[Effect of reflexology on anxiety level in nuliparous women]

Labor potentially causes stress and anxiety, especially in nulliparous women. In Iran, many pregnant women undergo cesarean section electively due to fear of labor pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of reflexology on the anxiety level, blood pressure, and pulse in nulliparous women in Kerman. In this clinical trial, 70 nulliparous women with gestational age more than 37 weeks and cervical dilatation of 3-4 cm were recruited for the study. The participants were randomly allocated to two equal reflexology and control groups. The reflexology group received the intervention for 20 minutes [each foot: 10 minutes] on their feet; and the control group received massage for 20 minutes on their legs. Anxiety level, blood pressure and pulse rate were measured at baseline and immediately after the intervention using Spielberger questionnaire. Anxiety level did not differ between the two groups at baseline [P=0.85]. After the intervention, the mean of anxiety level was significantly lower in the reflexology group than in the control one [P<0.001]. The pulse rate [P=0.44] and blood pressure [P=0.59] did not differ significantly in two study groups after the intervention. Reflexology reduced anxiety level in labor

rate of airborne fungal contamination in Yazd textile factories in 2007

Fungi are among the most important biological agents in air pollution. Textile factories are known as high risk places for contamination with fungal spores and metabolites. Since Yazd is one of the most important textile industry centers, this study was conducted to determine the concentration and types of airborne fungi in Yazd textile factories. A total of 235 indoor air samples from 30 randomly selected Yazd textile factories in 2007 were collected using air sampler pumps with appropriate filters. The concentration and types of isolated fungi were determined according to NIOSH standard technique for isolation of biologic agents. Data were analyzed based on the survey objectives, using statistical tests. Overall, 958 colonies from 16 different genera of fungi were isolated and among them Penicillium, Aspergillus and Cladosporium were known as the most prevalent isolated fungi. The fungal contamination rates were higher in the small factories than bigger factories and also in few factories, which usually used natural based fiber compared to those used synthetic fiber [P=0.0001]. The finishing areas had more contamination than the other parts and working areas with the topical air conditioner had lower contamination [P= 0.034]. There was a direct relationship between the amount of moisture and air fungal contamination [P=0.046], but there was no significant correlation between the whole fungal contamination rates and temperature. The results showed a high rate of contamination to fungal viable cultivable spores in Yazd textile factories. The presence of opportunistic fungi in these places, especially in summer is hazardous for immunosuppresed workers or those with malignancies or diabetes

[Assessing time between arriving to hospital and administration of streptokinase in patients with acute myocardial infarction in emergency department of Kerman University of medical sciences in 2003-4]

Acute myocardial infarction is one of the major causes of mortality in developing countries such as Iran. One of the most important progresses in acute myocardial infarction is early administration of thrombolytic agents such as streptokinase. This study was performed to determine the time interval from patients' referral to the emergency wards to the introduction of thrombolytic therapy and the factors associated with delay in drug administration. In a period of 8 months, 130 patients with presumed acute myocardial infarction were investigated. In order to determine the causes of delay in streptokinase administration, duration of symptoms onset to drug administration was divided into 4 specified periods and measured in minutes. Results were analyzed using ANOVA and t-test. Findings showed a mean elapsed time of 298 minutes between pain onset and referring to the emergency ward, 73 minutes between patient's arrival and streptokinase administration. Mean time from symptom onset to drug infusion was 370 minutes. There was a delay of 2 hours in drug administration in 18% of patients. The most important causes of delay were long distance and delay of physicians and staff. Considering the findings, increasing people's knowledge about the symptoms of heart problem, providing medical facilities and instruction of medical staff play important role in decreasing delay time in drug administration and increasing streptokinase output

[Comparison of signs and symptoms of myocardial infarction and unstable angina in male and female hospitalized patients in cornonary care units of Kerman medical university hospital, 2004-2005]

Coronary Artery Disease [CAD] is one of the most common causes of mortality and disability in the world. The results of some studies show that there are differences in signs and symptoms of CAD between male and female. This research was done to compare males and females for these signs and symptoms in 600 hospitalized patients in coronary care units of Kerman Medical University from December 2004 to July 2005. for data collection a questionnaire was used which was designed in five section: demographic characteristics, disease variables, pictures for determining the points of chest pain, Visual Analog Scale for determining the intensity of pain and measures taken by patients after the beginning the signs and symptoms. This questionnaire was completed by two nurses in different shifts by interviewing the patients. For data analysis T test, Chi 2 Fisher exact and Man-Whitney U were used. The results showed that the women were older than men [p<0.001]. Most women had unstable angina and men had myocardial infarction [P<0.05]. There were no significant difference between the chest pain in both genders but neck pain, back pain, fatigue, decrease of appetite, flushing, dizziness, tiredness, visual disturbances, suffocation feeling, palpitation and restlessness were experienced in women more than men [p<0.05]. Also dyspenea during the heart attack was seen in most women [44.7% vs 29.4%] but there was no significant difference between two genders for intensity of pain. This study showed that atypical signs and symptoms of unstable angina and myocardial infarction were seen in female more than male. Furthermore this may be followed by some problems in diagnosis and then delay in referring the patients to medical centers. On the other hand, health care workers may not pay enough attention to these atypical signs and symptoms, in women with normal ECG so they might not receive necessary services