Influence of unsafe and excessive use of mobile phone on the sleep quality

Background and Aim: Use of mobile phones by people, especially university students has dramatically increased in recent years

One of the important psychological and behavioral complications of this issue is sleep disorders or lack of sleep quality among students

Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of unsafe and excessive rose of mobile phones on sleep quality in the students

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study included 230 students of Neyshabur University of Medical Science in 2014. To assess the sleep quality we used Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI] and Gennaro's questionnaire was used for the assessment of unsafe and excessive use of mobile phone. Using SPSS 16 software, data were analyzed by Pearson correlation, independent T-test, ANOVA and multiple regression tests

Results: According to the results of this study 50.9% of the students had poor sleep quality.Only l0.8% had limited and safe use of their mobile phones. Unsafe and excessive use of mobile phone had significant relationship with variables of study year, place of residence and nativeness, and PSQI showed a significant relationship with age, gender and place of residence [P=0.00l].Unsafe and excessive use of mobile phone had significant influence on PSQI in the students and on the four dimensions of this index [P=0.001, R2=0.083]

Conclusion: Unsafe and excessive use of mobile phone can have negative effect on the quality of sleep and this consequently, could influence their educational performance and daily activities. Teaching the students about these complications, and the importance of the quality of sleep and its effect on the educational performance is recommended

[Prevalence of depression symptoms and its effective factors in pregnant women]

Introduction: Depression during pregnancy is among the most important types of depression in women, which can have serious consequences for both mother and child

Objective: Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression and its effective factors in pregnant women attending health centers in Neyshabur in 2013

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive and analytic study was conducted on 280 pregnant women referring to health centers in Neyshabur in 2013. Five of nine health centers were randomly selected using cluster sampling method. Sample size was determined considering ratio data and the referrals to each center using random systematic method. They were enrolled after obtaining verbal consent. In this study, data collection tool was a two-part questionnaire. First part consisted of demographic information [age, number of previous deliveries, gestational age [in weeks], pregnant woman's job, year[s] of marriage, family monthly income, age difference with husband, pregnant women's education, spouse's education level, abortion history, planned or unplanned pregnancy, personal or family depression history]. Second part contained Beck Depression Inventory with 21 items which measures physical, behavioral and cognitive symptoms of depression. Each question has four options that can be scored from 0 to 3 and each item specifies various degrees of depression from mild to severe. Total range of its scores ranges between 0 to 63. Scores less than 10 represent a normal status, 11- 16 mild depression, 17-20 need consultation with psychologist or a psychiatrist, 21-30 relative depression, 31-40 severe depression and more than 40 very severe depressions. Since the onset of some symptoms such as sleep disorders, weight fluctuations and energy reduction can exist in a normal pregnancy, diagnosing depression may be difficult. Although developing depression score is considered to be higher than 10, scores higher than 16 were considered as the threshold of depression in pregnant women. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. For univariate analysis, chi-square was determined to compare the qualitative variables. T-test and Mann-Whitney test were used to compare the quantitative and ordinal variables, respectively. Moreover, logistic regression model [Backward] was used to examine the relationship between study variables and depression. Significance level was considered less than 0.05

Results: The mean age of the patients was 25.5 +/- 5.24 years. 135 [48.2%] of the 280 women were under 25 years of age. 55 cases had [19.6%] less than high school education. 158 women [56.4%] experienced their first pregnancy. 53 cases [19.9%] were in their first trimester of pregnancy. In this study, 84 [30%] of pregnant women had some degrees of depression symptoms. 50 of them were under 25 years [59.5%] and 34 [40.5%] were over 25 years old. 46.2% of women whose family monthly income was less than or equal to 150 $, and 24.5% of women with income above this amount had symptoms of depression. Furthermore, 25.3% of women with planned pregnancy and 74.1% of those with unplanned pregnancy had symptoms of depression. Using the chi-square test, a statistically significant relationship was observed between age, pregnant woman's job, monthly family income, level of education, spouse's education level, planned or unplanned pregnancy with symptoms of depression during pregnancy [p<0.05]. Yet, other variables [number of previous deliveries, gestational age, year[s] of marriage, age difference with husband, abortion and depression history] were not significantly associated with symptoms of depression during pregnancy [p>0.05]. Finally, using multivariate logistic regression model showed a significant relationship between age of pregnant women [P<0.001, OR =0.35], family monthly income [P<0.00, 1, OR =0.32] and planned or unplanned pregnancy [P<0.001, OR =11.66] with symptoms of depression during pregnancy

Conclusion: In attention to study findings, it seems that pregnant women's depression level in Neyshabur is high. Therefore, it is suggested that managers of therapeutic health care centers implement appropriate interventions in order to reduce or prevent depression during pregnancy

Exploring the characteristics of public reproductive health services in the Islamic Republic of Iran from the perspectives of unmarried women: what needs to be changed?

This qualitative study in the Islamic Republic of Iran aimed to explore facilitators and barriers to the use of reproductive health services by unmarried women. A purposive sample of unmarried women aged 25-60 years in Isfahan city were interviewed about their experiences of reproductive health services in public health centres. Content analysis of responses revealed that the favourable characteristics of reproductive health services in public centres were services that: were delivered by personnel of the same sex in a woman-friendly environment and available at a suitable price, and did not label clients. In contrast, the following characteristics made public health centres undesirable for unmarried women: not addressing single women for reproductive health services; lack of privacy; failure to maintain confidentiality; doubts about skills and scientific ability of personnel; and lack of integration of services

Birth weight and risk of childhood acute leukaemia

Studies of risk factors for acute leukaemia are inconclusive. This case-control study was done In West Azerbaijan province, Islamic Republic of Iran, to determine the relationship between birth weight and acute leukaemia in children aged under 15 years. For every patient 2 age- and sex-matched controls were selected from hospital and community populations. Of 130 cases diagnosed over the period 2003-2009/108 [83.1%] had lymphoblastic and 22 [16.9%] myloblastic type. Significantly more of them were male than female [55.4% versus 44.6%]. In a multivariate logistic regression model variables significantly associated with acute leukaemia were: birth weight [OR = 2.25], birth order [OR = 2.25], birth place [OR= 7.93], history of chickenpox [OR - 0.46] and mothers' education [OR = 3.23]. The risk of acute leukaemia increased significantly with increasmg birth weight in the total group and among girls, but not among boy

[ epidemiological study of accidents in a construction industry: a case-control study]

Despite science and technology development and their application in various industries, accidents continue to occur in many workplaces. This study was designed and carried out with the aim of epidemiological survey of accident among workers of a tunneling industry. This study was conducted on 144 out of a total of 440 employees of a tunneling project who were at risk of occupational accidents. 48 workers with a history of occupational accident over the past two years were selected as case group and 96 workers of the same project were selected as control group. The data were collected through a designed checklist and analyzed using logistic regression, chi-square and independent t tests. A significant association was observed between accident rate and different age groups [p<0.05]. There was a significant relationship [p=0.016] in the case of sport activities between case and control groups, and significant relationships were observed between two groups regarding education [p=0.057] and smoking [p=0.06], but there was no significant relationships between accident occurrence with marital status, residence in workplace, job related education, job experience, chronic diseases and obesity. The results of this study clarify the necessity of the use of epidemiological data in preventive and control measures in workplaces. Therefore, Developing programs for determination of physical and mental capacity of workers are essential to employ them in jobs commensurate with their abilities, especially in older workers

[Validity of naked eye single tube red cell osmotic fragility test [NESTROFT] in screening of beta-thalassemia trait]

Background and aim: Thalassemia is the most common single gene disorder which is not completely cured. It is needed to find a reliable and cost-effective prevention method for screening the disease. For the next step, it is needed to give proper education, genetic consulting and prenatal diagnosis for the patients and finally selective termination of affected fetuses. The aim of this study was to evaluate effectiveness of the Naked Eye Single Tube Red Cell Osmotic Fragility Test [NESTROFT] as a screening test for beta-thalassemia trait

Methods: In this descriptive -analytical study, NESTROFT was applied to a total of 158 subjects who were divided into three groups. Group I was comprised of 51 individuals belonging to parents whom at least one of the children was suffering from beta-thalassemia major, group II was consisted of 51 normal individuals and finally group III was comprised of 56 individuals with iron deficiency

Results: The findings of this study showed that sensitivity of the test was as high as 100 percent and specificity was 86.9 percent. The predictive value of the positive test was 78.5 percent and the negative test was as high as 100 percent. False positive results were obtained in 14 cases with iron deficiency

Conclusion: NESTROFT emerged as a highly sensitive, inexpensive and easy to perform test for exclusion of beta-thalassemia trait. It is therefore a suitable test for large-scale use in a developing country such as Iran, which has got limited financial and technical resources

[Pattern of empirical antibiotic administration in emergency department of an educational hospital in Tehran]

Antibiotic misuse is an important cause of antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of empirical antibiotic administration in emergency department of an educational hospital. In this cross-sectional study we evaluated the pattern of antibiotic administration [indication, drug appropriateness, dose, and method of administration] in 190 patients who had been received antibiotic in emergency department of an educational hospital of Tehran Medical University in 2009. Data were collected from medical records and statistical analysis was performed by SPSSv.15 software. 55.8% of patients were male and 44.2% were female. Mean age of them was 56.61 +/- 23.66. 26.3% of patients received one antibiotic and 73.7% received two antibiotics or more. The most common prescribed drug was ceftriaxone [72.1%]. 63.7% of prescribed antibiotics were appropriate choice and 36.3% were inappropriate. Unnecessary antibiotic was prescribed in 15.8% of patients. Inappropriate dose and method of administration were 6.8% and 2.1%, respectively. Total mistakes in determination of indication of antibiotic, selection of appropriate drug, dose and administration method were 40.5%.Antibiotic misuse was more than what expected in a university hospital. It seems logical to conduct educational courses about antibiotic administration guidelines

[Study of needle stick injuries among health care workers at teaching hospitals in Urmia]

Personel who reguraly practice invasive procedures such as blood sample collection are particulary at risk to percutanous injuries. Needle stick injuries present the single gerates risk to medical personnel's. This sudy was undertaken to analyze the problem of needdle sticks injuries among health care workers at teaching hospitals in Urmia in 2008 year. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 personals of Urmia teaching hospitals. A structured questionnaire was used to interview the study participants at their work place. Participants were asked to recall needle stick injuries in the preceding 12 months. Factors such as work experience, type of procedure, action taken following injury etc were also studied. The samples were selected by using simple random sampling in every hospital. The data were analyzed according to aims, by using Descriptive and analytical method. Around 25% [107/400] of the Health care workers had experienced a needle stick injury in the last six-months. Needle sticks injuries in females and male was 28% and 24% respectively. Most of the injuries created by needle [47.3%] and anjiocat needle [19.9%]. The results of this study show that the prevalence rates of needle stick injuries are a major risk in hospitals personnel. Therefore there is a need at the hospital level to have a uniform needle stick injuries policy covering safe work practices, safe disposal of sharps, procedures in event of needle stick injury, training including pre-employment training monitoring and evaluation of needle stick injuries and procedures for reporting needle stick injuries

[Lasers in dental hypersensitivity]

Dental Hypersensitivity [DH] is one of the most common problems that is defined as short, sharp pain arising from exposed dentine in response to mechanical, chemical and thermal stimuli. The prevalence of dental hypersensitivity is on increase due two reasons: First, people can keep their teeth for longer periods; second, root surface of teeth are mostly exposed as a result of gingival recession and periodontal surgery. Many different types of treatments have been so far suggested for dental hypersensitivity. They include the use of strontium salts or potassium salts, glass ionomers, photopolymerising sealants to occlude dentinal tubules. In cases of sever DH, invasive therapy by means of root canal therapy [RCT] and crowns as well as surgical correction including root coverage can be indicated. However, more recently, the intermittent or repeated use of laser has been recommended. This review aims at evaluating which laser can affect DH. The lasers used for the treatment of DH fall into two groups: Low output power [low level] lasers such as He-Ne, GaAs, GaAIAs which block nerve ends and affect inflammatory mediators; and middle output power lasers like Nd: YAG, CO2 lasers which bring about major changes to teeth in order to occlude dentinal tubules. A combination of lasers to reduce the DH is recommended and low-level lasers combined with middle-output lasers are preferred