Journal of Community Health Research
Volume:4 Issue: 2, Jul-Sep 2015

As much as the women`s behavior for the premature diagnosis of the breast cancer is affected by the cultural and social factors, the purpose of this study is to investigate factors associated with screening accordance with the model PEN-3. The present study was cross-sectional. The samples studied were women above 20 years and the sample size was 1416 people. The method of sampling was a random cluster. The tools of data collection questionnaire with 70 questions which approved its content validity and reliability. Data were analyzed by using software of SPSS Ver. 20. The average age of samples was 35.71±6.1. Only 14.3% of samples are regularly conducted to the self-examination. Also, 38.5% of women had a history of the clinical examination. The difference of observed in performance the breast self-examination and clinical breast examination were the statistical significant by variables of rural or urban (P= 0.005), the marital status (P = 0.013) and a background of having breast cancer (P <0.001). The results of the study based on PEN-3 model were showed that there were a statistical significant relationship between the structure of perceptual factors and reinforcing factors (P=0.002) and between the perceptual factors and enabling factors (P=0.006). According to the results of presented, the women`s performance in using the screening was low. Also, the components status of the PEN-3 Model (factors of perceptual, enabling, and reinforcing) for the breast cancer screening in women studied were not suitable.

As a glycoprotein, Plasma Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is mainly produced by prostate epithelial cells and is used as a major diagnostic tool for prostate cancer. A group of researchers relate the elevated number of estrogen receptors in breast cancer samples to the over-production of PSA in this type of cancer. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the participant's plasma PSA level as a new biomarker for the primary diagnosis of breast cancer. Employing a historical cohort design, this study was conducted on 95 patients suffering from breast masses. The participants were assigned to malignant (n=43) and benign (n=40) groups. Male participants and those undergoing a recent hormone therapy were excluded from the study. Independent-samples t-test and Fishers exact test were applied to analyze the data using SPSS software (ver. 20). The study findings indicated that the sensitivity and specificity of the plasma PSA level were respectively 63.15% and 53.48 % in patients suffering from the breast cancer. It was found that the mean plasma PSA levels for the benign and malignant groups were 0.047 ± 0.024 and 0.065 ± 0.054 respectively. No statistically significant relationship was detected between the two groups. Moreover, no significant difference was observed)P>0.05(between the two groups in regard with the background factors. Plasma PSA level is not a reliable biomarker to diagnose breast cancer, though regarding existing scientific evidence, more comprehensive studies are required to consider other features of malignant samples so as to evaluate the role of PSA in differentiating breast neoplastic lesions in a more meticulous way based on the degree of tumor differentiation.

Consumption of fresh herbs plays a major epidemiological role in the transmission of some parasitic food-borne diseases. Some manufacturers are producing different kinds of fresh packaged ready-to-eat packaged herbs in Iran. Therefore, this study was carried out in order to evaluate the parasitic contamination in ready-to-eat fresh packaged herbs produced by one of major manufacturers of such products in Tehran, Iran. A total of 200 packages of ready-to-eat fresh herbs were purchased from a distributor in Tehran in Iran during July 2014 to April 2015. Total content of each package was used as the sample, which was placed into an Erlenmeyer flask. Then, the detergent solution was added, and the flask content was shaken. The herbs were removed and the obtained solution was filtered through 0.2 µm filter. The filtrate was discarded, the filter was eluted by detergent solution, and the content was shaken for one minute. The filter was discarded. The solution was centrifuged at 7000 g for 10 minutes, and the sediment was examined via microscopy. In the current study, 8.5% of samples were reported to have parasitic contamination. Cyst and oocyst of Cryptosporidium spp (4%), Giardia spp (3%) and Entamoeba spp (1.5%) were identified in the present study. The study findings highlighted the potentiality of fresh ready-to-eat packaged herbs to serve as a transmission vehicle for parasites. In addition, this study demonstrated the washing method used by manufacturer of this product was not appropriate.

Oral health related quality of life - United Kingdom (OHQoL-UK) questionnaire is one of the instrument which measure both positive and negative aspect of Oral Health related Quality of Life (OHQoL) at the same time. The aim of this study is to evaluate OHQoL with remaining teeth and other variable using OHQoL-UK questionnaire. Method and Material: This cross-sectional study was done on 150 patients referring to Yazd dental university and Khatamolanbia clinic; They were randomly asked to complete OHQoL-UK questionnaire. Number of teeth, present or absence of dental prosthesis (partial or fixed) was examined by the clinician. Then patients completed the OHQoL-UK questionnaire. Sixty one male and 84 female completed the questionnaire. Male have higher mean quality of life score than female (68.8 in male and 67.9 in female) although it was not statistically significant (p=0.519). Increasing age was associated with lower mean quality of life score (p=0.214). Patients with more teeth have higher mean quality of life score (p= 0.002, rs=0.253). Mean quality of life score in patients with partial prosthesis was less than other patients but this relationship was not statistically significant (p=0.563). Patients with fixed prosthesis had higher mean quality of life score than others (p=0.05). According to the effect of dental condition on quality of life and effect of tooth loss on decreasing quality of life, required intervention should be done to improve dental condition and quality of life as a result.

Unintended pregnancy is associated with dangerous consequences for the mother's and baby's health as well as for the family and society. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the factors related to unintended gestation amongst pregnant women visiting healthcare centers in Yazd, Iran. The present study was conducted using a questionnaire as the data collection tool via multi-phase sampling method during June-July 2014. The statistical population size was 5925 among which, a sample size of 220 was selected. The current study results showed that the participants’ mean age was 27 years old and 90.9% of them were housewives. Participants’ mean of marriage age was reported 20.01, while mean number of their children was 0.85. Out of 220 women, who participated in this study, 28.6% were reported to have unintended pregnancy. Moreover, based on the logistic regression model, variables of woman’s marriage age, type of contraception solution, and ideal number of children are three most effective factors on the unintended pregnancy. Existing variables in regression model justified 38.9% of the unintended pregnancies. The study findings revealed that improving quality level of consultancy and family regulation programs seem to be essential, specifically proper training in regard with usage methods of contraception devices.

Determining the quality of water is particularly important in water resources management, and monitoring and zoning it are considered as a significant principle to be taken into account in planning. Schuller method is the commonest way to determine the quality of water. The present study was conducted in order to determine the quality of drinking water using Schuller modeling with the help of Kriging interpolation method in GIS environment. In the present study, Schuller modeling and Kriging interpolation method were utilized Geographic Information System (GIS) environment in order to determine the quality of water during the statistical period of 2005 to 2014. In so doing, chemical analyzed samples retrieved from the wells and aqueducts of Yazd-Ardakan plain were used. To determine the quality of water, Schuller diagram was utilized in order to classify the quality of drinking water. The results of the study indicated that the quality of drinking water reduces as we move from the southwest to the northeast of the plain. Approximately 30% of the studied area was in good and acceptable condition in regard with the quality of drinking water. Also, about 57% of the study area had poor quality drinking water, i.e. water with inappropriate and totally unpleasant quality and 13% of the map of drinking water quality is devoted to average quality, which is located in the central area. Only principled way to prevent dangerous consequences of the water table decline is the correct and systematic use of water.

The most prevalent type of arthritis is osteoarthritis which is known with the degenerative knee disease. Limited pieces of evidence have indicated that satureja with special phenol compounds is effective in inflammation reduction and pain alleviation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Satureja Hortensis powder supplement on pain improvement and serum TNF-α in patients with knee osteoarthritis(OA). The present study was conducted as a placebo-controlled double-blind randomized clinical trial. 39 patients with OA with medium pain were randomly divided into two groups which received Satureja Hortensis powder(SG) and placebo(PG) These groups consumed three 200 mg capsules with the same size and form for two months which contained Satureja Hortensis powder and starch, respectively. Pain intensity was determined using visual analogue scale(VAS) at the beginning and end of the trial. Response to the treatment was defined as pain reduction by more than 1.5 scores. The concentration of TNF-α were measured with ELISA kit. To distribute pain intensity before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Before the intervention, all people had a pain score between 4 and 7. After the intervention, 95% of the SG and 84% of the PG were in this scope. These changes were not statistically different(p=0.12). There was no significant difference between the two groups in concentration of TNF-α before and after the intervention. Results of this study showed that Satureja Hortensis powder supplement with dose of 600 mg per day for 60 days was not effective on pain alleviation and concentration of TNF-α in patients with knee osteoarthritis.