explanatory model of depression among female patients in Fars, Kurds, Turks ethnic groups of Iran

Depressive disorder is globally estimated to be as many as one in five visits to primary health care. Approximately more than 50% of depressed women in primary care are not diagnosed. As a part of a major investigation into perceptions of women's depression, this study explored how female patients and their relatives conceptualize patients' conditions in three ethnic groups in Iran [Fars, Kurds and Turks]. Qualitative methods were used for data collection. Depressed women and their relatives were purposively selected from the public psychiatric clinics affiliated to university of medical sciences in the three study cities. Twenty-five depressed women and 14 relatives were interviewed in three ethnic groups. One theme "illness meaning", including three categories: perceived symptoms, label of the illness, and effects of the illness was found through the content analysis. The participants perceived symptoms of illness as somatic and psychological depending on the participant's assumed reason for the onset of the illness. There were most similarities in term used for of the illness in the three ethnic groups. Most of the study participants described the illness in terms of nerve problems/illness, and depression "afsordehgi". The most important effects that depressed women had experienced because of their illness were marital conflict or a guilt feeling originating from their inability to support family. These findings suggest the need to recognize and choose appropriate diagnostic approach for depressed women in the context of Iran

Performance of hospital blood transfusion committees in Tehran [2005-2006]

Hospital blood transfusion committees supervise blood transfusion in hospitals. These committees could save time and cost by prevention of blood loss. This study was conducted to assess the performance of hospital blood transfusion committees in Tehran in 2005-2006. In this retrospective study, 46 reports from 13 hospitals [9 community and 4 private] being sent to Tehran Blood Transfusion Center in 2005-2006 were assessed. All reports were assessed from the perspective of duties entrusted by Iranian Ministry of Health. These duties were classified as [1] report of blood transfusion complications, [2] statistical report of blood transfusions, [3] statistical report of blood orders from different wards of hospitals, [4] report of blood transfusion indications, [5] report of educational programs, and [6] assessment of personnel problems and equipment of blood banks. Report of blood transfusion complications [77%] and report of blood transfusion indications [23%] were the most and the least reported duties, respectively. The most and the least relative frequencies for all hospitals, community, and private hospitals were 23%-77%, 33%-78% and 0%-75%, respectively. Committee reports in community hospitals were better than private ones, though the difference was not statistically significant [p>0.05]. Cross match to transfusion ratio was considerable only in one hospital [3.05]. This study showed that reports of hospital blood transfusion committees in Tehran in 2005-2006 are in a relatively poor condition. This condition in private hospitals was worse than community ones. More focus on reports of blood transfusion indications seems to be necessary. Since cross match to transfusion ratio is an important performance indicator for hospitals, it should receive a higher level of attention of hospital committees

[Impact of computer game and computer assisted type instruction on inattention and impulsivity of children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]

Treatment of inattention and impulsivity in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] is challenging. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of computer games versus computer assisted type instruction on inattention and impulsivity of primary school children with ADHD. In this single blind clinical trial, 37 primary school children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were divided into two groups. Group I [n=17] and group II [n=20] underwent one month intervention by computer game and computer assisted type instruction, respectively. Intervention was consisted of eight one-hour sessions. The two groups were matched for age, sex, school grade, drug, school performance, parents and teacher Conners' scale, having computer at home and history of work with computer. Inattention [commissions] and impulsivity [omission] was tested with continuous performance test, pre- and post-intervention. In the group I commission errors did not change significantly by the intervention. Commission errors decreased significantly in the group II [11.64 +/- 20.44 versus 14.10 +/- 10.18] [p<0.05]. Omission errors and reaction time showed no significant changes in both groups. With respect to the life time complications of ADHD children, and decrease in impulsivity by the computerized type learning in this study, we hope that with future studies, computer assisted instruction can play a role in the treatment of ADHD

Nausea and vomiting after general anesthesia with halothane or isoflurane; A double blind randomized trial

Postoperative nausea and vomiting [PONV] is potentially dangerous and causes morbidity and excessive costs to the patients. Prior investigators have reported controversies about halothane- and isoflurane-induced PONV, thus, the present study was conducted to compare these two drugs. 80 candidates for elective minor orthopedic surgery were randomly allocated into two groups, halothane [n= 40] and isoflurane [n=40]. Confounding factors including sex, age, duration of surgery, NPO, history of general anesthesia, history of PONV, drugs, and history of disease were recorded in a questionnaire. PONV was assessed at three occasions [recovery, 3- and 6- hour post operative]. PONV was reported in 4 [10%] and 3 [7.5%] patients in halothane and isoflurane groups, respectively [NS]. None of the patients suffered PONV 3- or 6-hour post operative. Results revealed that the incidence of PONV can be held low, with an aggressive control of risk factors, in addition, halothane or isoflurane seems to have no preference from this aspect to each other

[Correlation of raw conners' scores and family characteristics in general population of primary school children]

Background: Although, association of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and some family characteristics has been reported, less attention has been focused on the correlation between raw Conners' scores and family characteristics in general population. While higher raw Conners' score indicates more possibility of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, detection of such correlation highlights the need for screening of this disorder in some families. Aim of this study was to assess the possible correlation of raw Conners' scores and family characteristics in general population of primary school children

Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, parent's and teacher's Conner's questionnaire and a checklist containing family variables was administered to 1000 primary school children who were randomly selected from all primary schools in Shahrekord, in 2002. 819 subjects entered the study

Results: Raw Conners' scores were correlated with history of referral of father to psychiatrist, long absence of father from home, history of change in job of father, job of parents, educational level of parents, history of legal problems of parents, smoking of parents, drugs addiction by parents[p<0.05]. There were no correlation between raw Conners' scores and history of referral of mother to psychiatrist, history of referral of siblings to psychiatrist, long absence of father from home or living together of parents [p>0.05]

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, screening of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is recommended in those children whose father have history of referral to the psychiatrist, have long absence from home, with a history of change of job, or with parents with some jobs, with low educational levels, with history of legal problems, smoking or drugs addiction