Practical parasitology courses and infection with intestinal parasites in students

Students who are working in research or educational laboratories of parasitology, as well as health care workers providing care for patients, are at the risk of becoming infected with parasites through accidental exposure. The main purpose of this study was to identify potential positive cases of intestinal parasitic infections among students who took practical parasitology courses compared with students who did not take any practical parasitology courses in Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran, in 2013-2014. A total of 310 subjects from various majors were invited to voluntarily participate in the study. Various demographic data were collected using questionnaires. Three stool samples were collected from each individual on alternate days. Saline wet mounts [SWM], formalin-ether sedimentation test [FEST], Sheather floatation test [SHFT] and trichrome and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining methods were used to diagnose the presence of intestinal parasites. The prevalence rate of intestinal parasites [IPs] among the students was 11.93%. There was a significant difference between majors in the infection with IPs [P < 0.05]. The most frequently observed IPs were Blastocystis hominis [4.51%] and Giardia intestinalis [3.54%]. The results of this study showed that the transmission of pathogenic parasites in the educational course of practical parasitology could occur and must be taken into careful consideration

Diagnostic reference levels [DRLs] for routine X-ray examinations in Lorestan province, Iran

In diagnostic radiology there are two reasons for measuring or estimating radiation doses to patients. Firstly measurements provide a means for setting and checking standards of good practice as an aid to the optimization of patient protection. Secondly estimates of the absorbed dose to tissue and organs in the patients. A total of 2382 patients were studied to calculate the Entrance Surface Air Kerma [ESAK] following seven radiographic examinations including: chest [PA, Lat], lumbar spines [AP, Lat], pelvis [AP], abdomen [AP], skull [PA, Lat], thoracic spine [AP, Lat] and cervical spines [AP, Lat]. The ESAKs values were measured according to x- ray tube output, optimized exposure parameters and body thickness [tp] for each technique. The parameters such as, 1st quartile, mean, median, 3rd quartile, minimum, maximum and standard deviation of each ESAK values are reported and compared to NRPB guide levels. The results showed that the ESAKs values in the lumbar spines and chest X-ray examinations were 30% above the guide levels. However, for the pelvis [AP], skull [PA] and abdomen [AP] examinations, these values were below than those reported by the NRPB. Periodic quality control and monitoring the technical performance of radiographers might effectively improve the image quality and eventually reducing the dose received by patients

[Compare the effects of Benson relaxation and slowe stroke back massage on the level of anxiety among unstable angina patients]

Introduction: Unstable angina, ischemic disease is almost the most dangerous, and now more than half of the cases admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit are included. Anxiety is usually high in these patients, leading to worsening disease. To compare two methods of surface relaxation and massage strokes behind the anxiety level of hospitalized patients with unstable angina was part CCU

Method: This study is a clinical trial of Imam Khomeini [ra] was Poldokhtar 1391, 114 patients with unstable angina based on inclusion criteria and were randomly divided into three groups Tessellation method of intervention [both groups and control group] were assigned. collect data in this study included demographic characteristic and the Spielberger Anxiety Inventory. intervention group, Massage S.S. B.M And the relaxation times in the first 2 days of hospitalization each day for 10 min and 20 min, respectively, at 8-6, was carried out. In the control group there was no intervention. Levels of anxiety before and immediately after the intervention [massage, relaxation] and the control group were measured and recorded at the same time. Descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution and statistical parameters such as mean, standard deviation and range and interpretation of statistics [analysis], such as analysis of covariance, Anu Wa and Tukey test were used to analyze the data

Results: The findings showed that the average level of anxiety before and after the massage strokes back [P<0.001], there was no significant difference. The mean anxiety before and after relaxation [P<0.001], there was also a significant difference. The mean difference between anxiety and vital signs before and after the two groups was significant [P<0.001]. Masazhastrvk surface behind Benson relaxation in reducing anxiety in patients with unstable angina and the effect of massage strokes behind the surface, most of the Benson Relaxation

Conclusion: The results indicate the effectiveness of the surface Masazhastrvk and relaxation in reducing anxiety in patients with unstable angina, respectively. Masazhastrvk impact surface was further back than Benson relaxation. According to the results of two methods of anxiety management practices accepted as a simple and reliable learning can be used by nurses

[Effect of iron supplementation prophylactic on maternal iron status and pregnancy outcome]

Background and aims: Considering the iron supplementation during pregnancy and the problems due to over using of this supplementation, almost all women take iron supplementation during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the iron supplementation prophylactic on outcome and the problems of pregnancies

Methods: In this double- blind randomized clinical trial study 129 women with Hb > 110 g/l, serum ferritin > 20 micro g/l and gestational age less than 20 weeks were randomly divided to receive either of ferrous sulfate tablets [n=62], 1 table / day [60 mg] or placebo [n=67]. Hemoglobin and ferritin were also measured in the 24-28[th] weeks and at the end of pregnancy. In addition, weight and length were recorded at the beginning and during the pregnancy in both groups. Data were analyzed using independent-t test, ANOVA, and Chi square tests

Results: Iron deficiency prevalence in Fe and placebo groups was found 5.8 and 24.8 percent in the 24-28[th] weeks [P=0.002] and 9.5 and 28.2 percent at the end of the study respectively. No significant differences were found in hemoglobin and ferritin indices during the study in both groups. Average birth weight was 3.30+/-0.49 Kg and 3.27+/-0.47 Kg in Fe and placebo groups, respectively. Average length birth was 49.1+/-3.9 cm in Fe group versus 49.3+/-4.4 cm in placebo group. Duration of gestation in Fe and placebo groups were 38.9+/-1.7 weeks and 38.8+/-2.2 weeks, respectively [P>0.05]

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that iron supplementation during pregnancy may have no effect on pregnancy outcome. It is obvious that because of more iron deficiency prevalence in placebo group, absolute conclusion about whether iron supplementation prophylactic during pregnancy is useful or not, more studies are needed in the future

[Effect of nutritional education on iron-deficiency anemia in high schools girls]

Iron-deficiency anemia is one of the main nutritional problems especially in young women. There are many strategies to combat iron deficiency anemia, including change in food habits and nutritional education. Aim of this study was to determine the effect of nutritional education on iron deficiency anemia among high schools girls. In this semi-experimental study, 68 high schools girls with iron deficiency anemia were educated for 4 months. Education materials were included brochures, pamphlets, and lectures. During nutritional education sessions the girls were presented with a pamphlet in which nutritional topics such as food groups, iron absorption enhancers and inhibitors, good sources of iron and ways to improve absorption of iron from foods were explained in simple word. Hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and serum zinc were measured in the beginning and end of the intervention. The girl's knowledge and their attitude about nutrition were also obtained before and after the study. Paired-t test, Wilcoxon, and Spearman tests were used for data analysis. The amount of hemoglobin at the beginning and the end of the study were 109.5 +/- 10 g/l and 123.3 +/- 13 g/l. respectively [P<0.001]. Serum ferrtin level was 4.5 +/- 3.2 and 25.4 +/- 36.9 microg/l, respectively [P<0.001]. Serum zinc level was 1.4 +/- 0.5 mg/dl at the beginning of the study and it was increased to 3.7 +/- 1 mg/dl at the end of the study [P<0.001]. Knowledge scores at the first and final intervention were 5.7 +/- 2.7 vs. 6.8 +/- 1.9 [P<0.01], and attitudes scores were 25.1 +/- 3.4 vs. 25.4 +/- 3.7 [P>0.05], respectively. Nutritional education can be used for improving the serum iron and zinc among anemic girls

[Comparison of the prevalence of intestinal parasites in HIV-positive and AIDS patients in Khorramabad city in 2006-2007]

Immunodeficiency virus [HIV] may lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS] in human. Parasites are one of the most important causes of infectious diseases in patients with AIDS. The prevalence of these parasites varies based on the condition of host's immune system and the stage of disease [HIV/AIDS]. To compare the prevalence of opportunistic intestinal parasites a cross-sectional study was carried out on 306 HIV positive and AIDS patients in Khorramabad city. After selecting the samples by census and availability sampling methods, planned questionnaires were completed and three stool samples were collected from patients. Then direct smear, formalin-ether concentration techniques and modified acid fast [Kinione] and modified trichorome staining methods were carried out on all samples during 2006-2007. Moreover the relationship between different variables and infection by intestinal parasites were examined. For description and statistical analysis t-test and Chi-square test were used. The prevalence of intestinal parasites in HIV-positive and AIDS patients was 19.6% and 50% respectively. There was a significant relationship between HIV /AIDS and species of intestinal parasites [P< 0.001]. Higher prevalence of intestinal parasites in patients with AIDS compared to HIV-positive individuals indicates higher immune system deficiency and more susceptibility to intestinal parasitic infections [specially opportunistic parasites] and reflects the necessity of prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment programs for these patients

[Failure factors of exclusive breast feeding during the first 6 months of infants' life in Khorramabad]

There is further evidence of breast feeding benefits for mother and infant health. In some regions of the world the rate of exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of infant's life has been decreased. The most important factors associated with the problem are socio-economic variables such as maternal age, mother's employment status, level of education, and infant's birth interval from previous or next child. This analytic cross-sectional study was conducted on 340 mothers and their 6-12 months old children referring to Khorramabad health centers to achieve their children primary health cares from March 21st, 2006 to March 21st, 2007. Variables such as maternal age, mother's employment status, delivery status, mother's education, child birth rank, infant's gender, and infant's birth interval from previous child were investigated. The association between the exclusive breastfeeding failure and the variables were tested by chi2, Fisher exact test, t-test, Mann-Whitney, Pearson coefficient, and Kruskal-Wallis test. Out of the 340 samples, 151 mothers [42%] had given birth with cesarean section, 57 of the cases were employed mothers compared with the 283 unemployed ones. In addition, 185 and 155 children out of the 340 samples were boys and girls respectively, and 10 were twins. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life was 79.1% [268 cases] in comparison with the 20.9% who had failed to be exclusively breastfed. Statistically significant relationships were found between the failure of exclusive breastfeeding with mother's employment status, maternal education, and cesarean delivery. A reduction in child's growth was the main reason reported by the mothers for the exclusive breastfeeding failure. In this study, the failure of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life was 20.9%. According to the findings, at least a 6-month period of maternity leave is suggested for employed mothers. Additionally, providing appropriate places for mothers to breastfeed their infants as well as a reducing their working hours are highly recommended