[Factors affecting the use of hearing protection devices among industrial workers of Sistan and Baluchestan province]

Background: One of the personnel's protection and control measures against injurious noise effects at work environment is the use of hearing protection devices [HPDs]

Objective: This study was performed to determine the factors affecting the use of HPDs

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 353 randomly selected industrial workers in Sistan and Baluchestan province who were exposed to more than 85 dB noise in 2009. Data were collected by using a validated questionnaire obtained from British Health and Safety Executive and analyzed by chi-square test

Findings: The mean employment history of participants was 9 +/- 5.8 years. Based on our data, 28.3% of industrial workers never used HPDs during their daily activities. The most common cause of failure [29.5%] to wear protection devices was associated with experiencing discomfort while using HPDs. There was a significant association between the workers' risk perception [P=0.05] and their knowledge [P=0.01] over the use of hearing protectors

Conclusion: According to our findings, it seems that promoting the workers' knowledge on risk perception associated with hearing loss and also improving the design of existing devices can lead to increased use of HPDs

Co-infection of malara and crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever

Southeast of Iran is an endemic areas for Malaria and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever [CCHF]. In 1999, we faced with an outbreak of CCHF in Sistan and Baluchistan Province, in the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The most cases of Malaria in Iran are also reported from this area. This article presents a 17-year-old woman who admitted to our hospital because of acute fever, headache, epistaxis, hemorrhagic lesions on the skin and vaginal bleeding. Finally, she was recognized as a case that was co - infected with CCHF and malaria

Paan use in south-eastern Iran: the associated factors

Smokeless tobacco use is growing among youth in many countries especially developing countries. Paan is one of these products that its use in many cultures is of interest. This study evaluates the use of paan among males school-age and assess the attributed factors. A cross-sectional study was done on 504 high school pupils of Zahedan city, Capital of Sistan va Baluchistan Province, southeastern Iran in June 2007. Samples were selected by multistage sampling method from high school students in different geographic areas. A questionnaire including 43 questions was completed through interviews. The mean age of participants was 16.2 +/- 1.1 years. While 10.4% of the students were current users of paan, 17.9% were ex-users. Mean duration of using paan was 2.5 +/- 1.6 years. Number of daily paan consumption was 4.2 +/- 3.6/day. Cigar was the most common substance used at least once by pupils [18.6%] followed by paan [17.9%], naas [11.5%] and other illicit drugs. Only 64.7% of our pupils did not use any illicit drug at the time of study. Risk of paan use among students who had a history of taking any other substance was 18-fold more than others. In the case of each attitude, score accretion and risk of paan consumption declined up to 16%.Among multiple personal, familial and environmental factors, positive history of using any kind of illicit drugs by students and their attitude had strong association with paan use

[ 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

Prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity among high-school girls in Sistan va Baluchistan

This descriptive study determined the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity among 752 high-school girls aged 14-18 years in Sistan va Baluchistan province, Islamic Republic of Iran. Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention body mass index percentiles, the prevalences of underweight, overweight and obesity were 16.2%, 8.6% and 1.5% respectively. These rates were similar to the ones obtained using World Health Organization, First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and International Obesity Task Force criteria. The frequency of underweight in high-school girls in this province is higher than most countries and other parts of the Islamic Republic of Iran

[Prevalence of needlestick injuries among the healthcare professionals in Zahedan medical sciences university]

Injury by sharp instruments and needles are major occupational health hazard for healthcare workers. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence rate and causes of injuries due to needle stick in healthcare workers in Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. In a cross-sectional study, 231 healthcare workers of university hospitals of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences were selected at random in 2007. Data were collected through questionnaire and were analyzed by SPSS 13. From all cases 77.1% were female 56.4% of them were expert, and 50.7% were nurses. Their mean age were 34 +/- 8.1 years. Needle stick prevalence was 64.9% during the whole history of career, and 57.2% of them had experiences of needle stick more than twice. Most cases of injuries were related to using needle 55.4%, and they were mostly prone to injury during injection and phlebotomy, 55.6%. The multivariate regression analysis showed that injury due to sharp instruments in university graduates was 60% less compared to those with high school or less, and the injury risk increases 5% in each year of increase in working experience. The findings of this study highlight the importance of training and preventive measures in healthcare centers particularly among high risk group

[Efficacy of AIDS prevention training program on knowledge, attitude and practice of chabahar sailors, Iran]

AIDS is one of the epidemic diseases around the world and in the developing countries in particular. To define the pattern of transmission of AIDS in the southern regions of Sistan-va-Baluchestan province namely Chabahar this research was done on Chabahar sailors traveling regularly between Chabahar and overseas. This research is a Quasi-Experimental study carried out with 130 participants. Questionnaires were used as the data collection tool. Questionnaires were completed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of the sailors about AIDS. Then training programs including the educational materials, lectures, face to face discussions, and educational films were presented. Knowledge, attitude and practice of the sailors were evaluated for the second time two months after the educational programs. The data were analyzed according to suitable statistical methods. 21% of sailors had history of sexual intercourse while residing in abroad; and our health educational programs promoted knowledge [27.74 vs. 36.33], attitude [29.45 vs. 42.48] and practice [23.91 vs. 30.45] significantly. Use different educational methods for improvement of knowledge, attitude, and practice of sailors [as a high risk group] have to be considered seriously and by health managers

[Applying pender's educational model in promotion of health behavior of workers]

Introduction: Conceptual models are important because they are used in education and research. Several models are discussed in health education. One of them is panders educational model, which has been applied in some research, and led to positive outcome too

Objective: This research was performed to study the application of pander's model in improving workers health behavior in Zahedan faculty of Nan Razawi

Materials and Methods: In this quasi- experimental study, 200 workers were selected randomly from population of workers and they were studied in two groups of case and control. Data gathering tool was a question pair. Date obtained before education and one month after education. For data analysis descriptive and analytical statistics were used

Results: Based on findings, the marks of cognitive - conceptual concepts such as health models, perception of health control and health importance increased after education and there was a statistically significant difference in case group after education [P=0.000]. There was a significant relation between health models and perception of health importance with health behavior too [P=0.02]. Also, there was a significant relation between income and health concept, perception of health control, and health behaviors [P=0.01]. ANOVA indicated effect of education on promotion of health behaviors and there was significant difference [P=0.005]. Findings revealed that there was a significant relation between cognitive - perceptual factors such as clinical models [P=0.04], adoption model [P=0.01] and demographic factors such as sex [P=0.03] and race [P=0.02] with health behaviors

Conclusion: Pender's educational model is effective in promotion of workers health behaviors

Initiation and continuation of breastfeeding and its associated factors in children

Advantages of breastfeeding are widely known and in general undisputed. This study shows different breastfeeding patterns and continuation in the country. This study was conducted to estimate breastfeeding continuation and its associated factors. An existing data study was carried out to estimate the duration of breastfeeding and its associated factors in zahedan. 2007 children 2 to 6 years in zahedan health centers were studied using health records from 1998 to 2002. Breastfeeding duration and some of it's associated factors such as parents' age, education, and job, child's sex, birth rank, birth weight, and the time of the onset of supplementary feeding were collected. The mean duration of breastfeeding was 18.09 +/- 6.2 months. Ninety-nine percent of women initiated feeding of babies with breastfeeding. It was 91.6%, 81.7%, 54.5%, and 2% in the months of 6, 12, 18, and 24 respectively. Breastfeeding was related to maternal age, birth rank, birth weight and the timing of the onset of supplementary feeding. There was no relation between breastfeeding and parent's education and job, child sex, and delivery type. Children born in 2000 had been breastfed significantly less than those born in 1997-1999. it is necessary to have planning for maintaining and promoting breastfeeding based on modifiable factor

Couple communication in family planning decision-making in Zahedan, Islamic Republic of Iran

A qualitative study in Zahedan, Islamic Republic of Iran, used focus group discussions with 120 people in 8 main groups to underst and more about couple's decision-making and the role of men in family planning. The study included men and women from Sunni and Shia sects as well as theologians from both sects. Shiites, lay people and theologians, believed that both husb and and wife play a major role in decision-making about family planning, while Sunnis believed that men are the main decision-makers. All participants believed that men have an important role in family planning, but also that men do not like attending family planning clinics. Religious tenets were important in couple's decision-making about using contraceptives but there were confusions over different teachings

Opioid use in patients presenting with pain in Zahedan, Islamic Republic of Iran

To study the prevalence and factors associated with opioid use in pain, 480 consecutive patients with a chief complaint of pain were interviewed at 10 clinics in Zahedan. The data were analysed in relation to 18 possible associated factors. The prevalence of opioid use was 28.5% in patients presenting with pain. There was no significant relation between opioid use and chronic pain [>/= 6 months], but there was a relationship with the following 5 factors: previous opioid use by friends [72.9% versus 20.4% without friends using], occupation [58.5% private sector employees/self-employed versus 17.4% housewives], cigarette smoking [60.8% versus 21.8% not smoking], consultation for a psychological problem [38.3% versus 23.3% without], and death of a spouse [60.0% versus 26.1% without]

Contraception continuation rates and reasons for discontinuation in Zahedan, Islamic Republic of Iran

We evaluated contraception continuation rates and discontinuation reasons in Zahedan among 1741 women from 1998-2000. By Kaplan-Meier technique continuation rates were 92% for low dose combined hormonal oral contraceptives [OC], 86% for a levonorgestrel-releasing implant, 82% for intrauterine devices [IUD] and 53% for medroxyprogesterone acetate at the first year. After 3 years, continuation was 78% for levonorgestrel implant, 70% for OC, 60% for IUD and 44% for medroxyprogesterone acetate. The commonest reason for discontinuing OC and medroxyprogesterone acetate was changing method; for IUD and levonorgestrel-releasing implant, the commonest reason was side-effects. By Cox regression model, continuation rate and contraceptive type were significantly related to health centre

[Prevalence of hepatitis B and C in patients with major Beta-thalassaemia referred to Ali- Asghar hospital in Zahedan, 1381]

Patients with major beta -thalassaemia have a potential risk for infection cause of hypertransfusion and today one of the most improtant health problems in these patients is prevention and control of these viruses. In this study, we determined prevalence of hepatitis B and C and risk factors in a group of patients with major beta -thalassaemia. This descriptive study was performed in Zahedan city in 1381 on 364 patients with major beta-thalassaemia. At first, a questionnaire containing some questions about demographic characteristics was filled for all patient, including: age, sex, frequency of blood transfusion in year, time of diagnosis, history of vaccination, then blood samples of patients were tested to detect serum markers including HBsAg, Anti-HBc, Anti-HCV, Anti-HBs with Eliza method. Positive EIA results of HBsAg and Anti-HCV were confirmed respectively with neutralization test and RIBA.. By using SPSS 10/10 software we analyzed our data; the results were also analyzed by Chi-square. We studied 364 patients with major beta-thalassaemia, 206 [56.6%] were male and 158 [43.4%] female. Average of patients age was 9.7 +/- 5.17. 205 [56.3%] patients were Balooch. Out of them one case was HBsAg positive and 49 cases were Anti-HCV positive, therefore, prevalence of HBsAg and Anti-HCV positive were respectively 0.3% and 13.5%. 321 cases [88.2%] were Anti-HBs positive and 88 [24.2%] were Anti-HBc positive. Statistical analysis showed that HCV infection was more prevalent among older patients. Prevalence of Anti-HCV positive test in hypertransfusion patients [>20 times] was more [33.3%] compared with other age groups [<15%] [P=0.006]. Our results showed that prevalence of hepatitis C in patients with major beta-thalassaemia in Zahedan is very high, but it seems screening of blood donor effectively decreases prevalence and incidence of infection

[Knowledge about students' health needs among teachers of Zahedan primary schools]

Background: students are major part of population that their physical and mental health provides health and dynamic society. For achievement this criteria, teachers have essential and main role if' they possess required knowledge. Therefore study was conducted to determine teachers· knowledge about students' health needs

Methods and Materials: a cross- sectional study was designed in 2003 and 400 teachers of Zahedan primary school was selected randomly. A 30-item questionnaire was developed including questions about environmental health and students' physical and mental health. Data was analyzed using SPSS 11

Results: the teachers' knowledge about environmental health in three categories low, moderate, and high respectively was 71.5%. 28.5% and 0.0%. About students' physical health it was 19% low, 78.3% moderate, and 2.8%high. The knowledge about students' mental health was 22% low, 61% moderate, and 17% high. The teachers' knowledge had no relation with their education level

Conclusions: results showed teachers' knowledge about school health is not adequate. Therefore teaching teacher about school health specially students' mental health as an effective strategy is recommended

[Effects of group counseling program with women on knowledge, attitude, and practice [KAP] of their husbands regarding family planning in Zahedan health centers in 2002]

Male involvement is one of the main factors in good performance of family planning programs, and interspouse communication appears to be a precondition for its success. A quasi-experimental study [before and after counseling] was conducted in Zahedan in 2002, to investigate the effect of group-counseling with women on KAP of their husbands concerning family planning. Forty four women with two or more children who had not used contraception were selected by non-probability sampling from 3 health centers. After completing a questionnaire asked from women and their husbands and determining their educational needs, women in 5 groups, 8 members, each participated 3 Counseling sessions. The program was evaluated one month after intervention [by a questionnaire and a checklist]. T-Paired Test showed that mean scores of knowledge and attitude of women and their husbands before and after intervention were significantly different [P<000.1]. After intervention, 43% of cases selected one of the contraceptive methods [P<0.00001]. Findings showed that we can improve the KAP of husbands regarding family planning by appropriate counseling of women

Knowledge, perceptions and prevention of malaria among women in Sistan va Baluchestan, Islamic Republic of Iran

A questionnaire about malaria knowledge, beliefs and practices was given to a r and om sample of 2168 married women from rural and urban areas of Sistan va Baluchestan, Islamic Republic of Iran. The mean knowledge score of subjects was low at 5.5 [maximum 15.0]. Few respondents [37.6%] knew that malaria was an important disease in the area and only 58.4% knew that malaria was transmitted by mosquitoes. Most subjects [69.4%] never used a mosquito net. Only 49.9% of rural and 73.8% of urban residents would seek care for fever and chills from the local health centre. Community health workers [behvarz] were the main source of information [29.5%] for rural women; the role of physicians in education was minimal. Subsequent health education must be tailored to the educational needs of the target population in this area

Continuation rate of contraceptive methods and causes of their discontinuation in Zahedan

Although significant success is obtained on birth control in recent decades, but considering limitation of financial sources to control population growth, it seems necessary to conduct more studies on quality usage of contraceptives. Aim of this study is to evaluate contraceptive continuation rate and main factors for their discontinuation in Zahedan in year of 2000. 1743 women were chosen who were using one of birth control methods: OCP, IUD, injections and Norplant from beginning of 1998. The mean age of the women was 27 +/- 6 years and mean age of their husband was 33 +/- 8 years. Average number of their children were 2.8 +/- 2, 89.6% of them were housewife and 28.7% were illiterate. Oral contraceptive was the most popular method of contraception with frequency of 71.2%, and other methods included injection 12.9%, IUD 12.7% and Norplant 3.1% respectively. Kaplan Mayer technique showed that the highest continuation rates for LD [92%], Norplant [86%], IUD [82%], injection [53%] respectively at first year. At the end of three years continuation rate was Norplant users [78%], LD users [70%], IUD [60%] and injection [44%] respectively. Common reason for discontinuation of OCP and injection was change of method and common cause of discontinuation for IUD and Norplant was side effects. Contraceptive continuation was not significantly the level of women's education and their husband's, women's job and their husband's, number of children and age of last child. Contraceptive continuation in Cox model showed a significant relation with type of contraceptives and health centers. Therefore more studies are proposed for the reasons and proper consultation with women on time of contraceptive methods and up to first six months

Knowledge, attitude and practice of Afghan refugee women residing in Zahedan about family planning

Considering the high number of Afghan refugees in Zahedan and the important issue of their life style, the present study was carried out to determine knowledge, attitude and practice of Afghan Refugee women residing in Zahedan about family planning. A sample of 397 married women was interviewed at their homes. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square, t-student and Kruskal Wallis tests by SPSS. Our findings indicated that there existed low marriage and pregnancy age and high rate of pregnancy and illiteracy among them. Most Afghan refugee women had knowledge about oral contraceptives and the most common contraception used by them was oral and injectable contraception. Forty eight and sixth percent were using no contraception, for which, intention to have more children, being pregnant and husband's disagreement were mentioned as main reasons. Unwanted pregnancy was reported by 20.4% with improper use of contraception as its main reason. They believed that having son in the family [51.8%] and early marriage of daughters [57.8%] are necessary. There was a significant relationship between knowledge, attitude, practice with literacy, husband's literacy, ethnicity, and their religion [P < 0.001]. Iranian health system presents health services to refugee Afghan women similar to Iranian women. It is necessary to continue those services and to provide effective training based on their changing needs