Evaluation of Dentists' Practice in Obtaining and Recording Medical and Pharmacological History of Patients in Yazd City in 2020

Introduction: Dental profession has an ethical and legal responsibility in patient care. A properly maintained patient record is a very important aspect of this patient care. The aim of this study was to evaluate dentists' practice in obtaining and recording the medical and pharmacological history of patients in Yazd City in 2020. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 197 dentists working in Yazd City were selected during the study and their practice in obtaining and recording medical history was evaluated using a valid questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS23 statistical software t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: Out of 197 dentists participating in this study, 93 (52.8%) were male and 104 (47.2%) were female. Their mean age was 39.37± 8.36 years and their mean clinical experience was 6.5± 9.25 years. The mean score of dentists' practice in obtaining and recording the medical and pharmacological history was 61.30±4.95 (range 45-72) out of 72 points. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean score of dentists' practice by gender, clinical experience, university of study and degree (P-value>0.05), but there was a statistically significant relationship between dentists' age and their practice score (P-value=0.040). Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, the mean practice source of dentists in obtaining and recording the medical and pharmacological history of patients was good. The effect of gender, university of study and degree on dentists' practice was not significant. However, with increasing age and experience in dentistry, the practice score of dentists was lower.

Evaluation of Knowledge and Practice of Yazd General Practitioners about Shade Selection of Fixed Dental Prosthesis in 2019

Introduction: The color matching of dental restorations is effective in the beauty of the smile and a dentist should be familiar with the subject of color and light to make a beautiful and natural prosthesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and practice of general dentists in Yazd City about the choice of fixed prosthesis color in 2019. Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study in which all the general dentists in Yazd City were included in the study by census. Data were collected in the field through a valid and reliable questionnaire containing 11 knowledge questions and 17 performance questions. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 24 using t-test and ANOVA (α <0.05). Results: 150 dentists with a mean age of 39.14 ± 7.96 were studied in this study. The mean score of knowledge was 26.5 ± 3.32 out of 33 points. Mean knowledge score was not statistically significant with age, sex and dental work experience (P >0.05), but was associated with participation in retraining courses (P = 0.046). 79% of participants used brossage and prophylaxis before choosing a color, 31% used sunlight to choose a color, and 37% used the color of adjacent teeth as a color choice. Conclusion: The knowledge of general dentists in Yazd City in choosing the color of fixed prostheses was at a good level and the performance was relatively good. Participation in retraining courses had led to an increase in dentists' awareness in this field.

Efficacy of group reality therapy versus desipramine pharmacotherapy in drug craving and relapse of methamphetamine-dependent patients in yazd

Aims: In this comparative study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of group reality therapy versus desipramine pharmacotherapy in reducing the craving and relapse of methamphetamine-dependent patients. Methods: This semi-experimental research was conducted using a control group and two experimental groups of reality therapy and desipramine pharmacotherapy. The statistical population of this study included all methamphetamine-dependent patients under methadone treatment who were referred to the health clinics of Yazd city, Iran. We selected 30 patients using convenience sampling and then categorized them randomly into three groups of reality therapy, desipramine pharmacotherapy, and control. In the pre-test stage, the risk questionnaire was administered to evaluate the stimulants. The first experimental group attended 10 reality therapy sessions once a weak and was assessed immediately after the treatment. The data were analyzed using the covariance analysis. Results: The findings showed no significant difference between the total mean score of the reality therapy and desipramine pharmacotherapy groups (F= 3.289, P= 0.087). Hence, these two interventions did not affect attenuating craving to use the drugs. To check the homogeneity presumptions of the covariance matrix and variances of the two groups, the Box (6.241) and Levine (0.250) tests were applied, respectively. The results about the experimental groups (Reality therapy and Desipramine group) compared to the control group were meaningful. Conclusion: There was no significant difference between reality therapy and desipramine pharmacotherapy groups in reducing the craving to use the drugs. The scope of changes showed that craving for drug consumption reduced in reality therapy (51.0) and desipramine pharmacotherapy (36.0) groups.

Fear of abortion and emotional divorce in women with minor thalassemia: a population-based study in Yazd, Iran

Background Thalassemia is the most common genetic disorder in humans that can be controlled and treated by, premarital screening, prenatal diagnosis and abortion. Aortion can be a critical issue for many families based on the cultural and religious backgrounds and have different consequences for couples, such as emotional divorce. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the association between fear of abortion and emotional divorce in women with minor thalassemia in Yazd City, Iran. Materials and methods This retrospective study was conducted on 61 women with minor thalassemia (case group) and 100 healthy women (control group), who referred to health centers in Yazd. The census sampling was applied to select the case group and multistage (cluster andsimple) random sampling was adopted to select the control group. Data were collected using Gutman Emotional Divorce Questionnaire and a researcher made scale for measuring fear of Abortion. Data were analyzed by SPSS using descriptive statistics and chi-square, independent t-test, Pearson correlation, and linear regression. Results The mean scores of emotional divorce (6.62 vs. 4.26) and fear of abortion (25.85 vs. 17.4) were higher in the case than control group (P ˂ 0.01). There was a positive and significant correlation between fear of abortion and emotional divorce in the case (P ˂ 0.05, r = 0.275) and control (P ˂ 0.05, r = 0.570) groups. Fear of abortion in the case group predicted 25% of the variance in emotional divorce. Conclusion Given the high level of fear of abortion in women with minor thalassemia and its effect on increasing the emotional divorce, designing and implementing psychological interventions with ongoing follow-up are recommended for thalassemia carrier couples.

Meaning and Interpretations of Child Abuse by Abuser Parents: A Qualitative Study

Background: Child abuse has destructive consequences for the abused and the abuser which can launch a cycle of inter-generational violence. Our aim was to understand the constructions of child abuse by adult parents. Methods: The research was carried with generic (basic) qualitative research method. Participants included 12 adults who abused their children during the recent year(2020) at Yazd City. The adult participants were selected by snowball-purposeful sampling. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed with grounded theory analysis method. Results: After analyzing transcribes, 6 main categories were constructed: abuse transmission, suffered self, normative violence, relationship problems, institutional inefficiency and pressured family. Life world of harassment emerged as the core category. Conclusion: The findings presented the cycle of abuse created through learning and transmitting.

Association between rs2228014 Polymorphism of CXCR4 and Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis: A Case-Control Study

Introduction: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease and is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease. Vascular plaques are formed on the inner surface of hardened arteries and gradually develop, reducing the diameter of the arteries. CXCR4 is one of the most important chemokine receptors, whose presence has been confirmed in cardiac plaques. Our aim was to determine the relationship between genetic diversity of CXCR4 gene (rs2228014) and atherosclerosis among the population of patients. Methods: The present study included 254 participants who referred to the Cardiac Angiography Department of Afshar Hospital in Yazd City. The main criteria for admission to the case group were coronary artery stenosis with angiography testing, and in the control group, the clients did not have coronary artery disease. The age and sex matching of the two groups were considered. Blood specimens were taken, and after DNA extraction, the SNP genotype of the CXCR4 gene was determined using ARMS-PCR. Statistical analysis of the data carried out using SPSS software version 19 and Chi-square test. Results: Genetic models of rs2228014 variant were evaluated in patients with atherosclerosis in comparison with the control group and a significant difference between allelic (P = 0.333), homozygous (P = 0.087), heterozygous (P = 849.0), dominant (P = 0.570) and recessive (P = 0.086) genetic models of rs2228014 polymorphism was not observed. Conclusion: In the current study, no significant difference was observed between genetic models of rs222801 polymorphism in patients with atherosclerosis and healthy individuals. Based on our findings, the rs222801 polymorphism of the CXCR4 gene might not be considered as a predisposing factor for atherosclerosis.

The Role of Ab-Anbars in the Vernacular Architecture of Iran with Emphasis on the Performance of Wind-Catchers in Hot and Dry Climates

Vernacular and traditional Iranian architecture has always acted rationally, harmoniously, and climate-friendly to meet the needs of the people in dealing with the environment. In addition, without harming the environment, they have achieved the best initiatives with the least facilities. For example, we can mention that the Ab-Anbars in arid and desert areas of Iran, which are used to store water in seasons with precipitation for use in the rest of the year, has been an optimal way to use natural resources and provide climate comfort. The Ab-Anbars are realized with ventilated cisterns through openings on their roof or wind-catchers to keep the water cool and provide comfortable conditions for the occupants. In order to study the essential role of natural ventilation and cooling in the Ab-Anbars, thermal analysis with CFD software was carried out to assess the effectiveness of a typical wind-catcher according to different wind directions in Yazd city. The results showed that Ab-Anbars have played an important role in reducing cooling loads and supply the necessary ventilation rate of buildings and can be used in the future for application in contemporary architecture and urban planning.

Investigating the effect of health transformation plan on the public hospitals performance indicators; a case study from Iran

Background Health systems need constant changes and reforms in their structure to adapt to changing conditions and meet the needs of society. One of the fundamental changes in the health system of Iran is the health transformation plan (HTP), the effects of which must be examined from different aspects. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of HTP on the performance indicators of public hospitals in Yazd city, Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out in all public hospitals in city of Yazd. Six performance indicators were examined monthly and in two time periods of 12 months before and 12 months after the implementation of Health Transformation Plan (HTP). The data was analyzed by SPSS software program version 22, using the paired T-test, and the Interrupted Time Series (ITS) model. Findings Findings showed that the performance indicators of the studied hospitals have improved after the implementation of the HTP. According to the ITS model, the implementation of HTP did not have a significant effect on the level and trend of the bed rotation distance, average length of stay and the ratio of surgical operations to bed indicators. However, it had a statistically significant effect on the level and trend of mortality and hospitalization rates. Moreover, the implementation of HTP had a significant effect on the level of the bed occupancy rate, but did not have a significant effect on the trend of this indicator. Conclusion Based on the research findings, all the selected indicators changed to some extent after the implementation of HTP, which showed the effect of this plan on the performance of hospitals. However, not all indicators were statistically significant as the findings sub-section revealed.

The Relationship between Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Physical Activity with Cardiovascular Disease Risk, Using Structural Equation Modeling in Adults in Yazd City

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. In recent years, the role of psychological factors in the onset and exacerbation of cardiovascular disease, particularly coronary artery, has been widely taken into consideration. This study aimed to investigate the role of depression, anxiety, stress, and physical activity on the risk of cardiovascular disease using structural equation modeling in adults in Yazd city. Methods: This correlational study was carried out using data from the health survey of people in Yazd province in 2014-2015. The sample size of this study was 3514 people. The DASS21 questionnaire was used to measure stress, anxiety, and depression, and the 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease was calculated using the Framingham risk score. Total cholesterol, HDL, blood sugar, and blood pressure were measured to calculate the components of the risk score. The data were analyzed by SPSS23 and AMOS 23 using structural equation modeling. Results: The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress in diabetic patients were 34.6%, 35.9%, and 39.2%, respectively. The final model fit indices included CMIN/DF=5.07, CFI=0.862, GFI=0.91, NFI=0.83, TLI=0.835, and RMSEA=0.052, indicating the suitability of the model. Depression, and stress items had a significant effect on cardiovascular disease risk score mediated by physical activity index. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress were high in Yazd city. Physical activity plays a mediating role between psychological constructs and the risk of cardiovascular disease.