فهرست مطالب

Health Scope - Volume:6 Issue: 1, Feb 2017

Journal of Health Scope
Volume:6 Issue: 1, Feb 2017

  • تاریخ انتشار: 1396/01/29
  • تعداد عناوین: 11
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  • Mohammad Khammarnia*, Fatemeh Setoodehzadeh Page 1
  • Mohammad Ali Zazouli, Marjan Safarpour* Page 2
    Context: The worldwide production and application of pesticides, especially organochlorine in agriculture can have adverse environmental pollution and human health risks. Thus, this review evaluated and summarized the toxicological data on the existence and concentrations of organochlorine compounds in Caspian sea fish tissues.
    Evidence Acquisition: The data were collected from published articles in PubMed, ISI, SID, Google Scholar and so on.
    Results
    The review showed that nine studies were recorded in databases about pesticide residues in Caspian sea fish tissues. These studies reported that there is limited evidence of organochlorinated compounds in Caspian sea fishes. All researchers detected organochlorine contaminants in examined fishes in the studied area, however DDTs was the predominant pesticides. Heptachlor, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Linden were ranked next, respectively.
    Conclusions
    In conclusion, toxicological studies showed that, although contamination level in Caspian sea fishes was relatively low, the present status might pose a risk about food chain contamination.
    Keywords: Pesticide Residues, Fish, Environmental Toxicology, Systematic Review, DDTs
  • Mohammad Ali Mashhadi*, Aliraza Bakhshipour, Zahra Zakeri, Alireza Ansari Moghadam Page 3
    Background
    There are different controversial reports about Zinc status in healthy and normal population. The aim of this study is to evaluate Zinc status in normal and healthy population.
    Methods
    This cross-sectional study conducted on 320 subjects aged between 10 - 30 years without any underlying diseases or history of mineral therapy in Zahedan, south east of Iran. Zinc level was measured in all subjects after 12 hours fasting. All blood samples were centrifuged following 45 minutes spontaneous coagulation and then stored at -20°C. Zinc level was measured using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, Varian, Australia (spectr AA 240fs, 2009, USA).
    Results
    Of 355 cases, 320 were eligible for the study. Mean age was 15.5 ± 2.15 years and median age was 16. One hundred twenty cases were male and the others were female (200 cases). Mean BMI was 21.43 ± 4.15. Mean Zinc level was 100.1 ± 16 µg/dL. Overall, 2.1% of normal population had Zinc deficiency, 83.3% had normal Zinc status, and 14.6% had Zinc excess.
    Conclusions
    Our study showed minority of cases had Zinc deficiency, which is different from previous reported results, because the most subjects in this study had normal level of zinc. We recommend further studies on diet in our population. It seems the only reason for the obtained result in this part of Iran with low socioeconomic status may be related to the diets containing high levels of Zinc such as whole grains and dairy products.
    Keywords: Zinc, Normal Population, South East, Iran
  • Saeideh Babashahy, Abdolvahab Baghbanian, Saeed Manavi, Ali Akbari Sari*, Alireza Olyaee Manesh, Raziyeh Ronasiyan Page 4
    Background
    Equity of access to health and provider payment mechanism in healthcare is a worldwide debated. Healthcare reforms are primarily designed to improve productivity, economic efficiency and quality of care; however, an appropriate reimbursement of healthcare providers for services offered to patients and marinating a robust payment mechanism are not elucidated yet.
    Objectives
    The current study aimed to develop a potential model of provider payment mechanism within and across different levels of healthcare delivery system in Iran.
    Methods
    A three-stage, qualitative approach was carried out in 2013 to complete the study. In the first stage, a range of databases were used to extract evidence-informed literature pertinent to provider payment methods from 1990 to 2015, and to develop an interview guide. A purposive sample of 15 key healthcare executives was then selected to explore the provider payment mechanism in the Iranian healthcare system through semi-structured interviews and focused group discussions. A preliminary model of provider payment was developed, which subsequently scrutinized by using experts’ opinions through Delphi technique. Narrative analysis was used to analyze the data.
    Results
    A hybrid model of provider payment was developed for various levels of healthcare provision. The model suggested the adjusted capitation payment method as the best possible payment method for the first level of healthcare delivery. A combination of diagnosis-related group (DRG) and pay-for-performance methods was proposed for the secondary and tertiary services across the country especially for in-patient care. Fee-for-service (FFS) payment method suited for out-patient services than other methods.
    Conclusions
    No single payment method was emerged as the best predictor to accurately and fairly determine the providers’ payment, and to serve patients’ needs in all situations. A range of payment methods are required to be in place to tackle challenges faced by patients, providers, insurance companies and policy-makers.
    Keywords: Health Reform Scheme, Health System, Iran, Payment Mechanism, Health Provider Payment Method
  • Hassan Almaspoor Khangah, Ali Jannati *, Ali Imani, Shiva Salimlar, Naser Derakhshani, Behnaz Raef Page 5
    Background
    Gaining health is an inalienable right of every human being; therefore, governments are required to provide a minimum of health care services for all people who live in the society.
    Objectives
    This study was conducted to compare the health care system of Iran and some selected countries around the world.
    Methods
    This was a descriptive-comparative study, which was conducted to compare the health care system of Iran and a number of selected countries with a focus on the service provider and payment method. In this research, nine countries including Norway, Australia, United States of America, Germany, Italy, Canada, England, Denmark and Japan were selected and studied based on the availability of data. These data were compared to that of Iran. The required information from selected countries was collected in 2014 using the “health system review: health system in transition”, and “international profiles of health care systems”, as well as well-known websites such as the world health organization, the world bank and the health department.
    Results
    The findings of this study showed that in most selected countries, primary care services were provided by the private sector and the public sector has been mostly functioning as a supervisor in this area, but in Iran, primary care services were provided by the government. The findings of this study also showed that hospital services in Iran and selected countries (second and third level services) were provided by both public and private sectors, yet the public sector had a bigger share. Moreover, payment in primary health care (PHC) in the majority of the selected countries was mostly capitation and FFS payments, or a combination of the two. Payment in hospital care (secondary and tertiary levels) in most of the studied countries and even Iran was mostly through governmental budgets.
    Conclusions
    According to the findings of this comparative study indicating the successful experiences of health systems around the world, it seems that the implementation of the process of decentralization of the government in some sections and different levels of health care is the best option for the health care system of Iran.
    Keywords: Health Services, Delivery of Health Care, Health Care Financing, Iran
  • Zahra Hadizadeh Talasaz, Shahla Nourani Saadoldin*, Mohammad Taghi Shakeri Page 6
    Background
    Stress and job dissatisfaction have organizational outcomes such as reduction in performance, increase in the rate of absence, turnover intentions, increase in the rate of resignation, decrease in job performance and life satisfaction, and also reduction in organizational commitment.
    Objectives
    The current study aimed to determine the predictive power of job satisfaction and occupational stress in organizational commitment among midwives.
    Methods
    The current descriptive-correlation survey was conducted in 2014 on 107 midwives working in maternity wards of teaching hospitals affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. They were enrolled into the study by simple sampling method in case of having inclusion criteria. Data were collected by demographic questionnaire, visual analogue scale (VAS) for occupational stress, Minnesota job satisfaction questionnaire (MSQ), and Allen & Meyer organizational commitment questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS ver. 19.
    Results
    Pearson correlation indicates negative and significant correlation between occupational stress and organizational commitment; also it indicates positive and significant correlation between organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Linear regression showed that job satisfaction can predict organizational commitment better. Besides these findings, job satisfaction has negative and significant correlation with occupational stress.
    Conclusions
    The results of the study provided valuable guidelines for the researchers and managers trying to increase organizational commitment. Findings indicated that even with the pressures and challenges in the midwifery profession, midwives can still be committed and engaged by enhancing their job satisfaction and decreasing occupational stress.
    Keywords: Job Satisfaction, Occupational Stress, Organizational Commitment, Midwife
  • Vali Alipour*, Faride Moein, Leila Rezaei Page 7
    Background
    Wastewaters with high salt content disturb the metabolic function of microorganisms causing plasmolysis or activity loss in microorganisms, so the efficiency of biological treatment of saline wastewater by conventional microorganisms will decrease.
    Objectives
    This study aimed to find the outbreak of disorder in the biological wastewater treatment process and how much salt leads to low efficiency in the wastewater treatment plant.
    Methods
    A study unit consisting of two aeration and sedimentation parts was used in this pilot research. Initially, 2 to 10 gr of NaCl was added to wastewater (WW) then aerated and settled for six and two hours, respectively. During a 10-weeks period, 10 samples were obtained and, the parameters of biological oxygen demand in 5 (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS) and mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), were measured. All experiments were done according to standard methods.
    Results
    Removal efficiency of qualitative parameter including BOD, COD, TSS and turbidity showed a reduction of about 79.7, 73.9, 67.6 and 66%, respectively by addition of 8 gr/L of NaCl to wastewater. By increasing TDS by more than 4000 mg/L, biological treatment was done at a low efficiency and was disturbed with TDS of about 8000 mg/L, with efficiency of the treatment system strongly decreasing.
    Conclusions
    For wastewater with high TDS content, modification such as dilution, collection system sanitation, application of halophytic organisms, the use of non-biological methods and so on is recommended.
    Keywords: Saline Wastewater, Biological Treatment, Treatment, Wastewater
  • Sedighe Abbasi, Hassan Asilian Mahabadi*, Shahram Vosoughi Page 8
    Background
    Given the importance of the fit between workers’ physical and mental abilities and their job needs, it is of great importance to assess, maintain and promote the work ability of the people.
    Objective
    The current study, conducted in a petrochemicals company, aimed to assess the work ability of the personnel and its relationship with age and physical demands of work.
    Methods
    The current cross sectional descriptive analytical study was conducted on 208 employees working in a petrochemical company. The authors studied different occupational groups including operators, administrative, laboratory, maintenance and warehouse personnel. The required data were collected from the target groups using self-report work ability index questionnaire. To analyze the data, SPSS software version 21 was used. The analysis was conducted using t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient.
    Results
    According to the results of this study, the mean age of the participants was 32 ± 6.1 years and the mean work ability index (WAI) was 43.1 ± 4.4. Based on the results of statistical analysis, age did not have a significant impact on the work ability of individuals; however, there was a direct relationship between the personnel’s work ability and their activities in terms of physical demands of their job. In addition, according to the study findings, 25.5% of the studied people were at risk of low-medium work ability.
    Conclusions
    Based on the standards proposed by the Finnish institute of occupational health (FIOH) and Kujala et al.’s study, the work ability of the studied individuals was classified as good. Since more than a quarter of the studied personnel were at risk of low-medium work ability, thus reducing the burden of physical tasks and making plans to promote the work ability should be a priority in the intervention programs.
    Keywords: Work Ability, Occupational Health, Physical Work, Petrochemical Industry
  • Bahman Kord Tamini*, Iman Lashani, Sakine Akbarifar Page 9
    Background
    Previous research evidences have shown that group training of spiritual positivism reduces mental symptoms/
    Objectives
    The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of spiritual positivism training on reduction of the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in prisoners.
    Methods
    The statistical sample consisted of 30 inhabitant prisoners in Doroud city prison that were selected randomly for this study and divided to two groups (15 prisoners in the experimental group and 15 prisoners in the control group). Prisoners in the experimental group were trained for spiritual positivism during 10 sessions. Before and after the intervention and at the fallow up stage, they filled the questionnaire of DASS - 21.
    Results
    Results of repeated measure; mixed between within subjects analysis of variance indicated that training for spiritual positivism had a significant effect on the reduction of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms in prisoners.
    Conclusions
    According to the obtained results, it can be suggested that the training of spiritual positivism can be applied as a useful method to reduce the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in prisoners.
    Keywords: Spiritual Positivism, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Prisoners
  • Mohammad Miri, Mohammad Hassan Ehrampoush*, Hamid Reza Ghaffari, Hamideh Ebrahimi Aval, Mehrab Rezai, Farzaneh Najafpour, Zeynab Abaszadeh Fathabadi, Mohsen Yazdani Aval, Asghar Ebrahimi Page 10
    Background
    Trees are one of the most commonly used bio-indicators and have been widely applied for heavy metals (HMs) monitoring in the ambient air because of their simple and efficient sampling and examination.
    Objectives
    The main objective of this study was to evaluate local pine trees for their potential as a bio-indicator of HMs in urban areas. Besides, the distribution pattern of HMs in the study area, meteorological and land use factors affecting this pattern, and HMs source identification were investigated.
    Methods
    Forty-eight sampling locations were selected in the Yazd city, capital of Yazd province in Iran, and concentrations of five HMs- iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd)- were measured in the leaves of the most abundantly local pine trees, Pinus eldarica, using the atomic absorption spectroscopy method. The obtained data were analyzed for source identification using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and principal component analysis (PCA). The ordinary Kriging method was used to obtain a spatial map of HMs distribution in the study area.
    Results
    Iron had the highest concentration (345.0053 mg/kg) in leaves when compared with other HMs. The concentration of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd were 26.1384, 5.5905, 2.9963 and 0.7383 mg/kg, respectively. Spatial mapping indicated that industrial districts and areas with heavy traffic had the highest HMs pollution. Wind direction was recognized to be the most important factor in HMs transportation. Anthropogenic sources were known as the main responsible factor for HMs emission..
    Conclusions
    Pine trees can be used as a worthy bio-indicator for HMs pollution monitoring in the ambient air in areas with extensive vegetation of pine trees.
    Keywords: Heavy Metal, Plant Leaves, Air Pollution, Bio+Monitoring, Pine Trees
  • Hamidreza Mokarami, Seyed Bagher Mortazavi*, Ali Asgari, Alireza Choobineh Page 11
    Background
    The high item numbers is one of the Work Ability Index (WAI) limitations that make it difficult to be completed by the workers. Using the single-item Work Ability Score (WAS) as a simple is one of the proposed solutions which is valid and suitable measure for work ability.
    Objectives
    The present study aimed to assess work ability using WAI and WAS instruments and to compare their results among Iranian workers.
    Methods
    This cross-sectional study was done on 1579 workers from eleven different work sectors located in different geographical areas in Iran. Work ability was measured by the full Persian version of WAI. Data were analyzed using univariate tests, Pearson product moment correlation, Gamma test, and multiple liner regression analysis.
    Results
    The mean scores of the WAI and WAS were 39.95 ± 6.1 (range 15 - 49) and 8.1 ± 1.8 (range 0 - 10), respectively. Both the WAI and WAS showed the similar patterns of associations with the assessed independent variable. There was a strong correlation between the mean scores of WAI and WAS. In addition, the Gamma test showed that the categories of WAI were strongly correlated with the categories of WAS.
    Conclusions
    The WAS could be used for reliable assessment of work ability among Iranian workers. To improve the worker’s work ability, interventional programs should focus on the alteration and correction of work schedule, and increasing the supervisor’s support for the young workers.
    Keywords: Work Ability Index (WAI), Work Ability Score (WAS), Iranian Workers