Health Promotion Perspectives
Year:2019 | Volume:9 | Issue:2|Papers Count:11

Diabetes, as a chronic condition affects millions of people worldwide. In the United States, approximately 84 million people have prediabetes, a condition that blood sugar is elevated but not to the number that is considered as diabetic. 1-3 More than 30 million people in the United States are diabetic which causes an enormous pressure on individuals, public health, and economics. 1 International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has predicted that the number of cases of type 2 diabetes in the Middle East will increase to 40 million (80% increase) in 2025.

Background: Prostate cancer is a global health concern. In Iran, its epidemiology is not precisely recognized. We aimed to evaluate incidence of prostate cancer among Iranian populations. Methods: In this systematic review, we searched the databases PubMed, Web of Sciences, Scopus and Google Scholar for English studies and the databases Magiran, Scientific Information Database, IranMedex and IranDoc for Persian studies, using related keywords. The crosssectional articles published from inception to 31 December 2018 were included. Meta-analysis was conducted on the collected data with STATA software using random effects model. Results: Out of 763 articles initially obtained, 9 articles were finally included after applying the predefined exclusion criteria. Analysis of 9 studies on the incidence of prostate cancer showed a crude rate of 7. 1 per 100 000 population (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5. 6-8. 6). Also, the pooled age-standardized incidence rate was 8. 7 per 100 000 (95% CI: 6. 7-10. 4). Studies performed in the period 2004-2012 had significantly a higher pooled estimate of the crude incidence rate (9. 2 per 100 000 [95% CI: 7. 9-10. 4]) compared with those conducted in the period 1996-2003 (4. 5 per 100 000 [95% CI: 2. 8-6. 2]). This trend was also observed based on the age-standardized incidence rate (11 per 100 000 [95% CI: 9. 4-12. 5] versus 6. 3 per 100 000 [95% CI: 4-8. 5]). Conclusion: Despite low rate of prostate cancer occurrence in Iran, it is recommended that preventive measures be taken against this disease by health policy makers. Also, more epidemiological studies are needed to better find out the pattern of prostate cancer among Iranian populations.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate potential sex-specific differences on episodic memory function and determine whether sex moderates the effects of acute exercise on episodic memory. Methods: A randomized controlled intervention was employed. This experiment was conducted among young University students (mean age = 21 years). Both males (n=20) and females (n=20) completed two counterbalanced laboratory visits, with one visit involving a 15-minute bout of moderate-intensity exercise prior to the memory task. The control visit engaged in a timematched seated task. Memory function (including short-term memory, learning, and long-term memory) was assessed from the RAVLT (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test). Results: We observed a significant main effect for time (P < 0. 001, ƞ 2 p= 0. 77) and a marginally significant main effect for sex (P = 0. 06, ƞ 2 p= 0. 09), but no time by sex by condition interaction (P = 0. 91, ƞ 2 p= 0. 01). We also observed some suggestive evidence of a more beneficial effect of acute exercise on memory for females. Conclusion: In conclusion, females outperformed males in verbal memory function. Additional research is needed to further evaluate whether sex moderates the effects of acute exercise on memory function.

Background: This study investigated the psychometric properties of the 9-Item Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire (SDM-Q-9) and the 9-Item Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire– Physician version (SDM-Q-Doc) using comprehensive and thorough psychometric methods in an oncology setting. Methods: Cancer survivors (n = 1783; 928 [52. 05%] males) and physicians (n=154; 121 [78. 58%] males) participated in this study. Each cancer survivor completed the SDM-Q-9. Physicians completed the SDM-Q-Doc for each of their cancer patient. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Rasch model were used to test the psychometric properties of SDM-Q-9 and SDM-Q-Doc. Results: SDM-Q-9 and SDM-Q-Doc demonstrated unidimensional structure in CFA and Rasch model. In addition, the measurement invariance was supported for both SDM-Q-9 and SDM-QDoc across sex using the multigroup CFA. Rash analysis indicates no differential item functioning (DIF)across sex for all the SDM-Q-9 and SDM-Q-Doc items. SDM-Q-9 and SDM-Q-Doc were moderately correlated (r = 0. 41; P < 0. 001). Conclusion: SDM-Q-9 and SDM-Q-Doc are valid instruments to assess shared decision making in the oncology setting.

Background: Spinal load and muscle activity in occupation settings is an area of increasing concern. Regarding technological advancements, in diverse occupations the spinal loads have increased through constrained seated postures. Back belts are consequently used in prophylactic and conservative management of occupational low back pain (LBP) in two distinct settings, prevention in industry, and treatment in LBP management. Industrial sites utilize belts for LBP prophylaxis on a large scale with their design and user experience (UE) influencing both the effectiveness and the workers’ compliance. This pilot study aims at determining the effectiveness of the new Tehran Back Belt (TBB) and assesses both UE and biomechanical effect (BE) on paraspinal muscle activity in healthy subjects. Methods: A pretest-posttest study. Stage-1, design and fabrication of the TBB. Stage-2, the UE of the designed belt evaluated in healthy volunteers (n = 30) via a checklist. The BE was determined from the level of lumbar extensor and trunk flexor muscle activity gauged during two test conditions of sitting posture (with and without belt) over 35-minute periods. Results: Most subjects (>90%) reported high ‘ ease of use’ and ‘ comfort’ while wearing the TBB. The BE statistical analysis showed significantly reduced EMG activity levels for the longissimus (P = 0. 012, η 2 = 0. 24), rectus abdominis (P = 0. 024, η 2 = 0. 18) and internal oblique (P = 0. 001, η 2 = 0. 44) muscles in belt-use conditions. Conclusion: Decreased muscle activity while using the TBB is potentially advantageous for workers as spinal muscle activity is significantly reduced. Further investigations for longer duration effects and during real work office-based activities are warranted.

Background: Meteorological parameters and seasonal changes can play an important role in the occurrence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, there is almost no evidence on a national level to suggest the associations between these variables and ACS in Iran. We aim to identify the meteorological parameters and seasonal changes in relationship to ACS. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between 03/19/2015 to 03/18/2016 and used documents and records of patients with ACS in Mazandaran Province Heart Center, Iran. The following definitive diagnostic criteria for ACS were used: (1) existence of cardiac enzymes (CK or CK-MB) above the normal range; (2) Greater than 1 mm ST-segment elevation or depression; (3) abnormal Q waves; and (4) manifestation of troponin enzyme in the blood. Data were collected daily, such as temperature (Celsius) changes, wind speed and its direction, rainfall, daily evaporation rate; number of sunny days, and relative humidity were provided by the Meteorological Organization of Iran. Results: A sample of 2, 054 patients with ACS were recruited. The results indicated the highest ACS events from March to May. Generally, wind speed (18 PM) [IRR = 1. 051 (95% CI: 1. 019 to 1. 083), P = 0. 001], daily evaporation [IRR = 1. 039 (95% CI: 1. 003 to 1. 077), P = 0. 032], daily maximum (P < 0. 001) and minimum (P = 0. 003) relative humidity was positively correlated with ACS events. Also, negatively correlated variables were daily relative humidity (18 PM) [IRR = 0. 985 (95% CI: 0. 978 to 0. 992), P < 0. 001], and daily minimum temperature [IRR = 0. 942 (95% CI: 0. 927 to 0. 958), P < 0. 001]. Conclusion: Climate changes were found to be significantly associated with ACS; especially from cold weather to hot weather in March, April and May. Further research is needed to fully understand the specific conditions and cold exposures.

Background: Parents are the first line mediators in sexuality development of children. However, the majority of parents tend to have close supervision on children sexual behaviors, particularly in the conservative cultures. This article describes the development and psychometric evaluation of an instrument to measure Iranian parents’ competence in caring and nurturing their children sexually. Methods: The questionnaire was designed based on the principles in measurement, Waltz’ s theory. The Iranian version of Children’ s Sexual Behavior Questionnaire (CSBQ-IR) was developed and completed by 386 mothers and 101 fathers who participated in a communitybased sexuality education program in Tehran, capital of Iran. Reliability was assessed by Kuder-Richardson reliability coefficient and Split half. CSBQ-IR was evaluated for its construct, inclusiveness and content validity by principle component analysis. Results: The Kuder-Richardson reliability coefficient and Split half reliability were found 0. 425 and 0. 457 that was on acceptable range. Meaning, grammar, wording and item allocation of the questionnaire were found to be appropriate with (content validity ratio [CVR] = 0. 99) and (content validity index [CVI] = 0. 8) respectively. Conclusion: CSBQ-IR provides a valid assessment of the parents’ competency or incompetency in nurturing, communication, and managing their children’ s sexual behaviors.

Background: The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) is a commonly used tool for evaluation of job burnout in three (personal, work-related and client-related) domains. The aims of this study were to translate and investigate the psychometric properties of the Iranian (Persian) CBI. Methods: A total of 750 employees of different occupations (from educational centres, healthcare, industrial settings, and social services) participated in this descriptive methodological study. A forward-backward procedure was applied and content validity was evaluated by a panel of 10 experts. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used for construct validity. The internal consistency (using Cronbach’ s alpha), test-retest reliability (using intraclass correlation coefficient – ICC), and feasibility (using ceiling and floor effect) were also assessed for this tool. Results: Content validity of the Persian CBI was established. Three-factor structure of the Persian CBI was supported by the factor analysis, and this confirmed the construct validity of the instrument. The internal consistency (Cronbach’ s alpha ranged from 0. 82 to 0. 90) and test-retest reliability (ICC ranged from 0. 85 to 0. 95) were excellent and there was no ceiling or floor effect. Conclusion: The Persian CBI is a valid and reliable measurement tool for burnout in the Iranian context.

Background: Previous experimental work demonstrates that acute exercise may enhance episodic memory performance. However, limited research has examined the extent to which acute exercise influences false episodic memory production, and no studies, to date, have examined whether there is an intensity-specific effect of acute exercise on both true episodic and false episodic memories. Thus, the present experiment evaluated the effects of intensity-specific acute exercise on episodic memory and false episodic memory. Methods: A three-arm, parallel, between-group randomized controlled trial was employed in the University setting, with participants (N=60; Mage = 20. 8 years) randomized into a moderateintensity exercise group (15-minute bout of treadmill exercise at 50% heart rate reserve), a highintensity exercise group (15-minute bout of treadmill exercise at 80% heart rate reserve), or a control group (time-matched period of sitting). True episodic and false episodic memory were both assessed using 6 word-lists from the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm, including both a short-term recall and a delayed memory recognition assessment. Results: For the number of words recalled across each of the 6 lists, there was a significant main effect for list (P < 0. 001, η 2 p=0. 15), marginally significant main effect for group (P = 0. 07, η 2 p=0. 09), but no list by group interaction effect (P = 0. 44, η 2 p=0. 03). Those in the high-intensity exercise group recalled significantly (P < 0. 05) more words than the control group. For the false episodic word recall, across various lists, high-intensity acute exercise was associated with a greater rate of false episodic memories. For the memory recognition task, there was no main effect for word type (P = 0. 46, η 2 p=0. 01), group (P = 0. 4443, η 2 p=. 03), word type by group interaction (P = 0. 44, η 2 p=0. 03), recall by group interaction (P = 0. 4441, η 2 p=0. 04), or word type by recall by group interaction (P = 0. 32, η 2 p=0. 04). However, there was a main effect for recall (P < 0. 001, η 2 p=. 54) and a word type by recall interaction (P < 0. 001, η 2 p=0. 77). Conclusion: These findings suggest that acute high-intensity exercise may enhance true episodic memories, and, possibly, also increase the rate of false episodic memories. We discuss these findings in the context of how different acute exercise intensities may have unique and differential effects on underlying mechanistic processes related to true and false episodic memory.

Background: Social capital is a construct of interaction and social trust in one’ s fellow community members. These interactions can provide a safety net for individuals in terms of information, social support, and adherence to social norms. While a number of studies have previously examined the relationship between social capital and health outcomes, few have examined the parallel relationship of social capital and geographic “ place” with respect to health outcomes. Methods: Considering social capital as facilitated by specific structures, we evaluate the relationship between neighborhood-level social capital and disability rates in a major Southern US city. Disability rates were collected through neighborhood-level data via the American Community Survey (ACS) and compared to a geocoded map of neighborhood-level social capital measures during spring, 2016. Results: Higher social capital within a neighborhood coincided with lower disability rates in that neighborhood (r =-0. 14, P = 0. 016) when compared to random assortment models. Conclusion: Findings from this research add evidence to the value of the built environment, not only providing resources and shaping choices, but for facilitating important social relationships.

Background: Web-based patient education literature has been shown to be written at reading levels far above what is recommended. Little is known about the overall readability of current internet-based bariatric surgery information. The purpose of this study was to assess the readability of current bariatric material on the internet. Methods: The term “ weight loss surgery” was searched using the Chrome browser on the first 15 pages of URLs that appeared with content written in English. Using five readability measures, scores were generated using Readable. io for written content on a sample of 96 websites. Scores were sorted into the readability categories of “ easy, ” “ average, ” and “ difficult. ” Results: Almost 93% of websites, both. com and. org, sampled received an unacceptable readability score on each assessment. Conclusion: Accurate and appropriate information about bariatric procedures is critical for patient comprehension and adherence to recommended protocols.