Editorial
Habib-allah Shahriyari; Masoud Amiri; Zahra Shahriyari; Fatemeh Farzin
Abstract
A regular activity in all human societies is the evaluation and control of important socioeconomicindices. Unemployment rate is one of these indices, which is very important in evaluating andapplying policies for control or preparation of desired changes in economy; in fact, it is a challengefor policy ...
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A regular activity in all human societies is the evaluation and control of important socioeconomicindices. Unemployment rate is one of these indices, which is very important in evaluating andapplying policies for control or preparation of desired changes in economy; in fact, it is a challengefor policy makers. Employment and unemployment are 2 words that have different definitions amongpeople and professional centers of statistics. Since the statistics and methods applied for calculatingIranian employed and unemployed people have been provided by Statistical Center of Iran (SCI), thecomparison of these definitions with recommended ones defined by International labor organization(ILO) may project 2 different items. In accordance with the definition of unemployment by ILO andSCI, each person who works at least 1 to 2 hours a week, even without receiving money, is consideredas an employed person, otherwise is named as unemployed. Considering this definition, a newquestion may arise: in Iran, with consideration of location, subsistence, and labor market conditions,could people be satisfied with their living situation? Perhaps in some countries, this definition may beoperational but not for Iranian worker community; in fact, no one in Iran and many other countrieswould be satisfied with one-hour work per week as an employed person.
Original Article
Mahbobeh Hajabdolbaghi; Maryam Ghafarzadeh; Zahra Bayat Jozani; Minoo Mohraz; Molood Farrokhi; Maryam Foroughi; Mona Mohammadi Firouzeh
Abstract
Background and aims: Behavioral counseling centers are the main health organizations whichare responsible for providing treatment and care for the patients living with HIV (PLWH). HIVpositivepatients receive services through a unique counseling process called voluntary counselingand confidential testing ...
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Background and aims: Behavioral counseling centers are the main health organizations whichare responsible for providing treatment and care for the patients living with HIV (PLWH). HIVpositivepatients receive services through a unique counseling process called voluntary counselingand confidential testing (VCCT). Although there are reports regarding VCCT evaluation from othercountries, not such an evaluation was found in Iran until this study, to the best of our knowledge. Thestudy was performed to fulfill this necessity.Methods: Using consecutive method sampling, 314 subjects were sampled from the patients referredto Behavioral Counseling Center of Imam Khomeini hospital, Tehran, Iran. A combination of processand output evaluation of VCCT was performed in the biggest Behavioral Counseling Center of Iran atImam Khomeini hospital, Tehran, Iran. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentagesand averages).Results: Participants’ response rate was 95.54%. Two shortcomings were found in the counselingprocess. Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient for this scale was 0.899, which was a desirablereliability for the questionnaire. As the main finding of the study, 48.33% of patients were not usingantiretroviral medications regularly. An average number of patients (2.88) had HIV related stigma andfear of disclosure. In a quantitative study before testing in the study, it has been found that HIV patientsdid not have adequate information about their disease.Conclusion: Defects in the consultation process for the patients with HIV infection in the hospital wereconcluded. The quantity of consulting services for patients was in low level; therefore it is essential toimprove consulting services for health promotion of the HIV patients.
Original Article
Payam Khomand; Sajjad Abdolmalaki; Ebrahim Ghaderi; Sahar Khoshravesh
Abstract
Background and aims: The most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis of all ages is Guillain-Barresyndrome (GBS). Further understanding of this disease is important because of its life-threateningnature in life. The aim of this study was to conduct a 10-year survey on epidemiological and clinicalfeatures ...
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Background and aims: The most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis of all ages is Guillain-Barresyndrome (GBS). Further understanding of this disease is important because of its life-threateningnature in life. The aim of this study was to conduct a 10-year survey on epidemiological and clinicalfeatures of GBS in Tohid and Besat hospitals, Sanandaj, Iran, from 2005 to 2014.Methods: This study was a retrospective study, based on medical records, in which 98 hospitalizedcases in Tohid and Besat hospitals (tertiary referral hospitals), Sanandaj, Iran, between 2005 and 2014were investigated. The epidemiological and clinical information was obtained from eligible cases.Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 16. Chi-square and t test were used for analyses. Thesignificant level was considered at P < 0.05.Results: The mean age of cases with GBS was 22.16 years. Among final 69 patients who were studied,36 cases (52.2%) were male and 33 cases (47.8%) were female. Most cases of disease occurred inthe spring. Thirty-nine patients (56.52%) had risk factors like history of gastrointestinal infections,respiratory infections, and surgery 2-4 weeks before the disease onset. Four cases (10.25%) neededmechanical ventilation. The most common protocol of treatment was IVIg (n = 47, 68%). More thanhalf of the patients (52.2%) achieved relative recovery. In 6 patients, (8.7%) relapse was occurred.Conclusion: Our study showed that there was a significant relationship between sensory- motorinvolvement, gender and age. Moreover, the relationship between gender and prognosis was indicated(P < 0.05).
Original Article
Leili Yekefallah; Tahereh Ashktorab; Hooman Manoochehri; Hamid Alavi Majd
Abstract
Background and aims: The concept and meaning of futile care depends on the existing culture, values,religion, beliefs, medical achievements, and emotional status of a country. In Iran, futile care hasbecome a challenge for nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs). Considering the differencesobserved ...
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Background and aims: The concept and meaning of futile care depends on the existing culture, values,religion, beliefs, medical achievements, and emotional status of a country. In Iran, futile care hasbecome a challenge for nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs). Considering the differencesobserved in defining futile care based on the patients’ conditions and the nurses’ personal values,we aimed to define the dimensions of futility at the end of life from the viewpoints of nurses workingin ICUs. This qualitative phenomenological study was done to understand the experiences of nursesworking in ICUs with respect to the dimensions of futility.Methods: this research was a qualitative phenomenological study. The statistical population of thisstudy included nurses working in the ICUs of 11 teaching hospitals and hospitals affiliated to the SocialSecurity Organization in Qazvin province, northwest of Iran. Personal interviews and observations of25 nurses working in the ICUs of 11 hospitals were collected. All interviews were recorded and codesand themes were extracted using Van Manen’s analysis method.Results: Initially 80 codes were extracted. During data analysis and comparison, the codes werereduced to 65. Ultimately, one theme and 2 sub-themes, and 5 categories were emerged: “futilemedical orders, futile diagnostic procedures, and category of nursing which included futile nursinginterventions and irrelevant duties to nursing”.Conclusion: Considering that nurses play a key role in managing futile care, being aware of theirexperiences in this regard could be the initial operational step for compiling useful care andeducational programs in ICUs.
Original Article
Sara Amanpour; Maryam Raoof; Shahla Kakoei; Sorena Fardisi; Azadeh Iranmanesh; Molouk Torabi Parizi
Abstract
Background and aims: Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common cancers in the oralcavity. The aim of this study was to assess the rate of awareness of people referring to medical clinicsin Kerman because of the oral cancer and its risk factors from 2015 to 2016.Methods: This cross-sectional study ...
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Background and aims: Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common cancers in the oralcavity. The aim of this study was to assess the rate of awareness of people referring to medical clinicsin Kerman because of the oral cancer and its risk factors from 2015 to 2016.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample size of 1200 subjects between Apriland December 2016 in Kerman, Iran. The participants were selected based on stratified sampling fromdental clinics of 4 different areas of the city. After filling the informed consent form, they were askedto complete a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included demographic information,awareness of subjects about common characteristics of oral cancer, and predisposing risk factors. Toanalyze the data, chi-square and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were used by means of SPSS 21.0.A value of P ≤ 0.05 was considered to be significant.Results: A total of 58.8% of the participants showed intermediate level of knowledge regardingoral cancer. Knowledge about risk factors and symptoms was also at an intermediate level (57.2%and 65% respectively). Knowledge of women was significantly more than that of men (P = 0.02).moreover, subjects who were married presented more correct answers than single ones (P = 0.01).Moreover, urban dwellers were found to be more knowledgeable than rural populations (P = 0.03).Conclusion: Although the public information on oral cancer is improving compared to a study carriedout 7 years ago in Kerman, the level of knowledge is still not satisfactory. Indeed, much more efforts toincrease public information by social media is needed.
Ehsan Shariat Bahadory; Ali dalir Ghaffari; Somayyeh Namroodi; Seyyedeh Somayyeh Mosavipour; Javid Sadraei
Volume 5, Issue 1 , February 2018, Pages 24-29
Abstract
Background and aims: Toxoplasmosis is a very common disease in the world. Two types of acquired toxoplasmosis have been detected. In the chronic toxoplasmosis, the abnormality of tissue function is little but, in acute toxoplasmosis, function of RES system becomes interrupted. The assessment of toxoplasma ...
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Background and aims: Toxoplasmosis is a very common disease in the world. Two types of acquired toxoplasmosis have been detected. In the chronic toxoplasmosis, the abnormality of tissue function is little but, in acute toxoplasmosis, function of RES system becomes interrupted. The assessment of toxoplasma antibody with tissue enzymes in this stage is very important. Furthermore, serum ferritin in some conditions became high in acute phase of infectious disease. Methods: This study was based on comparative abundance study. Materials consisted of 980 serum and amniotic fluid samples collected from human blood with high level of IgG antibody against Toxoplasma gondii in Rajaie center, Tehran, Iran. The standard test was ELISA assay to detect these antibodies and the main test was measurement of liver transaminases (SGOT, SGPT) bilirubin and ferritin to evaluate acute toxoplasmosis. Data analysis was done by SPSS version 18.0. This study was done during March to June, 2017. Results: Results showed that in some patients with high level of IgG AVIDITY antibody against T. gondii the level of liver transaminases, serum bilirubin and ferritin became increased. For example in 120 patients with acute toxoplasmosis the mean serum levels of SGOT were 108 IU/L and in 80 patients the mean serum bilirubin were about 5 mg/dL. Conclusion: In acute congenital toxoplasmosis, the evaluation of IgG AVIDITY was first step and then the measurement of biochemical factors such as serum transaminases, serum Bilirubin and serum Ferritin were important.
Review article
Reza Sahebi; Masoud Amiri; Mohammad-Saeid Jami
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system (CNS). This highly disabling disorder is characterized by a variable clinical course. MS is a heterogeneous disease with a complex pathology and significant social and economic impact. MS is associated with dysfunction ...
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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system (CNS). This highly disabling disorder is characterized by a variable clinical course. MS is a heterogeneous disease with a complex pathology and significant social and economic impact. MS is associated with dysfunction of parts of the nervous system which results in a range of signs and symptoms, including physical, mental, and sometimes psychiatric problems. There is no definite treatment for MS. Iran has been thought to be located in the low risk zone of MS prevalence. However, recent studies and investigations in some cities such as Isfahan, a central province of Iran, have suggested a medium-to-high risk level of MS prevalence. Pathophysiological processes in MS contribute to the disease course and clinical manifestations. Therefore, biomarkers that are indicators of these events would provide significant potential for diagnosis, prediction of disease course, and optimization of therapeutic responses. This review provides information on the prevalence of MS and some risk factors among Iranian people.
Review article
Zeenat Mahmodi; Kourosh Sayehmiri
Abstract
Background and aims: Prayer means reading and asking for help and satisfying the need. The prevalence of mental diseases has had an increasing trend in Iran. The aim of this study was to know the role of attitudes and praying-related behaviors in the treatment of patients with depression in Iran. Methods: ...
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Background and aims: Prayer means reading and asking for help and satisfying the need. The prevalence of mental diseases has had an increasing trend in Iran. The aim of this study was to know the role of attitudes and praying-related behaviors in the treatment of patients with depression in Iran. Methods: By searching in the databases such as SID, Magiran, Medlib, Iranmedex, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed, 16 relevant articles were extracted. Data were analyzed by using meta-analysis (random effects model). Moreover, heterogenecity of the studies was checked using Q and I2 statistics. Results: To examine the relationship between the rate of depression and praying, it analyzed in both case and control groups as pretest and posttest. It was reported that the rate of depression before the test in the case group was 49.4 (95% CI: 34.04-64.04) and in the control group was 27.51 (95% CI: 15.51, 39.51). For the case group, it was reported that the rate of depression decreased to 12.43 (95% CI: 2.4-22.4) and for the control group it was 19.83 (95% CI: 11.8-27.83). Conclusion: The attitude and the praying-related behavior had positive effects on the depression of individuals and it could cause the depression level diminishing. Therefore, this therapeutic approach can be considered as a common method in the treatment of mental disorders and the psychologists and the therapists can use this method for the treatment of their patients in therapeutic centers.