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Background: Malnutrition is steel a major health problem in the developing countries. It is recognized that 60% of death among children fewer than five years in these countries are associated with malnutrition. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition in children under 5 years old in Iranshahr in 2011. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. The sample consisted of 700 children less than 5 years old were randomly selected by cluster and quota method among health centers. Child growth was mensured based on NCHS-WHO charts. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analysed by SPSS Ver.18, using chi-square, and logistic Regression tests for comparing groups. Results: Prevalence of stunting (height for age) was 11.1%, (disorder of growth = 7.7%, severe malnutrition = 3.4%), underweight (weight for age) was 9.8% (disorder of growth = 7%). Malnutrition has significant association with birth grade, delivery type, hospitalization history, educational level of parents, parents' job, birth weight, vaccination and the regular consumption of supplementary vitamins (p<0/05). Conclusion: Although prevalence of malnutrition in this study was lower than WHO statistic report, (30%) but this is locally important and health staff and parents must be educated on nutritional values. Malnutrition is a major problem that is a reason for suppressed immune system, causing the increase of infectious diseases and infant mortality.

BackgroundWith the increasing number of elderly, especially in recent decades, transfer to nursing homes and the number of centers has also increased but experiences and problems of elders in these centers is less considered. So, the goal of this study is to explore the Elderly peoples’ experiences of nursing homes.MethodsThe current research was performed using a phenomenological approach in 2016. Participation in the study is comprised of the elderly residents in a nursing home in Bam city who were selected based on an objective-oriented approach. The sampling was done until data saturation. Data collection methods were observation and an unstructured and in-depth interview. Data were analyzed using seven-stage Colaizzi process.ResultsIn total, fifteen 68 – 82 years old people participated in our study and 52 primary and conceptual codes that were eventually categorized in five main themes (sense of rejection, sense of daily routine, impaired of communications, sense of hardship and mental obsession) and ten sub-themes emerged.ConclusionOverall, most of the elders were not satisfied with the conditions. It seems that helpful, community and family education to acculturate respect for the elderly in the community, teach proper coping strategies, use the elderly’s experiences, and consultation with them could be a way to maintain a sense of usefulness, independence and to prevent them from sensing monotonous and routine rhythm of life.

BackgroundMenarche is an independent puberty event in a girl’s life, and is associated with physical growth, ability in marriage and fertility. Therefore, poor menstrual health can be a major determinant of morbidity, as well as physical, mental and social problems in this age group.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore the effective factors on menstrual health among female students in Bam city.MethodsThe qualitative study was conducted using content analysis approach in 2017. The participants were 32 individuals consisting of 13 students, 10 mothers of the same students, 9 school associates and health educators of 5 secondary schools in Bam city, who were selected based on an objective-oriented approach. The sampling was done until data saturation. Data collection methods were semi-structured and in-depth interview. Data analysis was performed using the steps suggested by Graneheim and Landman.ResultsThere were two categories (easy interaction and inappropriate adaptation to changes in health behavior), 13 sub-categories and 52 initial codes. The positive factors included easy access to sanitary pads, appropriate school education, easy access to health and therapeutic services and school flexibility on menstrual issues, while the negative factors included inadequate facilities for sanitary pad disposal, lack of access to informed people about menstrual issues, insufficient attention to menstrual problems, feeling ashamed, the high cost of menstrual health, self-medication with traditional medicines, inadequate self-directed education, lack of awareness and trust in health center staff, and following family and teachers in menstrual problems.ConclusionOverall, this study indicated that economic, social, cultural and educational factors affect menstrual health. Therefore, the identification of each of these factors helps planners to apply the most appropriate methods and strategies for menstrual health improvement.