Payesh
Year:2007 | Volume:6 | Issue:2|Papers Count:11

Objective(s): The present paper attempts to study the trend in age at first marriage based on the health survey study of 1999 and using the Brass model.Methods: The national Health survey was conducted in 1999 and it involved 1/1000 of the total population, studied via cluster sampling (clusters of 8 households).Our sample consisted of 16000 women aged 15-49; we gathered data on the following set of variables: current age, marital status, age at first marriage and area of residence (urban/rural). Age at first marriage for married women had a mean of 17.8 years (SD=3.7) for the entire country.Results: The Brass model fitted to data revealed a significant decreasing trend for the proportion of married women in all age groups, especially for the 15-19 year-old category.Conclusion: This obviously indicates a generally increasing trend in age at first marriage.

Objective(s): Monitoring children's weights using an appropriate scale is one practical way of assessing their nutritional status. This study examined the reliability and acceptability of the Uniscale, an instrument used for weighing mothers and children.Methods: This study was conducted from December 2000 to February 2001 within the Savojbolagh District Health System, Iran. In the first part of the study, weights of subjects in three groups were obtained using the Uniscale and compared with weights obtained from the currently used scales (current scales). The sample comprised pregnant women and children under 5 who visited the health centers. The main measure of interest was reliability, assessed by two indicators: intra-instrument error for each of the two types of scales, and inter-instrument error. The second part was a descriptive study to test providers’ (health workers') perceptions of the acceptability of Uniscale measurements. The main measure was acceptability, assessed by the frequency of problems with usage of the Uniscale and the recommendations by test providers regarding the use of Uniscale.Results: In the first section, a total of 458 clients participated in the study. Overall, mean values of repeated measurements with the two scales (intra-instrument error) were not significantly different. There was no significant difference between the weight measurements of the two scales (inter-instrument error) when weighing children, but a significant difference was detected when weighing pregnant women (P<0.001). In the second section, 54 providers were included. The proportions of providers who recommended the use of the Uniscale for children under 2 years, children 2-5 years and pregnant women were 57%, 75% and 80%, respectively.Conclusion: The Uniscale had the same accuracy as the current scale when weighing children. However, for use in adults, a repeat study may have to be conducted with better-trained providers because measurements appear to be influenced by individual variation in use. Most providers suggested that the Uniscale is a better choice for pregnant women (adult group) than for children. There seems to be a need for newer, more user-friendly versions of the Uniscale. We recommend that new versions of mother-child scales be developed that are more user friendly.

Objective(s): To determine Quality of life in Elderly women residing in Kahrizak Charity Foundation (KCF).Methods: The subjects of this descriptive-analytical study were 87 randomly selected elderly women living in KCF who were able to answer the questionnaire. Data collection was by interview and filling Lipad's questionnaire. Descriptive and analytical statistical methods such as Spearman's r, means, standard deviations and 2×2 contingency tables were used for data analysis.Results: Most of the subjects were in the 65-74 and 75-84y age groups of years (35.4% in each group) with an overall mean age of 72.5 years. Most were illiterate (63.2%) and 88.5% had a monthly income of less than 50000 Rials; 71.8% were widows and 12.9% were divorced. Their standardized mean quality of life score was 54.62, with a standard deviation of 10.22. The quality of life was fairly good both generally and in physical, self-care, social and satisfaction domains, while in the domains of depression, anxiety and cognition, the quality of life was found to be poor.Conclusion: The findings are not consistent with similar studies: Quality of life in general and in most specific domains (especially with regard to life satisfaction) was higher in KCF than in other elderly care centers. This might be due to the good will of the charity donors and better services rendered in KCF.

Objective(s): This study was carried out in the Qaem-Shahr weaving factory, Iran to determine the role of age in the pathogenesis of musculoskeletal disorders.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving a total of 385 male workers divided into several age groups and it surveyed the effect of the age factor in upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. We compared disease prevalence in four different parts of the upper limb- namely shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hands/fingers. The relationship between upper limb disorders and age was assessed using SPSS and Excell software packages. We used the Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaires (NMQ) to obtain prevalence rates for UEMSDS.Results: 86.2% of workers were in the >40y age group. Disease prevalence in hands/ fingers, wrist, elbow and shoulder was 73.18%, 62.3, 60.16%, and 57.73% respectively. There was a significant relationship between age group and upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (P<0.05).Conclusion: Owing to the relatively advanced age of most workers and the presence of other risk factors such as high mobility, poor nutrition, heavy workload, awkward postures at work, physical exertion, inadequate break, etc. the highest prevalence of muscle, tendon and joints disorders was observed in the hand/fingers and wrist, elbow, and shoulder in descending order of frequency. High rates of upper limb disorders can be reduced to an acceptable level by proper attention to these findings, organizing training programs, ergonomic design of workplace, employing a younger workforce plus pre-employment and periodic examinations.

Objective(s): This study was conducted to determine and compare the dietary intake and anthropometric indices of male high school students in rural and urban areas of Zarrinshahr, Isfahan.Methods: In this cross-sectional study 348 high school adolescents aged 14-16 years were selected by stratified random sampling. Weight and height were measured and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Dietary data were collected by a dietitian using two 24-hour dietary recalls and a qualitative food frequency questionnaire.Results: The prevalence of underweight was 12%, 7% and 8% in adolescents aged 14, 15 and 16 years, respectively. The prevalence of overweight was 5%, 6% and 5% in adolescents aged 14, 15 and 16 years and that of obesity was 8%, 4% and 0%, respectively. Dairy consumption was higher and the intake of bread was lower in adolescents residing in industrialized urban areas compared to their counterparts in rural regions (241±124 vs 217±137, P<0.05 and 251±96 vs 264±117 g/d, P<0.05, respectively). Energy (3011±581 vs 2424±572 kcal/d, P<0.05), fat (106±41 vs 74±36 kcal/d, P<0.05), SFA (37±14 vs 29±15 g/d, P<0.01), protein (94±31 vs 71±26 g/d, P<0.05) and vitamin C intake (72±56 vs 52±50 mg/d) were higher in boys residing in industrial city areas compared to those in villages. The contribution of the morning snack to total energy intake was higher in adolescents residing in industrial and non-industrial urban zones compared to rural areas (16.1±3.5 and 17.4±2.4 vs 13.5±1.4 percent, P<0.05).Conclusion: Although the impact of socio-economic factors on obesity prevalence and the consumption of high fat foods and energy intake were evident in some cases, it seems that underweight is still a major nutritional problem in ZarrinShahr. This study highlights the need for programs to improve nutritional status in this age group (especially in rural areas) and to promote consumption of healthy foods particularly in urban areas.

Objective (s): To determine the reasons why pregnant women refuse to attend government-run prenatal care facilities.Methods: Subjects were 300 pregnant women who did not regularly attend prenatal care facilities in the city of Sari. Using a standard questionnaire, using a standard questionnaire, data were collected on demographic characteristics as well as attitude and satisfaction regarding state-run clinics.Results: Fifty-four women (18%) attended both government and private care facilities. The remaining 164 subjects (55%) only visited private clinics. The most important causes of refusal to attend public-sector facilities were: desire to be cared for by a specialist (32%), limited knowledge of State facilities (13%), and dissatisfaction with staff behavior in the public sector (11%).Conclusion: Lack of standardization in instruments, buildings and providers' skills seems to be the main reasons why pregnant women refuse to attend public-sector clinics. To increase attendance rates, we suggest that state-run centers enhance the quality of their services and promote physical standards as well as providers' skills.

Objective (s): To determine the pattern of waterpipe (ghalyan) use and the relevant indicators among adolescent students in Tehran, Iran.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 4361 schoolchildren (2219 boys and 2142 girls) selected by two-stage cluster random sampling from intermediate (orientation) and high schools (including vocational schools) in Tehran's Municipal District 13. We determined the pattern for waterpipe smoking through a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire.Results: Overall, the prevalence of lifetime waterpipe smoking was 56.9% and most adolescents (28.8%) had tried waterpipe between the ages of 12 and 13 for the first time (60.6% in boys vs. 53.1% in girls, P <0.001). The overall prevalence of current waterpipe smoking was 25.7% (30.7% in boys vs. 20.6% in girls; P<0.001). The majority of those who had experimented with the waterpipe (51.4% of) often did so wit their families. However, 58.5% of current users had been smoking with their friends on most occasions. Common places (27.5%) for smoking were cafés or traditional restaurants and the fruit-flavored (Maasel) tobacco was the most common type (91.1%) smoked by all new users. Most of the new users’ parents (71.8%) were aware of waterpipe smoking by their children. Girls’ parents were frequently more inattentive to their children's habit compared to boys’ parents, while boys’ parents were more likely to oppose the practice compared to girls’ parents.Conclusion: The high prevalence of waterpipe smoking among Tehran adolescents can expose them to tobacco addiction and its complications. Therefore, there is a need for more detailed studies on the determinants and consequences of waterpipe smoking (especially fruit-flavored tobacco) and on preventive interventions in adolescents.

Objective (s): To assess the quality of family planning services in the urban health centers of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science.Methods: This was a descriptive study to assess structure, process and outcome of the family planning care services. Fifteen health centers of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science were randomized and the quality of care by sixty-five family planning care providers of these health centers were observed and assessed using checklists. Seventy-five clients were interviewed to assess their knowledge of their selected family planning method and to fill the satisfaction forms. Data collection tools were two observational checklists and two questionnaires. Data was analyzed using SPSS 11.5.Results: The study involved 75 clients with a mean age of 24.7 (SD = 4), and 65 service providers, of whom 60 (92.3%) were midwives. The mean compatibility for the structure of family planning care service was 80.60 (±7.93) percent. General family planning care had 77.3 (±13.8) % compatibility with standards; the figure for specialized contraceptives was 57.5 (±17.4) %. The mean satisfaction rate was 83.3 (±9.05) %, while the mean knowledge score of clients concerning their method of choice was 59.1 (±18) %. Using Pearson correlation test, there were no significant correlations between clients' level of knowledge or their satisfaction with their demographic characteristics (P<0.05).Conclusion: The study of family planning services in the clinics run by Shahid Beheshti University of Medical showed adequate facilities and sufficiently trained personnel; however, client knowledge concerning the selected contraceptive method was moderate. Therefore, there is a need for interventions to improve client counseling and education. This should be a major focus in the future research and planning efforts.

Objective(s): To examine potential correlations between demographic characteristics and the decision to abort the pregnancy.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The sample comprised 888 women admitted for abortion or delivery to15 educational hospitals of Tehran, Iran and Shahid Beheshti medical universities in Tehran from Jan to Feb 2004. Data on demographic characteristics and the decision to illegally terminate the pregnancy were collected via interviews and analyzed by performing multiple logistic regressions.Results: Among all participants, 388 (43.7%) with a mean age of 29.9± 6.3 had made a decision of induced abortion and 500 (56.3%) with a mean age of 24.9 ± 4.9 had not made such a decision. This study showed unwanted pregnancy as the strongest determinant in the decision to abort the fetus. Other variables such as family income, female age and multi parity were also found to be related to the decision to undergo abortion.Conclusion: This study indicated that some pregnant women might have higher risk than others and thus they need more education and support regarding the serious complications of induced abortion.