[Health knowledge of pregnant women on anemia and its complication in pregnancy]

Introduction: Anemia is a serious issue of health care and is one of the most important nutritional problems in the world. Knowledge and practices of pregnant women based on their beliefs play an important role in anemia prevention therefore its assessment is necessary

Objective: The purpose of study was to determine the prevalence of anemia in pregnant women and their health knowledge and its complication in pregnancy

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 393 pregnant women were selected with nonprobability sampling method and the study was carried out in the first half of year 2013. Questionnaire was used to collect general information and knowledge level assessment regarding four domains of preventive measures, methods, inducing factors, disease symptoms and anemia complication in pregnancy. Blood samples were collected for hemoglobin estimation. Descriptive, Chi-square and t- student test were used for statistical analysis

Results: Overall prevalence of anemia among the women was found to be 28.8%. The results have shown relatively moderate levels on prevention methods scores and knowledge of anemia factors, low level knowledge on disease symptoms and moderate level of knowledge on complications. Also there were a statistically significant relationship between the prevalence of anemia and knowledge score on prevention methods, disease symptoms and total knowledge score in pregnant women[p<0.05]

Conclusion: According to the finding of this study, prevalence of anemia was very high. It is necessary for health system to properly plan for effective factors to decrease this disease such as people's awareness

Identification of hepatitis B virus surface antigen [HBsAg] genotypes and variations in chronic carriers from Isfahan province, Iran

Hepatitis B virus [HBV] gene and protein variations are frequently been seen in chronic patients. The aims of study were to determine the genotypes as well as the patterns of variations distribution in chronically-infected patients from the central part of Iran. The surface gene was amplified, sequenced and subsequently aligned using international and national Iranian database. All strains belonged to genotype D, subgenotype Dl and subtype ayw2. Of all 62 mutations occurred at 39 nucleotide positions, 31 [50%] were missense [amino acid altering] and 31 [50%] were silent [no amino acid changing]. At the amino acid level, 30 substitutions occurred, however, 3 were in positions 122 and 127, corresponded to subtypic determination. 22 [73%] out of 30 amino acid mutations occurred in different immune epitopes within surface protein, of which 12 [54.54%] in B cell epitopes in 10 residues; 5 [45.45%] in T helper epitopes in positions; 5 [22.73%] in inside CTL epitopes in 4 residues. The distribution of amino acid mutations as well as the ratio between silent and missense nucleotide mutations showed a narrowly focused immune pressure had already been on the surface protein in these patients, led to the emergence of escape mutants in these patients

[ effects of short term circuit resistance training on serum homocysteine and CRP concentrations in active and inactive females]

Elevated levels of serum biomarkers such as C-reactive protein [CRP], and homocysteine have been independently associated with cardiovascular disease risk. However, the prevalence of concurrent changes of these biomarkers after short term circuit resistance training in females is unknown, as is their association with cardiovascular disease. Our aim was to compare the effects of short term circuit resistance training on serum homocysteine and CRP concentrations in active and inactive females. Forty-Three healthy, female university students, mean age 22/74 +/- 3/9 y, weight 59/91 +/- 9/8 kg, height 165/9 +/- 0/04 cm, BMI 21/73 +/- 3/1 [kg/m2], PBF 26/47 +/- 5/01, and Vo2max 38/65 +/- 5/43 [ml/kg/min], were randomly assigned to four groups; active experimental [AE, n=8] active control [AC, n=8] inactive experimental [NE, n=13] inactive control [NC, n=14]. For 2 weeks subjects performed short term circuit resistance training, 5 times per week [10 sessions]; the exercises include chest press, leg extention, sit-ups, lat. pull down, front row, foot raising, back extention, and leg curl with free weights and machines, During the first week the training was done at 40% of their one-repetition maximum [1RM] for 15 repetitions and 3 sets, and during the second week the intensity of training was increased to 50% 1RM, while other features of training remained constant. Both before and 48 hours after the last training session, fasting and resting blood samples were collected. Homocysteine using HPLC and CRP using the immunoturbidometric method were evaluated. Comparison within groups showed that homocysteine concentration in all 4 groups was reduced and CRP showed increase in the active experimental group but did not change in the inactive group. In comparison between groups there were no significant differences in homocysteine and CRP levels. It seems that short term circuit resistance training can be used as a method of preventing cardiovascular disease in women, and it can be recommended as a lifestyle intervention to promote health

[Prevalence and predisposing factors to candidiasis infection in women supported B.V health centers of Tabriz, 2004]

Vaginits is probably the most common infection in women during their reproductive years, resulting in 5-10 million health-care visits a year, worldwide. Vulvovaginal candidiasis [vvc] is the second-most common form of vaginitis in the Unite.! States, which is associated with use of oral contraceptives containing high bevels of estrogen and hormonal therapies. Midwives play an important role not only in the assessment and management of vaginal infections. but also in educating women about vaginal health. Recognizing risk factors assodiated with infections are the key to vaginal health. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of Candidal vaginitis in women referring to Tabriz health centers. This was a cross sectional study carried out on 1000 women aged 15-49 years who were selected by multiple random method. A sample of vaginal discharge was taken from the posterior fornix of the cervix and from the vaginal wall using sterile cotton swabs. The mycelium was observed by microscopic examination of a wet mount of the secretions. Another sample was taken for culturing in Agar sabura and transported to the laboratory. In addition, questionnaires with personal and reproductive information were completed. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 15 and chi-square and, t student statistical tests were used for analysis. This investigation indicated that prevalence of candidiasis was 25.2%. There was no meaningful statistical relationship between age, marriage age, occupation, education status, body mass index, day of menstruation cycle and abortion history with candidal vaginitis [p>.05].but a statistically significant relationship was observed between number of deliveries, vaginal Ph with candidiasis. Also, there was a reverse statistical relationship between OCP, DMPA methods and candidiasis. Midwives and other health professionals have an important role to play by giving more information to women about infections and associated risk factors, thus improving their quality of life