scholarly journals The Relative Frequency of Bacterial Colonization on the Surfaces of Toys in Kindergartens of Yazd

Author(s):  
Tahereh Zarei Mahmodabadi ◽  
Mahbobeh Shiranian ◽  
Seyedhossein Hekmatimoghaddan ◽  
Mohamad Hassan Ehrampoush ◽  
Farimah Shamsi

Introduction: Kindergartens are the first social environments where children are directly exposed to possible contaminations from other children. Factors such as having uncontrolled urination, putting hand, toys, and different objects into the mouth, and sharing objects with other children facilitate the spread of bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of bacterial contamination of toys in kindergartens of Yazd city, Iran. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 324 samples of toys made of either cloth, wood, or plastic were collected from kindergartens at three regions of Yazd, Iran. The swab samples obtained from toys' surface were cultured directly on the bacteriologic culture media blood agar and eosin methylene blue. Specific culture medium with biochemical tests and diagnostic disks were used to determine the genus and species of bacteria. Chi-square test was run for statistical analysis of data. The  p value of < 0.05 was considered as the level of significant difference. Results: The most common bacterial colonization of toys found in the kindergartens was Staphylococcus epidermidis (48.3%). Toys made from cloth (with 3914 CFU/cm2) and the municipality region 3 (with 4645 CFU/cm2) showed the highest amount of contamination among the toy materials and different regions, respectively. Conclusion: Assessment of common contaminations in kindergartens may help the authorities to determine the possible causes of pediatric infections and provide them with a more comprehensive knowledge about the personal as well as environmental hygiene. So, by identification of these contaminations, we can modify the underlying factors, reduce the pollutions, and improve the health of children.

Thrita ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Mousavi ◽  
Parisa Shojaei ◽  
Azadeh Nazemi ◽  
Atefe Dadashi

Objectives: This research has been conducted to study antibiotic self-medication, prevalence, and reasons. Methods: A questionnaire containing 30 comprehensive questions in terms of the experience of antibiotic self-medication was prepared. In this cross-sectional study, data were analyzed using analytical statistics bases on chi-square and logistic regression. Results: The results showed that 61.3% of the participants were self-antibiotic users. There was a significant difference only between gender and self-medication such that self-medication in males was more than females (P value = 0.027). Conclusions: Self-medication of antibiotics is almost high and requires more information about the side effects of these drugs in order to promote rational and physically prescribed use.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Badar Kanwar ◽  
Asif Khattak ◽  
Chul Joong Lee ◽  
Jenny Balentine ◽  
R. E. Kast ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Clinicians in critical care medicine considered dapsone administration to treat SARS-CoV-2 inflammasome. Dapsone is useful in the molecular regulation of Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3). Objective To study the targeting of NLRP3 itself or up-/downstream factors of the NLRP3 inflammasome by dapsone must be responsible for its observed preventive effects, functioning as a competitor. Methods This is case series with or without intervention; a cross-sectional study. We set out to use objective criteria of improvement, such as A. a reduction in the FIO2 requirement and B. a decrease in the progression of hypoxia. We treated the patients with standard COVID-19 ARDS treatment with dapsone 100 mg to target NLRP3 inflammasomes. Results The 22 cases were treated with standard COVID-19 therapy with dapsone (trial group), and the 22 cases were the control group. The comparison was made assuming that only decreased FIO2 was influential in the trial and control groups, which applied to only the ARDS onset stage. The chi-square statistic is 5.1836. The p-value is .02280. Fisher’s exact test statistic value is 0.0433. (The result is significant at p < .05) Furthermore, the ARDS-onset mortality rates were 0% (with dapsone) and 40% (without dapsone). Conclusion There was a significant difference in dapsone treatment results in the ARDS-onset group. We confirmed that dapsone clinically treated the onset of ARDS by targeting SARS-CoV-2-activated inflammasomes. Like chemically reacting substances, inflammasome and dapsone are competing, proving that it is only effective in treating early ARDS.


2018 ◽  
Vol 09 (01) ◽  
pp. 48-52
Author(s):  
Ijaz Ali ◽  
Ommia Kalsoom ◽  
Syed Asif Jahanzeb Kazmi ◽  
Tahir Ahmad Munir ◽  
Zanib Qayyum ◽  
...  

Objective: Objective of this study was to determine internet addiction and its impact on mental health and academic performance in medical students. Methodology: One hundred medical students (male: 50, female: 50) aged 18–21 years were selected by convenience sampling in this cross-sectional study in Mahi-ud-din Islamic Medical college Mirpur AJK. A questionnaire of Young’s internet addiction test was used to identify the prevalence of Internet addiction, the purposes of Internet use, and their priority levels. Frequencies and level of mental health was measured using Mental health Battery by Singh and Gupta. Chi square test was applied and p value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 100 students, 46 (male: 28, female: 18) were found to be slightly addicted, 53 students were average online users and only 01 male was severely addicted. There was no significant difference between male and female students in addiction level. However, males were more addicted than females. The major use of Internet was to communicate with friends and family and to watch songs and movies. 51 students used the Internet to assess information for their educational and learning activities. Some students with overuse of the Internet lead to insufficient sleep and affected their concentration levels in the class. Conclusion: Medical students experiencing problems due to Internet overuse and experiencing poor academic progress and lack of concentration while studying. The main use of the Internet was to communicate with friends and family and for entertainment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Mona Ahmed Babiker Ahmed ◽  
Atif Elamin Abdelgadir ◽  
Hayfa Mohammed Ismail

This study was conducted to evaluate the level of adopted biosecurity measures in broiler farms based on manure bacterial load examination in Khartoum State, Sudan. To achieve the goal, a cross sectional study was conducted. Data and manure samples were collected from January to September 2018 from 12 close system broiler farms according to Non-probability Multistage Cluster Sampling Method in Khartoum, Khartoum North (Bahri), and Omdurman localities (4 for each). A standardized questionnaire was also conducted and used for data collection. A total of 12 manure samples were collected from one chosen broiler house in each farm to check the TVCs. All collected Data were subjected to descriptive and analytical statistic such as Chi square and ANOVA using SPSS. The Results of external biosecurity measures revealed that half of the total farms examined (50%) were at a distance between 500 m to 1km from the nearest poultry farm. The same percentage was obtained for no manure spreading from neighboring farms. However, frequent passage of other farms vehicles via near public road was reported in 50% of participating farms. The internal biosecurity results showed that all the examined farms (100%) prohibiting manure storage beside 75.0% of them remove the manure through the dirty area. Furthermore, workers protective wearing when contact waste and hygiene practicing after removing waste sometimes practiced by 75.0% of the participant farms. The mean of bacterial TVCs in manure samples was found below the cut-off level (6.01±0.78 cfu/g) with 95% confidence intervals of 4.48-7.37, 5.20-6.79, and 4.39-7.84 and mean TVC of 5.93±0.90, 6.00±0.50, and 6.11±1.08 cfu/g for Khartoum, Khartoum North, and Omdorman, respectively. No significant difference was obtained for log means of bacterial TVCs and farm location (F value=0.047 and P-value=0.955). In conclusion, despite that the bacterial counts in manure samples were below the cut-off level, poor hygienic practices were detected. Formulation of suitable procedures and regulations by official authorities for implementing biosecurity measures is recommended.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 203-207
Author(s):  
Shagufta Sohail ◽  
Kaneez Fatima ◽  
Noshina Riaz

Background: Breast feeding prevents infections in infants. Those who are partially or never breast-fed and receiving bottle feeds are at higher risk of infections as compared to exclusive breast-fed infants. The objectives of this study were to record the effect of exclusive breast feeding versus partial and never breast feeding on infections in infants and also to find an association of infection with type of feed, gestation and vaccination status in infants till six months of age.Material and Methods: A total of 500 Infants were included in this cross-sectional study. Information regarding pattern of feeding and infections was obtained by verbal interview of mother and the questionnaire was filled by the study physician. The outcome evaluated was infections in infants till one year of age. Categorical comparisons were made using chi square test. A ‘p’ value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Out of 500 infants, 59.4% were males. About 59.6% were exclusively breast-fed till 6 months of age, 31.2% were partially breast-fed and 9.2% were never breast-fed. In exclusively breast-fed group, 29.5% infants reported infections as compared to 40.4% in partial breast-fed group and 65.2% in never breast-fed infants (P < 0.000). Similarly, 40.6% of infants in exclusively breast-fed group, 55.1% in partial breast feed and 58.7% in the never breast-fed reported infections in 4-6 months of age, which was statistically significant (P = 0.003). There was no significant difference in infection rates among the three study groups in 7-9 (P=0.192) and 10 -12 months (P=0.42) of age.Conclusions: Exclusive breast feeding till six months of age significantly reduces the risk of infections in infancy.


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 269-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nagalaxmi V ◽  
Sridevi Ugrappa ◽  
Naga Jyothi M ◽  
Lalitha Ch ◽  
Kotya Naik Maloth ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: Human identification is the forensic odontologist’s primary duty in the fields like violent crime, child abuse, elder abuse, missing persons and mass disaster scenarios. In each context, dental traits may produce compelling evidence to aid victim identity, suspect identity and narrow down the outcome of investigative casework. Sometimes it becomes necessary to apply some least known and less popular techniques in identification procedure where lip prints, rugae patterns and canine odontometrics can give us comparatively valid conclusions pertaining to person’s identification. This study elucidates the significance of cheiloscopy, palatoscopy and canine odontometry in sex prediction and discrimination. Materials and Methods: A cross- sectional study involving a total of 60 subjects, 30 males and 30 females were selected from the outpatient department of oral medicine and radiology. Lip prints were recorded using lipstick, palatal impressions were taken with alginate and odontometric measurements were taken with digital vernier calipers from every subject. All the obtained records were analyzed by two observers. Results: Reliability of lip prints was assessed using Kappa coefficient. Comparison of rugae patterns was done using Chi-square test. Mean canine and inter canine width was compared using t test. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Statistically significant difference was found with the different lip print patterns analyzed in males and females, while no significant difference was observed in the rugae patterns but a significant difference in the mesio-distal width of mandibular canines in males and females was found with right mandibular canine(3.73%) showing greater sexual dimorphism compared to left mandibular canine(3.06%). Conclusion: This study shows the uniqueness of the lip prints and rugae patterns with the lip prints showing sensitivity of 81.7% giving reliable prediction of sex over palatoscopy. Hence, cheiloscopy along with the canine odontometrics aid in sex determination and can be considered as an ancilliary forensic tool in identification.


Author(s):  
Zahra Mollai Sadiani ◽  
Mohsen Adib Haj Bagheri ◽  
Hossein Akbari

Background: It is widely believed that the growth of deciduous teeth can be accompanied by systemic and localized symptoms. This study was conducted in Kashan in 2019 with the aim of parents' performance and beliefs in the face of tooth eruption and its associated factors. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study. The study population consisted of 290 parents with children aged 6 to 36 months who were referred to Kashan health centers who were selected by available sampling. The researcher-made questionnaire was completed by the participants and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact Chi-Square test by SPSS 16 statistical software. P value < 0.05 was considered as a significant level. Results: The most common symptoms reported by parents include; Restlessness (78.6), chewing (70.0), loss of appetite (65.5), weight loss 55.2), fever (53.4), swelling, and redness of the gums (51.7), runny mouth (50.0). Most parents' beliefs came from those around them. There was a statistically significant relationship between parents' education with weakness and colds (p value < 0.01). There was a significant difference between parents' performance in controlling symptoms and their education (p value < 0.01). Conclusion: Although tooth growth is a physiological phenomenon, it can be accompanied by a series of local and systemic symptoms. Educating parents will improve their beliefs and help their children's health.


Author(s):  
Hitendra Dev ◽  
Dipak C Thamke ◽  
Vijayashri S Deotale

Introduction: Pityriasis Versicolor (PV) a commonly encountered superficial mycosis is a mild, chronic infection of the stratum corneum. Malassezia species are lipid dependent yeast that are commonly found on human skin and associated with PV and dandruff. Aim: To study the distribution of Malassezia species in cases of PV and Dandruff. Materials and Methods: A tertiary care rural hospital based cross-sectional study was undertaken. Skin scrapings were collected and cultured on Sabouraud’s Dextrose Agar (SDA) overlaid with olive oil and modified Dixon agar (mDA). The isolates were identified by biochemical tests. Data was analysed using the Chi-square test. The p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of the 127 samples of PV, 38.2% were 10% KOH positive. A total of 76 yielded growth. The most common isolate was M.sympodialis (53.06%), followed by M.furfur (26.53%), M.globosa (16.33%) and M.slooffiae (4.08%). Of the 51 cases of dandruff cases, 27 samples yielded growth and the most common isolate was M.sympodialis (62.96%), followed by M.furfur (25.93%), M.globosa (11.11%). Conclusion: PV and dandruff are the common surface infections in this rural region and Malassezia sympodialis is the commonest species associated with these conditions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-41
Author(s):  
Hossein Tireh ◽  
Davood Farbod ◽  
Hamed Jaafari

AbstractPsychological disorders such as depression are common. Many of these disorders can be evaluated and diagnosed, and above all they are preventable. This study was conducted with the aim of determining depression prevalence rate and its related factors among students of Quchan University of Technology, Quchan, Iran. In a cross-sectional study, 359 students were selected by using simple random sampling. Demographic characteristics were gathered and subjects were evaluated by the Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck’s Anxiety Inventory (BAI). SPSS software was used for statistical analysis and logistic regression, Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests were utilized for this purpose. The age mean of students was 21.02±2.57 (Mean, SD). 93 (25.9%) subjects suffer from depression and 266 (74.1%) subjects are not depressed..There is no significant difference between depression and each of these variables: gender, body mass index (BMI), marital status, field of study, living in dormitory, and depression (p-value>0.05); but there was significant difference between depressed and non-depressed students in terms of salary, anxiety, educational level, and satisfaction with field of study (p-value<0.05). According to the results, anxiety (OR=0.2), educational level (OR=5.03), satisfaction with field of study (OR=0.5) and monthly income (OR=3.76) impact depression. Improving the students' consultancy in universities can be helpful to decrease anxiety. In addition, consultants can prepare students for selecting their favorite field of study. Also, it is suggested that university officials provide financial facilities such as interest-free loan for students.


2018 ◽  
Vol 08 (02) ◽  
pp. 103-108
Author(s):  
Kiran Fatima Mehboob Ali Bana ◽  
Umair Aslam ◽  
Arsalan Khalid ◽  
Wahab Buksh Kadri

Background: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of TMDs among the sample of Karachi and to observe the most frequent TMJ sound in this population. Methodology: It was a cross sectional study conducted from Sep 2017 to Nov 2017. Three hundred patients were selected through cluster sample technique from the public/private dental institutes and private dental clinics of Karachi. The data was collected with the help of questionnaire and intraoral examination was performed by the researchers. All those patients with complain of TMDs and between 20-75 years were included in this study. The frequency and association between gender and TMDs were assessed through the application of Chi square. Results: There were more males (n=162, 54%) and (n=138, 46%) females in this study. Majority of participants fall under the age group of 20-30 years of age. Most common TMDs symptom among male was pain during mastication (n=104, 64%) and most common symptoms among female was pain on neck/cervical area which was (n=92, 66%). Headache and earache was the least common symptom among both genders and p-value was 0.003 and 0.024 respectively. Clicking was the most common TMJ sound found among both genders, in male it was (n=58, 35.8%) and in female it was (n=48, 34.7%) followed by crepitation. Regarding parafunctional habits; majority of females (n=95, 68.8%) were in habit of clenching than male (n=60, 37%) and p-value was 0.0001 followed by tooth grinding which was also found mostly in female (n=64, 46.3%) then male (n=10, 6.1%) and p-value was 0.0001. Regarding the risk factors of TMDs; while examination majority of females were found with disturbed articulation,(n= 37,26.8%) and in male it was (n=10, 6.1%), significance difference was found between both genders and p-value was 0.0001. Stress was found to be most common risk factor and aggravating factor of TMDs among both genders. Missing teeth were found in both gender; (n=100, 61.7%) male and (n=71, 51.4%) female and calculated p-value was 0.047. Conclusion: It was inferred from this study that greater prevalence of TMDs was mostly found in female gender. The statistically significant difference was found among stress as an aggravating factor of TMDs and gender. Clicking was the most prevalent TMJ sound and clenching was the most frequently observed parafunctional habit among both gender, followed by tooth grinding and statistically significant difference found among both gender.


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