International Journal of Health Studies (IJHS - Shahroud University of Medical Sciences)
Not a member yet
358 research outputs found
Sort by
Injuries Rates Are Lower in Females Comparing to Males. A Review of Injuries in 18 World Cup Tournaments
No full textFootball, being one of the most popular sports globally, gains immense attention during FIFA world cup tournaments. However, among the spectacle and passion, player’s injuries remain a significant concern. This has an impact on footballers of both genders. In addition, has been reported that the rate of injury in senior elite athletes women´s football is lower than found in elite male football. This study aims to estimate the incidence of injury in elite senior football during world cup matches as well as to identify the nature of the injury in world cup tournaments. We used FIFA medical reports and previous scientific studies for data extraction. Using t-test for statistical analysis, we found higher total injury incidence (P-value=0.014), higher injury per match of males than females (P-value<0.01), and higher rates of non-contact injuries on males than females (P-value<0.01), in world cup tournaments. Understanding the landscape of football injuries in world cup tournaments is crucial for strategy prevention, enhancing player safety and optimizing performance. The study also highlights the significant gender differences in injury epidemiology, underscoring the need for tailored injury prevention strategies and training protocols for each gender
Serum Leptin and Adiponectin Levels and the Coronary Artery Disease in Patients Undergoing Angiography
No full textBackground: It has been shown the adipokines, including leptin and adiponectin, have a prominent role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Nevertheless, conflicting results have been reported. The aim of the current study was to clarify the association of the leptin, adiponectin, and leptin to adiponectin (L/R) ratio with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis in an Iranian patient with CAD undergoing angiography.
Methods: We evaluated leptin, adiponectin, and leptin/ adiponectin (L/A) ratio as predictors of CAD severity in 179 Iranian patients based on the severity of CAD. Participants were divided into four groups. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS22 software, and significance was defined as P-value<0.05.
Results: Among participants 78 persons (43.6%) were female. The mean (SD) age, BMI, serum leptin, adiponectin levels were 58.99 (10.07), 28.26 (4.11), and 1.55 (0.40), 8.48 (2.40) respectively. The angiographic evaluations of patients showed that 52 (29%) of participants had only one involved vessel, 29 (16%) had two involved vessels, 26 (15%) had three involved vessels, and 72 (40%) had mild vessel involved.
Conclusions: Our analysis found no significant link between L/A ratio and CAD severity
Issues and Challenges of Biomedical Waste Management Practices in Dental Healthcare: An Institutional Study
No full textBackground: Biomedical waste management (BWM) in dental institutions is a crucial public health concern due to the risks associated with improper waste disposal. However, infrastructural limitations, inadequate training, lack of expertise, and financial constraints often hinder effective management. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the challenges associated with BWM in dental healthcare institutions and propose practical recommendations for improvement.
Methods: A mixed-methods approach was adopted. The qualitative component included a thorough review of existing literature and in-depth interviews with healthcare professionals and support staff to understand current practices and perceived challenges. The quantitative component involved a nationwide survey targeting dental institutions in India, focusing on departmental waste management practices and difficulties encountered. Statistical analyses, including analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Welch tests, were performed to assess variations in types of biomedical waste across different departments.
Results: The study classified the various types of biomedical waste generated in different departments. For instance, the Department of Oral Surgery primarily generates extracted teeth and post-operative tissues, while the Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology produces lead aprons and radiographic films. Significant inter-departmental variation in waste types was observed (P-value<0.05). Key challenges included limited infrastructure, ambiguous regulatory guidelines, lack of training, and cultural or administrative barriers. Interviews revealed limited awareness among staff regarding waste segregation and transport, indicating the need for more effective training initiatives.
Conclusions: A comprehensive and practical approach is essential for enhancing BWM in dental institutions. Improvements in infrastructure, increased financial support, and structured training programs are critical to ensuring effective and sustainable waste-handling practices
Impact of Circadian Disruption on CART mRNA Expression in Nucleus Accumbent: Insights from Constant Light Exposure and Wheel-Running Activity in Rats
No full textBackground: Cocaine Amphetamine Related Transcript (CART) is expressed in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a region that serves as extra-SCN circadian oscillators. This study examined whether CART mRNA in the NAc follows a diurnal rhythm and how circadian disruption affects its expression.
Methods: Rats (n=28) were monitored for 30 days in a 12:12 light-dark cycle (LD). On day 30, 14 rats were sacrificed (7 in the morning, 7 in the evening). The remaining rats (n=14) were exposed to constant light (LL) from day 30 to day 60 and then sacrificed (7 in the morning, 7 in the evening). CART mRNA levels were measured via real-time PCR.
Results: In the LD group, CART mRNA was higher in the evening than in the morning (P-value<0.001). In the LL group, evening levels remained elevated but were reduced compared to LD (P-value<0.01). Morning mRNA levels in the LL group were lower than in LD (P-value<0.05).
Conclusions: Constant light exposure downregulated CART mRNA, suggesting impaired circadian regulation in the NAc. This disruption may alter neurochemical signaling, affecting behavioral and mood-related processes. The findings highlight CART’s role in circadian coordination and its susceptibility to rhythm disturbances, which could influence mood and activity patterns
Seasonal Variation of Febrile Seizures in Children Aged 6 Months to 5 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study in Shahroud, Iran
No full textBackground: Circadian rhythms are actually daily periodic fluctuations in the organism\u27s physiology, metabolism or behaviour. Among the areas of the brain that were seen to have a pattern of daily changes are the areas related to reward. The aim of this study was to investigate seasonal changes in febrile seizures in children aged 6 months to 5 years in Shahroud city.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted retrospectively on patients’ records. Investigators assessed the records of patients with simple FS aged 6 to 60 months referred to Emergency Department of Bahar Hospital, Shahroud, Iran during March 2021 to March 2022. Data were gathered by a checklist including age, sex, temperature, seasonal, months, diurnal variation and simple or complex FS.
Results: Out of 97 children examined, 51 (52.6%) were boys and the rest were girls with an average age of 24.4±14.6 months. The mean temperature of patients was 38.5±0.7 °C. Simple FS was 77 (79.4%) and complex FS was 20 (20.6%). Most of the FS occurred in afternoon 31 (32%) and in April and December 15 (15.5%). Autumn had the highest proportion 29 (29.9%), while summer had the lowest 15 (15.5%). It was also found that there is a significant relationship between the age group of patients and the season of FS (P-value=0.016) and it is more in spring and autumn.
Conclusions: The present study showed that the occurrence of FS has a specific circadian rhythm, so that it is more in the spring and autumn seasons and in the afternoon hours, and it is necessary to monitor children with fever, especially at the age of one to two years. be placed in these times
Iranian Youth and the Hallyu Phenomenon: A Study of Media Influence and Cultural Affinity
No full textBackground: The Hallyu phenomenon—referring to the global diffusion of South Korean popular culture—has expanded rapidly in both reach and influence, particularly among adolescents. This trend holds specific relevance in Iran, where youth engagement with foreign media intersects with cultural identity formation and sociopolitical sensitivities surrounding globalized content. Accordingly, this study explores how Iranian female adolescents and young adults engage with Hallyu and develop loyalty toward South Korean entertainment.
Methods: This qualitative study utilized conventional content analysis following the approach of Graneheim and Lundman, suitable for exploring emerging, context-dependent social phenomena. Eleven female participants aged 13 to 22, residing in Tehran and identified as active fans of South Korean popular culture, were selected through purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews, each lasting between 45 to 120 minutes, were conducted. Data collection continued until data saturation was achieved, meaning no new themes or insights emerged.
Results: Analysis yielded three main themes and seven sub-themes: (1) Initial exposure pathways to Hallyu content, (2) Attraction mechanisms through symbolic representation, aesthetic appeal, and linguistic features, and (3) Construction of group identity and deep-seated loyalty to the Hallyu phenomenon. These findings suggest that Hallyu functions not only as entertainment but as a meaningful medium through which Iranian youth negotiate identity, belonging, and cultural expression.
Conclusions: The study contributes to the understanding of transnational media influence by highlighting how Iranian youth adopt and adapt global cultural products. The findings offer implications for researchers, educators, and policymakers concerned with media globalization, adolescent identity, and sociocultural transformation in non-Western contexts
Prevalence of multidimensional frailty and related factors among community-dwelling older adults in Shahroud, northeastern Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study
No full textBackground: The studies conducted on frailty have focused more on its physical dimension and there is limited information about its different dimensions, especially the environmental dimension. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of frailty and related risk factors in five different dimensions (physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and environmental) among *** community-dwelling older adults.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 413 older adults ≥ 60 years referred to health centers in ***, northeastern ***. Participants were selected by cluster random sampling method. Multidimensional frailty was assessed using the Comprehensive Frailty Assessment Instrument Plus (CFAI-Plus). Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the risk factors associated with frailty.
Results: In physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and environmental dimensions, the prevalence of mild to high frailty was 9.2%, 13.6%, 59.6% , 26.4%, and 28.3%, respectively. In the regression analysis, advanced age was the only variable associated with frailty in all dimensions (in physical, psychological, and cognitive dimensions: P>0.001; environmental: P=0.023, and social: P= 0.013). Also, female gender, low education, dependence on Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), current smoking, joint disease, hypertension, insufficient income, physical inactivity, living alone, being a parent to fewer than two children, depressive symptoms, poor cognition, comorbidity, and poor self-reported health were each differentially associated with one of the frailty dimensions.
Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of frailty and the numerous risk factors known for each of its dimensions, focused interventions and targeted programs can be designed by health care providers to reduce or prevent frailty in each dimension.
Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Counseling in Managing Preoperative Anxiety in Women Undergoing Cesarean Section: An Interventional Study
No full textBackground: Preoperative anxiety, a substantial concern especially for women undergoing cesarean sections, is linked to increased perioperative risks. This research evaluated the effect of mindfulness-based counseling on preoperative anxiety.
Methods: This interventional study enrolled 134 pregnant women with prior cesarean delivery from May 10, 2021, to October 20, 2022. They were referred to the perinatology clinic starting in the 35th week of pregnancy. The participants were assigned randomly to two separate groups. The group receiving the intervention underwent five sessions of Mindfulness-focused counseling. Anxiety levels were evaluated using the STAI, while perceived stress was measured with the PSS-14, both before and after the intervention in each group. An independent t-test and ANCOVA were applied to compare the outcomes.
Results: After controlling for confounding variables, the mean trait anxiety scores before and after counseling were 40.32±7.63 and 30.51±3.87, respectively, in the intervention group and 38.72±6.26 and 61.64±4.72, respectively, in the control group. The intervention group had a significantly lower mean trait anxiety score compared to the control group. ( [MD: -9.8, F=1879.174, η2= 0.934, P < 0.001). The mean scores for state anxiety before and after counseling were 50.02±7.53 and 30.70±4.28, respectively, in the intervention group and 49.55±6.70 and 62.02±5.36, respectively, in the control group. The intervention group had significantly lower mean state anxiety scores compared to the control group. [MD: -19.32, F=1572.207, η2= 0.923, P < 0.001]. Average scores for perceived stress before and after counseling were 28.78±5.74 and 11.89±3.34, respectively, in the intervention group and 29.06±6.28 and 36.08±4.83, respectively, in the control group. The intervention group had a significantly lower mean state anxiety score compared to the control group [ MD: -16.89, F=1332.892, η2= 0.911, P<0.001].
Conclusion: Mindfulness-based counseling decreases stress and anxiety before cesarean section. Nonetheless, additional Randomized Controlled Trials are required prior to reaching a final decisio
Effect of Game-Based and Simulation-Based Training on Triage Knowledge in Mass Casualty Incidents: A Quasi-Experimental Study among Nurses in Semnan, Iran
No full textBackground: Mass casualty incidents involve sending a large number of injured people to hospitals. Mass casualty incidents require efficient triage to prioritize care, and nurses, as the largest healthcare workforce, play a key role in crisis response. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of combined game-based and simulation-based training on improving nurses\u27 triage knowledge in mass casualty incidents in hospitals affiliated with Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design involved 55 crisis team nurses from eight hospitals affiliated with Semnan University of Medical Sciences, selected via convenience sampling. Participants completed a pretest, followed by a lecture, game-based training, and simulation with 10 simulated patients. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test in SPSS version 26.
Results: The increase from the pre-test mean of 11.87±2.31 to the post-test mean of 15.75±1.65 (P-value<0.001) indicated a significant improvement in nurses\u27 knowledge of triage principles.
Conclusions: Game-based and simulation-based training significantly improved nurses’ triage knowledge and enhanced their preparedness for mass casualty incidents. It is recommended that these methods be integrated into nursing education and that follow-up assessments be conducted.
Formation of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Teams: A Qualitative Content Analysis
No full textBackground: Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening condition where the outcome depends critically on immediate interventions through basic and advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The quality of these interventions depends on the CPR team\u27s performance, which itself is determined by how the team forms. Therefore, this study was conducted to understand cardiopulmonary CPR team members\u27 experiences of team formation and its influencing factors.
Methods: This qualitative study used conventional content analysis in Iran over a 14-month period (December 2023 to January 2025). The study population included all members of cardiopulmonary CPR teams at Guilan University of Medical Sciences-affiliated hospitals. We used purposive sampling and continued recruitment until data saturation was achieved after 18 interviews with 18 participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were analyzed using MAXQDA 20.
Results: Data analysis led to the identification 2 main categories — with 6 subcategories, including the membership method (mandatory membership, voluntary membership, incidental membership) and selection criteria (ability criteria, contractual criteria, no specific criteria).
Conclusions: The composition of CPR teams ranges from volunteers and motivated individuals to those with mandatory membership, so that if the “membership method” of the members is voluntary and noncoercive and the selection of members is based on specific competency criteria, the team\u27s performance is more likely to be effective