Survey of educational drop-out indexes and its related factors in alumni of paramedical faculty of Kashan Medical University

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Educational dropout is one of the problems of educational system. The educational drop-out prevention and its complications require recognition of the probability risk factors. So, this study is carried out in order to assess the indexes of educational drop-out and its related factors in alunmi of paramedical faculty of Kashan medical University, Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on the entire alunmi from 1990-2003 (n=1439). The questionnaire including probability related factors and the indexes of educational drop-out (probation, unacceptable total average, lesson repeating, major changing, withdrawing, ejection from university, education leaving and delay in graduating) was used. FINDINGS: Prevalence of probation, unacceptable total average and delay in graduating were 9.2 (n=133), 14.5 (n=209), and 14.1 (n=203), respectively. The utmost probation frequency was related to first and then second semester. Delay duration was only one semester in 152 (10.56). 413 (28.7) had repeated lesson that 227 (15.8) had repeated only one lesson. Prevalence of major changing, withdrawing, ejection from university and education leaving were 2 (n=29), 0.9 (n=13), 0.4 (n=6), and 0.6 (n=9), respectively. There was an association between demographic data, prior educational status, and admission criteria with academic drop-out. CONCLUSION: With attention to the considerable prevalence of educational drop-out and its risk factors, diagnosing and supporting of the vulnerable students is a must

Teachers’ technology literacy in Iran’s national curriculum on education and training in work and technology

Background and Objectives:Technology is changing rapidly, and as new technologies are created, existing technologies are being improved and developed. The technologies of the 21st century have brought possibilities to mankind, and the advances that have taken place surround human life today from all sides. Among these changes are the impact of technological advances in education and the resulting changes in the teaching-learning process. In today's world, educational systems are looking for new approaches to help them rebuild in the face of global changes. For this reconstruction, they need a rich curriculum, flexible education, effective educational leadership, a suitable learning environment and educational content, and capable and professional teachers. Readiness to use technology and knowledge of how technology supports students' learning should be one of the basic skills of teachers. Teachers' ability in the field of technology literacy enables them to use new technologies in the teaching-learning process, especially information and communication technology, thereby improving the quality of their education and the level of information literacy of students and access to a wide range of information learning resources The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers’ technology literacy in the national curriculum on Education and Training in Work and Technology. Method and Materials: This research is conducted as a descriptive study using content analysis technique. The population was three main education documents including National Comprehensive Scientific Map; The Fundamental Transformation of Education Document; and The National Curriculum Document. Data collection instruments were checklists. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to determine the frequencies and test the results of univariate t-test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Gutmann factor was used to test the reliability. Findings: The results show agreement between .48 to .95 coefficients for the validity checklists using content validity. The findings of the study show that the level of attention to teacher technology literacy in National Curriculum in the Domain of Teaching and Education Work and Technology was higher than average; and to a largely extent it is appropriately cared for. There is no significant difference between technology literacy standards in terms of compliance with the competencies intended for teachers. Conclusion: The results show that there is no significant difference between teachers' technology literacy standards and their compliance with the required competencies. Optimal implementation of the national curriculum in the relevant field requires the special assistance and attention of teachers and the use of appropriate professional competencies provided in this program; so its provisions should be taken seriously into account in human resource engineering and in training programs, recruitment and empowerment and retraining teachers before and during service Due to the comprehensive national curriculum in the field of training and learning work and technology, in the field of technology literacy, the content should be included in the preparation and compilation of all educational content, including textbooks, curriculum guide and production of educational packages, etc

Frequency and Predictors of Courses Repetition, Probation, and Delayed Graduation in Kashan Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery

Background: Course failing and delayed graduation are important concerns in educational systems. The reasons of these educational failures need to be clarified. Objectives: This study was designed to determine the academic failure rate and its predictors in Nursing and Midwifery Students in Kashan University of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the records of all the students graduated in Nursing and Midwifery faculty during 18 years (1986 - 2003) were evaluated (1174 graduates). The demographic variables and the educational situation were recorded. The frequency of course repetition, probation, and delayed graduation were determined and the data were analyzed using the chi-square and logistic regression tests. Results: The frequency of course repetition, probation, and delayed graduation was reported to be 19.25%, 3.9% and 19.85%, respectively. Gaining Low grade in high school, transferring from other universities, having special quota, and transferring temporarily to other universities were mentioned as the risk factors of academic failure. The major had a significant relationship with academic failure. Day time students had more course failure and night time students stayed longer in the university. Conclusions: The individual characteristics, educational background and admission criteria had showed relation with academic failure. Vulnerable students should be identified and educational supports should be provided for these students

Genetic characterization of Markhoz goat breed using microsatellite markers

The use of molecular markers can support the management of endangered populations and should be combined with appropriate breeding strategies to improve productive traits avoiding the decline of the breed. The genetic variability at 10 microsatellite loci were investigated in a sample of 100 unrelated Markhoz goats (77 females and 23 males). The investigated population was reared at the Sanandaj Markhoz goat Performance Testing Station in Kurdistan, Iran. Markhoz goat, a multipurpose breed, is one of the most valuable genetic resources in Iran. All the studied loci were found to be polymorphic and a total number of 52 alleles were identified with an average number of alleles of 5.2. Moreover, some population genetic indices, such as observed and expected heterozygosity, observed and expected number of alleles, Shannon's index, Nei's expected heterozygosity, and polymorphism information content were also calculated. Despite the decreasing population size, Markhoz goat genetic diversity is still conserved. The breed seems to have a good level of genetic variability and, as a consequence, a potential margin of adaptability to environment and for future genetic improvement.</p

HBsAg in parturients referring to gynecologic clinics in Kashan, 2002

Background: Transmission of hepatitis B can occur through different routes. Transmission through umbilical vein occurs in 10, however, HBV is mainly transmitted during the delivery and the early months. In adults HBV infection tend to be chronic in 10, however, in infants it would tend towards chronicity in 98 of the cases. The present study was conducted in gynecologic clinics in Kashan to determine the prevalence of HBsAg in parturients referring to these clinics.Materials and Methods: During this cross-sectional study 2000 parturients referred consecutively. ELISA was used to determine the HBsAg. Meanwhile, risk factors such as age, sex, family history of hepatitis B, previous history of surgery, etc were evaluated.Results: HBsAg was revealed to be positive in 7 cases (0.35). There was a significant association between the family history of hepatitis B and level of education with HBsAg positivity.Conclusion: Although our findings revealed a relatively low prevalence of HBsAg, the necessity of a screening test does still exist

Histological Study of Nerve Endings in Ligamentum Flavum in Patients with Discopathy

Background: Ligamentum flavum normally has neural ends so it has sensory role and helps to protect vertebral column against different injuries. The aim of this study was to detect the neural ends in ligamentum flavum in patients with discopathy. Methods: Samples were taken from ligamentum flavum of the patients with discopathy during surgery. One hundred samples were considered. Five hundred sections were obtained and stained with H &amp; E method and were studied under light microscope. Results: Nerve corpuscles were found in none of the sections of the patients. Conclusion: It seems that ligamentum flavum in patients has a loss in the nerve ends that leads to a decrease in proprioceptive information to control nervous system and may injure tissues like cartilage, osseous and fascia. Keywords: Discopathy, Nerve Ends, Ligamentum Flavum

Evaluating the diagnostic value of transvaginal ultrasonography for endometrial abnormalities in premenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding

Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a common and serious problem in women of late reproductive age and an indication for endometrial biopsy as an invasive method. On assessing AUB, in some cases, even with the observation of normal thicker endometrium in ultrasonography, abnormal biopsy is reported. Thus, this study was carried out to assess the role of measuring endometrial thickness by transvaginal ultrasonography as a screening tool for premenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding. Materials and Methods: In this diagnostic study, 154 premenopausal women with AUB referred to Naghavi Clinic of Kashan university of medical sciences during 2010-11. Transvaginal ultrasonography was performed to assess endometrial thickness before the Pipelle endometrial biopsy at the first day of menstruation. The biopsies were then sent to a pathologist unaware of the results of transvaginal ultrasonography and finally, the Roc curve was utilized to determine the best cut-point. Results: Forty-eight out of 154 cases (31.2%) had abnormal endometrium (hyperplasia 23.2% polyps 3.9% and asynchronous 3.9%). The reported thickness of endometrium with the sensitivity and specificity of 76.2% and 41.1% (PPV=33.6%, NPV=82.1%, LR+=1.29 and LR-=0.58) was 7 mm. Conclusion: Although endometrial thickness of ≤7mm in premenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding is less likely to be associated with malignant pathologies, assessing the endometrial thickness merely with transvaginal ultrasonography is not merely suggested for the diagnosis of endometrial abnormalities