Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its related factors in AqQala city in 2016

Background and Aim: Vitamin D is provided through dietary intake or synthesis in the skin by ultraviolet ray from sunlight. Vitamin D has a significant role in calcium homeostasis and cellular growth and facilitating normal immune system function. High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is a particularly important public health in Iran. To the present study aimed at describing the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and identifying its related risk factors

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 200 healthy individuals from AqQala in Golestan province in Iran. Sociodemographic data, vitamin D and calcium intake and duration of outdoor activities were collected via a brief interview questionnaire. Blood samples were collected and serum level 25 [OH] D3 were measured using ELFA method. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 21 software

Results: High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was common in the studied population. Severe and intermediate vitamin D deficiency in the study population was 12% and 37.5%, respectively. Lower level of vitamin D deficiency was seen in 22% them. Men [81.7%] and women [65.5%] suffered vitamin D deficiency. Mean serum 25-[OH]D was significantly associated with age, sex, and duration of sunlight exposure; P<0.001. There was no significant difference in serum 25-[OH]D level in regard to age and physical activity [P<0.001]

Conclusion: Vitamin D is highly deficient in Agh Ghala inhabitants; particularly in men. This requires transferring the necessary information to the community and persuading them to improve their life style

relationship between serum lipids and obesity among elementary school in Birjand: a case control study

Childhood obesity could induce some risk factors for cardiovascular disease [CVD] including serum lipid abnormalities, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. The present study aimed to comparison the lipid profile in normal children with cases having overweight, obesity and central obesity. In this case control study, which was conducted 2013, serum lipids for three groups of children including cases with overweight [Body mass index [BMI]: 85-95th percentiles to age and sex and waist circumference [WC] <90th percentile to age and sex = Case group1], central obesity without general obesity [BMI <85th percentiles and WC >/= percentile 90 = Case group 2] and central obesity with general obesity [BMI >/=95th percentile and WC >/= percentile 90 = Case group 3] were compared with control group [BMI < 85th percentiles WC <90th percentile]. Data were analyzed using software SPSS-16 by chi-square and ANOVA tests at significance level alpha =0.05. Each group consisted of 100 individuals. The highest mean of serum lipids and the highest extent of dyslipidemia existed in the children having central obesity along with general obesity. So that 49%, 28%, and 38% students of this group show hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C]. Odd ratio of hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia and low HDL-c, in children with at least one abnormal index [BMI and /or WC] compared with control group were 3.73 [95% CI: 1.98, 6.99], 1.37 [95% CI: 0.71, 2.65] and 2.98 [95% CI: 1.51, 5.87], respectively. With regard to the relationship between central obesity and adverse changes in lipid profiles, the screening children for central obesity to prevention of cardiovascular disease are recommended

Medical students' perspective of Clinical Educational Environment of Hospitals Affiliated with Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Based on DREEM Model

Background and Aim: Clinical educational environment is very important to better prepare medical students. The aim of the present study was to determine the current status of clinical education in the main wards of the hospitals affiliated to Birjand University of Medical Sciences from the residents' and interns' viewpoints

Materials and Methods: This study was a across-sectional one, which was conducted between Marh to October 2014. Totally, 116 interns and residents participated in the study. Checklists of demographic information and DREEM questionnaires, which contained 50 questions each covering five domains of learning, teachers, perception of one's scientific ability, educational situation,and social condition understanding, were completed by the students

The obtained data was analysed by means of SPSS [V:15] software, using independent T and ANOVA

Results: Mean age of the students was 25.8+/-2.8 years. Mean score of clinical education in the main educational hospital wards was 155.03+/-27.86 of maximum 200.Mean score of students' perceptions of learning was 35.89+/-8.30, perceptions of teachers was 34.32+/-6.36, academic self-perception was 25.93+/-4.82; perception of the academic atmosphere was 37.19+/-6.49, and that of social self-perception was 21.55+/-5.12. Mean score of clinical education in the assistants was higher than that of the interns. [P=0.004] Mean score of clinical education was significantly different in the main hospital wards. [P=0.001]

Conclusion: The current status of the clinical education environment is desirable from learners' viewpoints

In some wards, such as the internal ward,the university authorities are expected to pay more attention to improving clinical education

Interns and Medical graduates' self-assessment of their attitde regarding common outpatient diseases of children in 2013

Background and Aim: Management of patients with outpatient diseases is the most important part of general practitioners working environment in future. The present study aimed at evaluating medicalinterns and graduates' self-assessment regarding their attitude about children outpatients in pediatric ward

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional and descriptive study 40 medical interns. and 20 medical graduates were selected as samples in 2013 and their attitude about quality and effectiveness of pediatric ward education was evaluated through their self-assessment by means of a researcher-designed questionnaire based on Likert scale. Mean attitude points of the subjects in three domains of diagnosis, treatment, and prescription of drugs regarding four groups of diseases including microbial diseases, parasitic diseases, neonatal diseases, and malnutrition were accounted

Finally, the obtained data was fed into SPSS [V :11.5] software and and was analyzed using independent Ttest at the significant level of ?lpha=0.05

Results: The medical graduates' attitude scores in the three domains of diagnosis, treatment, and prescription were 3.2.+/-0.27 , 3.21+/-0.30, and 3.06+/-0.37; and those of medical interns were 3.44+/-0.58 ,3.21+/-0.55 , and 2.97+/-0.59, respectively

The highest and lowest attitude mean scores of both groups in all of the three domains belonged to neonatal disorders and parasitic diseases. Mean attitude scores of the two groups in the three mentioned domains were not significantly different

Conclusion: The intern' self-assessment scores of attitude about children outpatients were not at a high level; and they did not increase parallel to working experience. Thus, improving clinical education is the main solution of the problem

Cardiovascular Risk Factors: a Study on the Prevalence of MS among 11-18 Years Old School Children in East of Iran, 2012

Metabolic syndrome [MS] is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disorders. MS is increasing among adolescents. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of MS in 11-18 years old Birjandi school children in 2012. This cross–sectional study was conducted on 2394 eleven-eighteen years old school children in Birjand [1304 girls and 1090 boys] through Multiple-Cluster Sampling. Height, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure were measured by standard methods. Blood glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C were measured after a 12-hour fasting. MS was defined according to the modified Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Data were analyzed by the SPSS software [ver. 16] using statistical T test, logistic regression and Chi square at P<0.05. According to this study, 6.9% of adolescents [4.5% of females and 9.9% of males] had MS. Occurrence rate of MS in male students was 2.32 times of female ones. Components of MS included low HDL [27.7%], hypertriglyceridemia [23.7%], central obesity [16.2%], systolic hypertension [9.4%], diastolic hypertension [0.9%], and high FBS [0.6%]. This study showed a significant relationship between MS, and overweight, obesity and central obesity. 48.5% of the adolescents had at least one component of MS. MS has a high prevalence in Birjandi adolescents, particularly in the obese ones. Thus, preventive measures such as correcting life style, having appropriate nutrition, and encouraging adolescents to have more physical activity are recommended

[Comparison of depression prevalence in medical students between the first and last years of Birjand university of medical sciences: brief article]

Background and Aim: Depression, due to its high prevalence and subsequent effects, is one of the important public health issues. Regarding the specific educational problems in the field of medicine and the importance of medical students' mental health the present study aimed at comparing the prevalence of depression in the first two and the last two years of medical in Birjand University of Medical sciences

Materials and Methods: This descriptive analytical and cross-sectional study was done on 151 medical students in the first two and the last two years in Birjand University of Medical Sciences in 2010. Assessment of depression was done by means of Beck's brief questionnaire in both groups who had been selected in a census. The obtained data was fed into SPSS software [V: 15] and was finally analyzed using by chi[2] and independed Student-t tests at the significant level alpha<0.05

Results: A total of 151 students whose mean age was 22 +/- 2 years participated in the current study. Prevalence of depression in all the cases in all types of the problem i.e. mild, moderate, and severe was 31/8%. Prevalence of depression in the first two years and the last two years was 29.8% and 34.3%, respectively which was not statistically significant. Prevalence of depression in males was more than females, which was not significant either. Besides, no significant relationship was found between prevalence of depression with variables such as age, residence, parental education, housing, and employment status of parents

Conclusion: Apparently, prevalence of depression in medical students in Birjand university of Medical Sciences is high, although studying medicine is not significantly decisive in the occurrence of the problem

Prevalence of abdominal obesity in adolescents 2012, birjand, east of Iran

Prevalence of obesity in children has been increased during recent decades all over the world. Obesity, particularly, abdominal obesity [AO] is associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to assess obesity and central obesity within students aged 11-18 of Birjand city. This cross-sectional and descriptive- analytical study was conducted on 2458 secondary and high school students, including 1345 girls [54.8%] and 1113 boys [45.2%], who had been selected from Birjand Middle and high schools through multiple-cluster sampling in 2012. For determination of AO, waist circumference and the percentage 90 or more regarding age and sex were used. The obtained data were analyzed by using statistical t-tests and X[2] at the significant level P < 0.05. Among the studied students, average 16.3% [20% of boys and 13.2% of girls] had AO. The obtained data about these two groups shows statistical significant difference of P < 0.001. Chance of AO in boys was 1.6 times greater than that of girls. Odds ratio [OR] = 1.6 [confidence interval [CI]: 1.3-2.1]. It was 1.9 times more about under 15-year-old than over 15 aged subjects. OR = 1.9 [CI: 1.5-2.4]. Regarding high prevalence of AO in Birjand adolescents, it is recommended that adolescents and their families should be warned for long-term outcomes of obesity on quality-of-life. Periodic studies are suggested for awareness of obesity trends in the coming years

Prevalence of overweight, obesity and central obesity among elementary school children in Birjand, East of Iran, 2012

Prevalence of obesity in children has been increasing during recent decades all over the world. Obesity, particularly central obesity, is associated with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. The present study aimed to assess obesity and central obesity in 6-11 year old Birjand elementary school children, East of Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1541 elementary school children, i.e. 851girls and 690 boys, selected from Birjand elementary schools through multiple-cluster sampling in 2012. In order to determine overweight and obesity the percentile of CDC was used, so that, 85-95[th] percentile were taken as overweight and >95[th] percentile was defined as obese with respect to age and sex. For determination of central obesity, waist circumference and the >/= 90[th] percentile were used regarding age and sex. The obtained data was analyzed by means of SPSS software [V: 15] using t and chi-square statistical tests at the 0.05 significant level. Out of the studied children, 9.6% [11% of boys and 8.3% of girls] were overweight and 9.2% of children [i.e. 10.9% of boys and 7.9% of girls] were obese. About 15.7% of children [i.e. 20.3% of boys and 12% of girls] had central obesity. Regarding high prevalence of obesity, central obesity, and overweight in Birjand elementary school children, it is recommended that families should be provided with necessary information with respect to correcting life-style and preventing obesity in children

Job stress and burnout syndrome in a sample of rural health workers, Behvarzes, in Tehran, Iran

In the last 30 years, ever since the PHC network in Iran has been established, the job duties of Behvarzes [Mental Health Workers in rural areas] have been constantly increasing. The aim of this study was to determine the burnout level, mental health status and the severity of occupational stress among Behvarzes. All Behvarzes [227] working in areas covered by Iran University of Medical Sciences were considered for participation in the study. Maslach Burnout Inventory, GHQ-12, and Stainmentz questionnaires were used. The completed questionnaires were returned by 93% of the subjects. The mean score of job stress was in the first percentile [42.8 +/- 27.16]. 17.6% of the study subjects had moderate to severe level of burnout; 12.3%, 5.3% and 43% of the subjects had abnormal scores on emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal subscales respectively; and 28.3% of the cases were suspected to have mental disorders by GHQ. In spite of increasing assigned jobs to Behvarzes, job stress and burnout are not seriously distressful. Providing more desirable personal accomplishment for Behvarzes by reducing job ambiguity/ conflict, participating in planning new programs, and improving interaction with health authorities may help them to overcome their job related pressure and increasing workload

assessment of reliability and validity of Persian version of the endometriosis health profile [EHP-30]

The Endometriosis Health Profile-30 [EHP-30] is a disease-specific questionnaire to measure the health-related quality of life in patients with endometriosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of Endometriosis Health Profile [EHP-30] in women with endometriosis referring to three Gynecology Clinics in Tehran, Iran. One hundred women [20 to 50 years old] with surgically confirmed endometriosis recruited from three outpatient Gynecology Clinics affiliated to the Iran University of Medical Sciences. All 100 patients were asked to complete EHP-30 questionnaire while referring to the Clinics. The findings were analyzed using descriptive statistics, internal reliability consistency, construct validity [using short form-36, which had already been validated in Iran], factor analysis [with principle component analysis method], and item total correlation to assess the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. The internal consistency reliability of the questionnaire was high [Cronbach's alpha ranged between 0.80 and 0.93 for core, and 0.78 and 0.90 for modular parts]. All items were loaded on their own factors except item 17 [feeling aggressive or violent] and item 18 [feeling unwell], which were loaded on pain and social support domains, respectively. Construct validity of EHP-30, established by using SF-36, indicates good correlations in several similar scales of these two questionnaires. The findings of the study demonstrate that Persian version of EHP-30 is a valid and reliable measure to assess the quality of life in women with endometriosis

Epidemiological survey of animal bites in east of Iran

Animal bite is an important public health problem. In Iran, surveillance system carries out primary prevention for total animal bite cases in order to prevention of rabies. This study is carried out to investigate animal bite epidemiology in Birjand from 2002 to 2009. Standardized investigation form is used to record data from Birjand health center regarding demographic data of individuals, exposure status, treatment and biting animals between 2002 and 2009. The mostly affected individuals were in age group of 20-29 [23.9%], males [78.3%] and in rural residents [64.2%]. Moreover, 86.3% were bitten by domestic animals and most cases were bitten by dog [80.3%]. Incidence rate of animal bites in Birjand was increased from 54.36 to 86.74 in 100 000 from 2002 to 2009. This study indicated that rabies surveillance in Birjand should focus on education to individuals, domestic animal vaccination and eradication of stray dogs

[Quality of life in patients with endometriosis in Tehran in 2009]

Endometriosis is a estrogen-depended and chronic gynecological disease. The symptoms of this with an overall negative impact on the psychosocial parameters in the patients, leading to a significant reduction of health-related quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate health-related quality of life in patients with endometriosis. This cross-sectional study was performed on women with endometriosis in Several hospitals affiliated Tehran University of Medical Sciences, with non randomized sampling method. Health-related quality of life in patients with endometriosis was investigated with endometriosis health profile [EHP-30] questionnaire in 5 scales including Pain, Emotional well-being, control and powerlessness, Social support and self imaging scales. Data analyzed by descriptive statistics in SPSS [15] software. Mean age of 100 Participants in this study was 39.5 +/- 7.54 years. Quality of life scores in core questionnaire domains was 36.20 to 46.73 and in modular questionnaire domains was 34.85 to50.55.Most aspects affected by disease were psychological and pain in core questionnaire and infertility in modular questionnaire. The least affected by the disease was self image domain. Our study showed that Endometriosis impairs health related quality of life, especially in the domains of psychological and pain. Emphasizing on life Quality of patients using appropriate medication therapy and Psychotherapy is necessary and important