Epidemiologic characteristics of occupational burns in Yazd, Iran

Occupational burns are among the important causes of work-related fatalities and absenteeism. Epidemiologic assessment of these injuries is important to define high-risk jobs. We designed this study to evaluate the epidemiology of occupational burns in Yazd, an industrial province in Iran. This is a prospective study on work-related burns in a 1-year period [2008-2009]. A questionnaire was completed for them about the characteristics of the burn injury. Three Hundred and Thirty Eight patients with occupational burns were identified. Their mean age was 29.64 years. Most burn victims were male workers in the metal industry. The most common job was smelting. Most burns were happened in the morning. Thermal burns were observed more than chemical and electrical burns. Mean total body surface area burned was 6.5%. The most common cause of burn was hot fluid, followed by hot object and flame. There wasn't any significant relationship between burn type, and burn degree or burned body surface. The highest incidence of occupational burns was in 21-30 year-old workers. There was a male preponderance in work-related burns. Metal industry had the most injured workers and among them, smelters were more frequently injured

Bird fancier's disease due to exposure to birds via a desert cooler

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis [HP] is an immunologically mediated pulmonary disease caused by various organic particles and some non organic chemicals. HP is mostly associated with some occupations such as farming and bird breeding. We report a case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a housewife without any prior history of occupational exposures. The disease was developed due to indirect exposure of the patient to doves antigens via a desert cooler ducts

Frequency of hearing impairment among full-term newborns in Yazd, Iran

Permanent congenital hearing loss, a common congenital anomaly, may affect speech and language acquisition, academic achievement and social development. Current standards emphasize early recognition of congenital hearing loss. This study was conducted to find the prevalence of hearing impairment in term newborns in Yazd, Iran. This was a descriptive-analytic study conducted in Yazd on 7250 term newborns. Otoacoustic emissions [OAEs] test was performed in all newborns during the first 24 hours after birth. Those who failed to respond at the first step were retested 15 days later. Those who failed to respond at the second step too, were tested by acoustic brainstem responses [ABR] test. Chi square test was used for data analysis. From 7250 newborns in the first step 598 [8.2%] and 682 [9.4%] ears [right and left, respectively] failed. In the second step 51 [0.7%] and 58 [0.8%] ears [right and left, respectively] failed. Consanguinity and route of delivery had significant effect on the frequency of hearing loss. The overall frequency of congenital hearing loss in this study was found high

epidemiologic survey on burns in Yazd from 2008 till 2009

Burns are injuries which may require long hospitalization and may result in important impairment and disability. Burn injuries are still common especially in developing countries. Assessment of the epidemiology of burns is very important for introduction of preventive methods. This study was conducted in Yazd to assess and describe the epidemiology of burns including its main causes, and its demographics. In a prospective study during a 1 year period, we assessed the epidemiology of burns in Shahid Sadoughi Burns hospital in Yazd. During this period, 1947 injured patients referred to this hospital. Data were gathered using a questionnaire about demographics and the properties of the burn injury. Burns were more frequent among men than women. A significant number of patients were children. 8.8% of patients needed hospitalization. Thermal burns were much more common than other types. Scalds were the most common cause of burn, and hands were the body region most commonly affected. Mean total body surface area burned [TBSA] was 6.16% [ +/- 9.93]. This study showed a high incidence of burn injuries at home and in the workplace. The burns were mostly preventive and many of them can be prevented by education

Prevalence of overweight and obesity among Iranian school children in different ethnicities

Malnutrition, overweight and obesity are major health concerns in modern societies and especially among children. Overweight and obesity affect children's current and future health. It is known that the prevalence of overweight differs by race, sex, and geographic location. In a cross-sectional study 30092 Iranian children aged 7-18 years in six ethnic groups were selected by a cluster sampling. Prevalence of obesity and overweight and distribution of body mass index [BMI] by gender, age, and ethnicity were measured. Cutoff points of BMI for defining obesity and overweight were based on the Iranian, and IOTF standard values. This study showed a significant ethnic difference in BMI. Prevalence of overweight and obesity among Iranian children was 9.27% and 3.22% respectively comparing international standards. The frequency of overweight and obesity was higher in boys. This study showed a significant difference in BMI among different ethnic group

Relationship between arterial blood pressure and body mass index of school age children of southern region of Iran

Despite an increasing prevalence of obesity and hypertension in young age, there is limited information on the contribution of body mass index [BMI] to blood pressure [BP] in these populations, especially in developing countries. This study examines the association between BMI and BP in four populations of school age children across southern region of Islamic republic of Iran