Iranian Journal of Health Sciences
Volume:3 Issue: 3, Summer 2015

Background and The rapid urbanization and industrialization in many parts of the world have led to the accumulation of heavy metals in the terrestrial environment and pose a serious threat to human health. In this study, a broad assessment was conducted to estimate the levels of heavy metals in groundwater in Sistan and Baluchestan via geographic information system (GIS), Iran, geo-statistical distribution of these contaminants was delineated in affected areas. In this study, a total of 357 water samples were collected from designated wells in the area and transported to laboratory according to standard methods. The levels of heavy metals including chromium, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and aluminum were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. The findings were compared with the Standard values recommended by the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran, United States Environmental Protection Agency and World Health Organizations. Moreover, employing GIS software, the geo-statistical distribution of heavy metals concentration in groundwater in Sistan and Baluchestan was revealed. In the whole samples, the concentrations of two elements, Pb and Cd, were 31.9% and 40.3%, respectively, which were higher than the maximum permissible limits. The rest of the study variables showed to be within the standards/guidelines recommended by international organizations. Heavy metal levels in groundwater of most study areas were compatible with advised international criteria that indicate a very slight influence of industrialization in the area. Relatively high concentrations of Pb and Cd in few locations suggest the state authorities to give more attentions in developing plans, and consider sustainable development in the area.

Background and Women’s health, as almost “half of the population of each society” and in recent years as “half of the workforce,” is of particular importance in achieving sustainable development goals. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between birth weight and gestational age and mother’s employment. This descriptive analytic study was implemented among 390 cases (180 employees and 210 housewives) from pregnant women referred to Imam Ali Hospital in Amol, Mazandaran, Iran. Sampling was done by available methods, and data collection was conducted using a researcher made form appropriate to the purpose of the study. After collecting demographic and birth characteristics information (gestational age and birth weight), the results were analyzed using chi-square and t-test. The mean birth weight in the case (employed mothers) and control groups was 3262.5 ± 506.3 and 3369.1 ± 450.8 g, respectively; in case group was significantly lower than control group (P = 0.029). This difference was not observed in gestational age between the two groups with mean age38.8 ± 1.7 in unemployed mothers and 38.5 ± 2 weeks in employed mothers. Women’s employment during pregnancy is associated with some consequences such as effects on birth weight. Given the important role of the birth weight in the health and survival of babies, establishing greater co-ordination between the job and conditions of a pregnant woman will be effective on the health of the mother and baby.

At present study, acid modified banana leaf ash was used as an adsorbent for the successful removal of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye from aqueous environments. The effect of various operating parameters such as pH of solution, dye concentration, contact time, adsorbent dosage, and the temperature was investigated. Maximum adsorption capacity of the banana leaf ash was 191.32 mg/gat pH 2, the initial concentration of 200 mg/l and 323° K when 95.66% of the dye was removed. The process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. Furthermore, equilibrium data were better represented by Freundlich isotherm among Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich equilibrium isotherm models. The negative values of free energy change confirmed the feasibility of the process and the spontaneous nature of adsorption. Furthermore, from the magnitude of ΔH, the process was found to be endothermic physisorption. According to the results of this study, it was found that the acid modified banana leaf ash is not only a low-cost adsorbent, but also has high performance in the removal ofRB5from aqueous environments.

Background and Customer quality (CQ) refers to knowledge, attitude, and skills of service-user in treatment process and this study aims to assess it in delivered care to patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Tabriz city, Iran, 2012. This is a cross-sectional investigation in which the target population includes 94 patients with IBD, who had medical care files in Imam Reza Hospital and Tabriz Golgasht Specialized Clinic. A 19-question inventory is the tool for data collection that its validity was approve by 10 experts and its reliability was examined and verified by conducting a pilot study and with calculation of internal consistency (α = 0.78). SPSS software was employed to analyze data. The mean score of the variable of CQ was derived (70.63 ± 9.67) in patients with IBD disease. All participants had acquired the scores of self-management at the first phase. However, at last 11.7% of them had reported the highest scores in variable of CQ and they could continue their own medical care trend under variable conditions like stress and financial problems. Similarly, there was a significant relationship among CQ with an educational degree in the participants (P = 0.050) so that as the educational level was higher, the score of CQ was also increased. The acquired results signify that CQ is relatively acceptable in the studied population but major problems are visible in some areas, and this may imply the necessity for consideration by healthcare directors.

Background and In many regions especially in the north of Iran groundwater is the most important resource for drinking supply. A present study was carried out in the Tajan plain in northern Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of groundwater. In order to constructing the groundwater quality index (GWQI) 3 main levels were composed; selection, standardization, and aggregation.The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) as a powerful multi-criteria decision-making approach was used to select the indicator parameter and determining the weights,the national drinking water standard of Iran was considered forstandardization level, finally the qualityindex values in each well were calculated by aggregating the sub-index of entire parameters. For analyzing the spatial distribution of GWQI the geographic information system were applied, the status of groundwater quality in Tajan plain was interpolated on a map. The results showed that the “GWQI” values varied between 0.145 and 0.450,according to this range four quality classes were determined on interpolated map. Analyses showed that 27.8% of the study area has very good quality aquifer, 57.8% has good quality, 10.9% of Tajan aquifer has moderate quality, and 3.5% is poor. It is considerable that the quality of groundwater around the urban zone is poor. It was concluded in present study that the“AHP” is a reasonable method for selection of the most appropriate parameters also suitable technique for calculation of the weights for determining the GWQI.

Background and The presence of dyes in wastewaters may cause serious problems for the environment because of their high toxicity to aquatic organisms and unfavorable aesthetical impact. In the present study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used for removal of anionic dyes Direct Blue 106 (DB106) and Acid Green 25 (AG25), from water samples. MWCNTs were oxidized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). In batch tests, the effects of various parameters such as pH solution (2.0-7.0), oxidized MWCNT dose (0.01-0.04 g), contact time (7-60 minutes), initial dye concentration (30-350 mg/l), and temperature (25-55° C) were investigated. The optimum pH for removing of investigated anionic dyes from water solutions was found to be 2.0. The adsorption of the dyes reached equilibrium at 15 minutes. Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin models were used to study the adsorption isotherms and the equilibrium adsorption was best described by Langmuir isotherm model. Kinetic adsorption data were analyzed using pseudo-first-order kinetic model and pseudo-second-order model. The regression results showed that the adsorption kinetics was more accurately represented by pseudo-second-order model. The results suggest that oxidized MWCNT could be employed as an effective material for the removal of anionic dyes from aqueous solutions and the maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 500 and 333 mg/g for DB106 and AG25, respectively.

Background and Vector-borne diseases such as Malaria and Leishmaniasis are still a public health problem in Iran. One of the effective ways to prevent of these diseases is to improve the vector control program. We carried out this study for assessment managers of school knowledge, attitude and practice regarding vector control programs. A cross-sectional study was conducted during October to September 2008 in Neka County, Iran. The participants were 18 managers of school that were selected randomly sampling. The data were collected through a questionnaire that was comprised four sections. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. The finding showed that only 34% of participants had a positive attitude toward the vector control program. Furthermore, 55.6% of participants were agreed with chemical vector control method. The knowledge of participants was rather good about vector control. Since, Community education is a key factor to improve vector control program, we suggest strengthening the vector control education program at different levels of the community.

Background and Organic dyes with a complex structure are often toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, non-biodegradation and stable in the environment and if released to the environment without treatment can endanger the environment and human health. The aim was to evaluate the performance nanoscalezero-valent iron (NZVI) in the removal of dye acid red 18 (AR18) from aqueous solutions. This study was conducted at the laboratory scale. In this study, the removal efficiency of AR18 from a synthetic solution by NZVI was investigated. As well as the effect of solution pH, dye concentration, the concentration of NZVI and contact time in decolorization efficiency was investigated. The results show that in pH = 3, contact time of 80 minutes, dye concentration of 25 mg/l and concentration of NZVI of 2 g/l, the removal efficiency was about 94%. According to the results of experiments, NZVI has high efficiency in removal of AR18 from aqueous solution.