Evaluation of the effect of chain training methods on improvement of household awareness and attitude toward healthy nutrition

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the major causative factors of morbidity and mortality in the world which can be easily prevented through lifestyle changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chain training methods on increasing household awareness on and attitude toward healthy nutrition in order to prevent CVD. METHODS: This study was performed as a community trial. For the purpose of this study, 4 areas were selected and 4 educational methods were conducted in these areas. The participants were told to share their information with their neighbors and relatives in that area (chain training). Primary knowledge of the residents of these areas before and after the intervention were evaluated in a randomly selected sample (n = 400). Data were analyzed using independent t-test, chi-square, and Fisher’s exact test. RESULTS: Pre-intervention and post-intervention mean of knowledge were 16.42 (± 3.5) and 16.4 (± 3.6), respectively (P = 0.025). Pre-intervention and post-intervention mean of knowledge did not differ in area 1, 2, and 4. A statistically significant increase in knowledge was only observed in area 3 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of chain training method by non-governmental organization (NGOs) may not be effective in increasing awareness on healthy lifestyle. Therefore, training through public classes and direct education by health personnel is recommended.

A survey of factors related to urine iodine levels in elementary school children, Kurdistan, Iran

BACKGROUND: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) control program has two important factors: annual monitoring of urine iodine levels and controlling iodized salt consumed in the community. Preserving the iodine indexes in different level is important now too. This survey determined factors affecting median levels of urine iodine levels in students of Kurdistan Province (Iran). METHODS: This cross-sectional study selected 255 8-10-year-old students using cluster random sampling. Data was obtained by a questionnaire and urine analysis. The collected data was analyzed by Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, Spearman correlation, and multiple regression. All analyses were performed using SPSS. RESULTS: The median urine iodine level of the studied school children was 9.7 μg/dl. There was no significant relation between urine iodine level and sex, place of residence (rural/urban areas), and household iodized salt intake (r = 0.188, P = 0.003). Overall, 119 families (46.7%) did not appropriately protect their iodized salt. The amount of iodine in salt and the condition in which salt is kept had relationships with children’s urine iodine levels. CONCLUSION: Low median level of urine iodine in students, low household iodized salt, and high use of salt with lesser iodine than the standard value showed that the IDD program in Kurdistan Province has not been successful. Therefore, there is a risk for increased prevalence of Goiter in the region. We recommend interventional programs to improve the current status in the province. KEYWORDS: Goiter, Urine Iodine, Ira

Evaluation of the effect of chain training methods on improvement of household awareness and attitude toward healthy nutrition

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the major causative factors of morbidity and mortality in the world which can be easily prevented through lifestyle changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chain training methods on increasing household awareness on and attitude toward healthy nutrition in order to prevent CVD. METHODS: This study was performed as a community trial. For the purpose of this study, 4 areas were selected and 4 educational methods were conducted in these areas. The participants were told to share their information with their neighbors and relatives in that area (chain training). Primary knowledge of the residents of these areas before and after the intervention were evaluated in a randomly selected sample (n = 400). Data were analyzed using independent t-test, chi-square, and Fisher’s exact test. RESULTS: Pre-intervention and post-intervention mean of knowledge were 16.42 (± 3.5) and 16.4 (± 3.6), respectively (P = 0.025). Pre-intervention and post-intervention mean of knowledge did not differ in area 1, 2, and 4. A statistically significant increase in knowledge was only observed in area 3 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of chain training method by non-governmental organization (NGOs) may not be effective in increasing awareness on healthy lifestyle. Therefore, training through public classes and direct education by health personnel is recommended

Female Sex Workers' Experiences of Risky Behaviors, and the Causes of These Behaviors from their Viewpoints: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: The phenomenon of prostitution among women as one of the backgrounds for the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexual transmitted infections in recent years attracted the attention of the authorities, especially the Iranian health officials. From 2009, and accordance to the HIV surveillance, centers as centers for vulnerable women has been established by the national health system for harm reduction programs in women. In this study, experiences, risky behaviors, and causes of these behaviors in female sex workers (FSWs) came to the vulnerable women counseling center in 2015, in Sanandaj City, Iran, were studied. Method: In this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussion techniques were used to collect the data. Individual interviews with service provider personnel vulnerable women, including the director of the women counseling center, the midwife, and social worker consultant, and three focus group discussions with women referred to the center were done. Results: Sexual partners' unwilling to use harm reduction facilities, non-commitment of men to pay for prostitution, violence, physical and sexual harm, applying for unconventional sexual abuse, and forced use of drugs and alcohol were the main experiences and risk behaviors that prostitutes facing. Lack of adherence to religious, poverty, addiction, divorce, ethical and social distortions, and lack of healthy family relationships were the most important factors affecting the occurrence of prostitution among women. Conclusion: Even the health and social consequences of the prostitution among women and their risky behaviors are associated with multiple factors (multifactorial), but to deal with this problem, attention to the social determinants of health is very important; and each of the variables identified in this study can become a target for interventional programs in the country, particularly in vulnerable women counseling centers. Keywords: Female, Sex workers, Risk behavior, Qualitative researc

A survey of factors related to urine iodine levels in elementary school children, Kurdistan, Iran

BACKGROUND: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) control program has two important factors: annual monitoring of urine iodine levels and controlling iodized salt consumed in the community. Preserving the iodine indexes in different level is important now too. This survey determined factors affecting median levels of urine iodine levels in students of Kurdistan Province (Iran). METHODS: This cross-sectional study selected 255 8-10-year-old students using cluster random sampling. Data was obtained by a questionnaire and urine analysis. The collected data was analyzed by Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, Spearman correlation, and multiple regression. All analyses were performed using SPSS. RESULTS: The median urine iodine level of the studied school children was 9.7 μg/dl. There was no significant relation between urine iodine level and sex, place of residence (rural/urban areas), and household iodized salt intake (r = 0.188, P = 0.003). Overall, 119 families (46.7%) did not appropriately protect their iodized salt. The amount of iodine in salt and the condition in which salt is kept had relationships with children’s urine iodine levels. CONCLUSION: Low median level of urine iodine in students, low household iodized salt, and high use of salt with lesser iodine than the standard value showed that the IDD program in Kurdistan Province has not been successful. Therefore, there is a risk for increased prevalence of Goiter in the region. We recommend interventional programs to improve the current status in the province

Effect of hand posture on maximum force grip and discomfort in tractor drivers

Abstract In designing work stations, maintaining best hand posture is particularly important in achieving the highest grip power. This study aims to assess the effect of hand posture on maximum force grip and discomfort in 24 tractor drivers in Sanandaj. maximum force grip in different postures using hydraulic dynamometer, and discomfort level using simulated 10-degree visual scale were measured and recorded. Significant relationships were observed between hand direction and also hand-shoulder distance and maximum force grip and discomfort level. The highest force grip was achieved at hand direction angles above 90 degrees. Maximum force grip was achieved at hand angle 135 degrees and hand-shoulder distance of 100 arm-reach (43.1 kg force). Also, the most discomfort was found at 45 degrees hand direction and hand-shoulder distance 50 of arm-reach (58.8 kg force). Discomfort level and hand direction angle affect maximum force grip, and unless these ergonomic factors are taken into account in designing hand tools and controls, consequences such as increased accidents, fatigue, and musculoskeletal problems will inevitably follow