[Peer-centered retraining management of the nurses in intensive care units]

Introduction: Retraining programs for nurses are usually run as workshops and group discussions causing challenges as limitations on the number of participants, long lasting duration and high costs. Since most of these programs are taught by instructors working outside of clinical setting, it is necessary to use a method to train large groups of nurses in a short time. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of lecture-based training delivered by the peer nurse on the EKG interpretation knowledge of critical care nurses

Methods: In this experimental study, two out of seven intensive care units of Semnan University of Medical Sciences were randomly selected as the experimental and control groups with 11 nurses each. Data collection on nurses' knowledge about electrocardiogram [ECG] interpretation in the experimental and control groups was done through a questionnaire containing 25 questions. Then, one of the nurses in the experimental group who obtained an acceptable score was selected and was considered as a lecturer in the same group after receiving additional training on interpreting ECG. She taught ECG interpretation principles to nurses in one session. After one week, nurses' knowledge on ECG interpretation in two groups was measured. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics

Results: Significant difference was observed in the total scores and areas of ECG interpretation between pre and post test in the experimental group [P< 0.01]. A significant difference was also found in the mean of changes of mean scores in total scores and areas of ECG interpretation in the same group [P< 0.01]

Conclusion: Lecture-based training delivered by a colleague can be considered as a cost effective and efficient method for ECG interpretation education; therefore, it is suggested that health care managers concentrate on empowering their personnel and invite them to teach in retraining programs

Immune functions of the garment workers

Occupational exposure to cotton dust, fibers, metal fumes and different chemicals used in the apparel manufacturing industries cause a wide range of physical and psychological health problems in the garment workers that may also affect their immune function. To assess the immune system function in garment workers. A total of 45 workers of a garment factory, and 41 control subjects, not exposed to the garment working environment were enrolled in this study. In the study subjects, the complement system function was assessed as bactericidal activity on Escherichia coli DH5alpha cells using the standard plate count method. Serum complement components C[3] and C[4] were measured by immunoprecipitation, and IgG was measured by immunonephelometry. The bactericidal activity of serum complement in the garment workers [range: 93.5%-99.9%] was significantly [p<0.01] lower than that in the controls [range: 98.6%-100%]. The heat-inactivated serum of the workers showed a significantly enhanced bactericidal activity. In the garment workers, the mean levels of complement C[3], and C[4] were 1.75 and 0.26 g/L, respectively that were close to those of the controls. The mean IgG level in the garment workers was 13.5 g/L that was significantly [p<0.001] higher than that in the controls. Working in a garment factory may affect the immune system

Slow arsenic poisoning of the contaminated groundwater users

This paper gives impact of Arsenic contaminated water on human health as well as overview of the extent and severity of groundwater arsenic contamination in Bangladesh. Scalp hair is the most important part of the human body to monitor the accumulation of this type of poison. Therefore, an experiment has been carried out by Neutron Activation Analysis [NAA] at Atomic Energy Research Establishment [AERE], Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh on human hair of corresponding tube well water users of these areas to determine the total accumulation of arsenic to their body. Hair samples collected from the region where the groundwater was found highly contaminated with arsenic. The obtained results of arsenic concentration in the lower age [Hb] categories of users [below 12 years of age users] is in the range of 0.33 to 3.29 ?g/g [ppm] and that in the Hu categories [upper 12 years of age users] is 0.47 to 6.64 ?g/g [ppm]. Where as maximum permissible range is 1 ppm certified from WHO. Results show that the peoples are highly affected where the groundwater is highly contaminated with arsenic and acts as the primary source of arsenic poisoning among the peoples of those areas. The results indicate that human population is affected with arsenic locally using the contaminated water for a long time

review of rectal biopsies

A review of 377 rectal biopsies received in the Department of Pathology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, during the period 1963-1969 is presented. The significant findings were non-specific colitis in 37.93 percent of the cases, amoebic colitis in 8.75 percent cases and Juvenile polyps in 9.81 percent of the cases. No adenomatous polyp was seen in the series