Satisfaction levels with family physician services: a pilot national health programme in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Family physicians in the Islamic Republic of Iran have been providing health and medical services to residents from rural areas since 2005, and from 2011 these services have been delivered to urban residents in Fars and Mazandaran provinces. This study was conducted in 2014 to measure the rate of user satisfaction with services provided by family physicians to the rural and urban population of the second most populated county in Fars province [Marvdasht county, population > 330 000]. In urban and rural areas, 1650 houses [825 in rural and 825 in urban areas] were selected, of which 1561 houses were inhabited [2908 individuals in urban and 3062 individuals in rural areas] and an interview-administered doorstep questionnaire was completed. Overall satisfaction rate was 59.2%: 54.5% for urban areas and 63.2% for rural areas. This study suggests that satisfaction is higher among rural residents and that better quality services from family physicians are needed in both rural and urban communities

[Shift work-related health problems among petrochemical industries employees]

Shift work is a major feature of working life that affects diverse aspects of human life. The objective of this study was to investigate shift workrelated health problems and their associated risk factors among employees of petrochemical industries. This cross-sectional study was carried out at 14 petrochemical companies in 2009. Study population consisted of 2357 workers [including 43.7% shift workers and 56.3% day workers]. Data on personal details, shift schedule and adverse effects of shift work were collected by anonymous questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, version 11.5. The level of significance was set at <5%. The mean of age in day workers and shift workers was estimated 36.26 +/- 8.20 and 34.96 +/- 8.08, respectively. Also, the mean of job tenure in both groups was estimated 10.83 +/- 7.50 and 10.15 +/- 7.55 years, respectively. Although, the results showed that health problems among shift workers was more prevalent than day workers, but the differences were only significant in relation to gastrointestinal and psychological disorders [P<0.05]. Multiple linear regressions indicated that in addition to shift working, other variants such as long working hours, type of employment, second job, age and education were associated with health problems. Prevalence rates of gastrointestinal and psychological problems among shift workers were significantly higher than those of day workers. Although, working in shift system was the main significant factor associated with the reported problems, other demographic and work variables were also found to have association

survey of youth knowledge attitude and behavior toward ecstasy use in Northestern districts of Tehran

This study evaluated the knowledge and attitude of Tehran northwestern young population toward ecstasy use and its consequences. In this descriptive, analytical-crossectional study, 400 young [247males, 153 females] persons residing in northwestern districts of Tehran were assessed by a demographic and knowledge, attitude and behavior questionnaire. They were selected via the multi-stage random sampling. The data were analyzed through the descriptive statistic methods and x [2]. 41% of samples had good knowledge, 50%had moderate knowledge and 9% had low knowledge. 32%saples had good attitude, 44% had moderate attitude and 24% had bad attitude 26%of respondents have reported that they have used the ecstasy tablets. One important finding is that 31%of ecstasy user are also addicted to other kinds of narcotics. 44.9%of males and 35.3%of females were moderately aware of the dangerous outcomes of the ecstasy use.25.9%of males and 20.3%femles regarded the ecstasy use a bad and dangerous act. In this study there was a significant relationship between attitude and gender [p=0.035].also there was a significant relationship between ecstasy use and gender [p<0.001] and a notable relationship between ecstasy use and education [p=0.008] A considerable percent of respondents was not aware of the dangerous outcomes of the ecstasy and not show the expected negative attitude toward this drug and a vast percentage of them had used the drug

[Survey of radiation protection awareness anong radiation workers in Shiraz hospitals]

Ionizing radiations are the hazardous agents in the workplace and all forms of ionizing radiation produce some type of injuries. Awareness of application of protection guidelines and knowledge of the principles of radiation protection can play an important role in health of employees. Survey of radiation employee's levels of awareness and practical behavior is essential and should be standardized. The hospitals were visited to determine the number of radiation employees and to select the samples. Data was collected by questionnaire and analyses were performed by EPI6 software. The employee's awareness about protection in the radiation room was 70%, about application of film badge was more than 85%. The employee's awareness of periodic inspection of atomic energy organization expert was 54% and their knowledge of long term and short term radiation effects were 98% and 95%, respectively. There was a meaningful relation concerning the level of education and awareness of the employees about MPD or principles of radiation protection [P<0.0007 and P<0.003 respectively]. Our results reveal that the employees have acceptable knowledge about the use of film badges, however, they lack enough awareness concerning other issues of radiation protection. Proper and periodic educational courses for radiation workers are mandatory