Quality of Life in Patients with Hand Eczema as Health Promotion: A Case Control Study

Health promotion has been defined by the World Health Organization’s(WHO) 2005 Bangkok Charter for Health Promotion as ”the processof enabling people to increase control over their health and its determinants,and thereby improve their health”. One of the most important determinantsof health is quality of life. Hand eczema is a common skin disease that can adverselyaffect the quality of life of patients. The aim of this study was to determinethe quality of life in patients with hand eczema. This case-control studywas performed on 70 patients with hand eczema and 70 healthy controls. Allthe patients filled out two questionnaires: Short Form 36 (SF-36) and DermatologyLife Quality index (DLQI). The data were analyzed using the statisticalsoftware package for social sciences (SPSS).The mean score score of quality of life in dimensions of physical functioning,vitality, and general health in the SF-36 was lower compared to the controlgroup. The mean score in DLQI in patients with hand eczema was 8.68. Therewas a significant negative correlation between the scores of different dimensionsof QOL obtained in the two questionnaires (SF36 and DLQI).The study demonstrated that the quality of life in patients with hand eczemawas lower than that of controls. It seems advisable that psychiatric consultationsor psychotherapy be included in the treatment of chronic hand eczem

Estimation of Foetal Weight

Background Foetal weight is an important consideration when making decisions about intervention in labour. Although weight is estimated in the beginning of labour, the relevant decisions are made at the end of labour. It is not clear whether the estimation of weight at the beginning of labour is more accurate than the estimation at the end of labour. Method This prospective study included 214 pregnant women. Foetal weights were estimated at the time of admission, at full dilatation or before Cesarean section (CS) using Johnson’s formula and multiplying symphysio-fundal height by the abdominal girth measurement. Results The accuracy of estimation of weight by the Johnson formula (insert measuring tape) at the beginning of labour was similar to weight at the end of labour, but the weight obtained by multiplying the symphysio-fundal height by the abdominal girth (insert the measuring tape and holding it straight) at the beginning of labour was more accurate than the same process at the end of labour (p < 0.001). However, using the Johnson formula (holding the meter straight) at the end of labour was more accurate than it was at the beginning of labour (p = 0.02). Conclusion The accuracy of estimated weight varies depending on time, the method used, and the formula of measurement

Quality of Life in Patients with Hand Eczema as Health Promotion: A Case Control Study

Health promotion has been defined by the World Health Organization’s(WHO) 2005 Bangkok Charter for Health Promotion as ”the processof enabling people to increase control over their health and its determinants,and thereby improve their health”. One of the most important determinantsof health is quality of life. Hand eczema is a common skin disease that can adverselyaffect the quality of life of patients. The aim of this study was to determinethe quality of life in patients with hand eczema. This case-control studywas performed on 70 patients with hand eczema and 70 healthy controls. Allthe patients filled out two questionnaires: Short Form 36 (SF-36) and DermatologyLife Quality index (DLQI). The data were analyzed using the statisticalsoftware package for social sciences (SPSS).The mean score score of quality of life in dimensions of physical functioning,vitality, and general health in the SF-36 was lower compared to the controlgroup. The mean score in DLQI in patients with hand eczema was 8.68. Therewas a significant negative correlation between the scores of different dimensionsof QOL obtained in the two questionnaires (SF36 and DLQI).The study demonstrated that the quality of life in patients with hand eczemawas lower than that of controls. It seems advisable that psychiatric consultationsor psychotherapy be included in the treatment of chronic hand eczem

Job stress in the staff of a tire factory

Background and Aim: Occupational stress is a major problem in industrial societies. Its relationship with various diseases is increasing ,but it probably has vast socio-economic consequences manifested in the form of absenteeism, labour turnover, loss of productivity and disability pension costs. The present study aimed at determining stress in the staff of a tyre factory.   Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was done on 196 members of staff from various sections of a tire factory in 2008 through proportional classification and randomized sampling .Data was collected by means of Coudron two questionnaires "demographic" and "standardized job stress" . The obtained data was analyzed using SPSS software (v: 11.5), chi-square test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient (P ≤ 0.05).   Results: It was found that 49.5% of the staff had severe job stress .Severe job stress was 55.8% in the production unit (No. =53), 50% in the administrative unit (No. =16) and 40.6% supporting the backing unit (No=28).   There was a significant relationship between variables income and adequate sleep on one hand and level of job stress on the other (P < 0.001).However, no significant relationship was observed between job stress and age, marital status, education, working record ,and exercise.   Conclusion: Based on the results of the current study, more than half of the employees suffered from job stress. Compared with employees in other industrialized countries, Iranian employees appeared to have much higher prevalence of stress. Therefore, more studies are required in order to reduce the amount of stress and its consequences

Prevalence of Narcotics Abuse and their Complications in Pregnant Women Referring to the Obstetric Department of Valiasr Hospital, Birjand

Introduction:Nowadays, substance abuse has crossed many social, economic and geographical boundaries, presenting itself as a major health challenge. It affects many demographic groups, including pregnant women, rendering them susceptible to maternal and fetal complications. The aim of the present study is to investigate the prevalence of narcotics abuse in pregnant women, as well as the ensuing maternal and fetal outcomes.Material and Methods:This is a descriptive-analytic study conducted on all pregnant women referring to the obstetric department from October 2006 to December 2007. Data were collected using questionnaires, and analyzed with SPSS software.Results:The prevalence of addiction was 0.69% in women admitted for delivery. The mean age of addicted women was 29.4 ± 1.32 years and the most frequent age subgroup (45.5%) pertained to ages 20-29 years. In the women studied, we found 11.4% placental abruption, 10% stillbirth, and 37.6% fetal distress. The mean gestational age was 34.6 ± 1.34 weeks, with addicted women having a significantly higher prevalence of premature delivery (p≤0.01). The odds ratio (OR) for premature delivery was 5.96 times higher for addicted women.Conclusion:Despite the small number of pregnant addicts, they constitute a high-risk population in terms of perinatal outcomes. Therefore, the educational programs during pregnancy must focus on rehabilitation or substitution of narcotics with safer drugs

Comparison of lung radiographic changes in patients with positive smear and negative smear pulmonary tuberculosis

Background and Aim: Tuberculosis is a chronic lung infection that has contaminated 1/3 of men worldwide and nowadays causes 2 million deaths and 9 million diseases. One of the can be can be assisted tests, in addition to smear, in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis is lung radiography. In tuberculosis patients radiography of negative smear samples, which is often diagnosed with delay, can be assisted. In the present study, radiographic changes of tuberculosis patients with positive smear and those with negative smear have been compared. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive, retrospective, and analytical study, out of 376 patients who had exactly been diagnosed as tuberculosis ones and had been referred to Birjand health center during 2001-2006. One hundred patients whose smear tests were positive, according to WHO's standards, were selected .Then, among negative smear patients 100 individuals who were demographically compatible with positive smear ones were chosen. All of them had x-rays from their lungs, which were then interpreted by a radiologist. Moreover, all patients' sputum tests were done in the reference lab of the Health Center under a technician. The obtained data was analyzed by means of frequency distribution table and descriptive statistics using SPSS (version 15) and Chi-square statistical test. Results: Except reticulunoduler infiltration, relative frequency of other radiographic findings in positive smear patients was more than negative smear ones and only in the variables calcification, adenopathy of the lungs hilum, mediastinal widening, and patchy infiltration the difference was statistically significant P<0.05. Conclusion: Regarding the results of the study, although radiographic changes are not decisive in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis if they are accompanied by clinical symptoms and sputum smear, they can be assisted

Mothers\\\' Knowledge of pediatric pain management in the pediatric ward of Valli-e-asr hospital in 2011

Background and Aim: Pain is a health problem and major problem of childhood. It is one of the most common symptoms that children experience in hospitals. Pain alleviation prevents from severe complications and side-effects. Mothers are among the key individuals who have the most interactions with pain experiencing children. They can prevent further problems by appropriate assessing and managing of pain in children. The purpose of the present study was to determine mothers' knowledge of pediatric pain management in Birjand Valli-e-asr hospitals in 2011. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive and cross-sectional study mothers of hospitalized children in Birjand Valli-e-asr hospital who were available were selected .After ensuring that they were content with and cooperate in the study, a researcher designed questionnaire was filled out through interview. The questionnaire included demographic questions (10 items) and knowledge questions (49 items) of the nature, symptoms, complication, and management of pain. The obtained data was analyzed by SPSS software (V: 11.5) at the significant level P<0/05. Results: Mean score the mothers' knowledge of pediatric pain management was 19.5±4.34 (of the total 49 points) that is, the majority of them had low knowledge of pediatric pain management. No statistically significant relationship was found between education level, age, number of children, history of hospitalization of child/ children, and the mothers' level of knowledge of pain management in children. Conclusion: The mothers have low knowledge of their pain management in their children's without any considerable relationship to some contextual factors. Planning for educational programmes with respect to managing children's pain is recommended

Evaluating of Life Quality in Patients with Acne Vulgaris Using Generic and Specific Questionnaires

Background. Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease that can adversely affect the quality of life of patients. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of life in patients with acne vulgaris. Methods. This study was carried out on 70 patients with acne vulgaris (28 males, 42 females). All the patients filled out two Persian versions of questionnaires: short form 36 (SF-36) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). The obtained data were analyzed by using SPSS software (version 17). Results. The scores for physical functioning, social functioning, and bodily pain domains in patients were over 70%, but the scores for role physical, general health, vitality, role emotional, and mental health in patients were under 70%. Scores on the DLQI in patients with acne vulgaris ranged from 0 to 22 (mean ± SD, 8.18 ± 4.83). After comparing mean score of DLQI with respect to gender and age, it was found that the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. Conclusion. Acne vulgaris has a significant effect on the quality of life. There was not any significant gender or age related difference in QOL

Bronchial Anthracotic Change in South Khorasan Province (Iran), Emphasizing its Association with Tuberculosis

Background: There are many reports on the association between anthracosis and tuberculosis. This study focuses on bronchial anthracosis and associated diseases in the province of South Khorasan-Iran. Methods: This case-series study is performed on patients referred to the Vali-e-Asre Hospital (South Khorasan-Iran) for bronchoscopic evaluations during the period of 2009-2012. Written informed consents were obtained prior to bronchoscopic evaluations. The criterion for diagnosis of bronchial anthracosis was black pigmentation on direct observation of bronchus. Bronchial anthracosis was classified into simple (without deformity) or complicated (with deformity). Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) was diagnosed either by acid fast staining and culture of liquid samples, or histopathology examination of biopsy. Spirometry was performed to determine the obstructive or restrictive pattern. Results: Among 279 patients who underwent bronchoscopic evaluations, 89 patients, including 34 males (38.2%) and 55 (61.79%) females, were diagnosed with anthracosis. Simple and complicated anthracosis were observed in 42 (48.2%) and 47 (52.8%) cases respectively. Mean age of patients was 72.23±9.65 years. There were 43 (48.3%) cases of tuberculosis (28 cases with complicated and 15 cases with simple anthracosis) (P=0.021). Chest X-ray showed consolidation/infiltration, reticular/fibrotic, and mass/nodule/hilar prominence in 57 (64%), 26 (29.21%) and 6 (6.74%) cases, respectively. Bronchitis was reported in 42 (%59.15) out of 79 patients whose biopsy samples were taken. Spirometric patterns were obstructive, restrictive, upper airway obstruction, and normal in 45 (50.56%), 32 (35.95%), 2 (2.24%), and 10 (11.23%) patients respectively. Conclusion: Tuberculosis is the most frequent disease associated with anthracosis in South Khorasan province. Consequently, patients with anthracosis must be carefully evaluated for tuberculosis

Prevalence of breast cancer among women over 30 years in Birjand between 2009 and 2010

Background and Aim: Cancer is the second leading cause of death in industrialized countries and the third in developing ones. The present study aimed at assessing prevalence of breast cancer among women over 30 in Birjand between 2009 and 2010. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 2000 over 30 years women from Birjand city were selected through multiple-stage sampling. A demographic questionnaire was completed by each subject after being justified about the importance of screening and method of examination. Clinical breast examination was performed by a female GP under standard conditions, one week after menstrual ceasing. When there was a palpable mass in the breast, the participant underwent a mammography test for an accurate diagnosis of the type and size of the lesion. Positive cases were referred to a surgeon for open biopsy. The obtained data was analyzed by means of SPSS software (V: 15) using ANOVA test at α = 0.05 as the significance level. Results: Out of 2000 surveyed women, 80 were excluded because of the inappropriateness of their completed questionnaires. Totally, 1920 women were included with the mean age of 44.48±8.56 (range: 30-88) years. Out of 267 women (13.9%) referred for mammography due to positive clinical findings, only 134 (50.2%) cases underwent mammography test and 17 of them (12.7%) had a lesion as observed in their mammography images and, as a result, fibrocystic lesion was the most common diagnosis. Biopsy was performed for 32 patients (1.6% of the total participants) and malignancy was reported in 11 patients (0.5%). Mean age of the cancer patients was 41.18±12.65 years which was similar to other women's situation without malignancy (P=0.11). Conclusion: According to our results and based on the low mean age of patients with breast cancer, it is required to study the causes leading to the early occurrence of breast cancer at young ages in this area