Showing 55 results for Life
Kamran Moshfeghi, Nader Dadgar, Mohammad Rafiee,
Volume 6, Issue 4 (12-2003)
Abstract
Introduction: Nearly, 6% of recently diagnosed cancer in the United States was upon to lymphoproliferate and leukemia and 9% of fatality in cancerous people was upon to these two illnesses. Using some simple, cheap and in-hand tests and special consideration to clinical inspections in suspected subjects provide a faster diagnostic and suitable treatment. It may ultimately promote the quality of life and decline the fatality among patients.
Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional investigation which carried out during a 1.5 years in the form of forward direction. Forty-two lymphoproliferate (28 lymphoblast and 14 Hotchkin) and 21 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (10 acute lymphoblast leukemia and 11 miloid acute leukemia) subjects were evaluated. ESR, LDH and ALP levels were measured in all patients. In clinical examinations, oversizing of lymph nodes, spleen and liver were exactly considered.
Results: According to our results the best tests to rule in and rule out acute leukemia from lymphoprolifeatives were ESR and LDH, respectively. Additionally, The most sensitive and specific evaluations to rule out these two diseases were LDH and oversizing of liver inspection. It was also determined that LDH is the best screening test to rule out leukemia from lymphoproliferate.
Conclusion: Using of simple examinations such as ALP, LDH, ESR and more consideration to oversized spleen, liver and lymph nodes in each suspected patients, we could easily differentiate lymphoproliferate and acute leukemia from each other.
Fatemeh Dareh, Roya Kelishadi, Manijheh Kahbazi, Cathayon Rabii, Saeid Heidari, Abdolmehdi Baghaei,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (3-2004)
Abstract
Introduction: Among the risk factors for coronary artery disease, less attention has been paid to physical activity, especially in children and adolescents. Various studies have shown that their level of physical activity is lower than the standard for maintaining lower health. In this study, the pattern of physical activity of children and adolescents in the central regions of Iran is examined.
Method: In this descriptive study, which is part of the first phase of the Isfahan Healthy Heart Project and was conducted in 2002, awareness of the attitude and performance of 4,000 urban and rural children and adolescents in preschool to high school in Isfahan (Isfahan, Najafabad) and Markazi (Arak city) and the parents of these students and 500 teachers and school officials have been examined about physical activity and the duration of watching TV through a questionnaire. Sampling was selected in the form of a random cluster and in proportion to the urban and rural population living in the two provinces. Data were analyzed with SPSS software and p<0.05 were considered significant.
Results: About 40 percent of middle and high school students in the two provinces practiced regular sports at school less than two hours a week. Regular morning exercise and school sports were more common in girls than boys (p<0.00001), but regular extracurricular exercise and sports team membership were more common in boys (P<0.001). More than 77 percent of parents were unaware of the importance of childhood exercise in their children's health. The average TV viewing time for children of different ages was 4 hours a day.
Conclusion: The level of physical activity of middle and high school students in the central regions of Iran is less than the desired level and the duration of watching TV is more than the recommended values.
Shahram Baraz, Dr Iesa Mohammadi, Dr Behruz Boroumand,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (3-2006)
Abstract
Introduction: The main goal of treatment and care of chronic patients including those suffering from end stage chronic renal failure is to promote their health and their quality of life (QOL). Various researches have shown that health level, performance status and QOL, especially for hemodialysis patients are often less than expected. So, an attempt to find effective and cost benefit education methods in this area seems to be necessary. This study is done to compare the effects of two educational methods of direct and indirect (multimedia educational package) self-care program on QOL and physical problems of hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods: This quasi experimental research was carried out on two groups of hemodialysis patients. Sixty three patients were selected from three main dialysis centers in Tehran and allocated randomly into two groups (group one 32 and group two 31 patients). The first group used the direct educational program and the second group used the indirect educational package (multimedia). Patients were assessed before education using QOL questionnaire (short form SF-36), need assessment questionnaire and checklists. After determining educational needs and status of the patients, a self care educational program was designed based on self care model and the principles of patient education and also through counseling with nephrologists and nutritionists. The educational program was implemented directly on group one (direct education). Also it was recorded and indirectly used for the second group as a multimedia educational package once a week within one month during dialysis. After implementation of the self care educational program, both groups were assessed and measured again by same questionnaires and checklists. Data was analysed using student T, Wilcoxon and Mc Nemar tests. Results: Findings showed that most of studied variables including laboratory tests, blood pressure, weight gain between two dialysis, skin itching, edema and some vascular complications are decreased significantly in each group before and after education. QOL was also significantly improved in each group. But there was no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: Since, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of efficiency of two methods of direct and indirect (multimedia) educational self care programs and also due to the problems and higher costs of the direct educational program comparing to the indirect method, the indirect method is recommended as an effective, cost benefit, simple and patient-friendly method for hemodialysis patients.
Farshad Poor Malek, Farid Abolhasani, Mohsen Naghavi, Kazem Mohamad, Reza Madjd-Zadeh, Kourosh Holakooi,
Volume 10, Issue 1 (3-2007)
Abstract
Introduction: Life expectancy is one of the summary measures of population health, whose values and trend of changes over time show the main outcome of health system performance. Estimation of life expectancy is performed with direct or model-based methods. In this study direct estimation of life expectancy for Iran’s population in year 2003 is performed. Materials and Methods: In an ecologic study, for calculation of abridged period life table for 23 out of 28 provinces of Iran in year 2003, numbers of registered deaths for age and sex specific groups in these 23 provinces by death registration system of Ministry of Health (MOH) were used. Undernumeration of over-four year's deaths was estimated and corrected with Brass Growth-Balance method. For mortality rates of under-one and 1-4 years, similar rates from Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) 2000 with live births denominators were substituted. For total number of population of 23 provinces, information from MOH was used. Distribution of population by age and sex was taken similar to that from DHS 2003 results, and also taken as result of graduation of whole country population from 1375 census. Population of these 23 provinces was equal to 73% of total population of country in year 2003. Life expectancy was estimated by age and sex with the obtained population and death numbers. It was assumed that distributions of population and death in 23 provinces were similar to those for the whole 28 provinces of Iran in year 2003 and hence, the estimated life expectancy for 23 provinces is equal to that for all 28 provinces in 2003. Sensitivity of the results to assumptions was analyzed. Confidence intervals were calculated with Monte Carlo method. Results: Life expectancy at birth was estimated as 71.56 years for total population (95% CI: 71.52 – 71.62), 70.09 years for males (70.02 – 70.16), and 73.17 (73.10 – 73.24) for females of Iran in year 2003. Sensitivity of results to assumptions was less than 0.5%. Conclusion: Values of life expectancy estimates for year 2003 with direct method are higher than those based on statistical modeling approaches performed by Statistical Center of Iran and by different United Nations agencies, due to difference in estimation methods for age and sex specific mortality rates.
Hamidreza Roohafza, Bahamn Roohafza, Masoumeh Sadeghi,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (6-2007)
Abstract
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. (p0.05)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.
Alireza Shahab Jahanlou, Fazlallah Ghofranipour, Alireza Sobhani, Masoud Kimmiagar, Maryam Vafaei,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (6-2008)
Abstract
Introduction: Quality of life (QOL) has become an important concept in medical research. Some research has shown a curvilinear relationship between QOL and glycemic control, but some did not so. The aim of this study is to investigate different aspects of QOL and also assess the hypothesis in diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, a random sample of adult diabetic outpatients (n=110) were selected and completed the WHO-QOL assessment instruments. In addition HbA1c was measured in these patients by calorimetric method. Patients were divided in to 3 groups: 1-good control (HbA1c<7), 2-fair control (7≥HbA1c<9) and 3-poor control (HbA1c≥9). QOL was assessed by measuring physical, psychological, social and environmental domains. Data were analyzed with one way ANOVA (Tukey as post hoc), Chi2 and Mann-Whitney, and correlation tests. Results: A significant correlation was seen between BMI and glycemic control, physical and social aspects, physical and environmental aspects, psychological and environmental aspects, and social and psychological aspects. No significant difference was seen between mean score of different dimensions of QOL in relation to HbA1c changes. The mean score of each dimension in relation to glycemic control showed that, better score of psychological, environmental and social dimensions is seen in patients with fair glycemic control. But regarding the overall score of QOL this is completely reverse. The mean score of physical dimension is decreased with increasing HbA1c. There was no correlation between other domains of QOL and glycemic control. Conclusion: In this survey higher quality of life was seen in fair glycemic control in social, environmental and psychological dimensions, but physical dimension in patients was decreased when HbA1c was increased. Regarding the overall score of QOL it can be seen that the lowest score of QOL is in patients with fair glycemic control which is in contrast with curvilinear hypothesis.
Shahram Baraz, Maryam Rostami, Fereshteh Farzianpor, Abdolrahman Rasekh,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (9-2009)
Abstract
Background: The most important determinant factor in elder’s quality of life is healthy. Since health can be declined by aging, in health promotion consider an effective model of care can be vey important. We surveyed the effect of Orem Self Care Model on quality of life (QOL) of elderly in Masjed Solaiman. Methods and Materials: This is a pre and post quasi-experimental study was carried out on 349 elderly clients which were selected from 11 health care centers in Masjed Solaiman in 2007-2008. Orem Self Care program was performed during a 3 months in days that the clients came to health care centers. Data were gathered by a short form questionnaire (SF36) before and after the intervention and was analyzed by descriptive statistics and paired t-test. Results: Results showed a significant increase in mean scores of different dominations of QOL including health, physical performance, physical role- performance, emotional role- performance, social performance, body pain, power and energy, general health perception, and overall mean of QOL. Paired t-test showed a significant difference (p<0.001) between all of dominations of the quality of life. Conclusion: Performing Orem Self Care educational program had a positive influence on improving QOL of elderly.
Hamid Taher Neshat Doust, Mohammad Ali Nilforoush Zadeh, Fahimeh Dehghani, Hossein Molavi,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (9-2009)
Abstract
Background: Researches showed that there is a relationship among alopecia areata, psychological factors and prevalence of psychological disorders. In addition alopecia areata has a great effect on the quality of life of these patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral stress management therapy on female patients`s the quality of life with alopecia areata. Methods and Materials: This is a case-control study with pre and post-test exam which is carried out in Isfahan Skin Disease and Leishmaniasis Research Centre. The participants consisted of 20 alopecia areata patients diagnosed by specialists. The questionnaire was Skindex-16 which was completed by patients before and after the intervention. Cognitive-behavioral stress management therapy was done on the case group in eight sessions over a period of two months. Data was analyzed with covariance (ANOVA). Results: The mean of quality of life scores in experimental group in v.s control group significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion: It seems, cognitive-behavioral stress management therapy couses in quality of life improvement in patients with alopecia areata.
Shahnaz Shahrjerdi, Nader Shavandi, Rahman Sheikh Hoseini,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (2-2010)
Abstract
Background: Diabetes Mellitus is a heterogeneous group of different metabolic disorders that are characterized by chronic increase of blood glucose and proteins, lipids and carbohydrates metabolism disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of aerobic exercise on metabolic factors, quality of life and mental health of women with type II diabetes. Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental investigation, 18 women with type П diabetes referring to Arak Petroleum Company Clinic were selected and divided into two groups: aerobic (10 participants) and control (8 participants). Aerobic group performed selected exercises in 8 weeks (three 30-50 min sessions per week). In this investigation, we used metabolic factors (such as total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, VLDL, LDL, FBS, HbA1c and Insulin serum) and SF-36 quality of life (QOL) and GHQ mental health (MH) questionnaires. The level of significance was considered to be 95% (P<0/05). Results: There were significant differences between the means of pre-test and post-test measures of FBS, HbA1C, Insulin serum, QOL and MH in aerobic group. There were no significant differences between the means of pre-test and post-test measures of TC, HDL, LDL, VLDL and triglycerides in aerobic group and all factors in the control group (P<0/05). Conclusion: Aerobic exercise affects metabolic factors, QOL and MH in type П diabetic patients and it results in their improvement.
Mohammad Reza Palizvan, Abalfazl Jand, Mohammad Reza Tahere Nejad,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (1-2010)
Abstract
Abstract Background: Misconceptions of mental models are phenomena that are variance with accepted scientific models. Purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of misconception about half life and concentration of insulin hormone in students of Arak university of medical sciences. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study 153 undergraduates in medicine and nursing – midwifery faculties of Arak university of medical sciences in 2009, were asked to answer to two questions about half life and concentration of insulin hormone. Results: The prevalence of misconception about half life of insulin hormone in medical, nursing and midwifery students were 75%, 80% and 85%, respectively, and prevalence of misconception about insulin concentration in blood were 31%, 26% and 20%, respectively. Conclusion: Misconceptions about insulin half life and concentration exist in high percent of students and it is necessary to correct the teaching pattern.
Mahbobeh Khorsandi, Farzaneh Jahani, Mohhammad Rafiei, Aliasghar Farazi,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (4-2010)
Abstract
Background: This study was designed to investigate the quality of life in staff and hospital personnel of Arak University of Medical Sciences and to gain basic information for carrying out interventions for improving their quality of life. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done to determine quality of life of 300 staff and hospital personnel in Arak University of Medical Sciences. Data gathering tools were demographic and standard quality of life (SF-36) questionnaires. Results: Of the 275 participants who had completed the questionnaires, 127 (%46.2) were staff and 148 (%53.8) were hospital personnel. The means of age and years of experience were 36.797.02 and 12.297.39 years, respectively. The mean of different dimensions of quality of life in the staff was significantly much higher than that in the hospital personnel (p<0.05). In terms of physical performance, vitality, social performance, general health, physical and mental health domains, significant differences were found among personnel with different employment status. There was also a significant difference between men and women in terms of physical restriction factors, physical agony, vitality, sanity, mental and physical health. Conclusion: The mean of different dimensions of quality of life in hospital personnel was lower than the staff while this value was lower in women than men. Specific longitudinal studies are needed for investigating the causes of these differences.
Razieh Javaheri, Hamid-Taher Neshat-Doost, Hossein Molavi, Mohammad Zare,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (6-2010)
Abstract
Background: Psychological interventions may improve the quality of life in females with temporal lobe epilepsy through affecting their bio-psycho-social dimensions. This aim of this study was to aim assess the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) group education on improvement of quality of life in epileptic patients. Materials and Methods: This was a case-control study with pre-post-and follow-up tests. The sample population included 26 patients, already diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy by neurologist and through electro-encephalography, that were randomly selected and assigned to experimental and control groups. Data were collected through the Quality Of Life Questionnaire for Epileptic patients (QOLIE- 89) that was administered in the pre-test, post-test, and follow-up test. CBSM group education was given to the experimental group in ten sessions during two months. Results: The mean of QOLIE-89 score in the experimental group showed a significantly higher increase in comparison to that in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results demonstrated the effectiveness of CBSM group education on the improvement of quality of life in females with temporal lobe epilepsy.
Alireza Shahab Jahanlou, Alireza Sobhani, Nader Alishan,
Volume 13, Issue 3 (9-2010)
Abstract
Background: In the last few decades, quality of life (QOL) has become known as an important concept in medical research. In this study, two standard QOL questionnaires were chosen for evaluation of patients’ personality characteristics: 1) World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) and 2) Iranian Diabetics Quality of Life (IRDQOL). The main aim of this study was to compare two standard quality of life questionnaires for evaluation of the relationship between personality characteristics and glycemic control in diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 256 type 2 diabetic patients with a history of diabetes for more than one year. Validity and reliability measures were determined for the two questionnaires. HbA1c was measured through calorimetric method. Results: The mean of physical dimension scores on IRDQOL questionnaire was significantly lower than that on the WHOQOL questionnaire. No significant differences were observed between the other dimensions of the two questionnaires. Positive correlations were seen between different dimensions of each questionnaire. There was a high correlation between the different dimensions of each questionnaire and its related QOL. The two questionnaires did not indicate any correlations between glycemic control and different dimensions of QOL. Conclusion: The two questionnaires have reliability for the total QOL however, the distribution of questions in IRDQOL is not equal. The quality of the evaluation of patients’ personality characteristics by IRDQOL is less than that of WHOQOL. None of the questionnaires indicated any relationship between personal characteristics and glycemic control.
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Volume 13, Issue 5 (2-2011)
Abstract
Background: Today, medicine regards brain death as absolute death a fact that its acceptance, especially by those who are emotionally connected with the patients with a beating heart and a normal face while he is breathing and seems to be fast asleep, is very difficult. Some religious leaders do not view this state as absolute death and do not relate it to death. Consideration of this issue is of great importance in legal, political, social, ethical, philosophical, and medical debates and several international conferences have been held on this controversial issue. There are different stances and viewpoints with regard to the nature of brain death. It goes without saying that if brain death is not regarded as absolute death, organ transplantation from patients with brain death who are a great source of organ provision will face major difficulties. By dividing life into such stages as complete physical life, constant vegetative life, singular organ life, and cellular life and elaborating on each stage, such conclusion can be reached that death occurs in three stages: 1) Cardiac and pulmonary death, 2)death of brain cells minutes after deoxygenation, and 3) death of body cells which differs from organ death. Such an order exists in natural death but in brain death, death starts from the second stage and eventually leads to the death of cells. There are, however, stages akin to deep coma. This study, in addition to explaining brain death and its differences with deep coma and other similar states, comes to the conclusion that brain death is equal to absolute death and can be treated as real death. This study investigates brain death in medicine by taking such concepts as sleep, coma, vegetable life, and cardiac death into consideration. Then it deals with the relationship between sleep and death as well as the reality of death so as to provide ample evidence for realization of death in the view of religion and compare it with the medical concept of death. According to this hypothesis, brain death is equal to absolute death. This study is a descriptive-analytical review of internet databases and library resources.
Davood Hekmatpou, Saied Changizi Ashtiani, Zohre Anbari, Fatemeh Khodadadi, Rezvan Kamali Nahad,
Volume 13, Issue 5 (2-2011)
Abstract
Background: Allah descended the holy Quran to guide the human and for instructing him the principles of life. The holy Quran always guides the human in the best of ways. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to explore the manifestation of Quran reading in the life of faculty members, students, and clerks’ at Arak University of Medical Sciences (AUMS). Materials and Methods: This qualitative study was done through content analysis method, and the data were collected through interviews. The study was initiated with purposive sampling and continued by theoretical sampling 30 individuals were interviewed over a 2 month period at AUMS. The data were analyzed based on the content analysis method. Continuous-comparative analysis was utilized for data analysis. Results: Data analysis showed the manifestation of miracles in life, achieving internal peace, having humanistic communication, decision making based on Quran instructions, being patient and tolerant, behaving based on Quran instructions, and saving as secondary codes of the effect of Quran reading on participants’ life, and “the effect of holly Quran on the whole dimensions of life” as the main code or theme. Conclusion: In this qualitative study, using triangulation sources, the effects of Quran reading on the faculty members, students, and clerks’ life at AUMS were identified more profoundly than the quantitative methods. On the other hand, the effect of Quran reading on all dimensions of the participants’ life, as the theme of this study, is a very important finding which is completely in accordance with Allah’s words in Quran. Therefore, in order to achieve more divine benefits from Quran, reading the holy Quran is recommended to academians and all people, in general, so as to compete for using Quran more.
Vida Shafipour, Leila Shafipour, Hedayat Jafari,
Volume 14, Issue 5 (11-2011)
Abstract
Background: Cardiac rehabilitation is one of the essential components of caring in cardiac patients both in hospital and community. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the effects of cardiac rehabilitation program on the quality of life in patients with myocardial infarction.
Materials and Methods:This clinical trial was conducted on two groups (experimental and control). Thirty patients with myocardial infarction at Heart Center Hospital of Sari were randomly assigned to each group. The experimental group participated in the Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program (3 visits at home in weeks 4, 8, and 12) however, the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were collected via demographic data and SF-36 quality of life questionnaires and patients’ home-based health behaviors checklist. Data analysis was done by Chi Square, ANOVA and Mann-Whitney tests using SPSS software version 16.
Results: The two groups were homogenous in terms of demographic characteristics. The patients’ quality of life increased in the experimental group in physical and mental dimensions and in total before and after the intervention (P<0.001). In addition, the comparison of the quality of life showed a significant difference between experimental and control groups (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at home can improve the quality of life in these patients therefore, its implementation is recommended.
Somayeh Moukhah, Ziba Mazari, Azita Goshtasbi, Sakene Moaed Mohseni,
Volume 15, Issue 3 (8-2012)
Abstract
Background: Heavy menstrual bleeding is one of the leading causes of poor quality of life and iron deficiency anemia in women of reproductive age. This study was conducted to investigate the therapeutic effect of tranexamic acid (TA) on menorrhagia. Materials and Methods: In this before and after clinical trial, 46 women with menorrhagia were selected and, after a control cycle for evaluation of the volume and duration of primary bleeding, were subjected to tranexamic acid treatment (500mg every 6 hours from day 1 to 5 of bleeding) for 3 consecutive cycles. Data on the duration of bleeding, amount of bleeding (PBAC chart), quality of life (SF-36 and MQ questionnaires), and hemoglobin and ferritin values were checked and compared before and after treatment using SPSS software. Results: Tranexamic acid reduced mean PBAC score from 242.86 (160.47) in control cycle to 101.50 (72.67) after the third cycle (p<0.001). Hemoglobin increased from 11.85 (0.84) to 13.08 (0.97) g/dl and ferritin increased from 15.9 (20.39) to 22.13 (2.03) ng/dl (p<0.001). Duration of menstrual bleeding decreased from 7.6 (1.23) days to 6.86 (0.84) days (p=0.001). Tranexamic acid reduced mean MQ score from 70.26 (17.64) to 11.64 (6.49) (p<0.0001). Quality of life scores increased in all aspects (except for bodily pain scale) (p<0.001). Conclusion: TA due to its short course of prescription, fewer side effects, especially on the pattern of bleeding and menstrual cycle, and not having hormonal effects, seems to be an effective drug for menorrhagia in women of reproductive age.
Mohammad Shayestehpour, Mohammad Kazem Shahkarami, Abbas Shafyi, Mohammad Taqavian, Razieh Kamali Jamil, Fatemeh Esna-Ashari, Ashraf Mohammadi, Reza Shahbazi,
Volume 15, Issue 4 (9-2012)
Abstract
Background: Noticing the sensitivity of measles virus to temperature and light, maintaining its stability is highly important in live vaccines. The aim of the study is to evaluate the stability of measles vaccine produced by AIK-C strain. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, three lyophilized vaccine vials were incubated at 37˚C for one week and their stability was evaluated via accelerated test. In addition, reconstituted vaccines were incubated at 4˚C, 25˚C, and 37˚C for 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 hours after reconstitution and their remaining infectious virus titer was measured using CCID50 method. Half-life of the reconstituted measles vaccine was evaluated according to linear regression analysis. Results: When the reconstituted vaccine was incubated at 4˚C, 25˚C, and 37˚C, the titer loss per hour was equal to 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 Log10 CCID50, respectively. Also, the half-life of this vaccine at these temperatures was 5.31, 2.26, and 1.36 hours, respectively. Conclusion: The loss of potency for measles vaccine produced by AIK-C strain is 0.33 Log after storage at 37°C for one week, while the reported amounts for commercial vaccines such as Mevilin-L, Attenuvax, Edmonston-Zagreb, and Rimevax are 0.7, 0.7, 1 and 0.78, respectively. Lyophilized and reconstituted vaccine containing AIK-C strain is more stable in comparison with Edmonston B, Schwartz, Biken-CAM, and Leningrad strains. The stability of the reconstituted AIK-C strain vaccine is similar to Moraten strain at 37˚C.
Ali Aghanuri, Mahmoud Mahmoudi, Mina Asadi, Fatemeh Mortaji, Hamideh Salehi, Kurosh Djafarian,
Volume 15, Issue 9 (2-2013)
Abstract
Background: In recent years, changes in the composition of Iranian population into aged population have increased the need for more information about the quality of life (QOL) of this group. Proper planning for this age group for increasing their quality of life depends on the identification of factors associated with QOL. The aim of the current study was to assess the quality of life and its relationship with the quality of diet in elderly people aged 60 years and more living in the urban areas of Markazi province. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 165 elderly people in the urban areas of Markazi Province in 2010. Data obtained via general and QOL (SF-36) questionnaires and three 24-hour recalls on food. The quality of diet was measured using Healthy Eating index. Results: The means of total SF-36, physical and mental components scores were 55.66, 51.32 and 57.30, respectively. Additionally, the average overall healthy eating index score was 82.83. The results showed that the total, physical, and mental components of SF-36 scores in the elderly were positively associated with the healthy eating index but not significantly (P=0.2). QOL and diet scores were significantly associated with age, sex, education, previous employment, income, leisure activities, exercise, insurance, smoking, present disease, and drug consumption (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that the QOL in the elderly was not related to their quality of diet.
Davood Hekmatpou, Mohsen Shamsi, Majid Zamani,
Volume 16, Issue 3 (6-2013)
Abstract
Background: Nowadays, the elderly population is growing all over the world. Diseases and conditions resulting from this evolutionary process can severely affect the quality of life of the elderly. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of educational programs of healthy lifestyle on the quality of life of the elderly in Arak city.
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental was carried out on 60 elderly subjects in Arak city. The subjects participated in classes on nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, and life skills for a month and they were followed for three months after intervention. Data were collected by the short form quality of life (SF-36) in elderly.
Results: The mean score of quality of life was 61.06±7.42. The highest mean was associated with social health (74.5±15) while the lowest mean was for physical health (46±17). In terms of quality of life indicators before educational intervention, four categories emerged: poor (13.3%), medium (30%), good (41.7%), and high (15%). After intervention, the majority of the samples fell in the good (38.3%) and high (45%) categories. There was a significant difference before and after the educational intervention (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Education to elderly about the healthy lifestyle practices can prevent a lot of problems and help them to improve their quality of life. Therefore, classroom education is fruitful for this group that is often neglected.