Dental waste characterization in the city of Ilam in 2014

Background: Dental wastes are one of the environmental issues due to toxic and pathogenic agents such as pathological wastes, pharmaceutical and chemical etc have particular sensitivity. The aim of this study was to determine the dental waste management and related factors in the city of Ilam

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the studied community was all the sixteen dental clinics in Ilam. Five samples of each clinic per week [Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday] were selected. Thereafter waste sample was manually separated into 36 components and were weighed using a laboratory scale with an accuracy of 0.01 g. Each component was weighed five times and the mean value obtained for each component was considered. Production per capita was calculated for each person. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, SPSS and Excel software

Results: The per capita percent for infectious waste section was 51%. The average of infectious waste is 201.13 g. The per capita percent for chemical, pharmaceutical waste section was 36% with an average of 142.48 g. The per capita percent for toxicity section was 13% in the dental clinics with the weighted average of 48.78 g. According to the results of the checklist, further dental clinics have been poorly managed

Conclusion: According to the presence of various materials and different components with different characteristics in the dental wastes, the optimal management of this type of wastes should be carried out based on the specific characteristics, which include programs to reduce waste production, segregation, recycle and reuse

Assessment of scale formation and corrosion of drinking water supplies in Ilam city [Iran]

Background: Scaling and corrosion are the two most important indexes in water quality evaluation. Pollutants are released in water due to corrosion of pipelines. The aim of this study is to assess the scale formation and corrosion of drinking water supplies in Ilam city [Iran]

Methods: This research is a descriptive and cross-sectional study which is based on the 20 drinking water sources in Ilam city. Experiments were carried out in accordance with the Water and Wastewater Co. standard methods for water and wastewater experiment. The data were analyzed by using Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism 5. The results were compared with national and international standards

Results: The mean and standard deviation [SD] values of Ryznar, Langelier, Aggressive, Puckorius and Larson-Skold indices in year 2009 were equal to 7.833 [ +/- 0.28], -0.102 [ +/- 0.35], 11.88 [ +/- 0.34], 7.481 [ +/- 0.22] and 0.801 [ +/- 0.44], respectively, and were 7.861 [ +/- 0.28], -0.175 [ +/- 0.34], 11.84 [ +/- 0.37], 7.298[ +/- 0.32] and 0.633 [ +/- 0.47], for year 2013 respectively. The average of Langelier, Ryznar, Aggression, and Puckorius indices indicate that potable water resources in Ilam city have the tendency to be corrosive. Statistical analysis and figures carried out by GraphPad Prism version 5.04

Conclusion: The results of different indices for water resources of Ilam city revealed that water supplies of Ilam city were corrosive. Water quality control and replacement of distribution pipes in development of water network should be carried out. Moreover, water pipelines should be preserved with several modes of corrosion inhibition

Temporal and spatial variation of hardness and total dissolved solids concentration in drinking water resources of Ilam City using Geographic Information System

Background: In recent times, the decreasing groundwater reserves due to over-consumption of water resources and the unprecedented reduction of precipitation, during the past 1 decades, have resulted in a change in the volume and quality of water with time. The aim of this study was to determine the spatial and temporal variations of hardness and total dissolved solids in drinking water resources of Ilam city, using the GIS system

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 20 sources of drinking water in Ilam and the results of 5 years archived by the Water and Sewage Co were analyzed using geographic information system [GIS] software version 9.3, SPSS version 16 and one-way analysis of variance [ANOVA]. The sampling and measurement were also performed in this study based on the Standard Method book

Results: The ordinary kriging method and spherical model are the best interpolation methods for hardness and total dissolved solid, due to the normal distribution of data. The highest values of parameters in most cases are related to the western parts based on maps. The one-way ANOVA test showed that the average amount of total hardness [P = 0.68] and total dissolved solids [P = 0.6] in different seasons of the year are the same

Conclusion: Overuse of groundwater due to illegal digging and permanent easy access to water, increased the salinity of water in the central sections of the studied area. Proper planning that allows the withdrawal of water from authorized underground aquifers or water supply from surface water or dams should be done to overcome this problem

Measuring the validity and reliability of the Persian version of Stanford health assessment questionnaire in Iranian patients with osteoarthritis

Reliability and validity of health assessment questioner have been shown for rheumatoid arthritis but not osteoarthritis in Iranian patients. Having an instrument for measuring of pain and disability is needed for evaluation of patients and disease course in studies. So this study was designed for evaluating of validity and reliability of Persian HAQ in osteoarthritis. From 177 patients with hand and/or knee osteoarthritis, 100 patients were chosen according HADS score equal or less than 7. Short Form of Health Survey [SF-36], pain and disability according Visual analogue scale [VAS] and Persian version of Health assessment questioner [HAQ] were completed. HAQ was re-evaluated after one week. Correlation between Persian HAQ, SF 36 and VAS and test-retest reliability were evaluated by Spearman correlation coefficient and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Correlation coefficient for HAQ 1 and VAS for pain was [r=0.75, p=0.001] and for SF 36 was [r=0.70, p=0.001]. Correlation coefficient for HAQ 1 and HAQ 2 was 0.93 for hand OA, 0.96 for knee OA and 0.94 for all patients [r= 0.92, p=0.001]. HAQ had a good internal consistency in osteoarthritis [Cronbach's alpha coefficient=0.87]. Criterion and structure validity used in study. This study has shown good validity reliability for persian HAQ in Iranian patients with osteoarthritis

Maternal child abuse and its association with maternal anxiety in the socio-cultural context of Iran

The prevalence of parental violence has been an area of major public concern. There are few available data detailing the ways parents and other caregivers discipline children, particularly in low and middle income countries. This study focuses on the prevalence of different types of maternal child abuse and its association with maternal anxiety in the socio-cultural context of Iran. Participants in this cross-sectional study consisted of 562 mothers with the last child aged from 1 month to 12 years old who attended the Amirkola Children's Referral Hospital in Mazandaran Province, Iran, seeking healthcare services for their children. Demographic characteristics of the mothers, their children and reactions to conflicts with children were evaluated by a validated version of Conflict Tactics Scale for Parent and Child. Also, the relationship between maternal anxiety and child abuse was assessed using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The association between variables was examined by Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multivariate regression. The prevalence of mother-to-child corporal punishment, severe physical abuse and very severe physical abuse were 436 [78%], 260 [46%] and 180 [32%], respectively. Verbal emotional abuse was reported by 506 [90%] participants and nonverbal emotional abuse was reported in 374 [67%] cases. A correlation was observed between child abuse and mothers' age [p=0.02], as well as with the number of children in the family [p=0.03], and the mothers' trait anxiety [p<0.001]. Overall, the assessment of maternal child abuse should be an important focus for evaluation in mothers with anxiety and vice versa, when child abuse is suspected, maternal psychological assessment should be essential.

[Health-related quality of life of a general population over 40 years old in Mazandaran province, Iran]

To study health-related quality of life of a general population over 40 years old in Mazandaran province, Iran. This was a cross-sectional study. A sample of the general population aged 40 and over were studied. Quality of life was measured using the Iranian version of SF-36. Data were analyzed in a descriptive fashion. In all data from 1183 individuals were analyzed. Of these, 46.87% rated their health as excellent or very good. There were significant differences in quality of life scores between males and females and among urban and rural populations. However, vitality score was higher in those who were living in rural areas. The finding suggest that there are inequalities in health status among different genders and urban and rural populations. The need for policies to reduce this seems necessary

[ relation between BMI with exercise test in individuals with cardiac ischemic pains]

Prevalence of over weight and obesity is increasing in the world. Those over weight are more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases than other individual's. Studies indicate that body fat distribution has a determining role in the identification of risk factors. Also, the relation between BMI, cardiac ischemic pains and exercise test condition in such patients, is in need further investigation. The aim of this study was to determine the relation between BMI with exercise tolerance test in patients with cardiac ischemic pains, who were referred to the Cardiac Center of Mazandaran Province, in Sari Township. In this case control study considering the BMI in ischemic patients, 65 were selected as case and 65 persons as control using Tread mill and according to Bruce Protocol, results and tolerance test time was recorded. Independent T test was used for comparison of quantitative indexes mean, while x[2] test using SPSS software was used for comparison of the ratio of persons with the qualitative features. Data indicated mean weight of 57.1 kg and height of 1.64m in the case group. Also, 58.5% had history of hyperlipidemia [Cholesterol higher than 200mg/dl] and 78.8% with history of blood sugar [higher than 120mg/dl [P<0.001]. Even 63.6% had hypertension of 140/90 mm Hg. Our findings showed that BMI in the case and control groups were [26.95 +/- 3.94] and [25.95 +/- 3.49] respectively. Moreover, a significant relationship between high BMI with cardiac ischemic pains and exercise tolerance test [P<0.001] were demonstrated. Cardiac ischemic pains in individuals with high BMI is common. Exercise tolerance test as one of the non invasive and less expensive procedures, can be an indicator of cardiac ischemic disease

[Religious attitude of students of Mazandaran university of medical sciences in 2006-2007]

Available evidence shows that religious attitude have noticeable effects on psychological aspects of human life. The purpose of this study was to determine the present situation of religious attitude of Students of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Student's attitude towards theoretical basis of Islam and Some other subsidiary rules of religion and moral values were studied in this investigation. In this research descriptive field study on all the students of the university, stratified sampling method was employed and 384 students were recruited. A questionnaire consisting of 38 questions was used to collect the data. Attitude rates were quantified on the scale of -5 to +5. The mean rates of attitude of associated to art students [2.53 +/- 1.63] and B.S.C students [3.06 +/- 1.45] were statistically significant [p<0.01].Likewise, the mean rate of attitude of male and female students [2.94 +/- 1.7] and [2.97 +/- 1.4] were statistically significant [p<0.01].The attitude rate of the majority of students was between 2.5 to 4.5 [s. p 1.63]. The top mark of 4.5 was gained by 57% of the students. The students have positive religious attitude. The lack of adequate religious practice among the subjects must not be interpreted as the low religious attitude. However it is necessary to study other factor that affects students practice

[ effect of ketoconazole 2% solution in comparison with ketoconazole 2% shampoo on clinical signs and malassezia yeasts in seborrhoeic dermatitis patients]

Seborrhoeic dermatitis [SD] is a common skin disorder. Malassezia yeasts have an important role in the etiology of SD. Since anti-fungal agents, especially in azoles are effective for treating SD, in this study, the effect of ketoconazole 2% solution on clinical signs and Malassezia in SD patients were assayed. 100 patients with SD were enrolled in this study. Patients were scored in regard to the severity of lesions at the initial evaluation and every 2 weeks for a 1 month period. Microscopic examination and culture of patients scale in days 0 and 28 were used for isolation and identification of Malassezia species. Patients were divided into two groups [ketoconazole 2% solution and shampoo] and followed after 14 and 28 days, and then clinical response was graded. 58% of patients showed lesions on their heads. In day 0, 51% of patients showed > 7 yeasts in each microscopic field. 77% of scale samples were positive to Malassezia spp. Growth and M. globosa [57.1%] had the most frequency. In day 28, 89.6% and 82.6% of treated patients with solution and shampoo showed 1-3 yeast in within entire smear, respectively. 94.8% and 82.6% of scale samples were negative to Malassezia spp growth, respectively. In day 0, patients with moderate SI had the most prevalence, whereas in day 28, patients with mild SI were predominant. Statistical test showed the correlation is significance only between SI and treatment with solution. The results of our study showed that according to decrease of yeast load and increase of improvement of SD signs after treatment with ketoconazole 2% solution, compared with ketoconazole 2% shampoo, 2% ketoconazole solution can be considered as an appropriate agent in treatment of Sd

[ survey of death anxiety among personnel of hospital in Sari]

Death anxiety is defined as anxiety caused by conscious and unconscious fear of death that has relations with several variables. The aim for this study is to estimate the prevalence of death anxiety among a hospital staff in Sari. This is a descriptive study and data was collected through a questionnaire. The number of cases was 576. The questionnaire [Templer's Death Anxiety Scale] includes 15 True-False questions. After data collection processing was done through spss.16 and analyzing performed through T-test and Chi-square test. The age range was 20-53. 42.2% of cases had low death anxiety and 57.8% had high death anxiety. The mean of scores achieved by cases through questionnaire was 7.70 +/- 3.133 by women and 6.19 +/- 2.552 by men. The degree of death anxiety has had significant correlation with variable of sex while has had no relation with age, marriage condition, having or lack of child, level of graduation and career condition. The results of this study shows that the most cases have had high degrees of death anxiety that can be because of the special condition of working or the combination of cases's sex and age. With caution to results, it is recommended to Mental Health interventions to the same population to improve the mental health Quality additionally perform more comprehensive studies in more generally populations

Depression in heart failure patients and the influence of age, gender and severity of depression on heart failure patients

Depression is common in chronic medical illnesses including HF. It has been established that depression has different rates in different races and the reported depression rates among hospitalized patients range from 13% to 77%; nevertheless, there is remarkably little information on the prevalence of depression and the impact of demographic and health status in the north of IRAN. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression in hospitalized heart failure [HF] patients, as well as the impact of age, gender, and functional status on this group of patients. In this study, carried out in one heart center, a total of 196 hospitalized HF patients with New York Heart Association [NYHA] functional classes 2- 3 and 4 and an ejection fraction [EF] <40% were given questionnaires to assess depression. Depression was evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory [BDI] questionnaire. Depression was defined as a score on the BDI of > 17. A total of 23.5% of the patients scored as depressed. Men were more likely [33%] to be depressed than women and had a higher mean BDI score [p=0.004]. Patients classified as NYHA functional class 3 were more likely to score as depressed than class 2 patients [p= 0.001], and patients with a higher BDI score had a lower EF [r=0.25, p=0.001]. Depression is common in patients with HF. Men and patients with lower health status are more likely to be depressed. Pharmacologic or non- pharmacologic treatment of depression in HF patients should be considered

Evaluation of the awareness level of patients referred to Sari dermatologic clinics about sunscreen usage in the summer and autumn of 2004

Sunscreens are used for prevention of skin damage caused by the sun. Since various products are available, people should be encouraged to find the most appropriate one for their skin. We performed this study to detect the awareness level regarding appropriate sunscreen usage in patients referred to Sari dermatology clinics in 2004. This cross-sectional study was done in the autumn and summer of 2004 in Sari dermatology clinics. The study sample size was 400 participants. The measuring device was a questionnaire consisted of questions about sun light and sunscreen usage and demographic data. Most participants had moderate [35.4%] [correct answers to 50-70% of questions] and good [35.5%] [correct answers to 70-100%] awareness level, 26.4% had weak [correct answers to 25-50%] and 1.7% had unacceptable [correct answers to less than 25%] awareness about correct method of application of sunscreens. In this study the awareness level among females was significantly higher than males. There was a significant correlation between education level and awareness level [P<0.001], but no correlation between marital status, age and job and the awareness level was found. The awareness level in females was moderate and good. The awareness level in males was less than females, which shows their less attention to skin care. The weak and unacceptable level of awareness was considerable indicating the need for social educational interventions