Yafteh

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Fallahi Sh¹, Badparva E¹, Nahrovanian H², Chegeni Sharafi A³, Ebrahimzadeh F⁴

1. Instructor, Department of parasitology, Faculty of medicine, Lorestan University of medical sciences

2. PhD, Pasteur institute of Iran.

3. Master of science, parasitology

4. Instructor, Department of statistic, Faculty of health, Lorestan University of medical sciences

Abstract

Background: Intestinal parasites are the most common enteric pathogens in patients with HIV infection. These intestinal pathogens are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV positive patients. There have been very few reports on the prevalence of intestinal parasites in HIV positive and AIDS patients in Iran. To investigate the prevalence of opportunistic intestinal parasites in this population, a cross-sectional study was carried out on 306 HIV positive and AIDS patients in Khorramabad city.

Materials and methods: Demographic data were collected by a questionnaire. Three stool samples were collected from every patient. Direct smear, Formalin-ether concentration techniques and Modified acid fast (Kinione) and modified trichorome staining method carried out on all samples. Data was analyzed by T-test and Chi square method.

Results: After examination’s it detect that, Prevalence of the intestinal parasite in HIV positive and AIDS patients in Khorramabad city was 22.5% and This rate was higher in AIDS patients. Moreover, we demonstrated that there is a significant relationship between age group, level of education, occupation, type of intestinal signs, variants and infection to intestinal parasites. It’s noticeable that between status of HIV/AIDS variant and infection to intestinal parasite there was a significant relationship

Conclusion: High prevalence of intestinal parasites in HIV positive and AIDS patients in Khorramabad city reflects the necessity of prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment programs for these patients.

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Abstract Background: There is further evidence of breast feeding benefits for mother and infant health. In some regions of the world the rate of exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of infant’s life has been decreased. The most important factors associated with the problem are socio-economic variables such as maternal age, mother’s employment status, level of education, and infant’s birth interval from previous or next child. Materials and methods: This analytic cross-sectional study was conducted on 340 mothers and their 6-12 months old children referring to Khorramabad health centers to achieve their children primary health cares from March 21st, 2006 to March 21st, 2007. Variables such as maternal age, mother’s employment status, delivery status, mother’s education, child birth rank, infant’s gender, and infant’s birth interval from previous child were investigated. The association between the exclusive breastfeeding failure and the variables were tested by χ2, Fisher exact test, t-test, Mann-Whitney, Pearson coefficient, and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Out of the 340 samples, 151 mothers (42%) had given birth with cesarean section, 57 of the cases were employed mothers compared with the 283 unemployed ones. In addition, 185 and 155 children out of the 340 samples were boys and girls respectively, and 10 were twins. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life was 79.1% (268 cases) in comparison with the 20.9% who had failed to be exclusively breastfed. Statistically significant relationships were found between the failure of exclusive breastfeeding with mother’s employment status, maternal education, and cesarean delivery. A reduction in child’s growth was the main reason reported by the mothers for the exclusive breastfeeding failure. Conclusions: In this study, the failure of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life was 20.9%. According to the findings, at least a 6-month period of maternity leave is suggested for employed mothers. Additionally, providing appropriate places for mothers to breastfeed their infants as well as a reducing their working hours are highly recommended.

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Background: Considering the high morbidity and mortality of atherosclerosis and the coronary artery disease in the world, this study aimed to investigate the roles of different risk factors in the suspected patients referring to Shahid Madani angiography center in Khorramabad. Materials and Methods: The referred patients suspected to heart diseases were divided into the afflicted group, as well as the seemingly healthy group by angiography. The demographic and nutritional information of the studied groups were collected by a questionnaire, and the anti-Chlamydia pneumonia IgG and IgM antibodies, lipids, the rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, and anti-Streptolysin were measured in the serums of the patients. Data were analyzed using T-test and χ2. Results: 120 cases out of 380 were excluded from the study because of confounding information. Additionally, 169 and 91 cases of the remaining 260 studied ones were diagnosed as afflicted and seemingly healthy by angiography respectively. Moreover, 101 (70.6%) and 68 (58%) of the 169 patients were males and females respectively. The highest number of the patients aged between 50 to 60 years old, while the highest affliction rate was among the patients in the age range of 40 to 50 (69.8%). The highest rate of affliction with the disease was among the patients with the blood type A. One hundred percent of the referred persons were employees, as well as 75.5% of the cases were stockbreeder who suffered from the disease. There were statistically significant relationships between fruit as well as very low and high meat consumption and heart diseases in the two groups. The serology results indicated that 87.5 % of the cases with anti-Chlamydia pneumonia IgM suffered from heart diseases. Conclusion: The high frequency of the coronary artery disease in the persons that had the positive titer of anti-Chlamydia pneumonia IgM suggests a possible relation of active or recurrent infection with the disease. On the other hand, it is likely that the nutritional patterns of the studied cases also had a relationship with the coronary artery disease. Therefore, the coronary artery disease possibly had a relationship with the microbial and nutritional risk factors of the studied persons in the case group. However, further studies are definitely needed in this regard.

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Background: Obesity is one of the most important problems in the world. Suitable low calorie diets are among the best ways for weight loss. The aim of this study was to determine the effects and comparison of two kinds of low-calorie diets on weight loss. Materials and Methods: Seventy- six health women (20-55 yrs old) were randomly divided into two groups for 3 months: 39 subjects in standard diet group (SD) (carbohydrate 55%, fat 30%, protein 15%), and 37 persons in high protein-low fat diet group (HPD) (carbohydrate 55%, fat 20%, protein 25%). Energy intake was 1000 kcal less than the daily needs in the two groups. In the beginning and at the end of each month the subjects were visited and food diet energy was adjusted. In the beginning and finally BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist to hip ratio were measured. Results: BMI decreased 4. 43±0.96 v. s 4. 15±0.76 in SD and HPD groups, respectively. The amount of weight loss was 10. 89 2.04 in SD and 10. 48 1.73 in HPD. Waist to hip ratio decreased 0. 02±0.014 v. s 0. 018±0. 014 in SD and HPD, respectively. For all variables there was no significant difference between two groups. Conclusion: Both low calorie diets (SD and HPD) decreased weight and other obesity indices. Therefore, HPD may be a suitable substitution for standard diet.

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Prevalence of obesity tends to increase in developing countries. Obesity as a health problem is very important because of its complications such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and some cancers. Life style influences and affects on waist circumference and hip circumference. WHR is the most common index to determine description of fat in body. The purpose of this study was to estimate association of waist to hip ratio with blood pressure among people referred to urban health clinics in Arak city. Materials and Methods: This population based cross sectional study was conducted on 340 people over 18 referred to urban health clinics in Arak city. Data were collected using a questionnaire including demographic information, and were analyzed by SPSS software and Chi square test. In addition to waist circumference, hip circumference and blood pressure were measured by standard methods. Results: 32.6% and 67.4% of the subjects were male and female respectively. 16.2% of the males and 12. 2 of the females had hypertension. Waist to hip ratio had a direct relation with hypertension. Under surface of the ROC curves were calculated for each female 0.802 and male 0.815. The best cut off WHR had been calculated for prediction of hypertension for males was 0.895 and for females was 0.835. Conclusion: Between WHR, WC and HC, WHR is the best predictive index for hypertension in population of Arak city.

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One of the necessary bases to improve the quality of education system especially in universities is continuous evaluation of education process of students in different levels of education system continually. Basic sciences medical period is a background of study achievement and precise understanding of the next levels of medical courses. The medical students by the knowledge acquired in basic sciences period can solve clinical problems. Therefore present research was done to understand factors affecting the students’ success in comprehensive test of basic medical sciences in Lorestan university of medical sciences. Materials and Methods:This descriptive analytical study was carried out on 102 medical students in Lorestan university of medical sciences including all the students who entered the university and Participated in comprehensive test from 2001 to 2004. Sampling method was census and data gathering tools were two questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, descriptive statistics, ANOVA test, T- test and linear regression. Results: The results showed that factors affecting comprehensive test of basic medical sciences were as: volume of the course, the final mark of the course, dedicated time in order to be ready for exam, importance of the course in basic sciences stage, amount of interest in the course, importance of the course in comprehensive basic test ,quality of lecture,s teaching and how to use audio visual and laboratory devices by the lectures. Conclusion: In order to improve and achieve needed changes in medical education and regarding the important role of the courses of basic sciences on the students as future physicians, taking some amendatory steps seem necessary.

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Considering the life conditions of nowadays and continuous changes of community’s needs, we are also supposed to change our educational method. since lectures’ experiences can have an immense role on this subject , so this study was carried out to determine faculty lecturers’ attitudes towards the educational indices at Lorestan university of medical sciences in 2008. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytic stady a 2-part questionnaire was used for data gathering including leclures’ demographic information and their attitudes towards some educational indices such as effective factors on teaching success, educational management, students’ educational problems as well as their attitudes towards educational technology. To determine the validity and reliability of the study, a pilot study was conducted. For data analysis, the descriptive and analytical statistics (correlation coefficient and Chi.square test , Mann whitney´ , Spearman and Kruskal –Wallis Tests ) were applied. Results: Among faculty lecturers100 of them completed the questionnaire. There were 59% male, 45% of them worked in medical faculty.76 % of them had not passed any methodology courses before employment.91% of the samples evaluated the workshop well. 90% believed that teaching method workshop is necessary and its suilable time is before starting teaching , 76% of them had passed teaching method workshops in university. The following problems were indicated as important educational problems scientific ability (83%) , inappropriate relationship between educational courses and community’s needs(73%),inappropriate numbers of students and equipment and physical space (68%) and proportion between workshop and teachers’ educational needs (62 %). Conclusion: 9% of the teaching staff found a mismatch between their educational needs and teaching method workshops, and majority of them requested to hold continuous teaching method workshops. Meanwhile their evaluations regarding officials’ attention to educational problems and appropriateness of students numbers to educational facilities were rated weak. Paying more attention to the quality and quantity of workshops , continuous education and solving university educational problems were of great emphasis. Besides, participation of all the faculty lectures in the educational planning and managemant is recommended.

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Proper nutrition is among the most important needs to provide physical and mental health and in other words,it is the essential principle of the society good health.Offering healthy eating to children, the suitable preservation and distribution of foodstuff, and the control of the different sites of the maintenance and allotment of the nutritive substances at the schools are considered to be of foremost importance.So the present study is intended to specify the extent of the control and supervision of the allotment and distribution of the foodstuff to the students and the amount of the nutritional and hygienic knowledge of the parents and educators at the primary schools in 2007. Material and Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study conducted on 5695 male and female students studying at 39 primary schools of Khorramabad (district one). In order to scrutinize the status of the supervision of supply and distribution of the nutritive substances to the students and the measurement of the amount of the nutritional and hygienic knowledge of the parents and educators, a census was carried out. It suffices to say that the parents’ samples were selected apropos the arrangement of the classificatory sampling,cluster sampling, the two-stage sampling, and finally systematic sampling.The data gathering tool was a two self-made questionnaire completed by the interviewees themselves. Subsequently, the data were described with respect to the frequency distribution tables, the x2 independence tests and SPSS,V.15 saftware. Results: It was considered that 29.7% of the primary schools possessed buffets. Besides, 40.5% of them had hygiene educators. The amount of the attentiveness of the parents and educators to the control and supervision of the nutritive substances at the buffets was 61.5%, which is considered as a relatively good estimate. In this way, it is posited that, there exists a significant relationship between the existences of buffets at the primary schools and the scope of the acquaintance of the parents and educators with the control and supervision of the supply and distribution of foodstuff. (P=0/025) Nevertheless, the extent of the hygiene experts’ supervision on the supply of nutritive substances at the buffets was 14.5%, which is conceived to be rather poor. Conclusion: This study showed that, having a suitable place to present and distribute foodstuff in schools is necessary. Due to students needs to healthy snack in school, the surveillance of teachers and health experts is more important.

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Background: Malnutrition is one of the significant factors in extending hospitalization period, augmenting disease complications, enhancing treatment and hospitalization costs, and increasing deaths in hospitals. This study was conducted to investigate patients, nutritional conditions, before and discharge time in the orthopedic ward of Shohadaye Ashayer hospital in 2010. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study 283 patients, aged 18 and over, in the orthopedic ward were selected.A previously developed questionnaire containing 15 quantitative and qualitative factors was completed for subjects in two stages (at their hospital admission and their discharge time). The patients, weight and height were also measured during these two stages. The collected data were then analyzed using SPSS software. Results: 12.7% of the patients had severe malnutrition, 7.4% had moderate malnutrition and 79.9% had mild malnutrition. The length of hospital stay was found to be an important factor in causing malnutrition. In this study significant statistical relationship was found between the length of hospital stay, sex, the recent 1-month weight loss, previous operation and the severity of malnutrition (P<0.05) But no significant relationship was found between literacy, age, economical situation, the recent 6-month weight loss, and the severity of malnutrition (P>0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be claimed that there is a significant statistical relationship between the length of hospital stay and the severity of malnutrition.

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Background : Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive degenerative disorder with multiple motor and non motor symptoms. These features can cause disability and extensive dysfunction in patients. This study is conducted to evaluate the disabilities of PD patients. Materials and Methods: The study was case series. Depression, cognitive impairment and disability of patients were diagnosed based on DSM-IV criteria, Mini Mental State Examination and Hoen and Yahr criteria, respectively. Smelling dysfunction was diagnosed with water, rosewater, tobacco and coffee. Results: From 79 patients who were recruited in our study male to female ratio was 3 to 1. The most patients aged 70-79 years. Prevalence of depression and cognitive impairment was 45.6% and 68.4%. Prevalence of on-off phenomenon, falling attacks and olfactory dysfunction was 21.5, 32.9 and 68.4 percent, respectively. Duration of disease and treatment was significantly associated with amount of disability. Depression was significantly(p=0.006) associated with disability and severity of disease. Conclusion: This study showed that motor and non motor abnormalities are common in PD. Disability is influenced by factors such as age, duration of disease and treatment. Hence, diagnosis and treatment of PD should be considered before onset of disabilities.

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Background : Infants growth is one of the most important sources of information for the diagnosis of growth retardation and malnutrition in children. The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with reduction of height and weight of infants less than 2 years of Alashtar township of Lorestan province. Materials and Methods: This research was a cross-sectional study. The statistical population were all children under two years old referred to health centers of Aleshtar township in the first half of 2007. All data were collected using questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS statistical software. Results: From 299 infants, 77 (25.8% ) had reduction in weight curve and 24(8%) infants had reduction in height curve. There was a significant relationship between reduction of weight and following variables including place of residence, infectious diseases, the kind of used-milk, duration of breastfeeding, complementary feeding beginning time, interval of breast-fed from next birth, level of mother's education, mother's employment, father's job, using of iron-complementary and low birth weight. Also there were significant statistical relationship between reduction of height and place of residence, infectious diseases, duration of breastfeeding, the use of iron supplements and vitamin A+ D, mother,s education level, mother,s employment status, father's occupation and low birth weight. Conclusion: In this study, 25.8% of the cases had reduction in the growth curve of weight and 8% had reduction in the growth curve of hight. There was a significant relationship between reduction of height and weight graph and infectious diseases, mother education level, employment status, mother's occupation, father's job, the use of iron supplements and low birth weight.

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Background: Malnutrition is one of the significant factors in extending hospitalization period, augmenting disease complications, enhancing treatment and hospitalization costs, and increasing deaths in hospitals. This study was conducted to investigate patients, nutritional conditions, before and discharge time in the orthopedic ward of Shohadaye Ashayer hospital in 2010. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study 283 patients, aged 18 and over, in the orthopedic ward were selected.A previously developed questionnaire containing 15 quantitative and qualitative factors was completed for subjects in two stages (at their hospital admission and their discharge time). The patients, weight and height were also measured during these two stages. The collected data were then analyzed using SPSS software. Results: 12.7% of the patients had severe malnutrition, 7.4% had moderate malnutrition and 79.9% had mild malnutrition. The length of hospital stay was found to be an important factor in causing malnutrition. In this study significant statistical relationship was found between the length of hospital stay, sex, the recent 1-month weight loss, previous operation and the severity of malnutrition (P<0.05) But no significant relationship was found between literacy, age, economical situation, the recent 6-month weight loss, and the severity of malnutrition (P>0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be claimed that there is a significant statistical relationship between the length of hospital stay and the severity of malnutrition.

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Background: Apple is the most consumed fruit in many countries of the world and has very important role in individual's diet and health. The aim of this study was to determine the vitamin C (Ascorbic acid), organic acids (citric acid and malic acid), and phenolic compounds concentrations of apple cultivars grown in Khorramabad and Boroujerd cities. Materials and Methods: At this cross-sectional study, fruit samples were collected at the middle of 2008 (September). For this reason each tree calculated as trial unit and 5 apples were picked at the physiological puberty period. Phenolic compounds concentrations were measured by a new method using solid phase micro extraction of the upper atmosphere - supersonic (SPME GC / MS), Ascorbic acid concentrations were gained by 2, 6-dichlorophenol-indophenol method, and organic acids concentrations were calculated by Titration method. Results: Ascorbic acid concentrations in Red and Golden delicious apples were 9.49 and 9.09 mg and 9.29 mg in total per 100 grams. Malic acid concentrations in Red and Golden delicious apples were 0.26 and 0.27 and citric acid concentrations in Red and Golden delicious apples were 0.28 mg per 100 grams in both cultivars. Acidity of Red delicious was 4 and Golden delicious was about 3.7. The acidity of Red delicious was higher than the Golden one. α-farensene was the most phenolic compound in both cultivars. Conclusion: Finally, apple cultivars grown in Lorestan have 3 times more ascorbic acid than the amount which mentioned in Iranian Food Consumption Table. There were no significant relation about malic and citric acid in both cultivars.

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Background : One of the most stressful situations is final exams in college courses. Stress and exposure to stressful situations can affect blood sugar levels and weight changes. The aim of this study was to determine the stress making possibility of final exams during the first academic semester (2011-12), the effectiveness exposure of stressful conditions on weight and fasting serum glucose (FBS) two months ago, a month before and at the time of final exams among students studying in Lorestan University of Medical Sciences (LUMS) and to investigate the relationship between these two. Materials and Methods: The study included 226 students studying in the first semester of the academic year (2011-12) of Lorestan university of medical sciences sampling method was a combination of class and multistage cluster respectively. Body weight with an accuracy of 0.5 kg and FBS were measured by Glucometer. Stress was examined by Kodron's life health questionnaire. Results: Being in final exam situation can be stressor (P<0.001) while at this stressor condition weight gaining in lower groups for age were significantly higher (P=0.002). FBS changes were associated with degree (P=0.034). Average weight and FBS was higher in men (P<0.001 and P=0.037 respectively). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, differences of weight changes during the final exams of Lorestan university of medical sciences were not statistically significant, however increasing at FBS levels during the exams can be seen significantly.

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Background: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is rising, and identification of the related preventive factors is very important. The aim of this study was to determine relation between serum ferritin and the MetS among the adult population of Khorramabad. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study 201 subjects without metabolic syndrome (control group) and 177 patients with metabolic syndrome (cases) were assessed. Serum ferritin concentrations were measured by Radio Imiuono Assay (RIA) method. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA, Chi-square and independent t-tests. Results: Out of 378 subjects, 7.9% were femel and 71.2% were married. 25.6% of them had diploma or less. Indices that were significantly associated with metabolic syndrome include age (p=0.001), marital status (p=0.001), literacy status (p=0.001), and serum ferritine (p=0.006). No significant association was found between incomes, smoking status and MetS. Conclusion: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in people who had high serum ferritin levels was more than those with normal ferritin levels. Cosequently, There exist a direct correlation between ferritine levels and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome

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Background: Academic failure, conceived of as lack of success in one’s education, is of paramount importance for students of medical sciences and it might lead to more acute problems. The present study set out to investigate the prevalence and underlying reasons of academic failure in Lorestan University of medical sciences. 

Materials and Methods: In this cohort study, academic records of all students of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences during the academic years of 2006-2011 were collected from education and student affair center and also, demographic and educational records were entered into a checklist. Inappropriate grade point average, being a provisional student, prolonged graduation, expulsion and dropout were taken into account as academic failure. To model the related effective factors, logistic regression was adopted and significance level was set at 0.05.

Results: The cumulative incidence of academic failure was about 25.1%. Factors such as department, being self-funded or government-funded student, academic grade students are pursuing, the elapsed time between academic grades, gender and location of residence were related to academic failure (P<0.05). It is worth mentioning that no relationship was observed between the academic failure and being accepted based on quota system.

Conclusion: The most important at risk groups were students of department of medicine and health, associate or medical doctoral students, self-funded students, students with a considerable time elapsed between their academic grades, male students and students living in dormitory. It is suggested that these students refer to consulting centers of university or educational supervisors and receive particular attention.

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Background: The first step in improving research conduction in society can be conceived as identifying the weak points of research. Given that faculty members of universities carry out most of the research activities, the present study attempts to study the relationship between barriers to research from the viewpoint of the faculty members of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences and the research activities of them.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study, using census method, assessed all of the faculty members of Lorestan university of medical sciences. A self-administered questionnaire analyzing the faculty members’ demographic variables, knowledge about and attitudes toward barriers to different steps of research was designed and the self-report questionnaires were filled out and their relationship with the annual assessment scores in research criteria were assessed by chi-square, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

Results: Variables such as the faculty members’ department, number of their modules, primary motivation for research conduction, knowledge about variables such as research methodologies, searching strategies in medical databases, putting forward proposals, research article writing and also, attitude towards vaiables such as approved research priorities, putting forward proposals, quality of research advice, approval of proposals in research councils,  research facilities, the process of peer review of national scientific articles, presenting papers in conferences and participating in theses were related to the research performance of them (p<0.05).

Conclusion: If seems that giving special privileges to the faculty members of faculty of medicine,  those with many modules and those with no optimal knowledge and attitude, we can enhance their motivation to participate in research activities.

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