مجله تحقیقات نظام سلامت
سال هفتم شماره 5 (آذر و دی 1390)

Since most habits are formed during adolescence, the majority of educational programs target adolescents. On the other hand, widespread use of mass media has made them significantly important, especially in the field of health and lifestyle in recent years. Therefore, the present study evaluated the efficacy of multimedia compact discs (CDs) provided by the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP) among the 19-25 year-old youth who attended Isfahan Red Crescent Society Classes. Method and Materials: This was an interventional study on Isfahan and Najaf Abad 19-25 year-old youth who participated in Isfahan Red Crescent Society classes. Inclusion criteria were providing a consent and the ability to use the CD. A standard questionnaire similar to the IHHP questionnaire was used. It was filled before and after the study. Participants were divided into two groups of control (Arak) and intervention (Isfahan and Najaf Abad). The average use of soft drink beverages and fast food decreased after the intervention compare to the control group. The percentage of high stress individuals and cigarette smokers also decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group. Physical activity did not change in the intervention group but decreased in the control group. Positive results of the IHHP interventional programs via multimedia CDs in the studied youth showed that using mass media including CDs can be effective in lifestyle modification and preventing non-communible diseases (NCDs).

Natural organic compounds are known as precursors in the formation of disinfection byproducts. The aim of this study was to evaluate of effect of modified cationic surfactant nano zeolite in the removal of humic acid (HA) from water. Nano zeolite (clinoptilolite) was modified by cationic surfactant solution hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA-Br), in dosages of 0.5, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 g/l. HA, turbidity and pH were measured in the beginning and at the end of the adsorption process. According to the results of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), there was a significant relationship between cationic surfactant dosage and HA concentration (P < 0.001). With increasing HDTMA-Br dosage, final to primary turbidity ratio, and final to primary UV254 absorbance ratio varied. In HDTMA-Br dosages of 7 and 10 g/l maximum removal efficiency for HA were respectively 96% and 86% with minimum variations in pH and turbidity value. This study showed that modification of zeolite for removal of disinfection byproducts from aqueous solution is necessary because these compounds have negative surface charge and are unable to adsorb anions. Moreover, application of HDTMA-Br at a dosage of 7 g/l and with a pH coinciding with isoelectric point can be an optimum concentration.

Solid waste management includes 8 stages including source reduction, production, storage, collection, transportation, recycling, disposal and monitoring after disposal. Production stage has a critical role on solid waste management process. Since people are the first ring of this chain, their awareness and proper attitude can lead to more accurate and more efficient performance of the system.

This was a descriptive, analytical survey performed with a cross-sectional approach. The study population included 90 people from an area called "Ramshe" in Isfahan. Subjects were questioned by a questionnaire. SPSS11.5 was used for data analysis.

The mean awareness was 8.05 ± 1.2 (out of 14) that was evaluated as higher than moderate. The mean attitude was 2.52 ± 2.3 (zero represented indifference) that shows the attitude of people was positive. 38.5% and 33.7% of respondents respectively introduced sanitary landfills and recycling as the best method for waste disposal. In addition, 64% of people believed that waste collection should be done twice a week. Furthermore, 38.3% believed that waste collection should be done between 7-9 a.m. While 32.3% of respondents partially disagreed with selling the waste to vendors, 29.3% were completely against it.

According to the findings of this survey, there was a significant relationship between awareness and job and education level. Due to a satisfactory level of awareness about the topic of the survey, influential factors on people's low performance should be evaluated. An appropriate plan to improve the performance should also be devised. A suitable and practical recycle plan with a maximum public participation seems to be very beneficial to improve solid waste management.

Self medication is one of the commonest actions in the world. The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of students in universities of Isfahan toward self medication. In this descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study, 600 students of universities in Isfahan were selected. Since there are 3 public universities in Isfahan, multilevel sampling was performed based on the total number of students in each university. The data was collected by a researcher-developed questionnaire. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire have been confirmed by content validity, face validity and internal reliability (α = 0.7). The collected data was analyzed by SPSS15. The significance level was considered as P < 0.05. The average scores of knowledge (83.93 ± 17.9) and practice (97.58 ± 6.49) of students were high. However, their attitude toward self medication was moderate. About 14.2% of the students had experienced self medication at least once in the past two months. The participants used self medication mainly for cold. In addition, pain killers were the most frequent medicine. The commonest causes of self medication were previous experience of the disease and availability of medicines. The most important preventive reason of self medication was lack of belief in self medication. Based on our findings, the attitude of students was moderate. Therefore, considering the important role of students in the society, the necessity of providing instructions to students for changing their attitude is apparent.

Soymilk replacement in the diet might have beneficial effects on inflammation and cardiovascular risk factors for non-menopausal overweight and obese female adults. We evaluated the effects of soymilk compared to cow's milk on inflammation and cardiovascular risk factors among overweight and obese female adults.

This was a cross-over randomized clinical trial on 24 subjects. All of them were on a weight reducing diet. There were two trial periods for four weeks (soymilk period and cow's milk period) and a washout period for 2 weeks. In the soymilk period, only one glass of cow's milk (240 cc) was replaced with one glass of soymilk (240 cc).

Mean values of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and waist circumference reduced significantly following soymilk period compared to cow's milk period (LDL: -11.22 ± 3.85 vs. -1.18 ± 2.82; P = 0.01 and waist circumference: -3.79 ± 0.51 vs. -1.78 ± 0.55; P = 0.02). However, inflammatory markers, liver enzymes, blood pressure, other lipid profiles, and glycemic control index did not change significantly after soymilk period compared to cow's milk period.

A diet including soymilk can play an important role in reducing lipid profiles and waist circumference among non-menopausal overweight and obese female adults even in a short time trial. However, diet with soymilk had no significant effects on glycemic index, plasma inflammatory markers, liver enzymes, or fibrinogen level compared to cow's milk in a short term trial.

Changing from traditionalism into modernism resulted in a phenomenon called "Urban Life". Modern urban life brings with itself conditions influencing the concept of social and individual health. This has made the theorists, especially the Chicago School, to study the effects of environmental abnormalities on the people's health. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of urban spaces on environmental and individual abnormalities among the youth residing in Tehran-District 12.

This survey used simple random sampling to select 200 young individuals who aged 15-30 years from District 12. All subjects filled out a researcher-developed questionnaire.

Chi-square test showed significant differences between urban spaces, environmental peace, visual and noise pollution (including face of the city, visual disturbance, and polluting industries) and abnormal behaviors of citizens (crime and risky behaviors).

Increased negative contents of the urban spaces would increase the influences on psychological and social health of the youth.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the progressive and chronic disorders that cause damage in myelin of the central nervous system (CNS) and spinal cord. It therefore results in some complications in patients. Physical impairments and psychological changes can affect MS patient's self-esteem and quality of life. This study was designed to measure the quality of life in MS patients living in Isfahan. This was a cross-sectional survey on members of Isfahan Multiple Sclerosis Association. Using stratified cluster sampling method, 251 patients were selected from all MS patients (n = 4250) who referred to Alzahra Clinic. Demographic data was recorded. Data was collected by the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 Instrument (MSQOL-54) standard questionnaire through self-reporting. Almost 50% of the patients were female. The mean age of participants was 36.34 ± 10.10 years (range: 17-61). The mean scores (out of 100) of two dimensions of overall quality of life in physical health and mental health were 47.18 ± 15.69 and 44.95 ± 15.46 respectively. The lowest and highest scores among the 12 subscales were related to role limitations due to physical problems (43.5± 23.4) and social function (54.4 ±14.7), respectively. Inverse correlations were seen between age, disease duration and kind of disorder with overall quality of life scores in 2 areas (P < 0.001). There were also significant correlations between income and the level of education with overall quality of life scores in 2 areas (P < 0.001). Pearson's correlation indicated a positive relationship between physical health and mental health. A relationship between demographic variables and patient's quality of life was observed. Therefore, in order to promote quality of life in patients, a multidisciplinary approach and appropriate interventions should be implemented.

Although the Internet with various applications and attractiveness is harmless itself, its excessive use may lead to a phenomenon called "Internet addiction". This study was carried out to assess the Internet addiction among the students in Isfahan Payam-e-Nour University (Kohandej Branch). In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, 96 students of Payam-e-Nour University were randomly selected. Data was collected through Young's questionnaire. The questionnaire included demographic information, reasons of using the Internet, and addiction evaluation test. After receiving informed consents, the students completed the questionnaires. Then, data was analyzed by Pearson's correlation, student-t, Spearman, and Mann-Whitney tests in SPSS11.5. The students were scored as normal, slightly addicted, or severely addicted. Based on our findings, 91.7% of the students were normal and 8.3% were slightly addicted. Most students used the Internet to search and download. While there was no significant relation between demographic information and Internet addiction, there was a significant relation between using time and Internet addiction. In addition, 8.4% of the students had experienced academic failure due to using the Internet. Educating students and their families regarding the correct usage of the Internet would give a tremendous boost in controlling Internet addiction among university students.

To prevent the adverse health effects of noise pollution and to achieve the recommended standards, assessment of noise levels in the cities is essential. The aim of this study was to evaluate noise pollution levels (NPLs) in Isfahan, Iran and compare them with recommended standard values.

A total number of 19 measurement points were selected from most congested areas throughout the city. Environmental noise parameters such as L10, L50, L90, L95, L99, Leq, SEL, SPL, Lmin, Lmax, and Lpeak were measured using a CEL-440 sound level meter. NPL and traffic noise index (TNI) were calculated by mathematical formulas. All measurements were carried out twice a day (morning and afternoon with 30 minutes intervals. Finally, the average results were reported.

The maximum Leq was at Ferdowsi Crossroads in the morning (78.3 dB) and at Jomhoori Square in the afternoon (79.6 dB). The mean measured Leq level was 74.5 ± 2.78 dB in the morning and 72.6 ± 4.43 dB in the afternoon. Significant differences with the standard values were seen between average equivalent sound levels both in the morning and afternoon (P < 0.001). In other words, the obtained Leq levels were higher than standard. Furthermore, there was a correlation between the calculated NPL and TNI in the morning and afternoon (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.877, P < 0.001(.

It can be concluded that Isfahan is an environmentally noise polluted city. In most cases, the noise levels exceed the recommended levels by Iranian Environmental Protection Organization.

The stresses elderly face in various situations are different from those faced by other age groups. They are at a stage in life where they may face extended and critical health problems. In general, aging adults are vulnerable to the harmful effects of a negative stressor factors. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of PRECEDE model-based educational program on level of stress among the elderly who referred to cultural centers of Tehran in 2009-2010. In this quasi-experimental study, 94 elderly were randomly divided into case and control groups. Planning of the educational program was done according to PRECEDE model. Before implementing the program, valid and reliable Depression, Anxiety, and Stress questionnaires (DASS-21) were completed for both groups. The experimental group received the educational intervention based on PRECEDE model (eight sessions, one session a week), and both groups were followed up 2 months after the intervention when the same questionnaires were filled out for them again. DASS-21 Scoring and Interpretation Generator was used for calculating the scores of questionnaires. Finally, using SPSS15, the obtained data was analyzed by t-test, paired t-test, and Mann-Whitney test at the significance level of P ≤ 0.05. Results of the present research showed significant differences in mean stress scores (P < 0.001) and mean negative scores of depression, anxiety, and stress (P < 0.001) between the experimental and control groups two months after the educational program. In addition, while mean negative scores significantly increased in the experimental group, it decreased in the control group (P < 0.001). The findings of the present study confirmed the practicability and effectiveness of the PRECEDE model-based educational program on preventing or reducing the stress level in aging adults.

The correct appraisal of the employee's work ability is important for employers in the economic viewpoint. Improving the personnel's work ability is a way to increase the productivity of human resources in industries and organizations. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the ability of employees by work ability index (WAI) and physical work capacity (PWC) and to find a correlation between the two indices. Determining the PWC index based on WAI values for the purpose of saving costs and time of PWC measurements was another aim of this project. The present analytic, cross-sectional study included 228 randomly selected registered nurses from hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. The WAI and PWC were measured through the WAI questionnaire and Fox equation and by using an ergometer bicycle, respectively. The resulting data was analyzed using SPSS16. Mean values of WAI and PWC among the studied population were 38.25 ± 4.4 and 4.45 ± 0.7, respectively. Pearson's correlation test showed no significant correlations between PWC and WAI in different age groups (r = 0.3; P > 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the variables of age and diagnosed diseases were the most effective factors of WAI (β = 0.18; P > 0.05). Pearson's correlation test revealed a significant correlation between the number of diagnosed diseases and PWC index in the age group of 40-49 years. Average WAI in this research, like other studies on similar jobs, was at the acceptable level of > 36. WAI and PWC in different age groups were not significantly correlated (r = 0.3; P > 0.05). Thus, there are essential discrepancies in work ability evaluations made by each index and it is not possible to predict PWC index using WAI values. Given the PWC results and the level of nursing staff's activity (low, medium), the WAI is a suitable instrument to evaluate the professional's abilities. This study revealed that 27.6% of individuals were subject to medium-low work ability risk (WAI < 37) which was 1.8 times more than of the values determined by Finland's Professional Health Institute. Such findings might be caused by shift working and increased working hours.