Centers Of Mashhad Research Articles

Effect of group play therapy as holistic geriatric interventional modality on feelings of loneliness among older people: A randomized control trial.

Previous research has identified loneliness as a significant social stressor among the older adult population, and highlights the scarcity of empirical research on the efficacy of group play therapy as a method for addressing loneliness in this demographic. This study aimed to explore the impact of group play therapy on reducing feelings of loneliness among older individuals. A randomized clinical trial was carried out in 2018 on 60 older adult participants from two governmental health centers in Mashhad, Iran. The intervention group received adult-centered play therapy for 12 sessions over 6 weeks, with each session lasting 60 min. The therapy protocol combined traditional and modern games, structured into three stages: warm-up, working and closing. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) scale was used to measure feelings of loneliness at baseline and after the intervention. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 21. There was a significant decrease in feelings of loneliness in the intervention group compared with the control group (P < 0.001). Additionally, a significant difference in feelings of loneliness was observed within the intervention group between baseline and follow up (P < 0.001). Group play therapy, involving a combination of traditional and modern games, can reduce feelings of loneliness among older adults. This method can promote healthy aging and improve mental health issues, such as loneliness, among older people. These findings can be utilized in healthcare centers and nursing homes for older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 1067-1076.

The Effect of Eight Weeks of Selected Vestibular Exercises on Functional Balance, Walking Speed and Quality of Life of Sedentary Elderly Men

Introduction: Aging and sedentary lifestyle are associated with a decrease in physical and mental abilities. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of eight weeks of selected vestibular exercises on functional balance, walking speed, and quality of life of sedentary elderly men. Methods: This semi-experimental research was conducted from the winter of 1402 to the summer of 1403 with the participation of 30 sedentary elderly men from Tawheed Golmkan Elderly Care Center in Mashhad. The samples were selected purposefully and based on previous studies (25) and were divided into two experimental and control groups of 15 people. The experimental group performed selected vestibular exercises three sessions a week for eight weeks, while the control group did not perform any exercises. Dynamic comparison test, 10-meter walking speed and short-term life questionnaire were used to evaluate the quality of life. Data analysis was performed using Shapiro-Wilk test, analysis of covariance, and t-test at a significance level of P&lt;0/05. Results: The results of paired t test showed that dynamic balance (P=0/001), walking speed (P=0/001), and quality of life (P=0/001) of the experimental group improved significantly after the exercise program. This was while there was no improvement in the control group. The covariance results did not show a significant difference between the groups in the pre-test phase, but there was a significant increase in the scores of the experimental group in the post-test phase. Conclusion: It is recommended to use exercises to prevent the disabilities of the elderly and improve their quality of independent life.

The effect of supportive counseling on self-esteem of infertile women after in vitro fertilization (IVF) failure: a randomized controlled trial study

BackgroundThe unsuccessful treatment of infertility can lead to heightened levels of negative emotions, which are often associated with various psychological consequences. These consequences may include a decrease in self-confidence, feelings of loneliness, reduced self-esteem, and even discontinuation of treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to implement interventions that can help improve these consequences for women who have experienced IVF failure. The present study aimed to examine the effect of supportive counseling on self-esteem of infertile women after IVF failure.Methodsthis randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 63 infertile women after IVF failure, referred to Milad Infertility Center in Mashhad in 2021. In the intervention group, the researcher provided individual supportive counseling sessions. These sessions took place over a span of four weeks, with each session lasting 60 min (One session every week). Data collection was conducted both before and one month after the study using Eysenck self-esteem Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS25, as well as statistical tests such as chi-square, independent t-test, Paired t-test and Mann-Whitney tests. A significance level of less than 5% was considered.ResultsThe study found no significant difference in mean scores of self-esteem between the two groups before the study (p = 0.823). However, after one month, the intervention group had significantly higher self-esteem scores (24.3 ± 18.55) compared to the control group (21.74 ± 5.62) (p = 0.043) Moreover, Based on the Within-group comparison, there was a 2.43 ± 3.24 point increase in self-esteem scores of the intervention group after one month, while the control group showed a -0.33 ± 3.72 point decrease.ConclusionSupportive counseling was found to be effective in improving self-esteem following IVF failure. As a result, it can be recommended as an effective, affordable, and low-risk counseling approach for women who have experienced IVF failure. By offering supportive counseling, it is possible to help prevent and alleviate the psychological consequences associated with IVF failure.Trial registrationThis research project was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials with code IRCT20210407050883N1- Date of registration 2021-05-25.

Mental Health Disorders in Healthcare Workers Exposed to COVID-19, Mashhad, Iran: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) who are directly involved in the management of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection are at higher risk of psychological disorders. Objective: In this study, we evaluated the risk factors related to mental health disorders in HCWs active in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mashhad, Iran. Methods: This was a cross-sectional investigation performed between April 2020 and May 2020 at five referral centers in Mashhad, Iran. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Impact of Event Scale–Revised (IESR), and VAS (for fear from COVID-19) to assess depression, anxiety, insomnia, distress and fear related to COVID-19 were filled. Risk factors were evaluated by the regression model. Results: Mean ± SD age of participants was 33.84 ± 7.03 years. Most were females (64.2%). Of 360 participants, 252 had some degree of an anxiety disorder (70%), 63.8% had depression, 55.8% had insomnia, and 72.8% had distress. Work experiences (OR: 0.94, 95% CI = 0.901- 0.983, p = 0.007), exposure to COVID-19 patients (OR: 2.54, 95% CI = 1.37-4.69, p &lt; 0.001), and job status (OR: 1.40, 95% CI = 1.19 -1.54, p &lt; 0.001) were significant predictors of anxiety. Age (OR: 1.15, 95% CI = 1.05-1.27, p = 0.002), exposure to COVID-19 patients (OR: 1.95, 95% CI = 1.04-3.64, p = 0.037), work experience (OR: 0.86, 95% CI = 0.78-0.93, p &lt; 0.001), having children (OR: 0.58, 95% CI = 0.39- 0.87, p = 0.008), and being infected with COVID-19 (OR: 9.95, 95% CI = 1.92-51.64, p &lt; 0.001) were the significant independent factors for depression in participants. Conclusion: COVID-19 could significantly affect HCWs mental health status, specifically depression. By targeting these predictors, health policymakers can reduce the burden of psychological disorders in HCWs.

Does black widow spider bite the heart?

BackgroundBlack widow spider (BWS) bites account for 0.5 % of global poisonings and 21 % of poisonings in North-East Iran. In addition to local reactions, systemic cardiovascular manifestations are likely to occur. ObjectiveThis study aims to present cases of patients who experienced cardiac symptoms after being envenomed by BWS. MethodsA descriptive retrospective cross-sectional evaluation was conducted on all patients who were bitten by a BWS in 2020 and presented with cardiac manifestations. They were referred to our tertiary pediatric cardiology center in Mashhad, Iran for evaluation. All accessible variables including history, physical examination, laboratory tests prioritizing cardiology, as well as electrocardiography and echocardiography findings, were evaluated. ResultSix patients, ranging in age from 5.5 to 13 years old, were bitten by BWS. None of the patients had a past or drug history and were admitted due to pain complaints at various bite sites that radiated in different directions. Four patients showed signs of tachycardia, and two showed hypertension, but no signs of infection were observed. Half of the patients experienced systemic complications. Upon arrival at the hospital, four patients showed elevated CKMB levels, which decreased during their hospitalization. Troponin I and N-Terminal Pro B-type Natriuretic Peptide levels were high in all patients. One patient with unstable hemodynamics showed pro-BNP over 35,000. T wave inversion was observed in six patients, ST segment depression in three patients, and ST-segment elevation in one patient, with overlap between them. ConclusionTaking notice of cardiovascular presentations after a BWS bite is considerable.

Health risk assessments of heavy metals and trace elements exposure in the breast milk of lactating mothers in the Northeastern Iran.

Mother's breast milk is a natural and complete food for infants but can be a main source of exposure to toxic pollutants. These pollutants can negatively affect the health of the infant. Therefore, conducting biomonitoring surveys is essential to evaluate such health effects in toxicological research. This study aimed to estimate the probable health risks for infants exposed to essential and non-essential trace elements through breast milk ingestion. This descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study was performed on 90 breastfeeding mothers referred to the health centers in Mashhad, Iran in January 2021. The health risk assessments (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk) were estimated using chronic daily intake (CDI), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and lifetime carcinogenic risk (CR), which were recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). The results of the HQ values of trace elements through ingestion exposure for arsenic (90%), copper (90%), zinc (40%), and iron (10%) exceeded the threshold of HQ, and arsenic (66.59%), copper (16.91%), and zinc (9.68%) and iron (4.57%) had the highest contribution to increasing the HI index. The average value of CR was 5. 08 × 10-3. Chromium and iron showed significant relationships (P<0.05) with education level and disease background in this study, and the concentration of chromium, iron, and zinc in the breast milk samples significantly changed during lactation stages (P<0.05). Overall, the risk of carcinogenicity through exposure to breast milk for infants was higher than the safety level of US EPA risk. Therefore, there could be a potential health risk of trace elements, particularly arsenic, copper, and zinc for infants in Mashhad, Iran through the consumption of mothers' breast milk. More efforts are required to control and reduce routes of receiving trace elements in breastfeeding mothers by the competent authorities.

Dietary mineral intakes predict Coronavirus-disease 2019 (COVID-19) incidence and hospitalization in older adults

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to determine the association between dietary mineral intake and Coronavirus-disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and its associated hospitalization.MethodsThis cohort study utilized the MASHAD study population, which comprised individuals aged 35–65. Upon recruitment in 2007, dietary intake was documented using a validated 65-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Data on COVID-19 PCR test results was collected from all relevant medical centers in Mashhad between February 2020 and June 2022. The regression model included dietary minerals and employed the backward variable selection method, along with advanced data analysis techniques.ResultsThe final analysis involved 1957 participants, including 193 COVID-19-positive patients. The mean age was 49.71 and 50.28 years in the COVID-19-positive and negative groups, respectively (p = 0.12). Dietary intakes of magnesium, iron, and potassium were notably lower in COVID-19-positive patients (P < 0.05). Following adjustments for age and sex, dietary iron remained significantly associated with COVID-19 incidence (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90–0.98). Furthermore, a statistically significant relationship was observed between dietary zinc and hospitalization due to COVID-19 (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.51–0.93). In dynamical system models, intakes of calcium, zinc, and iron below the cut-offs of 1138, 9.7, and 8.17 mg/day, respectively, were linked to an increased risk of COVID-19 incidence.ConclusionHigher dietary iron and zinc intake are associated with decreased risk of COVID-19 infection and hospitalization, respectively.

Hematological Indices in COVID-19 Patients with Rhinosinusitis Mucormycosis.

Rhinosinusitis mucormycosis (RM) is an invasive opportunistic fungal infection, especially among COVID-19 patients. The current study aimed to assess the peripheral blood hematological disorders of COVID-19 patients-associated RM. During ten month, in two COVID-19 centers in Mashhad, Iran, from June 2021 to March 2022, eighty-three patients suspected of COVID-19 with rhinosinusitis or rhino-orbital mucormycosis participated in this study. The hematological indices of these patients were measured by independent sample T-test or Mann-Whitney test for quantitative data, and the qualitative variables were analyzed using Chi-square or Fisher's exact test in SPSS version 20 at a significance level of 0.05. Of the COVID-19 patients, 40 (48.2%) were affected by RM, and leukocytosis due to neutrophilia was observed in 30% of them. Leukocyte counts were normal in 10 (25%) patients, but 1 (2.5%) and 3 (7.5%) had leukopenia and lymphopenia, respectively. Leukocytosis plus lymphopenia was observed in 7 (17.5%) patients. Also, the synchronicity of leukopenia and lymphopenia was seen in 5 (12.5%) patients. Leukopenia, lymphopenia, and neutropenia have occurred concurrently in 2 (5%) patients. The complete blood count (CBC) showed that RBCs, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), MCH, MCHC, platelet (PLT), and lymphocytes decreased while neutrophils increased. Among the hematological parameters, leukocytosis due to neutrophilia and reduction in Hb, HCT, and PLT are more dominant factors in COVID-19 patients-associated RM.

Effects of Viola odorata syrup on hot flashes and night sweats in menopausal women: A randomized, triple-blind, controlled trial

BackgroundHot flashes and night sweats are among the most common and disruptive symptoms in menopausal women. The present study aimed to assess the effects of Viola odorata syrup on hot flashes and night sweats in menopausal women. V. odorata contain flavonoids, saponins, mucilage, alkaloid, vitamin C, magnesium and melatonin. MethodsThis triple-blind, Randomized Controlled Trial was conducted on 84 menopausal women aged 40–65 years referring to the healthcare centers in Mashhad, Iran. Eligible menopausal women received the V. odorata syrup (5 ml) or placebo twice daily for one month. Data were collected before, during, and after the intervention using valid and reliable daily hot flash checklists. Data analysis was performed in SPSS using independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Friedman test, and Chi-square at the significance level of 0.05. ResultsIn the first week (before the intervention), the intervention group (V. odorata syrup) and placebo group (control) were homogenous in terms of the frequency and intensity of hot flashes and night sweats. The Mann-Whitney U test indicated a significant difference in the duration of hot flashes between the two groups. In addition, significant differences were observed between the V. odorata syrup and placebo groups between the mean duration of hot flashes in the second (P = 0.044), third (P = 0.031), fourth (P < 0.001), and fifth weeks (P<0.001), mean frequency of hot flashes in the third, fourth, and fifth weeks (P < 0.001), and mean intensity of hot flashes in the third (P = 0.003), fourth, and fifth weeks (P < 0.001), as well as night sweats in the second week, the mean values of which were significantly lower in the V. odorata group compared to the control group. ConclusionV. odorata syrup could reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of hot flashes since the second week of the treatment. Therefore, the use of this plant is recommended for the reduction of hot flashes and night sweats in menopausal women.

Structural Equation Modeling Modeling of the Tendency Toward Marital Infidelity Based on Significant Five Personality Factors Mediated by Attachment Styles and Sexual Satisfaction

Background: The evaluation of the tendency to marital infidelity is essential based on the influential personality factor mediated by attachment styles and sexual satisfaction. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the structural relationships of the tendency to commit marital infidelity based on the orientation of dialogue and listening and conformity with the mediation of attachment styles and sexual satisfaction. Methods: This study was conducted on all men and women referred to counseling centers in Mashhad, among whom 220 people were selected using the multi-stage cluster sampling method. The data collection tools included the tendency towards extramarital relationships, the Big 5-factor questionnaire, the Hazen and Shaver adult attachment style questionnaire, and the Hudson-Harris and Crosscup sexual satisfaction questionnaire. Results: The five personality factors of neuroticism, extroversion, openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness could predict the tendency to marital infidelity both directly and through three secure and avoidant attachment styles. Conclusions: Based on the results, personality factors influenced extramarital relationships directly and indirectly, which can be used in premarital therapy to educate couples.

Effects of Viola odorata syrup on sleep quality in menopausal women: a randomized, triple-blind, controlled trial.

The present study aimed to assess the effects of Viola odorata syrup on the sleep quality of postmenopausal women. This triple-blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted on menopausal women presenting to the healthcare centers in Mashhad, Iran, in 2019. The participants were selected using simple random sampling. Participants received 5ml syrup V. odorata or placebo twice a day for 1month. Data were collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. The 118 eligible women enrolled in the study were divided into two groups of V. odorata syrup and placebo (n = 59each). The analysis was conducted on only84 menopausal women (42 in each group)due to exclusions. Exclusions consisted of 12 participants whowithdrew from the study due to unwillingness to cooperate,8 who had irregularconsumption of the therapeutic syrup, 6 withinaccurate completion of the questionnaire, and 8 due to lack of accessibility. The two study groups were homogenous in terms of demographic characteristics. Before the intervention, no significant difference was observed in the mean PSQI scorebetween the two groups (9.2 ± 2.9 vs. 8.4 ± 2.5) (P = 0.18). However, a significant difference was seen in the mean PSQI scorebetween the two groups (4.9 ± 1.9 vs. 8.1 ± 2.1, P < 0.001) after the intervention. The findings of this study suggest that V. odorata syrup may be a useful therapeutic agent to improve the sleep quality of menopausal women. IRCT20180514039660N1.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Behavioral Activation on Irrational Thoughts and Depression in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Behavioral Activation (BA) therapy on irrational thoughts and depression in individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Methods and Materials: This applied research utilized a quasi-experimental method with a pre-test and post-test design. The statistical population included all individuals diagnosed with GAD who visited psychotherapy clinics in Mashhad in 2020. From this population, 45 participants were purposefully selected from the Nabz-e Zindagi Counseling Center in Mashhad and randomly assigned to three groups of 15 (two experimental groups and one control group). The subjects responded to the Irrational Beliefs Test (IBT) by Ahwaz and Mo'tamedi (2005) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) (1961) at three stages: pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. The MBCT and BA therapies were administered to the experimental groups, while the control group did not receive any treatment. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Findings: The results indicated that the main effect of the group on irrational thoughts and depression was significant in both experimental groups (p &lt; .05). However, there was no significant difference in the impact of the two methods on irrational thoughts (p = .144) and depression (p = .950). Conclusion: Both treatments were equally effective in individuals with GAD. Therefore, both treatments can be utilized to reduce psychological problems in individuals with GAD.

Investigating the Relationship between Professional Commitment and Resilience of Healthcare Personnel during the COVID-19 Epidemic Crisis in Healthcare Centers in Mashhad

Investigating the Relationship between Professional Commitment and Resilience of Healthcare Personnel during the COVID-19 Epidemic Crisis in Healthcare Centers in Mashhad

Relationship between spiritual intelligence and intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety and fear of Corona in the elderly

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused physical and psychological health problems in the elderly. Spiritual intelligence has an effect on health and healing. The aim of this study determining the relationship between spiritual intelligence and intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety, and fear of corona in the elderly. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was done on 207 elderly people who referred to comprehensive health service centers in Mashhad in 2022. The samples were selected based on the inclusion criteria using multistage and cluster sampling. To collect data, various questionnaires were used, including demographic characteristics (age, gender, marital status …), King's Spiritual Intelligence Questionnaire, Freestone's Intolerance of Uncertainty Questionnaire, Corona Anxiety Scale, and Coronavirus Fear Scale. Statistical analysis of variables was done using descriptive and analytical (independent t-test, Mann-Whitney, analysis of variance, linear regression) tests by means of STATA version 14. RESULTS: The average level of spiritual intelligence was 54.1. Participants reported a high level of intolerance of uncertainty (M = 79.2) and fear of corona (M = 14.09). Education, economic status, and marital status were the predictors of spiritual intelligence of the studied subjects (r = 0.24, P &lt; .05). Spiritual intelligence and gender were also related to uncertainty intolerance (r = 0.12, P &lt; .05). Another finding of the study was the superiority of variables of spiritual intelligence and gender in predicting the level of anxiety of corona compared to other variables (r = 0.17, P &lt; .05). CONCLUSION: There was a relationship between spiritual intelligence, education, and gender with the level of fear and anxiety of corona. Therefore, planning and implementing educational projects based on increasing spiritual intelligence for the elderly with priority for elderly women and with a low level of literacy and income is recommended.

Colorectal Cancer Awareness and Related Factors Among Adults Attending Primary Healthcare in North-Eastern of Iran: A Cross-sectional Study.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent cancer in Iran. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness regarding CRC warning signs, risk factors, screening program, and related factors among adults in North-Eastern Iran. Study Design: A cross-sectional study. The multi-stage sampling method was used to survey 2614 participants attending primary healthcare centers in Mashhad, Iran. The data collection tools were the demographics section and Bowel/ CRC Awareness Measure (Bowel/Colorectal CAM). The data were analyzed by SPSS, version 25. The significance level of the data analysis was less than 0.05. Mean awareness for CRC warning signs and CRC risk factors were 2.85±2.13 and 3.63±1.85, respectively. Most participants (97.2%) had no awareness of the CRC screening program. There was a significant association between marital status, education, job, income, and family history of CRC with awareness of warning signs (P<0.001); moreover, there was a significant association between age, education, job, income, and family history of CRC with awareness of risk factors (P<0.001). The results of logistic regression indicated that there was a significant association between age (P=0.022, OR=1.794, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.087, 2.962), gender (P=0.005, OR=0.488, 95% CI: 0.296, 0.803) and warning sign awareness (P<0.001, OR=1.278, 95% CI: 1.124, 1.454) with awareness of the CRC screening program. In this study, most of the participants had low awareness of CRC. More aimed educational interventions are needed to promote Iranian adults' awareness of CRC.

The prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV among hemodialysis patients in a tertiary care hospital in Mashhad, Iran.

Hepatitis and acquired immunodeficiency are major health concerns in high-risk patients with renal failure undergoing hemodialysis. This might be due to the number of blood transfusions, age, and dialysis duration. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV in hemodialysis patients to determine the effectiveness of preventive measures already in place and the possible correlation between various risk factors and viral infection in the Hemodialysis Center in Mashhad, Iran. Sixty-five patients were included in a retrospective cross-sectional study. The demographic information was collected. Hepatitis-B surface antigens, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV antibodies were screened using ELISA. Out of 65 patients, 34 (52.3%) were male, and 31 (47.7%) were female. Mean duration of dialysis was 30.68 ± 26.39 months, and the mean age was 64.95 ± 14.09 years. We found 9 (13.8%) patients that were HBV positive (HbsAg-positive), and 3 (4.6%) patients were HCV positive. Sex and the number of blood transfusions were found to be risk factors for HBV infection and had statistical significance (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively). No statistical significance was found between HBV- and HCV- positivity and the mean age of patients (p = 0.84 and p = 0.76, respectively). All patients were HIV-negative. Prevalence of HBV was high and significant. More preventive measures need to be developed, and further studies should be conducted to examine the effectiveness of these measures. Moreover, evaluating the prevalence rates of HBV, HCV, and HIV in other hospitals and dialysis centers in Mashhad is recommended to minimize viral infections. Initial HBV vaccination for patients that require hemodialysis is crucial.

Evaluating the Agreement between k-median and Latent Class Analysis for Clustering of Psychological Distress Prevalence

Introduction: Psychological distress (PD) is one of the most common mental disorders in the general population. Psychological distress is considered a public health priority due to its adverse effects on quality of life, health, performance, and productivity. It can also predict several serious mental illnesses, such as depressive disorder and anxiety. In this study, we intend to identify the behavioral pattern of PD in the population of 18 to 65 years old in Mashhad using two methods, K-median and Latent Class Analysis (LCA), and evaluate the agreement between the two methods.&#x0D; Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 38058 individuals referred to community health care centers in Mashhad of Iran in 2019. The information used in this study was extracted from Sina Electronic Health Record System (SinaEHR) database. A demographic information checklist and a 6-item Kessler psychological distress scale (K-6) were used for data collection. K-median and LCA were used for data analysis.&#x0D; Results: Out of 38058 participants, 49.3% were women, 86.1% were married, and 63.6% had a diploma and under diploma education. The LCA identified three patterns of PD in answering the items of the K-6 questionnaire, including severe PD (19.7%), low PD (36.7%), and no PD (43.5%). Three clusters were identified by the K-Median method: 1) severe PD (22.0%), 2) low PD (31.1%), and 3) and no PD (46.9%). The agreement between K-Median and LCA was kappa = 0.862.&#x0D; Conclusion: About 20% of people were classified as having severe PD. Both LCA and k-median methods can reasonably identify the latent pattern of PD with significant entropy, and there was almost complete agreement between the two methods in data clustering. Considering the advantages of the LCA, this method is recommended to identify the latent pattern of PD based on the k-6 questionnaire.

Pediatric reference intervals for hematology parameters in healthy infants and young children in Iran.

Defining accurate age- and sex-specific reference intervals (RIs) for hematology parameters, especially for the pediatric population, is important for making an appropriate clinical diagnosis. To address gaps, we established age-specific RIs for 11 hematologic parameters in Iranian children younger than 30 months for the first time. Fresh whole blood samples collected from a total of 344 participants (males: 158 and females: 186) ages 3 days to 30 months, with a mean age of 12.91 ± 7.15 months, were recruited from healthcare centers in Mashhad, Iran. Hematologic parameters, including complete blood count (CBC), were analyzed on the Sysmex auto-analyzer system (KX-21 N). RIs were calculated with 90% confidence intervals using the direct method based on CLSI Ep28-A3 and C28-A3 guidelines. None of the CBC parameters required sex partitioning. Of 11 CBC parameters, six required age partitions of 3 days-<4 months, 4-<10, 10-<15, and 4-<30 months. Five parameters (i.e., white blood cell count, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, mean platelet volume, red cell distribution width, and platelet distribution width) did not demonstrate age-specific changes. RIs of red blood cell count and hematocrit, as well as hemoglobin, increased with age, while mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and platelet count, decreased with age. In this study, we established RIs for 11 hematology parameters in young children. Age partitioning was required for six parameters demonstrating marked changes during the early period of growth and development and necessitating the use of pediatric-specific reference standards.

Relationship Between Perceived Violence and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Infertile Women: A Case-Control Study

Background: Infertility disrupts the life of infertile couples and causes violence against women. Women who experience violence must deal with the painful memories of that stressful event. Those who go through events beyond normal experience may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the relationship between perceived violence and PTSD in infertile women. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 148 infertile women with PTSD and 148 infertile women without PTSD who had attended Milad Infertility Treatment Center in Mashhad, Iran. A score above 50 from the PTSD checklist-civilian version (PCL-C) was considered for the diagnosis of PTSD, and the mean score of violence was compared between the groups of subjects with and without PTSD. Results: The results showed a significant relationship between PTSD and violence against infertile women (P &lt; 0.001). The mean violence score was 59.22 ± 7.31 in subjects with PTSD and 41.10 ± 13.33 in the group of subjects without PTSD. Moreover, the risk of violence was 1.11 times higher in subjects with PTSD than in the healthy group (OR = 1.11, CI 95%: 1.08 - 1.14). Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the risk of violence was higher in subjects with PTSD than in women without this disorder. Therefore, necessary measures must be taken to help infertile women affected by violence.

Determinants and economic burden of HIV/AIDS in Iran: a prospective study

BackgroundSince the start of the AIDS outbreak, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has infected about 84.2 million people, and approximately 40.1 million people have died due to AIDS-related diseases. So, this study aims to provide a comprehensive population-based description of patient costs and the economic burden of HIV/AIDS in Iran.MethodsThe study population of this cross-sectional cost-of-illness study consisted of HIV-infected patients who were receiving services in Mashhad and were under the supervision of BIDCC. There are four BIDCC centers in Mashhad, we considered all patients referred to these centers. Costs data were evaluated from a social perspective with a bottom-up approach and as a prevalence based. The data from 157 individuals were included in the study. For collecting data on direct and indirect costs belonging to patients and their families, a questionnaire was developed. Also, the Demographic characteristic of participants and the stage of the disease and Transmission category were analyzed.ResultsIn this study, 57.32 of the subjects were Male. The majority of participants in this study were in the age group 30–59 years (n = 124,78.98%). Based on where the patients live, the majority of patients have lived in the urban region (n = 144, 91.72%). The most common way to transmit this disease is through unprotected sex (30.57%) and then Infected spouse (28.03%), and then injecting drugs (21.02%). The highest cost of this disease is attributed to medicine (10339.32 $ for 6 months), after medicine, the cost of tests was 9101.22 $.ConclusionIt seems that to reduce costs for patients with disease HIV/AIDS, the focus should be on diagnostic tests and care. Early diagnosis and rapid initiation of antiviral treatments can be effective in preventing serious and debilitating diseases.