Evaluation of knowledge and health behavior of University of Medical Sciences students about the prevention of COVID-19

Background: Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that have symptoms ranging from the common cold to severe respiratory syndromes. Objective: The purpose of this study is to provide appropriate strategies to raise knowledge and health behavior of students of the University of Medical Sciences to prevent COVID-19. Methods: This study was conducted as a cross-sectional and descriptive study, and the online questionnaire was used by random sampling. Our sample size was 360 subjects and the statistical population was the students of the University of Medical Sciences. We used the nonparametric test (Kruskal Wallis, Mann-Whitney U) and (Chi-Square t-test) for statistical analysis. Results: The test results were statistically significant for students' health behavior (p<0.01, df -99). The knowledge of women was higher than men (F=5.32, p<0.02). Conclusion: The results show that the Ministry of Health has acted well in promoting students' knowledge and health-promoting behaviors. Therefore, it is recommended that such research be conducted in the public statistical population

Evaluation of Cefixime Toxicity Treated With Sono-electro-Fenton Process by Bioassay Using Microorganisms

The aim of this study was to determine the toxicity of cefixime in the inlet solution and effluent treated with the sono-electro-Fenton process using standard strains of microorganisms. This research was performed as an experimental study, which was conducted on a laboratory scale. The standard strains of Escherichia coli (gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive) were used for bioassay. First, the stock solution of 1000 mg/L containing Cefixime was prepared, and for each bacterium (gram-positive and gram-negative), 5 samples from the inlet solution of the reactor and 5 samples from effluent treated with the sono-electro-Fenton process were collected under optimal conditions. Finally, each sample was transferred to 10 mL of sterile lactose broth, and a loop of E. coli or S. aureus was dissolved in each sample. Toxicity changes were investigated by calculating the percentage of growth inhibition. The results showed that after 10 hours, the growth rate of both bacteria in the control and the effluent samples was higher, while the growth of bacteria in the inlet solution was lower and had higher toxicity. Based on the results of the study, the toxicity rate for E. coli was reduced from 70% in the inlet solution to 9.3% in the effluent (86.7% reduction in toxicity), and in the case of S. aureus, it was diminished from 25.3% in the inlet solution to 7% in the effluent (72.3% reduction in toxicity) after 10 hours. Based on the results of the present study, bioassay using microorganisms is an effective and useful method to study changes in the toxicity of cefixime

Removal of Microorganisms by UVC Radiation From the Air of Hospital

Currently, UVC radiation is used in hospitals to eliminate microorganisms and reduce adverse health effects in operating rooms (ORs) and protective environment rooms (PERs). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of UVC irradiation on bioaerosols in ORs and PERs. This experimental study was performed in ORs and PERs in a hospital. Bioaerosols were evaluated according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) standard (No. 0800). The samples were collected from indoor air of rooms before irradiation and after UVC(254 nm) irradiation for 20 and 480 minutes. The sample size of the study was determined to be 432 (216 fungi and 216 bacteria). The difference between the mean concentration of bioaerosols in the UVC radiation at two intervals (20 and 480 minutes) was significant, which indicates a decrease in the concentration of bioaerosols by increasing the duration of UVC radiation. Some bacteria, such as group B Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, and Listeria, were entirely killed after 20 minutes of irradiation; however, complete removal of the bacteria such as Staphylococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus saprophyticus was observed after 480 minutes of UVC irradiation. Fungi, such as Alternaria, Stofelim, and Mucor had a 100% reduction after 20 minutes of UVC irradiation, and Rhizopus and Aspergillus fumigatus showed a 100% decrease after 480 minutes of UVC irradiation. Other isolated fungi such as Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus niger, Rhodotorula, and Alternaria showed a decrease of 75%-98.78%. The ultraviolet (UV) sensitivity of bacterial and fungal bioaerosols depends strongly on their type. The results from this study may offer an important understanding of the control of indoor bioaerosols using UVC irradiation and help abate the environmental impacts of airborne microbes

Food Safety and Health from the Perspective of Islam

For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Background and Objective: The relationship between food and the health of the soul and body is one of the issues mentioned in a monotheistic worldview including Islam. The verse "And We send down of the Qur'an that which is healing and mercy for the believers" confirms the influence of religious teachings in this respect. This study examines the Qur'anic guidelines on food safety and hygiene.Methods: This review study investigates into the health system through library reviews of authentic sources, religious teachings, Quranic verses, authentic statements from the infallibles (Imams and the prophet), important Qur'anic commentaries, statements and books on nutrition on national and international databases. After categorization, the results were analyzed and integrated. The authors declared no conflict of interest.Results: About 250 Qur'anic verses and dozens of statements from the infallibles point to the importance of food and nutrition. The Holy Qur'an mentions the word “food” 48 times, the word “eating” 107 times, and the word “drink” 39 times. In the verses related to food, it has been mentioned six times that food should be Halal, and in various interpretations, the importance of nourishing the body is emphasized. Attitude to food as a sign in knowing God, believing in divine generosity, enjoying divine intent, asserting the rights of those in need, clean eating, having a balanced diet, adhering to halal food, and avoiding forbidden foods are the most important attitudinal and habitual strategies related to food safety. In addition, human dignity is one of the most important outcomes of adhering to Islamic food safety strategies.Conclusion: Since in revelatory doctrines, a healthy diet involves physical, mental, spiritual and social aspects of human life, it is essential that health policy makers consider the Islamic nutritional approach to achieve a true universal health.For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Please cite this article as: Biglari H, Dargahi A, Vaziri Y, Ivanbagh R, Hami M, Poursadeqiyan M. Food Safety and Health from the Perspective of Islam. Journal of Pizhūhish dar dīn va salāmat. 2020;6(1):131-143.https://doi.org/10.22037/jrrh.v6i1.1914

The healthy behaviours and COVID-19 mortality among Iranian women: A case–control study

Background: Women are among the susceptible groups to Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) in Ardabil, north-west of Iran, despite the current global status. The underlying causes of high incidence and fatality rate of women in Ardabil are not fully understood. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the healthy behaviours in women of Ardabil and its relationship with COVID-19 mortality. Methods: We conducted a case–control study to compare the adherence to health protocols and behaviours with respect to COVID-19 between the infected (261 patients) and healthy (515 persons) women. Health protocols and behaviours such as using mask, gloves, disinfectants, history of travelling and contacting, and attending various gatherings and places during the COVID-19 pandemic along with demographic variables were defined as independent variables, and COVID-19 death rate was defined as the dependent variable. Multivariable logistic regression methods were used to explore the risk factors associated with COVID-19 mortality. Results: Chi-square and Fisher tests showed significant differences between infected and healthy women in terms of history of contact and traveling (p < 0.05), wearing mask (p < 0.001), going to work place (p < 0.001), and attend public gatherings (p = 0.038). Multivariable logistic regression disclosed that the age group over 80 years: 8.97 times (95% CI 2.27–29.85), women with underlying chronic diseases: 4.14 times (95% CI 1.61–10.64), and obese women: 3.01 times (95% CI 1.04–6.03) were more likely to die from COVID-19 than other women. Conclusion: Considering the high incidence and mortality rate in Ardabil women due to COVID-19 and the corresponding health behavioural factors, special emphasis should be given to the increase of women awareness on the importance of healthy behaviours, diet, and life-style

Global investments in pandemic preparedness and COVID-19: development assistance and domestic spending on health between 1990 and 2026

Background The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted gaps in health surveillance systems, disease prevention, and treatment globally. Among the many factors that might have led to these gaps is the issue of the financing of national health systems, especially in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), as well as a robust global system for pandemic preparedness. We aimed to provide a comparative assessment of global health spending at the onset of the pandemic; characterise the amount of development assistance for pandemic preparedness and response disbursed in the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic; and examine expectations for future health spending and put into context the expected need for investment in pandemic preparedness. Methods In this analysis of global health spending between 1990 and 2021, and prediction from 2021 to 2026, we estimated four sources of health spending: development assistance for health (DAH), government spending, out-of-pocket spending, and prepaid private spending across 204 countries and territories. We used the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)'s Creditor Reporting System (CRS) and the WHO Global Health Expenditure Database (GHED) to estimate spending. We estimated development assistance for general health, COVID-19 response, and pandemic preparedness and response using a keyword search. Health spending estimates were combined with estimates of resources needed for pandemic prevention and preparedness to analyse future health spending patterns, relative to need. Findings In 2019, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, US$9·2 trillion (95$7·3 trillion (95% UI 7·2–7·4) in 2019; 293·7 times the $24·8 billion (95$43·1 billion in development assistance was provided to maintain or improve health. The pandemic led to an unprecedented increase in development assistance targeted towards health; in 2020 and 2021, $1·8 billion in DAH contributions was provided towards pandemic preparedness in LMICs, and$37·8 billion was provided for the health-related COVID-19 response. Although the support for pandemic preparedness is 12·2% of the recommended target by the High-Level Independent Panel (HLIP), the support provided for the health-related COVID-19 response is 252·2% of the recommended target. Additionally, projected spending estimates suggest that between 2022 and 2026, governments in 17 (95% UI 11–21) of the 137 LMICs will observe an increase in national government health spending equivalent to an addition of 1% of GDP, as recommended by the HLIP. Interpretation There was an unprecedented scale-up in DAH in 2020 and 2021. We have a unique opportunity at this time to sustain funding for crucial global health functions, including pandemic preparedness. However, historical patterns of underfunding of pandemic preparedness suggest that deliberate effort must be made to ensure funding is maintained

The Effect of Different Concentrations of Phenol on Anaerobic Stabilization Pond Performance in Treating Petroleum Refinery Wastewater

In this study the efficiency of anaerobic stabilization pond for treating oil refinery wastewater at different concentrations of phenol is investigated. The anaerobic stabilization pond (ASP) was built from fiberglass plats (0.2m×1m×1m and 6mm thickness). The experimental apparatus was performed at HRT (2d) with hydraulic loading rate 95L/day. After inoculation of the biomass, reactor was run at different concentrations of phenol (100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/L). Sampling is carried out from effluent after achievement of steady state condition at all experimental tests. The samples for the determination of NH3, PO4 and Phenol, were analyzed using a spectrophotometer (Varian, UV-120-02). In addition, other parameters such as TCOD, SCOD, TBOD, SBOD, and pH were determined using standard methods. The results showed that the efficiency of system reduced at phenol concentrations of 100, 200, 300, 400 mg/L. The maximum and minimum removal rates of BOD and COD were 71.75±8.14; 76.07± 10.94 and 53.5±6.03, 55.63±3.47 by the system respectively at phenol concentrations of 100 and 400 mg/l. The optimum condition for phenol removal (89.82% and 55.86%) was determined with phenol concentrations of 100 mg/L and 400 mg/L, respectively. This study showed a comprehensive efficiency of anaerobic stabilization pond as a promising system to eliminate different concentrations of Phenol, COD and BOD, however increase of Phenol concentration to 400 mg/L was decreasing of system efficiency due to phenol toxicity for biomass

Performance of Granular Activated Carbon to 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy Acetic Acid Aemoval from Aqueous Environments

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background and Objectives: 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid is a well-known herbicide which can be dangerous for&amp;nbsp; both human and animal health in different ways such as its presence in drinking water. This study aimed at Performance of granular activated carbon to 2-4-D removal from aqueous solution and assessing the relationship between COD and 2-4-D concentration Materials and Methods: This study is a lab-scale study. Firstly, different 2-4-D concentrations were prepared from Stock solution (1000 mg/L), and then their CODs were measured. Optimum pH for 2-4-D removal was determined and its absorption rate at different concentrations was measured. Results: Results showed a clear relationship between COD and 2-4-D concentration. On the other hand, COD removal increased as time elapsed, so that maximum removal 90% and 84% at initial 2-4-D concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/L were observed at contact time of 50 min respectively. Optimum pH for all concentrations was determined as 6. Conclusion: According to present study it can be concluded that activated carbon have be up to 90% of 2-4-D removal from water environment. In addition, a significant relationship was observed between COD and 2-4-D concentration, so that direct measurement of COD can be used instead of 2-4-D measurement. /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;

Comparing the Cost-Effectiveness of Conventional Activated Sludge Wastewater Treatment Systems and Stabilization Ponds (Case Study: Refineries of Kermanshah, Islamabad West and Gilangharb)

Background &amp; Objectives: The economic feasibility of wastewater treatment plants requires applying some methods with ability to assess the cost-effectiveness of their systems. This study aimed to determine and compare the cost-effectiveness of two types of wastewater treatment systems which are used in Kermanshah province. Materials &amp; Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical study in which the information on the wastewater treatment plants were collected from water and wastewater companies and wastewater treatment plants operators, and the data were analyzed statistically using the SPSS software program. All costs, efficiency of treatment processes, and their cost-effectiveness index was calculated for existing systems and they were compared in terms of this ratio. Results: The results showed that, in activated sludge and natural systems, the average total efficiency, which is the result of mean removal of total suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand, were respectively 76.37±18.19 and 61.69±19.02. Also the results showed that the difference between the efficiencies of two systems was significant. The cost-effectiveness of activated sludge and natural systems were respectively obtained as 0.23 and 0.58. Conclusions: According to the results, we can say that, despite the lower efficiency, natural systems are better than activated sludge systems and have better cost-effectiveness for wastewater treatment. These results indicates the natural systems is more successful in term of cost-effectiveness, and the most important factor in this success can be attributed to lower required investments and lower maintenance costs, compared to activated sludge systems