Journal of Health Research in Community

1-11

Authors: Mosharafeh Chaleshgar kordasiabi , Masoumeh Akhlaghi, Mohsen Askarishahi, Leila Sabzmakan, Masoumeh Abbasi shavazi

Introduction and purpose: Assessment of quality of life (QOL) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is of great importance for health researchers, health planners, and clinical specialists. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate QOL and the factors affecting it in patients with RA.Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed in 185 RA patients (2014) at Shariati Hospital. The participants were chosen through convenience sampling. The data collection tools included a form on demographic and clinical factors, health status (arthritis impact measurement scale2 [AIMS2]), and SF20 QOL questionnaire. Data was analyzed in SPSS 16 using descriptive, univariate, and multivariate regression analysis.Results: The patients had a mean age of 46.97±11.47 years, and most of the patients were female (80.5%), 67.6% of whom were housewives. In general, 90% of the patients had diploma or lower education. Mean of physical dimension of QOL was lower and social and role dimensions were higher than other dimensions. Univariate analysis regression showed that QOL have significant negative relationship with age, disease duration, disease activity score (DAS) and significant positive relationship with education and health status. In multivariate regression analysis, health status, DAS, and education explained 71.7% of QOL. Conclusion: Our results highlighted the influence of demographic and diseaserelated factors on QOL. Thus, they should be implemented in designing educational programs to increase QOL in RA patients.

23-31

Authors: Aynaz Malekyو Jamshid Yazdani-Charatiو Fatemeh Abdollahi

Introduction and purpose: Pediculosis capitis is one of the parasitic skin diseases, which is widespread in many parts of the world since it is contagious. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of pediculosis capitis and its related risk factors among the elementary students in Kalaleh, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on the primary students in 2015. For the purpose of the study, 541 students were examined for head lice infestation using a two-stage sampling method. The survey data were collected through direct examination of the skin, hair, and head cover as well as a questionnaire. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test by SPSS version 20 software. Results: As the results of this study demonstrated, the prevalence of pediculosis capitis among the elementary school students in Kalaleh was 6.5%. There was a significant relationship between the pediculosis capitis and gender, using of personal belongings, sleeping in the same room, and observing personal hygiene such as washing hands frequently with detergents, changing clothes regularly, and taking a bath at least two times a week. However, no significant relationship was observed between the pediculosis capitis and level of education, place of residence, age, father’s occupation, education level of parents, number of household members, having a bathroom in the house, having a health educator, and type of hair. Conclusion: As the findings of the present study indicated, the head lice infestation is highly prevalent among the primary students in Kalaleh city. Regarding this, it is recommended to train the health educators, teachers, parents, and students in order to prevent this infestation.

44-60

Authors: Samaneh Dehghanو Roshanak Rezaei Kalantariو Ali Azariو Sahram Nazari

Introduction and purpose: The release of chlorinated organic compounds (COCs) is accounted as a danger for public health and environment due to their harmful effects such as carcinogenicity, toxicity, and flammability. Trichlorethylene (TCE) is one of the most famous COCs, which is commonly used as a solvent for dry-cleaning and industrial degreasing and contaminates soil and groundwater. Thus, it is considered as a possible carcinogenic compound (class B2) for humans. Therefore, this study was to evaluate the effect of zerovalent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) in degradation of TCE. Methods: Iron nanoparticles were prepared through the Ferric Chloride revival method by sodium borohydride. The properties of nanoparticles were determined using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetometer. In addition, the effect of pH, concentration of trichloroethylene, iron nano-particle dosage, and contact time were studied on TCE removal efficiency. Box Behnken model was used to investigate the interaction of these variables. Analysis of variance was considered as the statistical method for analysis of responses. Results: Results showed that the degradation efficiency was equal to 91.23% in optimal conditions (pH=3, nanoparticles dose= 0.63 g/l, TCE concentration= 11 mg/l, and contact time= 86 min). The results of kinetic studies revealed that TCE degradation by nZVI follows first-order kinetic model. Conclusion: It is conclude that zero-valent iron nanoparticles have a good efficiency in the degradation of TCE. On the other hand, separation of these nanoparticles is simple due to its magnetism properties, which can improve the use of these nanoparticles.

69-77

Authors: Mohammad Adeliو Bahram Kamarehieو Reza Jalilzadeh Yengejehو Zainab Rostami

Introduction and purpose: One of the problems of water distribution systems is loss of large volumes of water due to the occurrence of various events, which incurs a huge financial loss. Regarding this, the aim of the present study was to investigate the rate of events and water loss in the water distribution system and its related factors in Azna, Lorestan province, Iran, during 2008-2014. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using census method, surveys, and field data collection. The amount of water production and consumption, the volumes of water loss, the number of accidents, type of pipe, pressure zone, as well as the age and length of the pipes recorded during 2008- 2014 were studied and analyzed. Results: According to the results, the highest (34.48%) and lowest (20.57%) amount of water losses happened in 2008 and 2014, respectively. High pressures in water systems had significant relationship with the number of events as well as the amount of water loss and water consumption. In addition, higher length and age of the pipes had a direct correlation with increased number of events and water loss. Furthermore, the maximum number of events were found to occur in the pipe embranchment and galvanized pipes. Conclusion: This study showed that of events was directly related to the length and age of the pipes, the water pressure, and number of branches. Also water loss quantity can be reduced by applying suitable management techniques in different sections. Furthermore, the water loss can be significantly controlled by taking such measures as reducing the pressure in the high-pressure zones, timely replacement of old and inappropriate pipes, appropriate fixing of the pipes, replacement of the galvanized pipe, and standard implementation of pipes and fittings.