Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology

129-134

Authors: E Bateni , A Rabiei , N Sabzikari , A Ghanbarzadegan *

Background: This study was performed to evaluate periodontal status in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and assessment of periodontal diseases prevalence in these patients. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data on 100 patients were collected with mean age of 51 ± 11 years. The case group included of 50 patients with confirmed CVD who referred to Ali-ibn Abi Talib hospital of Rafsanjan, Iran. Control group included 50 healthy volunteer subjects with no history of systemic diseases that referred to oral medicine diagnosis department of Rafsanjan Dental School. Plaque index, bleeding point index, clinical attachment loss, pocket depth and number of loosed teeth were assessed in this study. Results: Plaque index, clinical attachment loss, pocket depth and number of lost teeth in the target group were more than the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in bleeding point index between the two groups. Conclusions: Patients who suffer from CVD had a higher risk for periodontal disease. So oral health instructions for this group of patients should be considered more.

143-150

Authors: MM Yaghooti Khorasani * , M Shakerian , M Irannezhad

Background: The majority of individuals who visit the dentist are anxious. They are usually capable of controlling their anxiety. However, this fear sometimes creates great problems for the patient and dentist such as lack of visiting the dentist for treatment, incorrect diagnosis due to lack of appropriate communication between the patient and dentist, and finally, reduction of oral health level. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of dental fear and anxiety in students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran, and its relationship with oral and dental health status in the 2010-2011 academic year. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted using the Dental Anxiety Scale-Revised (DAS-R), Dental fear Scale (DFS), and the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index checklist. The study was performed on 300 students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, enrolled during 2005-2011. The participants were selected through stratified random sampling based on the population of each department (medicine, nursing and midwifery, dentistry, and paramedicine). The DMFT, DAS-R, and DFS scores along with other gathered data were analyzed using chi-square test in SPSS software. Results: Among the participants, 82 individuals were medical students, 44 were dentistry students, 53 were nursing and midwifery students, and 121 were paramedical students. In addition, 173 subjects were women and 127 were men. Moreover, 49.3% of students had dental fear and 24.8% had dental anxiety. Among women, 32.4% had dental anxiety and 54.3% had dental fear, while among men, 14.2% had dental anxiety and 40.2% had dental fear. Conclusions: According to the obtained results, variables such as sex, marital status, field of education, history of dental visit, painful previous treatments, and dental anxiety in the family had an effect on DAS-R and DFS scores. Moreover, there was a significant relationship between DMFT index and level of fear and anxiety; with the increasing of dental fear and anxiety, DMFT also increased.

160-167

Authors: A Shirvani , R Vazirinejad , M Rezaeian *

Background: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a fatal viral disease which can affect the patient’s immune system and render the patient susceptible to opportunistic infections. In recent years, the number of women with HIV acquired through sexual transmission has increased. Therefore, due to the importance of quality of life (QOL) among these women and the impact of violence and social support on their QOL, this study can assist in the recognition of effective factors on QOL of these patients. Materials and Methods: The study population of this descriptive study consisted of all patients with Human immunodeficiency virus infection/AIDS (HIV/AIDS) who had medical records at the Behavioral Disorders Counseling Center of Shiraz, Iran. To assess QOL, violence, and social support among these patients, the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) scale and the Domestic Violence Questionnaire (DVQ) plus Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ) were used. The collected data were analyzed using Independent two-sample t-test, ANOVA, and correlations. Results: The QOL and SSQ scores of single individuals were higher compared to other groups and violence was lower in this group. The QOL and SSQ scores of residents of rural areas were lower compared to residents of urban areas. Moreover, the violence score of this group was higher. The QOL and SSQ scores of individuals with higher educational level and better economic status were higher than other groups, but their violence score was lower. Conclusions: Total mean QOL, violence, and social support scores were assessed in the present study. Based on the correlation found between these variables, it can be concluded that women with HIV/AIDS require more social support so that their QOL, which is one of the main determinants of health, can be improved.

176-181

Authors: F Mohseni Moghadam , M Tashakori , B Shahidi Zandi , M Hadavi * , V Akbarpoor , F Kazemi , M Moosavi

Background: Laboratory wastes are one of the environmental issues of developing countries and cause diseases and epidemics. Laboratory waste management is planned with the aim of preventing unfavorable effects on human health and the environment. The aim of the present study was to determine the status of medical waste management in clinical laboratories affiliated with Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2015. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted through a census in all clinical laboratories of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected using a checklist that was designed and confirmed by the Iranian Health and Treatment Ministry. After administrative coordination, the checklist was completed through visits and interviews. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive tests in SPSS software. Results: The results showed that, in 40% of cases, individuals responsible for the collection of waste had received the necessary training. In addition, in 28.6% of cases, containers were labeled in order to determine the type of waste inside the container. In 57.1% of laboratories, there was no list of chemicals which must not be mixed during waste collection. The waste was disinfected using an autoclave in only 14.3% of cases. Conclusions: In the present study, the waste classification operation of the majority of laboratories was incomplete. In order to reduce contamination in these centers, measures must be taken regarding the disposal of waste at the site of its production. Furthermore, individuals responsible for collection and transference of waste must comply with personal protection measures.