Bojnurd City Research Articles

A Casereport of Burning Caused by a Pressure Cooker in a pregnant Woman Referred to a Hospital in Bojnurd City

A Casereport of Burning Caused by a Pressure Cooker in a pregnant Woman Referred to a Hospital in Bojnurd City

Investigation of the Demographic Characteristics of Patients Addicted to Opioids Undergoing Drug Maintenance Treatment in Addiction Treatment Centers in Bojnurd City

Introduction: Opium addiction is one of the most significant problems in Iran. This study investigates demographic information of opium-addicted patients undergoing maintenance treatment in Bojnurd addiction treatment centers. This study aims to identify high-risk groups and those who need therapeutic and psychosocial interventions to maintain treatments. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 2016 to 2021 on 300 addicted patients referring to Bojnurd addiction treatment centers. These patients participated in the opioid maintenance treatment program for at least six months. The investigation utilized a checklist of demographic information and examined the files of addicted people undergoing maintenance treatment in eight addiction treatment centers in the city. The data were analyzed in SPSS23 software using the Chi-square statistical test. Results: The mean age (standard deviation) of the participants was 52.17±14.13 years. Besides, 76.6% of the participants were male, 70.0% resided in the city, and 73.6% were married. The majority of the participants had a primary education level and were self-employed. Opium juice was the most consumed substance, and smoking was the most common method of use. Conclusion: It appears that married and middle-aged individuals constitute the largest population undergoing maintenance treatment in Bojnurd city. The high frequency of individuals with low or no literacy in the studied population underscores the importance of education.

Lifestyle Changes and COVID-19 Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has evidently influenced people's lifestyle, particularly their health. In this study, the authors examined the association between dietary intake and lifestyle changes, and COVID-19 infection in adults living in Bojnurd, Iran.
 Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted on 4425 adults from Bojnurd city, Iran, regarding changes in food consumption, physical activity, sleep duration, and the history of COVID-19 infection; data were collected online using a researcher-designed questionnaire. The associations between lifestyle changes and COVID-19 infection were assessed by multivariate- adjusted logistic regression models.
 Results: There were significant associations between lower odds of COVID-19, increased legumes consumption (OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.96), and increased physical activity (OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.57, 0.95) during the pandemic; this was while increased intakes of refined grain (OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.63), butter oil (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.73), processed meat (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.82), fast foods (OR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.13, 2.40), honey (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.64), and coffee (OR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.24, 2.09) were associated with higher odds of infection. Moreover, higher sleep duration (OR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.52), increased intake of multivitamins/minerals (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.35, 2.05), vitamin D (OR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.47), and vitamin C (OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.26, 1.84) were significantly associated with higher odds of infection, compared to the cases with no change.
 Conclusion: Increased intake of refined grain and high-fat foods may be associated with lower odds of infection. However, the cross-sectional design of the present study precludes causal inferences.

STRONG and FELT EARTHQUAKES of the TURKMEN-KHORASAN MOUNTAINS in 2017

In 2017, the strongest earthquakes over the past two decades occurred in the central and southeastern Kopetdag – on April 5 with KR=14.3, MwGCMT=6.0 and on May 13 with KR=13.4, MwGCMT=5.7. The April 5 earthquake was also the strongest during the entire seismic history of a zone with a radius of 45 km from the epicenter. Both events were felt in the settlements of Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and other countries. The maximum shaking intensity was recorded in the nearest settlements of Iran – I=6 in the city of Torbet Jam during the earthquake on April 5 and I=7 in the city of Bojnurd during the event on May 13. For the earthquake of April 5, located in the contact zone of the southeastern Kopetdag with Binalud mountains, an isoseist map is constructed, on the basis of which the northwestern orientation of the isoseists are determined, coinciding with the strike of the nearest faults, of the aftershock cloud and of one of the nodal planes of the focal mechanism. At the same time, a southwest dip of the aftershock cloud is found, which does not correspond to the northeast dip of the nodal plane chosen as the active one. This discrepancy apparently indicates the complex structure of the fault zone, with areas of dip in different directions or with two parallel faults, which planes are dipping to the northeast and southwest. For the earthquake of May 13, 2017 in the central Kopetdag, which was preceded by a three-month seismic calm, the calm zone boundaries are defined, the spatial and temporal features of the aftershock process are studied. According to the determined equation of macroseismic effect propagation, the intensity at the epicenter of the May 13, 2017 earthquake is obtained – I0=7–8. This estimate is confirmed by the 7-point shaking intensity in Bojnurd (=24 km).

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Vitamin D3 Concentration among School Children 7-18 Years Old in Bojnurd City

Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite with relatively high prevalence in human societies. Due to the lack of information on toxoplasmosis infection in school-aged children in Bojnord, the present study aimed to assess the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in school-age students and the level of vitamin D3 deficiency in them in Bojnurd, Northeast of Iran. Method: In this cross-sectional study, the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies and their correlation with vitamin D3 deficiency were analyzed with ELISA among 361 school-aged children living in the urban areas of Bojnord. Results: Of the 361 recruited subjects, 175 (48.5%) cases were male, and 186 (51.5%) subjects were female. They were within the age range of 7-18 years. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii among school children was 6% (22/361), that were positive for T. gondii IgG, and none of the children were positive for T. gondii IgM. No significant difference was found between males and females. Seropositivity to toxoplasmosis was not significantly associated with age, gender, residential area, and having contact with cats (P>0.05). Vitamin D3 deficiency was observed only in eight students with anti-toxoplasma antibodies. Conclusion: As evidenced by the results of this study, the prevalence of toxoplasmosis among school-aged children in Bojnord is relatively low; nonetheless, vitamin D3 deficiency was observed in people with toxoplasmosis; therefore, control programs and health education are necessary to prevent toxoplasmosis in children

A comparative study of vit D3 levels with preterm premature rupture of membranes in pregnant mothers referred to the Bent Alhoda Hospital of Bojnurd city in 2020-2021

A comparative study of vit D3 levels with preterm premature rupture of membranes in pregnant mothers referred to the Bent Alhoda Hospital of Bojnurd city in 2020-2021

Comparing Hope, Executive Function, and Procrastination in University Students: Implications for a Post-COVID-19 World

Objective: The global pandemic has impacted variously on students’ experiences of education globally. At this time, we must continue to isolate the key components contributing to supporting students’ academic performance so that education systems can begin to reduce the impact of this pandemic on children’s lives. Methods: We used the ex post facto research to compare hope, executive functions, and procrastination between students with high and low academic performances. The authors hope to contribute positively to rebuilding our education system as we move to a post-pandemic phase. The statistical population consisted of students with high and low academic performances at the University of Bojnurd, Bojnurd City, Iran, from 2019 to 2020. A total of 85 students were selected as samples using the available sampling method. The research data were collected using the behavior rating inventory of executive function for adults, the procrastination assessment scale for students, and the domain-specific hope scale. Results: The results showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups of students regarding the mean scores of executive functions and academic procrastination. In this regard, the scores of executive functions were reduced, but the academic procrastination in students with low performance was significantly higher than the high-performance students. The group factor predicted a significant amount of variance in the examined components. Nevertheless, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the hope variable except for the academic hope subscale. Conclusion: The results have implications for understanding students’ academic performances and the use of interventions that can improve students’ outcomes in the future.

Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Compassion Therapy on Despair and Rumination in Older Adults

Introduction: Hopelessness and negative rumination are among issues the older adults cope with it. Examining effective therapy strategies to decrease them are of great importance. The current study was conducted with regard to understanding the importance of this issue. It aims at examining the effectiveness of mindfulness-based compassion therapy on hopelessness and rumination among the female elderly.
 
 Methods: It was a semi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test and a control group. Statistical population was 70 elderly females of over 60 and above in nursing home in Bojnurd City, North Khorasan Province, Iran, in 2020. Among these people, 30 individuals willing to participate in the study were introduced by the center’s psychologist and randomly assigned into two experimental (15) and control (15) groups. Instrument for collecting data was Beck Hopelessness Scale and Hooksma rumination questionnaire. Data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed by the covariance analysis test.
 
 Results: Results suggested that mindfulness-based compassion therapy led to a significant decrease on mean scores of hopelessness regarding the experimental group in comparison with the control group (p < 0.01). However, it did not have a significant effect on rumination.
 
 Conclusion: Mindfulness-based compassion therapy may be used for decrease of hopelessness regarding aging, but it is not effective for rumination.

A Survey on the Intensity of Lighting in Elementary Schools of Bojnurd City

Background and Aim: Optimal lighting should create a balance between economy and the environment. In order to comply with safety and health principles of the staff, proper lighting of the work environment should be provided for everyday tasks. Inappropriate lighting conditions cause distortion of environmental visual information, and increase the likelihood of mistakes in the work. The quality of lighting is important for creating willingness to study, visual comfort, and productivity in the learning process of students. The subject of this research is the manner and intensity of lighting in schools, in the city of Bojnurd, in elementary education centers. It, also, tries to assess the quality of lighting schools, identify problems in school lighting systems, and provide appropriate solutions for improvement.
 Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was randomly selected in girl’s elementary schools of Bojnourd, during autumn of 1395, in 10 schools in different regions of the city. The overall lighting (natural and artificial) and natural light were measured individually, using the Hanger CE Lux Meter. Collected data, including total brightness, natural, and artificial of classes, were analyzed by SPSS software (version 18). For each class, the minimum, maximum and average brightness and standard deviation were calculated based on the lux. Also, the type of lamps, defective lamps, wall colors and the quality of devices and equipment were studied.
 Results: Results showed that in 90% of cases, the intensity of lighting was consistent with standard values, and in 10% of cases, the lighting intensity was not in accordance with the standard. In 87.57% of the cases, the type of lamps was suitable for lighting of the school and classes, and in 94.1% of the cases the lamps were burned out and defective.
 Conclusion: The lack of natural and artificial lighting in schools due to the incorrect placement of windows, inappropriate distribution of lamps, as well as the ratio of the surface to the window, are the causes of inappropriate status of lighting efficiency system.

The effect of mobile-app-based instruction on the physical function of female patients with knee osteoarthritis: a parallel randomized controlled trial

BackgroundOsteoarthritis is a common disease and one of the most important causes of disability in the elderly that negatively affect the quality of their life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile app-based-instruction in improving physical performance of female patients with knee osteoarthritis.MethodsThe present study was a randomized clinical trial. The sample included 64 female patients (40 to 70 years old) with knee osteoarthritis in Bojnurd city in 2018. They were selected from the available patients that were randomly divided into comparison and intervention groups. Before the intervention, demographic information questionnaire, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire, and 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) were employed to elicit data on demographic information, arthritis condition and health status of the participants. Intervention lasted for a period of two months for each group. Intervention group received mobile-app-based instruction coupled with routine cares, while comparison group just received the routine cares. After the intervention both groups were evaluated again in terms of arthritis condition and health status using the same scales.ResultsAfter the intervention, significant differences were found between the intervention and comparison groups in terms of overall WOMAC score (p = 0.005), pain aspect of WOMAC (p = 0.005), physical function aspect of WOMAC (p = 0.005), physical function aspect of SF-36 (p ≤ 0.05), and vitality aspect of SF-36 (p > 0.05).ConclusionThe use of mobile-app-based instruction can enhance the physical function and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis.Trial registration The research project was registered at Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20161208031300N2).

The Relationship of Health Literacy and General Literacy with Quality of Life among Older Adults in Bojnurd, Iran

Introduction: Quality of life of older adults is one of the most important issues in their health care. The aim of this study was to investigate the power of health literacy and general literacy in predicting quality of life among older adults in Bojnurd, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 180 older adults in Bojnurd city in 2016. The participants were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling method. The instruments used in this study included the demographic variables questionnaire, 12-Item Short Form Health Survey and Health Literacy for Iranian Adults. To describe and analyze the data, SPSS software was used. Descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann-Whitney U, ANOVA, Spearman correlation coefficient, and multifactorial regression analysis were run to analyze the data. Results: The mean health literacy score was 69.76 ± 15.05 (score range from 0 to 100) and the mean score of quality of life was 26.2 ± 6.12 (score range from 12 to 48). The level of health literacy was insufficient in 32.2% of the participants and about half of them lacked general literacy. The relationship between health literacy and quality of life was statistically significant (p < 0.001) (r = 0.54). A significant difference was observed between the illiterate and literate seniors with regard to their quality of life scores (p < 0.001). The predictive power of health literacy and general literacy was statistically significant in obtaining a higher score in quality of life with Beta coefficients of 0.65 and 0.25, respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Although health literacy and general literacy affect the elderlies’ quality of life positively, health literacy is more effective. Therefore, authorities are suggested to increase their quality of health literacy to improve the seniors’ quality of life.

The impact of laughter yoga on depression and anxiety among retired women: a randomized controlled clinical trial

ABSTRACT Recently, laughter yoga (LY) has been introduced for managing depression and anxiety. This study aimed to investigate the impact of LY on depression and anxiety among retired women in city of Bojnurd, Iran, 2018. Sixty-six retired women were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Intervention group received LY twice weekly for 8 weeks; control group had their routine daily activities. Depression and anxiety levels were measured at study initiation, week 4, and week 8 in both groups. Results showed significant difference in the pattern of depression (p <.001) and anxiety (p <.001) scores within and between groups. LY could be an effective intervention in reducing depression and anxiety among retired women.

Failure to Thrive and its Risk Factors in 0-24 Months Children in Bojnurd City of Iran during 2008-2013

Background: Failure to thrive (FTT) is a global problem and one of the most common health problems in childhood that involves many other social, economic, and cultural factors. Considering the adverse effects of FTT in the future of children, we studied FTT and its related factor in children under the age of 2 years in Bojnurd (the capital city of North Khorasan province, Iran). Methods: This study was a Retrospective cohort study on 1000 health records, born in 2008-2013. Stratified sampling method was applied and the data were collected using a checklist in the health centers. Finally, data were analyzed using Chi-square, Multiple logistic regression, and independent t-test in SPSS19 software. Significant level was set at 5%. Results: Incidence of FTT was calculated as 443 children (44.3%) in the children's first two years of life. A significant relationship was observed between FTT in children and head circumference disorders at birth (p=0.001), maternal age at delivery (p=0.01), mother's education level (OR=0.4 CI95% [0.2-0.8] p=0.012), type of delivery (OR=0.5 CI95% [0.4-0.7] p&lt;0.001), unspecified gestational age (OR=3.6 CI95% [1.3-10.08 p=0.015]), and pregnancy under the age of 18 (OR=2.4 CI95% [1.1-5.3] p=0.02). Conclusion: Considering the high incidence of FTT in children, increasing awareness about timely feeding, promoting households' health, preventing and controlling infectious diseases should be improved

Determining Undeclared Synthetic Pharmaceuticals as Adulterants in Weight Loss Herbal Medicines

Background: The popularity and use of herbal medicines and supplements are growing worldwide. Herbal anti-obesity products have been considered as suitable alternatives to synthetic pharmaceuticals as they are introduced as harmless natural products. However, some manufacturers often add undeclared synthetic pharmaceuticals to the anti-obesity herbal medicine products to improve their efficacy and potency. The present study aimed to analyze herbal weight loss products collected from the drug market in Bojnurd City, Iran.Methods: Ninety-six herbal drug samples, as weight loss products, were obtained from herb shops and pharmacies in Bojnurd City, Iran. All samples were analyzed to detect undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques.Results: Caffeine, trimethoxyamphetamine, and vitamin E were identified in herbal weight loss products. Caffeine was detected in 21.8% of the obtained samples, as the most common undeclared active pharmaceutical adulterant. Conclusion: Undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients in herbal weight loss products could threaten patients’ health. Thus, it is necessary to create awareness through health authorities in this regard.

The relationship between the level of health literacy and the physical health status of the elderly in Bojnurd city

Nowadays, the health literacy topic has become an important issue in the world, and because of its important role in people’s decision-making in the health-related areas has been taken into consideration by policy-makers as one of the basic tools for improving the health ofthe community and increasing the quality of providing health services. Considering the importance of health literacy and the level of functional independence in daily activities, which are important indicators of physical health evaluation, and the importance of examining the relationship between them, this research was performed to investigate the relationship between health literacy level and physical health status of elderly people in Bojnurd. In this cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study, which was performed in 1396, 190 elderly residents of Bojnurd were selected by multistage sampling method (stratified and cluster sampling method). A threepart questionnaire was used for data collection. Data analysis was performed by SPSS 20 software and using statistical tests of one-way analysis of variance and t-test. The mean age of the elderly who were studied were 66.3 ± 5.67 years. Most of the elderly who were studied had an inadequate level of health literacy (40.5%). 23.3% of the elderly had a borderline health literacy level. Only 36.3% of the elderly had adequate health literacy. Men's literacy level was significantly higher than that of women. There was a statistically significant difference between the health literacy levels of elderly people with different educational levels. 1% of the elderly studied were dependent, 3.7% needed help and 95.2% were independent in terms of the daily activity of life. No significant relationship was seen between the levels of autonomy of performance in daily activities of life, occupation, marriage, age. The results of this study showed that the elderly who were studied are lacking adequate health literacy, which is a serious challenge for health care providers and all providers of health services,regarding the growing number of the elderly population in the country.

Study on Contamination of Commonly consumed Raw Vegetables with transmitted Helminth Eggs and Parasitic Cysts in Bojnurd City, North Khorasan Province

Study on Contamination of Commonly consumed Raw Vegetables with transmitted Helminth Eggs and Parasitic Cysts in Bojnurd City, North Khorasan Province

Frequency of complications of falling from the walnut tree, as an occupational-seasonal injury.

:Background:Falling from a tree is one of the major causes of serious injuries in farmers but it can be prevented. Walnut is one of the most important agricultural products in Iran and falling from walnut trees is common during the season of harvest. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of complications due to falling from walnut tree in patients referred to the emergency department of Imam Ali Hospital in Bojnurd City, Iran.Methods:A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on 127 patients with injuries due to falling from the walnut tree in Bojnurd City, Iran, in the walnut harvest season of August 2013 to November 2014. The tools used for data collection in this study included a demographic information form, checklists of information about the injury and the follow-up checklist of treatment. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics by the SPSS software version 16. Results:From a total of 127 injured patients, 120 cases (94.4%) were males with a mean age of 36.49 ± 15.65 years. Five patients died on the day of admission. Eighty two patients (64.56%) were admitted in hospital wards. The most common type of injuries were trunk injuries (26.19%), followed by spinal cord injuries (18.1%). Also, 7 patients suffered from complete spinal cord injury.Conclusions:Injuries caused by falling from walnut trees are seasonal and impose large financial burden on our health system. In most cases, young men suffer from varying degrees of disability and experience financial problems. It is very important to train farmers and workers, so as to prevent such injuries.

Oral versus written feedback delivery to nursing students in clinical education: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundFeedback delivery is deemed as a key element during a students’ clinical education. It keeps students on track to meet their goal and increase students’ motivation and confidence.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare the quality of feedback delivery in oral versus written feedback delivery to nursing students in clinical education.MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted between February and August 2012 in the city of Bojnurd in Iran. Using purposive sampling, last semester’s nursing students (n=44) had been randomly assigned to oral and written feedback delivery groups. Three Instructors received orientation and training on methods of feedback delivery before study initiation. Then, they gave necessary oral and written feedback to the students. Clinical settings of the study included coronary care, surgical, and neonatal units of hospitals. Data collection tools were quality of feedback delivery, students’ satisfaction questionnaire and students’ reactions checklist. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 11.5 with chi-square test and the t-test.ResultsMost of the students (52%, n=23) were male. There were no significant differences between the scores of quality of oral and written feedback delivery (p>0.05). The study did not show a difference of satisfaction level between the oral and written feedback groups. The relationship between students’ reactions and feedback type at the confidence level of 90% was significant, so that students who received oral feedback showed more severe reactions as compared to the written feedback group.ConclusionAccording to the results, the type of feedback is not an important factor in clinical education quality and satisfaction level. They may achieve a better outcome by focusing on the other aspects of quality of feedback delivery rather than feedback type.Trial registrationThe trial was registered at the Iranian Registration Center for Clinical Trials with the Irct id: (IRCT: 201111128076N1).FundingNorth Khorasan University of Medical Sciences (permission no. 89/p/209).

The Relationship between Caregiver Burden, and Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients Referred to Imam Reza Hospital in Bojnurd City

The Relationship between Caregiver Burden, and Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients Referred to Imam Reza Hospital in Bojnurd City

Effectiveness of Emotional Intelligence Group Training on Anger in Adolescents With Substance-Abusing Fathers

ABSTRACTParental substance abuse is associated with impaired skills and ability to take care of children. Children of substance-abusing parents display higher levels of emotional difficulties. This article shows the effectiveness of emotional intelligence group training on anger in adolescents with substance-abusing fathers. The sample consisted of 60 high school boys with substance-abusing fathers, selected from referrals to public academic counseling centers in the city of Bojnurd in northeastern Iran. Next, the individuals were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group received eight weekly one-and-a-half-hour emotional intelligence group training sessions in a school setting. The two groups were compared before and after the intervention using the Spielberger's State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory. In the experimental group, mean score of state anger decreased from 29.8 ± 4.2 to 15.6 ± 0.8 in pretest to posttest. Results of RMANOVA showed that training was effective in all four areas of Trait Anger, State Anger, Anger Control-In, and Anger Control-Out (p < 0.05). This study indicated that training of emotional intelligence skills was effective in reducing anger in adolescents with substance-abusing fathers.