Journal of community health research

147-153

Authors: Ahmad Haerian, Seyed Saeid Mazloomy, Amirmohammad Mahabadi, Hamidreza Dehghan, Zeinab Hamzeheil

Abstract Introduction: The discipline of oral public health is known as a science and art of dealing with population oral health. In order to improve public awareness followed by changing people`s life style it is necessary for the society to be exposed to massive oral health information. The aim of this study was to evaluate the roots of oral health information being delivered to the Yazd population in 2011. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross sectional study 16 blocks in urban areas of Yazd city were randomly selected. A total of 400 subjects (8 years and above) were interviewed and the questionnaire filled. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis with SPSS 18software. Results: Two hundred and twenty four male subjects (56%) and 173 female subjects (44%) participated in this study. According to this study the main sources of oral health information on Yazd population where mass media (radio & television) (22.3%) and dentists (14.5%). It was also believed that radio and television and dentists were potential sources of oral health information. It was revealed that 67.5% of the population had access to the internet. The use and the potential of internet for access to oral health information were in sixth place. Conclusion: Oral health officials put more time and effort for providing oral health programs in order to improve oral health conditions in the society. Science using the internet as a source of oral health information for access in the society was less important than some other countries are the main due to, language problems, investment in this area is recommended. Keywords: Oral health, Information Science, Mass media

169-178

Authors: Hossein Fallahzadeh, Mahdieh Momayyezi

Abstract Introduction: Quality of life is positive or negative evaluation of the characteristics of a person's life and a person's overall satisfaction with their lives, according to the goals and expectations it is the ideal goal for health care and evaluates the effect of health on life. This study assessed quality of life of people over 18 years old in Yazd city. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study on 352 people over 18 years old living in households was conducted in the city of Yazd in 2011. Cluster sampling was performed according to the Yazd’s health center and for measuring quality of life WHOQOW-BREF questionnaire was used. Results: The mean scores for quality of life dimensions were 12.99±2.76 for physical health, 13.23±2.58 for mental health, 13.15±2.92 for public health and 12.54±2.32 for environmental health. Quality of life in people with chronic diseases was lower than the healthy people (P <0.001). There was an inverse relationship between BMI and quality of life score, and there was a direct correlation with income and housing infrastructure (P <0.05). Conclusion: Quality of life in people with chronic diseases was lower than the healthy people. The creation of health care teams to provide supports in the field of physical, psychological, social services for People and also to guide them to having better life in all dimensions can be effective for improving quality of life. Keywords: Quality of life, WHOQOW-BREF questionnaire, Yazd, related factors.

188-195

Authors: Seyyed Saeid Mazloomy Mahmoudabad, Nahid Ardian, Nadjme Hajian

Abstract Introduction: During the recent decades, many scholars focused on the physical activities as an influencing factor on psychological and mental status. Concerning the importance of university students’ mental health, this paper investigates the effects of physical activities on promoting their mental health. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive analytical study, 200 female students of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences were selected as the participants. The case group consists of female athlete students and the control group includes female non-athlete students. The instrument used in this study was GHQ-28, along with some more demographic questions. The collected data was analyzed by SPSS 16, using Frequency, Standard deviation, T-test and Chi-Square. Results: data has shown that the average scores for general health differ significantly between athlete and non-athlete female students P<.05.The highest average scores were for depression among female athlete students and social dysfunction among female non-athlete students. The lowest average score was for anxiety among both groups. The average score of general health among female non-athlete students was higher than the cut-off point of 23.It was found that the higher the father’s education was, the lower the general health’s scores were. Conclusion: The results showed that athlete students' mental health is better than that of non-athlete ones. Keywords: Mental health, Athletes, Female, Students

208-219

Authors: Naghmeh Ghorashi, Abbas Alavi Rad , Mohammad Reza Eslami

Abstract Introduction: Economic growth and public welfare are some of the macroeconomic goals for any country. Health economics is one of many parameters used as a criterion for action in the evaluation of this important subject. The present study has been examined the relationship between health economics factors and non-oil economic growth in Iran. Materials and Methods: In this study, an attempt has been made to estimate non-oil economic growth elasticity to health economics factors by applying Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) approach from 1996:1 to 2010:4. Results: The empirical results suggest that among four factors in the field of health economics in this survey, two factors, and i.e. Total health expenditures (as percentage of GDP) and population age 65 and above as a percentage of the total population have been positively and significantly effect on Iranian non-oil economic growth during the period of study. According to the theories and previous empirical studies, other known variables in economic growth models such as financial development (banking sector credit available to the private sector as a percentage of GDP) and foreign trade like export and import have also had a significantly positive effect on Iranian non-oil economic growth. Conclusion: Thus, it seems that the authorities and policymakers in the field of healthcare may prepare the ground for a boosting in the economic growth of Iran through increasing healthcare and health expenditures by orientation of development and giving depth to the healthcare infrastructures and system in the future. Keywords: Health economics, Non-oil economic growth, Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS)

229-237

Authors: Mohammad Taghi Ghaneian, Mohammad Hassan Ehrampoush, Mahboobeh Dehvari, Monireh Kheirkhah, Fatemeh Anvari, Behzad Jamshidi

Abstract Introduction: Natural organic matters (NOMs) existing in water resources led to various problems such as formation of disinfectant by-products (DBPs). Humic matters like humic acid (HA) are component of NOMs that should be removed from water. Advanced oxidation process (AOPs) is one of the NOMs removal methods. The aim of this study was to survey the degradation of humic acid by electron beam irradiation/Mn II ion from aqueous solutions. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was performed in laboratory batch study. In this study, effect of pH (4 to 10), different doses of electron beam radiation (1 to 15 kGy), initial concentration of manganese ions (0.1 to 0.4 mg/l) and the initial concentration of humic acid (10 to 50 mg/l) in degradation of humic acid were investigated. Electron irradiation was performed using an electron accelerator model TT200 (IBM company, Belgium). Residual concentrations of humic acid in the samples were determined by spectrophotometer UV/Visible (Optima SP-3000 Plus model, Japan) at wavelength of 254 nm. Results: According to results, pH changes had no effect on removal efficiency of humic acid. Results showed that increase of absorbed dose led to increase of removal efficiency. With increase of MnII ion concentration to 0.2 mg/l, removal efficiency was increased but in higher concentrations, removal efficiency decreased. So that in concentration of 0.2 mg/l and 0.4 mg/l of MnII ions, removal efficiencies were equal to 65.83% and 50.26%, respectively. Survey on the experimental data showed that degradation of humic acid by e-beam irradiation in presence of MnII ions follows second-order kinetic. Conclusion: The results of this research showed that electron beam irradiation coupled MnII ions is an effective method for removal of humic acid from aqueous solutions. Keywords: Humic Substances, Water Purification, Organic Chemistry Processes