[Reasons for irregular use of ferrous sulfate tablet in women referred to health centers in Bourojen city, 2005-2006]

Both the pregnant and breast feeding women are of the groups who are predisposed to iron deficiency anemia [IDA]. Although there is a regular program about consumption of ferrous sulfate tablet by these women, about 67 percent of them do not use their tablet regularly. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the reasons for irregular use of ferrous sulfate tablet in women referred to health centers in bourojen city. In this descriptive and analytical study which conducted in health centers of boroujen in 1384-85, 270 pregnant women with 16[th] week of pregnancy to two mounts after delivery were selected and interviewed. A questionnaire, including their demographic information, tablet consumption, attitude and behavior was filled in. Data were analyzed using Chai-square, Mann Whitney, Wilkakson, and Cruscal-Valis. The results showed that%33.1 of the women used their tablet regularly,%56.8 of them consumed it irregularly and%10.2 did not take it at a1. There was no relationship between regular consumption of the tablet and familial level of socio-economical statues. Some of the reasons for irregular consumption of this tablets were forgetting of time interval of consumption [48.4%], nausea and vomiting during pregnancy [%12.4], and lack of knowledge and attitude toward necessity of consumption [%16.4]. There were no significant relationship between number of delivery or pregnancy and age, employment, knowledge and attitude of the women [P<0.05]. Our results showed that in mothers increasing knowledge and information by educational methods such as class and booklet, intermittent consumption of tablet can decrease forgotten dose of tablet and improve level of information

[ effects of low intensity aerobi exercise on blood pressure]

Immobility and hypertension [HTN] are known risk factors for coronary heart disease [CHD] and crebrovascular accident [CVA]. Blood pressure control [in normal range] would prevent or postpone CHD and CVA. Non-phamacological method is one of the most important measures in control of high blood pressure. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate the effect of low intensity aerobic exercise on blood pressure of employees with essential hypertension. This is a quasi-experimental study in which, 36 male employees suffering from hypertension who referred to the health facility centers of Boroujen, participated in a low intensive exercise program for four weeks, three times [each one, 20-30 min.] a week with intensity of about 50%-60% maximum heart rate [MHR]. Before beginning of the exercise, immediately after that, and one week later, the parameters blood pressure, heartbeat, and body mass index and weight were measured. Using statistical methods [t test and analysis variance] the data were analyzed. The mean age of the subjects studied was 46.13 +/- 5 years. Before and after the intervention [exercise], the mean of systolic blood pressure [SBP], mean arterial pressure [MAP] and diastolic blood pressure [DBP], were 150.04 +/- 12 mmHg and 149.5 +/- 11 mmHg [p>0.05], 109.4 +/- 6 mmHg and 106.3 +/- 6 mmHg [p<0.01], and 109.4 +/- 6 mmHg and 106.3 +/- mmHg [p<0.001], respectively. In the cases of heart rate, weight, and body mass index, no significant reduction was observed. Based on these results, the low intensity aerobic exercise is an effective method for the control of blood pressure

[ effect of trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS] on range of motion and morning stiffness of knee joint on patient with knee osteoarthritis]

Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent human joint disease and knee joint is the most common joint, which is affected in the disease. The most common signs of this disease are reducing of motion range and morning stiffness of knee joint. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the effect of TENS technique, as a non-pharmacological therapy, on range of motion and morning stiffness of knee joint on patients with knee osteoarthritis. In this quasi-experimental and single blind study, a total of 57 patients with knee osteoarthritis who referred to Imam Khomeini hospital in Tehran in 2005 were randomly divided into two groups of case [29] and control [28]. TENS technique [110 Htz] was administered to the case group for 4 weeks [3 times a week for 20 minutes]. Then, range of motion and morning stiffness of knee joint measured in different times during the intervention in this group. The same situation was used for the control but with turn-off system [Placebo]. Range of motion and morning stiffness of knee joint was measured in the two groups in the first season [beginning], sixth session and at the end of study. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, KV, and t tests. The mean of motion range in the case group was 82.2 +/- 2.26 before intervention, and increased to 89.7 +/- 3.07 and 117 +/- 4.5 at the sixth session and at the end of intervention, respectively [p<0.001]. In the control group, the mean of this parameter in different times of intervention was not significant. Moreover, in the two groups, there was not significant difference in joint morning stiffness in different times of intervention. Based on the results, TENS technique affects remarkably on range of motion with no effect on morning stiffness of knee joint in patients with osteoarthritis. Thus, this method would increase range of knee motion in patients with osteoarthritis

Study effect of relaxation technique on anxiety and stress in elders with hypertension

Anxiety and stress are among the most important problems of modern life. These problems, particularly in elders who their adaptation to the problems is low, result in serious complications in health. This study was performed to assess the effects of progressive muscle relaxation [PMR] technique on anexiety and stress in the hepertensive elders. This quasi-experimental study was conducted in Kahrizak charity foundation in Tehran, in 2005. In this study, 55 elderly men and women who resided in the centre and suffered from hypertension, were randomly divided into two groups; experimental [27] and control [28]. PMR technique was administrated to the individuals of experimental group for 6 weeks [3 times a week, for 20 minutes]. Subsequently, using depression anxiety stress [DAS] questionair, the level of anxiety and stress was measured in the two groups at the beginning, in the third week and at the end of the study. The data was analyzed, using Manvitni, Wilkakson and ANOVA tests. Using PMR, mean of anxiety and stress in the individuals of experimental group was 38.8 +/- 4.02, before intervention and decreased to 3434.3 +/- 3.7, at the third min. and to 33 +/- 5.17, at the end of intervention [p<0.01]. In the control group, the means were 38.6+4.14, before intervention, 37.5+6.07 at the third week and 39.5 +/- 4.16 at the end of intervention. These differences were statistically significant [p<0.05]. Also, in the individuals of experimental group, there was a significant decrease in SBP, DBP, HR, RR [p<0.01], whereas in the control group, these parameters, except RR were increased [p<0.01]. Our results showed that using non therapeutic techniques such as PMR may control both stress and anxiety and their complications such as hypertension in elders. This would result in healthy and prolonged life in this age group like others