[Evaluation of health status of elderly in Qom city, 2011, Iran]

Health is an important component of active old age, and an old age without disabilities, and along with physical and mental health and active participation in social activities can be known as successful old age. Economic, social, and psychological components as well as cultural factors, such as positive social relationships affect health status. This study aimed to determine the health status of elderly in Qom city. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 300 elderly were selected by systematic-cluster sampling from Qom city in 2011. The study tool was health related quality of life questionnaire for the elderly. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis, and multiple linear stepwise regression tests. Significance level of tests was considered less than 0.05. Mean and standard deviation of the total score of health-related quality of life of elderly was 0.83 +/- 0.12. Sleep [0.76] and vitality [0.75] domains had the lowest mean score, and domains of speaking [0.94] and mental status [0.93] had the highest mean score. Also, health-related quality of life had a significant correlation with age, marital status, education, economic status source of income occupation of men, and chronic disease [p<0.05], but had no significant correlation with gender and occupation of women [p>0.05]. The results of this study showed that due to poor mental health compared to the physical condition in elderly, their mental health should be evaluated along with their physical health, and also factors related to health status, such as personal characteristics, sources of support, and leisure time activities

[Evaluation of an applied method in reducing the pain of intramuscular injection]

Injection is one of the most painful and common medical interventions that more than 12 billion of it are administered annually throughout the world. In spite of the wide use of this intervention, its associated pain remains as one of the unsolved health problems. So, this study was performed in order to determine the effect of multiple blunt pins pressure on the pain of intramuscular injection site. This study was conducted as a single-blind randomized clinical trial at the injection section of kamkar-Arabnia Hospital in Qom, 2011-12. In this Study, 50 women aged from 16 to 60 years who had intramuscular injection of penicillin 6.3.3 were randomly assigned to two equal groups. The first group received intramuscular injection using a plastic device [an oval disc that supports multiple blunt pins] and in the second group [control], routine injection was performed. Pain was measured using a visual analogue scale. Data were analyzed by chi-square, Fisher's exact, independent t, kolmogorov-Smirnov, and Levene tests. The mean pain intensities in experimental and control groups were 27.04 +/- 8.6 and 36.6 +/- 14.1, respectively. After intramuscular injection, the pain intensity significantly decreased in the experimental group compared to control group [p<0.006]. There was no significant statistical difference between the two groups in age and BMI. The results of this study showed that pressure on the skin with multiple blunt pins is highly effective in reducing the pain of intramuscular injection

[Dietary intake of lactating women based on food groups and related factors]

Objective: To assess the intake of food groups and the related factors in lactating women

Methods: Methods: In this descriptive study, 1112 lactating women were selected from health centers in Qom. Data were gathered using the 24 hour dietary recall questionnaire. Efficiency of food groups was calculated by the formula: [[reported dietary intake ÷ predicted dietary requirement] ×100]. Food consumpsion was compared with food guide pyramid

Results: The dietary intakes of lactating women in food groups except fruit and vegetables were less than the recommended levels. There was significant relationship between occupation and consumpsion of bread and cereal [P<0.05] and milk and dairy products [P<0.05]. There was also a significant relationship between consumpsion of meat and nuts [P<0.05] and milk and dairy products [P<0.05] and level of education

Conclusion: Based on finding educational planning is recommended to housewives, illiterate mothers and women with children younger than 3 years old

[Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and its related factors in school age children]

Iron deficiency anemia [IDA] is a common nutritional disorder and a major health problem in school age children. This problem leads to failure to thrive and behavioral changes. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of IDA and its related factors in school age children. In this descriptive study, 554 students of primary schools were randomly selected. Data was collected through a questionnaire and blood cell count. The prevalence of IDA was measured on the basis of Mentzer index [MCV/RBC] and results more than 13 was considered as IDA. 297 [53.6%] children suffered from IDA. 44.1% of the IDA patients were 7-8 years old. There was a significant relationship between IDA and low consumption of meat, nuts and egg [p value< 0.05]. The high prevalence of IDA in school age children [especially primary academic years] is worrying and shows that educational programs are necessary. This study proposes the application of Mentzer index for IDA screening in susceptible children, it also emphasizes on meat, nuts and egg consumption in children