Journal of community health research

91-98

Authors: Seyed Mostafa Shiryazdi, Mohammad Dehestani, Mohammad Forat Yazdi, Hamid Reza Soltani, Mansour Moghimi

Abstract Introduction: 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. The study aimed to determine the plasma PSA level of the participants of the study as a new biomarker for the primary diagnosis of breast cancer. Materials & Methods: Employing a historical cohort design, the study was conducted on 95 patients with 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 used to analyze the data using SPSS (Version 20). Resuls: Findings of the study indicated the sensitivity and specificity of the plasma PSA level in patients with breast cancer was 63.15% and 53.48 %, respectively. Also, it was found that the average plasma PSA levels for the benign and malignant groups were 0.047 ± 0.024 and 0.065 ± 0.054, respectively. There was no statistically significant relationship between the two groups. Moreover, no significant difference was observed )P>0.05( between the two groups when background factors were taken into consideration. Conclusion: Plasma PSA level is not a reliable biomarker to diagnose breast cancer although more comprehensive research evidence is required to consider other features of malignant samples and tumor sizes so as to evaluate the role of PSA in differentiating breast neoplastic lesions in a more meticulous way.

105-113

Authors: Farzaneh Vaziri 1, Ahmad Haerian 2, Mohammad Ali Morowati 3, Elaheh Amirian4

Abstract Introduction: 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. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 150 patients referring to Yazd dental university and Khatamolanbia clinic; they were randomly asked to completeOHQoL-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. Results: 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). Quality of life score tended to decrease with age (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). Conclusion: 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.

128-137

Authors: Marzieh Valipour , Abbas Askari Nodushan

Abstract Introduction: 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. Materials & Methods: 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 Results: 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. Conclusion: 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.

148-158

Authors: Hassan Mozaffari-Khosravi, Maryam Asadi, Ali Dehghan, Hossein Soleimani Salehabadi, Mohammad Reza Sobhan Ardakani, Hossein Fallahzadeh Abarghoui

Abstract Introduction: 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). Materials & Methods: 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 5(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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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