Payesh
Year:2011 | Volume:10 | Issue:1|Papers Count:17

Objective(s): To assess the reliability and validity of the 13 item Life Satisfachtion Index-Z (LSI-Z) questionnaire in Kashan, Iran.Methods: The 13 item LSI- Z English version was translated into Persian through forward-backward method.Another questionnaire including demographic data and a question about overal life satisfaction status was also used.The sampling was performed using convenience method. All of the people aged ³60 years old who had conferred to two health centers in kashan (a city in central part of Iran) (n=75) were selected. After their consent informed, the questionnaires were completed through interviews. Reliability was determined via internal consistency (cronbach’s alpha, split-half) and stability (test re-test). Construct validity was determined through known-groups comparison. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient, Intraclass correlation coefficient, unequal spearman brown, Guttman, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and oneway ANOVA.Results: The life satisfaction score was 13.68±5.47 (from possible score ranging from 0 to 26). The questionnaire reliability coefficient (internal consistency) was 0.78-0.79. Item-total correlation and test-retest confirmed its reliability too.LSI-Z scores were significantly different among the 5 known- groups (P=0.0001, f=121.66); so the known-groups approach revealed that this tool is valid.Conclusion: The 13 item LSI-Z Persian version for evaluation of life satisfaction in Iranian elderly people is valid and reliable.

Objective(s): Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) represents one of the most common preventable causes of mental retardation. The fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis begins to function by midgestation and is matured in the term infant at delivery. If fetal hypothyroidism develops effects may be demonstrated in certain organ systems, including the central nervous system and skeleton.neonatal screening of hypothyroidism is one of the preventive programs that cost-benifit is positive.Methods: In this study, we analized the data obtained retrospectively from CH screening from all of the health centers in Kurdistan, Iran from January 2006 to June 2008.Results: From the 50539 neonates referred for CH screening 122 neonates were diagnosed with CH, showing an overall incidence of 1/414 live birth.In 50539 screened neonate 24806 were girls (49.1%) and 25733 (50.9%) were boys. Over all 49576 neonate have TSH< 5 and 777 neonate have 5< TSH< 9.9 and 175 neonate have TSH> 10. Screening coverage was 97% of live birth and 122 neonate recognized with CH. Of these, 118 were treated before 28th day of bith, 4 neonates were treated in 28-40. Positive predictive value of this screening test was overall 13.3%.Conclusion: The incidence of CH in Kurdistan province seems high.

Objective(s): The present study was performed to determine relationship between maternal nutrition status and infants' birth weight. Maternal nutrition status was assessed by pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), weight gain, intake of iron and folic acid supplements during pregnancy.Methods: This case-control study was included 46 cases (women who had delivered low birth weight infants) and 92 controls (women who had delivered infants with more than 2500 gr). They were selected from population who received prenatal cares from health care centers in south of Tehran. Data were collected from present documents in the centers and completed by telephone interviewing. Then data were analyzed in spss13 by t-test or c2. Crude odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.Results: There was no difference between maternal jobs, age, parity, birth interval, and delivery type in case and control groups. Weight gain (P< 0.001) and intake of iron supplement (P< 0.05) were less in cases as compared with control group. Weight gain during pregnancy was found to reduce risk factors for delivery LBW infants (OR=3.77, %95 CI: 1.7-8.1).Conclusion: Suitable weigh gain and intake of iron supplement decrease the risk of low birth weight infants.

Objective(s): To determine the efficacy of the TTM to predict exercise behavior in a sample of Iranian college students.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Participants were 418 first year students of Guilan University of Medical Sciences who completed Iranian versions of the TTM and exercise behavior questionnaires. Data were analyzed using bivariate correlation and path analysis.Results: In the final model, path coefficient for the processes of change (behavioral strategy), self-efficacy in exercise and pros were 0.54, 0.20 and -0.11 respectively. The model accounted for 38% of the variance for predicting current exercise behavior.Conclusion: The study findings support the application of TTM in exercise behavior changes among Iranian students.

Objective(s): To investigate the attitudes toward mode of delivery of pregnant women, midwives, obstetricians and anesthesiologists who participate in childbirth in Shahrood, Iran.Methods: This was a qualitative research with tri-angulations data collection strategy. The study sample was consisted of primiparous and multiparous women, midwives, obstetricians and anesthesiologists. A total of 18 women who seek prenatal care from Fatemiyeh obstetrics clinics during pregnancy, were asked to participate in 3 focus group discussions.8 midwives in labour ward and clinic were interviewed individually. All of physicians were participate in study by Delphi method for data collection purpose. All interviews and discussions were tape recorded.Results: The main themes were categorized into two main categories: "causes of intention to cesarean" and "causes of intention to vaginal delivery". The main reason for intention to use cesarean was fear of pain due to vaginal delivery and the main reason for intention to use vaginal birth was fear of post cesarean pain and its morbidity. Other reasons that raise the cesarean section rate in Shahrood included, fear of legal complaints after vaginal birth complications fear of sexual disorders after vaginal birth, existing conflicts between midwives duties and obstetricians and negative attitudes.Conclusion: The results clearly show that although most of women and health providers do not consider cesarean section as the first option for delivery, but some essential obstacles remain as major reasons for increasing cesarean rate.

Objective(s): The present study aimed at identifying the methods and appropriate strategies for public awareness and education on preparedness in earthquakes in Tehran metropolis.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The study was a door-to-door survey of the 22 municipal districts in Tehran and involved a total of 1211 subjects aged 15 and above. People were asked about different methods of public information and education, as well as the types of information needed for earthquake preparedness.Results: The important issues indicated by respondents were supervision on building construction and strengthening of buildings as well as public education. The educational tools and media that were proposed by the respondents included television, radio, posters, educational classes, newspapers and instructional pamphlets regarding earthquakes, video films and internet, respectively. The study has also shown that with the assumption of earthquake occurrence in Tehran, the most important sources for getting immediate information were the general public and TV.70% of the respondents believed that in case of earthquake prediction, people should be informed by the media.Conclusion: The study findings revealed that information dissemination alone can not result in changing people’s perspectives and behaviors. Appropriate methods are needed along with increasing people’s understanding and raising their awareness on the earthquake damage in order to encourage them to learn and implement preventive measures. The paper also indicated that mass media have important role in public education and providing people with adequate information about disasters.

Objective(s): Health statues of workers is affected by work situation and kind of job severely very often.Meanwhile working in mines is one of health threatening occupations. This study was carried out to assess quality of life (QOL) among Shahrood coal miners in Iran.Methods: This was a descriptive-cross sectional study of quality of life among 99 workers from one of the Shahrood coal mines. Quality of life was measured by the Short Form (SF-36). Data were analysed using tests Mann Whitney and Kruskal Wallis.Results: The mean of age and duration of work of subjects were 36.5±6.8 and 10.9±6.4 years, respectively.The lowest and highest quality of life scores found for general health perceptions 10/2±14 and mental health 61/5±24/6. In addition, positive significant associations were found between education level, age and work duration and mean of quality of life scores.Conclusion: Coal miners had worse QOL score in all domains than Iranian healthy community. To improve the QOL of coal miners, control harmful factors, promote safety and health according to international standards of work environment, periodic medical examination and precise evaluation of workers health status are suggested.

Objective(s): Diet is one of the most important components of life style and its improvement is very related to appropriate educational methods. The main objective of this research was a comparison between two health education methods: lecture and video tape presentation among volunteer health workers.Methods: This was a quasi experimental study on 160 volunteer health workers who were under coverage of south Tehran health center. They randomly assigned into 2 groups with the same size. One group recieved a short time lecture about good diet and other group received education by video tape presentation. Data were collected by questionnaire as pretest and post test and was analyzed using chi 2, Mcnemar, t-test (pairedindependent) statistical tests.Results: Knowledge and attitude was found to be significantly improved by both methods (P<0.0001), however the lecture method had a greater effect (P<0.0001) on improvement of knowledge and attitude of participants. Most participants also reported mass media as prior information source about good diet.Conclusion: This research showed that both educational methods namely lecture and video tape presentation can be effective ways to increase knowledge and improve attitudes about good diet but lecture was a more proper method.

Objective(s): To explore difficulties existing between private hospitals and other health related organizations such as Ministry of Health, Medical Council, Emergency Center, State Forensic Medical Organization, and insurance agencies in Tehran, Iran.Methods: A descriptive study conducted for assessing the most frequent difficulties and expectations which exist between private hospitals and other health agencies in Teheran. The study population consistsed of 40 private hospitals in Tehran of which the required sample was obtained randomly. A questionnaire was developed as an instrument for data collection. Questionnaires delivered to senior managers including hospital managers, chief executive officer, technical managers, and matrons.Results: In all 20 private hospitals included in the study. The majority of senior managers of private hospitals demonstrated a unified views toward the problems. Insurance agencies and Ministry of Health were the two most important external organizations involved with difficulties experienced by private hospitals. Social Security Organization and Emergency Center were the two organizations that managers indicated as non problematic.Conclusion: The existing difficulties for private hospitals seem to be structural. There is a great need to reorganize the relations between private sectors' and public agencies in health system in order to keep both efficient.

Objective(s): To determine parents’ knowledge about safety of toy and the criteria for safe toy shopping in Tehran.Methods: This was a descriptive study. A convenience sample of 340 parents attending to health centers in Tehran were selected. Demographic, knowledge about safety of toy and the criteria for safe toy shopping inventories were used to collect data.Results: The results showed that 0.6 percent of parents had knowledge about safety of toy at low level, 93.2 percent at moderate level and 6.2 percent at high level. Also, 0.3 percent of parents knew safe criteria for toy shopping at low level, 22.4 percent at moderate level and 77.4 percent at high level. Knowledge of parents about types of dangerous toys (e.g. toy magnet, small toy in chocolate eggs, squeaky toys) was low.Conclusion: The study findings suggest that safe toy shopping and education for parents and families by various channels of communication seems necessary.

Objective(s): To assess the effect of a theory based intervention among adolescents in a study on intention of substance abuse avoidance among young adolescents, in Tehran, Iran.Methods: Fifty-five high school male students aged between 15 and 19 randomly were allocated into tow study groups: intervention and control group. The intervention group received an educational program based on the developed Reasoned Action Theory in order to examin its effect on beliefs, while the control group didnt receive any programs.Results: The intervention group showed significant improvements in attitude, self efficacy (subjective norms exception) and substance abuse avoidance intention (P<0.001). A decrease in substance use and cigarettesmoking was reported by students in intervention group.Conclusion: Results of this study indicated that a theory based intervention was effective for substance abuse among adolescents.

Objective(s): To estimate blood pressure, the current prevalence and distribution of hypertension and to determine hypertension awareness, treatment, and control in adult population in Yazd, Iran.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of a random sample of adult aged 18 years and over in Yazd. All participants were interviewd and examined with a standard protocol in their homes. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP³140 mmHg or diastolic BP³ 90 mmHg, and sub classified according to the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC-7).Results: In all 1130 individuals were studied (456 men and 674 women). The mean of systolic BP was 132.2±18.2 and 129.2±21.9 mmHg in men and women, respectively (P<0.05). It was 85.0±11.2 and 83.1±12.3 mmHg for diastolic BP (P<0.01). The mean of systolic and diastolic BP were significantly differed in different age groups (P< 0.001).The overall prevalence of hypertension in this study was 38.1%. Of these, 60.9% had stage I hypertension and 39.1% stage II. Hypertension prevalence was significantly higher in men (41.7%) than in women (%35.7) (P<0.05), and varied by age (P<0.001).Overall, 38.1% of hypertensive individuals were aware that they had high blood pressure, and 77.1% were being treated with antihypertensive medications, and 12.4% were under control.Conclusion: The mean of blood presser in two sexes and in age groups were relatively similar with the other studies. Hypertension was relatively high in Yazd. Despite the high rate of treatment, the rates of awareness and control were low. Discrepancies between treatment and control of hypertension might be related to inefficienct treatment or incompliance by patients.

Objective(s): To compare the effect of twice weekly and daily iron supplementation during pregnancy on fetal hematologic and anthropometric indices.Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted at Imam Hospital prenatal clinic, sari, Iran. Two hundred and eighty one nonanemic pregnant women aged 18-35, with singleton pregnancy and normal BMI were randomly assigned to either daily (one 60 mg ferrous sulfate tablet per day) or weekly (one 60 mg ferrous sulfate tablet on Monday and Thursday) iron supplementation regimens from week 20 till delivery.Mothers were followed and Cord blood was sampled (130 samples from daily group and 151 samples from weekly group) to measure the Hemoglobin (Hb) and Ferritin concentrations. Data were analyzed using Student’s t test and chi-square test.Results: Two groups were not significantly different in terms of mother's age, education, job, number of term pregnancies, baseline BMI and Hb levels. The mean for Cord blood Hb concentration in daily and weekly groups were 14.65 (±0.18) and 14.42 (±0.16) g/l respectively. Mean cord Ferritin concentrations were 158.34 (±24.6) for daily and 148 (±14.15) mg/l for weekly group. Hb and Ferritin levels did not differ between two groups significantly (P=0.06 and P=0.51 correspondingly). Birth weight and length in daily group were higher (P< 0.0001 and P< 0.007 in order of reference).Conclusion: Since birth anthropometric parameters were more desirable in daily schedule, and knowing the influence of birth weight on neonate future health and survival, we suggest that twice weekly iron supplementation held in reserve for pregnant mothers who cannot tolerate the gastrointestinal side effects of daily iron intake.

Objective(s): This study was performed to recognize the structure, covering criteria and basic duties of the ministry of welfare and social security in Iran and some selected countries and to choose an appropriate structure for Iran.Methods: This study is a comparative- explorative study and performed to draw a model for Iran health and welfare system according to health, medicare, welfare and social security system in the selective country on the basis of structural concentration.Results: The results of this study showed some differences and some similarities in the structure of welfare and social security in target communities. Similarities: in most countries the basics of duties for reaching goals were the same. The structure was simple, brief and the planning was centralized and the performance was non-centralized. The whole structure of ministry of welfare and social security management was noncentralized.Differences: there were two different methods for analysis of welfare and social security; coverage method and occupational method. In most countries there was a strong bond between the health and treatment, and welfare and social security organizations.Conclusion: Changing the structure of the Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Welfare and Social Security; and combining these two Ministries into the Ministry of Health and Social Security can lead to more coordination in strategic planning; reduction in tasks overlap, redoing, treatment costs and social damages; and appropriate allocation of resources and increasing social welfare.