Health and Development Journal
Volume:5 Issue: 3, 2016

The high prevalence of malnutrition in children and its association with mortality and growth retardation is an important health problem in developing countries. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition and factors associated with it in 2-5-year old children visiting the Kerman Saeidi Health Center in 2014.
This descriptive-analytic, cross- sectional study was carried out on 360 children (2-5 years old) referred to one of the health centers in suburbs of Kerman during 2014. Subjects were selected through stratified random sampling. Anthropometric parameters of children were measured and data were extracted using WHO Anthro software. Data were analyzed using χ2 and logistic regression and through SPSS19 software.
Two hundred and two children (56%) were female. Thirty three children (9.2%) had moderate and severe underweight, 55 ones (15.2%) suffered from moderate and severe wasting and 23 children (6.4%) had moderate and severe stunting. Frequency of all types of malnutrition was higher in low birth weight children.
According to the results, mild malnutrition was the most common type of malnutrition. Because, even mild malnutrition puts children at risk, it is recommended that family physicians pay more attention to the nutritional status of these children to prevent the progress of mild malnutrition toward moderate and severe forms.

Heat stress is a threat for health and safety in workplaces. The aim of this study was to examine the cooling ability of the Iranian evaporative vest in hot and dry conditions in a climatic chamber.
This interventional study was conducted on 12 male students in 2013. Heat strain score index, skin temperature, oral temperature and heartbeat in two phases of with and without wearing cold vest were measured in two intensity different activities on a treadmill in a climatic chamber (mean temperature 38.8ºC, relative humidity 32.9% and WBGT 29.9ºC). Data were analyzed using t-test and repeated measures test.
In two trials with and without wearing the evaporative cooling vest, the skin mean temperature differed significantly but heat strain score, heartbeat rate and oral temperature in both activities did not show a significant difference.
The results showed that Iranian evaporative cooling vest is effective in reducing skin temperature, in light and moderate activities, in hot and dry conditions; but it has a little effect on oral temperature, heart rate and heat strain score index.

Individual's self-concept is of great importance for mental health professionals, and it can be said that an individual has mental health if he/she has a positive self-concept. Recognition of factors affecting mental and physical health of persons, especially students, is of special importance. Accordingly, the objective of this research was to investigate the relationship between self-concept and anxiety amongst university students and to find strategies to improve their mental health status.
This is a cross-sectional descriptive - analytical study. Statistical population included all students studying in the intended university in Kerman during the academic year 2010-2011. A total of 375 students were randomly selected through cluster sampling. Data gathering instruments were "Beck self- concept" and "Cattell Anxiety" questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and regression model.
According to the obtained results, there is no relationship between anxiety and self-concept. But age showed a significant relationship with anxiety in a way that anxiety decreased with age increase.
It seems that self-concept and anxiety have no relation. But, younger students probably need more support for controlling their anxiety.

Work- related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are the most common occupational injuries. The purpose of this study was to examine musculoskeletal disorders among computer operators in one of the governmental organizations in Kerman city.
In this cross- sectional study, all 77 individuals working in a governmental organization were studied. Rapid upper limb assessment method (RULA) and Nordic questionnaire were used respectively for risk evaluation and determining WMSDs prevalence rate. The work station of the selected individuals was examined by designing a checklist adopted from valid references. Data were analyzed by using t-test and one-way analysis of variance in SPSS16.
The operators mostly complained about pain in low back area, neck, shoulder and wrist. When using RULA method to analyze posture, 55.8% of individuals got 3, 27.3% got 4 and the rest of them obtained 5 and 6. There was no significant relationship between the achieved scores and operator's right handedness or left handedness. There was a significant relationship between musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and low back and RULA preventive measures priority level. 68.5% of the examined stations had an improper condition.
Improper work stations of computer operators in offices have caused undesired postures and musculoskeletal disorders. The necessity of training and performing interventions in this regard is felt.

In all populations, bone mass decreases with age, so the researchers in this study sought to study the application of the health belief model (HBM) for adopting preventive behaviors on osteoporosis among women.
This was a quasi-experimental research conducted on 64 middle-aged women (32 in test and 32 in control group). Data collection tools were a questionnaire based on HBM model with demographic questions, the food frequency questionnaire and the standard questionnaire of physical activity. After confirming the content validity and reliability, questionnaires were completed before and 6 weeks after the intervention. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean ± SD) and analytical statistics (correlation coefficient, paired t- test and covariance) and through SPSS 16 at the significance level of 0.05.
Before the intervention, the mean score of HBM model constructs were not significantly different between the two groups. After the intervention, and by controlling for confounding variables the two groups showed significant differences in variables of knowledge, perceived severity, perceived self-efficacy, cues to action, perceived benefits and Calcium intake (p The use of health belief model was effective in adopting the prevention of osteoporosis and improving calcium intake in women, but it did not lead to the desired results in regard to improving physical activity behavior.

Breast cancer is one the most common cancers in women which can be prevented by changing lifestyle and adopting healthy behavioral patterns. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of lifestyle in breast cancer.
In this case- control study, 260 patients with breast cancer and 260 controls with no history of breast cancer who had been matched by age and place of residence were compared. Data were collected using medical records and through a questionnaire. Data analysis was done using chi-Square test in SPSS19.
There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of marital status, inheritance, history of radiations, advertising and media training, informal networks, in come, housing ownership, meat consumption patterns, use of disposable dishes, food consumption patterns, consumption of dairy products, illicit drugs and body mass index. Whereas, there was significant difference between the two groups in terms of awareness, education, public perceptions, attitudes, formal networks, use of high-fat diet, roasted and grilled foods, hydrogenated fats and low- legume diet, recreation and body management.
It is likely to reduce the risk of breast cancer with a healthy lifestyle and change of consumption patterns and behaviors.

Suicide is an intentional self-harm behavior leading to death that is more common in young people aged 15-24 years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of suicidal thoughts and planning for suicide among medical students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences.
In this cross-sectional study, all 300 Entrance 2007-2013 medical students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences were included by census sampling. Among them, only 265 students (88%) agreed to participate in this study. Data were collected by using Beck standard suicide questionnaire. Data analysis was performed by using descriptive and analytical statistics like Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.
The participants included 126 male and 139 female medical students. Among them, 75.84% had no suicidal thoughts, 18.11% had suicidal thoughts, 4.15% were susceptible for committing suicide and 1.88% had a plan for suicide attempt. There was a significant relationship between suicidal thoughts and gender (P=0.017), living area (P=0.026), history of chronic disease (P=0.042), history of mental disorder (P=0.002), and smoking (P=0.049).
The results show that the risk of suicide is high in medical students. Therefore, preventive strategies should be performed for preventing suicidal thoughts and committing suicide.

Discharge against medical advice (DAMA) occurs when a patient leaves the hospital against the physician’s advice. The aim of this study was to investigate the causes of discharge against medical advice.
In this cross-sectional study, all patients who were discharged against medical advice from the Emergency Department of Shohada-e-Tajrish teaching hospital in the second half of 2012, were included. Data were collected by a researcher-made checklist that its validity and reliability had been confirmed. Data were analyzed by using Chi square and independent two-sample t-test.
The results show that among all the units of Emergency Department, the units of general surgery (14.4%), internal medicine (11.9%), and neurosurgery (11.9%) had the highest rate of discharge against medical advice, respectively. The main causes of discharge against medical advice were partial recovery according to patients’ opinion, the distance from home to hospital, and patients’ exhaustion from the hospital environment. However, there was no statistically significant relationship between discharge against medical advice and the type of Emergency Department unit, work shifts, or income.
Due to the high rate of discharge against medical advice in teaching hospitals of Iran, it is essential to pay more attention to this important issue as the main issue emphasized on in clinical governance in teaching hospitals of Iran, and also prioritize providing high quality services in order to increase patients’ satisfaction and decrease the rate of discharge against medical advice.