[Evaluation of malnutrition prevalence and its related factors in primary school students in Kurdistan province]

Children are vulnerable because of their special age characteristics. Investigation of nutritional status of students can lead to design appropriate plans on teaching and hygienic programs. Correct nutrition is an important factor influencing learning ability, development of the educational growth, improvement of teaching, leading to increased investment on education and national profit. The aim of this study was to use anthropometric techniques for assessment of nutritional status in primary school students in Kurdistan Province, Iran. This was a descriptive- analytic cross-sectional study and included 1100 students selected by cluster sampling. Indices measured in this study were weight for age [W/A], weight for height [W/H], and height for age [H/A] and were compared to indices of NCHS standards. Based on the view of Ministry of Education, Kurdistan Province was divided into three parts; affluent, semi affluent and less affluent area. Some data were collected by interviewing students and their parents or obtained from their health records. Epi-info 2000 and SPSS were used for data processing. X2 and ANOVA tests were used for data analysis. According to the results of this study, the prevalence rates of malnutrition were 27.5, 32.3, and 36.9 percent of indices of W/A, W/H, and H/A respectively. There was a significant relationship between the mothers' occupations and chronic malnutrition [H/A], and also W/H [p<0.01]. There was a significant relationship between the parents education level and H/A, and W/H [p<0.01]. A significant relationship was noticed between weekly consumption of meat and chronic consumption of cheese and milk and chronic malnutrition [p<0.01]. The study showed a significant relationship between consumption of soft drinks and chronic malnutrition [p<0.01], and a significant relationship between consumption of confectioneries and W/H [p<0.01]. The prevalence rate of malnutrition in the primary school students in Kurdistan province was higher than those of other countries, but it is more desirable than those of some of other provinces of Iran

[Determination of the amount of aflatoxin in milk samples delivered to Sanandaj pasteurized milk corporation]

Aflatoxins are toxic mold metabolites produced by toxigenic strains of Aspergillus species. They have an important role in the occurrence of a number of human diseases such as liver cancer, chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to determine the amount of aflatoxin M1 in raw milk samples which had been collected for Sanandaj pasteurized Milk Corporation. A total of 84 raw milk samples from different places in Sanandaj and Tehran were collected randomly during 2 weeks [in February-2007]. After centrifugation of milk samples, upper creamy layer was completely removed and the lower layer was analyzed by using special ELISA kit made by Tecan S.r I corporation for determination of aflatoxin M1. Data were analyzed by means of ANOVA. Aflatoxin M1 was found in 77 of the milk samples examined. In the remaining samples [7 milk samples] aflatoxin was not found. In 67 milk samples the quantity of aflatoxin was within standard limits and in 17 samples aflatoxin level was higher than the maximum accepted limit [based on European Union standard]. There was a significant difference between the rate of milk contamination in different regions [p<0.001]. Presence of aflatoxin in dairy products is a serious problem for the public health, especially in infants and children who consume these products most frequently. Therefore milk and dairy products have to be inspected routinely for aflatoxin M1 contamination. To achieve a low level of aflatoxin Ml in milk, the milch cows' feeding should be under regular inspection for aflatoxin contamination

effect of yoghurt on BMI and weight reduction in overweight people

Diet regimen and nutritional therapy are suitable methods to reduce weight in obese people. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of yoghurt on weight reduction and BMI in overweight people. 32 overweight people in an interventional study were divided into two groups by block randomization, experimental group included 17 and control group 15 people. Before the beginning of study; the weights and heights of the subjects of the two groups were measured. The weight and BMI were measured in experimental group after 12 weeks again. Alterations of body weight and BMI in experimental group and control group were evaluated by means of SPSS software, Mann-whitney U and T-tests. p<0.05 was regarded significant. At the beginning of the study; weight, height and BMI of the people in the two groups had no significant difference but after yoghurt intake, experimental group, achieved more weight reduction than control group which was statistically significant [p<0.05]. Although reduction of BMI was not significant statistically in both groups; reduction of BMI in experimental group was more than that of control group. Taking two servings of the yoghurt is effective in weight reduction in the obese and overweight people

Survey of the nutritional regimen of the female students in Kurdistan University of medical sciences regarding energy, macronutrients and micronutrients intake in the second half of 1384

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional regimen and habits of the students in the fasting month of Ramadan and usual days together with obtained energy and macro/micro nutrients intake. This was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study. Every group included 60 female students who had been assigned randomly in three positions of home, dormitory and the fasting month of Ramadan. The groups received the 24 hr diet recall questionnaires in order to fill them out in 3 above mentioned positions. Finally 174 questionnaires were evaluated. Using descriptive and comprehensive statistic formulae, the data were analyzed by means of SPSS win software. The results of this study showed that the mean values for daily energy, unsaturated fatty acids, cholesterol and protein intake were 2258 +/- 823 Kcal 71.38, 7.26, 263.93 mg and 84.9 gm respectively. Also intake of some nutrients and vitamins like calcium, zinc and folic acid were less than normal. The comparison of the food intake by students in home, dormitory and Ramadan month showed that the students had received more nutriments at home so that in some instances such as cholesterol and fat intake significant differences were detected [p<0.05]. Considering the results of this study, it is necessary to add vegetables, fruits and dairy products to the nutritional regimen of the students

Survey of Sanandaj medical society member's attitudes and extent of their knowledge about herbal drugs and their prescription in 2001

Herbal medicine is one of the common methods of treatment in alternative medicine. Considering the ever-increasing rate of using the unconventional and herbal medicine in different societies, the evaluation of the knowledge of medical society members about herbal drugs and their administration is very important. This study was performed to determine the attitudes of Sanandaj medical society members and the extent of their knowledge about herbal drugs and their prescription in 2001. This study was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytic one. The population under study included all physicians, dentists, pharmacists and midwifes in Sanandaj. Sample size comprised 248 people. Collected data were recorded in questionnaires and analyzed by means of SPSS, win and x[2] descriptive statistical test. This study showed that 52.2% of population had affirmative views towards herbal drugs 23.5% expressed poor, 22.2% average and 16.7%? good knowledge about herbal drugs. 81.4% of the population had prescribed at least one herbal drug. There was a significant relationship between the extent of knowledge about herbal drugs and job of the subjects under study, so that the highest and lowest knowledgeability were of pharmacists and midwifes respectively [p=0.001]. There was a significant relationship between prescription of herbal drugs and job, so that pharmacists with 74% and general physicians with 81% had highest prescription rates [p=0.05]. According to our findings Sanandaj medical society members had average knowledge and positive attitudes towards herbal drugs so that holding seminars and workshops are considered of special importance to increase the knowledge of medical staff about herbal drugs and also educational courses about herbal drugs for medical students and establishing the herbal drug pharmacies are conducive to advantage