Community assessment of shahin-shar, isfahan, i. R. Iran to develop community health action plan

Community assessment process is the foundation for developing the basis for effective community health strategies. The aim of this study was providing a framework for comprehensive and participatory community assessment in Shahin-Shar, Isfahan, Iran. This assessment performed in Shahin Shar city based on some experiences of Community Medicine and Epidemiology and Biostatistics departments of Tehran University of medical sciences since 1989 and North Carolina Community Assessment Guide Book [2002]. The community assessment team included wide ranges of key stakeholders and local people. Our community assessment team has three levels of participants: An advisory group, a work group and a project facilitator. Observation, interview, focus group discussion and summary list of health resources used for data collection. The map of asset was also provided. We reported data to community and Hanlon method -based on magnitude of the problem, seriousness of the consequences and feasibility of correcting- was used for selecting health priorities. Drug abuse, smoking among adults and depression were the important health priorities. After creating community assessment document, Based on the risk factors that contribute to each problem, the health action plans were developed. The results of this study showed that community assessment could be the foundation for improving and promoting the health of community members. It could be the basis for effective community health strategies in Iran

Personnel internal radiattion exposure to iodine-125 in a radioiodination laboratory: exposure levels and trends

Monitoring internal exposure of individuals handling significant amounts of iodine-125 [I-125] for iodination is of great importance. These individuals are potentially exposed to external contamination, and internal contamination through inhalation, ingestion and intact skin absorption, to I-125. Considering radiological toxicity of this radionuclide its monitoring in the workplace and workers is necessary for radiation protection purposes. Direct measurement of I-125 in thyroid of individuals, known as a common and reliable method, was applied in the framework of monitoring program. Intakes of I-125 by individuals and the associated effective doses were evaluated using thyroid monitoring results and recommended metabolic models. The monitoring results of the laboratory personnel for a period of 3 years are given and compared. According to the results, the intakes of I-125 by individuals in the early phase of laboratory operations were higher due to insufficient facilities and experience. Improvements in the radiation protection facilities of the laboratory and personnel including provision of personal respiratory protection devices resulted in significant reduction of I-125 intakes. According to 3 years results from the implementation of internal exposure monitoring program for personnel producing I-125 labeled compounds, the exposure levels of the personnel have contineously decreased due to improvements in working conditions and increasing of personnel experiences

Measurements of natural uranium concentration in caspian sea and persian gulf water by laser flourimetric method

Natural uranium exists in earth crust and seawater. The concentration of uranium might increase by human manipulation or geological changes. The aim of this study was to verify susceptibility of laser flourimetry method to determine the uranium concentration in Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf water. Laser flourimetric method was used to determine the uranium concentration in several samples prepared from Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf water. Biological and chemical substances were eliminated in samples for better evaluation of the method. As the concentration of natural uranium in samples increases, the response of instrument [uranium analyzer] increases accordingly. The standard deviation also increased slightly and gradually. Results indicate that the laser flourimetry method show a reliable and accurate response with uranium concentration up to 100 micro g/L in samples after removal of biological and organic substances

Evaluation of drug effects on rabbit intestinal alkaline phosphatase activity

Alkaline phosphatase [AP] plays an important role in the availability and absorption of inorganic phosphate [Pi] through the intestine. In this study we have investigated the effects of various orally administered drugs on AP prepared from rabbit intestinal mucosa. The enzyme had a Km of 0.5 X 10-3 M at pH 10.5 and produced linear reaction rates both with respect to enzyme and substrate concentration. The AP was totally inhibited by 2.68 mM EDTA. An analysis of the effects of various drugs on AP showed that cysteine, aminophylline, neomycin, theophylline, pilocarpine, caffeine, aspirin and threonine, in descending order of potency, inhibited intestinal AP in a concentration-dependent manner. Acetylcholine, carbachol, alropine, hyoscine, ampicillin, isoniazide, polymyxin B, sulphamethoxazole, trimethoprim, indomethacin, p-acetamidophenol, papaverine, cyclazine, diphenhydramine, hydrocortisone, tyramine, streptomycin, and promethazine had no effect on intestinal AP. Our data showed that a number of drugs inhibited AP. It is tempting to speculate that the inhibition produced by various drugs may involve interference with absorption processes of Pi or the availability of Pi in the gastrointestinal tract