[Investigating the mental health status of women in Qazvin Province [2008]]

Women have played important roles in their family and women's mental health status influence the family member health. Planning for providing essential mental health service for women requires information about the present status of mental health in women under study. The aim of this study was to assess the mental health status of women in the province of Qazvin. This was a descriptive study in which 1531women, who were referred to women health control bases, responded to a total of 28 questions using the General Health questionnaire-28 [GHQ-28]. On a general scale, a score of 23 or higher was considered as a cut-off point to identify the severe forms of mental health disorders in women. Likewise, a score of 14 within the subscales was taken as a cut-off point to diagnose those with mental health problems. Our study indicated that 38.5%of women suffered mental health disorders. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders within the age group 20-29 years [32.6%] and married individuals [75%] were higher than other groups. There was a significant relationship between the age and physical symptoms [p=0.025] and also depression [p= 0.00]. In general, the status of mental health in women under study seemed to be unsuitable therefore, paying more attention to women's mental health through systematic education program and preparing applicable plans to promote the level of mental health among women living within the province of Qazvin are recommended

Prevalence and risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Tabriz, Iran

Gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD] is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems in the west while different reports indicate an increase in the prevalence in Iran. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and clinical spectrum of GERD in staff of a referral hospital and evaluate the risk factors. This cross-sectional study using a modified Mayo clinic questionnaire was performed on staff of Imam Hospital, Tabriz, Iran on a pilot of 50 subjects, and a randomly selected group consisted of 522 subjects in the year 2005. GERD symptoms were defined as at least weekly heartburn and/or acid regurgitation during the past year. Response rate was 95%. Mean age of responders was 40.02 +/- 10.72 yr. The prevalence of recurrent heartburn and/or acid regurgitation experienced at least weekly and monthly was 26.8% and 34.1%, respectively. They were not related to age and gender. The severity of symptoms was mainly reported of a mild to moderate degree. 45% of the cases reported at least one of the atypical symptoms. There was no relation between marriage status and prevalence of GERD. On the other hand, GERD was less common among cases with no family history of upper gastrointestinal disease. The prevalence of frequent GERD was more common among medical staff. Increased BMI [but no recent weight gain or lose] was associated with higher prevalence of GERD symptoms only in women. Interestingly 33% of our population had a history of using antacid or PPIs which was more among cases with frequent GERD symptoms. This study revealed a high prevalence of frequent GERD symptoms in a selected population of Tabriz. Atypical symptoms should be considered in this area

[Knowledge and practice on insulin self-injection procedure in diabetes at Qazvin diabetes unit]

Abstract The aim of present study was to determine the degree of knowledge and skills of diabetic patients on insulin self-injection procedure. This cross-sectional study was performed on 149 diabetic patients whose data were collected using a questionnaire for degree of knowledge and a check list for degree of insulin injection skill. The findings indicated that while only 27.5% of subjects were familiar with the proper knowledge, the degree of skills on self-injection procedure scored at proper [26/8%] and moderate [57/05%] levels among the patients. Statistically, significant relationships between knowledge and skills, skills and education level, and skills and job were found. The results highlight the areas where efforts to improve knowledge and practice may contribute to prevent the side effects of diabetes

Blood transfusion acute reactions in patients of Shahid Ghazi Hospital

Cancer patients due to bone marrow suppression, sepsis, and other relevant complications require appropriate blood components for transfusion. However, there are risks of transfusion reactions. These reactions are influenced by many factors varying across different geographic regions and medical centers. This study was performed to determine incidence of early transfusion reactions and their clinical symptoms and signs in cancer patients, and to calculate the correlation of these adverse reactions with some demographic data and some specifications of blood components. In this descriptive study, 39 reactions from 4023 blood transfusion attempts were assessed. Patients were monitored for symptoms and changes in vital signs within 24 hours following transfusion. Data analysis was performed by descriptive and inferential statistics [X 2 and ANOVA].The majority of reactions belonged to platelets [56.43%] and packed cells [43.58%]. The most common symptoms were shown to be rigors [2.72%], and fever [2.33%]. The incidence rate was estimated to be 2.7% for FNHTR, and 2.1% for allergic reactions. Haptoglobin deficiency was found in 0.8% of FNHTR cases. A correlation was observed between sex and history of previous reactions [p=0.048, p=0.04, respectively] with blood transfusion reactions. These findings indicated that incidence of blood transfusion reactions and clinical symptoms correlated with other studies. The incidence of reactions in women and individuals with previous history of repeated blood transfusions was shown to be greater. Transfusion of packed cell was associated with allergic reactions [p=0.04], and high platelet lifetime associated with pulmonary reactions [p=0.044]

Tuberculin test in nursing and human-sciences students

Tuberculosis [TB] is a leading cause of death worldwide due to any single infectious agent. It seems that health care workers including nursing students can be affected easier than the other people, because of probable contacts in hospital. The risk of TB infection in nursing students has not estimated in Iran, so we conducted this study to compare the results of tuberculin test in the beginning and the end of educational course for nursing and human-sciences student. In a Cohort study, 320 students [160 nursing and 160 human-sciences] underwent PPD skin test [5 units RT 23] at the beginning and the end of educational course by expert technician. The data of remaining students [123 nursing and 111 human-sciences] were analyzed by SPSS software using Wilcoxson and Mann-Whitney tests. The frequency distribution of skin reaction in nursing students was negative [0-4 mm: 93.7%], suspected [5-9 mm: 4.4%] and significant [>/= 15mm: 1.9%] at the beginning of study, while it was negative [75.5%], suspected [9.8%], positive [10-14 mm 3.3%] and significant [11.4%] at the end of study. The frequency of skin reaction in human-sciences student was negative [93.7%], suspected [0.6%], positive [1.3%] and significant [4.4%] at the beginning of study, while it was negative [79.3%], significant [10.8%], suspected [8.1%] and positive [1.8%] at the end of study. The difference in that proportion of nursing students and control group with positive and significant PPD test at the end of study was statistically significant. The difference for the above proportions between two groups was not statistically significant. All subjects had no significant difference regarding to age, indigenous area and PPD test. Both groups have the same chance for exposure to M. Tuberculosis. The rate of new TB infection in Iranian community has diminished in comparison with the last few decades. Although risk of new infection may be a little bit more after age of 18, but it is still much lower than countries of high burden. The epidemiologic pattern of TB transmission has changed and it is going to become similar to that of developed countries

[ effect of superficial tactile-kinesthetic stimulation method on weight gain of low birth weight infants]

Introduction: There is a moderate or severe delay in growth and development of low birth weight infants so they need developmental interventions in addition to intensive medical care. In general, these are considered as a part of nursing care. One of these interventions is tactile- kinesthetic stimulation, which is tailored to the developmental level and tolerance of each infant. There are various methods to perform tactile- kinesthetic stimulations. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of superficial tactile- kinesthetic stimulation method on weight gain of low birth weight infants

Methods: This is a quasi-experimental; type of clinical trial study, which was conducted on 54 low birth weight infants in hospitals, selected by convenient sampling method. They were assigned to two groups of twenty-seven infants. One of the groups received superficial tactile- kinesthetic stimulation respectively. This group was compared with a control group receiving no stimulations. Criteria for inclusion in the study were: birth weight <2500g,age<18 days, breast-feeding, the Iranian race, absence of congenital heart malformation, pulmonary diseases, neuromuscular disorders, respiratory distress, sepsis, maternal addiction, NPO or intravenous feeding only and blood exchange. Data were collected through observations, interviews and measuring weight by special scales of infants weighing [seco] with an accuracy of +/-10 grams. Each infant in the treatment group received superficial tactile- kinesthetic stimulation for three 15-minute periods, 30-45 minutes after feeding in the morning, afternoon and evening for 10 consecutive days. Weight of infants was measured three times: in the beginning of the study, 5 days and 10 days after it on the same equipment and by the same observer. To data analysis t-test and paired t-test were used to compare weight gain within and between groups

Results: The groups did not differ significantly on matched variables. Means of weight gain within groups, before and after of the study were statistically different. Also a significant difference was found between two groups. The treatment group was significantly gaining weight better than control group

Discussion: These findings show that superficial tactile- kinesthetic stimulation enhances weight gain in low birth weight infants. The other studies reported similar findings. Thus, this method can decrease low birth weight infant's mortality and morbidity