A Study of Factors Influencing Low Deliveries at Maternity Facility Centers in Kohgilouyeh and Boyerahmad Province in 2007

Introduction & Objective: The Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran established maternity facilities in order to provide a safe delivery and reduce deliveries at home in rural areas. However, a few of deliveries in Kohgilouyeh and Boyerahmad province took place in these centers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the delivery status and factors influencing the pregnant women’s tendency to choose the place of delivery. Materials & Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 747 participants in the rural areas that were covered by maternity facilities in the first three months of 1384. Data were collected by a self-structured questionnaire whose validity and reliability had been determined previously. Data of age, education level, parietal status, antenatal cares, decision-maker for the place of delivery, geographical access to maternity facility centers and the cause of avoidance of referring to the centers were determined asking the women. Data were analyzed by SPSS software and using X2 statistical test. Results: The results showed that overall 31% (230 cases) of deliveries took place at home and 51% (384 cases) at hospital, but only 18% (133 cases) of deliveries took place at maternity facility centers. There was a significant difference in antenatal education by midwives between women who delivered at home and those that delivered at maternity facility centers, showing that more educated women have managed to deliver at the maternity facility centers (p < 0.001). 58% of mothers had selected their delivery place by themselves, but in others the delivery place was selected by their mothers, mothers-in-law, their husbands, etc. Almost 79% (181cases) of mothers who delivered at home announced that geographical access (long distance) to the maternity facility was major problem. In addition, there was a significant association between literacy, living place and the number of previous pregnancies with selection of delivery place (p< 0.005). Conclusion: Findings showed that the most important cause of avoidance of referring to maternity facility centers, from women’s point view, was geographical access to maternity facility centers as well as antenatal education by midwives

The Effects of Education on Preventive Behaviors toward Osteoporosis Based on Behavior Intention Model (BIM) on Female Students

ABSTRACT: Introduction & Objective: Osteoporosis is one of the most prevalent diseases which leave noticeable effects on the health. Life style plays an important role in determining the level of the disease. According to the statistics, two women out of three over 50 years of age and one man out of two of the same age suffer from osteoporosis or have low bone compression. The present study was conducted on female students of Health School of Yasuj University of Medical Sciences in 1386 (2007) and aimed to view the effects of education on preventive behaviors from osteoporosis based ( BIM). Materials & Methods: This is a semi- experimental study and the population were all of the female students of the health school who attended in Yasuj University of Medical Sciences in 1384 (2005). Eighty two respondents randomly placed in two groups of case & control (42 in case group and 40 in control group). Questionnaires were designed based on BIM. The samples were studied by educating program according to BIM and implemented in the form of lecture and group discussion over 3 months and 4 meetings in each month. Each meeting took an hour and half. The questionnaires were completed by both groups and analyzed by the SPSS software. Results: Based on the results, according to behavior intention model the average score of students above osteoporosis was 65.48 prior to intervention and it reached 90.24 after intervention which showed significant improvements. Conclusion: With regard to the results of the current study, special education based on behavior intention model is effective in improving the attitude and behavior intention of female students. Therefore it is highly recommended that BIM education be used for familiarizing osteoporosis to female students. Keywords: Behavior intention, Osteoporosis, Female student

Determining the Effect of Zizphus Jujba Extract Together with Phototherapy in Reducing Bilirubin Concentration in Neonatal Jaundice

Introduction & Objective: Neonatal jaundice is observed in the first week of birth among 60% of mature and 80% of immature neonates. This epidemic puts a lot of cost on the society. Today, phototherapy is used for the treatment of neonatal jaundice. Reducing the treatment period decreases the hospitalization costs. The Purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Zizphus Jujba extract and phototherapy on reducing both Bilirubin concentration and also the hospitalization period of neonatal jaundice patients. Materials & Methods: This was a clinical-trial study which was conducted at Imam Sajjad Hospital of Yasuj in 2009. 121 of the hospitalized neonates were chosen and divided into 2 groups: case group (63 neonates) and control group (58 neonates). 1 cc of the Zizphus Jujba extract per each kilogram of body weight was orally given three times a day to the case group. Also phototherapy was used in the case group. Phototherapy was the only treatment used for the control group. The Bilirubin concentration of the hospitalized patients was measured two times a day in the hospitalization period. The collected data was analyzed by the SPSS software using t-test. Results: The mean and standard deviation of the Bilirubin concentration in the control group before the intervention were 20.9±2.3 milligrams per 100 and after intervention was 12.27±1.23 milligrams per 100 while in the case group before intervention was 22.3±0.05 and after intervention was 12.27±1.01 milligrams per hundred. A significant difference was seen between the case and control group before and after intervention (p=0.001. Moreover, a meaningful reduction of the hospitalized days and a meaningful increase of excrement and urine in the case group were observed. Conclusion: This study revealed that administration of Zizphus Jujba extract with increasing amount of excrement and urine of the neonates can lead to Bilirubin discharge and can be effective on curing neonatal jaundice

Determination of Peroxide Value of Edible Oils Used in Restaurants and Sandwich Shops in Yasuj in 2006

ABSTRACT: Introduction & Objective: Nowadays the extensive changes in lifestyle resulted in an increase in consumption of fast food. This type of food, because of using deep–fat frying, may contain some toxic or unfavorable substances which have adverse effects on consumers’ health. The aim of this study was to determine the peroxide value of edible oils which are used in restaurants and sandwich shops in Yasouj city. Materials & Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on all sandwich shops (n=36) and restaurants (n=12) in Yasuj city in 2006. All samples and questionnaire data in restaurants and sandwich shops were collected at 11:30am and 12:30pm respectively based on a national standard protocol, number 493, by a food expert. The peroxide value was determined based on national standard procedure, number 4179, in a food laboratory and the acceptable limit was defined as 7 meq/kg. Results: Findings of this study showed that in terms of health rules and regulations, at least 50% of oils used in restaurants and 70% in sandwich shops were unfavorable. Peroxide value of 58.3% of oils in restaurants and 97.3% in sandwich shops was greater than the acceptable limit. Conclusion: These findings have shown that the health rules and regulations for the oils are not exercised in Yasouj restaurants and sandwich shops and this can have adverse effects on consumers’ health

Protective Effect of Zizphus Vulgaris Extract, on Liver Toxicity in Laboratory Rats

Introduction & Objective: Some of natural and synthetic products have antioxidant properties which protect the liver against the destructive factors. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Zizphus Vulgaris extracts on mice liver. Materials & Methods: This experimental study was conducted at Yasouj University of Medical Sciences in 2010 on 30 healthy adult male Wistar rats. Animals were randomly divided into five equal groups: the control group (receiving, olive oil), control group (receiving olive oil and carbon tetrachloride and three intervention groups (receiving different dose of carbon tetrachloride and olive oil) groups. The intervention group was given daily doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg per Kg of Zizphus Vulgaris extract by gavage respectively. After 45 days, the amount of liver enzymes, total protein, albumin and bilirubin in animal’s sera were measured. Data were analyzed by the SPSS software, using ANOVA and t-test. Results: The concentration of total protein, albumin, AST, ALT, ALP in test groups I, II and III receiving Z.Vulgaris extract (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg weight) compared with control group were statistically not significant. Consumption of Z.Vulgaris reduced the bilirubin concentration in test groups I and II but this decrease was significant only in the test group I Increasing of Z.Vulgaris dose in the test group III (600 mg Z.Vulgaris per kg body weight) showed increase in the level of serum bilirubin. Increase in the ratio of liver weight to body weight of rats in groups I and III in comparison with control groups was noticed although this difference was not statistically significant. Findings of this study revealed that dosage of 600 mg/kg extract of Z.Vulgaris caused significant improvements in CCl4 induced liver necrosis (P <0.01) and reduced portal cells inflammation (P <0.01). Dose of 400 mg/kg of Z.Vulgaris induced some destruction and necrosis of liver cells in animals but significant reduction of portal cells inflammation was seen. Conclusion: Considering the obtained results, it seems that Ziziphus vulgaris fruit extract has shielding effects against toxins on liver cells

Evaluation of Prevalence and Related Factors of Pediatric Asthma in Children Under Six Years Old With Logistic Regression and Probit

Introduction & Objective: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease. Asthma affects one in 13 school age children and is a leading cause of school absenteeism. It seems that prevalence of asthma is increasing wordwide. Many factors are identified and reported as factors related to asthma. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of asthma and associated factors in 600 children under six years using logistic regression and probit. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 600 children under six years old. Questionnaire was constructed based on ISSAC questionnaire and its reliability was determined with a pilot study and calculated by the Cronbach's alpha equal to 69 percent. Cluster sampling based on household records as clusters was performed. Questionnaires were completed by trained staff under supervision of an expert person and by interviewing parents and children. Results: The prevalence of asthma was estimated to be 3.10 (7.89 to 12.78) percent. Based on fitting models to data, factors such as gender, maternal nutrition, exclusive breast feeding to 6 months, smoking at home by a family member and having a history of respiratory allergy in families were significantly associated with asthma prevalence (p-value ≤ 0.05). The results also demonstrated that the both models are almost identical in evaluating the data. Conclusion: This study showed that estimated asthma prevalence is equal to average prevalence reported in Iran. Protective factors, such as exclusive breast feeding as a strategy can be appropriated in children's health care programs and should be much more considered

Incidence of neural tube defects and its risk factors in Yasuj, Iran (2000-10)

Background and Objective: The incidence of neural tube defects (NTDs) is varied according to race, geographical situation and other predisposing factors. This study was carried out to determine the incidence rate of NTDs and its risk factors in Yasuj, Iran. Materials and Methods: This case - control study was done on live newborns in Imam Sajad hospital, Yasuj, Iran during 2000-10. 78 neonates with NTDs out of 36755 live newborns were considered as cases. The control group was also consisting of the same number of healthy neonates who born at the same period and in the same hospital. Data were collected by a check-list and analyzed using SPSS-19, Chi-Square, Logistic regression and odd’s ratio. Results: The incidence rate of NTDs was 2.12 per 1000 live births. Anencephaly and Spina Bifida was detected in 59 (75.6%) and 19 (24.3%) of affected newborns, respectively. The ratio of females to males was 1.5 times. 53.85% of mothers with affected newborns were grouped in 27-36 years age range. The mean number of pregnancies and abortion between two groups of mothers had no statistical significant differences. There is no significant relation between the mothers occupation and the incidence of NTDs. 10 (12.8%) of mothers from case group and 7 (8.97%) of mothers from control group have used tobacco. 52 (66.7%) of mothers of case group and 30 (38.5%) of controls did not consumed folic acid. The relation between non-user folic acid during pregnancy with NTDs was significant (95% CI: 1.4-6.15, OR=2.93, P<0.001). Conclusion: This study showed relatively high incidence of NTDs in Yasuj. Non-consuming folic acid increased the risk of NTD by 2.93 times

Postmarketing surveillance of the oxidative stability for cooking oils, frying oils, and vanaspati supplied in the retail market

In this study, postmarketing surveillance (PMS) was conducted in terms of the parameters which are reliable indicators of the oxidative stability of cooking oils, frying oils, and vanaspati samples. The analyzed parameters were fatty acid composition, peroxide value (PV), free fatty acids (FFA), p‐anisidine value (p‐AV), induction period at 110°C (IP110) determined by Rancimat test, and TOTOX value. For this purpose, different samples from four highly popular brands of mentioned products were randomly collected from Iran's market during 2016–2018. All monitored products had trans fatty acid &lt;1.0%. In the case of FFA and IP110, the ranges of 0.03–0.08 (%) and 9.3–17.2 hr were obtained, respectively, being mostly in conformity with the National Standard of Iran (FFA &lt; 0.1% and IP110 &gt; 15 hr). The ranges of PV of cooking oils, frying oils, and vanaspati samples were 1.2–2.7, 0.93–2, and 0.84–1.6 meq/kg, respectively. Our results revealed that p‐AV of frying oils and cooking oils was mostly outside of legal limits of Iran (p‐AV &gt; 6) with the ranges of 4.2–12.5 and 4.3–12.3, respectively. In terms of TOTOX value, monitored products had a range from 5.2 to 13.0 (mostly &lt;10) being nearly acceptable