Iranian Journal of Health Sciences
Volume:2 Issue: 3, Summer 2014

Background and Paederus associated dermatitis has always been considered as a health problem in the northern of Iran. Since until now, the traditional method and some corticosteroids have been used in the treatment of Paederus dermatitis (PD) and no comprehensive studies have been carried out on the new method of treatment. Therefore, this study was aimed to compare the anti-inflammatory effects of triamcinolone with placebo in treatment of PD. This randomized double-blind clinical trial was performed during 6 months period in the clinics of Sari and Neka, Iran. Experimental group received triamcinolone and control group received placebo. The therapeutic effects of topically applied triamcinolone in 15 dermatitis patients and 15 control subjects were compared. The study subjects were visited in three separate times in the 1st, 7th and 14th day of the treatment. The data were collected in the questionnaire and compared in both groups by introducing the data into SPSS 11 software and analyzed by means of χ 2 test. A total of 15 patients, 10 and 5 cases were undertaken for treatment in the Sari and Neka Townships, respectively. 40% and 50% of the patients from Sari and Neka Townships had lesion size 6-10 cm2, respectively. In this study, 90% and 100% of the patients from Sari and Neka had complete recovery 7 days after treatment, respectively. Statistical analysis indicated a significant difference between the case and control groups (P < 0.05). Insignificant difference was observed for treatment between the patients from the two Townships under study.

Background and It is extremely important to recognize the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of this type of waste before any planning on them due to the lack of the prepared program in the field of household hazardous waste (HHW) management in the country. This research has been done in Babol, Iran, in order to achieve this important goal. The cross-sectional study was carried out on the basis of cluster samplingamong150families of Amirkola, Iran, to determine the per capita and percentage of different types of HHW. Training items in the form of pamphlets and special disposal bags were given to the families for being familiar with the types of waste and collection the waste, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed with the use of SPSS version19 and to signify of mean data was used with one-way analysis of variance. Average production of HHW was 75.6 kg a day, which contained almost 0.3% of municipal waste. The most important types of hazardous waste, including cleaners (60%), drugs (15.5%), toxic materials and chemicals (9.5%), electronics (8%), cosmetics (6.5%), sharp objects (1%), and pesticides (0.5%). This study showed that a high percentage of the amount of hazardous waste was allocated to the cleaners and medicines respectively. In this respect, the families were trained in order to reduce HHW in the source, to separate and recycle them. Moreover, it is also recommended to collect, transport and dispose of in accordance with health regulations.

Background and Priority health-risk behaviors, often are established during childhood and adolescence, extend into adulthood, and are interrelated and preventable. This study was conducted to determine and compare the prevalence of risky behaviors on both sexes of freshman students enrolled in Tehran University, Iran. This study was a descriptive-analytical type of cross-sectional survey which has used stratified sampling to select 432 students during 2011-2012. A questionnaire including, 14 demographic questions and 38 questions about risky behaviors such as unintentional intentional injuries, smoking habits, alcohol and drug use, sexual behaviors, nutritional habits, and physical activities was used as the instrument of the study. Attending student’s club and passing medical examination, each student completed the self- reported questionnaire. The mean age of participants was 23/2 ± 5/1, the majority of them were single (90.5%), 80.6% were unemployed, and 60.2% were from other cities. The prevalence of smoking cigarette (P < 0.001), using hookah (P < 0.001), carrying a cold weapon (P = 0.049), and driving without license (P < 0.001) were more in boys than girls while eating fruit (P < 0.001), vegetables (P = 0.049), and meat (P = 0.041) were more in girls. There were no significant differences in other risk behaviors (P > 0.05). Some health risk behaviors in boys were more than girls, and there is a possibility of increasing these high-risk behaviors in the university environment. Thus, keeping students under surveillance and adopting preventive actions play a crucial role, and comprehensive training plans to promote health behavior should be designed and implemented.

Background and The textile dyes are considered as important pollutants due to the toxicity on human and environment. Therefore, the dye removal from industrial effluents is necessary. This study evaluates the ability of Azolla for the adsorption of acid black 1 (AB1) dye from aqueous solution. This was an experimental-laboratory study. The Azolla biomass was sun dried, crushed and sieved to particle sizes in the range of 1-2 mm. Then, it treated with 0.1 M HCl for 5 h, followed by washing with distilled water, and it used as an adsorbent. The effect of study parameter was investigated, and the residues AB1 concentration was measured by DR2800 spectrophotometer at in λmax = 622 nm. The results indicated that the efficiency of AB1 adsorption decreased with increased initial dye concentration. It increased with increased contact time and adsorbent. The highest adsorption efficiency was occurred at pH = 2. The equilibrium data were the best fitted on Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The Azolla could present high ability in dye removal. Therefore, it can be used as inexpensive and effective adsorbent in textile effluent treatment.

Background and The performance of full-scale moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) was evaluated as an alternative for upgrading of Kish Island Mirmohana wastewater treatment plant. In this study activated sludge process upgrade to MBBR process and different operating parameters were compared. Effect of upgrading on different parameters such as organic loading rate (OLR), mixed liquor suspended solid (MLSS), mixed liquor volatile suspended solid, sludge retention time (SRT), sludge volume index (SVI), hydraulic loading rate (HLR), also removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solid were investigated. The study results show that with increasing the average flow influent (625.97 ± 38.6-1335.3 ± 102.06 m3/d) and reducing of aeration tank volume (300-150 m3), OLR (0.29 ± 0.1-1.82 ± 0.15), MLSS (1291.14 ± 463.43 mg/L-7382.85 ± 272.42 mg/L), SRT (12.5 ± 4.2 d-28.79 ± 3.84 d), SVI (54.94 ± 15.82-51.2 ± 9.31), HLR (13.85 ± 0.85-29.45 ± 2.25 m/d), and hydraulic retention time (4.61 ± 0.27-2.17 ± 0.17 h) were changed. Effluent concentrations under this operation condition were below the guidelines for irrigation water. Hence, MBBR process is a good alternative for upgrading wastewater plants especially when they have inadequacy space or need modification that will require a large investment.

Background and Inappropriate complementary feeding practices are one of the causes of malnutrition worldwide. This study was aimed to determine the complementary feeding practices according to World Health Organization recommendation in Sari, Iran. This cross-sectional study on complementary feeding practices assayed the different aspect of infant feeding based on maternal, childbirth, and infant characteristics. This study was conducted during the period between March and June 2013 on 401 mothers of infants under 1 year of age attending primary health centers using Poisson random sampling method and semi-structured questionnaire. A chi-square test was used to analyze the data. Almost 83.6% of mothers started complementary feeding at recommended age of 6 months. The most common starting food was Fereni (51.5%). About half of mothers fed their infants complementary food of appropriate consistency (49%) with recommended frequency (54.6%). Fathers’ educational level was found to be the significant associated factor with appropriate complementary feeding practices (P = 0.02). Complementary feeding practices by mothers in the capital city of Mazandaran province are still inappropriate in term of consistency, frequency and type of food introduced. Emphasis should be given to educating mothers and fathers about this important issue.

Background and In a recent century, the amount of construction waste has increased significantly. Although the building industry has a considerable role in the development of a society, it is regarded as an environmentally destructive. Source reduction is the highest goal in the waste management hierarchy and is in priority. It also has economic benefits by reducing costs associated with transportation, disposal or recycling of wastes. The present study is aimed to identify activities generating the wastes in design, transportation and storage and procurement of building materials. This was questionnaire survey. A total of 94 professionals in the construction industry were attended in this study. To determine the validity and reliability of the instrument, content validity method and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (0.79) were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows. Frequencies, percentage, mean and standard deviation were determined in this research. The results showed that handling and storage have been chosen as the most causative factor of waste production in construction activity. Improper material storage was identified major factor in producing waste in handling and storage phase. Usage of low-quality material in design stage and material price changes in procurement were recognized as major causes of waste production in these stages. All studied phases in this research were identified as causative factors in producing of waste. Identifying causes of construction waste production will help us decide better how to control this sort of wastes.

Background and Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a group of painful disorders of muscles, tendons, and nerves. Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, thoracic outlet syndrome, and tension neck syndrome are examples. Almost all work requires the use of the arms and hands, therefore, most WMSD affect the hands, wrists, elbows, neck, and shoulders. The aim of the current study was to assess the prevalence of WMSDs among hospital nurses in working time. All of nurses during the period of12 months in 10 body regions were evaluated in the workplaces by checklist data sheet assessment using the nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ). A cross-sectional study was performed through 2013 using by questionnaire and nurses who experienced WMSDs for at least 1 day during the past 12 months were included in the study. WMSDs were seen mostly in the neck (28.2%), knees (18.2%) and upper back (17.3%). A significant relationship was seen between sex of participants (P < 0.05) and WMSDs, and there was a positive correlation between sex of subjects and WMSDs problem in the neck (P < 0.05). Body mass index was correlated to musculoskeletal disorders problems (P < 0.05). In general, subjects with patients handling/transferring had significantly higher prevalence of symptoms in most body regions than those with light physical workloads. The female nurses are more tendency to involve and occurrence of WMSDs compared to male staffs.