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Introduction: In developing countries there are various researchable health subjects. However due to low budjet of research programmes in these countries, priority setting of research designs have a special importance.
Materials and Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, a questionnaire consisting of 100 questions was designed. 363 health personl and 302 non-health specialists participated in this study. Questionnaire was coded and analysed by EPI 6 software.
Results: Our results demonstrated that all of the cities of Markazi province had a similar problems, but the amount of people contributions in health activities has altered their health awareness. Furthermore, health problems in view of people and specialists is different. People stated health problems as a global difficulties while specialists had a detailed viewpoints.
Conclusion: This study showed that it is necessary to guide practical researches based on determined health priorities.

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Introduction: There is difference between susceptibility or resistance to infectious diseases such as cystic and alveolar Eclinococcosis in human and animals, that is due to the difference between individual host factors and immunologic responses. This study is done to investigate the resistance and susceptibility markers (HLA) in Hydatid patients and healthy persons. Materials and Methods: This analythical (case-control) study is carried out on 60 patients with confirmed cystic echinococcosis and 30 healthy individuals living in Arak. Blood samples were gathered and tested by microlymphocytotoxicity method. At first diagnostic kits with specific antiserusms for each antigen (28 antigens) were provided and then lymphocytes were separated. After dye and stabling with formalin and based on cells morphology, results were seen by invert microscope. Data was analyzed using Odds Ratio, Relative Risk, Preventive Fraction, Aetiologic Fraction and Chi square test. Results: Results showed that HLA-A1 was significantly higher in patients (p<0.05), and people having this antigen are more susceptible for the infection. In spite, HLA-A10 was higher is healthy individuals (p<0.05) and have a preventive effect in disease involvement. Other investigated antigens had no signigicant difference in the two groups. For more accurate results molecular investigation is needed. Conclusion: In individuals having HLA-A1 there is more chance for cyst growth in confronting hydatosis and this individuals are more susceptible to the disease. But in individuals having HLA- A10 there is less chance for cyst growth in confronting hydatosis and this antigen have a preventive effect against hydatid cyst.

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Introduction: Stress is a condition that causes tension, disturbance in body and mind, discomfort and dissatisfaction. There are differences between stresses in the form of great life events and small daily stressful events. Regarding extension and variation of stresses in different parts of country, this study aims to investigate the prevalence and severity of stresses in central areas of Iran. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional analythical study carried out on 6000 people older than 19 years old, selected from urban and rural areas of Isfahan, Arak and Najaf Abad on 2002, as a part of evaluation of the Healthy Heart program. Sampling method was cluster random sampling. Data was collected using GHQ-12 and stressors' type and severity questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi square. Results: Of the total subjects under study %50.6 were male, and %49.4 female, with a mean age of 40.47±15.68 and 40.25±15.15 years respectivly. The proportion of women with high GHQ score was higher than men, which was more pronounced in Arak than the two other cities. There were also higher stress levels in unmarried and urban people. (p0.05)The most prevalent stressor included economical, social and job-related issues and the most severe were death, family related and economical events. Conclusion: This study on stress as an indicator of lifestyle reveals high stress levels in the population, which warrants appropriate planning and community-based interventions, to improve lifestyle and reduce stress.

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Introduction: Menopause is a natural period of life. It means the permanent cessation of menstruation and the end of reproductive period which occurs between 45-52 years old. It also serves as an indicator of population health as the occurrence of menopause indicates the increased risk for the onset of several chronic diseases. In this study, the mean age of natural menopause among women in Arak (Central Iran) was investigated, considering their reproductive and socio-economic-demographic factors and their health behaviors. Materials and Methods: This study was an observational cross-sectional study on a population base, carried out in 2007 year. Interviews and questionnaires were used for gathering data from 458 women resident in Arak city, who had undergone a natural menopause. Sampling was multistaged using postal zones and selecting samples in each zone. Data was analyzed using variance analysis, multiple regression, T and correlation coefficient tests. Results: Findings showed that the mean age of menopause in our sample was 48.2±2.34 years (95% CI: 47.98- 48.41) and its median was 49 years. The mean age of menopause in women who were never married was less than married women (P= 0.015). Low income level (P= 0.003), having physical activity (P= 0.004), number of pregnancies (P<0.001), age of last pregnancy (P=0.026) and place of birth (P=0.003) were meaningfull factors in age of menopause. Conclusion: This phenomenon must be documented in Iran because of its strong link with mortality and morbidity of the growing number of women who are reaching advanced ages whose one forth of life is after menopause. Therefore health education as the best way for changing their lifestyle is suggested.

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Background: Since of the importance of publishing medical articles in evaluation of faculty members’ activity and ranking of universities, this study was designed investigate faculty members’ opinion about intendancy in writing Persian and non Persian articles. Methods and Materials: This cross-sectional analytical study is carried out by census method. Data were gathered by a questionnaire which its validity and reliability were confirmed. Data was analyzed by ANOVA,T-test, Chi square and correlation coefficient. Results: The most important barriers in academic members' intendancy to articles were too busy in education or clinical treatment with the mean of 4.281.06, lack of experienced persons for writing non Persian articles as counselor with the mean of 3.981.00 , lack of research teams with the mean of 3.950.98, long time in proposal approval with the mean of 3.961.02, lack of journal editorial board supporting in accepting of descriptive articles with the mean of 3.951.02 and long time from receiving articles until their approval and publishing with the mean of 3.951.07. Conclusion: By decreasing education hours, shortening the process of proposal approval, introducing expert persons in writing non Persian articles as counselor, shortening the process of evaluating and publishing or rejecting articles can increase academic members’ tendency in writing articles.

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Background: Job satisfaction is viewed as all inclinations or positive feelings that individuals have towards their jobs. Medical universities are in need of motivated professors, as one important paradigm of education, to instruct students of medicine and to improve health and medicine in the society. Noticing the importance of job satisfaction among faculty members in promotion of university aims and enhancement of productivity, this study was conducted to evaluate job satisfaction among faculty members of Arak University of Medical Sciences (AUMS) in 2010. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional, observational one and the study population consisted of all faculty members at AUMS. Sampling was performed by census and data were collected through demography questionnaire including sex, age, scientific stage, educational department, employment status, and job experience, and Herzberg job satisfaction questionnaire. Results: The mean (standard deviation) of job satisfaction in faculty members of AUMS was 60.72 (11.51) and the mean (standard deviation) of the surveyed stages were as follows: work nature (74.46(12.60)), supervision and relations (62.15(13.69)), job security (57.58 (15.72)), promotion opportunities (57.28(15.74)), physical conditions and work environment (55.84 (14.14)), and salary and benefits (55.56(16.87)) from the maximum 100 score. Conclusion: AUMS faculty members were satisfied with their jobs on the whole. The greatest job satisfaction was related to work nature and the least job satisfaction was with salaries and benefits. By increasing salaries and benefits and providing promotion opportunities, job satisfaction can be enhanced in this group.

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Background: Noticing the significant role of fertility in Iranian families, the incidence of infertility and its social and cultural dimensions, this study was carried out to compare general health status of infertile women with fertile women. Materials and Methods: This observational case-control study was done on 147 women as the control group and 147 infertile patients as the case group who were matched in terms of influential variables. Data collection was done through demographic questionnaire and general health questionnaire (GHQ) which were completed by both groups. The results were analyzed by logistic regression analysis, t test, and chi-square using STATA 10 software. Results: Means of general health score in fertile and infertile women were 19.249.72 and 28.06 10, respectively. Here the mean score of the infertile women was significantly higher in comparison with the fertile women (p<0.001). Physical symptoms, anxiety, social interaction, and depression scores of infertile women were significantly higher in comparison with the fertile women (p<0.001). There were no significant differences in the means of age and duration of marriage between the two groups and the distribution of educational level, occupation, and income levels were the same in the two groups. Conclusion: Average scores of general health and physical complaints, anxiety, impaired social interaction, and depression in infertile women were higher than those in fertile women. This indicates their involvement with some degrees of public health diseases.

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Background: Brucellosis is one of the zoonotic diseases that has always been considered a health problem in Iran. Since this disease is endemic in Arak and Markazi Province, this study was done to investigate its epidemiology during 2001-2010. Materials and Methods: In this epidemiological study, data on patients with brucellosis were obtained from the medical records in Arak Health Center during 2001-2010. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16. Results: During this period, 3880 new cases were reported. The mean incidence rate of brucellosis was 60 per 100000 people during 2001-2010. The greatest incidence was in 2004 (111.5 per 100000 people), whereas the lowest incidence was in 2006 (40.5 per 100000 people). Overall, 72% of the patients lived in villages, and 60% of them were male. The majority of the patients were in the second decade of their lives (10-19 years old). The majority of the patients had Wright test titer=1:320 and 2ME titer=1:80 in serology titration. Conclusion: Arak is one of the regions with high incidence of brucellosis. In this region, the patients are mostly male, live in villages, and age 10-19.

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Background: Toxocariasis is a parasitic disease caused by presence of Toxocara larva in human body. Soil as a reservoir maintained eggs of parasite and has important role in dissemination of disease because dogs and cats defecate eggs of parasite by feces. Despite there are large number of stray cats and dogs in urban areas such as Arak city, we need to collect information about soil pollution in public places. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate soil contamination with Toxocara eggs in public parks in Arak city.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 soil samples were collected from 15 public parks in the Arak city during the summer 2015. The soil samples were provided by flotation method and examined by microscope.

Results: The results of this study showed that 4 (26.6%) of 15 parks were infected with Toxocara eggs. The highest rate of infection was observed in the walking and picnic site of parks. Also, in this study, two contaminated parks were located in the center and two parks were located in the southeastern of city.

Conclusion: Considering that soil contamination with Toxocara eggs was high in Arak city, it seems that the health authorities should design and implement programs in order to prevent human infection.

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Background: As dental solid waste are among the most important environmental pollutants due to its high contents of toxic and hazardous agents, suitable treatment and management of it are of great importance. The objective of this study was to quantity & quality analyses of dental solid waste and associated management practices in the general dentistry offices in the city of Arak.

Materials and Methods: 15 samples of solid waste were taken from the 5 selected general dentistry offices, classified into 66 components and 4 fractions, and then the quantity & quality characteristics were evaluated. Management practices of the solid waste were also investigated by using a questionnaire.

Results: According to the results, per capita and the average generation rate of each dentistry office were 66.71 g/day-patient and 1340.45 g/day, respectively. Potential infectious, domestic-type, chemical & pharmaceutical, and toxic wastes consisted of 54.25%, 35.14%, 8.19%, and 2.14% of the waste generated, respectively. 10 components including latex gloves, nylon & plastic, saliva & blood-contaminated kleenex, paper & cardboard, used ampoules, saliva ejector tubes, gypsum, food waste, saliva & blood-contaminated dental rolls, and nylon gloves were responsible for more than 80% of the total waste generated, respectively.

Conclusion: Each fraction of dental solid waste (toxic, chemical & pharmaceutical, potential infectious and domestic-type wastes) should be separately collected and disposed of according to the related criteria.

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Background and Aim: Reducing the fertility rates in Iran and use of multiple contraceptive methods in recent decades have been affected by many social, economic and demographic factors. Therefore, this study was conducted to study the fertility pattern and common preventive fertility methods at Arak city in 2017 year. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 384 married women referred to Arak remedial centers in 2017 year. The participants were randomly selected from Vali Asr, Taleghani and Amir Kabir hospitals. The participants information was collected using questionnaire and  subsequently analyzed using Stata software version 12. Ethical Considerations: This study with research ethics code IR.ARAKMU.REC.1396.4 has been approved by research ethics committee at Arak University of Medical Sciences. Findings: Our results showed that the mean age and average duration of marriage of women were 40.03 ± 11.19 and 21.08 ± 12.73 respectively, as well, 281 (73.2%) of women used the natural fertility prevention methods. Most of the participated women were post-graduate diploma with lacked income and housekeeping. Other contraceptive methods such as pills, condoms, IUDs, one-month menses and three-month injections were 8.9, 3.28, 6.38, 1.7 and 2.6, respectively. Conclusion: The most common method for preventing fertility is natural method. Condoms and pills are used more than the other contraceptive methods. There is a lack of awareness of modern contraceptive methods. Therefore, it is recommended that married women be educated about educational materials and counseling for familiarizing them with contraceptives.

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Introduction: Physical activity is one of the important lifestyle factors that can have positive or negative effects on the reproductive system, and more research is needed to reflect the effect of inactivity on fertility in order to provide safe lifestyle recommendations to help couples achieve pregnancy is required. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of describing and comparing the physical activity status of fertile and infertile men in Arak city in 2022.
Methods: The present study is a case-control study that was conducted on 220 fertile and infertile men (22 to 40 years old) referred to Arak University Jihad infertility centers that were selected through available sampling. Participants completed self-test questionnaires on socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors. Anthropometric characteristics and body composition were also measured. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association of infertility with physical activity level, sedentary behavior, and body composition.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Arak University (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1401.046).
Ethical Considerations: The present research has been registered with the code IR.ARAKU.REC.1401.015 in the Ethics Committee of Arak University.
Results: In this study, it was observed that the amount of physical activity (P=0.02) and body composition (P=0.001) in fertile men is more favorable than infertile men. In men with a low level of physical activity, the risk of infertility increases 2.97 times (odds ratio 2.97 and 95% CI: 1.03, 8.61, and P=0.04). On the other hand, in men with moderate level of physical activity, the risk of infertility decreases (odds ratio 0.27 and 95% CI: 0.08, 0.92, and P=0.03). Also, in men who sit for more than 6 hours a day, the chance of infertility increases by 3.02 times (odds ratio 3.02 and 95% CI: 1.28, 7.10, and P=0.01). An increase in body mass index increases the risk of infertility by 1.61 times in men (odds ratio 1.61 and 95% CI: 1.23 and 2.11 and P=0.001).
Conclusions: Since obesity, physical inactivity and infertility in Iranian men are increasing at the same time, so there should be more focus and seriousness on the issue of lifestyle modification and especially physical activity regarding reproductive health.

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