The Relationship Between Maternal Periodontal Status of and Preterm and Low Birth Weight Infants in Iran: A Case Control Study.

AIM & BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that periodontitis is associated with systemic alterations such as adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, some conflicting results have been reported. This study was conducted to determine the association between periodontitis and preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW) to obtain information which is necessary for the planning of preventive programs of periodontal disease for pregnant women in this area. MATERIALS & METHODS: This case-control study was performed on 264 mothers. The index used to determine oral hygiene and periodontal diseases is Community Periodontal Index Treatment Needs (CPITN). RESULTS: The mothers in the sample group with single delivery delivered 8 times low birth weight infants more than the mothers in the control group with single delivery. And also the mothers in the sample group with multiple deliveries; delivered 10 times low birth weight infants and 8 times premature infant more than the mothers in the control group. CONCLUSION: More studies should be carried out in through preventing and treating periodontal diseases, expenses incurred due to preterm labor and low birth weight decrease and the society will witness fewer mental problems suffered by such children as they grow up. So we can emphasize the importance of periodontal care in prenatal health programs. And we may suggest that a special program of periodontal disease prevention for pregnant women is very necessary.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Nurses Regarding Organ Donation.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment team charged to help patients and their family making decision about donate organs in the final stage of life. Hence, their knowledge and attitude is important to plan of increasing the rate of organ donation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: About 150 nurses recruited in this cross-sectional study randomly. After taking informed consent, questionnaires were filled. The data collection tool was a multipart questionnaire including demographic information, 18 questions about attitude and practice and 15 question about knowledge toward organ donation. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using K-squire, Pearson correlation test, T-test, variance analyze on 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Most of participants (76%) were 25-44 years old. About 81.3% of them were female (n=122). The attitude average score between males and females was 85.25±35.61 and 70.37±46.53, respectively. The practice average score in females was 34.43±47.71 and between males was 29.63±46.53. The knowledge average scores were 50.60±16.19 and 56.54±17.48 for two groups (p>0.05). The knowledge average scores between different age groups was significant (p<0.05). There was a direct and significant relation between attitude and practice (r=+0.33, p<0.05), attitude and Factors influencing attitude and practice (r=0.866, p<0.05), but the relation between attitude and knowledge was indirect and significant (r=-0.183, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Since the medical team are most important adviser for promote activities related to organ donation, it seems that educational curriculum and facilities should applied to enhance attitude and behavior favorable change of personnel towards this issue.

Prevalence of dental caries among elementary school attendees in Iran.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to find out the dental caries status in six to nine years (6-9 years) old children. MATERIAL & METHODS: A total of 792 children including 396 girls and 396 boys were selected from several schools in Qazvin based on cluster sampling. Name, age, gender, address, and caries status each subject was recorded using a questionnaire. Intra-oral examinations were performed using a mirror and probes under suitable light-rays were not taken to diagnose the caries. RESULTS: Of a total of 792 children, 396 (50%) were males and the rest (50%) females. The dmft was 3.83, 3.57, 3.04 and 2.8 for aged six, seven, eight and nine respectively. The frequency of caries was higher in age group of six. The DMFT was 0.31 for each child. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that the frequency of caries was found to be higher than reported is unexpectedly high among the age group investigated in our research. According to the high prevalence obtained in our study, health recommendations on oral hygiene to target population and also parents and teachers should be made.