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

Background and Aims: Limited knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 transmission mechanism and the affecting factors is a global challenge. Due to the high prevalence of Covid-19 pandemic, airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is more important than other modes of transmission. To investigate the airborne transmission of this virus, indoor air sampling was performed in COVID-19 ward of Sina Hospital in Ahvaz.

Materials and Methods: Air samples were collected from two sampling points with a distance of less than or equal to 1 meter from the patient bed (in the patient's room) and more than 3 meters from the patient bed (in the corridor and the nurse station) Sampling was conducted through both active and passive methods. The collected samples were then transferred to the laboratory in the cold chain, where they were tested for the presence or absence of virus by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Ethical considerations were observed in all stages of the study.

Results: Of the total air samples collected in our study, (21 samples), 9.52 % of the samples (2 samples) were positive for SARS-CoV-2, both of which were positive in the patient's room and were obtained by active air sampling method. Also, multivariate analysis showed that among the studied parameters, the highest correlation was found between the presence of virus in air samples and temperature, relative humidity, and concentration of particles in the air.

Conclusion: The results indicate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 bioaerosols in the air inside the hospital.

Background and Aims: Given the importance of education in preventing infection of AIDS, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Health Belief Model on HIV/AIDS preventive behaviors among women.

Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was carried out on 100 women (two groups each containing 50 participants) in 2020. Participants were selected using convenience sampling method. Data were collected in two stages (before and two months after the intervention) using the questionnaire based on the construct of the HBM model. According to the pre-test results, the educational intervention was designed and performed on the intervention group during five 1-hour sessions. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS-23. Ethical considerations were considered at all stages of the study.

Results: Demographic variables were not significantly different between the control and intervention groups (P> 0.05). Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the HBM constructs (P> 0.05), but after the intervention, the scores of awareness (P=0.001) perceived sensitivity (P=0.02), perceived severity (P=0.012), perceived benefits (P=0.03), and perceived self-efficacy (P=0.001) increased in the intervention group and the scores of perceived barriers (P=0.05) decreased. It is worth mentioning that there was no significant difference in the scores of none of the HBM constructs in the control group after the intervention (P> 0.05).

Conclusion: By increasing women's awareness and sensitivity to AIDS and recognizing the barriers and benefits of preventive behaviors, while trying to increase self-efficacy, they come to the conclusion that by performing healthy behaviors and prevention, can protect themselves from AIDS.

Background and Aims: Labels are the simplest and most accessible means of transmitting information on health, safety and environmental risks of pesticides for farmers. In this study, the degree of compliance of pesticide labels in the consumer market of Sahneh city with Globally Harmonized System (GHS) was investigated.

Materials and Methods: The labels of pesticides available in the consumer market were assessed according to seven important elements in GHS including: (1) name and identification code of pesticide, (2) word of warning, (3) danger phrase that shows the nature and severity of the danger, (4) precautionary phrases and first aid, (5) supplier identity, (6) Pictograms, and (7) SDS (safety data sheet) and the data was analyzed in Excel software. Ethical considerations were taken into account at all stages.

Results: In total, 186 labels were reviewed in which only 30% of them had the name and code of pesticide identification fully registered, 21% of the tags contained the word warning, 76% of the tags held dangerous phrases, and 91% of the tags involved precautionary expressions and first aid. The identity of the supplier was seen in 98.7% and only 2% of the labels carried the GHS pictogram. None of the pesticides had SDS sheets even in electronic form.

Conclusion: The current labeling method needs to be revised and modified to be effective in providing warnings to farmers. It is necessary to inform all companies of the same format and in accordance with the GHS system by the Pesticide Supervision Board and to implement it compulsorily with incentive policies.

Background and Aims: Out-of-pocket payments and incurring health costs are two important factors in health care planning and policy calculations. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the factors affecting households' exposure to catastrophic health costs.

 Materials and Methods: The present study is a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study conducted in 2017. 768 households in 77 clusters of 10 households in Abadan city were surveyed. The data collection tool was a questionnaire of the World Health Organization. SPSS-20 software, descriptive statistics and multiple regression methods were used to analyze the data. Ethical considerations were observed in all stages of the study.

Results: 35.9% (276) of households face catastrophic health costs, 96.1% (738) of households had insurance coverage, household age, level of education and place of residence were the factors affecting catastrophic health costs (P <0.05). 63.9% (491) of households are aware of free health care services. 61.3% (471) of households are aware of ways to prevent diseases.

 Conclusion: The results of the study showed that by reducing the level of income and increasing the household dimension, the family will face more catastrophic health costs, so by strengthening insurance coverage and more government assistance can reduce the exposure of households to disastrous health costs.

Background and Aims The global burden of tuberculosis (TB) is ranked tenth. Stopping the TB epidemic in 2035 is one of the sustainable development goals. This study was therefore conducted to determine the factors associated with the incidence of tuberculosis and the success rate of tuberculosis treatment in Ramhormoz.

Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in 2021. The study population included patients who had a registered medical record in Ramhormoz Health Center from 2007 to 2020. Then the data were entered into SPSS16 software and analyzed using descriptive tests (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential tests (chi-square test). Ethical considerations were observed in this study.

Results: The total number of identified tuberculosis cases was 154 person. In general, the average incidence of tuberculosis during the study period in Ramhormoz city was equal to 10.05 per hundred thousand people. The average incidence of tuberculosis was 10.58 in 100,000 men and 10.43 in 100,000 women. Also, the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis was 6.51 percent per thousand, the extrapulmonary type was 3.72 percent per thousand, and the success rate of disease treatment in the study period reached 90.9 percent, which was albeit different for men and women.

Conclusion: The incidence of tuberculosis (positive smear pulmonary tuberculosis and extrapulmonary tuberculosis) and the success rate of its treatment in Ramhormoz city were almost favorable, but the diagnosis of negative smear pulmonary tuberculosis cases was not encouraging.

Background and Aims: Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic diseases that causes debilitating complications. Obesity control could be considered to prevent its complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors related to body mass index of diabetic patients referred to the HAFT-E-Tir martyrs center in Firoozkooh.

Materials and Methods: All diabetic patients cared for in the mentioned center during 2016-2016 and were registered in the health system were included in the present descriptive-analytical study. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 by chi-square test. Confidentiality of information and ethical issues were all considered in the implementation stages of study as well as in the publication of results.

Results: Out of 242 diabetic patients studied, 63.6% were female and 36.4% were male. The mean age of patients was 58.2 years. About 50% (121 people) were obese and 33.9% (82 subject) were overweight. The rate of obesity was higher in women than men (53.9% vs. 43.2%). Only 21.9% (53 patients) had a history of diabetes their families. There was no statistically significant relationship between body mass index variables and participants’ gender, age, family history, and duration of diabetes (p> 0.05).

Conclusion: Increasing body mass index is a predictor of diabetes in age groups and controlling obesity. Furthermore, overweight has a great role in controlling diabetes, so healthy diet training should be included in the care programs of these patients.