Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among women referring to Shahid Beheshti hospital, Hamadan, Iran

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. The aim of this study was investigate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis among young women who referred to check up for toxoplasmosis attended in Shahid Beheshti hospital, Hamadan during 2013-2014. This study was performed on 2523 pregnant women who referred to laboratory of Shahid Beheshti hospital in Hamadan province [western of Iran] during 2013-2014. Age, level of education and place of residence were recorded in the relevant forms. Antibodies serum levels for all samples were examined by ELISA. IgG titer equals and more than 1:200 was presumed as seropositive. Data were analyzed using by SPSS version 19.0 software. 26.1% of IgG seropositive persons were city residents while 32.3% of them lived at village and suburb of city. 1.4% and 1.1% of at risk persons [based on IgG titration] were city and village residents, respectively. 1.3% and 1.9% of IgM seropositives were city and village residents, respectively. The percentage of at risk persons of city and village [based on IgM titration] were 0.3% and 0.6%, in a row. 29.7% of IgG seropositives did not have academic education while 30.4% of them graduated from high school, at least. The seropositive IgM percentage of non-academic educated persons and graduated/academic ones were 1.7% and 1.4%, respectively. Our funding indicates the association between age of women and their level of education with percentage of contamination and prevalence. IgM seropositive is lesser than IgG. It means that toxoplasmosis is chronic or there is previous contact. To avoid the risk of toxoplasmosis infection particularly in pregnant women should be examined and the necessary preventive measures and training for young women should be presented

[Correlation between controlling stress with motor activity and food habits in health students]

There is a correlation between stress levels with motor activity and food habits. The present study aimed to determine the correlation between controlling stress with motor activity, food habits and desired variables in health students. Through a cross-sectional study using randomized sampling, 100 health students were recruited. The Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II [HPLP II] questionnaire including controlling stress and other variables was administered. Collected data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney and linear regression tests in SPSS software. Mean and standard deviation of age and controlling stress score was 22.77 +/- 2.24 years and 20.22 +/- 3.6, respectively. 51% of the participants were female. In general, poor, middle and good stress control were estimated to be 36%, 49% and 15%, respectively. There were significant correlation between students' controlling stress with motor activity and food habits but not with age, gender, nativity and major of students. Linear regression showed that by improving motor activity and food habits score, the students' stress control score has increased significantly. Health education in advanced levels considering motor activity and a good nutritional status can have an important role in improvement of students' stress control

[Lifestyle investigation and its associated factors in students of Ilam university of medical sciences]

Food habits, controlling stress, motor activity and smoking are important factors of lifestyle amongst young people and specially students. The present study aimed to determine the lifestyle situation and its correlation with some factors amongst a representative group of medical students in Ilam University of medical sciences. In a cross-sectional study using randomized allocation sampling, 400 medical students in Ilam University of Medical Sciences were recruited. The "HPLP II" questionnaire which included parameters of controlling stress, motor activity, foods and safety habits was used. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and Kendal correlation tests using SPSS software. Mean participant's age +/- standard deviation was 20.94 +/- 1.9 years and 59.2% were female. In general, poor lifestyle, controlling stress, motor activity, dietary and safety habits were estimated to be 6, 10, 36, 20.8 and 2 percent, respectively. There were significant correlation between students' lifestyle and fathers' education level but not with parents' job, mothers' education level, students' major, age, gender and nativity. Among factors constituting life style, stress control had the strongest correlation with students' lifestyle [r = 0.61, p<0/01]. Improving students' lifestyle with changes in food habits and motor activity as well as decreasing stress levels is recommended