Payesh
Year:2009 | Volume:8 | Issue:2|Papers Count:11

Objective(s): To compare obesity, overweight and related socio-economic factors among adolescent girls in the North and South areas of Tehran, the capital of Iran, in 2005.Methods: This cross-sectional and analytical study 210 adolescent girls, aged 14-17 years, from high  schools in the North area of Tehran (n=105; high socio-economic level) and the South area (n=105; low socio-economic level) were selected by the two-step, cluster random sampling method. Demographic data, including mothers’ and fathers’ educational levels and parents’ jobs were gathered, using a validated self-administered questionnaire. Food intake data were obtained by a one-day 24- hour recall and a one- day food record. Weight and height were measured based on standard methods and Body Mass Index (BMI) were calculated. Overweight + obesity were defined as a BMI ³ 85 th percentile of age - sex specific BMI.Results: The prevalence of overweight +obesity was observed in 15.2 % of the girls in the North area and 26.7 % of the South area, the difference being significant (p=0.001). Mean of energy, fat and energy derived from fat were 1964 kcal, 72.0 gr and 34.1% in North area and 2288 kcal, 83.1 gr and 34.4% in South area, respectively. There was a significant correlation between BMI of the girls and mothers’ literacy in the North area. Obesity + overweight were significantly correlated with mothers' job among girls in the South area.Conclusion: Evidence suggests that overweight and obesity in Tehran, especially among female adolescents of a low socioeconomic level, is a public health problem. It is suggested to design and implement nutritional intervention programs for adolescent girls, particularly in the low socio- economic areas.

Objective(s): Avesina Research Institute, consisting of 1. Reproductive Biotechnology 2. Monoclonal Antibody and 3. Nanobiotechnology Research Centers, made great efforts to establish a Twin Registry in Iran for the first time.Methods: First, an introductory notice, regarding the registry and its objectives was advertised through domestic TV channels and radio stations, as well as newspapers to address and summon twins and multiples. In addition, to publicize the registry more widely, an internet site was designed and posters and related business cards were printed. After the preliminary advertisements throughout the country, registration of the twins on the database became available via one of the following:1- Filling out and posting questionnaires2- Posting documents to the database and follow up correspondence for the completion of the required data3- Registration through internet4- Registration through telephone5- Registration via e-mailsResults: In 22 months, from March 24, 2004 to December 31, 2005, about 35000 twins and multiples joined the Iranian Twin Registry and their information was entered into the database.This bulk of data based on information like gender, age, kind of birth, marital status, education, job, ethnicity, medical history, personal interests, hobbies, etc has been classified and is ready for use in research projects.Conclusion: The total number of twins and multiples registered with the registry is about 35000 compared to 350,000 to 400,000 twin pairs (There is one twin per 100 deliveries) who live in Iran. Twins who has participated in our study is less than %5 of the total number of Iranian twins and multiples. For the cooperation of nearly all twins in Iran, an urgent need is felt for substantial economical and organizational supports.

Objective(s): To investigate the effect of financing system on improvement of hospital performance in the selected countries.Methods: This is a descriptive study. The health care system of Canada, France, USA, Australia, UK, Turkey, South Korea, Norway and Iran has been studied on. The base of selection is Garden's categorizing of countries. The questionnaire of proposed model regarding implementation of the Delphi technique were filled out by 30 professionals, professors and policy makers of health care system or people with academic or work experience in hospital management. Collected data was analyzed with statistical methods. After evaluating and analyzing the proposed and corrective ideas, the final model was designed.Results: This study shows that application of financing system plays a key role in improvement of hospital performance along with comprehensive planning and appropriate control supervision system in a fundamental structure.Conclusion: The experts in this field believe that by taking into consideration the social identity of hospital; financial resources and capital goods have to be provided by the governments, training costs have to be paid separately to the hospitals and floating budgets need to be considered for the hospitals.

Objective(s): This research looked at the current situation of the early warning system for flash floods in Golestan.Methods: Using the questionnaire developed by the Secretariat of the United Nations' International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) for assessment of early warning systems, we examined the following components in the province's early warning system: hazard knowledge, monitoring and warning, dissemination/communication and response capacity. The first stage of the study examined current literature on the experience gained so far in Iran and worldwide. Next, we reviewed the existing evidence and documentation from the province's Natural Disaster Center. The third phase of the research began as a qualitative study consisting of in-depth interviews with eight specialists and four people residing in disaster-stricken areas. This was followed by the formation of an 8-member Expert Panel that debated the key issues until agreement was reached by at least four thirds of the members.Results: The study revealed serious flaws in the current warning system, including its inability to make reliable geographical point predictions and possible delays in the transfer of warning from the meteorological services (where most of the predictions are made) to end-users and other organizations. The public receive little warning on rising water levels, and the rare warning messages that do get through are often vague and incomprehensible. There are no clear-cut warning response strategies, including local evacuation programs; hazard maps are non-existent, and response thresholds remain ill-defined.Conclusion: It is clear that many components of the early flash flood warning system in Golestan are in need of functional improvement. A model- to be tested in future studies- is proposed here for the creation of a Village Disaster Taskforce, based on local capabilities and the concept of initiating the warning process at the local level.

Objective(s): To study the pattern of age at menopause in Semnan Province, Iran.Methods: A total 3545 women, 30 years or older, were selected using a cluster random sampling method and interviewed to fill out a questionnaire. Since the object of the study was determination of the pattern of age at natural menopause, some cases with abnormal, operative and so on, ignored and finally 3404 women were enrolled in the study and the pattern of the age at menopause was estimated using prevalence of menopause in each age group.Results: The total mean and median of age at natural menopause were 52.40±5.02 and 50.40, respectively. Increasing of menopause was slow from age 30 to 43, but its speed increased until 55 years old, then decreased slowly.Conclusion: compared to the other regions of Iran, the mean of age at natural menopause in Semnan seems higher.

Objective(s): To propose a model to estimate the incidence of acute cardiac disease and its complications in Iran.Methods: The Markov Chain Model used to consider all probable outcomes of acute cardiac events in individuals over 40 years old in Iran. We estimated the model parameters using systematic reviews and experts opinions. The conceptual framework was validated and finalized by the expert panel.Results: Annual ischemic heart disease mortality in population over 40 years old is 14 per 1000 and the ischemic patients who need outpatient care are around 2,935,000 individuals. The number of beds estimated to be necessary in emergency wards and intensive cardiac care units for whole country are estimated 23520 and 14280 respectively. The estimation number of beds needed to service patients who have undergone a surgical intervention is 8540. The number of cardiac specialist for only outpatients' services is 2240 for whole country.Conclusion: This model may help health policy makers to make evidence based decisions for improving  medical education and better treatment as well as estimating the trend of cardiovascular diseases in Iran.

Objective(s): 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: In this observational study, to find a model for Iran, the structure of ministry of welfare and social security in some countries has been studied. Of all the structural aspects, centralization has been chosen to be the axis of this study.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 is the same. The structure is simple, brief and the planning is centralized and the performance is non-centralized. The whole structure of ministry of welfare and social security management is non-centralized. Differences: there are two different methods for analysis of welfare and social security; coverage method and occupational method.Conclusion: This study showed that the duties that were determined for this ministry are broad and various. It is necessary to cover everybody in the society. To achieve this goal, coverage criteria must be nationality.The structure should be non-centralized to have a simpler, briefer structure. In this situation the role of government is to plan, assess and determine standards in the higher levels.

Objective(s): To determine application of the PRECEDE model for increasing coping behaviors against anxiety in Tehran firemen.Methods: This was a quasi experimental study. 118 firemen (59 in experimental group and 59 in control group) from Tehran fire stations were selected as the subjects of the study through a multistage sampling. Data collection tool was a questionnaire developed by author including demographic characteristics and PRECEDE model components.Results: Comparing to the control group, after educational intervention in the study group, the mean scores of knowledge, attitude, self efficacy (predisposing factors), skill of the relaxation (enabling factor), behavior increased significantly (P<0.0001) and use of 3 educational resources (enabling factor) in area of relaxation increased significantly (P<0.03). Also, verbal persuasion and positive experiences after doing relaxation (reinforcing factors) were reported by experimental group.Conclusion: The finding of the study illustrates effective application of PRECEDE model in increasing predisposing, enabling, reinforcing factors and coping behaviors against anxiety in Tehran firemen.

Objective(s): To assess quality of provided care in labor and delivery units of two selected Kordestan Medical Science University hospitals.Methods: This was a descriptive study to assess quality of provided care to 96 women with normal pregnancy, which was recruited using quota sampling, using two checklists for observation of care procedure and structure as well as a questionnaire to assess clients’ satisfaction. Data was analyzed by SPSS 11.5.Results: Midwifery care was provided in ِdifferent phases of labor, with following mean percentage of compatibility with optimal situation; first phase of labor (71.4%), second phase of labor (63.03%), third phase of labor (80.63%) and first 2 hours after labor (70.50%).  The lowest scores were related to the domains of “emotional support”, “Hand wash” and “assessment of vital signs”.Conclusion: Development of instructions for care, or promotion of partograph use for continuous monitoring and evaluation of quality of care by managers; increasing midwifery personnel; providing facilities for accompanied person to improve quality of emotional care; can lead to quality improvement, and finally clients health and satisfaction.

Objective(s): To assess and compare knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding tobacco use of college students in Iran, US and Chain.Methods: A modified questionnaire used in each of country US, Chain and Iran. A total of 3089 usable surveys were collected (47.5% for male and 52.5% for female). Both descriptive and inferential statistical tests were employed in data analysis.Results: Compared to male participants, American’s female and male students scored higher in knowledge, Iranian genders (both female and male) students scored higher in negative attitude scale of the questionnaire regarding tobacco use. Knowledge of female students was a little greater than male students and their attitude was more negative. Male respondents also were more likely to smoke cigarettes and use other tobacco products and in heavier quantities.Conclusion: The findings provide exploratory information about aspects of tobacco use among students (as an important and reference class of the Iranian society), and based on the results, recommendations are made to national health policy makers and health educators for reducing tobacco related risks through improving associated knowledge, attitude and practice.