ABSTRACT
Background: Traffic accidents are among the important health issues that threaten human life. Children are among the main victims of these accidents. This research aimed to study the epidemiology of fatal and nonfatal road traffic accidents and their outcomes in children and adolescents in Shahroud, Iran
Materials and Methods: This descriptive and analytical study was conducted from July to December 2011. Data were collected through a researcher-made questionnaire. After verifying its content validity and reliability, the questionnaire was completed by emergency medical technicians. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics [the Chi-square test]
Results: Of 363 studied cases, the majority of accidents happened in July with 108 [29.8%] cases and on Thursdays [18.7%]. About 89.3% of drivers were male and aged 39 to 40 years [44.6%]. Most accidents happened during 8 to 12 AM [23.7%]. Moreover, 21.28% [1161 persons] of all injured people and 18.75% [48 persons] of all deceased victims were children under 14 years old. None of the victims under 14 years of age used protective tools. Head and spine trauma, respectively, were reported as the most common injury in this age group. There was no significant differences between victims aged less and more than 14 years old in terms of spinal cord injury [P=0.03]
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it is recommended to take some basic actions such as improving roads, identification of black spots, installation of warning signs at those points, and extending controls and supervisions by police. It is also very important to use standard protective tools for children and adolescents, force rules for using appropriate safety equipment for this age group, and provide public trainings for the people to raise their level of awareness
ABSTRACT
Dyslipidemia is a common disorder and one of the major causes of the atherosclerosis development and progression in hemodialysis patients. Timely diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemia can reduce mortality and morbidity of cardiovascular disease and protect the remaining function of kidneys in patients with chronic renal failure. This study was performed with the objective of evaluating the frequency of dyslipidemia and its accompanying factors in hemodialysis patients. In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 182 patients with chronic renal failure referred to hemodialysis units of Baqiyatallah and Shahid Chamran hospitals, Tehran in 2012 were studied. For data collection, in addition to demographic questionnaire, serum levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL were measured. Data analysis was done using Chi-square, independent t-test, and one-way ANOVA. The significance level was considered to be p<0.05. In this research, 8.2% of the patients had hypercholesterolemia, 26.4% hypertriglyceridemia, and 6.8% LDL level more than 130. In half of the patients, serum HDL was less than 35. A significant relationship was observed between dyslipidemia and variables of gender [p=0.001], duration of hemodialysis [p=0.004], education level [p=0.005], and weight [p=0.007]. Dyslipidemia has a high prevalence in hemodialysis patients, especially patients with low literacy and obesity. So that, at least one of the components of lipid profiles is abnormal in more than 80% of hemodialysis patients. Therefore, planning to improve life style and provide training on proper nutrition and physical activity is recommended as one of the principles of care in hemodialysis patients
ABSTRACT
Anemia is one of the common complications of chronic renal failure and vitamin C can improve anemia through releasing iron from ferritin and its transfer from the reticuloendothelial system to transferrin. This study was performed with the objective of evaluating the effect of vitamin C supplementation on serum levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and ferritin in hemodialysis patients. In a double-blind clinical trial, 178 patients with chronic renal failure were randomly divided into three groups of intervention, control, and witness. In the intervention group, 250 mg vitamin C, 250 mg of vitamin C was injected intravenously at the end of each hemodialysis session three times a week for 8 weeks. In the witness group, same amount of placebo saline was injected at the same time, and no intervention was performed in the control group. Laboratory parameters, including serum levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and ferritin were measured at the beginning and end of the intervention. Data analysis was performed by Chi-square and one-way ANOVA. The significance level was considered to be p < 0.05. There were significant differences in serum levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit in the intervention group, but, the changes of the serum level of ferritin were not significant in any of the groups. The results of this study showed that vitamin C supplementation in hemodialysis patients can significantly increase the mean serum levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit, however, it cannot significantly change the serum ferritin level