Prevalence of stress among Iranian medical students: A questionnaire survey

A cross-sectional study measured the frequency of self-reported stress symptoms among a weighted random sample of medical students in Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran. The data were gathered using the Kessler 10-item psychological distress scale. The overall prevalence of stress among 222 students was 61.3% and there were no statistically significant differences in stress levels between students in the pre-clinical and clinical phases or different years of study. Married students had significantly lower scores than single students but there were no differences between the sexes. Students who chose to study medicine had lower stress scores than those who were influenced by family or had no choice about the subject. Students with mild to moderate stress were significantly more likely to suffer physical problems (OR = 4.42). Interventions are needed to tackle stress and improve Iranian medical students' physical and psychological well-being

Breastfeeding status during the first two years of infants’ life and its risk factors based on BASNEF model structures in Isfahan

Background: Breastfeeding depends on social and cultural conditions of societies. Behavior,Attitude, Subjective Norms, Enabling Factors (BASNEF) model is one of the comprehensive models of behavior study, especially in developing countries. This study was performed to investigate the status of breastfeeding during the first two years of infants’ life and its risk factors through BASNEF model structures. Materials and Methods: In this cross‑sectional descriptive‑analytical study, 406 mothers with 6-24‑month‑old babies were selected by multistage cluster sampling method. The data were collected using a questionnaire with five sections based on the BASNEF model structures. Demographic characteristics of the studied population were also recorded and analyzed using Chi‑square tests and analysis of variance in SPSS18 statistical software. Results: The prevalence of breastfeeding was 86.4% (351 mothers). Three hundred and thirty three mothers (82%) had good knowledge and there was a significant relationship between knowledge and breastfeeding behavior of mothers (P < 0.05). Two hundred and eighty five mothers (70.2%) had good and very good attitude in this regard. There was no significant relationship between attitude and breastfeeding behavior of mothers (P > 0.05). There was a significant relationship between breastfeeding behavior of mothers and subjective norms of husbands, mother and mother‑in‑law (P < 0.05); however, no significant relationship was found with regard to enabling factors (P > 0.05). Moreover, no significant relationship was observed between type of children nutrition and variables of delivery mode, maternal age and number of children (P > 0.05). Conclusion: In addition to knowledge of nursing mothers, supports and encouragement of husbands, mothers and mother‑in‑laws, as subjective norms of behavior, have a positive impact on the breastfeeding behavior of mothers. Thus, breastfeeding programs should pay more attention to the role of these mentioned factors. Key words: BASNEF model, breastfeeding, enabling factors, infant, subjective norm

Adjustment and Completion of BASNEF Model to Provide a New Model for Educating Large Populations in Relation to Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Background: Educational models that have been created for educating small populations do not have enough efficacy for educating large populations, so based on this premise and also high prevalence of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) in the Islamic Republic of Iran and lack of efficient methods for CL control, this study was designed and done with the aim of applying BASNEF model to provide a new model for educating large populations in relation to Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Methods: In a quasi-experimental study, 60 Volunteer Health Workers (VHWS) and 120 households that were resident in endemic areas of CL in Yazd were selected through census and multi-stage sampling method, respectively. Then, educational intervention was designed and implemented on the basis of BASNEF model. After educating VHWS based on BASNEF model, they were asked to educate households on the basis of BASNEF model. Before and after 3 months of VHWS training activities, data were collected in intervention and control groups via valid and reliable questionnaires and were analyzed with the SPSS software. Results: The mean score of knowledge, attitude, behavioral intention, enabling factors, behaviors and influence of subjective norms after educational intervention in households in experimental were significantly increased (P<0.05) while the changes in control group were not significant. Conclusions: This educational program led to empowering of VHWS and a change in their educational behavior which in turn led to preventive measures in households under study region. It can be concluded that the new educational model presented in this research, formed based on the BASNEF model, is able to educate a large population. Keywords: BASNEF Model, Volunteer Health Workers, Health Education, Cutaneous Leishmaniasi

Metabolic control and care assessment in patients with type 2 diabetes in Chaharmahal & bakhtiyari province 2008

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality affecting millions of people worldwide, making metabolic control & care assessment in these diabetics very important. The aim of this study was to identify and determine metabolic control rate and care assessment among type 2 diabetics in Chaharmahal & Bakhtiyari Province. Materials and Methods: In this 2008 Analytic- Descriptive (Cross-sectional) study, 256 patients with diabetes type 2 were selected by a two stage random sampling; data were analysed by Software SPSS 13. Results: Mean age of patients was 54.8±11:8.6 years and their mean duration of disease was 7.4 ± 5.8 years. Extent of achievement of aims in control ani care of metabolic care and assessment among patients was 1.2 73.6, 37, 39.4, 79.9, 61.4, 35.4, 62.6 and 37.7 in Hba1 c, cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, HDL in men, HDL in women, LDL and BMI, respectively. Conclusion: Hypertension, HbA1c, BMI and triglyceride levels were inappropriately controlled, requiring intervention planning and implemention for control of these factors in this province

Reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction after 12-month follow-up in hemodialysis patients.

INTRODUCTION Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to detect echocardiographic abnormality in the beginning and after 12-month follow-up in the hemodialysis patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS In a cross-sectional study, 60 hemodialysis patients older than 18 years and the dialysis duration longer than three months were enrolled. At the beginning of the study, echocardiography was done and after 12 months was repeated in all of the patients by the same cardiologist. At the end of the study, data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 19). RESULTS From the total of cases 37 were male and 23 female. At the beginning of the study, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation and aortic insufficiency were found in 54, 47 and 11 patients respectively. After 12 months left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decreased significantly, however there was no significant difference between other echocardiographic findings at the beginning and after 12 months. CONCLUSION Decrease in LVEF over time in hemodialysis patients may be due to negative effect of uremia on cardiac function, so it seems that periodical cardiac evaluation of these patients is essential and beneficial

To determine the relative factors on hypertension in Kohrang, Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari province, 2007

Background & Objectives: Hypertension is one of the most prevalent and important risk factor of cardio-vascular diseases. The aim of this research was to determine relative factors on hypertension in Kohrang. Methods: This survey was a population–based case-control study. The study population consisted of 415 patient with hypertension (cases) and 415 controls without any history of cardiovascular and or cerebrovascular diseases & hypertension. A systematic random sampling was used. The chi-square test and conditional logistic regression model was used and the data were analyzed by STATA. Results: Family history of hypertension, age over 60, no physical activity, bmi≥ 30 were calculated as risk factors with odds ratio: 2.33 (95% CI 1.58-3.47), 2.01 (95% CI 1.24-2.67), 1.8 (95% CI 1.2- 2.7), 1.66 (95% CI 1.32-2.07) respectively (p< 0.05). Fish consumption, unsaturated fat

The survey of family history of diabetes in patients with type 2 diabetes in Chaharmahal va Bakhteyari province, Iran, 2008

چکیده: زمینه و هدف: دیابت از گروه بیماری های متابولیک و یک اختلال چند عاملی است که با افزایش مزمن قند خون مشخص می شود. از آنجایی که در زمینه اپیدمیولوژی ژنتیک دیابت نوع 2 در کشور ما، مطالعات اندکی انجام شده و هنوز بطور قطعی مشخص نیست که توارث دیابت نوع 2 بیشتر از طرف کدام یک از والدین (پدر یا مادر) به فرزندان منتقل می شود، این مطالعه با هدف بررسی زمینه ژنتیکی بیماران دیابتی نوع 2 استان چهارمحال و بختیاری طراحی و اجرا گردید. روش بررسی: این بررسی یک مطالعه اپیدمیولوژیک از نوع توصیفی-تحلیلی است که جامعه پژوهش آن افراد مبتلا به دیابت نوع 2 در استان چهارمحال و بختیاری در سال 1387 بود. تعداد 254 نفر به روش تصادفی دو مرحله ای انتخاب و مورد بررسی قرار گرفتند. داده ها بوسیله مصاحبه و با تکمیل فرمی، جمع آوری و با نرم افزار STATA9 و آزمون مجذور کا مورد تجزیه و تحلیل قرار گرفت. یافته ها: از254 نفر بررسی شده 150 نفر (59) مونث و 104 نفر(41) مذکر بودند. متوسط سن آنها 6/8±8/54 سال و متوسط مدت زمان ابتلا به دیابت در آنها 8/5±4/7 سال بود. 116 نفر (7/45) از آنها دارای سابقه خانوادگی مثبت دیابت بودند که از این میان، 4/61 مادر دیابتی، 8/19 پدر دیابتی، 9/62 خواهر دیابتی، 1/18 برادر دیابتی، 5/40 دختر دیابتی و 1/18 پسر دیابتی داشتند. سابقه خانوادگی دیابت در مادر بیشتر از پدر، در خواهر بیشتر از برادر و در دختران بیشتر از پسران بود (001/0>P). نتیجه گیری: نسبت شانس ابتلا به دیابت برای کسانی که سابقه خانوادگی مثبت دیابت در مادر دارند بیشتر و مهم تر از پدر بوده و می توان اظهار نمود که به احتمال قوی، توارث دیابت نوع 2 بیشتر از طریق مادر به فرزندان منتقل می شود.

EFFECTIVE FACTORS IN THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES IN CHAHARMAHAL & BAKHTEYARI PROVINCE

Abstract: Background and objectives: Quality of life can be considered as a marker of the quality of health care and is a part of the patient's treatment plan. Its measurement in type 2 diabetic patients provides useful information to health authorities Material and Methods: This study is a descriptive-analytic cross–sectional study that has attempted to measure the quality of life in diabetic patients in Chaharmahal & Bakhteyari Province. The number of patients was 254 and they were selected randomly in two stages. Data were collected

Population genetic structure of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) between South Caspian Sea and Sefidrud River using DNA sequencing method

The goal of this study was to analyse the population genetic structure of the Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) between South Caspian Sea and Sefidrud River with mtDNA control region (Dloop gene) and DNA sequencing method during 2010 – 2012 sturgeon stock assessment project. Fish speciemns were collected by bottom trawl net. Extraction of DNA, PCR and DNA sequencing were carried out. Diversity index, the gamma distribution shape parameter for the rate heterogeneity among sites and nucleotide sequence, Fst index, exact test, the historical demographic pattern using neutrality tests and mismatch distribution analysis (D test of Tajima and Fs test of Fu) were analysed. Thirteen haplotypes were obtained, average (±SD) for haplotype diversity was 0.961 ± 0.101, nucleotide diversity was 0.038 ± 0.015, the gamma distribution shape parameter was 0.19, Fst index revealed little genetic structure between populations and the significant Fst value was seen by 10000 permutation only between Sefidrud River and Other Areas (P≤ 0.05) and was confirmed by exact test of population differentiation. Mismatch distribution for Acipenser persicus appeared to be unimodal, which closely matched the expected distributions under the sudden expansion model and supported by the low Harpending’s Raggedness index (0.061). Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs statistics were -0.84 and - 0.220, respectively, and was not significant. The results of this study showed that the population of Acipenser persicus in Sefidrud River were genetically differentiated from South Caspian Sea and three other areas represented a single panmictic populations. Therefore, fisheries managements of this valuable species should be directed towards conservation of gene pools and increasing different populations

The effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of celery (Apium graveolens) leaves on serum level of testosterone, FSH and LH in male rats

Background and Objective: Celery (Apium graveolens) is a plant from Apiaceae family with high nutritional and medicinal use.This plant has many phytoestrogens that can affect the pituitary-gonadal axis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of celery leaves on serum level of testosterone, FSH and LH in male rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, thirty-two male wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of eight rats each. The control group did not receive anything. The sham group received distilled water (as a solvent), and the experimental groups received doses of 200 and 300 mg/kg/ BW of hydro-alcoholic extract of celery leaves for 20 days. The extract was gavaged once a day. One day after the last gavage, the rats were anaesthetized and blood samples were collected from the heart and then serum levels of testosterone, LH and FSH were measured. The data were analyzed using SPSS software and ANOVA test. Results: Concentration of LH in the treatment group with doses of 200 mg/kg (0.39±0.02 mIU/dl) reduced in comparison with control (0.67±0.01 mIU/dl) and sham (0.73±0.02 mIU/dl) groups (P0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that the administration of 200 mg/kg doses of celery extract causes a significant reduction in serum LH concentration, but it has no effect on ganadotropin and testosterone hormones in highest doses used in this study. This finding may be due to the presence of flavonoid and antioxidant proporties of celery