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Background: Based on previous studies, tobacco smoking generally and water pipe smoking particularly, have high prevalence in Bushehr province. This study is a new analysis of the Persian Gulf healthy heart study with goal of determination of prevalence and pattern of cigarette and water pipe smoking in Bushehr province. Materials and methods: A total of 3735 men and women aged 25 years old or higher from three districts of Bushehr province (Bushehr, Genaveh, and Deylam) were participated in the study phase I in 2003, from which 1833 persons (49.7%) were participated in the phase II 6 years later in 2009. Demographic data and pattern of smoking, either cigarette or water pipe, were collected with personal interview. Gender specific crude and directly standardized prevalence of cigarette and water pipe smoking was calculated for both phases of the study. Results: Prevalence of cigarette smoking were 11.9% and 7.5% for the firstand second phase, respectively. 21.6% of men and 0.4% of women in the first phase and 13% of men and 0.7% of women in the second phase were cigarette smokers. Prevalence of water pipe smoking were 17.9% and 12.9% in the first and second phase, respectively. 10.7% of men and 25.8% of women in the first phase and 7.1% of men and 19.05% of women in second phase were water pipe smokers. Conclusion: Water pipe smoking in women in Bushehr province was significantly higher than other non-southern areas of Iran. More studies are needed to determine main causes of women tendency in water pipe smoking in southern provinces of Iran.

Background: Chamomile is medicinal and hygienic plants which have anti -inflammatory and anti-spasmodic characteristics. Its secondary metabolites (and etc.) were varied by biodiversity and environmental effect. There is little information about the wild chamomile in natural habitats of the Bushehr province. In this study, different chamomile species were selected for essential oil content and active substances. Material and methods: In this field study, several samples of chamomile from different natural habitats were collected and screened for extraction of essential oil and secondary metabolites. The essential oil and methanolic extract were prepared by water distillation liquid and flask reflux condenser stirrer, respectively these were determined by the United States and Iran pharmacopeia methods. Essential oil and methanolic extract were analyzed by GC/Mass and HPLC devices, respectively. Results: Four species, Anthemis pseudocotula, Anthemis austro-iranica, Matricaria recotita and Matricaria aurea were indicated based on screening methods. Matricaria species was observed to have essential oil and beneficiary secondary metabolites, but were not observed to be present in Anthemis species. Results of the chemical analysis showed that, Matricaria species contained Essential oil (0.6 %), Apigenin 7-Glycoside (0.62%), Chamazulen (5.5%) and other substances such as derivatives of Bisabolole , Bisaboleneand Farenzene. Conclusion: Two species of wild chamomiles, Matricaria recotita and Matricaria aurea, were found in Bushehr province containing significant amount of essential oil and secondary metabolites such as Chamazulen, -αBisabolole and Apigenin. Thus these species can be cultivated for commercial proposes.

Background: Ethnopharmacology has been seen as a multidisciplinatary approach for novel drug discovery by providing valuable data about medicinal plants in different cultures. The aim of this ethnopharmacological study was to identify medicinal plants of the Genaveh port in the North of Persian Gulf. Material and Methods: The medical uses of medicinal plants were gathered from 30 local informants by face to face interview. The relative frequency of citation (FRC) and cultural importance (CI) indices were calculated. Results: A total of 93 medicinal plants belonging to 55 families were identified. Plantago psyllium, Teucrium polium, Peganum harmala, Descuraninia sophia, Cichorium intybus, Achillea erophora DC, Matricarria charmomilla and Citrolus colocynthis had the highest cultural importance indices. Plantago psyllium, Descuraninia sophia and Zataria multiflora had the highest FRC indices. The highest medical uses were for gastrointestinal diseases, gynocological diseases, respiratory disorders, infectious diseases, nature of cool and metabolic disorders, respectively. In addition to the use of these plants to treat diseases as in Iran’s traditional medicine, people in the Genaveh port particularly use Plantago psyllium for drainage of infective boils and abscesses, cough, skin diseases, Teucrium polium for diabetes mellitus, wound washing and sterilizing, Peganum harmala for uterus infections and abdominal cramps, Descuraninia sophia for heart diseases and heatstroke, Cichorium intybus for heatstroke and liver diseases, Achillea eriophora DC for reflex, diabetes mellitus and wound healing, Matricarria charmomilla for seizure and dysmenorrhea, Citrolus colocynthis for hemorrhoid, diabetes mellitus and rheumatism and Zataria multiflora for sedation, abdominal pain and respiratory diseases. Conclusion: There is a vast variety of medicinal plants in Genaveh port. Although most of therapeutic applications of these plants in the Genaveh port are the same as Iran’s traditional medicine, but the people of this region use some of these plants for some diseases which are unique for this area. Thus, investigation about these plants should be initiated to discover novel drugs for clinical applications.

Background: The physical, chemical and microbial properties of water are the criteria to consider it as drinking water quality. Unfavorable changes in such parameters may threat consumers' health. The aim of this study is to give a clear view of physical, chemical and microbial quality of distribution network drinking water in Bushehr and compare with national and EPA standards.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive sectional study was done during Sep 2012 to Feb 2013 (6 months). 50 Samples were collected directly from distribution network drinking water in Bushehr. Physical and chemical analyses were done according to standard methods. Multiple tube fermentation method was used to determine fecal and total coliform bacteria and spread plate method was used to measure heterotrophic bacteria.

Results: The mean values of measured parameters were as follow: electrical conductivity 1155.5 µs/cm, turbidity 0.27 NTU, pH 7.12, alkalinity 171.5, total hardness 458.96, calcium hardness 390.96, magnesium hardness 68 mg/L as CaCO3, calcium 156.38, magnesium 16.95, residual chlorine 0.61, chloride 83.26, TDS 577.7, iron 0.115, fluoride 0.48, phosphate 0.059, nitrate 3.08, nitrite 0.003 and sulphate 728.38 mg/L. Total coliform (0), fecal coliform (0) MPN/100 ml and HPC 309.8 CFU/mL. Except TDS and sulphate, all cited results met the national and EPA standards.

Conclusion: Quality of water from distribution network in Bushehr was not problematical from health point of view. However, high TDS and sulphate content may increase diarrhea risk in consumer as well as corrosive effect of water.

Background: Determination of water corrosion indexes is one of the affecting approaches on drinking water management. Corrosion can causes economical problems, reduce the useful life of water facilities, and health damages to consumers. The aim of this study was to survey of chemical quality and determination of the corrosion potential of the water distribution system in Bushehr city. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, the sampling was carried out during one year from 7 stations. Values of Langelier, Ryznar, corrosivity and Puckorius indexes were calculated by using such parameters as pH, total dissolved solids, temperature, permanent and temporary hardness, and alkalinity. Results: The average values for pH, total dissolved solids, temperature, and alkalinity was obtained 7.5, 586.82 mg/L, 66.92 mg/L CaCO3. The corrosion indexes were calculated Langelier 0.28, Ryznar 7.24, corrosivity 12.02, and Puckorius 7.81. Conclusion: Bushehr city water is tends to be slightly scaling based on Ryznar index and corrosive based on other studied indexes. Overall, the water quality was tending to corrosive and, therefore, recommended to use corrosion resistance pipes in water transmission and network or lining the inner wall of pipes or correction the water quality.

Background: Swimming is highly recommended because of its potentially beneficial effects on the joints and people’s general sense of well-being. But unfortunately the discharing of urban and industrial wastewaters into sea with their high level of pathogens, heavy metals and other pollutants, increase concerns about its consequences on swimmers’ health and ecology. The aim of this study was to investigate the microbial and chemical quality of Persian Gulf Sea beaches in Bushehr port and compare it to the existing standards. Materials and Methods: In this study, 30 samples were taken from the beaches at TV-Park, Daneshjo-Park and Eskele-Jofreh, in August 2012. The mean values of total coliforms, fecal coliforms, pseudomonas, HPC, heavy metals and BOD were determined by standard methods. Results: The mean values of total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and pseudomonas along Bushehr port beaches were 540, 165.56 and 6 MPN/100ml respectively.The mean value of HPC was 1580.66 CFU/ml. Also the mean concentrations of Fe, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu and BOD were 0.1676, 0.013, 0.025, 0.0016, 0.039, 0 and 21.3 mg/l respectively. Conclusion: The results showed that the mean values of indicator microorganisms in all stations were higher than the existing standards and the mean concentration of heavy metals were lower than the existing standard, which indicates higher pollution more due to urban wastewater compare to industrial wastewater. Therefore Bushehr port beaches are contaminated considering indicator bacteria measurments that can be dangerous for swimmers health.

Background: Overweight and obesity are risk factors for many non-communicable diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and 6-year incidence of obesity and overweight in adults through the prospective study of the Persian Gulf Healthy Heart Study. Materials and Methods: In the first phase of the study which was started from 2003, totally 3735 people aged 25 years and more from Bushehr, Genaveh and Deylam cities participated. In the second phase which was conducted in 2009, 1856 people (49.7%) of them were investigated again. Demographic data and the information about obesity and overweight were collected through personal interview. The crude prevalence of obesity and overweight and the age and gender adjusted rates were calculated by using direct standardization method for both phases of the study. Results: Crude prevalence of obesity in the first and second phases of the study were 26.5 % (25%-27.8%) and 30.5% (28.4%-32.7%), respectively. The crude prevalence of overweight in two phases of the study were 39.8% (38.2%-41.3%) and 43.4% (41.1%-45.7%), respectively. The standardized prevalence of obesity in two phases of the study were 27.2% (25.8%-28.6%) and 29.6% (27.4%- 31.8%) respectively and the standardized prevalence of overweight were 40% (38.4%-41.6%) and 42.8% (40.3%-45.31%), respectively. The 6 year incidence rate of obesity and overweight were 9.12% (7.13%-11.46%) and 29.81% (24.86%-35.13%) in men and 13.96% (11.35%-16.92%) and 29.18% (23.43%-35.47%) in women, respectively. Conclusion: The incidence and prevalence of overweight and obesity in Bushehr province is significantly high. It is recommended to conduct more studies to determine the contributing factors and ways of controlling this trend and also to prevent the related diseases in future.

Background: Numerous factors, some obvious and others subtle, determine food intake patterns in children. Likes and dislikes are established in the early years. The purpose of this study is to assess the food consumption pattern and factors affecting in preschool children in bushehr city. Materials and Methods: This is descriptive, analytical study. The total of 191 preschool children (6 years old) was selected at random sampling method. Data were collected by food frequency questionnaire and were analyzed by table of serving sizes food groups for children and adolescents and by SPSS software 16. Results: Frequency Of milk consumption was 41.9% daily, 40.9% weekly, and 12.6% rarely. Frequency Of fish consumption was 1.6% daily, 71.7% weekly, and 16.8% rarely. Frequency Of chicken consumption was 1% daily, 83.4% weekly, and 9.9% rarely. Frequency Of fruit consumption was 69.6% daily, 22% weekly, and 7.3% rarely. There was significant statistical relationship between Frequency consumption Of dairy, salad, fruit , juices, chicken, egg, and fathers ‘job and fathers’ and mothers’ education level.(P<0. 05) Conclusion: It is concluded that situation of food group consumption about dairy, meats, vegetables, cereals is poor but fruit consumption was good in preschool children. Based on results we recommended planning for educational program in relation to Nutrition and food group consumption by media and in school and public centers and health centers.

Background: Life expectancy at birth is the number of years a neonate can survive, in a stable condition of mortality. Life expectancy is one of the key indicators of health that reflects the health, culture and socio-economic condition of society. The present study was to assess changes in life expectancy at birth in districts of Bushehr province in 2006 and 2011. Material and Methods: This cross- sectional study was based on mortality statistics data for the years 2006 and 2011 gathered by statistics unit of Health deputy of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences. The present study examined changes in life expectancy at birth in Bushehr province at the district level in a period from 2006 to 2011.On the basis of geographical proximity, nine counties of Bushehr province was divided into five regions. The life expectancy at birth by sex and urban/rural distribution was calculated by the direct method. The Recommended method of WHO was used to calculate life table. Results: Life expectancy at birth was 73.2 years (71.10 for men and 75.11 for women) in 2006. The highest calculated life expectancy, 74.63 years, was belonged to Dashtestan region and the lowest was 72 years in Bushehr region. In 2011, life expectancy at birth of Bushehr province was 75.75 years (74.98 for men and 76.53 for women). Dashti- Tangestan region had the highest one, 77.05 years, and Bushehr region had the lowest life expectancy, 74.30 years. Conclusion: It seems that increase in life expectancy at birth is more prominent in men than women in the 5 year period of 2006- 2011. Considering the difference in life expectancy at birth between five regions, it seems that calculated life expectancy would be a good indicator to reflect the unequal distribution of health and socioeconomic facilities in different regions of Bushehr province.

Background: In recent years, water pipe smoking has been spread among adults especially in Asian African communities in the Middle East and Arabic countries. The aim of this study is determination of the nicotine dependence status and some related factors among women consumer in Bushehr. Material and Methods: 430 water pipe smoker women were examined in this cross-sectional study. Convenience and snowball sampling methods were used to collect data. After data collection, data were analyzed by SPSS software with using appropriate statistical tests. Results: In this study, 43.4% (N= 186) of women had moderate nicotine dependency. The overall mean and standard deviation score for nicotine dependence were 40.71±12.63. In this study, consumer’s education (p=0.004) and job (p=0.015), husband’s education (p=0.003), and job (p=0.043), history of water pipe smoking (p=0.000), intention to quit (p=0.021), and type of tobacco (p=0.003), significantly associated with nicotine dependence. Logit regression results showed that husband 's education level, age at onset of water pipe consuming and intention to quit water pipe explain nicotine dependence. Conclusion: Nicotine dependence among almost half of the consumer women was in average level and it is essential to design educational interventions for low socio - economic individuals particularly in teens and young people that this behavior has not institutionalized yet. Also for people who have no intention of quit water pipe, at first, we provide the conditions for their quitting through empowerment process and then encourage them to quit water pipe.

Background: School, as a reliable place in student's education, has an important role in training. If health principles do not comply with in schools, students may be suffering from infectious diseases. Health trainer can be effective in improving school health. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of health trainer on environmental health level of schools in Bushehr province. Material and Methods This study was a descriptive - analytic study. A total of 20 samples were selected from each of the elementary schools have and not have health trainer using the method of stratified random sampling in the Bushehr province in the year 91-92. Data collected by researcher direct observation and using an assessment form of school environmental health contains 30 questions in 9 different sections. The statistical method used to analyze and test questions in this study were the chi square and Fisher exact test. Results: Based on findings of this research, between the environment health situation in schools with and without health trainer in 19 cases of health variables the significant difference was observed. The statistical analysis showed significant differences between health status of toilets (p<0.005), drinking water taps and buffet (p<0.001), yard and corridors (p<0.01), and solid waste disposal (p<0.025) in schools with and without health trainer in the year 91-92. Conclusion: Overall, the results indicate that the presence of health trainers in schools can lead to improved health status of the school. The schools without health trainer had very poor health status this issue required further try of concerned authorities to employee health trainers in schools.

Background: Ethnopharmacology has been seen as a multidisciplinary approach for novel drug discovery by providing valuable data about medicinal plants in different cultures. The aim of this ethnopharmacological study was to identify medicinal plants of the Zirrah (Touz)/Dashtestan/Bushehr province in the North of Persian Gulf. Material and Methods: The medical uses of medicinal plants were gathered from 23 local informants by face to face interviews. The relative frequency of citation (FRC) and cultural importance (CI) indices were calculated. Results: A total of 131 medicinal plants belonging to 62 families were identified. Malva sylvestris, Zataria multiflora, Terminalia chebula, Cuminum cyminum, Foenicum vulgare, Olivera decumbens, Echium amoenum, Teucriuma polium, Cannabis sativa and Papaver somniferum had the highest cultural importance indices. Ducrosia anethifolia Bioss, Nigella sativa, Capparis spinosa and Urtica dioica had the highest FRC indices. The highest medical uses were for gastrointestinal diseases, gynecological diseases and dermatological uses, infectious diseases, nature of cool and metabolic disorders, respectively. Conclusion: There is a vast variety of medicinal plants in Zirrah (Touz)/Dashtestan/Bushehr province. Although most of therapeutic applications of these plants in the Zirrah (Touz)/Dashtestan/Bushehr province are the same as Iran’s traditional medicine, but the people of this region use some of these plants for some diseases which are unique for this area. Thus, investigation about these plants should be initiated to discover novel drugs for clinical applications.

Background: Health literacy is defined as the degree of Individual's capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. Functional health literacy is critically important during the typical patient–provider encounter According to this, current research aimed to investigate the level of the health literacy of patients referred to Bushehr’s hospital (Iran) and recognizing its effective factors.

Material and Methods: In this descriptive survey, 250 patients refers to Bushehr’s hospital (Iran) were selected as a sample study. Health literacy was measured by Normalized Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults. Data were analyzed using SPSS and Independent t-tests, One Way ANOVA and Pearson correlation at a significant level (p.value>0.05).

Results: The findings showed that the level of the health literacy of these patients was in marginal level (69.2). Health literacy was associated by sexuality, age and education.

Conclusion: Generally, this research shows that the health literacy level is not adequate among patients. This result determines  it is important to that notice health literacy and trying to improve it. Providing easy and readable educational resources for patients, educational classes for them and so on are some ways to improve health literacy.

Background: In coastal cities, wastewater discharge into the sea is one of the options for sewage disposal that in case of non-compliance with health standards  in wastewater disposal will be led to the spread of infection and disease. On the other hand, water resources preservation and using them efficiently are the principles of sustainable development of each country. This study was aimed to investigate the contamination of discharged runoff from the surface water disposal channels of Bushehr city in 2012 - 13.

Materials and Methods: In this study, Sampling was conducted by composite sampling method from output of the five main surface water disposal channels leading to the Persian Gulf located in the coastal region of Bushehr city during two seasons including wet (winter) and dry (summer) in 2012- 13. Then, experimental tests of BOD₅, total coliform and fecal coliform were done on any of the 96 samples according to the standard method.

Results: Analysis of the data showed that the BOD₅, total coliform and fecal coliform of effluent runoff of the channels were more than the national standard output of disposal wastewaters into the surface waters, and the highest and lowest amount of BOD5 which obtained were 160 mg/L and 28 mg/L, respectively.

Conclusion: considering the fact that discharged runoff from surface water disposal channels link from shoreline to sea in close distance and they often are as natural swimming sites and even fishing sites of Bushehr city, and also according to high level of organic and bacterial load of these channels, it is urgently required to be considered by the authorities.

Background: Sulfur dioxide is one of the important pollutants that at the present time cause irreparable damage to environment and human health. The aim of present study was to study and comparison the effects of SO₂ on respiratory and cardiovascular deaths in Bushehr city.

Materials and Methods: This analytical study was conducted in Bushehr city during 2011. In the first stage data were collected from Bushehr department of the environment. The concentration of SO₂ was measured by using BUBK portable device. After processing data by EXCEL software, data were converted as input file to the model and health effects of SO₂ pollutant were measured by using statistical analysis and the World Health Organization model (Air Q model).

Results: The results showed that concentration of SO₂ pollutant with an annual average was 44 µg/m³ in Bushehr city. In the study area, increasing the concentration of sulfur dioxide per 10 µg/m³ than before values increased risk of cardiovascular death (0.8%) and respiratory deaths (1%).

Conclusion: The local comparison results showed that the number of respiratory and cardiac cases death which is attributable to the sulfur dioxide pollutant has been low in Bushehr city health endpoint can result due to continued and this situation could be justified by the low concentration of sulfur dioxide in the air of Bushehr city.

Background: Work is an important source for establishing livelihoods and social occasions; however, it can also damage on person's health. The aim of the present study was to study of association between health locus of control and health promoting behaviors among employees of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 208 employees of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences by using convenience sampling method. Data were collected by using standard questionnaires of health-promoting lifestyle and multidimensional health locus of control. Data analysis done by SPSS software version 20. Descriptive indicators and linear regression test was used.

Results: Among regression models which related to health promoting behavior and its six dimensions, only there was a significant association between total behavior, physical activity and interpersonal relationship dimensions. Between demographic factors and health locus of control only internal health locus of control explained the health promoting behavior and it explained health promoting behavior changes  within 3.2% (R²=3.2%). None of the three health locus of control explained physical activity dimensions, while internal health locus of control explained interpersonal relation dimension positively and chance locus of control explained interpersonal relation dimension negatively and explained interpersonal relation changes within 4.9% (R²=4.9%).

Conclusion: Due to the effect of internal health locus of control on health promotion behavior and interpersonal relationships, we should try to internalize locus of control by performing counseling programs to step toward improving employee health by improving behaviors related to health.