Evaluation of the effectiveness of nutritional education based on Health Belief Model on self-esteem and BMI of overweight and at risk of overweight adolescent girls

Background Due to significant increases in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescents in developed countries, much attention has been focused on this issue. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of nutritional education based on Health Belief Model (HBM) on self-esteem and body mass index (BMI) of overweight and at risk of overweight adolescent girls. Materials and Methods: The study subjects consist of 140 female students recruited from two high schools, who were randomly allocated to the intervention (n=70) and control (n=70) groups. The data collection instrument included sections on socio-demographic status, transportation method, physical status, and knowledge and attitudes of the students towards nutrition, which was designed according to HBM. As the intervention, model-based educational program was implemented through six 60-minute sessions, focusing on the overweight and at-risk students. Results were compared in the beginning, and three months after the intervention to find the possible impacts. Results: Average score of model structures and self-esteem of students in both groups had no significant difference at baseline, but immediately after the intervention and 3 months after treatment, the mean component scores were significantly higher in intervention group than controls (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the control group between the mean scores of model structures and self-esteem at different times. There was a significant difference at different times in component scores in the experimental group (P<0.05). The mean score of BMI in the control group had no significant difference in different time. Significant difference in BMI scores was seen at different times in experimental group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The positive effect of this program was seen among the participants. Therefore such interventions in schools for developing effective long-term healthy behaviors have preventive and controlling effects on overweight

Occupational stress among white collar employees in Esfahan Steel Company, Iran

Occupational stress is one of the major health hazards among blue and white-collar workers. However there is no data on occupational stress among white-collar workers in Iran. Aim of this study was to investigate occupational stress among white collar employees in Esfahan Steel Company organization (ESCO), Iran. A cross- sectional survey was conducted through face to face interview using validated standardized questionnaire on occupational stress among 200 white-collar workers from ESCO who agreed to participate in the study, the response rate of participation was 100. The logistic regression test was used to determine significant associated factors of occupational stress among the study sample.. It is found that among the six items measuring source of stress, the highest source of stress related to economic problem, 117 (59.7). The statistical analysis showed sources of stress such as task type (p=0.0001), economic problem (p=0.0001), work environment (p=0.0001) and children problem (p=0.05) were significantly associated with having stress among the workers. We found that around half of the white collar workers were under stress at ESCO. Main sources of the occupational stress of white colour workers related to their work environment, economic problem; task type, and related their children

Optimization and Construction of Human Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Gene related to human health

Background: Laron syndrome, is a disease that treated by IGF-1. This protein is a single chain and has three disulfide bonds. People with Laron syndrome have low rates of cancer and diabetes, although they appear to be at increased risk of casual death due to their stature. IGF-1 is synthesized by many tissues and is secreted from liver as an endocrine hormone which is transmitted to other tissues. IGF-1 is responsible for cell differentiation, transformation, suppression of apoptosis, cell cycle progression, cell proliferation and differentiation. Expression system, the igf-1 gene, codon adaptation index (CAI) and GC contents are very critical for the large scale production of this protein. Current study was aimed to Optimization and Construction of human Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Gene in E. coli DH5α. Material and Methods: we used DNA2 and ProtParam softwares for designing the best form to produce IGF-1. First the coding sequence was verified and then synthesized. For confirmation of the pUC18-IGF-1, sequencing test was carried out using M13 reverse primer. Finally it was inserted into the cloning site of pUC18. vector. Results: After coding optimization, the CAI rate was increased from 84 to 90 and GC content from 55.07 to 56.62. The presence of the band near 225bp resulted from enzymatic digestion with two restriction enzymes demonstrates the correct cloning of the recombinant vectors in the cloning site of pUC18 cloning vector. Conclusion: According to software and experimental analysis, the designed sequence probably in the best form could be used for production of recombinant protein

Prevalence of Amblyopia in 2000 first year student of Shahrekord primary schools, 1997

آمبلیوپی به معنی یک کاهش در حداکثر حدت بینایی بدون وجود یک عیب ارگانیک است و بدلیل تجربیات غیر طبیعی بینایی در سنین اولیه پس از تولد ایجاد می شود. آمبلیوپی یکی از بیماری های قابل پیشگیری بینایی است که اگر در اوایل کودکی تشخیص داده شود قابل بهبودی است وگرنه می تواند تا حد کوری قانونی پیش برود (بهترین بینایی کمتر از 1/10 چشم ها را کوری قانونی می نامند). در طی این مطالعه 2000 کودک سال اول دبستان بوسیله نمودار اسنلن مورد غربالگری قرار گرفتند. آنهایی که با بهترین اصلاح بینایی، بدون نقص قابل تشخیص دیگر، دارای حدت بینایی کمتر از 7/10 بوده اند، به عنوان آمبلیوپ درنظر گرفته شده و از نظر شیوع جنسی و اتیولوژی مورد بررسی قرار گرفتند. از 51 مورد آمبلیوپ یافت شده در این مطالعه (2.55)، 27 نفر دختر (52.9) و 24 نفر آنها (47.1) پسر بودند. شایعترین علت ایجاد آمبلیوپی در افراد مورد مطالعه آنیزومتروپیا (اختلاف عیب انکساری بین دو چشم) بوده است. عیوب انکساری در 72.5 موارد عامل ایجاد آمبلیوپی بوده است که در 58.7 موارد آنیزومتروپیا و در 13.8 موارد های ایزوآمتروپیا (وجود عیب انکساری بالاتر از 3 دیوپتر در دو چشم) و بالاخره در 21.6 موارد نیز استرابیسم علت آمبلیوپی بوده است. شایعترین نوع عیوب انکساری منجر به آمبلیوپی در پسران دوربینی بوده (20.8) درحالی که در دختران در 37 موارد نزدیک بینی به عنوان عیب انکساری مطرح بوده است. در میان علل، استرابیسم ازوتروپی (ET) شایعترین علت آمبلیوپی بوده است (9.9) که در پسران 12.5 (3 مورد آمبلیوپی) و در دختران 14.8 (4 مورد آمبلیوپی) مشاهده شده است. نتایج بررسی در زمینه چشم درگیر بیانگر آنست که چشم چپ در 51 موارد دچار آمبلیوپی بوده به نحوی که 51.6 موارد آمبلیوپی دختران و 50 آمبلیوپی پسران در چشم چپ مشاهده شده است در 15.7 موارد نیز آمبلیوپی به صورت دوطرفه بوده که شایعترین علت این نوع از آمبلیوپی نیز آنیزومتروپیا بوده است. نتایج بررسی حکایت از آن دارد که در پسران 66.7 و در دختران 40، آمبلیوپی دوطرفه و به دلیل آنیزومتروپیا بوده است. 68.6 از موارد مبتلا، آمبلیوپی نوع شدید

Assessing the Phenylketonuria Screening Program in Newborns, Iran 2015-2016

Phenylketonuria is one of the most important congenital disorders and an autosomal recessive metabolic disease that can cause irreversible brain damages, mental retardation, and cognitive disorders if left untreated. In order to reduce the genetic abnormalities caused by this metabolic disease, screening programs are implemented. The quality of the program must be properly assessed to achieve the objectives of this program if promoting children's health is of concern. The descriptive-analytic method is adopted here to assess the phenylketonuria screening program in practice in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province since 2012 and analyze the incidence and program coverage. The quality of the screening program is assessed through analyzing the time of diagnosis, beginning of the treatment and the healthcare centers' facilities with checklists. The parental and the staff awareness is assessed through knowledge measuring questionnaires. Cumulative incidence of phenylketonuria in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province from 2012 to 2015, is 1 in every 6662 live births. The program coverage across the region is 100%. The recorded on-time sampling index before 5 days of age, indicate 84.6 % in 2015 from 80% in 2012. The treatment begun before the newborn 4 weeks was over in all cases. Program sensitivity was 100 %, and its specificity was 99.9%. Staff awareness is fair with no impact on parental awareness. General quality of the screening program is appropriate, and as to sensitivity and on-time curing specificity, higher staff and parental awareness supervision are recommended as well

Children's systemic arterial blood pressure percentile curve in Shahrekord

Determining the systemic arterial blood pressure (SABP) is one of the most important tools for evaluation of children’s health. The normal variation of children’s SABP is between 5th-95th percentile curve. SABP is affected by various factors including weight, gender, height and environmental conditions, therefore we measured the SABP of children in Shahrekord. The sample consisted of 1000, 7-12 years old students (Each sex: 500) randomly selected from 25 primary schools of Shahrekord. We plotted SABP percentile cure on the basis of weight stature and sex. Our results showed that, the most abundant systolic SABP was 100 mmHg (27.7%) and the least abundant was 75 mmHg (1%). For diastolic SABP, the highest and lowest prevalence were 65 mmHg (28.2%) and 45 mmHg (0.1%), respectively. There was a positive correlation between age, weight, sex and height on one hand and SABP on the other hand. The SABP in girl was mildly higher than that of the boys with the same age group

Psychometrics of Emergency Risk Communication Checklist in Public Health Sector

Background and Objectives: Given the importance of effective communication in emergency and crisis situations, the use of a valid and reliable tool is vitally important to assess the health sector's preparedness in terms of risk communication. This study, conducted in Persian, aimed to investigate the psychometrics of emergency risk communication checklist in the public health sector. Methods: In this psychometrics research, initially, the checklist designed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was translated into Persian using back translation method. Subsequently,the opinions of experts in various fields of health education in disasters and accidents were applied to evaluate the quality and quantity of content validity of the checklist items. In this regard, the content validity index (CVI) and content validity ratio (CVR) of each item were assessed. Accordingly, the items with the CVI of ˂ 0.62 and CVR of ˂ 0.79 were deleted from the checklist. The face validity of the items was also evaluated. The reliability of the items was estimated in 30 health centers affiliated to Sharekord University of Medical Sciences, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran, using the Cohen’s kappa coefficient by two independent evaluators. Results: Based on the results of the quantitative and qualitative content validity, eight items were edited, one item was removed, and six items were merged. Cohen’s kappa coefficient between the evaluators was obtained as 0.87 (P<0.0001) which is acceptable. Eventually, a 191- item checklist was obtained and confirmed. Conclusion: The psychometrically valid checklist used in this study can assess the preparedness of the healthcare sector for risk communication in emergencies. Keywords: Checklist; Communication; Crisis; Psychometrics; Public health

The effect of zinc supplementation in delayed preterm delivery and biometric of neonates suspected with preterm delivery in mothers suspected of having a preterm delivery

Background and aims: Micronutrient deficiency in women of reproductive age is considered as a major health problem in many developing countries. Therefore, it is important to prevent micronutrient shortage before pregnancy. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of zinc (Zn) supplementation on delaying preterm delivery and biometric neonates with suspected preterm birth. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 140 women with preterm delivery were selected by a gynecologist in the Hajar hospital of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences in 2016. The women were divided into four groups. Then, the serum Zn level of the mother’s blood and the umbilical cord was measured First group had a normal level; Zn level in the second group was between 50-70 mg/dL; in the third group between 20-50 mg/dL; and in the fourth group fewer than 20 mg/dL. Three groups received <20-70 mg/dL oral Zn and the normal group was given a placebo. Next, the serum Zn levels of mothers were measured and recorded at the end of the eighth month and delivery time. Infant anthropometric parameters at birth, 1 month to 3 months were measured as well. Overall, 71 (50%) and 69 (49.3%) infants were males and females, respectively. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analytical statistics tests. Results: The average age of 140 pregnant women was 30.39±5.33 years old and their age range was between 18 and 41 years. In addition, the maternal Zn serum level was 56.52±33.38 mg/dL on admission and the serum level on the cord blood at birth was 53.22 ± 66.94 μg/ dL. A significant relationship was reported between the level of serum Zn on cord blood and the maternal serum Zn level on admission with growth in babies at birth and the first, second, and third month (P<0.05). Conclusion: In general, Zn is effective in children’s growth and the use of Zn supplementation can be suggested during pregnancy. Keywords: Zinc, Premature birth, Child developmen

Relationship Between General Health and Dysmenorrhea in Students at Shahrekord University in 2018

Background and aims: Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common problems that women experience. Dysmenorrhea brings about psychological problems for women and adversely affects their performance. Therefore, providing, maintaining, and promoting the health of women is an important goal. The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between general health and Dysmenorrhea in students of Shahrekord University in 2018. Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, 245 female students were selected by random cluster sampling method from Shahrekord University in 2018. Data were collected using the GHQ28, visual analogue scale (VAS), and a reliable and valid questionnaire designed by the researchers to determine menstrual pattern. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and independent samples t test. Results: The mean age at menarche was 13.5 years. Dysmenorrhea was observed in 82.8% of students. The severity of pain was measured by the VAS scale, indicating that 22.3% of the participants had severe menstrual pain. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea in participants with a family history of Dysmenorrhea was greater and statistically significant. The result of the t-test showed that there is a relationship between dysmenorrhea and the general health of the participants (P=0.036). There was also a significant relationship between menstrual cycle regularity and physical characteristics of the participants (P=0.019). Significant relationships were also found regarding the interval between menstrual cycles and physical symptoms (P=0.026), and depression and general health (P=0.0001). Conclusion: Due to the importance of dysmenorrhea and its high prevalence among female students, it is important to provide education and control on this disorder to improve the quality of life of women. It is also beneficial to create counseling centers to raise awareness of the psychological health of female students suffering from dysmenorrhea. Keywords: General health Dysmenorrhea Studen

Magnesium status and the metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: To systematically review the published evidence regarding the association between Mg intake and serum concentrations with MetS and, if possible, to summarize the results using a meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched to identify related articles. Fully adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of MetS in participants with the highest intake of Mg compared with those who had the least consumption, and the mean difference in serum Mg levels between patients with MetS and their controls were extracted for the meta-analysis. Results: In total, 9 articles with 31 876 participants were included in the meta-analysis regarding the association between dietary Mg intake and MetS, and 8 studies that assessed the mean level of serum Mg in 3487 individuals with and without MetS were eligible. Our analysis found that higher consumption of Mg is associated with lower risk of MetS (OR = 0.73; 95% confidence interval: 0.62, 0.86; P < 0.001); we also could find a significant but heterogeneous association between serum Mg and MetS (mean difference: -0.19; 95% confidence interval: -0.36, 0.03; P = 0.023). Conclusions: The present systematic review and meta-analysis found an inverse association between Mg intake and MetS. However, the inverse association for serum Mg levels was highly heterogeneous and sensitive. The link between Mg status and MetS should be confirmed by prospective cohort studies controlling the association for other nutrients related to MetS risk. © 2016 Elsevier Inc