Air pollution and low birth weight: a historical cohort study from Tehran

This historical cohort study was designed to clarify the association between air pollution and low birth weight [LBW] amongst women referred to Tehran hospitals in 2007. In total, 225 eligible pregnant women who lived within 5 km of an air pollution monitoring station during their pregnancy were selected for the study. Data were collected via interview and hospital records. Exposure to each pollutant was estimated for each woman individually throughout her pregnancy and for each trimester. Exposures were modelled as categorical variables using inter-quartile ranges in a logistic regression model. The results showed a significant association between exposure to CO and LBW [OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.70-4.60], particularly during the second trimester [OR = 3.96, CI: 1.83-12.5. We conclude that exposure to air pollution during pregnancy may be associated with LBW

[Effects of education on the knowledge and self-efficacy of health volunteers about the necessity of moldy bread separation from other bread waste]

Bread waste is consumed as a food in the livestock, and can cause considerable harm to human and animal beings if they are moldy. Since health volunteers can convey health knowledge to people in a simple and intelligible language, the present study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge of health volunteers about the necessity of moldy bread separation from other bread waste and the effect of education on their knowledge in the Abkooh Sugar Factory of Mashhad. In this interventional experimental study, 39 active health volunteers at the health center of Abkooh Sugar Factory of Mashhad, Iran participated and were recruited by non-probability convenient sampling, and were randomly assigned into the experimental group [n=21] and control group [n=18]. Relevant data were collected through questionnaire and training was performed by providing a CD [educational video] for the experimental group. After a two-month training period, data were collected again. Data of before and after training were analyzed in SPSS 16 using paired t-test and mean +/- SD [p < 0.05]. After training, the scores of volunteers in the intervention group raised from 22.86 +/- 4.8 to 26.36 +/- 4.9; and paired t-test showed a significant difference between their scores before and after education [p=0.03]. Also, their perceived self-efficacy on the necessity of separation of moldy bread from other bread waste was significantly different across the two groups [p=0.023]. The results indicated the effect of education on the knowledge of health volunteers about the necessity of moldy bread separation from other bread waste

[Family system and its effect's on HIV/AIDS high risk behaviors: a qualitative study]

The statistics of HIV/AIDS patients are increasing in the world and Iran. Since previous studies indicated that family structure and communication had an important role in high risk behaviors engagement, Assessing role of family system in high risk behaviors would be help to explore solving problem and prventing high risk behaviors. To determine the effect of family on high risk behaviors. This thematic analysis study with qualitative approach was done during 10 months in Behavioral Counseling Clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital and West Clinic in Tehran. The participated patient were selected by purposeful sampling and data was obtained from in dept and semi-structured interview with open end questions. Total interview was recorded and typed word to word. For analysies the results review of transcripts, themes gained from data and coded categorized were done. Among 61 HIV/AIDS patients 45cases were HIV positive and 16 cases were AIDS patients with range age 21-42 years old with average age of 29.7 +/- 4.86. There were 62.3% males and 37.7 were females. Majority of them was single with secondary and high school educational level. Themes consisted of: 1- defect in family function 2- vulnareble structure of family 3- risky family norms. This study showed that core variable was inadequate support of family. Then increasing support of family in adolescents and family base intervention can reduce high risk baheviors and HIV/AIDS incidence

[Effect of designed health education program on knowledge, attitude, practice and the rate Pediculosis Capitis in female primary school students in Chabahar city]

Background and aim: Pediculosis Capitis is one of the important health problems in students which cause physical, mental and social complications. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of designed health education program on knowledge, attitude, practice and Pediculosis Capitis rate among female elementary students in Chabahar city during 2008 and 2009

Methods: This research was a quasi-experimental [case -control] study. Data gathering tools were questionnaire, check list and head examination. Two schools were randomly selected among female primary schools in Chabhar and 153 students were divided into case and control groups. After collecting the data, an educational program was designed and performed in case group and was evaluated after 2 months. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, Wilcoxon-Mann Whitney, and McNemar tests

Results: Results showed a significant difference in knowledge, attitude and practice of the students in the case group before and after the educational program [P<0.001], however, it was not significant in the control group [P>0.05]. The infestation rate was 69.3% in the case group before education and 82.1% in the control group which decreased to 26.7% in the case group after the education [P<0.001]. However, it was not significant in the control group [P>0.05]. Significant relationship was observed between infection and the variables such as father's level of education, number of bedrooms, number of individuals per room, existence of continuous water at home, type of hair, history of infection in students and infected cases in the family [P<0.05]

Conclusion: The health education program had a positive effect on the reduction of Pediculosis Capitis among students. Therefore, performing and evaluating educational programs for students and their parents is suggested

[ effect of health education program on knowledge, attitude and performance in male primary school students regarding Tinea capitis in Chabahar]

In many parts of the world Tinea Capitis is a public health problem, especially in primary school children. The control of the disease is dependent on patients' education for increasing their knowledge and health. The aim of this study was to evaluate on knowledge, attitude and performance in male primary school students regarding Tinea Capitis in Chabahar in 2007-2008. In this quasi-experimental [case - control] study, 115 primary school students were randomly selected from two primary school in the city of Chabahar. Students were assigned into two groups. Tools and data collection methods were included: questionnaire, check list and laboratory samples of scalp and hair. At the beginning of the research, a pre-test was performed on the students and according to the data obtained, an educational program were prepared and was performed for experimental group. Post-test was done after two months. Data was analyzed using chi-square, Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon and McNemar tests. The findings showed a significant increase in the knowledge, attitude, performance in experimental group [P<0.001]. In addition, experimental group demonstrated a significant decrease in Tinea Capitis [P<0.01]. The results of this study showed that there is a significant relationship between Tinea Capitis and weight, type of skin and parents' education [P<0.05]. The results of this research show that the risk of Tinea Capitis transmission is a public health problem and health education is a suitable response to this problem

[Correlates of unwanted pregnancy among pregnant women attending medical and health centers in Semnan, Iran]

Unwanted pregnancy is one of the most important causes of mother and child mortality. It may end up to illegal abortion and result in inevitable physical and psychological consequences. This study aimed to determine the correlates of unwanted pregnancy among pregnant women attending medical and health centers in Semnan. In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 229 pregnant women using random sampling. Women with at least one alive child were recruited. Data were gathered using a questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical tests. The mean age was 30.7. The mean age at marriage was 19.7. Of all women, 32.3% had unwanted pregnancy. The results showed that there were significant relationships between age of marriage [P<0.05], current age of women [P<0.05], level of education [P<0.05], No. of children [P<0.01], employment [P<0.05], and income [P<0.01] with unwanted pregnancy. The prevalence rate of unwanted pregnancy was high in the studied population. Educational programs regarding correct methods of contraceptive usages are required

effect of childbirth preparation classes on childbirth fear and normal delivery among primiparous women

There has been an increase in the number of women willing to have a caesarean birth because of their fear of childbirth. It seems the childbirth preparation educational class is a good way to remove or alleviate fears associated with pregnancy and childbirth.This research designed to identify the effect of childbirth preparation classes on childbirth fear on the primiparous women. The present study is a clinical trial which was carried out in 2007 at Milad Hospital, with 100 nulliparous pregnant women. Childbirth fear was measured by childbirth attitudes questionnaire. Normal pregnant women in the second trimester with childbirth fear score was 28 or more were randomly selected and dirided into experimental and control group with 50 subject in each qroup. The experimental group attended nine childbirth preparation class sessions and control group received routine antennal care. The mean scored fear of childbirth in case and control group were 39.35 +/- 6.96 and 40.71 +/- 6.23 respectively. There was not significant difference between two groups. After the sessions, comparing childbirth fear score between two groups in third trimester showed the mean score of childbirth fear among experimental group was lower than control group [29.82 +/- 7.18 compare to 38.03 +/- 9.27], and the differences statistically was significant [p < 0.001]. Mode of delivery was significantly different between the two groups. Primiparous women attended childbirth preparation classes acquired lower score of childbirth fear in compare to women received routine prenatal care. The results of this research showed relaxation training decreased childbirth fear and increased normal vaginal delivery