Faunistic Composition and Spatial Distribution of Scorpions in North Khorasan Province Northeast of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Scorpions pose one of the most important public health and medical problems in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, especially in developing countries. This study was conducted to determine the fauna and spatial distribution of scorpions. METHODS: In this descriptive study, scorpions were captured using ultra-violet (UV) light, pitfall traps and digging methods in North Khorasan Province, northeastern Iran in 2017. After being encoded, the collected scorpions were stored in plastic containers of 70% ethanol and then transferred to the medical entomology lab of Tehran University of Medical Sciences for species identification based on morphological keys. In addition, Arc Geographic Information System (GIS) 9.3 software was utilized for mapping spatial distribution of scorpions. RESULTS: Overall, 143 scorpions were captured and identified. All of collected scorpions belonged only to Buthidae family. They were also classified into four genera (Androctonus, Mesobuthus, Odontobuthus, Orthochirus) and five species: M. eupeus (59.44%), A. crassicauda (16.78%), O. doriae (12.59), M. (Olivierus) caucasicus (9.09%), and O. farzanpayi (2.10%). Furthermore, spatial distribution of scorpions was performed in this area. CONCLUSION: Regarding the diversity, high frequency and wide geographical distribution of scorpions and their long-term seasonal activity in this area, the probability of occurrence of scorpion sting is high. Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of this public health problem, health educational programs be implemented by health- care providers in the area.

Relationship Between Home Safety and Prevalence of Falls and Fear of Falling Among Elderly People: a Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Falls and fear of falling are considered as the major factors affecting the elderly's disabilities, so that most of these individuals often find their homes as a safe environment. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between home safety and prevalence of falls and fear of falling among older adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 450 elderly people who lived in Bojnrud, Northeast of Iran, from December 2016 to July 2017 using cluster sampling method. A demographic characteristics questionnaire, Fall Efficiency Scale-International (FES-I)questionnaire, and Home Safety Checklist were employed as research instruments. RESULTS: Out of the study population, 157 individuals (35.7%) had a history of falls in the past one year. The mean score for fear of falling in the elderly people examined was 29.14±11.07 and the same value for home safety status was equal to 11.31±4.17. The mean score for fear of falling was significantly correlated with history of falls in older adults (p<0.0001). There was also a statistically significant relationship between home safety status and prevalence of falls and fear of falling in the elderly (p<0.0001). Besides, the results of logistic regression analysis showed that fear of falling could be estimated by 29-51%, taking the history of falls in the last 12 months and home safety mean score into account (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Home safety status and demographic variables could have effects on falls and fear of falling in elderly individuals. Therefore, putting these factors together, older adults at the risk of further falls can be identified and provided with trainings through planning and appropriate interventions to prevent the incidence of falls and their negative consequences among them.

The social network among the elderly and its relationship with quality of life.

INTRODUCTION: Attention to the needs of the elderly is a social necessity, and it seems that evaluating the social network and quality of life of the elderly can be useful in a better understanding of their needs. This study was performed to determine the relationship between the social network and the quality of life of the elderly in the city of Bojnoord in Iran. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 201 elderly people aged 60 years or more were selected by continuous and consecutive sampling method in Bojnoord, Iran in 2014. Data were collected using demographic questionnaire, Lubben social network scale and LEIPAD elderly quality of life questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 and using descriptive statistics and independent-samples t-test, ANOVA and Pearson product-moment coefficient. RESULTS: The results showed that 30.3% of elderly people studied, were subjected to a high risk of isolation. The highest mean in social network dimensions was in the family (19.68%), friends (12.01%) and the neighbors (9.90%), respectively. The mean score for quality of life of the elderly was as moderate to high (63.90±13.73), and among the quality of life dimensions, the highest mean was related to the self-care dimension (15.59%), and the lowest mean was related to the sexual functioning dimension (1.53%). The findings suggested a positive and significant relationship between social network and quality of life in the elderly who were studied (p<0.000, r=0.468). CONCLUSION: This study was a step toward understanding the social network status and quality of life of the elderly. It is necessary to say that health care professionals, especially nurses, display a significant role in the community to help people in this regard.