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Background: Purpose was to determine the prevalence of amblyopia and its related risk factors in children aged 3-6 years in Bojnurd, north-eastern Iran., Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, from 12,331 children aged 3-6 in Bojnurd, 6600 children participated in annual amblyopic screening program and among them, around 1100 suspected cases were referred for full ophthalmic examinations. Measurement of visual acuity, cycloplegic refraction, subjective refraction, and cover test were performed for all participants. Amblyopia was defined as CDVA of 0.2 LogMar or less in each eye or 2-line difference or more in best-corrected visual acuity between two eyes., Results: The prevalence of amblyopia was estimated 0.95% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73%-1.2%). There was no relationship between amblyopia with age and genders. Most amblyopic children were hyperopic (61.9%; 95% CI: 48.7-73.8). Strabismus was found in 17.4% of amblyopic patients (95% CI: 9.05%-29.09%). Approximately half of the amblyopic children were anisometropic (55.5%; 95% CI: 42.40%-68.08%). The most common type of amblyopia was anisohyperopic (55.56%; 95% CI: 42.5%-67.5%). The prevalence of bilateral amblyopia was more than unilateral amblyopia. The assessment of data showed that hyperopia, astigmatism, and anisometropia were the most common causes of amblyopia in this study., Conclusions: The prevalence of amblyopia was estimated about 1% in north-eastern Iran. Our study indicated a valuable information around the effect of refractive error and anisometropia on amblyopia which could be helpful in designing a comprehensive vision screening program for preschool children., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Oman Ophthalmic Society.)

Background: A significant percentage of head and neck cancer (HNCs) patients receiving RT experience oral mucositis (OM). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the polyherbal (containing chamomile, peppermint oil, Aloe vera, and honey) and zinc mouthwashes in comparison to the control (chlorhexidine) and placebo groups for prevention of radiation-induced OM., Methods: This study was a double-blinded randomized clinical trial, conducted on 67 patients with HNCs undergoing radiotherapy. The eligible participants were randomized to receive either one of the following; zinc sulfate, polyherbal, chlorhexidine (Vi-one 0.2% CHX), or placebo mouthwash for 6 weeks. Follow-up evaluation of oral hygiene and the checklists of OM and the intensity of pain were filled out according to WHO assessment tool, Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale (OMAS), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) in all the participants weekly for seven consecutive weeks., Results: The results of present clinical trial demonstrated that the use of either zinc sulfate or polyherbal mouthwash significantly reduced the scores of OM and the severity of pain during weeks 2 to 7 after consumption compared with the CHX or placebo mouthwashes (P < 0.05). According to the post hoc analysis and compared with the placebo, a significantly better result was reported for zinc sulfate and polyherbal mouthwashes at weeks 2 to 7, but not for the CHX mouthwash., Conclusion: This study showed that the use of zinc sulfate or polyherbal mouthwashes is effective in prevention of both OM severity scores and pain related to OM intensity at weeks 2 to 7 following consumption in HNCs patients. Trial registration IRCT20190123042475N1 and IRCT20190123042475N2. Registration date: 2019-06-09, 2019-07-26., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Substance using often cause a wide range of social, health, and psychological problems. This study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire of barriers of treatment in substance users., Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the initial questionnaire was designed based on the evaluation of previous studies. The preliminary tool including 35 Likert-scaled items. After assuring the face validity of the questionnaire, 13 experts' opinions were obtained for assessing or improving the content validity. The reliability was investigated by internal consistency methods using Cronbach's alpha. For measuring the structural validity, the exploratory factor analysis was performed to determine the dimensionality of the questionnaire using principal components extraction and Varimax rotation., Results: The preliminary questionnaire consisted of 35 items. After completing the face validity and summarizing the experts' suggestions, 8 items were removed. By calculating the content validity ratio and coefficient, 11 questions were deleted. The internal consistency was calculated to be 0.84 using Cronbach's alpha. In the last stage and according to the results of the factor analysis, three factors fear of or unawareness of treatment, doubt or inefficiency, and social stigma were identified from the 10-items questionnaire, which explained 67.34% of the total variance., Conclusion: Considering the necessity of using a validated tool for planning and evaluating effective interventions on people who use substance is inevitable. The Substance use Treatment Barriers Questionnaire is designed with 10 items and 3 dimensions, which has appropriate validity and reliability and can be used to determine the obstacles for treatment or factors that lead to discontinuing treatment., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background: Individualized patient education can help older people with diabetes to improve their self-care behaviors and effectively manage their disease. Identifying patients' preferred learning style can be a useful way to optimize learning opportunities. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of education based on Kolb's learning style on selfcare behaviors of older people with type II diabetes., Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 62 older adults with type II diabetes referred to the diabetes center of Imam Reza Hospital in Bojnourd, Iran, from May to November 2020. Participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into two groups of intervention (n=34) and control (n=28). Participants in intervention group received the educational intervention based on their learning style (described by Kolb as accommodating, diverging, converging and assimilating) in four 45 minutes-sessions (two sessions per week). In the control group, the same educational content was presented with a lecture and a booklet. Participants in both groups completed the self-care questionnaires before and one month after the intervention., Results: The mean self-care scores of the older adult patients with type II diabetes based on Kolb's learning style after the educational intervention in the intervention and control groups were 58.15 (SD=10.71) and 44.7 (SD=12.12), respectively (P<0.001). Accommodating Kolb's learning style-based education was most effective in improving self-care practice in older adult patients with type II diabetes (P<0.001)., Conclusion: Education based on Kolb's learning style is effective in improving self-care behaviors of older people with type II diabetes. Therefore, it is suggested to consider Kolb's learning style in the educational process of older adults with type II diabetes to improve self-care practice in these patients., (© 2021 Bagchegi O. et al.)

Background: In recent years, an increased incidence of breast cancer has made this disease the most common malignancy among Iranian women. Since education plays an important role in the implementation of preventive behaviors in breast cancer treatment, this study investigates the effect of educational interventions on the promotion of lifestyle-related behaviors that prevent breast cancer in middle-aged women., Methods: In this randomized control study, 120 women referred to Neyshabur Health Services Centers were randomly selected and divided into two groups: an intervention group (60 subjects) and a control group (60 subjects). An educational intervention was carried out over five sessions, based on protective motivation theory constructs. Participants completed a researcher-designed questionnaire immediately and again 2 months after the intervention. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS ver. 19.0 software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA)., Results: The results revealed a significant difference between the mean scores of participants exposed to protective motivation theory, awareness, and physical activities immediately and also 2 months after the intervention (P<0.05). Although the healthy diet scores of the two groups differed significantly immediately after the educational intervention (P<0.05), there was no significant difference between the groups 2 months after the intervention (P<0.05)., Conclusion: Given the effective role of education in protective motivation theory and the physical activity levels of the women who participated in this research, it seems clear that the women's financial status shaped their ability to consume more fruits and vegetables. As this social element impacts the health of individuals, training programs alone cannot succeed.

Background: It is suggested that combining a healthy diet with physical activity during and before pregnancy have a significant effect on insulin sensitivity. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity and diet before and during pregnancy with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 173 women with GDM diagnosed during the pregnancy as the case group and 168 women with a negative test for GDM as controls. Weight and height were measured and BMI was calculated. Dietary intake and physical activity data during pregnancy were collected using 24-hour food recall questionnaire and international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ). Results: Body mass index and the intake of refined sugars, high fat dairy products, and fried foods were significantly higher and the intake of fruit and animal oil intake were significantly lower in the case group compared to the control group (All p  < .05). However, there was not any significant association between the level of physical activity, vegetable intake, and total energy intake with the risk of GDM. Conclusions: According to the results of this study, dietary intake before and during the pregnancy have a critical effect on the risk of GDM. Appropriate dietary planning for pregnant women can reduce the risk of GDM.

Background: Acute radiation proctitis (ARP) is a usual adverse effect in patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy. The symptoms include diarrhea, rectal blood or mucus discharge, fecal urgency and tenesmus with pain. Sucralfate, an aluminum-based salt of sucrose octasulfate, is a cytoprotective agent that forms a coating barrier at injured sites by adhering to mucoproteins. It has been used in topical management of a wide variety of local lesion. This study was designed to evaluate the preventive effect of rectal sucralfate on acute radiotherapy induced proctitis., Methods: Seven percent sucralfate ointment was prepared for topical use. Drug quantification, chemical stability and microbial limit tests were performed carefully. In this randomized double blind placebo controlled trial, fifty-seven patients with pelvic malignancies undergoing radiotherapy were allocated to receive either 1 g of sucralfate or 1 g of placebo, given as a twice daily ointment, one day before and during radiotherapy for six weeks. The eligible patients were evaluated based on RTOG acute toxicity criteria and the following ARP symptoms weekly: rectal hemorrhage, diarrhea, rectal pain, and fecal urgency. The influence of symptoms on lifestyle was also recorded weekly., Results: Acute proctitis was significantly less prevalent in patients in the sucralfate group. The incidence of rectal bleeding (P=0.003), diarrhea (P=0.002), rectal pain (P=<0.001) and fecal urgency (P=0.002) was significantly less common in the sucralfate group. No statistical significant difference was observed for radiotherapy induced cystitis in the placebo and sucralfate groups (P=0.27)., Conclusion: This study suggests that sucralfate7% ointment reduces the incidence of symptoms associated with acute radiation proctitis., (Copyright © 2020, Babol University of Medical Sciences.)

Background: Acute radiation-induced proctitis (ARP) is the most common side effect following radiotherapy for malignant pelvic disease. This study evaluated the efficacy of Aloe vera ointment in prevention of ARP., Methods: Forty-two patients receiving external-beam radiotherapy (RT) for pelvic malignancies were randomized to receive either Aloe vera 3% or placebo topical ointment during radiotherapy for 6 weeks. These patients were evaluated based on the severity (grade 0-4) of the following symptoms weekly: rectal bleeding, abdominal/rectal pain, diarrhea, or fecal urgency. RTOG acute toxicity criteria and psychosocial status of the patients were also recorded weekly. Lifestyle impact of the symptoms, and quantitative measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP), an indicator of systemic inflammation, were also measured., Results: The results of present study demonstrated a significant preventive effect for Aloe vera in occurrence of symptom index for diarrhea (p < 0.001), rectal bleeding (p < 0.001), and fecal urgency (p = 0.001). The median lifestyle score improved significantly with Aloe vera during RT (p < 0.001). Intervention patients had a significant lower burden of systemic inflammation as the values for quantitative CRP decreased significantly over 6 weeks of follow-up (p = 0.009)., Conclusion: This study showed that Aloe vera topical ointment was effective in prevention of symptoms of ARP in patients undergoing RT for pelvic cancers., Trial Registration: IRCT201606042027N6. Registration date: 2016-09-04.

Aim: Esophageal cancer (EC) is considered one of the most common types of cancer in the world. High intake of dietary proteins is suggested to increase EC. This study examined associations between intake of red meats, processed meat, poultry, and fish and the risk of EC. Methods: This hospital-based Case-Control study included 96 people with EC and 187 people without EC from Bojnurd, Iran. Socio-demographic data was collected from all participants at enrollment using general information questionnaire. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated 168 item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, there was a significant association between the consumption of beef ( P  = 0.04), processed meats (sausages) ( P  = 0.01), and chicken with skin ( P  = 0.001) with the risk of EC. Conclusion: We observed a positive association between red meat, processed meats (sausages), chicken with skin and the risk of EC. The use of lamb meat and fish had no significant association with the risk of EC.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has occurred in Fourteen percent of all pregnancies in the world. Epidemiological evidences about risk factors of GDM may be different from region to region and are unknown, exactly. This study examines the role of clinical factors in the association of gestational diabetes in Yazd, Iran., Methods: This study was carried out on 168 women with gestational diabetes and 168 women as controls after matching for age and place of residence. Each participant was interviewed about her pregnancy history and tobacco consumption. Information including BMI, weight before pregnancy and background of underlying diseases were recorded from information system in Health Centers. Finally, data were analyzed by using chi-square test, logistic regression and multiple correspondence analyze(MCA)., Results: History of gestational diabetes in past pregnancy OR = 3.2[95%CI:1.1, 9.7], a family history of gestational diabetes OR = 3.7 [95%CI:1.1, 11.5], a history of hookah smoking OR = 3.6 [95%CI:1.06, 12.3], being obese before pregnancy OR = 1.9[95%CI:1.01, 3.5], and weight gain during pregnancy OR = 0.5[95%CI:0.2, 0.9], were the most important determinants of gestational diabetes. There were not significant relation between GDM and underlying diseases, history of stillbirth, abortion, twinning, cigarette smoking, alcohol and drug abuse., Conclusions: In this research modifiable risk factors for gestational diabetes were high BMI before pregnancy, weight gain during pregnancy and history of hookah consumption. We advise that appropriate education, avoiding sedentary lifestyle, diet improvement and advertising which focus on tobacco consumption is playing as an important role in developing the chronic diseases, including GDM., (Copyright © 2018 Diabetes India. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Acute radiation proctitis (ARP) is a common side-effect that affects up to 50% of patients receiving radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of a topical preparation of Aloe vera in the treatment of ARP induced by radiotherapy of pelvic area., Subjects and Interventions: In this double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 20 consecutive patients with ARP after external-beam radiation therapy (46-72 Gy) of pelvic malignancies were randomized to receive either Aloe vera 3% or placebo ointment, 1 g twice daily for 4 weeks. These patients presented with at least two of the following symptoms: rectal bleeding, abdominal/rectal pain, diarrhea, or fecal urgency. These symptoms were rated by the patients in terms of their severity (grade 0-4) for each of the symptoms mentioned earlier at baseline and then weekly for 4 weeks. A symptom index was calculated by the addition of the scores (16 most symptomatic). Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) acute toxicity criteria and psychosocial status of the patients were also recorded weekly. The lifestyle impact of the symptoms was assessed by questionnaire grading from 0 (no effect on daily activity) to 4 (afraid to leave home)., Results: There was a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in the symptom index (before treatment vs. after treatment with Aloe vera) for diarrhea (median score: 0.67 vs. 0.11), fecal urgency (median score: 0.89 vs. 0.11), clinical presentation total (median score: 4.33 vs. 1.22), RTOG total (median score: 2.89 vs. 0.89), and lifestyle (median score: 1.1 vs. 0.33). Hemorrhage and abdominal/rectal pain did not improve significantly. The odds ratios for advantage of Aloe vera over placebo for "clinical presentation total" and "RTOG total" were 3.97 (1.3-11.9) and 5.9 (1.6-21.6), respectively., Conclusion: A substantial number of patients with radiation proctitis seem to benefit from therapy with Aloe vera 3% ointment.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 371 health care workers working in government hospitals in the Northern Khorasan province of Iran. Exposure to sharp objects was 44% and 31% of participants had a history of being in contact with blood or body fluids of patients. Among health care workers who had needlestick injuries, 82 had a positive hepatitis B surface antibody titer measured after injury., (Copyright © 2015 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)