Distribution of ophthalmologists and optometrists in Islamic Republic of Iran and their associated factors

We aimed to determine the distribution of ophthalmic care providers and its correlation with health and socioeconomic status and health system indicators. Data were gathered from the Iran Medical Council and the Iranian Societies of Ophthalmology and Optometry. Concurrent indicators were collected from the Statistical Center of Iran and national studies. A population-adjusted number of combined ophthalmologists and optometrists was used as the main dependent variable. Optometrist/ophthalmologist ratio was 0.9. We had 1 ophthalmologist and 1 optometrist for every 40 000 and 45 000 individuals, respectively. We observed a direct correlation between the number of ophthalmologists, optometrists and life expectancy at the provincial level. Gross provincial income and expenditure and provincial literacy were correlated as well. Provincial unemployment had a negative correlation. Provincial hospital statistics and population density were also significantly correlated. The Islamic Republic of Iran has met the World Health Organization's desired per capita number of ophthalmologists and optometrists, but there is wide variation in their density

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

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on survival rate and growth performance of Convict Cichlid [Amatitlania nigrofasciata]

Using probiotics can control pathogens by a variety of mechanisms. Probiotics can promote growth performance and have, therefore, become increasingly important in the aquaculture industry. Convict Cichlid belongs to the family of Cichlidae and is known for its rapid development in laboratory conditions and is suitable for behavioral examinations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on growth performance, survival rate and body composition of Convict Cichlids [Amatitlania nigrofasciata]. One hundred sixty eight Convict Cichlids [mean weight: 2.1 +/- 0.12 g and mean length: 2.2 +/- 0.05 cm] were fed by commercial diets with different concentrations of S. cerevisiae [0, 0.5%, 1%, 2%]. At the end of the experiment, survival rate and growth indices were measured. Based on the results, growth performance significantly increased with probiotic, S. cerevisiae, specially, at the 2% probiotic level of concentration. In the present study, the best FCR [feed conversion rate], SGR [specific growth rate], CF [condition factor] and BWG [body weight gain] values were observed in a 2% concentration of S. cerevisiae. The results suggest that this yeast could improve feed utilization in this fish species

[Effects of self-management program on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes and glycosylated hemoglobin]

Introduction: today self-management is one of the strategies for chronic disease control such as diabetes. Self-management activities are designed based on patients' active participation in control and management of chronic disease challenges and prevention of disease complications

Objective: this study aimed to examine the effect of diabetes self-management program on blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin among patients with type 2 diabetes

Methods: in this randomized, controlled trial, 80 patients with type 2 diabetes who referred to Rasht Diabetes Association participated. They were randomly assigned to two groups of intervention and control. Self-management program involved knowledge and understanding, problem-solving process, diet plan, walking and stress management which were taught to patients for three weeks and followed for two months. Data were gathered by demographic questionnaire and measurement of blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin before and eight weeks after the intervention. In addition patients' blood glucose level was monitored weekly. Data were analyzed by statistical tests such as Chi-square, Fisher's exact, Student-t, Paired-t tests and repeated measure ANOVA

Results: findings showed no significant differences in experimental and control group as regard to demographic, disease condition, drug use and blood glucose criteria. Blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin improved significantly in experiment group two months after the intervention. These changes were not seen in the control group. In addition a significant difference was shown between the two groups as regard to level of glycosylated hemoglobin after intervention [P<0/001]

Conclusion: in attention to findings, it can be concluded that self-management program promotes blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Therefore self-management promotion program can serve as guide in improvement of patient health

[Experiences of self-management of type I diabetes in adolescents: a phenomenological study]

Introduction: This study aimed to examine the concept of self-management of type I diabetes in adolescents

Materials and Methods: This study used the Van Manen's six-step hermeneutic phenomenological approach to examine the concept of self management of type-1 diabetes among Iranian adolescents, with the disorders Eight adolescents, aged 13-18 years, diagnosed with type I diabetes at least one year ago, were recruited. Mean age of the adolescents was 16 years, the mean duration of suffering was 3 years and 10 months and the mean length of interviews was 35 min, and 27 sec. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. After each interview, data were analyzed by the research team. Each interview was a guide for the next interview, the questions of which were changed based on the data obtained from the previous interview. Field notes were also used as an instrument to collect data

Results: This study extracted 7 themes, including productive interaction, self-efficacy achievement, self-regulation achievement, overcoming problems, future prospects and "diabetes, a part of life", A theme not previously observed in other studies was maintaining appearances among these adolescents

Conclusion: This study showed that Iranian adolescents with diabetes type 1 are eager to participate in selfcare and self-management

[Investigation of mycological flora in Kurdistan university of medical sciences bath hostels in 2011]

Damp environments with suitable temperature such as swimming pools and public baths produce appropriate conditions for growth and spread of fungi. Investigation of opportunistic and pathogenic fungi in these places can be helpful for elimination or reduction of the rate of potential fungal infections. This study was performed to find fungal contamination in the student hostels in Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences. Samples were collected from the walls and floors of the bathrooms and were cultured in Sabouraud dextrose agar medium containing chloramphenicol [SC], and Sabouraud dextrose agar medium containing chloramphenicol and cyclohexamide [SCC]. All cultures were incubated at 28 C, and were observed weekly for fungal growth. All fungal isolates were identified by macroscopic and microscopic examination. A total of 256 samples were collected.196samples [56/76%] were positivefor fungal growth. The most common fungi were: Cladosporium spp. [28.9%], Exophialla spp. [23.3%], and Rodutorella spp. [13.2%]. Also Trichophitonmentagrophytes and Microsporumgypseum were isolated from baths samples. For prevention of mycotic infections, effective preventive measures such as use of private or disposable slippers and adequate cleaning of the bathrooms after taking bath can be beneficial

[ effects of the group reminiscence on cognitive status of mild cognitive impaired elders]

Introduction: The growth of the elderly society and contagion of various cognitive impairments and disorders among this age group, attending accessible, inexpensive and low-side cure and care methods has become a necessary issue. The purpose of the present study was to investigate group reminiscence effects on cognitive abilities of mild cognitive impaired elders

Methods: This research was in the semi-experimental category aimed to determine the influences of group reminiscence on cognitive abilities of mild cognitively impaired elderly at the "Jahandidegan-e-Shiraz" institute. Thus, Seventy two 60-84 years old people of this institute [48 females and 24 males] were purposefully chosen, as the subjects, and were divided into three teams of group reminiscence, group intervention and without intervention, considering the same proportion between the three teams. Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] was implemented on the subjects, before and after the interventions. The reminiscence intervention was in a manner that the group reminiscence team attended 8 group reminiscence sessions [one weekly session with the spans of 60 to 90 min]. Meetings of the first evidence team [group talks] were similar to the group reminiscence one, except for those meetings which were held without any reminiscence, and its subjects were talking about usual and daily issues, as a group. The third team [the second evidence group] didn't receive any intervention, during the research

Results: Cognitive abilities increased significantly, among the two teams of group reminiscence and group intervention. Also, the increase in group reminiscence team was significantly further than those of two other groups, and the increment of group intervention team was significantly more than that of the group without intervention [P<0.05]

Conclusion: According to results of this study, it should be considered that the elderly, who have mild cognitive impairments, could improve their cognitive abilities by group reminiscence. It seems, even group talking could increase cognitive abilities of these elders. Though, it is appropriate to execute the group talking in a group reminiscence manner. However, further researches are required, to achieve more accurate conclusions

Household food insecurity in the Islamic Republic of Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Using a systematic review of all available studies between 1991 and 2011, the prevalence of food insecurity in the Islamic Republic of Iran was estimated. After document evaluation and data aggregation, studies were analysed in separate categories based on the methods used: dietary recall, household income/expenditure or experiential/ perception-based surveys. Meta-analysis of dietary-recall studies showed small non-significant increases between 1994 and 2004 in the prevalence of mild [from 8.8% to 9.3%] and moderate food insecurity [from 5.4% to 5.6%]. Severe food insecurity was 3.8% and 3.7% in 1994 and 2004 respectively. Prevalence of food insecurity [moderate to severe] based on household income/expenditure surveys was consistently reported to be 10%. A separate meta-analysis of experiential/perception-based studies revealed rates of mild, moderate and severe food insecurity of 28.6%, 14.9% and 6.0% respectively. By combining study results in this manner makes it possible to come up with more realistic estimates for evidence-informed policy-making, until development of a national food insecurity surveillance system

[Comparison of bed turnover rate between the hospitals using quality management system and the ones lacking it in Zanjan province]

Today, Quality Management Systems are widely used in many numbers of hospitals in Iran. But, it still seems important to investigate if with all the expenditure for implementing, settling, registering and maintaining of these systems, there is any meaningful difference in the performance indicators in the hospitals using Quality Management System and the ones lacking it. The aim of this study was to determine the comparison of bed turnover rate between the hospitals using Quality Management System and the ones lacking it in Zanjan province. In this descriptive study, data on the bed turnover indicator of the hospitals in Zanjan province were extracted from the statistical information in the Medical Record Department of hospitals. Instrument for data collection was "Hospital Performance Indicators Form" including bed occupation rate, bed turnover rate and the average length of patient's stay. To measure content validity, judged of experts [8 expert teachers] was used. Then data were analyzed by SPSS/15 using the independent T-test and the meaningfulness of the difference in this indicator was tested between the hospitals with Quality Management System and the ones without it. The bed turnover rate in the hospitals using Quality Management System was 0.81 days with a standard deviation of 0.04, while this rate was 1.02 days with a standard deviation of 0.05 in the hospitals lacking this system. This difference based on P=0.006 was statistically significant. The hospitals using Quality Management System had better performance in bed turnover than the other hospitals. Therefore, managers can consider this issue in expanding this system

[ effectiveness of group metacognitive therapy on anxiety thought and improvement thought control strategy in patients with generalized anxiety disorder]

Generalized anxiety disorder [or GAD] is defined as an excessive, exaggerated anxiety and uncontrollable worry. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of group metacognitive therapy [G-MCT] on Anxiety thought and improvement of thought control strategy in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder [GAD]. The study population consisted of all outpatients with GAD presenting to clinics in Tehran counselling center. A number of the patients conveniently were selected. Then using of Metacognition Questionnaire [MCQ-30], Thought Control Questionnaire [TCQ] and anxiety thought inventory [ANTI] and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Disorders [SCID-I], 30 females were selected and randomly were assigned in two groups [15 in experimental group and 15 in control group]. From 15 patients of experimental group, 12 patients completed the treatment. Group metacognitive therapy was administered to the experimental group in ten, 120 minutes sessions during 2.5 months period. All subjects completed questionnaires before and after intervention and in follow-up period after 3 month. The results of ANCOVA test showed that Group metacognitive therapy have significant effect on negative metacognitive beliefs. The results of ANCOVA test also showed that Group metacognitive therapy significantly have decreased anxiety thought, and improved thought control strategy. These results remained in 3 months follow-up period. Group metacognitive therapy has some more benefits on metacognition beliefs and anxiety thought, and improved thought control strategy

[ effect of jaw relaxation on pain anxiety of burn dressing: Randomized clinical trial with control group]

Patients with burns, experience high levels of anticipatory anxiety during dressing changes. Anxiety tends to increase after each dressing and during time; on the other hand this anxiety cannot be completely managed by anxiolytic drugs. Nurses contribute to pain management by using pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Relaxation techniques are one of the most used approaches in pain anxiety management. However there is not enough information about the effects of these techniques on pain anxiety of these patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of jaw relaxation on pain anxiety of burn dressing. This study was a randomized clinical trial with control group. One hundred patients hospitalized in Shahid Motahari Burn Center in Tehran within July to December, 2009 were recruited by convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to either experimental or control groups using minimization. Experimental group practiced jaw relaxation for 20 minutes before entering dressing room. Data were assessed with Burn Specific Pain Anxiety Scale [BSPAS] and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-Square test, dependent and independent t-test and Fisher's exact test by SPSS-PC [17]. Significant statistical difference was seen between the level of pain anxiety before and after intervention in experimental group. Moreover, after intervention there were a significant difference between the level of pain anxiety after dressing in experimental and control groups. There weren't significant difference between pain anxiety after intervention, before and after dressing in experimental group. Nurses can independently decrease the pain anxiety of burned patients and its subsequent physical and psychological burden by teaching the simple and inexpensive technique of jaw relaxation. Further studies are suggested to assess the effect of this technique on pain anxiety of patients with other disease except burns who suffer from painful procedures

effect of rehabilitation program on lymphedema- related arm pain, and volume after mastectomy

Upper extremity Lymph edema is the most common complication after mastectomy. The aim of this study is determining the effect of home based rehabilitation program on lymph edema related arm pain and arm volume after mastectomy among breast cancer survivors. In this quasi-experimental [before- after design], 16 post - mastectomy women with mild lymphedema [

[Needs of family caregivers of the patients with Alzheimer disease: analyzing of family caregivers experiences]

With the increasing elder population, providing effective family care is turning to be the most important challenge in health and welfare of elder people. The aim of this study was to explore needs of family caregivers of the patients with Alzheimer disease by analyzing of family caregivers experiences. This qualitative study was conducted by latent conventional content analysis. 35 family caregivers of elder patients with Alzheimer disease participated in the study. Participants were selected based on purposive sampling. Sources of information included documents of participant's diaries, about their problematic and complicated days of caring. Data were analyzed through reading and rereading documents, determining meaning units, extracting of codes and categorizing of them. Most of participants [80%] were female, with mean age of 56/2 and literate [under diploma level]. The findings generated 794 initial codes, which were grouped in 7 categories of: need to knowledge, receiving help from other family members in caring, modification of the home environment, self caring of caregivers, need "to be visible", compatible and complimentary health care system and caring equipments. Regarding to Global expansion of Alzheimer disease, considering the family care giving issue of elders with Alzheimer disease is essential. Therefore, providing suitable information, establishing education for caregivers related to disease and patient care management, management of caregivers' health, psych-social support and establishing of appropriate complimentary health care system for elderly patients should be considered. These strategies would facilitate the family care giving and support the caregivers on their journey

[Shares of energy and nutrients intakes from subsidized food items in Iranian households in diffferent socio-economic status]

This study was conducted to determine the shares of energy and nutrients intakes from subsidized food items in meeting nutritional requirements of Iranian urban and rural households in different socio-economic [SES] groups. The data collected in the Comprehensive Study on Household Food Consumption Patterns and Nutritional Status of I.R. Iran during 2001-2003 were used in this study. Households were selected by systematic cluster sampling in urban and rural areas and their SES was assessed through in-depth interviews. Assessment of food consumption patterns was done using three consecutive 24-hour diet recalls by trained nutritionists. To determine subsidized food items consumption in the households direct weighing and purchasing tables of major food items [rice, oil, and sugar] and 2-day records were used. In the data file, subsidized and non-subsidized food item subgroups were separated from each other and the shares of each subgroup in supplying energy and nutrients intake in the households were determined. From among the socio-economic variables, some were extracted by factor analysis as indicators of SES based on factor loading. Factor analysis detected 3 significant components for SES. These factors could explain 70% of the variance in SES. The population was divided into three categories [tertiles] according to the factors extracted. The first, second and third tertiles were considered as low, medium and high socio-economic groups, respectively. Finally, the shares of subsidized food items in supplying energy and macronutriets in the 3 categories were estimated. Of the 7158 households studied, 2496 [34.9%] were rural and 4662 [65.1%] urban. The highest consumption of bread was seen in the low SES groups, while the energy, carbohydrate, and protein supplied by bread was low in the high SES groups. The daily per capita consumption of hydrogenated and liquid oils was 82 and 3.6 grams in urban and rural areas, respectively. In spite of increasing non-subsidized liquid oil proportion in urban areas [2.6, 3.0, and 4.1 gram/person/day in the low, medium and high SES tertiles, respectively], consumption of hydrogenated and total oils decreased with increasing SES in both urban and rural areas. The data also showed that in cities, with increasing the SES level the proportions of non-subsidized rice and sugar increased and that of hydrogenated [subsidized] fat decreased. Shares of dietary energy obtained from bread [42.3 +/- 0.5, 37.4 +/- 0.5, and 33.0 +/- 0.5 grams in rural, and 36.4 +/- 0.4, 30.0 +/- 0.3, and 26.4 +/- 0.3 grams in urban, areas in low, moderate and high SES groups, respectively] and hydrogenated subsidized oil were higher, and that from sugar was lower, in low SES groups, as compared to moderate and high SES groups in both rural and urban areas. Finally, in the high SES groups the shares of energy from non-subsidized and total rice, as well as from non-subsidized liquid oil, were higher. In IR Iran, higher SES groups receive lower proportions of their dietary fat, rice and sugar from subsidized food items. In contrast, in the lower SES it is the subsidized food items that supply most of the energy, carbohydrates and proteins

[Weight gain and food group consumption patterns in pregnant women of north and east hospitals of Tehran]

Considering the important role played by nutrition in pregnancy outcomes weight gain during pregnancy, and overweight/obesity in later life, this study was conducted to assess the weight gain and food consumption patterns in pregnant women of Tehran. This study was a cross-sectional study with quota sampling based on the aim [n=265]. Data collected by a questionnaire, included two sections: Demographic/socio-economic and 24hour dietary recall, completed by expert interviewers. Mothers' height and weight were measured and BMI were computed. Pre-pregnancy weight was obtained from the historical files. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-Square, student and paired t-test, Pearson correlation and regression analysis. Of subjects, 57% were normal weight, 15% underweight, 16% overweight and 12% were obese. Mean weight gain in the overweight and obese groups was higher than the recommended level [p<0.01]; based on FGP recommendations for pregnant women, they consumed less bread/cereals, and milk/dairy products, and more meat/its alternatives, vegetables, fruits, and sweets/fats. The regression model showed that weight gain during pregnancy increased in the number of children and gestational age and decreased with increase in age and pre-pregnancy BMI. Monitoring weight gain during pregnancy, implementing FGP recommendations and awareness regarding about the proper weight gain are the main strategies for preventing post partum overweight/obesity, especially in obese and older women

[Relationship of methodology workshops with research productivity - knowledge of research methodology among the Tehran University clinical faculty]

To determine the level of knowledge in methodology among clinical faculty and to explore the association between attending to courses on statistics and methodology, the knowledge of the clinical faculty, and the number of research papers published by them at the School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. We conducted a survey on a random sample of one hundred clinical faculty members. A questionnaire of 20 items was used to assess knowledge. Thirty percent [95% CI: 21-39%] of the faculty surveyed had a fair to satisfactory knowledge of the field. The proportion of fair to satisfactory level of knowledge was 41% among the educated faculty and 21% among those who did not attend a course on the subject [P value: 0.043]. Mean difference in the number of published papers between the two groups was 3 [P value: 0.057]. Considering the plausibility of a causal relation between attending to courses on statistics and methodology and knowledge and research productivity, and the general unsatisfactory level of knowledge on the subject, continuing delivery of such courses is recommended

[Residual refractive errors following cataract surgery and its determinants]

To evaluate residual refractive errors after cataract surgery and its determinant factors at Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran. Simple random sampling was done among cataract surgery scheduled patients over a 4 year period [2003-2006]. Exclusion criteria were uveitis, previous intraocular surgery and ocular trauma. After applying the exclusion criteria, 423 patients were studied. Lens calculation was performed using the SRK-II formula. Unexpected refractive errors were defined as the difference between postoperative refractive errors with target refraction. Mean and percentage of this variable were reported based on 0.5, 1 and 2 D of ametropia. Of 558 studied patients, 78.1% had biometric data before and refractive data after surgery. Mean absolute unpredictable refractive error was 0.84 +/- 0.89 D. Eyes with normal axial length [AL] had the least [0.76 +/- 0.84] and those with long AL had the most unpredictable refractive errors [P<0.001]. 45.9%, 73.9%, and 91.7% of the study cases had refractive errors within 0.5, 1 and 2 D of emmetropia, respectively. Eyes with short AL had positive refraction and those with long AL had negative refraction after surgery. The majority of keratometric astigmatism followed extra-capsular surgery while the least measures were associated with phacoemulsification [P<0.001]. Axial length was one of the important factors influencing residual refractive errors after cataract surgery. Unpredictable refractive errors were more common in eyes with long and short AL than those with normal AL

[Home care effectiveness in preventing rehospitalization of acute schizophrenic patients]

Frequent rehospitalization is one of the complications in treatment of schizophrenic patients. The present study was design to determine the effectiveness of home care service in preventing rehospitalization of schizophrenic patients. A semi-experimental study was conducted with 48 schizophrenic patients who were randomly allocated in two groups of intervention and control [20 patients in each group]. Home care services after discharge were delivered to the intervention group for three months. Control group received routine services included appointing a date for next visit at psychiatric clinic. Both groups were followed up for six months, after discharge. They were compared for their rate of rehospitalization. Chi square and Student's t-test were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that rate of rehospitalization after three month follow up was%25 [6 of 24 patients] in control group and zero in interventional group which was significantly different [P<0.001]. Six months later, the rate turned to%21 [5 of 24 patients] in intervention group and%46 [11 of 24 patients] in control group which was significantly different [P=0.002] as well. Home care after discharge reduces rehospitalization of schizophrenic patients

[Community-acquiured methicillin-resistart Staphylococcus aureus: prevalence and risk factors]

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] is resistant to most antibiotics and is an important pathogen of nosocomial infections. Colonization with MRSA is no longer limited to hospitalized patients or persons with predisposing risk factors and at present there are several strains of community-acquired MRSA [CA-MRSA]. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and also the colonization-associated risk factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted through random sampling of 1083 patients admitted to Qazvin hospitals from 2004 to 2006. Nasal swabs were obtained at admission and cultured on mannitol salt agar. Oxacillin-screening plate was used to demonstrate methicillin-resistance strains of SA [according to NCCLS guidelines]. Demographic and specific information were collected by questionnaire. Data were analyzed by Chi square test. The participants' age group ranged between 2 to 94 years [mean 42.24] among those, 468 [43.2%] were males and 615 [56.8%] females with 613 [56.6%] living in urban areas. Of 1083 individuals, 56 [5.2%] were SA carrier, 51 [4.7%] colonized with MSSA and 5[0.5%] with MRSA strains. Several factors such as occupation, family size, previous hospitalization, history of antibiotic therapy within the previous 2 months, and also the presence of chronic diseases were assessed, however, no significant relationship with MRSA colonization was found [p > 0.05]. This study confirmed the presence of CA-MRSA in Qazvin. There was no significant relationship between the prevalence of CA-MRSA strains and the risk factors

[Snack of students in secondary schools and their buffet conditions in Tehran: a qualitative study]

School buffets are considered as important facilities in providing snacks for students. In addition, the consumption of junk and unhealthy foods in the snacks is prevalent. This qualitative study was carried out to identify the views and performance of students concerning having breakfast as well as snacks and assessing school buffets in Tehran in 2006. 240 students from 12 secondary schools in district 4 of Tehran were selected by purposive sampling method. 24 focus group discussion sessions, each lasted 60 minutes with 8-10 students were held and recorded for each group. All session notes were compared and controlled by recorded files for identifying the main themes to be encoded, classified and analyzed. More than half of the students ate snacks to reduce lack of energy and satisfy hunger. About 50% of girls took cake, waffle and milk while some boys ate fruits, sandwich and cake. Most students believed that buffet is necessary at school and considered its condition from moderate to bad. More than half of them stated that the snacks and foods in buffets were invariable, expensive, unhealthy and nonnutritive. With respect to undesirable snack patterns of students, improving the condition of school buffets to have more nutritious foods is a significant step in altering eating habits of them