, the hospital managers should attempt to eliminate or decrease such pollutants.

Backgrounds Since nurses play important role in taking care of end-stage patients, it is important to consider their attitudes toward euthanasia. The current study aimed at examining the attitudes of nurses working in Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran, toward euthanasia.
Methods & Materials The current cross sectional study enrolled 157 nurses working in the teaching hospitals affiliated to Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in 2014.
Data were gathered using the euthanasia attitude scale (EAS) and a demographic data short-form. The data were analyzed using the statistical tests by SPSS version 17.
Results Results of the current study showed that 34% and 66% of the nurses had negative and positive attitudes toward euthanasia, respectively.
Conclusion The results of the study showed that most of the nurses had negative viewpoint on euthanasia. Thereby, no significant relationship was observed between the results of EAS and demographic variables ; further studies should be conducted focusing other variable such as knowledge, function, and role of the nurses.