Journal of Behdasht dar Arseh (i.e., Health in the Field)

Background and Aims: Hospitals are vital centers. The presence of vulnerable people, and precious equipment has increased their vulnerability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of fire and to identify the factors affecting the risk of fire in one of the high-risk wards of the hospital.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed using fire risk assessment method for engineering in the ICU of one of the hospitals in Qazvin. Fire risk was calculated using the related equations in EXCEL software and contributed each of the factors. Ethical considerations such as confidentiality of individuals’ information, employing experts in the research process and the neutrality of researchers in collecting, analyzing and reporting data and information were observed in this research.

Results: The numerical value of risk for the building, residents and activities were 0.815, 2.308 and 1.055, respectively, and was at an unacceptable level in area of ​​residents and activities. Elevation (26.80%), fire spread (16.80%), fire load (12.73%) and accessibility (4.76%) were the factors that had the greatest impact on risk level and the first three in each of the two areas were common.

Conclusion: There are factors in fire risk that have the largest share of participation, so identifying and controlling these root causes can achieve an inherently safer hospital at a lower cost, especially in the design phase of the hospital. It is recommended to use specialized fire risk assessments along with the results of accreditation and patient safety.

Background and Aims: Waste from health-care facilities is important because of its major role in the spread of various diseases as well as environmental pollutants. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to assess the performance of Non-Incineration waste decontamination devices in hospitals. The present study set out to assess the performance of non-combustible non-hazardous waste decontamination devices in hospitals covered by Khoy University of Medical Sciences in 2020-2021.

Materials and Methods: The present descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in in all hospitals of Khoy city in 2020-2021. In this research, the necessary information and data has been extracted through direct observation and interviews with officials and environmental health experts of hospitals. The performance of the devices has been evaluated in term of physical and biological parameters. Mechanical performance was assessed by thermometers and device registers, and a biological indicator vial was used to assess their biological performance. Data were analyzed using SPSS & Excel softwares.

Results: The average total waste production in Khoy hospitals was estimated to be 731.65 kg/day. This parameter in terms of waste production active bed per day was 1.32 kg. In the all studied hospitals, Non-Incineration waste decontamination devices had a favorable performance in terms of mechanical (100%) and biological concerns (100%).Devices had a favorable performance in terms of mechanical (100%) and biological properties. (100%).

Conclusion: Non-Incineration waste decontamination devices whit hydroclave technology in the studied hospitals can be considered as the most suitable if operated by skilled and capable operators due to their proper performance in terms of mechanical and biological parameters, lower pollution production, as well as lower safety costs. This technology have a higher selection score as the most appropriate option among different technologies of infectious waste management.

Background and Aims: Colorectal cancer is considered as a major health prolem and the fourth most common cancer in the world. One of the ways to promote adult public health is cancer screening and timely treatment measures. This study was conducted in order to determine people's beliefs about colorectal cancer screening in urban and rural population aged 50-69 years old in Fereydunkenar city.

Materials and methods: in this descriptive-analytical, 220 subjects aged 50-69 years referred to health care centers in Fereydunkenar city in winter 2019 were included in the study. Samples were selected using cluster sampling method. A demographic questionnaire along with Champion Health Belief Model were used to assess people beliefs. All stages of the present study were carried out based on ethical standards. Data were analyzed using SPSS20 software and descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

Results: The results indicated that the self-efficacy construct had the highest mean and perceived susceptibility construct had the lowest mean score among the subclasses of health belief model. Variables such as cancer, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity and perceived barriers were significantly associated with colon cancer screening.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that knowledge and screening behaviors among people over 50 years old was low. Half of participants did not understand the susceptibility to colorectal cancer, and more than half understood barriers to screening.

Background and Aims: In the study, bread salinity was measured in bakeries in Varamin and Pakdasht cities with Atago­salinity­meter and the results were compared by Mohr­method.

Methods and material: In this study, 676 bread samples were measured for salinity­Atago­digital, and then the results were compared by the Mohr method. The ability to detect this salinity was also evaluated by the diagnostic value method. Then the indicators of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy ,and predictive value of the device were used. Ethical considerations were considered at all stages of the study.

Results: Mean and standard deviation of bread salinity in Pakdasht city by Mohr method for Barbari, Taftoon, Sangak and Lavash bread 0.42± 0.51, 0.57± 0.58, 0.60± 0.45 and 0.53± 0.49 And the same values ​​according to the response of Atago salinity meter for Barbari, Taftoon, Sangak and Lavash breads: 0.42 ± 0.56, 0.43 ± 0.55, 0.44 ± 0.66, 0.61 ± 0.41 was obtained. Mean bread salinity in Varamin city by Mohr method for Barbari, Taftoon, Sangak and Lavash breads 0.80 ± 0.32, 0.81 ± 1.09, 0.82 ± 0.10 and 0.78 ± 0.98. Also according to the answer Atago salinity meter was obtained for Barbari, Taftoon, Sangak and Lavash breads: 0.56 ± 1.03, 0.58±0. 89, 0.85 ± 0.60 and 0.57 ±0.81. Sensitivity, specificity, ability to detect salinity cases above the standard, ability to detect salinity cases below the standard, positive and negative likelihood, respectively 80.35, 88.37, 77.97, 77.89, 6.91, 0.22 Percentage was calculated.

Conclusion: The ability of Atago salinity meter to detect cases below the standard is 80.35% and also to detect cases above the standard limit of 77.97%, so it can be considered as a suitable test.

Background and Aims: Information technologies are valuable tools in health education and promotion and are very useful for examining the level of awareness and function of society.The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate the effect of cell phone education on breast self-examination.

Materials and Methods: The quasi-experimental study was conducted as an educational intervention in 2020 in 56 health centers of Kahnooj city with ethical considerations (approved by the ethics committee of Kerman University of Medical Sciences). The study population consisted of 40 female health workers in health care centers who were selected by census. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire that included three sections: demographic information, awareness and performance. Questionnaires were sent via WhatsApp, answers were received using WhatsApp, then training files were sent via WhatsApp for samples. One month after the training, the questionnaires were distributed again and the answers were received. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20 through descriptive (mean and frequency) and dependent t-test.

Results: The results showed that there was a difference between the mean scores of knowledge of 3.5 and 5.87 and performance of 3.15 and 5.8 before and after training, respectively. Also a significant relationship between degree with knowledge and performance and between information sources with knowledge (P<0.001). However, no significant relationship was found between information sources and performance (p=0.1).

Conclusion: Self-examination is the simplest screening method for early detection of breast cancer. Awareness and practice of individuals could reduce deaths due to this cancer and this behavior requires continuous education.

Background and Aim: Literacy and education levels are strongly associated with health. However, this relationship has received little attention in Iran. The aim of this scoping review is to identify local evidence for the link between health and education and accordingly providing recommedations for future health promoting interventions in Iran.

Materials and Methods: Persian and English databases and as well as organizational reports were searched from 2005 to 2021.

Results: Literacy and health in the last half-century have witnessed significant progress in Iran. Iranian researches, similar to international evidence, confirm the link between literacy and health in Iranian studies. The results of most studies have shown that illiteracy and low literacy have a statistically significant association with lower life expectancy, higher chances of morbidity and exposure to health risk factors, as well as higher mortality for the individual and her children.

Conclusion: Based on the result of this study, literacy should be considered as a key risk factor for health by health managers and researchers, especially in disadvantaged states.