[Community based participatory research, a model for health promotion]

Current traditional research methods for solving social problems were challenged due to limited participation of community. The health companion project was carried out with the aim of determining effective model of community participation for solving health problems in Boyerahmad and Dena township. This study is a community based participatory research performed in Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad province 2005-2009.The study population was the entire rural and urban households of Boyerahmad and Dena county. The strategic committee of project including academic researchers, managers of health and health related sectors was formed and this committee selected six regions for research activities. In each region local directing group; [health companion] was established with participation of stakeholders: academic researchers, local leaders, health providers and public representatives to guide all aspects of project. The members of the group empowered and enabled by attending training workshops for need assessment, priority setting, research methodology that through these activities the health problem priorities of the regions were recognized, the research area determined and intervention programs were designed and implemented according to these research area. The most important achievement of this project is the methods of activities to reaching goals. Implementation of six participatory interventional proposal for solving health problems and needs are the other achievement. The frequency and means of health problems and their risk factors significantly reduced after the completion of intervention program in each region. Establishing and activities of health companion groups followed model of Planned Approach to Community Health [PATCH] that help community to form health promotion team, collecting and organizing of data, choosing health priorities, developing a comprehensive intervention plan and evaluation

Efficacy of community-based participatory research on diabetes care in yasouj-lran

Diabètes is a major heaith issue worldwide. This study evaluâtes whether a community-based participatory program may improve diabètes care in adult in west area of Yasouj. A community based participatory research was designed. A local leading group was established consisted of academie researchers, local leaders, heaith providers and public representatives. Ail the 30-65 years old residents of designated area [2569 persons] were screened for detecting diabètes; anthropometrie measurements and biochemical tests were measured. Educational interventions about improving the diet and physical activities were performed for high risk individuels through a 3-months period. Out of 2569 individuels, 1336 were at high risk. Approximately 228 persons [17%] identified having diabètes. After the intervention, the mean FBS, HbAlC, TG and cholesterol of participant significantly decreased [p<0.05], decreasing in systolic and dîastolic blood pressure and body mass index were seen however this was not statistically significant. The mean physical activity and exercise increased and consumption of frying foods, saturated oil decreased significantly. Community-Based Participatory cares could be a feasible model for control of diabètes and its risk factors

[Effects of community based educational prevention program of drug abuse in reduction of high risk behavior]

Overcoming social problems requires a participatory approach. This study was performed in order to determine the effect of community based educational prevention program of drug abuse in reduction of high risk behavior. This study was a community based participatory research. According to planned approach to community health model, "the health companion group" was established with participation of public representatives of villages, researchers, and managers of health sectors. Need assessment and priority setting of health problems was done. Drug abuse was selected as the topmost priority of health problems. By interviewing 10 year olds and older members of households, the questionnaires were completed. By conducting workshops, distributing educational pamphlets and face to face training for six months, the educational program was carried out. After this period, the study population was interviewed again. Data was analyzed by SPSS software, X2, and T tests. The mean score of drug abuse related high risk behavior was 26.8 +/- 2.05 before educational program and 25.2 +/- 2.3 after the program. The mean score of psychological health was 26.2 +/- 5.8 before educational program and 26.4 +/- 5.7 after the program. The rate of negative drug abusing related behavior decreased and positive behavior increased after the educational program. The community based participatory research with participation of the public can be a proper pattern to prevent drug abuse and related high risk behaviors and as a result reduce costs and complications of this problem

[ efficacy of administration of a single booster dose of hepatitis B vaccine in 5-7 year old children in Kogiloyeh and Boyerahmad Province- Iran]

The efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine and duration of protection after vaccination of infants reported to be different in various studies. The necessity of booster dose after primary vaccination is controversial. The Iranian Immunization Committee has approved 0, 1 and 6 months hepatitis vaccination schedule for children. Considering the high prevalence and serious outcome of hepatitis B infection, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the immunity level of school age children against HBV in order to determine the necessity of single booster dose in these ages. In this clinical trial study, the population was all of the children at 5-7 years of age in Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad province who had been vaccinated starting at birth with hepatitis B vaccine. Among them 800 children were selected by multiple stage sampling method. Data gathering tool was questionnaire. After obtaining informed consent from parents of each subject, 3ml blood sample was taken from each individual and hepatitis B surface antibody [HBS-Ab] and hepatitis B surface antigen [HBS-Ag] were determined by ELISA method. Subjects with non protective titers [<10mlU/ml] received a booster dose of DNA recombinant vaccine. Four weeks after the administration of booster dose, the anti- HBS titers were measured. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS software and x[2] and T tests. In all subjects the HBS- Ag were negative. 84.4% of subjects were immune against HBV [had protective anti body titer]. The mean antibody titer was 230.5 +/- 308.9 Iu/ml with range 10.6 -1175 Iu/ml. 15.6% of subjects had non protective antibody titer and mean antibody titer was 4.97 +/- 3.5 Iu/ml. Following booster dose 78.1% of them had protective titer and significantly increased titers from 4.97 +/- 3.5 to 332.1 +/- 402 lU/ml [p<0.001]. No statistically significant differences were found between sexes in term of antibody level. The level of immunity against HBV was found to decrease with age. According to our results, the proper response of the immune system to booster dose shows that the immunological memory is good after primary vaccination. Administration of booster dose would not be necessary in these ages despite the possibility of more exposure of children in school age. Further study about using booster in older ages and children who does adequately respond to primary vaccination is necessary

[Measles immunity in infants at the time of delivery and 6 months age in Yasouj]

Measles is an acute and highly contagious viral disease and although its morbidity remarkably decreased, it is still common in children of developing countries and is a main cause of mortality in children. The purpose of this study was to determine measles immunity in new-born infants and infants with 6 months age from Yasouj. This longitudinal study was conducted in 2004-2005. A consent form was filled in by children's parents and subsequently 3 ml of maternal and cord blood was collected from a total of 94 full-term pregnant women and their neonates who attended the labor ward of Emam Sajad hospital, Yasouj, to test using ELISA. Anti-Measles antibody was tested for 77 of the newborns. Data were analyzed using t X[2], Fisher and Correlation tests. 43.9% of the mothers and 48.9% of the newborns were immune to measles at the time of delivery, but only 10.4% of infants were immune at the age of 6 months [P<0.001]. There was a significant relationship between mothers' antibody titer and their newborn [P<0.001]. There was a significant difference in the level of measles immunity between the mothers and the newborns [P<0.05]. Birth-weight, sex, birth order, place of mother's residence and mother age had no significant effect on measles immunity of the infants. Regarding the low immunity level of the neonates at the birth time and at the 6 month age, postpone of beginning of vaccination against measles is not good idea and it may increase the risk of the disease in the children under one year

[Seroepidemiological study of brucellosis in high risk groups in Boyerahmad 1384]

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that may have a major public health and economic impact in most countries. The disease appears as a Malt fever in humans and abortion in animals. This study was designed to determine the serologic titer of Brucella in high risk and non high risk people in Boyerahmad. A retrospective seroepidemiological study was performed on samples collected from 604 high risk and non high risk people using Rose Bengol test, tube standard test as a rapid test and 2 mercaptoethanol [2ME] and comb's wright as a confirmatory test. The data collected were analyzed by X[2] test via SPSS. Seroprevalence of Brucellosis in high risk people appeared to be high in the Rose Bengal and tube standard test [TST] 6.62 at titer >/= 1/40 whereas for non high risk it was 0%. Confirmation test in high risk people was shown with 2ME in four people. Brucellosis is a major cause of disease in high risk people which can be due to direct or indirect contact with diary products of the related animals

[Serological study of visceral leishmaniasis in Boyer Ahmad Township in 2005]

Visceral leishmaniasis [Kala-azar] is a disease caused by intracellular protozoa parasites of the genus Leishmania. Kala-azar in Iran is usually seen in children below 10 years old. Kala-azar is endemic in some areas of Iran including Ardebil, Fars, and East Azerbaijan. The present study was designed to assess the situation of Kala-azar in children of ten and below ten years in Boyer Ahmad township in Kohgiloyeh and Boyer Ahmad province in 1384. Blood samples were collected from all the children of 10 and less than 10 years old. In this survey 1628 blood samples were collected from finger tip of children on filter paper. Collected samples were evaluated by direct agglutination test [DAT]. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS software. Result of this study showed that from 1628 samples collected, 50 cases [3.07 percent] were become positive with DAT test. Infection in females was less than male. No significant correlation was found between antibody titer and sex. The highest prevalence rate of the infection was seen in age 10 [14.82%]. Leishmania Infection was not found in any of the studied reservoirs [dogs]. Results of this study indicate that Kala-azar is an endemic disease in the studied region. Considering the obtained data, more study is needed to find out the prevalence of the disease in other regions of the province and also to find ou more about the possible animal reservoir of the diseases in the region

[Rate of vaccination coverage in infants up to 12 months of age in kohgilouyeh and boyrahmad province 2000-2001]

Vaccination of children has been accepted as an appropriate and effective method of prevention the some serious diseases and a large number of countries all over the world have managed to perform it within their national framework of the health programs .Howevere due to the scope of health system of different countires, the coverage appeared to be of different magnitudes. The present study aimed at surveying the degree of vaccination coverage of children under one year of age in Kohgilouyeh and Boyrahmad province. In this crosss - sectional descriptive study a total number of 420 infants were selected through a random cluster sampling In 2000-2001. information about the subjects vaccination history was worked out using their vaccination cards. The data were analyzed employing descriptive statistict, Pearson Test and ANOVA. The study revealed a vaccination coverage of 90% to 99%. the coverage was 94.2% for the third term of oral drop of polio 94.2%, for the second term of DPT, 95.7% for the third term of DPT, 92.7% for the third term of hepatitis, 90.7% for measles, and 99.8% for BCG. The most important causes of delay in receiving the vaccines were reported to be lack of vaccine, season of migration, infants disease, remoteness and lack of transportation, raining, season of labor, and mother's disease. Vaccination coverage within the national programs and WHO protocols appears to be greatly useful and appropriate. However, to achieve this importance, appropriate planning and teaching both people and the health staff about the promotion and quality of the point is felt necessary