Intersectoral collaboration to develop health equity indicators in Iran

Health equity is considered as one of the main objectives of health care systems. This study was carried out with the aim of determining health equity indicators in Iran. Through consideration of these indicators, differences in health status of different social groups and different geographical areas can be shown in different periods and based on that, effective interventions can be designed. This study is carried out through a main workshop and expert panels and final consensus on selected indicators. The first draft of indicators and inequity stratifying variables were prepared and then revised by working groups consisting of experts inside and outside Health system. Finally ideas were accepted or rejected after presenting enough reasons and deep examination through the Consensus-Oriented Decision-Making [COMD] model. Fifty two indicators have been determined as health equity indicators in five areas including health, social and human development, economic development, physical environment and infrastructure and governance. Furthermore, for each indicator the proper and practical stratifying variables of inequity were identified. By calculating such indicators, it becomes possible to determine differences in health status of different social groups and different geographical areas

[ experience of mothers with newborn jaundice: a qualitative study]

Neonatal jaundice is still a leading cause of preventable brain damage, physical and mental handicap, and early death among newborns in many countries. In spite of this fact, Iranian mothers seem not to approach their newborn jaundice appropriately. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore mother's viewpoints regarding their newborn jaundice. Using qualitative method, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of fifteen mothers who their infants were hospitalized in one of the hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences with a diagnosis of jaundice newborn. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Two themes and two sub-themes were identified in data analysis. The main themes were challenge between traditional and modern approach to newborn jaundice [with two sub-themes of traditional understanding of disease' nature and challenges in treatment and follow ups] and mothers concerns for their infants' future. In general, mother weren't aware of disease' nature and their traditional approach had caused challenges in treatment of their newborn jaundice. Considering the finding of the study, in order to help mothers to approach their newborn jaundice appropriately and disease follow up, it is recommended that nurses and midwives instruct mothers about their newborn jaundice and plan for perinatal care

[Effect of subcutaneous injection of sterile water on labor pain, type of labor, and satisfaction with pain management in nulliparous women]

Labor pain is usually the most severe pain women experience in their lives. Most women suffer from low back pain during first stage of labor. The pain can produce adverse effects on delivery procedure. Because of potential side effects of medications used in labor, alternative methods for pain relief have received more attention nowadays. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of subcutaneous injection of sterile water on labor pain, type of labor, and satisfaction with pain management in nulliparous women. This was a randomized single-blind study. Samples were consisted of 80 women who were randomly allocated to two intervention and control groups. In the intervention group [40 women] sterile water was injected subcutaneously in four sacral regions during first stage of labor. In the control group, we just inserted a needle in the same area. Low back pain intensity was assessed before and 10, 45, and 90 minutes after the injections using visual scales in both groups. Data were analyzed using descriptive [relative and absolute frequencies, mean and standard deviation] and inferential statistics [t-test, paired t-test and c[2]] in the SPSS. There was no significant difference between two groups at baseline. The mean of pain intensity in 10 and 45 minutes after the injection was decreased significantly in the intervention group [P=0.00]. There was no significant difference between two groups in the 90[th] minute. There was no difference in the type of labor between two groups. The mean of the satisfaction score was higher in the intervention group than in the control one. It seems that subcutaneous sacral injection of sterile water might be an effective and safe method to alleviate labor pain in women

[Effect of demecolicne treatment on the developmental competency of in vitro matured bovine oocytes]

The aim of this study was to investigate whether demecolicne treatment of matured bovine oocytes adversely affects the process of in vitro fertilization and embryo development. Bovine Cumulus Oocyte Complexes [COC's] were matured in vitro and then were randomly allocated to two treatment groups of common concentrations of demecolicne [0.05 and 0.4 micro g/ml for 30 min] and a control group. COC's were then fertilized and cultured in vitro for up to 9 days when the ratios of in vitro embryo development and the viability of the hatched blastocysts were assessed and compared with the control group [p<0.05]. The ratios of the cleavage and blastocyst formation of demecolicne treated groups [0.4 and 0.05 micro g/ml] were 68.6, 63.5% and 23.3, 32.8%, which were not significantly different from the control group [73.3, 29.0%], respectively. The results of cell-viability were also not significantly different between the control vs. treatment groups. Since the overall indices of in vitro embryo development revealed no significant difference between the demecolicne treated compared to control bovine oocytes, it seems that demecolicne treatment of matured bovine oocytes may not compromise their potency for further in vitro development

Pretarsal dermoid cyst: a case report

To report a patient with pretarsal dermoid cyst. A 2.5-year-old girl presented with a pretarsal upper lid mass and underwent excisional biopsy. A 1.0x1.0 cm cystic mass attached to upper lid tarsus was completely excised. Pathologic study of the specimen revealed a dermoid cyst. Although pretarsal dermoid cyst is rare; it should be considered in all cases with mass lesion in the pretarsal lid

Preparation of heme control for cellulose acetate electrophoresis

To avoid laboratory errors in the detection of hemoglobinopathies, a control sample containing hemoglobin [Hb] A,F,S or C should run with each set of samples.The aim of this project was to prepare a lyophilized heme control for the cellulose acetate electrophoresis.After lysing the red blood cells, the hemolysate was centrifuged at 25000 rpm. The clear red supernatant was diluted with drabkin reagent to 20-30 gr/L and Hb was converted to cyanomethemoglobin. After adding sucrose and preservatives, the hemolysate was passed through milipore filter [0.45 ?m] and then aliqouted and lyophilized.In this project three heme control samples were prepared. The first sample contains Hbs A,F,D or G the second one contains Hbs A,S, and the third contains Hb A,F. Although the amount of potassium cyanide used is 10 times less than other methods, the stability is more than 6 months at 4oC; moreover, and the electrophoretic patterns have good resolution and the obtained CV and SD show good reproducibility.The preparation method in this project is simple, reliable, cost effective and in comparison with other methods has less amount of potassium cyanide; therefore, it is safe for the laboratory staff