[Psychometric evaluation of the short forms of barthel index in the elderly residing in nursing home]

The continuous assessment of functional independence level in daily activities of elderly, residing in nursing homes is necessary. It seems that one of the important characteristics of the proper tools is their shortness. This study was designed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the 3-item, 4-item and 5- item versions of Barthel index in the elderly, residing in a nursing home. After translating the tools, sampling was performed by using census method in Kashan Golabchi nursing home in 2006 [n=100]. The questionnaires were completed through interview and observation. Inter-rater agreement was assessed. The tools reliability was determined via internal consistency method. Their validity was determined via Concurrent validity and Known-groups approach. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient, Intra-class Correlation Coefficient [ICC], Kappa, Cronbach's alpha coefficient and Kruskal-wallis test. In all of the assessed tools, the inter-rater reliability for every item was good [Kappa>0.61]. In relation to the total score, all of the tools Intra-class correlation coefficients were more than 0.9. The questionnaires reliability coefficients [internal consistency] were calculated 0.83-0.93. Item-total correlation confirmed their reliability too. Their concurrent validity with Persian Original Barthel index were confirmed [r=0.98, p<0.0001]. The known-groups approach also revealed that these tools are valid [p<0.0001]. The Persian versions of short 3, 4 and 5- item Barthel index for evaluation of disability in elderly, residing in Golabchi nursing home are valid and reliable

[Psychometric evaluation of the satisfaction with life scale [SWLS] in the students of Kashan nursing and midwifery faculty, Kashan, Iran]

Life satisfaction is one of the most important indicators for evaluation of mental health status in general population including university students. In this field, the appropriate tool is necessary. So, this study was carried out in order to assess the reliability and validity of the SWLS in the students of Kashan Nursing and Midwifery Faculty [KNMF], Kashan, Iran, in 2008. In this descriptive study, the SWLS English version was translated into Persian; then, the subjects were selected using random stratified method in KNMF [n=161]. Reliability was determined via stability and internal consistency. Validity was determined via construct and concurrent validity. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient, Intra-class correlation coefficient, Cronbach's alpha, Spearman-Brown, Guttman, independent t-test and exploratory factorial analysis. In 5-35 scale, the life satisfaction score was 22.15 +/- 6.18 [95%CLM=21.19-23.11]. The questionnaire reliability coefficient was calculated to be 0.85-0.9. Item-total correlation and test re-test confirmed its reliability too. Its correlation with Q-LES-QSF and one item life satisfaction scale was reported to be 0.7 and 0.78, respectively [p<0.0001]. The known-groups approach also revealed this tool was valid [p<0.0001]. The factorial analysis extracted one main factor whose Eigen value was 3/24; the mentioned factor can explain greater than 64% of the total variance. SWLS Persian version for evaluation of life satisfaction in the university students is valid and reliable

[Relationship between mothers' and daughters' self-esteem]

Background: Adolescence is one of the most critical stages of human development. Low self-esteem is one of the problems that most adolescents often face with. Moreover, low selfesteem can cause other psychological disorders [e.g. anxiety, depression and drug abuse]. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between mothers' and daughters' self-esteem

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 474 students were randomly selected among the Kashan's high schools during 2009-10. They were divided into three equal groups [low, average and high self-esteem] who met the inclusion criteria [ages 13-19, living with biological parents and without experiencing severe stress over the last year]. Izink standard test and a researcher-made questionnaire were also used to assess both the mothers' and daughters' self-esteem; scores less than 14 were considered as low selfesteem

Results: There was a significant relationship between mothers' and daughters' self-esteem [OR= 3.24, CI= 2.1-4.85, r=0.416]. Seventy-six percent of mothers with low self-esteem had also daughters with low self-esteem. Moreover, while no significant relation was seen between the student's self-esteem and age, education level, birth order and number of brothers and sisters, but there was a significant relationship between the student's self-esteem and intimacy with mother, number of close friends, the average school scores in last year, extracurricular activities, feeling of success, popularity among friends and satisfaction with height and weight

Conclusion: Our study showed a positive correlation between mothers' and daughters' selfesteem

[Psychometric evaluation of Shah version of modified Barthel index in elderly people residing in Kashan Golabchi nursing home]

The rehabilitation interventions have an important role in the promotion of elderly health level especially who are residing in nursing homes. This study was designed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Shah version of modified Barthel index [MBI] in older people residing in Kashan Golabchi nursing home. The Shah version of MBI was translated from English to Persian through forward-backward translation method. Sampling was performed using census method in Kashan Golabchi nursing home during 2006-7 [n=100]. The questionnaires were completed through interview, observation and inter-rater agreement coefficient was assessed. Reliability was determined via internal consistency and validity was determined via concurrent validity, exploratory factor analysis and known-groups approach. Inter-rater reliability coefficient [Kappa] for every item was more than 0.6; Interrater reliability in the total MBI was 0.998. The questionnaire reliability coefficient [internal consistency] was 0.96-0.99 and item-total correlation confirmed its reliability too. Its concurrent validity with Persian original Barthel index was confirmed [r=0.993, P<0.0001] and the known-groups approach revealed its validity [P<0.0001]. The results of factor analysis signified its monofactoriality with Eigen value of 8.268 and the mentioned factor could explain the 82.68% of the total variance. The Persian Shah version of MBI for evaluation of disability in elderly people residing in Golabchi nursing home is a valid and reliable tool

[Psychometric evaluation of disability index for general household survey [Di-Ghs] in elderly people residing in nursing home]

Various scales have been suggested for surveying of disability in the elderly. One of these tools is Disability Index for General Household Survey [DI-GHS]. Evaluating the reliability and validity of DI-GHS in older people residing in Kashan Golabchi nursing home The DI-GHS was translated from English to Persian through back and forward method. The sampling was performed using census method in Kashan Golabchi nursing home in 2006 [n=100]. Inter-rater agreement was assessed. Internal consistency was determined via Item-total Correlation; Cronbach's alpha and split-half. Validity was determined via Concurrent validity, Exploratory factor analysis and Known-groups approach. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient, Intra-class correlation coefficient [ICC], Kappa, Equal-Length spearman-brown, Guttman, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, Kruskal-wallis test and factor analysis via principal component analysis with varimax rotation by SPSS-16. Interrater reliability coefficient for every item was excellent [Kappa>0/8]; Inter-rater reliability in the total DI-GHS was repo rted to be 0/992[ICC]. The questionnaire reliability coefficient [internal consistency] was calculated 0/9-0/95. Item-total correlation confirmed its reliability, too. Its concurrent validity with original Barthel index was confirmed[r=-0/91, p<0/0001]. The knowngroups approach revealed this tool is valid [p<0/0001]. The factor analysis extracted two main factors whose Eigen values were more than one; and these factors could explain%85/8 of the total variance. The Persian DI-GHS could be valid and reliable for the evaluation of disability in elderly people residing in Golabchi nursing home

[Health status and activities of daily living in hemodialysis and transplant patients]

The aim of renal transplantation is improvement of general health and well-being in patients with end-stage renal disease. Both hemodialysis and renal transplantation have complications that can adversely affect health and activities of daily living [ADL] in patients. The assessment and comparison of these variables can be helpful in proper management of the patients. This study was conducted to assess and compare activities of daily living and health status among hemodyalisis and renal transplant patients in Kashan, Iran in 2004-2005. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 163 patients undergoing hemodyalisis and renal replacement therapy in Kashan, Iran. They were selected by census and evaluated by Nottingham Standard Activities of Daily Living questionnaire and DUKE health profile. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and multiple regression. The mean age was 40.6 in transplant and 55.3 years in hemodialysis patients. Of dialysis group 55.6% were female, while the female patients were 41% in transplant group. The mean duration of current therapy was 64.7 month in transplant and 30.3 months in dialysis patients. The mean score of general health was 59.1 +/- 17.7 in transplant and 49.8 +/- 17.6 in dialysis patients [p