Parasitic contamination of wells drinking water in Mazandaran Province

There is a direct relation between the prevalence of some parasitic diseases and the presence of those etiologic agents in water. The purpose of this research was to determine the contamination rate of wells drinking water to parasites in Mazandaran province in the north of Iran. 989 water samples were randomly taken based on the population of towns and number of health centers from 12 cities of Mazandaran province and transferred to the laboratory in sterile containers. Water samples were then filtered and analyzed according to the World Health Organization guidelines. Direct method and Gram staining procedure were used to identify the parasites. If cryptosporidium was seen, floatation [sheather's sugar] and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method were performed. Parasites count was undertaken using McMaster counting slide [0.3 mL]. 197 out of 989 water samples were contaminated with different parasites. From 197 contaminated samples, 20 different types of parasites were separated of which 53 [26.9%] were pathogenic, 100 [50.8%] non pathogenic, and 44 non-infective stages of parasites. Distance between wells and sources of contamination, type of water distribution systems, city and chlorination status had significantly statistical relationship with contamination prevalence [p<0.001]. According to the results and considering the direct correlation between safe water and human health, proper implementation of providing hygienic drinking water should be enforced

[Study of infertile husbands' and wives' point of view to infertility and marital adjustment in patients refering to Royan infertility center of Tehran in 2005]

The rate of infertility is estimated 12-21% in Iranian couples. Cooperation of couples is needed for treatment. One potential risk factor for the development of marital problems is difference between partners in their approach to infertility. The aim of this study was to know the infertile couples' approach to infertility and marital adjustment. In this cross sectional study, 160 infertile couples reffering to Royan infertility center of Tehran were enrroled. The data concerning the infertility approach and marital adjustment were recorded in, Copper Smith self esteem and Dyadic adjustment scale [DAS] questionaire. SPSS soft ware was used for the ststistical analysis of the data. Findings showed that having children was very important to both husbands and wives and both involved in and wanted to talk about trying to have a baby. There was no difference between self esteem and marital adjustment in men and women. There was ststistically significant difference between approach to infertility and marital adjustment in both husbands and wives. Husbands' and wives' approach to infertility and marital adjustment can be used by psychologists in evaluation of infertile couples. Increase of couple interest and involvement in infertility treatment may lead to positive change in couples communication about infertility and to a more positive effect of infertility on the marriage